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Archer Brothers #2.5
An Old-Fashioned Texas Christmas: 2-in-1 Holiday Novella Collection
An Archer Family Christmas
It’s Christmas Eve, 1893, and the entire family has gathered to celebrate the holiday. This day is always bittersweet for Jim and Cassie, who lost a child on Christmas Eve three years earlier. Cassie has devoted herself to being the favorite aunt of the Archer children, whisking her nieces away to a nearby schoolhouse to create decorations for the Christmas tree that the men and oldest boys are venturing out to chop down.
When an unexpected knock at the schoolhouse door reveals a desperate pregnant woman on the run from a dangerous outlaw, it’ll take a Christmas miracle—and the entire Archer clan—to make sure no danger befalls the child born on this beloved holiday.
Gift of the Heart
A widow and her young daughter move to Hope Springs for a fresh start, but with no money to secure a home, Ruth must convince a wealthy resort owner to accept her heirloom brooch as collateral. Will the pin that brought love to three generations soften the heart of a wounded recluse and give Ruth a second chance at love as the holidays draw near?
It’s Christmas Eve, 1893, and the entire family has gathered to celebrate the holiday. This day is always bittersweet for Jim and Cassie, who lost a child on Christmas Eve three years earlier. Cassie has devoted herself to being the favorite aunt of the Archer children, whisking her nieces away to a nearby schoolhouse to create decorations for the Christmas tree that the men and oldest boys are venturing out to chop down.
When an unexpected knock at the schoolhouse door reveals a desperate pregnant woman on the run from a dangerous outlaw, it’ll take a Christmas miracle—and the entire Archer clan—to make sure no danger befalls the child born on this beloved holiday.
Gift of the Heart
A widow and her young daughter move to Hope Springs for a fresh start, but with no money to secure a home, Ruth must convince a wealthy resort owner to accept her heirloom brooch as collateral. Will the pin that brought love to three generations soften the heart of a wounded recluse and give Ruth a second chance at love as the holidays draw near?
165 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2019
131 people are currently reading
653 people want to read
About the author
Karen Witemeyer
69 books4,321 followersFor those who love to smile as they read, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer offers warmhearted historical romance with a flair for humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. Voted #1 Readers' Favorite Christian Historical Author in 2023 by Family Fiction Magazine, Karen is a multiple award-winning author and a firm believer in the power of happy endings. She is an avid cross-stitcher, tea drinker, and family board game player who makes her home in Abilene, TX with her heroic husband who vanquishes laundry dragons and dirty dish villains whenever she's on deadline.
Karen also loves to reward her readers. Every month she gives away two inspirational historical novels to someone from her newsletter list and offers substantial bonus content on her website. To learn more about Karen and her books, or to join her subscriber list, please visit www.karenwitemeyer.com.
Karen also loves to reward her readers. Every month she gives away two inspirational historical novels to someone from her newsletter list and offers substantial bonus content on her website. To learn more about Karen and her books, or to join her subscriber list, please visit www.karenwitemeyer.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
December 19, 2022
“An Archer Family Christmas” by Karen Witemeyer
About this book:
“It’s Christmas Eve, 1893, and the entire family has gathered to celebrate the holiday. This day is always bittersweet for Jim and Cassie, who lost a child on Christmas Eve three years earlier. Cassie has devoted herself to being the favorite aunt of the Archer children, whisking her nieces away to a nearby schoolhouse to create decorations for the Christmas tree that the men and oldest boys are venturing out to chop down.
When an unexpected knock at the schoolhouse door reveals a desperate pregnant woman on the run from a dangerous outlaw, it’ll take a Christmas miracle—and the entire Archer clan—to make sure no danger befalls the child born on this beloved holiday.”
Series: Considered to be Book #2.75 in the “Archer Brothers” series by this author. Book #1 (“Short Straw Bride”) has a mini-review here (and I’ll link another review mentioning the content Here), Book #2 (“Stealing the Preacher”) is reviewed Here, and the bonus novella #2.50 has not yet been reviewed.
Spiritual Content- Scriptures are quoted & remembered; Prayers & Thanking God; Set during Christmas time; Talks about God; 'H's are not capital when referring to God or Jesus; Mentions of God, Jesus, His will, & Christmas; Mentions of those & events in the Bible; Mentions of prayers, praying, & thanking God; Mentions of churches & a preacher; Mentions of blessings & being Blessed; A couple mentions of those who have passe being in God’s hands; A mention of someone thinking that God would have ignored her prayers due to her wrong choices, but that He didn’t;
*Note: In-between the second and third novellas, there is a section about Christmas traditions from the Victorian time period that has a few paragraphs about Santa Claus; A couple mentions of an outlaw being called a devil.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘I don’t give a flying flip’ and a ‘stupid’; A couple mentions of curses (said, not written); A bit of eye rolling; Shooting at outlaws/criminals, being shot at, fights, flighting, pain, injuries, & blood/bleeding (up to semi-detailed); Thinking a loved one might be shot & dying (and their panic, up to semi-detailed); Mentions of outlaws, gangs, crimes, threats of killing or harming, gunfire, being shot at, shooting at others, fights, & fighting; Mentions of prejudice towards a woman with Comanche blood; A few mentions of lies & lying; A few mentions of an outlaw spitting on the body of someone, cursing her, and calling her a worthless piece of trash; A mention of prison;
*Note: Cassie & Jim are both grieving the loss of their infant son who died a couple years prior to the start of the story (Jim tries to hide his grief from her to not make it harder on Cassie; He also found himself coveting a brother’s large family, wishing that they’d been the barren ones instead of him and Cassie, which that sinful thought scared him so badly he dropped to his knees in asking for forgiveness from the Lord; A doctor told them that due to the difficult birthing and internal scarring, becoming pregnant again would be impossible); Mentions of their grief and others’ grief for the loss of loved ones/children.
