Haunted by the horrors of war, ex-cavalry officer Matthew Hanger leads a band of mercenaries known as Hanger’s Horsemen who have become legends in 1890s Texas. They defend the innocent and obtain justice for the oppressed. But when a rustler’s bullet leaves one of them at death’s door, they’re the ones in need of saving.
Dr. Josephine Burkett is used to men taking one look at her skirts and … skirts and discounting her medical skills. What she’s not used to is having a man change his mind in a heartbeat and offer to assist her in surgery. Matthew Hanger’s dedication to his friend during recovery earns Josephine’s respect, and when she hears of her brother’s abduction, he becomes her only hope for rescue.
Matt has stared down ruthless outlaws, betrayal, and injury, but when a bossy lady doctor crawls under his skin, his heart is tempted to surrender. And when she is caught in the crossfire, he may have to sacrifice everything–even his team–to save her.
more
If you are reading reviews for At Love’s Command by Karen Witemeyer because you aren’t sure you should buy it or not, add this book to your cart! I loved every minute I spent in the pages of this story. I found myself jealous of anyone who hasn’t read it yet because they have a really good book to look forward to. I was seriously up until 1 am every night.
At Love’s Command is an excellent mixture of action, romance, suspense, and vocabulary. Matthew Hanger is the hero everyone longs for. He is a ruggedly handsome ex-cavalry officer with a past—flawed but believable. He is protective of those in his care even when they definitely don’t deserve it. The story gets interesting when Matthew Hanger’s path crosses with Witemeyer’s heroine—Dr. Josephine Burkett.
Dr. Burkett. A female doctor. Not exactly what Matthew Hanger was expecting when he brought one of his men to town with a gun wound. However, a friendship begins when he helps Josephine with the surgery and through his devotion to his friend’s recovery. Just when she thinks she won’t see Mr. Hanger again, Josephine needs the help of Matthew and the Hanger’s Horsemen to save her brother.
There are so many good and well-written elements in Karen Witemeyer’s At Love’s Command! She balances the action and the romance like a champ. Speaking of romance! The love story in this book has to be one of my all-time favorites. The growing attraction and romance between Matthew and Josephine is sickening sweet. I found myself stupid smiling so many times. It was so relatable! It’s the ever-aware of their presence. The “accidental” hand brushing that makes your heart race…
“He could feel the pull of her. So close. Mere inches of no man’s land separated them. Territory yet unconquered. He steered his step minutely closer to hers. The warrior inside urging him to lay claim even as the gentleman insisted he hold the line.”
‘sigh’
“He made a glorious picture. Tall in the saddle. Valiant. Unafraid of dangers that lurked ahead. A hero on a noble quest. A rather romantic notion for woman who’d packed away dreams of handsome knights long ago in favor of the reality of a career in medicine.”
Karen Witemeyer never disappoints with any of her stories! She keeps the reader engaged, invested in her characters, and makes them feel like they escaped into the pages.
Matthew Hanger—ex-calvary officer, fierce protector and hero of this story has a natural knack for heading off trouble. Except when it comes to his heart where “Doc Joe”—aka Josephine Burkett—is concerned. She’s tough as nails because she’s had to fight to gain the confidence of the townspeople for a woman doctor. She certainly won’t put up with any guff from Matt or his three compadres, which compromise the Hanger’s Horsemen. I loved seeing the sparks fly between these two; stubborn and bullheaded Matt meets take-no-nonsense Joe. It was certainly fun seeing the ribbing he gets from Luke Davenport “Preach”, Mark Wallace, and Jonah Brooks when they realize he’s fallen for the lady doctor! When her brother Charlie gets in heaps of trouble of his own making, she pleads with them to rescue him and thus begins the adventure.
“She’d surprised him. Good. She liked keeping military types on their toes. Reminded them they didn’t always have all the answers.”
“She apparently enjoyed a good sparring match as much as he did.”
And what a ride it is too! The pace really picks up after that and left me wondering how it was all going to play out. The danger was high and I feared for their safety more than once. I loved how Witemeyer bands these four men together and gives each of them complementary skills necessary to thwart danger and the outlaws. If you’re up for a fun Western adventure, a great inspirational message, and of course romance, then you’re in for a treat with “At Love’s Command”!
