In Honor's Defense: (A Christian Western Historical Romance Featuring Army Heroes in Late 1800's Texas) (Hanger's Horsemen)

This is my first step into Hanger’s Horsemen by Author Karen Witemeyer and wow. I was drawn to the character of Damaris and the internal growth she undergoes in this book. The character of Luke provided insight to Hanger’s Horseman and explores life in Texas just prior to the 1900s.The death of Damaris’s eldest brother, a widower seven years before, gives her custody of his son Nate. Considering herself more of a spinster than eligible beauty, she leaves St. Louis and is committed to raising the young teen in Texas. Nate is an angry handful and Damaris uses her faith to keep her temper even while demonstrating her devotion to the young man.Luke is the quintessential cowboy who overcame a tough childhood, served his country, and is at loose ends with the other horsemen settled. He answers a call to a rancher in Texas plagued by cattle rustlers and random property violations. His journey to finding the culprits crosses paths with Damaris and Nate. His faith, born of his time as a horseman puts into practice the lessons he learned.Damaris and Nate have no idea that meeting Luke will change their lives forever. The plot is well developed and vivid descriptions of the surrounding area. Author Witemeyer pulls on all the senses of the reader enveloping them in the story. The historical aspects are realistic with the times. Action and conflict is present as Luke puts the puzzle pieces together. There is a strong sense of family commitment, love, and faith from the depths of Luke and Damaris.I highly recommend this story for those who enjoy the historical west, Texas, and faith-based stories with a realistic foundation. The twists and turns will keep you guessing as you watch the characters learn and grow from their experiences. I put the other stories in this series on my to-be-read-list.

Hanger’s Horsemen ride again! I was looking forward to Luke’s story and I was not disappointed. Damaris has always known she’s not a beauty. After a life of being overlooked she’s resigned herself to the single life, until her oldest brother dies leaving her custody of his son. Nate lost his mom when he was seven years old, now he’s lost his dad. He knows it wasn’t an accident and he’s going to make the man that’s responsible pay. Aunt Damaris is not going to stop him. With all the other Horsemen happily married Luke is feeling unsettled.When he takes a job hunting down rustled cattle there’s much more going on than he expects, and he has no idea that just next door is the one woman and teenager who will change his life forever. This book has characters tied together by threads of faith and overcoming misconceptions about themselves. There’s plenty of action, romance, and a sense of family. I loved it. I received a copy courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and this is my honest review.

“In Honor’s Defense” is the third book in Witemeyer’s “Hanger’s Horsemen” series; however, it is a great stand-alone read. If you enjoy all things cowboy and a genuinely heartfelt and faith-filled story, you’ll love this book.Without giving away the plot, the book tells the story of rough-around-the-edges Luke “Preach” Davenport and shy Damaris Baxter who meet fortuitously near Madisonville, Texas, in 1895, when Miss Baxter travels from St. Louis to care for her orphaned nephew, Nathaniel, after her brother’s untimely – and suspicious – death.There’s so much to love about “In Honor’s Defense.” Faith. Action. Suspense. Drama. Unexpected allies and unlooked-for villains. External and internal conflicts. Humor. And, of course, a clean romance.All these qualities, trademarks of a Witemeyer novel, are on display in spades here. There were many times I felt tears welling at the faith exhibited by her characters, or from the layering of a well-crafted paragraph with realistic dialogue that, at times, stole my breath. As a writer myself, I can sometimes be a harsh critic of the work of others.But not Witemeyer’s skillful prose.Without reservation, I highly recommend “In Honor’s Defense” by Karen Witemeyer.#pamelarobertshowell #karenwitemeyer #inhonor’sdefense #hanger’shorsemen

Book arrived before Christmas so I can read it next week when everything is slow!

Karen Witemeyer weaves gospel truth into her books more powerfully than any other Christian writer I’ve read. Her stories are beautiful, meaningful and make me want to be a better person. I’m off to memorize some scripture thanks to the example of Preach! I adored this story and the way the heroine found Strength she didn’t know she had.

