Heart On The Line by Karen Witemeyer- A Review

As most people know by now, Karen Witemeyer is one of my absolute favorite authors. I own all of her books to date. I’m a big fan of her writing style. There hasn’t been a story that she has spun that I haven’t thoroughly enjoyed. Her latest release is no exception. Heart on the Line, which is the third installment in her fabulous Ladies of Harper’s Station series, is truly a heart-warming, delightful read. It immediately draws you in with mystery and intrigue, then keeps you there for the two romantic plots, and holds you captive until the end because you just have to find out how it all turns out. Will both of the romantic plot stories pan out? Will the mystery be solved?

Grace Mallory is tired of running and hiding from the past that still has a grip on her present and future. When an old-friend sends a telegraph warning Grace that the man who has hunted her for nearly a year has found out her location, Grace believes that running once again, is her only way out. After all, she can’t let the villain who she suspects of killing her father to release his wrath on Harper’s Station, the all women’s colony that has been her safe haven.

Amos Bledsoe prefers bicycles to horses and private conversations over the telegraph wire to social gatherings. His telegraph companion, the mysterious Miss G, listens eagerly to his ramblings every night and delights him with tales all her own. For months, their friendship has fed his hope that he has finally found the woman God intended for him. Yet when he takes the next step to meet her in person, he discovers her life is in peril, and Amos must decide if he can shed his quiet nature to become the hero Grace requires.

Heart on the Line continues the story of the Ladies of Harper’s Station series and prominently features the quiet, cautious Grace, and the distrustful, man-hating (for good reason) Helen. The all women’s colony of Harper’s Station acts as a safe haven for women running from abusive and troubled pasts. The colony gives women a fresh start and helps them to be independent….. Though this all women’s colony seems to be welcoming a few men into their midst. ;) First there was Malachi Shaw who now acts as the Marshall of Harper’s Station, who won over the independent and spunky banker/co founder of the colony, Emma. Then came freighter Ben Porter, who eventually won over the general store owner, Victoria. And now, not one but several men end up at the station unannounced and all with different motives. For a colony who use to frown on male visitors, it sure seems to be bursting at the seams with them. ;) But who is trustworthy, and who is the villain?

As usual, I truly enjoyed this story. The writing is thorough, detailed, and imaginative. The plot is well developed, intricate, and creative, and the characters are down to earth, real, and totally relatable. One thing that I love about Karen’s books is that each features a positive message. These stories all have Christian themes and usually use scripture to reinforce those themes. Another thing that each of Witemeyer’s books feature is excellent, witty dialogue. I just love the way she handles each character’s thoughts and expressions. I also love that Heart on the Line features an unlikely hero and proves that you don’t have to have chiseled features, big muscles, and be the usual “cowboy” type (which I’m not knocking, believe me, I love me some cowboys!), in order to get the girl in the end. Quiet, thoughtful, sensitive guys can get the girl too. ;)

I highly recommend this book, and the whole series. You can read the books as standalones, but I recommend reading them in order, simply because I think you’ll follow and understand the stories deeper if you start from the beginning.