Sexual Content- A forehead kiss, two semi-detailed kisses, and a border-line semi-detailed // detailed kiss; Touches, Embraces, Warmth, & Nearness (up to semi-detailed); Noticing (including Jim seeing Cassie’s chest area when she’s trying to keep a baby warm, barely-above-not-detailed); a ‘baby’; Mentions of married couples touching, embracing, & sharing a bed; A few mentions of a biological father possibly selling his baby girl possibly to the highest bidder and her ending up in a brothel or “worse”;
*Note: Jim playfully swats Cassie’s backside; Helping with a(n unmarried) teen girl’s labor (including mentions of pain, screams, & blood/bleeding, semi-detailed; *Spoiler*); A mention of the married main couple wanting to move their sensual kiss into the bedroom, but not having the time at the moment to do so; A mention of a man’s chest hairs.
-Cassandra “Cassie” Archer
-Bowie “Jim” Archer
P.O.V. switches between them
Set in 1893
80 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Three Star
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“Gift of the Heart” by Karen Witemeyer
About this book:
“A widow and her young daughter move to Hope Springs for a fresh start, but with no money to secure a home, Ruth must convince a wealthy resort owner to accept her heirloom brooch as collateral. Will the pin that brought love to three generations soften the heart of a wounded recluse and give Ruth a second chance at love as the holidays draw near?”
Series: Does not seem to be connected to any other book.
Spiritual Content- Proverbs 31:1-12 at the beginning; Scriptures are quoted, remembered, & thought over; Prayers, Thanking God, & Praising God; Set during Christmas time; A Christmas performance & hymns; Talks about God; 'H's are capital when referring to God; Mentions of God, Jesus, & Christmas; Mentions of those & events in the Bible; Mentions of prayers, praying, & thanking God; Mentions of churches, church going, & services; A couple mentions of blessings & being Blessed;
*Note: A mention of a demon cat; A mention of a magic lamp that has a genie to grant wishes.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: two forms of ‘stupid’s; Saving a child from being stuck in a pond (semi-detailed); Mentions of a child being trapped in a bank/pond & trying to keep her from losing conscious; Mentions of Bo’s injury that “announced his crippled state to all” (which has caused him to be a recluse); Mentions of grieving (Ruth for her husband after his death and also Bo for his mother’s love after his injury); A few mentions of the Civil War; A couple mentions of an illness & death; A couple mentions of a house being foreclosed; A couple mentions of jealousy; A mention of bandits; A mention of lying; A mention of gossip.
Sexual Content- A hand kiss (semi-detailed), a jaw kiss, an almost kiss (barely-above-not-detailed), and a detailed kiss; Recalling a kiss (barely-above-not-detailed); Touches, Embraces, Warmth, Shivers, & Nearness (up to semi-detailed); Wanting to touch & embrace (plus imagining it, barely-above-not-detailed); Blushes; Noticing (barely-above-not-detailed); A few mentions of kisses & kissing; A few mentions of flirting & women battling their lashes to get a man to do something; A couple mentions of reputations;
*Note: When her blouse gets wet, Ruth angles herself to not be seen by Bo; A mention of Bo wondering if Ruth slept in his bed and perhaps in one of his nightshirts (she stayed the night at his place because of an emergency while he stayed at a hotel).
-Ruth Fulbright
-Beauregard “Bo” Azlin
P.O.V. switches between them
Set in 1890
99 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars (and a half)
My personal Rating- Three Stars (and a half)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Overall Ratings:
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars
An Archer Family Christmas – Well that little novella tugged at my heart strings and made me tear up much more than I was expecting! While I might not have been a fan of the first Archer Brothers book due to sexual suggestions/marital content, it was really nice to see the family again. I love how this family has each other’s backs and just the importance of family within this novella was really sweet and wonderful to read. Because of all the married couples there were some hints to intimacies and quite a bit of kissing, so I would say this novella would be better for older college-age/high school girls.
Gift of the Heart – Okay, that was a really sweet novella! It did feel a bit rushed, but I still really enjoyed it. This author knows how to write loveable children and I just love that! I actually laughed out loud at quite a few times during this little story. The best way I can describe this novella would be sweet because it really was!
Overall, this was a very fun and enjoyable novella collection! I thought the add-ins of a devotional, Victorian Christmas traditions, and the recipes between each story were neat bonus content as well.
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
About this book:
“It’s Christmas Eve, 1893, and the entire family has gathered to celebrate the holiday. This day is always bittersweet for Jim and Cassie, who lost a child on Christmas Eve three years earlier. Cassie has devoted herself to being the favorite aunt of the Archer children, whisking her nieces away to a nearby schoolhouse to create decorations for the Christmas tree that the men and oldest boys are venturing out to chop down.
