A Tailor-Made Bride
G.R.I.T.S.
Back Cover:

When a dressmaker who values beauty tangles with a liveryman who condems vanity, the sparks begin to fly!

Jericho "J.T." Tucker wants nothing to do with the new dressmaker in Coventry, Texas. He's all too familiar with her kind-shallow women more devoted to fashion than true beauty. Yet, except for her well-tailored clothes, this seamstress is not at all what he expected.

Hannah Richards is congounded by the man who runs the livery. The unsmiling fellow riles her with his arrogant assumptions and gruff manner, while at the same time stirring her heart with unexpected acts of kindness. Which side of Jericho Tucker reflects the real man?

When Hannah decides to help Jericho's sister catch a beau-leading to consequences neither could have foreseen-will Jericho and Hannah find a way to bridge the gap between them?


A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS?

I loved this book! Karen Did such a good job with her debut Novel. I got so wrapped up in the characters of the book, that I Felt I was right there with Jericho and Hannah.
Hannah Starts out on the wrong foot with J.T., even before her sewing machine touches the platform, in the town nearest Coventry with a train station. Only thing is, J.T. can't help but feel like he needs to be helping her out! So his plan to be avoiding her falls flat!
Thinking he knows what This little dressmaker is all about- Vanity...Making women want what they don't have and most of the time can't afford- He's tossed on a soul searching rollercoster ride! Every time he turns around, She's doing something completely contrary to what his original predictions said!
But when Hannah starts helping his sister 'catch a man'...he's all fired up, thinking Hannah's corrupting his babysister! But little does he realize, she's just trying to bring out her natural beauty, while she's trying to show him the error of his way!
This book is a delight to read! I couldn't put it down, within 3 days it was done! (I had somethings I needed to do :) And I can honestly say... Karen, Keep 'em comin'!
I can't wait to read Head in the Clouds! (just by the cover, I know I'm going to be able to relate!)
10 Random Facts About Karen Witemeyer:

1. I'm an avid cross-stitcher. The only pile taller than my to-be-read book pile is my to-be-stitched needlework pile.
2. My favorite animal is the hippopotamus. (long story)
3. Even though I love reading and writing historical romance, in school, history was my least favorite subject.
4. I sing off and on with a local classical chorus.
5. I live next door to my in-laws and continue to survive to tell the tale.
6. My favorite dessert is a warm-from-the-oven brownie with either vanilla or chocolate chip ice cream on top. Ooo, or maybe Marie Calendar's Razzleberry pie. Hmmm, or maybe it's...excuse me while I scamper off to dessertland for a moment.
OK, I'm back. Did I brush off all those cookie crumbs? Good. Gotta hide the evidence, you know.
7. I met my editor while stuffing envelopes at a pre-conference volunteer station.
8. I teach ladies Bible class for our local congregation.
9. This time next year I'll be staring the big 4-0 in the face.
10. My kids think it's cool their mom is an author, but my middle child keeps asking why the people on my first cover have no heads.



To the FTC and whomever else it may concern, I received this book from the Author. In return, I have promised to review the book but have been given the freedom by Karen Witemeyer to give my honest opinions whether they be positive or negative.
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Interview with Karen Witemeyer
G.R.I.T.S.

Karen Witemeyer is the Author of A Tailor-Made Bride, Check Back Tomorrow for a Review of this Great Book!


This week I'm glad to introduce a new friend of mine, Karen Witemeyer, to Caffeine & Romance. Welcome Karen!
Thanks, Rae. I'm glad to be here with you and your blog buddies.

* What Made you decide to write A Tailor-Made Bride?

It all started with a question: What happens when believers disagree about what the Christian life should look like?

Hannah Richards believes she is being a good steward of the talents the Lord has blessed her with by turning her needle to creating dresses that are pleasing to look upon. She is imitating the Creator God who designed wildflowers, rainbows, and sunsets.

Jericho Tucker, on the other hand, believes that fancy dress goods encourage women to focus their attention on vain, superficial beauty instead of the inner attributes of a gentle and quiet spirit that Scripture promotes as true loveliness.

Both are right. Yet both see the other as wrong. By throwing Jericho's sister Cordelia into the mix, I forced these two characters to face their differences and learn from each other, to mend those tears of condemnation with threads of grace.

*Will it become a series or just a stand alone title?

Although I was contracted for three books, the editors at Bethany House are looking to move away from series, so each of my books is a stand alone title. They all have similar settings - Texas in the 1880s, but each will draw from a new cast of characters.

* What was your inspiration for the Characters?

Like most authors, I write a bit of myself into all of my characters. I relate strongly to Hannah, my heroine, and often wish I was more like her. She is feisty and independent but also has a compassionate nature I long to emulate more completely. Hannah is a 19th century fitness maven who is following her dream of owning her own dress shop. Yet despite her outward strength, she is vulnerable and unsure about how to accomplish her goals while still honoring her Lord. As a writer who must learn how to value the business side with the ministry side, I share Hannah's angst.

