Review (The Skinny) : Head in the Clouds by Karen Witemeyer

Head in the Clouds by Karen Witemeyer
My rating: 2.5 of 5 genies
Genre: Inspirational/Christian, Historical Fiction, Romance
Published: October 1, 2010
Pages: 366
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Source: Library Loan
Format: Paperback
Purchase At: TheBookDepository.com or Amazon.com

Goodreads Summary

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?

The Skinny

It is alarming how well I can see through this plot! I loved the last book I read by Karen, To Win Her Heart, but this one is oodles too long and equally predictable. The beginning half had me - it was funny - and I liked Gideon and Addie, but a quick sweep through some pages tells me that their romance dissolves into the typical Man-Woman corniness I quite dislike. Also with so little time I cannot afford to (sorry) waste the little I do have with something that only mildly interests me. It isn't meant to be a mean remark, I just want something more engaging. This is the second time in a year that I have tried this book, I got farther than the last time, but I'm not sure if there's a third meeting in our future.

This novel had its perks, I wouldn't read it again, but it was an okay read.

Review: That Certain Spark by Cathy Marie Hake

That Certain Spark by Cathy Marie Hake
My rating: 2 of 5 genies
Genre: Inspirational/Christian, Historical, Fiction, Romance
Published: August 1, 2009
Pages: 348
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Source: Library Loan
Format: Paperback
Purchase At: TheBookDepository.com or Amazon.com

Goodreads Summary

Gooding, Texas, is about to gain a double blessing--a veterinarian and a doctor. But when siblings Enoch and Taylor Bestman arrive, the discovery that Taylor is a lady doctor has the town up in arms. Especially Karl Van der Vort, the town blacksmith, who becomes the first patient...against his will.
Though hesitant to believe in Taylor's doctoring skills, Karl finds himself oddly protective of this surprising woman who dares to drive about town on her own, wearing the color red, for heaven's sake Taylor, on the other hand, wants only to prove that doctoring is her life's calling, despite the town's opposition. The result? Pride meets attraction head-on, and sparks begin to fly.

My Thoughts

'That Certain Spark' was interesting and NOT in a good way. Interesting like cafeteria meat that you pick with a fork wondering what exactly it is or supposed to be. It was weird for me and you have no idea how it burns me to say that! I love a lot of books by Hake, like 'Fancy Pants' and 'Bittersweet' to name a few, and while I am being honest let me say that not all her books have been easy to get into. Fudge! They have been even impossible at times, but I found that perseverance in those cases proved worth it at the end. Eventually something would happen.

I felt that way about this book too, but that didn't happen. I liked the cover, a picture of Taylor, it was quirky and looked to have everything to do with the story. And yet even though Taylor was a protagonist I never did feel like she was the MAIN focus. It felt like a crowd had been forced into this book, there were just too many people! I can see why Hake did it, and on many occasions I grumble at not being properly entertained, just not on this one.

Sometimes things didn't even check out. Realistically speaking Enoch's courtship with Mercy bordered on lust and was just that, unrealistic. If we are going to have a Lust-relationship be clear about it! Do not mask it as love because barely two weeks together does not a happy marriage make. Who seriously marries a vet who just moved into town 2 weeks ago! Who in their right mind!? He could be a killer who stuffs children into pig carcasses! Didn't think about that, huh Mercy? And Taylor's brother wasn't a guy, he was a pansy. Their relationship was very forced to me, Hake tried too hard to make them seem like twins, insisting that they had a 'connection'. Well the proof is in the pudding and I tasted water.

They were too unrelated for my liking. Sure Enoch stuck up for his sister, but it didn't feel authentic, it felt like someone was going 'Oh, you have to go do something. People are staring and you ARE her twin,' every time someone was rude or tried to get her to leave. Their being related did nothing for me.

Furthermore the love interest for Taylor sucked as well! At the beginning he seemed flipping American then all of a sudden he's... Dutch? What now! At least his brother was spouting German or Danish from the start, not halfway through like Karl. It was as if he up and decided to be German, and throwing random phrases around does not make him that! Why is it that most authors think ignoring a person's heritage is okay? They come from unique backgrounds, all of them do and lumping them into a mold of job, occupation or type based on romantic interest does not tell me about that person! Does that character miss where he came from? Believe it or not but that guy has history in whatever country you're botching to make him look worldly, authors.

I absolutely hated that. Also Karl reminded me of Frankenstein's monster: hulking, bumbling and unaware. He was fine going around defending Taylor, not completely on her side yet but thinking she was hot and doing it just because. Yeah, thanks pal. I didn't think Hake devoted enough time to those two at all because there were no butterflies when I gave up halfway through the book and checked out the ending, I was just like 'Not worth it!' and dropped the book altogether. It was all split between Enoch and his family troubles (which by the way were just ridiculous) and 10 other town people including Karl and his brother. They all had opinions and I'm sure I didn't need to be exposed to all of them. I get that they are important to the town and somewhat to the story, but these people have HAD their stories, why force them into this one? Detain them!

