Heart on the Line by Karen Witemeyer tells the story of Grace Mallory, a telegraph operator who is hiding in a small women’s colony. As a telegraph operator, she finds a friend on the wires, fellow telegraph operator Amos Bledsoe. Grace is running from the man who killed her father and Amos quickly comes to her aid. This is another solid story from Karen Witemeyer, with her trademark ability to balance lightheartedness with serious suspense. I would highly recommend this book as a fun read. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed Heart on the Line by Karen Witemeyer. The heroine, Grace, is a telegraph operator in a town comprised of women. Hiding from her father's murder who seeks something she has, she has found shelter in this town full of women who love and protect their own. I loved the various characters in this town and the side romance that developed by one of the "I hate men" women in the town.

I loved the idea of finding love over the telegraph wire. It is like online dating, but the old-fashioned way. Will they like what they see? Are they the same as their "wire" persona? It makes for great tension in the story when Grace and Amos finally meet for the first time.

I am not usually a fan of beta heroes, but Amos grows on me as he steps up to the plate, time and time again, for Grace. When the Pinkerton character comes into town, this sparks competition between the two as they both vie for Grace's attention. It also spurs Amos into stepping out of the box and being more assertive.

Overall, this book was an enjoyable read with plenty of adventure and suspense. I would definitely recommend! I gave this 4 out of 5 stars only because of my preference for alpha heroes.

Backcover Copy:

Grace Mallory is tired of hiding. She hungers for a normal life, perhaps even a suitor like two of her friends in Harper's Station have found. But when the man she believes responsible for her father's death discovers her whereabouts, survival takes priority.

Amos Bledsoe prefers bicycles to horses and private conversations over the telegraph wire to social gatherings with young ladies who see him as nothing more than an oddity. His fellow telegrapher, the mysterious Miss G, has been the ideal companion. For months, their friendship--dare he believe, courtship?--over the wire has fed his hope that he has finally found the woman God intends for him. However, when he intercepts an ominous message and discovers her life is in peril, Amos must shed the cocoon of his quiet nature to become the hero Grace requires.

I received Heart on the Line by Karen Witemeyer from Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Grace Mallory works for Western Union as a telegraph operator. This gives her an income and a unique communication method. She needs this as she’s “on the run” for most of the book, hiding out from corrupt security men who took her father’s life. Amos Bledsoe is the operator in a nearby Texas town. He overhears a telegraph conversation that is meant for Grace, and he springs into action.
The story had intrigue, mystery, humor and a lovely love story.

I found this to be a fairy enjoyable, light read, which was appreciated to break up some of the heavier stuff I was reading.

I liked that Amos' character was the not the typical hero in build or demeanor, that he was insecure about it and that Grace acknowledged these things and wasn't instantly set on him (though it did happen pretty quickly). Their method of communicating was unique and very sweet.

I liked Helen's side story and thought her match was fitting. However, I didn't find the insta-love/protection/physicality etc at all believable for a woman of her background.

The lower rating has more to do with the suspension of belief I had to employ to be able to get into the story.

*SPOILERS*

For me, it was simple. Grace had two options. Take the books directly to Whitmore or go into hiding. I didn't really understand why she seemed to choose the latter option, since she would never be safe until the target (documents) was removed from her back. Who wants to live like that? But she fled, ending up in a females colony.

The story picks up with her a few months later where she has done absolutely nothing to hide her identity: she has altered her appearance in no way, has not changed her name or even her occupation. She made it incredibly easy to trace her. But if that weren't enough, she left her location with a friend before she left, giving explicit instructions to give up her whereabouts if anyone was threatened. What?! Your last remaining family member was gunned down in cold blood. You don't give anyone else information that would PUT them in danger. And why would you need to? It's not like you'll be keeping penpals while on the run. The whole premise made no sense to me.

Then she starts a friendship/romance with a man she's never seen over the telegram wire. Wreckless. Dangerous.

Then when the Pinkerton agent shows up in town, everyone accepts him and walks on eggshells around him. Amos' arrival was suspicious and required lockup until his story and intent could be verified and voted on. Dunbar shows up the next day or so and the reaction is completely different. Despite the fact that he could be a crooked agent. What? Lock him up until you can verify his identity AND intent, just like Amos! After a day or two, they could have definitely found cause for suspicion to keep him locked up. And Grace could have fled again. But then I guess we wouldn't have a story.