If Hannah is who I wish I was, her dear friend, Cordelia, is more of who I actually am. A little too addicted to sweets, shy in new situations but a dedicated friend once bonds are formed, and head-over-heels in love with a man who leads the singing in worship. (Did I mention my husband is a song leader for our local congregation?)

As a reader I enjoy relating to the heroine, but it's the hero who makes me fall in love with a book. So, too, with writing. I wanted to make Jericho a hero I would fall for, so I gave him a past that left him wounded and hardened, yet I knew this gruff exterior had to shelter a tender heart. He is a man who speaks more eloquently with his actions than his words, but when the right words come, they are that much sweeter due to their rarity.



* Head-in-the Clouds is releasing in October, would you like to tell the readers about it?

Since I enjoy Regency romances as well as those set in the American West, I thought it would be fun to blend the two by bringing an English nobleman to Texas. In Head in the Clouds, a recovering romantic takes a job as governess for the mute daughter of a sheep rancher and soon learns her heart is not the only thing in danger.

Adelaide Proctor is a young woman with her head in the clouds, longing for a real-life storybook hero to claim as her own. But when a husband-hunting debacle leaves her humiliated, she interviews for a staid governess position on a central Texas sheep ranch and vows to leave her romantic yearnings behind.

When Gideon Westcott left his privileged life in England to make a name for himself in America's wool industry, he never expected to become a father overnight. And five-year-old Isabella hasn't uttered a word since she lost her mother. The unconventionality of the new governess concerns Gideon--and intrigues him at the same time. But he can't afford distractions. He has a ranch to run, a shearing to oversee, and a suspicious fence-cutting to investigate.

When Isabella's uncle comes to claim the child--and her inheritance--Gideon and Adelaide must work together to protect Isabella from the man's evil schemes. And soon neither can deny their growing attraction. But after so many heartbreaks, will Adelaide be willing to get her head out of the clouds and put her heart on the line?

* Are you working on anything Right now?

My current work in progress is a story set in the late 1880s that asks the question – what happens after the prodigal son returns? So many times, we focus on the wonderful homecoming the lost son received from his father, but have you ever asked what life was like for him after the celebration was over? How did he relate to his bitter older brother or the servants and townspeople who were only too aware of his past arrogance and wild living?

In my third book, I play on those very questions. My hero is a man recently released from prison who has returned to his faith roots and rededicated his life to the Lord. The heroine is a woman who has been disappointed by men in the past and has little tolerance of those who don't meet her high standards. In an effort to make a clean start, Levi hides his past and Eden believes she has finally found a man of honor and integrity. But when his secret is revealed will both their futures be shattered?

* I know from the group that I met you in, that your a fan of Historical Fiction. Will Most of your stories be Historical also?

Yes, I am an historical romance addict. It is all I read and all I plan to write. I guess you could say it is my passion. I don't know why, but there is something that heightens the romance for me when it is set in the past. Maybe it's the dresses or the rugged cowboy heroes, but something about escaping into another time makes the story sweeter for me.


I completely agree with the rugged cowboy heroes! They're my favorite ones to read about! :)



* What got you started with writing? Has it been something you've always wanted to do?

I had always been an avid reader, and as I grew to adulthood, I toyed with the idea of putting my own stories to paper. I'd daydream romantic plot lines and jot down my ideas in a journal, but I never committed myself to writing. First, college kept me busy. Then kids entered the picture. But in 2003 when my husband learned his job was being cut, the urge to turn someday into this day became too strong to ignore. The busyness didn't disappear, of course. I started working full-time outside the home, and the kids were still young and in need of my attention. However, the Lord had sent me a wake-up call, and I knew I had to answer.

* What's your Favorite Form of Caffeine?

Ha! There's a reason my heroine, Hannah, drinks hot cocoa every morning. LOL. I've never been a coffee drinker, but I do enjoy an occasional cup of hot chocolate or some hot tea sweetened with honey. Especially when there is a nip in the air.

* Any Advice for new writers?

Don't be in a rush. The publishing world moves slowly and a new writer would be wise to invest their time in honing their craft instead of pushing ahead with an unready manuscript. I tend to be task-oriented, and when I finish something, I want to immediately send it in. I still need to learn patience in this business.

Oh, and don't forget to enjoy the ride.

* Any Closing remarks?

Thank you so much for having me here as a guest today. I've enjoyed chatting with everyone. For those of you who enjoy Christian historical fiction, I have a giveaway on my website every month for 2-3 new or recent releases. If you're interested, you can check it out at: http://www.karenwitemeyer.com/get_connected.html.

I'm always on the lookout for new traits to incorporate into my characters, so I would love to hear from your readers about the traits of their favorite heroes and heroines. What helps you relate to the heroines in your favorite stories and what makes those to-die-for heroes irresistible? I'll be checking your coments and sharing some of my own preferences.