“He’d felt God’s gentle urging in his life before, but never had it been so overt. It was as if a general had ridden onto the battlefield to direct the operation himself instead of leaving it in the hand of his officers.”
I can’t wait for the rest of the Hanger’s Horseman stories; I loved these three men & their unique personalities. I bet Witemeyer will pair them with equally suited lady loves!
*I received a complimentary copy from Bethany House publisher and was not obligated to leave a favorable review. All opinions are strictly my own. *
At Love’s Command is a combination of action, adventure, and romance. There was never a dull moment! I love that Karen Witemeyer’s stories are never predictable.
The first chapter is intense but it sets the stage for each of the Horsemen and shows you what made them who they are today.
Josie is a spitfire who makes sure her voice is heard. Matthew is closed off with everyone except his band of brothers after the massacre. Only after meeting Josie, Matthew is finally able to start healing.
The group of Horsemen are like brothers standing up for justice, and they have such a strong connection to each other. I look forward to reading each of their stories.
“Not for the first time, it struck her how different they were from each other, yet the tie that bound them could not be denied. These men would fight for each other. Die for each other.”
I may still be swooning over what a marvelous hero Matt Hangar is! He’s tortured by the atrocities of war and his part in them, and together with 3 of the men who had been under his command to form the famed Hangar’s Horsemen. They avoid the use of lethal force wherever they can, even in the business of running down baddies, and try their best to reach toward God and atone for the sins they were unwilling participants of. Matt and Josie had sparks for days though, shared some lovely moments together (although I would have liked to see a few more of those stolen moments), and I found all of the horsemen to be admirable, honorable men who may be the best quartet of leading men in literary history! I can’t wait for the next installment, and Karen Witemeyer has definitely stumbled on the right formula of intrigue, romance, and adventure!
I don’t read in bed often, mostly because books don’t put me to sleep. They keep me up. My bed partner (hubby) is not a fan of the just-one-more-page syndrome. However, last month I had the rare opportunity for a few nights on my own and this was the book that kept me up waaay past my bedtime. Throw in a lonely ex-soldier who leads a justice-seeking band of mercenaries, add in a feisty, independent lady doctor, mix that all up with a troubled brother, a kidnapping, and a band of nasty outlaws and you’ll get a recipe for sleep deprivation apparently. If you like Westerns, romance, and a whole lot of adventure, you’ll like this one. Oh, and did I mention it’s set in Texas? Nuff said.
Once again Mrs. Witemeyer has brought her characters to life and entertained us with her exceptional story technique.
I read this book in a day, y’all. There’s not a dull moment to be had; I couldn’t look away from this book if you paid me.
Matthew Hanger makes an excellent hero, flawed and honest and steady. And Josephine Burkett is the perfect heroine to round him out–compassionate, sassy, and incredibly intelligent. The horsemen are so well-written, each with distinctive personalities but the same loyal hearts. I cannot wait to read their stories! I’ll be stalking the internet, anxiously awaiting release dates.
I sighed, grinned like a dork, and even teared up on occasion. This is just a good, old-fashioned five-star read across the board. Don’t miss it!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All expressed opinions belong to me.
One of my favorite reads of this year. There wasn’t a thing I didn’t love about this book, fantastic characters, plot, and I just didn’t want to put it down–the only part of this book that I didn’t love was the bad guy!
I admired Matthew for his leadership, as well as how he is respectful of others. He doesn’t back down from a challenge, and is willing to fight for what’s right. Plus his horse, Phinneas, is remarkably trained.
Josephine is intelligent, skilled at her craft, I liked her restraint and common sense in times of urgency. She isn’t afraid to face a challenge, and always gives her best.
There’s great interaction between the characters, among the Horsemen, as well as between Jo and Matt. I loved the camaraderie between the men and how the author did a great job of making them each memorable, and distinct. They tease each other, and have a fun, enjoyable report.
This is a engaging read, and a great series opener. The minute I turned the last page down I went back and re-read my favorite scenes, I just didn’t want it to end! I had so much fun reading this book, it has great action, faith, and humor all blended together in a way that flowed seemingly effortlessly. In my opinion this book has some of the best characters and character development, of not only the main characters but also the side characters. I don’t think a group of characters have ever captured my heart so quickly as Hangers Horsemen, I want a book about each and every one of them!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
A commanding love story:
This was a delightful, sweet western romance. There was just the right amount of action, drama, humour and romance.