When an unexpected knock at the schoolhouse door reveals a desperate pregnant woman on the run from a dangerous outlaw, it’ll take a Christmas miracle—and the entire Archer clan—to make sure no danger befalls the child born on this beloved holiday.”
Series: Considered to be Book #2.75 in the “Archer Brothers” series by this author. Book #1 (“Short Straw Bride”) has a mini-review here (and I’ll link another review mentioning the content Here), Book #2 (“Stealing the Preacher”) is reviewed Here, and the bonus novella #2.50 has not yet been reviewed.
Spiritual Content- Scriptures are quoted & remembered; Prayers & Thanking God; Set during Christmas time; Talks about God; 'H's are not capital when referring to God or Jesus; Mentions of God, Jesus, His will, & Christmas; Mentions of those & events in the Bible; Mentions of prayers, praying, & thanking God; Mentions of churches & a preacher; Mentions of blessings & being Blessed; A couple mentions of those who have passe being in God’s hands; A mention of someone thinking that God would have ignored her prayers due to her wrong choices, but that He didn’t;
*Note: In-between the second and third novellas, there is a section about Christmas traditions from the Victorian time period that has a few paragraphs about Santa Claus; A couple mentions of an outlaw being called a devil.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘I don’t give a flying flip’ and a ‘stupid’; A couple mentions of curses (said, not written); A bit of eye rolling; Shooting at outlaws/criminals, being shot at, fights, flighting, pain, injuries, & blood/bleeding (up to semi-detailed); Thinking a loved one might be shot & dying (and their panic, up to semi-detailed); Mentions of outlaws, gangs, crimes, threats of killing or harming, gunfire, being shot at, shooting at others, fights, & fighting; Mentions of prejudice towards a woman with Comanche blood; A few mentions of lies & lying; A few mentions of an outlaw spitting on the body of someone, cursing her, and calling her a worthless piece of trash; A mention of prison;
*Note: Cassie & Jim are both grieving the loss of their infant son who died a couple years prior to the start of the story (Jim tries to hide his grief from her to not make it harder on Cassie; He also found himself coveting a brother’s large family, wishing that they’d been the barren ones instead of him and Cassie, which that sinful thought scared him so badly he dropped to his knees in asking for forgiveness from the Lord; A doctor told them that due to the difficult birthing and internal scarring, becoming pregnant again would be impossible); Mentions of their grief and others’ grief for the loss of loved ones/children.
Sexual Content- A forehead kiss, two semi-detailed kisses, and a border-line semi-detailed // detailed kiss; Touches, Embraces, Warmth, & Nearness (up to semi-detailed); Noticing (including Jim seeing Cassie’s chest area when she’s trying to keep a baby warm, barely-above-not-detailed); a ‘baby’; Mentions of married couples touching, embracing, & sharing a bed; A few mentions of a biological father possibly selling his baby girl possibly to the highest bidder and her ending up in a brothel or “worse”;
*Note: Jim playfully swats Cassie’s backside; Helping with a(n unmarried) teen girl’s labor (including mentions of pain, screams, & blood/bleeding, semi-detailed; *Spoiler*); A mention of the married main couple wanting to move their sensual kiss into the bedroom, but not having the time at the moment to do so; A mention of a man’s chest hairs.
-Cassandra “Cassie” Archer
-Bowie “Jim” Archer
P.O.V. switches between them
Set in 1893
80 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Three Star
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“Gift of the Heart” by Karen Witemeyer
About this book:
“A widow and her young daughter move to Hope Springs for a fresh start, but with no money to secure a home, Ruth must convince a wealthy resort owner to accept her heirloom brooch as collateral. Will the pin that brought love to three generations soften the heart of a wounded recluse and give Ruth a second chance at love as the holidays draw near?”
Series: Does not seem to be connected to any other book.
Spiritual Content- Proverbs 31:1-12 at the beginning; Scriptures are quoted, remembered, & thought over; Prayers, Thanking God, & Praising God; Set during Christmas time; A Christmas performance & hymns; Talks about God; 'H's are capital when referring to God; Mentions of God, Jesus, & Christmas; Mentions of those & events in the Bible; Mentions of prayers, praying, & thanking God; Mentions of churches, church going, & services; A couple mentions of blessings & being Blessed;
*Note: A mention of a demon cat; A mention of a magic lamp that has a genie to grant wishes.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: two forms of ‘stupid’s; Saving a child from being stuck in a pond (semi-detailed); Mentions of a child being trapped in a bank/pond & trying to keep her from losing conscious; Mentions of Bo’s injury that “announced his crippled state to all” (which has caused him to be a recluse); Mentions of grieving (Ruth for her husband after his death and also Bo for his mother’s love after his injury); A few mentions of the Civil War; A couple mentions of an illness & death; A couple mentions of a house being foreclosed; A couple mentions of jealousy; A mention of bandits; A mention of lying; A mention of gossip.
