Karen Witemeyer at Friday with Friends!

Please help me welcome back a favorite author of mine:

I'm so excited to have Karen back with us today. She brings with her one of my favorite heroes - Crockett Archer in Stealing the Preacher! If you read Short Straw Bride, you'll understand how its possible for me to already love this guy, and after reading some excerpts I'm also in love with the lovely heroine, Joanna Robbins. Be sure to leave a comment and we'll enter you in a drawing for a copy of Stealing the Preacher!

A funny little side note... in my current WIP, Loving TiffanyI introduce a future hero whom I created way before I knew about Joanna. His name is Christopher Robbins. How funny is that?


Now, without further adieu, I present to you my dear Karen Witemeyer:


Linnette asked me to share a little peek behind the scenes of the inspiration that sparked Stealing the Preacher, my newest book set to release June 1st. Not surprisingly, the inspiration for Stealing the Preacher sparked during the writing of Short-Straw Bride, the novel which introduced the reclusive Archer brothers. Crockett Archer played a key role in the book, his smooth, teasing charm a balance to older brother Travis's gruff, over-protective nature. I knew in my heart that this man deserved a story of his own.

When the Archer brothers were children, growing up alone on their ranch and defending it from those who wanted to take advantage of their youth, Crockett's niche in the family evolved into that of spiritual mentor and healer. He was in charge of the family devotionals the Archers conducted in lieu of attending a church service, and whenever an injury occurred on the ranch, Crockett was the one to tend it. For years, the Archers never left their land, yet as he grew to manhood, Crockett felt God's call deepen within him—a call to not only minister to his brothers but to a congregation of his own.

So what kind of heroine could I create for this noble preacher-to-be? Well, she had to be someone who shared his values and his calling to ministry. But if I left it at that, we'd have an awfully dull story. So to liven things up, I made Joanna Robbins the daughter of a retired outlaw, one who despises "sermonizers" and their hypocritical ways.

Since Crockett is no ordinary preacher, but a gun-toting rancher with a gift for doctoring . . . well, that meant a plot full of scrapes, trouble, and shenanigans. But amid the adventure and romance lies a heartrending tale of God's pursuit of a single lost soul. I hope you'll give it a try.

Here's a short excerpt to whet your appetite:


The horse whinnied at the rough treatment and thrashed about trying to gain his freedom. Crockett used the diversion to make a run for the trees. A building of some kind lay to the north. A building meant people. People meant help. He just prayed he'd been right about the bandits not wanting to lodge a bullet in him.

A shot rang out. Angry shouts demanding he stop followed. But no lead slammed into him, so Crockett kept running.

He ducked beneath post oak branches and zigzagged from one tree to another, taking advantage of any cover the terrain afforded.

The building was getting closer. A barn, maybe? He just had to keep his legs under him.
Hooves pounded into the earth behind him. Crockett's heart rate tripled. They were running him down. And he was running out of trees.

Open grassland lay between him and a fenced pasture. Keeping to the trees would only allow him to delay capture, not elude it. His only chance was to scale that fence and hope that Silas and his gang wouldn't risk discovery by pursuing him onto private property.

Lungs on fire, Crockett burst out of the woods and sprinted for the fence. The hoof beats behind him escalated.

A soft whirring caught his ear a second before a lariat dropped over his head and shoulders. Crockett made a desperate grab for the rope, but before he could get his thumbs hooked, the noose tightened around his chest and yanked him backward. In a flash he was flat on his back staring at the sky.

He'd just been lassoed like a new calf at branding time.

~

I like to describe Crockett Archer as a charmer with a hidden core of iron. What are your favorite types of romance heroes?


I'll be giving away one copy of Stealing the Preacher (US residents only) today, so be sure to leave a comment.



