FULL STEAM AHEAD BY KAREN WITEMEYER

I was compensated with this book in exchange for my review.

Nicole Renard returns home to Galveston and finds her father deathly ill. Though she loves him, he's only ever focused on what she's not. Not male. Not married. Not able to run Renard Shipping.

Vowing to secure a suitable husband to give her father the heir he desires before it's too late, Nicole sets out with the Renard family's greatest treasure as her dowry: the highly coveted Lafitte Dagger. But when her father's rivals come after the dagger, she's forced to change her destination.

Darius Thornton has been a man obsessed since the fatal boiler explosion aboard the Louisiana that nearly took his life. He will do anything to stop such disasters. Even hire a female secretary. Sure he can ignore the distraction of her pretty face, he's not sure how to proceed when drawn to her clever mind.

Nicole is determined not to let her odd employer scare her off with his
explosive experiments, yet when respect and mutual attraction grows between them, a new fear arises. How can she acquire an heir for her father when her heart belongs to an unsuitable candidate? And worse, when her father's rivals discover her hiding place, she will have to choose between that love and her family's legacy.

This book as well as other books by Karen are available on Deeper Shopping, Barnes and Noble, and other online retailers or check your local bookshop.

About the Author:

Karen Witemeyer is a confirmed book-a-holic 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.

Karen grew up in California, then later moved to texas to attend Abilene Christian University. 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 late1800s.

Karen is living her dream by writing Christian historical romance novels for Bethany House. Her books have consistently hit bestseller lists and have garnered awards such as the ACFW Carol Award, the Holt Medallion, and the Christian Manifesto's Lime Award for Excellence in Fiction. In addition, she is a multiple RITA and National Reader's Choice finalist. Karen is also a sought-after speaker for national writing conferences and regional workshops.  To learn more about Karen and her books, you can visit her website - KAREN WITEMEYER.

I was blessed with this book by TBCN and Bethany House in exchange for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given and I am not required to give a positive review. 

My Thoughts:

It's pretty hard to give an unbiased opinion of Karen's books when I love her writing style and her sense of humor. And I really like ALL the books I have read by her so far. So although this review may not be unbiased, it is certainly honest!

I like just about any kind of book. But Karen's are my favorite weekend, no brainer reads. I mean that in a positive light. Her books are fun and relaxing. I don't have to stress over the plot or re-read something to make sure I understood it before I move on. I can laugh, maybe cry (depends on the book) and sometimes skim just a bit to see what's gonna happen.  They are just easy reads. I always come away refreshed!

The plot in this book is interesting. Girl - Nicole, is sole heir to a shipping industry; she runs away with family heirloom with intentions on finding a husband and an heir to her father's legacy. She ends up in at a completely different destination than originally intended.  Meets crazy but cute scientist, Darius, and tries hard not to fall in love. There's romance, mystery, suspense, and of course a sweet ending. What more could you ask for?  Well, there is a bit more to the story. Darius is dealing with issues of his own. His are deep and troubling. He rarely sleeps, rarely eats and is constantly blowing things up.

Karen also adds a bit of the history of the steamship, its faults and the inventions that helped perfect the safety of it. If you have never read Karen's books, you have to pick one up and give it a whirl!