How Hake expected me to devote attention to Taylor when Enoch had so much drama going on is beyond me, it was just too much! I am very disappointed and despite the 2 genie rating I give this novel I will keep reading Hake's work, because she isn't a bad author, this is just a bad book.

2 genies: I wanted to like this, I really did, but too much was left under-developed.

There was far more worse than good.

Review: To Win Her Heart by Karen Witemeyer

To Win Her Heart by Karen Witemeyer
My rating: 5 of 5 genies
Genre: Inspirational/Christian, Historical, Romance,
Published: May 1, 2011
Pages: 352
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Source: Library Loan
Format: Paperback
Purchase At: TheBookDepository.com or Amazon.com

Goodreads Summary

Having completed his sentence for the unintentional crime that derailed his youthful plans for fame and fortune, Levi Grant looks to start over in the town of Spencer, Texas. Spencer needs a blacksmith, a trade he learned at his father's knee, and he needs a place where no one knows his past. But small towns leave little room for secrets...
Eden Spencer has sworn off men, choosing instead to devote her time to the lending library she runs. When a mountain-sized stranger walks through her door and asks to borrow a book, she steels herself against the attraction he provokes. His halting speech and hesitant manner leave her doubting his intelligence. Yet as the mysteries of the town's new blacksmith unfold, Eden discovers hidden depths in him that tempt her heart.
Levi's renewed commitment to his faith leads Eden to believe she's finally found a man of honor and integrity, a man worthy of her love. But when the truth about his prodigal past comes to light, can this tarnished hero find a way to win back the librarian's affections?

My Thoughts

Hallelujah!

Ha, really this book was phenomenal! I was not expecting it to be this good, don't ask me why but I just wasn't. I finished reading 'That Certain Spark' before this and was feeling more than a little sour towards Christian Fiction, especially anything historical! And yet here comes Witemeyer to plummet completely my bias. Really she outdid herself!

This read took longer for me to finish and not because of the ability of the book to keep me interested. No, It was my fault because 1/3 through the reading process, I cracked. There was just so much stuff going on that I'm not getting into that took precedence over reading. That is why I took a bajillion days to finish!

Alright, So we're clear? Excellent!

See the word I used there? It's a perfect description of this novel, perfectly EXCELLENT. I expected to hate it, and though 'A tailor made Bride' was decent I was tired of being preached at. I'm a Christian but I find that some books just make it one sermon; 'don't do this', and, 'stay away from that,' but never once do they expose you to realistic scenarios in which you will need to make tough choices. No, it's often just one dramatic sludge of fail with flimsy heroines and generic males. This book was not that.

I am in love with Levi, an ex-prize fighter turned Christian blacksmith-hunk. I loved his lisp and how intelligent this man was! He was so vulnerable and troubled that I just wanted to 'FIX HIM'! Lol that is what girls tend to do right, I'm not quite sure. Take this scenario for example:

Man who overheard to Judith: Excuse me, but are you insinuating that you are not in fact a woman, madam?

Judith: What do you think this is?! *scratches armpit* I don’t have to answer that. Pansy, get me a sandwich and talk American!

Man greatly disgruntled: I suppose I shall leave you to your...em...activities, madam.

Judith: *burps* that’s right! Ye heard me. Some people just aren’t educated. :/ *burps again*

*Ahem* So as you see I am not very normal. I come close on occasion but that is all, and yet you don't have to be mildly insane to appreciate any part of this book or its fabulous characters! It just ROCKS. I enjoyed the heroine - Eden, a kindhearted librarian, as well and found her to be something rarely seen in fiction these days: lovely. She was so very delightful and cute I adored her! That is why I forgive her for taking Levi, because they deserve each other.

The emotions were so authentic I forgot I was reading at points and just lost myself in this book. It kept me turning pages - especially at the end - and no character was unwarranted. They all served purposes... finally! I was so sick of background sheep-people that just chewed grass and made irrelevant sound, that is what characters with no real point mean to me and I was tired of them. This book held meaning because every single character had a story; not one that could be duplicated, but a tale really unique.

Witemeyer did her research and it payed off - GREATLY. In my opinion, Bethany House should do the smart thing and sign her up for more contracts, she is a gem and officially up there next to Kingsbury and Gist in terms of stellar Christian fiction authors. I want so much more from her! Pick this book up and give it a good read, I'm thinking it would be worth every penny.

5 genies: WOWZA. Yes, this is that book, the book you've been looking for! 

You need this novel in your life, take it from me.