Two-time RITA® Finalist and winner of the coveted HOLT Medallion and ACFW Carol Award, CBA bestselling author, Karen Witemeyerwrites historical romance fiction for Bethany House, believing that the world needs more happily-ever-aftersShe is an avid cross-stitcher, shower singer, and bakes a mean apple cobbler. Karen makes her home in Abilene, TX with her husband and three children. Learn more about Karen and her books at: www.karenwitemeyer.com.  

*To be entered into the drawing, please leave your email address in a comment which must be left by Sunday at midnight. Please leave a space on each side of @ in your email address in order to help avoid spammers. Winner will be notified via email. Thank you and have a wonderful day! :D


46 comments:

  1. Wow, great excerpt! I think the best part was when he got roped. I hope there's a girl at the end of it. I love girl power moments, especially in romances ;)

    I'd definitely say that any kind of romance guy with a solid core is my kind of guy. It comes to down to them doing what they feel is right, despite what anyone else may think or say about it. I think that kind of confidence is more attractive than a lot of the arrogant guys that pop into romance.

    Congrats on your book! I can't wait to read it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Totally agree with you, Katie! There is a girl at the end and it's going to be an unforgettable story! :D

      Thanks so much for popping in!

      Delete
    2. Great comment, Katie. There is a subtle difference between confidence and arrogance, but that difference is huge when it comes to defining a man's character. Often a man needs confidence in order to buck the pressure and do what's right where arrogance can turn him into a bully, thinking he can do whatever he wants whether it is right or not just because he is strong or handsome or wealthy or intelligent or whatever his cockiness is based on. Thanks for reminding us of that important distinction.

      Delete
  2. I'm so excited to read this book!
    My favorite type of romance hero? I personally love the wounded hero. Not the kind that whines, but the kind that has a hidden secret or experience in his past that he must overcome (think Levi Grant in Karen Witemeyer's To Win Her Heart).
    A hero like that just gets my blood pumping as a female reader!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Forgot to leave my email address: jy.foreman (@) hotmail (dot) com

      Delete
    2. Oh, Janette! I'm such a sucker for the wounded hero! Thanks so much for stopping by! :D

      Delete
    3. I'm a sucker for the wounded hero, too. Beauty and the Beast is my all-time favorite fairy tale. for just that reason!

      Delete
  3. I can hardly wait to read it. I loved Crockett, in Short-Straw Bride. He was the fun-loving, serious one. A lot like my dad. Crockett never lets life be too serious, for too long. JoAnna, I know, will reel him in, all while his runs after her.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If only I could type, as well as I think. *all while he runs after her.*

      Delete
    2. I totally get what you're saying, Dora! Love that not too serious for too long thing about Crockett! Thanks for stopping by! :D

      Delete
    3. We all need someone who can make us laugh, don't we? My husband loves to tease, so he played a role in Crockett's character development. ;-)

      Delete
  4. I agree with Janette, Levi Grant was my kind of hero. That is still my favorite Historical Romance book to this day and opened my eyes to
    Karen as an author. I have purchased every book she has written and I'm waiting impatiently to read Stealing The Preacher. And, no, Karen I'm not stalking you but I'm doing my best to win! LOL Maybe this is my day! Thank you for the giveaway!

    Wanda Barefoot
    flghtlss1(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen is one of my all time favorite authors, too, Wanda! I'm so glad you stopped by! :D

      Delete
    2. You can stalk my BOOKS any time, Wanda. Ha!

      Delete
    3. Thank you Karen. I'm glad I have your Blessing! LOL
      Love your blog Linette. Thank you for having me!

      Delete
  5. Makes me wonder if there's a woman at the end of that rope and he's going to be down looking up at her...already hogtied before the story gets started, lol. Can't wait for this one. Thanks for the opportunity to win one of Karen's books. I love them all so far!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mmmm... if you go to Karen's website, you'll get an answer to that question. ;)

      Thanks for stopping by, Susan! :D

      Delete
    2. Thanks, Susan! Hope you get a chance to read Crockett's story soon. :-)

      Delete
  6. Can't wait, I loved Short Straw Bride and I know this will be great!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Grams! I appreciate you stopping by today!