I was afraid I wouldn’t remember enough of the Horsemen’s story as it has been quite some time and many other novels since I read the first books in the series. I love a well- written, well edited novel and this one did not disappoint. The twist and turns of the plot and the depths. of the characters made it one of the best I’ve read in a while. I also am thrilled that there may be more Hanger’s horsemen stories to come. Maybe? Please?

This story really tugged at my heart. Luke and Demaris are two of the deepest characters I've read in a while with a love story so sweet and totally believable. Both Luke and Demaris had dreams that they never thought would be achievable. And her nephew Nate added a layer of depth overall. A wildfire and plenty of bad guys made this a gut-clenching story told by an extremely talented author. It'll remain in my memory for a long while.

What a great series! Nice use of Scripture without preaching. The author shares strengths and weaknesses of these very real characters. Very relatable. I really enjoyed all three books and hate to see these fine men retire. Perhaps Nate, Rawley and Abner will train up to be the next generation of Horsemen. Also, thanks Karen for keeping the grammar correct so it doesn't distract from the story for those of us who have a thing about that. Wonderful job!

In Honor’s Defense is the third and last book in the Hangers Horsemen series, and while it is more fun as part of a series, it can be read as a standalone.Luke aka Preach is the only Horseman left standing after the others settled down. He has a wild streak and just can’t be happy just taming horses, so when a call comes for the Horseman to find some cattle rustlers, he goes solo to see what he can find. And oh boy does he find something when he stumbles unto a woman and her orphaned nephew…Damaris has left her entire life behind to move to Texas and take care of her late brother’s orphaned son Nathaniel, a stubborn 14 year old who refuses to listen to her and is stuck in his grief. And when he pulls a prank that is a little bit too far and Damaris gets sorta rescued by this handsome cowboy, her life might turn upside down. Also because Nathaniel is convinced his father has been murdered… and more trouble is closing in. The perfect job for a Horseman, even if he finds himself a little bit too drawn to the distraction that is Damaris.I have to say, I absolutely love the chemistry between Damaris and Luke! They seem total opposites, but they match so well, and we discover some similarities too, which made it even more perfect. Damaris is a very insecure woman, as she seems invisible to the world, even to the ones that love her. She’s very good at hiding her true self and describes herself as plain and boring, but she is anything but boring. She is very smart and has so much love and care for everyone, and when someone has faith in her she finds her inner strength which was great to see! Luke has some wildness to him, but secretly longs for a family life like the other Horsemen have. He isn’t even opposed to a doily or two, which is an enviable quality in my opinion. But his traumatic history is hindering him from finding happiness, as he is afraid he’ll end up like his dad, even though he can quote half the Bible he has trouble believing that God forgives him and cares for him. He recognises a lot of himself in Nathaniel, and their budding friendship is great to see!Also, there is little time for romance, as trouble is coming, and he has to find out who’s behind this, and if Nathaniel is right about his dad getting murdered. The first half of this book is more focused on the characters themselves, that was my favorite part, where the second part is more action. That keeps you engaged the entire time, and you really want to keep reading, you need to know how it ends! I love how the other Horseman are in this book too on the background, but you can really feel the support they give, how they are still close. The finale was epic and I loved it! Karen Witemeyer is one of my favorite authors (I’m a big fan), and this newest novel didn’t disappoint at all, it was amazing! I’m really sad this series is over, I love these rugged cowboys.I received a free copy from the publisher through Netgalley, but it hasn’t influenced my opinions.

This was another great book by Karen Witemeyer and a perfect way to end the whole Hanger's Horsemen series. The main characters are well-developed and a great mix of likeable and messed up (in other words real) and there is mystery and danger to keep the pages turning right to the end. The writing it of a high standard and I was carried along with all the highs and lows of the characters' lives. Like with all of Karen Witemeyer's books, there is a strong Christian message running through the books but, unlike some other Christian books, it doesn't feel forced. The characters are just living out their Christian faith in everyday life.