Prior to my recent surgery, I carefully curated a to-be-read (TBR) pile of novels to carry me through four to six weeks of recovery. Knowing I had these books at the ready was the carrot in front of my nose that I needed to prepare for the surgery.
The first book atop my TBR pile was “In Honor’s Defense” by Karen Witemeyer, a Christian western historical romance novelist from Abilene, Texas, and I am so thankful I started my reading-while-recovering journey with her novel. I’ve always enjoyed Witemeyer’s books, but I have to say that “In Honor’s Defense” is now my all-time favorite!
“In Honor’s Defense” is the third book in Witemeyer’s “Hanger’s Horsemen” series; however, it is a great stand-alone read. If you enjoy all things cowboy and a genuinely heartfelt and faith-filled story, you’ll love this book.
Without giving away the plot, the book tells the story of rough-around-the-edges Luke “Preach” Davenport and shy Damaris Baxter who meet fortuitously near Madisonville, Texas, in 1895, when Miss Baxter travels from St. Louis to care for her orphaned nephew, Nathaniel, after her brother’s untimely – and suspicious – death.
There’s so much to love about “In Honor’s Defense.” Faith. Action. Suspense. Drama. Unexpected allies and unlooked-for villains. External and internal conflicts. Humor. And, of course, a clean romance.
All these qualities, trademarks of a Witemeyer novel, are on display in spades here. There were many times I felt tears welling at the faith exhibited by her characters, or from the layering of a well-crafted paragraph with realistic dialogue that, at times, stole my breath. As a writer myself, I can sometimes be a harsh critic of the work of others.
But not Witemeyer’s skillful prose.
Without reservation, I highly recommend “In Honor’s Defense” by Karen Witemeyer.