      Delete
    2. Grams, do you have an e-mail where I can contact you in case you win?

      Thanks for stopping by! :D

      Delete
  7. I'm new to Karen's books. I just read Short Straw Bride and I loved it! This excerpt makes me want to get my hands on the book! :) brumusiclover @ gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Juliane! Hope you have fun with Crockett and Joanna!

      Delete
    2. Juliane, I'm poor so there are few books I ever pay full price for (library and discount racks). However, Karen is one of the few authors for which I will pay full price. Hers are keepers!

      Thanks for stopping by! :D

      Delete
  8. I love your books, Karen! I keep rereading them! :)
    My favorite characters are the men who are tough and strong, but have a soft side few people see. He should also have a good sense of humor, 'cause what's the point of going through life if you can't laugh about it? I also really like the guys that are "old fashioned" and treat a woman like a lady (opening doors, holding her hand, walking her to the front door, that kinda thing). :)
    I don't know if that answers your question, but I hope so!
    I'm so excited to read Crockett and Joanna's book! Are his other 2 brothers, Jim and Neill, going to have books as well?
    ~Sarah
    booklover1492(at)rocketmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ooo - You and me have the same taste in men, Sarah. :-) Love it!!!

      Delete
    2. Ditto!

      Thanks for stopping by, Sarah! :D

      Delete
  9. I read lots and lots of books (have read all of Karen's books except this newest one and love them), but the two main characters in Dee Henderson's FULL DISCLOSURE have lingered in my mind for weeks and months. Ann Silver and Paul Falcon's romantic waltz took my breath away. Paul's character was handsome and smart but also very patient and kind; power and gentleness merged.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Love that combination of power and gentleness, Rebecca. Great qualities!

      Delete
    2. Agree! Thanks for stopping by, Rebecca! :D

      Delete
  10. love your books! Can't wait to read this one!

    candicervaldez@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. I loved "Short Straw Bride" and can't wait to get my hands on Crockett...uh, on the book about Crockett. ;)
    dee617@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry, my email is deedles617@gmail.com

      Delete
    2. LOL! That's fabulous, Saundra. :-)

      Delete
    3. *giggles* So glad you have you stop by, Saundra! Hope you'll come again. :D

      Delete
  12. Ok, now I have another book to add to my to-read list! With that excerpt, I'm definitely hooked.

    My favorite types of romance heroes are realistic. They have endearing personality traits, while at the same time, are flawed like the rest of us. It's so wonderful that God chooses ordinary people to carry out his plan.

    I can't wait to read more of this book! My email is cclark207 @ gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Courtney, I have all of Karen's books. If you haven't read any yet you should try one. To Win Her Heart is a good place to start. I promise you won't regret it. :)

      Wanda

      Delete
    2. COURTNEY, thank you so much for stopping by! I know what you mean about being hooked. Oh my! I'm like WANDA. I have everyone of Karen's books except this one. Hoping to remedy that soon. Karen's books are the kind you keep on to reread! :)

      WANDA, you are welcome at my website anytime! Laura Frantz is coming soon! :D

      Delete
    3. Thank you, Linnette. You can believe I'll keep my eyes open for her!

      Wanda

      Delete
  13. WANDA, so fun to have you here! I'll be looking for you! :D

    ReplyDelete
  14. Congratulations, Courtney Clark! You're the winner of Karen's "Stealing the Preahcer"! :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yay! I'm so excited! I'll be looking forward to your feature with Laura Frantz, as well.

      Delete
    2. Thank you, Courtney! It's been such a pleasure having you here. I look forward to your visits. :D

      Delete
  15. Well Ladies, every time I read more about this story, I want it more. Bet that ground was hard. But i"m sure will be a happy ending. Please put my name in the drawing. MAXIE mac262(at)me(dot)com

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by and chatting with me! I hope you enjoyed your time here and will come visit me again! :D

Linnette R Mullin