Review ~ Heart on the Line (Ladies of Harper’s Station, #2) by Karen Witemeyer

                         Published June 6th 2017 by Bethany House Publishers                          

Grace Mallory is tired of running, of hiding. But when an old friend sends an after-hours telegraph transmission warning Grace that the man who has hunted her for nearly a year has discovered her location, she fears she has no choice. She can't let the villain she believes responsible for her father's death release his wrath in Harper's Station, the town that has sheltered her and blessed her with the dearest friends she's ever known.

Amos Bledsoe prefers bicycles to horses and private conversations over the telegraph wire to social gatherings with young ladies who see him as nothing more than an oddity. His telegraph companion, the mysterious Miss G, listens eagerly to his ramblings every night and delights him with tales all her own. For months, their friendship--dare he believe, courtship?--has fed his hope that he has finally found the woman God intended for him. Yet when he takes the next step to meet her in person, he discovers her life is in peril, and Amos must decide if he can shed the cocoon of his quiet nature to become the hero Grace requires. 

About Karen

For those who love to smile as they read, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer offers warmhearted historical romance with a flair for humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. A transplant from California, Karen came to Texas for college, met a cowboy disguised as a computer nerd, married him, and never left the state that had become home.

Winner of the National Reader's Choice Award, HOLT Medallion, ACFW Carol Award, Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, and a finalist for both the RITA and Christy Awards, Karen is a firm believer in the power of happy endings. . . and ice cream. She also loves to reward her readers. Every month she gives away two inspirational historical novels to someone from her newsletter list and offers substantial bonus content on her website. To learn more about Karen and her books, or to join her subscriber list, please visit www.karenwitemeyer.com.

Read an Excerpt here.

My Review

4 STARS!!!

Dependable can sometimes seem like a dull word but in this case it means anything but. Witemeyer is a dependable author. By this I mean her stories always can be depended upon to model utmost moral character while at the same time exhibiting the most charming romance. I find this a refreshing attribute. I never have to worry that the latest narrative might contain anything of an objectionable nature. Therefore, I highly recommend any of her books but especially Heart on the Line.

Amos Bledsoe didn’t strike me as a swoon worthy hero in the beginning. He is not your quintessential tall, dark, and handsome man. But what Amos ‘lacks’ in physical hero qualities, he more than makes up for in his character. By the end, I absolutely adored him! He is witty, brave, staunchly in love with Grace, and willing to put his heart on the line. J What more could a lady ask for?

Grace Mallory is hiding out in a small women’s colony after witnessing a tragic event. I liked her character but didn’t really connect to her in any way. The lady who did capture my attention was Helen. With a prickly pear demeanor and an air of mystery surrounding her, I found her fascinating. Helen’s love story is secondary to Grace’s, but stole the show, in my opinion.

“She glanced at the sky, where a handful of puffy white clouds swam lazily across the bright blue expanse. So peaceful. Perhaps even happy. Helen didn't really know what happiness felt like. To her, it was simply the absence of pain. Yet when she looked at a sky like this one, something inside her whispered that there could be more. There could be joy that led to dancing, to laughter, to a place where fear could not penetrate.” (Witemeyer, pg. 100)

There is a prequel novella, Worth the Wait, and the first novel, No Other Will Do. Although Heart on the Line is the second full length book in the series, it can be read as a standalone. Fans of historical fiction with strong Christian values, mystery, and romance will enjoy this book.

I received a print copy from Bethany House for review purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. No compensation has been received. 

~Happy Reading, Y'all~