Matt is an ex-military man, a mercenary and a man continually on the move. Meanwhile Jo is a doctor, a pacifist and eager to establish herself as a female physician in her small town. They both felt a strong and undeniable attraction to one another and when they join forces to rescue her brother, their self erected walls start to crumble.
I enjoyed the message of hope and the reminder to keep trusting in the Lord which was woven throughout the story. The opportune verses that Preach shared were also great.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
I loved this book. The characters were all fantastic, and the story was engaging. Hanger’s Horsemen are an interesting bunch, and I look forward to reading all of their stories.
I couldn’t wait to read At Love’s Command when I first saw it and it was just as good as I thought! First, the cover had a male on it instead of the usual female. I loved this picture of Matthew, he looked so handsome. 🙂 At Love’s Command is written by Karen Witemeyer and it is just as good as the first book that I had read by her. I really enjoyed this book.
Matthew Hanger is the leader of his team, Hanger’s Housemen. They have been together ever since the War Between the States. He has been hardened by life, it is not easy fighting in a war, especially when you have to witness the deaths of so many innocent people. He has made it his life’s goal to avenge the death of those people by helping the innocent.
Josephine Burkett is a female doctor in 1980s Texas. She has worked hard to create and promote her practice as reliable and good. People don’t trust female doctors, but she has finally gotten the people in her town to respect her. She has accepted that she will probably never marry because not many will accept a wife who wishes to be a doctor. But she wishes that she could find a husband, that she could have a family.
Matthew and Josie cross paths when one of the Housemen gets hurt and they find themselves at the mercy of a doctor. Little did they know that this visit would change their lives. Josie saves one of the Housemen and sends them on their way. But she rushes after them, having received news of danger. She begs them to help rescue her brother. But what will Matthew do when the pretty doctor lady gets caught in the crossfire?
Matthew was a sweetheart, he was one of those guys who acted all stubborn and calloused, but was actually a softie on the inside. He just wants to protect the innocent and his men. But along the way he found himself falling for Josie, the female doctor who uses ten dollar words. However, Matthew will have to learn how to let go of his demons before he is able to have a relationship with Josie.
Josie was an amazing heroine, she was strong and brave. But she also knew when it was time to trust others to protect her and lead her. It was so funny to see her interact with Matthew, they were cute together. I really enjoyed seeing her interact with the other Housemen, they saw her as one of their own.
The other Housemen made this book all the better, I loved their conversations. It was also cool how they trusted each other to go about their missions. They had complete trust in Matthew as their leader and they would have followed him anywhere. They had found a family in each other.
This was a great book, another hit by Ms. Witemeyer. It had twists and turns that had me sitting on the edge of my seat waiting to find out what will happen. At Love’s Command reminds me yet again why I love Ms. Witemeyer’s books. I am excited to see what comes next. It is always so exciting to find a series to read! I would definitely recommend this book! If you liked Ms. Witemeyer’s books, then you need to read this one.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
I enjoy Karen Witemeyer for her very flowing writing, wittiness, and sturdy plotlines. For some reason, I found this one to have a very different “feel.” It wasn’t bad. It was just different. I really did like the fight scenes and enjoyed the whole Hanger’s Horsement plot. There were some nice twists that kept me guessing, and I appreciated that.
The diversity of characters was great–from the four horsemen to Josephine and her brother.
I absolutely loved the Christian elements. The characters were solid believers and didn’t leave me guessing. They turned to Scripture for comfort, help, and assurance. They saw “convenient happenings” as directed by God’s hand. I loved how Matt always asked for Scripture from Preach (Luke). The last few “Christian” books I’ve read were shallow in the spiritual element, so it was refreshing on that end.
My one drawback for most of Ms. Witemeyer’s books is the romance-on-the-edge. I’m not a big romantic anyway, but there seemed to be so much touching and so much obsession over what a person looked like or felt. There were a few parts I skimmed because of that.
Still, I am looking forward to book two and can’t wait to find out which of the horsemen it follows!
*I received this book from Net Galley and happily provided my honest review*
This book is SO good! I loved it! It has the typical Karen Witemeyer “specialness” about it.
