Possibly going to review this later... ( )

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These characters are the sort of people I might befriend in real life---to watch my plants when I'm out of town, if for no other reason---but they're too perfect to be really interesting as fictional characters. And since God makes all their decisions for them, they can't even really claim some of the virtues I enjoy in my heroes and heroines: courage, intelligence, common sense. Don't get me wrong: I appreciate strong faith in my characters, but if God is going to send them signs and wonders to keep them on the right track, where's the challenge? How do they grow as either characters or Christians? And why aren't they studying their Bible instead of going on what they "feel" God wants them to do? YMMV, of course---especially when it comes to religious novels---but this just isn't my sort of Christian fiction. ( )

This was my first book by Karen Witemeyer, and I LOVED IT! I love her fun style of writing. I just couldn’t help falling in love with Adelaide and Gideon. Adelaide was fun, and spunky, but when she set her mind to something, she was bound and determined to do it! She was a gal that knew what she wanted, and wasn’t afraid to go after it, even though she might be a bit clumsy in the going. Going after what she thought was her man didn’t turn out like she thought it would. That’s what landed her at Gideon’s Sheep Farm interviewing for a job as Governess to his 5 year old daughter. Her mouth also seemed to get her into a lot of trouble too…..like in saying before you think! But it always seemed to turn out for her good.

Gideon…..well he was just adorable from the beginning. I loved him from the first time he saw Adelaide in the barn. Though his and Adelaide’s first few meeting were kind of awkward, he seemed to adore her from the beginning. I just loved Karen’s way of bringing them together in a fun enjoyable way that made you just want to keep reading to see what would happen next. But would Gideon hire Adelaide over the two older and more experienced ladies that were also at the farm for the interview? Even though Adelaide had taught school for a few years, was she capable of taking care of this 5 year old that couldn’t speak?

I admired both Gideon and Adelaide’s relationship with the Lord, and their willingness to seek Him in every decision they needed to make. The way they trusted the Lord when Isabella’s uncle came to claim the child and her inheritance.

This was only Karen Witemeyer’s second book, but I had to check her website again to make sure she had only written 2 books! She truly writes like an experienced writer, and I will sure be reading her first book “Tailor-Made Bride” and also her third book “To Win Her Heart” coming in April 2011. ( )

As one review stated so well, this is "the perfect blend of humor, history, and romance". It takes place in Texas during 1880 and is truly a 'full length feature film' in a book form.

Adelaide Proctor is a romantic young teacher who is longing for a real-life hero to capture her heart. Through a difficult heartbreaking situation, she ends up going to work for a handsome ranch owner, Gideon Westcott, and becoming a teacher to his "daughter" Bella, who hasn't spoken a word since she lost her mother.

Then there is the villain in the story, Bella's uncle, who wants to claim her for her inheritance. Gideon and Adelaide will work together to protect little Bella. But the longer these two are around each other, the greater the attraction. This was a story that captures your attention and holds it all the way through until the end. ( )