And why didn't Helen question Lee as soon as he was lucid? Full name (nicknames from friends don't count)? Occupation? Who sent you? Who shot you? We have a murderer on his way to town, stop flirting and get answers!

For me, the tenor of the story that should have been present under the circumstances (deep loss and grief, fear, and danger) did not fit at all with the casual, lighthearted actions (cycling lessons, strolling about town with a beau, etc).

People these days meet this spouse all the time online. Of course back in the 1800s there was no internet but they did have the telegraph and after hours people were allowed to "talk" with other people on other lines. Harper's Station is the perfect place for Grace Mallory to hide out. She fears for her life. She takes on a job as a telegraph operation and strikes up a conversation with someone on the other end she has never met. She doesn't know what he looks like but when she is in trouble he shows up in her town ready to protect her.

I like it that the author did not create a hero that is typical of most romance novels. Amos Bledsoe is not particularly good looking. He is not muscular and he wears spectacles. These days we would call him geeky looking but Grace was a woman of character and looked beyond someone's looks. I also liked it that she was a gutsy character and thought on her feet.
As in all of Karen Witemeyer's novels there is a tiny bit of humor. I loved it that Amos was going to teach the ladies how to ride a velocipede which was some sort of bicycle.

There was a bit of suspense in the book which kept me turning pages. I kept hoping the villain would get his comeuppance and I was not disappointed.

Heart on the Line is book 2 in the Harper's Station series and will be published June 6, 2017. Thanks to Netgalley and Bethany House Publishers for providing me a digital copy of this book to read and review.

Another great book by Karen Witemeyer! I was so excited to visit Harper's Station again with her, as I greatly enjoyed the previous two books (one full-length and one novella) that occur in the lovely women-only town. Funnily enough, by this time, it's no longer a women-only town, and men just keep coming. While our main character, Grace, is happy about this, an important secondary character, Helen, is not, and it's fun to read both points-of-view as the story progresses. I found myself frequently more interested in Helen's story, as she is so thoroughly anti-man in the beginning and then love catches her by surprise.

Grace Mallory has a past that has finally caught up with her. After working in Harper's Station as the telegraph operator for a year, she receives word that a dangerous man has discovered her whereabouts, and it's now imperative that she make other arrangements. However, her relationship with the town coupled by the arrival of a long-distance acquaintance leads to her staying put and planning to fight a battle that has long been coming. Amos Bledsoe is a telegraph operator in Denison, and over the past several months, he has become infatuated with Grace through numerous telegraph conversations. When he overhears her bad news, he immediately decides to come to the rescue. Arriving in Harper's Station on a not-quite-valiant steed, Amos is determined to aid in whatever way he can. With help from the town and a little faith in God, he and Grace fight together to save her life.

Grace and Amos were a cute and quirky couple! What I loved the most about their relationship was how well they knew each other despite never having set eyes on each other. Their first communication upon meeting isn’t even really in words – it’s in Morse code – which made it more romantic than most first meetings between hero and heroine in a romance novel. Karen also brilliantly made Amos an amiable fellow who is not also a muscular Adonis of a man. In fact, she had me laughing out loud several times at Amos’ inner dialogue when he meets another man in town who matches that description perfectly. It was cute to see how jealous he became, and it was comforting to see that Grace didn’t fall for a pretty face. She saw what was underneath Amos’ exterior, which was, quite honestly, a heart of gold. The secondary romance, between Helen and Lee, was also charming, and my only wish is that Karen had made a separate novella just for them. Perhaps that will be coming soon? A girl can hope.

I’m always excited to see a new book by Karen Witemeyer, and I am happy to say I was not disappointed in her delivery of yet another Christian romance! I can’t wait to read what is next for this quaint Texas town.

Grace and Amos meet on-line: on the telegraph line, that is. Their anonymous friendship blooms after hours (they both work for Western Union as telegraph operators), and when Amos overhears a threat to Grace, he drops everything to come to her rescue.

Amos worries about his reception, of course, since he's never seen Grace. He also prefers bicycles over horses and humor over violence. He doesn't have the broad shoulders and commanding presence of the typical knight in shining armor. He does, however, have intelligence, wit, and integrity.

Will their unlikely friendship turn into something more? Will the bad guys get to Grace before Amos can arrive? This story is set in Harper's Station (the scene of Witemeyer's "No Other Will Do." The secondary story of man-hating Helen and how she deals with the intrusion of not just Amos, but two other men in Harper's Station makes this book complete.