Sexual Content- A hand kiss (semi-detailed), a jaw kiss, an almost kiss (barely-above-not-detailed), and a detailed kiss; Recalling a kiss (barely-above-not-detailed); Touches, Embraces, Warmth, Shivers, & Nearness (up to semi-detailed); Wanting to touch & embrace (plus imagining it, barely-above-not-detailed); Blushes; Noticing (barely-above-not-detailed); A few mentions of kisses & kissing; A few mentions of flirting & women battling their lashes to get a man to do something; A couple mentions of reputations;
*Note: When her blouse gets wet, Ruth angles herself to not be seen by Bo; A mention of Bo wondering if Ruth slept in his bed and perhaps in one of his nightshirts (she stayed the night at his place because of an emergency while he stayed at a hotel).
-Ruth Fulbright
-Beauregard “Bo” Azlin
P.O.V. switches between them
Set in 1890
99 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars (and a half)
My personal Rating- Three Stars (and a half)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Overall Ratings:
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars
An Archer Family Christmas – Well that little novella tugged at my heart strings and made me tear up much more than I was expecting! While I might not have been a fan of the first Archer Brothers book due to sexual suggestions/marital content, it was really nice to see the family again. I love how this family has each other’s backs and just the importance of family within this novella was really sweet and wonderful to read. Because of all the married couples there were some hints to intimacies and quite a bit of kissing, so I would say this novella would be better for older college-age/high school girls.
Gift of the Heart – Okay, that was a really sweet novella! It did feel a bit rushed, but I still really enjoyed it. This author knows how to write loveable children and I just love that! I actually laughed out loud at quite a few times during this little story. The best way I can describe this novella would be sweet because it really was!
Overall, this was a very fun and enjoyable novella collection! I thought the add-ins of a devotional, Victorian Christmas traditions, and the recipes between each story were neat bonus content as well.
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
November 1, 2020
I loved An Archer Family Christmas! It was so nice to catch up with all of the couples from the Archer Brothers series and see all that had happened with their families. There were heart tugging moments and moments of great joy. It was a very special story.
I had already read the book Gift of the Heart in a different collection. Ruth and Bo were really good characters. I liked how the attraction grew between these two and the sweet acts of kindness that Bo showed for Ruth and her daughter.
I had already read the book Gift of the Heart in a different collection. Ruth and Bo were really good characters. I liked how the attraction grew between these two and the sweet acts of kindness that Bo showed for Ruth and her daughter.
August 2, 2022
Classic, glad to be back
October 7, 2019
An Archer Family Christmas
Oh my goodness, this story was so adorable! And captivating as well. I was quite literally on the edge of my seat as it unfolded.
If you're like me, and you've been dying for Jim and Cassie's story since Short-Straw Bride, you will be overjoyed to read this beautiful Christmas novella. I was head-over-heels in love with Jim and Cassie before the end of the first chapter. They are just so perfect together. I am so thrilled they got their happily-ever-after.
And the Archers! I just can't get enough of them! They are 100% the most lovable, amazing historical family to grace the wild west. Karen could literally write a novel about their day-to-day life and I would be delighted to read it. I am just so captivated by them. I love them so much!
This novella is such a treasure. I only wish it was longer.
Gift of the Heart
*sigh*
Although this is the second time I've read this novella, it is no less lovely. I wholeheartedly enjoyed this beautiful historical love story, based on the Biblical tale of Ruth and Boaz.
Bo, Ruth, Naomi, and little Teddy once again warmed my heart better than hot tea on a rainy night. As always, Karen Witemeyer's masterful storytelling left me with a big smile on my face. I just can't get enough of her happily-ever-afters!
Oh my goodness, this story was so adorable! And captivating as well. I was quite literally on the edge of my seat as it unfolded.
If you're like me, and you've been dying for Jim and Cassie's story since Short-Straw Bride, you will be overjoyed to read this beautiful Christmas novella. I was head-over-heels in love with Jim and Cassie before the end of the first chapter. They are just so perfect together. I am so thrilled they got their happily-ever-after.
And the Archers! I just can't get enough of them! They are 100% the most lovable, amazing historical family to grace the wild west. Karen could literally write a novel about their day-to-day life and I would be delighted to read it. I am just so captivated by them. I love them so much!
This novella is such a treasure. I only wish it was longer.
Gift of the Heart
*sigh*
Although this is the second time I've read this novella, it is no less lovely. I wholeheartedly enjoyed this beautiful historical love story, based on the Biblical tale of Ruth and Boaz.
Bo, Ruth, Naomi, and little Teddy once again warmed my heart better than hot tea on a rainy night. As always, Karen Witemeyer's masterful storytelling left me with a big smile on my face. I just can't get enough of her happily-ever-afters!
November 20, 2020
Read Gift of the Heart in the
The Christmas Heirloom: Four Holiday Novellas of Love Through the Generations Collection
December 13, 2023
An Archer Family Christmas
Karen Witemeyer is a master at giving me romance, suspense and scriptural wealth even in a short novella. I adore the Archer brothers and 100% enjoyed catching up with the now extended family.
Ever since book one I enjoyed the quiet and solid Jim and the bubbly Cassie and only saw highlights of their romance. It was so great to finally see more of them and their love for each other, even through loss and life threatening events.
I was definitely smiling when I read the last words of this story.
Gift of the Heart
Review my review for Gift of the heart here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Karen Witemeyer is a master at giving me romance, suspense and scriptural wealth even in a short novella. I adore the Archer brothers and 100% enjoyed catching up with the now extended family.