The prologue had me questioning whether I would be sorry I agreed to review this book. There’s no question that the prologue is violent. However, that scene plays a critical role in who Matthew Hanger and Hanger’s Horsemen are.
I loved Josephine right away. What a great heroine! I so appreciated that she followed God’s leading into medicine even though she knew it could prevent her from having a family of her own, since, at the time, female doctors were not readily accepted. She had spunk and was brave.
I loved watching Matthew and “Josie” develop feelings for each other. Matthew had to wrestle with some issues from his past that Josephine put into perspective based on her experiences which was great. I also loved the spiritual message throughout the book.
I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
I received a complimentary copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
At Love’s Command is the first in the Hanger’s Horsemen series by Karen Witemeyer. I have been impatiently waiting to hold this book in my hands since Karen discussed her ideas about the story on her fan page. And I have to say after reading this first installment, I don’t think I’ve ever looked forward to the rest of a series more.
Karen continues to deliver phenomenal inspirational stories time and again. I love her use of scripture in her writing, and I fall in love with her characters every time. At Love’s Command is no exception!
I loved Dr. Jo from the very beginning. Her grit. Her heart. And especially her ability to identify an admirable/handsome man and stand with him during battle. Her vocabulary had me laughing out loud more than once as she crossed proverbial swords with Matt. What fun!
Oh, and then there’s the legendary Matthew Hanger. Sigh. Such a good man through and through. And while his roughened exterior is attractive enough, it’s his struggle to surrender everything to the Lord that makes him a true hero. Be prepared to lose your heart. (And gain an extra book boyfriend!)
Then, there are The Horsemen. What a group! Each one with their own distinct personalities that complement each other so well. I can’t wait to get to know Preach, Wallace and Brooks even better with the rest of the series. I can only imagine the adventures that await!
One of my favorite things about this book is Preach and his penchant for remembering the perfect scripture for any situation. The verses he chose not only provided peace to The Horsemen, but to my hectic life as well. I’m grateful for authors who chose to use the Word of God instead of shy away from it.
If you are a fan of Christian historical romance you will adore this book, especially if you are overly fond of western settings.
I was given a copy of this book by the publisher with no expectations of a positive review. All opinions are my own.
What a great book. I think this is the best book yet by MS. Witemeyer. I couldn’t seem to put it down. I stayed up way too late reading.
Matthew Hanger started Hanger’s Horsemen as a way to atone for what happened at Wounded Knee. The men with him were former cavalry under his command. Their mission is to help those who need help. If shots need to be fired, they shoot to wound, not kill. On one of their missions one of the horseman is wounded. The nearest doctor is Dr. Josephine Burkett. She is a very competent physician and has a very strong personality. She can stare any man down. Even a horseman. While tending the wounded man she learns her brother is being held for ransom. She asks the horseman to help her get her brother back. Matthew and Josephine feel an imedidate attraction. So what can he do but want to help her. This is where the adventure begins. The story just keeps building. I couldn’t put it down.
I highly recommend this book. I was given this book by Bethany House Publishing via Net Galley for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.
True to Karen Witemeyer’s style, she’s created characters who are easy to love and we want to root for!
Matt, Mark, Luke… and Jonah are a bunch of retired cavalry men who are always willing to help those in need and were willing to hire them. Matt’s experience with loss causes him to avoid relationships. He and his men meet Dr. Jo and sparks fly. It was fun to read how Matt reacts to Jo when he’s avoided relationships for so long – aside from the friendships he’s made with this loyal friends.
Dr. Jo is feisty and a woman ahead of her time. She’s always ready to challenge anyone who doesn’t agree with her being a doctor. We get to see how she cares for her patients, even when they’re trying to work their “magic” on her. lol
I loved how the men all worked together and seemed to know what the other was thinking without saying a word. They’re a band of brothers who make a story strong. When Dr. Jo needs help, she knows the right men for the job. I was surprised at how the story took an unexpected turn and things didn’t go quite the way it was planned. There was plenty of western action to keep us engaged as readers.
I liked the growing relationship between “Josie” and Matt. They seemed so well suited for each other even though they had such different views on life… or so it seemed. They were both extremely likable characters and we definitely root for them as readers!