When I first read a Karen Witemeyer book, it was a serendipity. I was looking for a new author. I was wanting to expand my horizons and get some new books to read. I always read book blurbs to see if I would be interested in reading it. Once I find an author I like, I quit reading blurbs and just read the books. So Heart on the Line by Karen Witemeyer was on the list of books offered by NetGalley for review, I asked to be able to read and review it.

Karen has worked in long-distance romance (almost an historical online romance), kidnapping, attempted murder, impersonation, new technology, and secret communications.

Harper's Station, Texas, is a town in which the majority of the population is women. There are only two men in residence among all the women. Grace is the telegraph operator and she lives in Harper's Station in hiding from a man who had her father killed. Amos is her friend who is the operator in Denison, Texas. They were conversing after hours when another operator breaks into the line with an emergency for Grace telling her that the man she was hiding from now knew where she was.

There is so much action in this book, I had a hard time putting it down. Karen writes books that grab the reader from the very first line and doesn't let go until the book is finished. She has interesting characters in situations that require intelligence and deep thought to figure out.

This is a five star book with two thumbs up, and a telegram of only good news.

My thanks goes to Bethany House for allowing me to read and review this book.

3.5 stars

It's been a while since I read the first book in this series about the women of Harper's Station. An exclusive colony set in Texas. In fact I didn't connect the dots until a couple chapters in, when the Revolver Granny & Cookie Granny make their appearance!

Fairly predictable storyline, there's not a lot of twists or surprises within. It was fun to revisit this group though, and see the progression. What I loved about the main characters is that they are not the 'a typical' romance leads. Amos is different than someone usually cast here as the hero. Quiet, unassuming, careful and precise. It's refreshing and his character is written well. Grace has suffered great tragedy and has been hiding out in Harpers Station for two years. She works in the telegraph office, and has corresponded with Amos over the wires for some time. Both of them particular and precise, the chance meeting over the wires, spurred a friendly relationship. During one of their evening 'chats' an emergency wire comes through to Grace, she's been discovered and is in terrible danger. Stunned and desperate to help, Amos leaves that night to be by her side. At first their meeting seems awkward, I really enjoyed the natural growth in their friendship. It wasn't rushed or unrealistic.

The side story that belongs to Helen was really sweet. Tender opportunity for spiritual growth and emotional healing. Beautiful!

Clever title, cute cover, reduction in stars purely because of predictability. Fun read for a historical fiction with an element of action. Harper's Station is fast collecting its own posse of men! Whatever will they do next? Looking forward to finding out.

Thank you to Netgalley & Bethany House for the eARC. This is my honest review.

Why This Book:

It was written by Karen Witemeyer. Sometimes knowing the author is all it takes to make me read a book. Karen Witemeyer is one such author.

It also helped that this is another book set in Harper’s Station – a nineteenth-century women’s colony – which I loved reading about it Witemeyer’s first book in the series, No Other Will Do, and her in-between-novella, Worth the Wait.

I did receive a free advance copy of this book from the publisher, however, I was not obligated to review it, only to give them feedback. As always, my review is honest, sincere, and entirely my own.

Opening Line:

January 1894
Denver, CO

The cheerful tinkle of a bell alerted Grace Mallory to the arrival of a guest.

First Impressions:

The prologue for this book was included as a teaser at the end of the preceding novella, Worth the Wait, and tease it did. From the first page, Grace Mallory is someone you want to root for and hers is a story you want to follow.

Characters:

Grace Mallory – the heroine. Despite her shy demeanor and natural reluctance to be in the spotlight, she is independent, courageous, and has an inextricable determination to do what’s right no matter the cost to herself.

Amos Bledsoe – the hero. Skinny, introverted, and academically inclined, Amos views himself as odd and distinctly different from what the typical female is looking for in a husband. For that matter, so do the women of his town. Amos has yet to meet a female who finds his uniqueness attractive, so when he finally works up the courage to suggest a meeting with the mysterious “Miss G” he has been conversing with across the telegraph wires, he braces himself for rejection.

Helen Potter – One of the ladies of Harper Station introduced to us in the first book, Helen gets a significant subplot role in this novel. As with most of the women in this colony, Helen’s troubled past has left her with many emotional scars, clouding her view of the world, and even a little of her sense of right and wrong. When a certain situation arises, Helen is forced to decide if she will let those scars dictate her decisions.