Ever since book one I enjoyed the quiet and solid Jim and the bubbly Cassie and only saw highlights of their romance. It was so great to finally see more of them and their love for each other, even through loss and life threatening events.
I was definitely smiling when I read the last words of this story.
Gift of the Heart
Review my review for Gift of the heart here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
October 17, 2019
Yay! A story for Jim and Cassandra!
Read
March 26, 2023There were 2 novellas. The first was acceptable. The 2nd l quit after the first chapter. I don’t read books that are sentimental for the plantation life and how their lives were ruined by that war.
December 21, 2021
That was really cute :D
This is Two Novella's in one book both are set on Christmas and I really enjoyed them
The first one was a goodbye to the Archer family, we meet the gang but we learn that Jim and Cass lost a child and can't have any more children but fate knocks on their door when a young sick very pregnant women offers them the chance to adopt her baby and protect the baby from their criminal father .. it's a merry Christmas indeed
and the second Novella is part of another anthology (The Christmas Heirloom) about a widow and her daughter who has to start a new life in a new place but they are very poor .. and she has to convince the cold wealthy man to give them a place to stay in exchange of a loan
I really liked both stories and I can't wait to see what will come from Karen Witemeyer
This is Two Novella's in one book both are set on Christmas and I really enjoyed them
The first one was a goodbye to the Archer family, we meet the gang but we learn that Jim and Cass lost a child and can't have any more children but fate knocks on their door when a young sick very pregnant women offers them the chance to adopt her baby and protect the baby from their criminal father .. it's a merry Christmas indeed
and the second Novella is part of another anthology (The Christmas Heirloom) about a widow and her daughter who has to start a new life in a new place but they are very poor .. and she has to convince the cold wealthy man to give them a place to stay in exchange of a loan
I really liked both stories and I can't wait to see what will come from Karen Witemeyer
May 12, 2020
The first novella was well written, a little chaotic when the kids were in the scene, but that’s life with kids, really. It was just a little hard to track with all the new names being thrown around. SPOILER: I did enjoy imagining the Archers coming coming together as a band of brothers to defend their own, though we didn’t get a full of a description of that scene as I would have liked.
The Gift of the Heart novella I loved. Naomi was a charming and hilarious seven year old, and I highly enjoyed the dynamic between the three main characters. I liked the obstacles each of them faced and their interactions when they came together. Funny, romantic, and touching. Very well done.
The Gift of the Heart novella I loved. Naomi was a charming and hilarious seven year old, and I highly enjoyed the dynamic between the three main characters. I liked the obstacles each of them faced and their interactions when they came together. Funny, romantic, and touching. Very well done.
November 20, 2022
An Excellent Couple of Short Romances
I've come to expect Karen Witemeyer's books to be excellent. I hope to be able to read many more. And the way she writes a novella is pretty amazing. I have never felt like the story was rushed to its inevitable end. Nope.
These two stories were fantastic. Sweet and clean, they were still solid reading material with characters both relatable and admirable. I also like the way she brings variety to her stories. She's written a good many stories and I never feel like I've read a story twice unless I'm rereading one.
If you enjoy clean, inspirational romance, I highly recommend this book.
I've come to expect Karen Witemeyer's books to be excellent. I hope to be able to read many more. And the way she writes a novella is pretty amazing. I have never felt like the story was rushed to its inevitable end. Nope.
These two stories were fantastic. Sweet and clean, they were still solid reading material with characters both relatable and admirable. I also like the way she brings variety to her stories. She's written a good many stories and I never feel like I've read a story twice unless I'm rereading one.
If you enjoy clean, inspirational romance, I highly recommend this book.
Read
August 20, 2022A good book
July 23, 2021
En de laatste Archer Brothers. Knap hoe Witemeyer in zo'n kort boekje een volledig verhaal weet te stoppen. Tof om alle broers met hun gezinnen mee te maken. Jammer dat het boek niet de dubbele of drie dubbele dikte heeft. Met iets meer pagina's had het verhaal de diepte kunnen krijgen die passend was geweest en had het niet als een wervelwind aangevoeld, daarom 1 ster eraf. Dit mooie kwartet broers had best wat meer pagina's mogen vullen wat mij betreft.
October 11, 2019
Touching stories
I loved the Archer Brother's Story #4. Cassie and I are very different, but I felt a deep connection with her. I love all the Archers. Jim has never been my favorite because I didn't know him very well. I wasn't sure what to expect with him as the main man. However, I loved this story so much! My only complaint is that I read it so fast.
The second story in this book is one I've read before in the Christmas Heirloom collection. It's a favorite of mine! Bo is a dreamy yet vulnerable hero. Ruth is strong and admirable. She had grit and heart. And of course, Teddy and Naomi are a match made in little girl heaven!
I highly recommend this book. (The Archer Brothers books should be read in order. )
I loved the Archer Brother's Story #4. Cassie and I are very different, but I felt a deep connection with her. I love all the Archers. Jim has never been my favorite because I didn't know him very well. I wasn't sure what to expect with him as the main man. However, I loved this story so much! My only complaint is that I read it so fast.
The second story in this book is one I've read before in the Christmas Heirloom collection. It's a favorite of mine! Bo is a dreamy yet vulnerable hero. Ruth is strong and admirable. She had grit and heart. And of course, Teddy and Naomi are a match made in little girl heaven!