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The Anonymous Bride
G.R.I.T.S.

The Anonymous Bride my Vickie McDonough

About the Book:

Check yourself into the Texas Boardinghouse Brides series by Vickie McDonough, where you’ll meet Luke Davis, marshal of Lookout, Texas, who flippantly tells his cousin he’d get married if the right woman ever came along. When three mail-order brides are delivered to Luke a month later, he’s in an uncomfortable predicament. How will he ever choose his mate? Rachel Hamilton’s long-time love for Luke is reignited with his return to town. So when three mail-order brides appear, she panics. Will she find the courage to tell Luke that she loves him? Or take an anonymous part in the contest for his hand?

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS?
This was an entertaining story! I thought the humor woven through out it was fantastic. This was not my first time reading a book by Vickie, I have about 4 of them in my own private collection...
This story is about how the decision of 1 girl, changed how life was going to be for many people.
Luke Davis has been in love with the lovely Rachel all of his life. And at one point in time was even engaged to marry her...Until she showed up one day and announced she was married to another man-who just happened to be the town's most eligible and wealthy bachelor. So instead of sticking around a seeing her with him...Luke left and joined the one thing he knew, that he wouldn't see unattached females...The Calvary! Now after 11 years, he's back in town, and Rachel is a widow...Only thing is, there is also 3 Mail-order brides in town claiming that Luke Davis promised to marry them!
I was laughing through out this whole encounter! Imagine, a man who's been avoiding women like the plague for 11 yrs...to all of a sudden being roped into having to choose a bride...or get sued! And in order to choose, the town has set up a contest..where each women is to bake, sew, get to know him...only thing is there is now an anonymous bride! One who isn't there by mail-order!
Rachel has regretted Marrying James just about her whole married life...only thing she doesn't regret is her daughter Jack! But will she be able to tell Luke why she betrayed him all those years ago? Or will she have to endure his rejecting her?









To the FTC and whomever else it may concern, I received this book off of a blog giveaway.
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About Book: Maid to Match
G.R.I.T.S.

The Next book in the Deeanne Gist Novel Series!
Back Cover:
From the day she arrives at the Biltmore, Tillie Reese is dazzled--by the riches of the Vanderbilts and by Mack Danvers, a mountain man turned footman. When Tillie is enlisted to help tame Mack's rugged behavior by tutoring him in the ways of refined society, the resulting sparks threaten Tillie's efforts to be chosen as Edith Vanderbilt's lady's maid. But the stakes rise even higher when Mack and Tillie become entangled in a cover-up at the town orphanage. They could both lose their jobs...and their hearts.


*This Book Takes place At the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina, Which is Still standing to this day...You can tour/stay at the Biltmore.(interesting side note:)

Like the Rest of Her Books, this is sure to be a knock out! As always, if you click on the photo above, you read a few pages of the book! I know I'll be looking for this book!

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The Knight and the Dove
G.R.I.T.S.

By: Lori Wick
#4 in the Kensington Chronicles
Back Cover:

"King Henry says I am to marry one of the daughters of Vincent of Stone Lake."
For Bracken of Hawkings Crest, there could be no refusal. But could there ever be love?


Eager to secure a permanent Loyalty from this promising young knight, King Henry commands Bracken to marry into one of the crown's most loyal families. But Lord Vincent's oldest daughter, the beautiful yet deceitful Marigold, scorns the king's edict. She will never marry a lowly earl. Now Vincent must call on his beloved Megan from the abbey and send her to Hawkings Crest to wedWhen Marigold discovers that Bracken has been made a duke for his obedience, jealousy drives her to madness-a madness that will stop at nothing to bring her younger sister pain. Will Bracken resue Megan from Marigold's wicken scheme? Will Megan ever hear the words she longs to here from her knight?

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS?

Bracken, a young knight who does want a marriage, but he wasn't planning on right this moment, but when the King's Command was sent forth, Bracken's plans changed immediatly.

When Megan learned that she was the one to be wed to this Bracken of Hawkings Crest, she decided she would do her duty to her kingdom. But Bracken knows nothing of what women like...a kind word, wooing, courting. Being a knight, his biggest thing is to protect, not coddle. So after the wedding and Megan is still 'scared' of him, he doesn't know what to do, but with the help of his Mother and a fellow knight, Bracken startes to court and woo his wife, and realizes that she isn't like men. That she has different feelings.

The Knight and the Dove takes place way before the rest of the series does, it's set in 1531. Out of all the Books, I would have to say that this one is my favorite! You get to go on a journey with a knight and a shy woman, a woman who has never felt like she belonged anywhere but the abbey. You get to go through their Joy's, Sorrows, and their Terrifing experiences. And you get to go along with Bracken as realizes that it takes more than actions to show a woman you love her, it takes 3 Words as well!



Buy The Knight and the Dove now, for only $10.39...also by clicking on the link, you can read the first couple pages of the book!

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