Elliot Dunbar – A Pinkerton agent… or is he? There are many questions surrounding this man’s appearance and his true motives.

Emma & Malachi Shaw – Fans will be happy to know that the (now) happily married couple from book one are very much a part of this second book. (Especially Malachi in his capacity as lawman for Harper’s Station.)

Tori (Victoria) Adams & Ben Porter – This couple’s story began in the first book as a subplot and held center stage in the novella. In this book Tori is in a few scenes and Ben certainly lends a hand when danger looms, but they are not a large part of the story.

The rest of the ladies of Harper Station all have their small supporting roles to play and it’s lovely to see them. Amos even comes up with some humorous nicknames for a couple of them.

Emotional Engagement & Pacing of the Story:

As I mentioned in my First Impressions, section, the heroine is someone you immediately care about and root for. The hero is thoroughly likable and you want him to succeed as well. While this story did not take me as deep nor as high as some other novels, there were times when I laughed out loud and audibly gasped, so I can confidently say I was emotionally engaged.

I enjoyed the pacing of this novel. There is a steady tension to it which appropriately ratchets up as the reader nears the climax. Following the climax there is a bit more tension, though not as intense, prior to the conclusion of the story.

Elements I especially liked/disliked:

I enjoy the unique setting of a women’s colony and the problems that come along with it. I liked that the hero was not your typical hero and he knew it, yet he didn’t even try to change himself to fit expectations. He simply kept looking for the woman who would love him as he was.

Themes:

The theme of this novel is best summed up in this quote:

"Only a master weaver could intertwine dark and light threads in such a way that all one saw was beauty when looking back at the finished tapestry." - Karen Witemeyer | Heart on the Line

Ending:

In the end, all the loose threads were tied up nicely, though not so easily as to seem implausible. I was satisfied and I closed the book with the expected happy sigh.

Overall Rating:

4 out of 5 stars

Grace saw her father shot and killed and now she is hiding out in Harper's Station so that the man that had her father killed cannot find her. Grace is now a telegraph operator in Harper's Station, the all female community that gives women seeking refuge a safe place to live.

Amos and Grace have started up a relationship across the wires. They visit with each other after hours, but have never met. When Amos hears that Grace is in trouble he immediately rushes to her aid. Not as big and burly as some men, Amos has a steadfast character that draws Grace to him. Will Amos be able to help Grace in her hour of need?

I loved HEART ON THE LINE! The romance was sweet between Grace and Amos, and whew, the kisses were smouldering! The suspense was pretty gripping and kept me turning the pages way too long past my bedtime. I loved catching up with all of the other people in Harper's Station from the first book NO OTHER WILL DO. I love the way that all of the women take care of each other. I also really enjoyed the side story of Helen, another woman in Harper's Station. A wonderful read and I definitely recommend it!

This review will be posted on Amazon on June 6th(publication date). It will also post to my blog, Goodreads and my facebook pages on that date.

4.5/5

Grace Mallory, a telegraph operator has found a haven in Harper’s Station, a colony run by women. After the murder of her father she’s sent into hiding to preserve the documents her father risked his life to save, and hide from the man who wants to make those documents disappear. When her life is in danger she must prepare to keep everyone in the town safe. Amos Bledsoe, a fellow telegraph operator strikes up a friendship with Grace through the wire. When he finds out that her life is in danger he’ll stop at nothing to help her. Will a long distance friendship turn into something more?

If you take online dating and put it in 1890’s Texas you’ll get the story of Grace and Amos. They never met in person but they were slowly falling for each other. Both were insecure about meeting in real life wondering if their appearance would satisfy their imagination. The thing I liked most about the romance is that it wasn’t based on physical attraction, it was based on actually getting to know a person based on their intellect and personality.

Helen’s story captured my heart. She is a tough women who doesn’t trust men but when she found a wounded man she put her prejudices aside and did everything in her power to help him.

I really enjoyed this book. I liked reading about a colony run by women. The inhabitants of Harper’s Station are such wonderful, strong, inspiring women.The men who fall for them compliment their personalities and support them in any way possible.

Karen Witemeyer is the queen of Christian Historical Fiction in a Western setting. The way the author intricately describes her characters makes you feel as if you can look into their souls. The character development is wonderful because it shows how a person changes when they put God at the centre of their lives.