I highly recommend this book. (The Archer Brothers books should be read in order. )
December 26, 2021
This is a perfect Christmas novella collection! Of course, Karen is my favorite author so it's possible I may be slightly biased, but these stories are top notch. in the first, we get a new visit with the beloved Archer family. It's a fast paced and exciting Christmas Eve story with a couple of sad bits but a happy ending. I loved getting to see the Archers again! The second story is actually one that released last year as part of a novella collection with three other authors. I read and loved it as part of that collection, with an adorable little girl and a spunky cat it is a lot of fun and full of Christmas spirit. If you enjoy sweet Christmas novellas, check out this set!
July 1, 2020
I loved this novella collection. Catching up with the Archers one last time was wonderful. It was a suspenseful, heartbreaking at moments yet joy and love filled kind of epilogue to their story. I also enjoyed the other novella. It's a very sweet one!
October 31, 2019
What a couple of great Christmas novellas. *sigh* The Archer family is one of my favorite book families ever and I loved catching up with everyone!!
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December 21, 2022Average of ⭐⭐⭐⭐3/4!!!
Full confession, I did not read this particular collection, but I actually read both of these stories in separate collections. Anyway, I found both of these stories to be especially moving. I love Karen Witemeyer's books, and although Gift of the Heart didn't have a lot of Christmas, there's a lot in An Archer Family Christmas. I love these characters so much, and love Karen Witemeyer's writing and stories.
An Archer Family Christmas by Karen Witemeyer
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I have never loved a novella as much as this one. My only problem with it was that I haven't read all the Archer books before. Now, I really want to. I loved this story so much, and I felt like I really understood Cassie, and admired her devotion. I wish that more authors would write like Karen Witemeyer. I've never been so completely swept up in one little novella before. I felt myself tearing up at times, and my eyes couldn't read fast enough. I just wish I could get everyone to take out a small bit of time in their holiday season to read this faith-filled story embracing family and second chances. It was so beautiful, and I loved it so much!!!
Gift of the Heart by Karen Witemeyer
⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
I always enjoy Karen Witemeyer stories, and this was no exception! I loved the main couple, and I felt like it was a really fresh kind of romance that you don't see enough in Christian fiction. The love came a little more gradually, and I really liked that it wasn't the sort of instant love you usually see. I really enjoyed Naomi, and I liked Bo. It was amazing to have a hero who was physically impaired. All of the characters were well-written, and it was such a clean, cute little novella. My only complaint is that it was a novella. Too short for my taste, especially when I really enjoy the characters like I did in this one. All in all, however, Karen Witemeyer's stories are amazing as always.
Full confession, I did not read this particular collection, but I actually read both of these stories in separate collections. Anyway, I found both of these stories to be especially moving. I love Karen Witemeyer's books, and although Gift of the Heart didn't have a lot of Christmas, there's a lot in An Archer Family Christmas. I love these characters so much, and love Karen Witemeyer's writing and stories.
An Archer Family Christmas by Karen Witemeyer
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I have never loved a novella as much as this one. My only problem with it was that I haven't read all the Archer books before. Now, I really want to. I loved this story so much, and I felt like I really understood Cassie, and admired her devotion. I wish that more authors would write like Karen Witemeyer. I've never been so completely swept up in one little novella before. I felt myself tearing up at times, and my eyes couldn't read fast enough. I just wish I could get everyone to take out a small bit of time in their holiday season to read this faith-filled story embracing family and second chances. It was so beautiful, and I loved it so much!!!
Gift of the Heart by Karen Witemeyer
⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
I always enjoy Karen Witemeyer stories, and this was no exception! I loved the main couple, and I felt like it was a really fresh kind of romance that you don't see enough in Christian fiction. The love came a little more gradually, and I really liked that it wasn't the sort of instant love you usually see. I really enjoyed Naomi, and I liked Bo. It was amazing to have a hero who was physically impaired. All of the characters were well-written, and it was such a clean, cute little novella. My only complaint is that it was a novella. Too short for my taste, especially when I really enjoy the characters like I did in this one. All in all, however, Karen Witemeyer's stories are amazing as always.
March 5, 2021
Absolutely love the way Karen Witemeyer wrote this series! Not only are you reading about a different specific brother in each of the books but about the family as a whole. You are getting updates on the family and the lastest trials and joys they have faced since the last book. So you not only get to enjoy reading about a new couple but you get to learn more about your past favorite couples. .
You learn what binds them and the amazing women in these stories together and how they rely on each other. And even though each book can be read as an individual, each story together adds a new layer on depth, love, history, and connection
Like all readers though I have a couple of wishes. One is that I could this book in print versus ebook, but that's a preference I was willing to scarfice to finish the series. Second is the Neill's story was a bit longer. It was beautifully wrote and I don't think it deminishes his story just because it was shorter, in fact I think it's a tribute to Neill and the growth he had made since leaving the Archer Ranch.
I just got caught off guard at the end, though, fully expecting wedding details or some kind of epilogue. That tends to happen when you get wholeheartedly involved in a story! I did love the multi author novella idea though because it opened the opportunity to learn of more authors like Karen!