This story reminds me of a classic western staring John Wayne or James Stewart, but with a definite Christian theme running throughout.
Matthew Hanger and three of his men leave the cavalry after a particularly bad campaign and form the Hanger’s Horsemen. After one of his men takes a bullet, Matthew rushes him to the nearest doctor. What he doesn’t expect is the doctor to be female.
Dr. Josephine Burkett is confident in her healing skills. She’s also used to having to defend those skills to most men. However, when a cavalry officer gives her respect and assistance, she takes a second look at the man behind the stiff code of conduct. Therefore, when she learns that her brother is in danger, she immediately turns to Matthew and the Hanger’s Horsemen for help.
What follows is an edge of your seat, nail biting story with bullets flying, cruel outlaws, betrayal, and near death encounters. But when God is for you, who can be against you? Both Matthew and Dr. Jo must learn the difficult lesson to let God have control of the situation. Can they trust God enough and let Him lead? The story also shows the harsh consequences for poor decisions.
Thankfully, this is much more than a romance. As a romance, it wasn’t as satisfying as some of the author’s previous works. But, as a life lesson on trust in God, this is a sure winner. I loved the use of Bible verses sprinkled through the story.
Romance – PG / kissing
Language – PG / clean
Violence – PG13 – lots of violence such as recounting of a real historic battle, gun fights, bullet injuries, death, etc.
My rating – 5 stars – based on the Christian theme of trust and dependence on God.
“No problem exists that Matthew Hanger can’t outthink.”
Karen Witemeyer is back with a brand new series! At Love’s Command introduces readers to Hanger’s Horsemen, a band of noble men who, after a life-changing battleground experience, have made a name for themselves by helping those in need without the use of deadly force.
At Love’s Command features a female physician, Dr. Josephine Burkett. She speaks in “ten-dollar words” and stands her own in a man’s world, in 1893 Texas. She’s sassy, smart and strong in her faith!
Hands down, the best part of this story is the dynamic between the Horsemen. Each fellah brings something special to the group. The brotherly banter and ribbing is so cute! I hope each gentleman receives his own story!
With fantastic supporting characters, beautiful prayers and many scripture reflections, fans of historical fiction will absolutely enjoy this book!
At Love’s Command is available for preorder at http://www.christianbook.com and http://www.bakerbookhouse.com . Release day for this western adventure is June 2, 2020.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Karen Witemeyer and Bethany House Publishers through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
At Love’s Command Satisfies
Karen Witemeyer’s latest creation At Love’s Command features Josephine Burkett, a doctor with a big vocabulary, and Matthew Hanger, a man whose education has come from the Cavalry. Both are used to being in charge and both have chosen their respective professions over having families of their own.
Although this is a love story between Josephine and Matthew to be sure, in many ways the love story between the hero and heroine takes a back seat to the love story between God and his people. Woven throughout the book are examples of how God takes care of us in practical ways as well as in specific approaches that touch our hearts personally. So often in romance novels, the tension is all about the characters’ feelings for each other and getting to the point where they will admit it. At Love’s Command goes deeper. The main characters recognize their feelings pretty early on and spend much of the story experiencing God showing His love toward them. Don’t get me wrong – in Karen’s usual style, the dialogue is witty and the story is layered with humor, bad guys, best friends, and the fight between good and evil. And in case you are worried – Josephine and Matthew’s love story is so satisfying! Perhaps what makes it so is because on the road to finding each other, they experience God’s depth of love in powerful ways.
*I received a free preview of this book from the publisher. The opinions stated in this review are entirely my own.
I love Karen Witemeyer’s books because she always does such a great job writing strong female characters! I instantly loved Josephine—she has gumption, compassion, and intelligence, and she is not afraid to back down from what she thinks is right. Matthew, too, is endearing, determined to use the broken pieces of his past to become a better person and fight for justice. The villain is the perfect blend of creepy and sly and there is a plot twist in his gang that I definitely did not see coming! The plot flows easily as the characters develop depth and complexity throughout the story. I really loved the secondary characters too and cannot wait to read more about them in future installments. I enjoyed the spiritual themes of forgiveness and trust that are woven so seamlessly in the novel. The tidbits of fascinating history of the 1890s and beautiful Texas scenery rounded out the book perfectly. I really liked this novel and highly recommend it!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.