Stealing the Preacher by Karen Witemeyer

Book Description:  On his way to interview for a position at a church in the Piney Woods of Texas, Crockett Archer can scarcely believe it when he's forced off the train by a retired outlaw and presented to the man's daughter as the minister she requested for her birthday. Worried this unfortunate detour will ruin his chances of finally serving a congregation of his own, Crockett is determined to escape. But when he finally gets away, he's haunted by the memory of the young woman he left behind--a woman whose dreams now hinge on him.

For months, Joanna Robbins prayed for a preacher. A man to breathe life back into the abandoned church at the heart of her community. A man to assist her in fulfilling a promise to her dying mother. A man to help her discover answers to the questions that have been on her heart for so long. But just when it seems God has answered her prayers, it turns out the parson is there against his will and has dreams of his own calling him elsewhere. Is there any way she can convince Crockett to stay in her little backwoods community? And does the attraction between them have any chance of blossoming when Joanna's outlaw father is dead set against his daughter courting a preacher?

My Thoughts:  I love books that are set in my "area."  Since I live in the piney woods of East Texas I could just imagine all the sights and sounds that Ms. Witemeyer describes. 

But it's the story that really grabbed my attention...who would steal a preacher?!?!  Isn't that kind of contradictory?! 

Well, as odd as it sounds Joanna sends out a posse to do just exactly that!  Steal a preacher!  Crockett Archer (don't you just love that name!) is the preacher that is "captured/stolen."  

Crockett believes that all things work together for good, for God's purposes.  So, even though he struggles with being "stolen"  he goes a long.

Now, Joanna doen't want Crockett for her own gain.  No!  He is a must for her to carry out her dying mother's request.  And all that Joanna wants for her birthday is a minister to help her bring God back into their abandoned church.

A humorous read that brings life into history.

Book Trailer

Format: Paperback

ISBN: 0764209663
ISBN-13: 9780764209666

Number of Pages: 352 Vendor: Bethany House