You learn what binds them and the amazing women in these stories together and how they rely on each other. And even though each book can be read as an individual, each story together adds a new layer on depth, love, history, and connection
Like all readers though I have a couple of wishes. One is that I could this book in print versus ebook, but that's a preference I was willing to scarfice to finish the series. Second is the Neill's story was a bit longer. It was beautifully wrote and I don't think it deminishes his story just because it was shorter, in fact I think it's a tribute to Neill and the growth he had made since leaving the Archer Ranch.
I just got caught off guard at the end, though, fully expecting wedding details or some kind of epilogue. That tends to happen when you get wholeheartedly involved in a story! I did love the multi author novella idea though because it opened the opportunity to learn of more authors like Karen!
September 15, 2020
There is two stories in this book. I'll update it after I read the second book.
I finished the first story and I loved this Christmas story with the Archer's. Jim and Cassie lost their baby boy a couple Christmas's ago. Cassie every Christmas since vowed to make herself the best aunt to her nieces and nephews. This Christmas she took her nieces to make decorations. During this fun activity, a lady who is big pregnant giving birth ran from the baby's father who is an outlaw. Cassie helps to deliver the ladies baby and the lady is afraid the outlaw will take her baby. I'll let you read it to find out the ending. It was a wonderful short story.
Gift of the Heart is a very cute short story to read. A widow with her daughter comes to town and she's the new cook for a small hotel. Ruth has to convince the owner of the house she will be staying at to let her payments work until she gets paid because she doesn't have the money to pay upfront. This intrigues the owner how she treats him with his not working arm. Will the owner get to Ruth's heart and her daughter's? I'll let you read it to find out.
I finished the first story and I loved this Christmas story with the Archer's. Jim and Cassie lost their baby boy a couple Christmas's ago. Cassie every Christmas since vowed to make herself the best aunt to her nieces and nephews. This Christmas she took her nieces to make decorations. During this fun activity, a lady who is big pregnant giving birth ran from the baby's father who is an outlaw. Cassie helps to deliver the ladies baby and the lady is afraid the outlaw will take her baby. I'll let you read it to find out the ending. It was a wonderful short story.
Gift of the Heart is a very cute short story to read. A widow with her daughter comes to town and she's the new cook for a small hotel. Ruth has to convince the owner of the house she will be staying at to let her payments work until she gets paid because she doesn't have the money to pay upfront. This intrigues the owner how she treats him with his not working arm. Will the owner get to Ruth's heart and her daughter's? I'll let you read it to find out.
December 17, 2020
Ahhhh!!! I am so excited to have gotten to read from Cassie and Jim’s perspectives as we haven’t really had that chance before. It was so interesting seeing “what they thought”, instead of just being told from another person’s point of view. They were fun to read too. Plus, the story was adorably PERFECT! It fit in so well with the rest of the stories, fit the characters perfectly, and told a developed story. The last is sometimes hard I think with a novella length story. It’s not an all sunshine and roses story, but it is so filled with hope. I loved it.
The second novella, I have read previously in another novella collection book. It is such a cute story, I couldn’t help but reread it. If you have a chance to read the other novellas that go with this story, do it! They really are excellent too. I just love the strong and feisty characters in this story. And the great sidekicks. And the great humor. And the great AWwWwWw moments. Etc 😁
The second novella, I have read previously in another novella collection book. It is such a cute story, I couldn’t help but reread it. If you have a chance to read the other novellas that go with this story, do it! They really are excellent too. I just love the strong and feisty characters in this story. And the great sidekicks. And the great humor. And the great AWwWwWw moments. Etc 😁
December 22, 2020
This was a great couple of stories, especially to read around Christmas. They were the perfect balance to each other and both excellent stories on their own. It was great to be a part of the Archer family again. That story had heartache and healing along with danger, action, and adventure. It was this dramatic tale that got your heart racing and kept you glued to the page. This was perfectly contrasted with the second tale that was so sweet and romantic you couldn’t help falling in love right along with them. The story of the town was intriguing. For such a short story, the main characters had rich backstories, and there were a lot of cute and fun elements woven in along with an exciting scene. Overall, I enjoyed every minute and didn’t want the stories to end.
January 4, 2021
Jim & Cassie's Christmas gift
When Cassie takes the girls of the family to the freedmen's schoolhouse to make surprise ornaments for Christmas, her life is changed in a heartbeat when a pregnant teen bursts on the scene ready to have her baby. Myra is there to midwife, but the teen insists on bequeathing her baby to Cassie before proceeding. Cassie writes up a legal-sounding document, the girl signs, gives birth, and expires just as the evil felon & father of the baby bursts into the schoolhouse demanding his child. All the Archer men band together to capture the villain & his gang, then they all go back to the cabin and have the best Christmas ever. The Archer series doesn't have a loser in the bunch.
When Cassie takes the girls of the family to the freedmen's schoolhouse to make surprise ornaments for Christmas, her life is changed in a heartbeat when a pregnant teen bursts on the scene ready to have her baby. Myra is there to midwife, but the teen insists on bequeathing her baby to Cassie before proceeding. Cassie writes up a legal-sounding document, the girl signs, gives birth, and expires just as the evil felon & father of the baby bursts into the schoolhouse demanding his child. All the Archer men band together to capture the villain & his gang, then they all go back to the cabin and have the best Christmas ever. The Archer series doesn't have a loser in the bunch.
