ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Karen Witemeyer is a deacon’s wife and mother of three who believes the world needs more happily-ever-afters. To that end, she combines her love of bygone eras with her passion for helping women mature in Christ to craft historical romance novels that lift the spirit and nurture the soul.
After growing up in California, Karen moved to Texas to attend Abilene Christian University where she earned bachelor and master’s degrees in Psychology. It was also there that she met and married her own Texas hero. He roped her in good, for she has lived in Texas ever since. In fact, she fell so in love with this rugged land of sweeping sunsets and enduring pioneer spirit, that she incorporates it into the pages of her novels, setting her stories in the small towns of a state that burgeoned into greatness in the mid-to-late 1800s.
Karen is living her dream by writing Christian historical romance novels for Bethany House. When she visited her publisher back in January of 2010, she was interviewed by the staff. If you’d like a behind-the-scenes glimpse into how she develops her story ideas and a description of her bumpy journey to publication, go to her website to listen to a podcast of that interview.
ABOUT THE BOOK
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?
If you would like to read the first chapter of Head in the Clouds, go HERE.
My Review:
I loved this sweet novel! I had the chance to review A Tailor Made Bride, Karen Witemeyer’s debut novel, so when it came to me that I could review her second novel, Head in the Clouds, I just couldn’t refuse. Karen’s writing style had me hooked from page one of A Tailor Made Bride, so I knew that with this book, her writing style would be as good, or better. I was not disappointed, as I absolutely LOVED this witty book even more so than her first one.
I was instantly in 1800’s Texas, sitting at a table next to Adelaide. I was dressed the same, saw the same things, felt the same emotions, as she. I love that feeling. Don’t you wish you could travel to that time and place and live simpler? I sure do! And for just a time, with all her wit and humor added to Adelaide’s character, Karen Witmeyer really makes me feel like I’ve lived in that time and place. All Adelaide wants, being a fellow book lover and all, is to find her Mr. Right, the one that she so often reads about in many novels. Someone who will sweep her of her feet in a heroic rush of gallantry.
Gideon Westcott left a life in prestigious England to chase a decent life here in America. Including being a father to a sweet young daughter named Bella. But when he advertises for a governess for this precious child, he never imagined the spunky Adelaide Proctor to fill the position! Boy oh boy, did the fun start then when he gave in and hired her. Wowee!
I absolutely would love to have Gideon jump out of the pages of this book and become real so I can have my heroic ending. Karen Witmeyer’s 5 star novel certainly makes me wish my head was in the clouds where I might find Gideon, or at least someone who resembles a hard working, loving and gentle man! A message of hope and longing, love and God’s perfect timing is woven in this sassy new novel (oh and I must say that there is just a teeny tiny twist of suspense to it) and it’s one that I most definitely recommend to everyone who loved Karen’s debut, or who just loves a witty historical novel full of love and laughs.