August 10, 2022
Een leuk verhaal, ik heb de rest nog niet gelezen, haha, dus soms een tikje verwarrend maar op een gegeven moment zat ik helemaal in het verhaal en genoot ik van het kerstthema en het plot. Met wat romantiek, spanning, en emotie. Karen Wittemeyer heeft het weer gedaan! Ben blij dat mijn vakantie-bieb deze novellas van Karen Witemeyer wel heeft.
Maar dat Bowie soms Jim werd genoemd, dat maakte me echt verward. Hoe dan?
Alleen was er geen tweede verhaal zoals origineel in het Engels staat? Het gaat in de NL vertaling alleen over de kerst bij Archer en over de vrouw die hulp nodig heeft. Ik ben nu wel nieuwsgierig wat er met het andere verhaal is gebeurd.. Mmm.
EDIT: net gezocht, blijkbaar uitgegeven onder een andere serie? Wat?
Maar dat Bowie soms Jim werd genoemd, dat maakte me echt verward. Hoe dan?
Alleen was er geen tweede verhaal zoals origineel in het Engels staat? Het gaat in de NL vertaling alleen over de kerst bij Archer en over de vrouw die hulp nodig heeft. Ik ben nu wel nieuwsgierig wat er met het andere verhaal is gebeurd.. Mmm.
EDIT: net gezocht, blijkbaar uitgegeven onder een andere serie? Wat?
March 7, 2023
This is my very first novella written by a new author. I definitely will read more of Karen Witemeyer's books.
The first novella spoke of the loss of a child. The husband and wife could not stop mourning the baby boy's life. My goodness, there was a lot of danger, but also a lot of joy involved in telling this tale.
The second novella dealt with a young widow and her adorable little girl. They needed to leave behind what they knew and travel to a new town. The relationship between mother and child was so sweet. They were struggling financially. The mother was so savvy and convinced a man to help her "get back on her feet". This business transaction led to more and involved someone coming out of their shell to find happiness and true love.
The first novella spoke of the loss of a child. The husband and wife could not stop mourning the baby boy's life. My goodness, there was a lot of danger, but also a lot of joy involved in telling this tale.
The second novella dealt with a young widow and her adorable little girl. They needed to leave behind what they knew and travel to a new town. The relationship between mother and child was so sweet. They were struggling financially. The mother was so savvy and convinced a man to help her "get back on her feet". This business transaction led to more and involved someone coming out of their shell to find happiness and true love.
November 5, 2023
Another heartwarming Archer story (with bonus "Ruth and Boaz" romance).
I'd wondered when Jim and Cassie would get their own story since their romance blossomed during Travis and Meri's book, so I was thrilled to catch up with the Archer men once again and get things from their perspective.
I hurt for Jim and Cassie. What heartache they'd endured, and with the astonishing turnaround of events in this novella, their story seemed to have to bear more heartache... but don't worry, they're a rather satisfying and happy ending. 😉
The next novella was a Ruth and Boaz inspired romance which was very sweet! I loved the gentleness yet tenacity of the main characters, the difference in class and expectations, and the lovely way Ruth and Bo's worlds intertwined.
I'd wondered when Jim and Cassie would get their own story since their romance blossomed during Travis and Meri's book, so I was thrilled to catch up with the Archer men once again and get things from their perspective.
I hurt for Jim and Cassie. What heartache they'd endured, and with the astonishing turnaround of events in this novella, their story seemed to have to bear more heartache... but don't worry, they're a rather satisfying and happy ending. 😉
The next novella was a Ruth and Boaz inspired romance which was very sweet! I loved the gentleness yet tenacity of the main characters, the difference in class and expectations, and the lovely way Ruth and Bo's worlds intertwined.
December 29, 2024
I love Karen Witemeyer's Texan romances and these two novellas added some Christmas fun to the mix. Gift of the Heart puts a new spin on the story of Ruth and Boaz. This sweet story stands alone in terms of characters and setting, but also connects via the brooch to the novellas in A Christmas Heirloom. An Archer Family Christmas follows the other three Archer books, this time featuring Jim and Cassie. The story will make the most sense if you've read all the Archer books but you'll be able to follow it if you've at least read book one, Short-Straw Bride.
December 6, 2020
Two Entertaining Stories
While both of the stories were great stories, my favorite had to be the last one since it was allegorical to Boaz and Ruth. Ruth’s daughter Naomi provided a lot of the humor to keep the story light. Karen Witemeyer creates characters that are flawed sometimes physically and sometimes characteristically, so readers can relate to the biblical truths that the characters work to accept and apply to their circumstances.
While both of the stories were great stories, my favorite had to be the last one since it was allegorical to Boaz and Ruth. Ruth’s daughter Naomi provided a lot of the humor to keep the story light. Karen Witemeyer creates characters that are flawed sometimes physically and sometimes characteristically, so readers can relate to the biblical truths that the characters work to accept and apply to their circumstances.
November 23, 2020
I will start with the second novella first. I read this one already a little while ago. I enjoyed it so much I read it a second time. I never get tired of Karen's stories. An Archer Family Christmas was wonderful. To revisit some of Karen's amazing characters was a real treat. Loved this family and love this Christmas novella.
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