This book has a great dose of romance, friendship and action to keep you on your toes and enjoying the ride the whole way through. I would recommend all of Karen Witemeyer books to anyone who loves a historical fiction and romance novels.

This was really a cute Christian, western romance. Grace and Amos independently feel that together they might make a perfect pair. That inkling is tried and tested when danger descends upon them. As they deal with each challenge that comes at them their true colors are shown.

Karen Witemeyer infuses Heart On the Line with her delightful charm. And I love how naturally she includes and applies references to faith in God and shows how His word can be applied in the challenges that come.

Well, this certainly means another visit to Harper's Station for book three.

Another heartwarming read from one of my favorite authors. This book was such a sweet romance that had just the right amount of just about everything. I loved the characters and watching them grow, develop and of course fall in love!

Heart on the Line features a long-distance, technology-assisted romance. Yes, this is still a historical romance, with a touch of drama and excitement, set in the charming women's colony of Harper's Station.

Grace Mallory has found refuge at Harper's Station. The murder of her father sent her into hiding, running from the man who wishes to silence her and retrieve the documents Grace's father secreted away. When Grace is warned by a friend over the telegraph wires that danger is heading her way she knows she must prepare. Amos Bledsoe has long been intrigued by the telegraph operator Miss G. When he overhears her issued a dire warning he races to her aid. The time together might give him a chance to propose a courtship, if they can outwit Grace's pursuer.

It was an absolute pleasure to return to the wonderful world Karen Witemeyer has created. Harper's Station and it's colourful inhabitants are quickly become fondly familiar. There is never a dull moment.

Karen Witemeyer is wonderfully gifted at writing charming romance - heart-pounding and perfectly suited to the historical setting. Even before meeting Grace, Amos is quite smitten. And then, when he does meet her, he promptly falls head over heels. Grace is a little more reserved with her ardour (hard not to be), and takes the time to assess Amos, his character and motivation. He is not what she first expected, but he slowly proves himself to her.
But it was Helen's story that captured my heart. At first I was a little unsure about what role she would play in this book. She is another resident of Harper's Station and hates the sudden influx of males. But slowly we learn more about the reasons she so distrusts men, and then she is thrust into a situation where her views are challenged. Helen's story became a pivotal aspect of the novel for me and a charming addition to Grace and Amos' story.

But romance isn't the only attraction of this book. The author deftly weaves in a good dose of action and drama. The women are all strong and vibrant characters, as are the men who fall for them. I am greatly enjoying this series and can't wait to read the next instalment.

The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

I always enjoy Karen Witemeyer books. She draws characters very well! I loved Amos the noble geekcharming and Grace was the shy but strong cutie to match him. The charming yet sinister bad guy was really easy to dislike. I admit I cringed at the treatment he was willing to dish out. It just is so hard to believe people can be that evil, but we know they can. Grace was a very faithful lady and had such strength to deal with her situation and the events that proceed.
I adored the women Harper Station even though this was my first introduction to them. I haven't read the first book yet. (I plan on getting my hands on that one soon!). I apreciated the healing that comes with the seconary love story that was progressing as the story unfolds.
Another great book from a favorite author!

Heart on the Line by Karen Witemeyer is the second book that I have read from her. I read Head in the Clouds before. Usually I'm not a big fan of westerns. They just don't appeal to me. But everyone always talks about Witemeyer's stories. Plus, I met her at an ACFW conference, and she is such a sweet and approachable lady. I really enjoyed meeting her. As for her writing, she is really good. She knows what her audience wants and delivers. Witemeyer does a great job at bringing the old west to town with her research into the telegraph and bicycle riding. I know nothing about Morse Code, so it was nice to see it being used as a secret code even back then. Not everyone knew it.

As a big fan of mysteries, I really enjoyed the mystery element in the story. I was surprised that Witemeyer included one in her story because I don't put mysteries and westerns together. But I actually enjoyed how Witemeyer delivered it. The story moved at a rapid pace, keeping my attention.

The romance between Grace and Amos appeared to be completely different. They met over the telegraph line, then fell in love the more time they spent together. What I really liked about Amos is that Witemeyer didn't make him have the appearance of a typical cowboy. You know, the handsome, gun-toting cowboy. Instead, he wore glasses and really had no muscles, but he was cunning, intelligent, and would do anything to protect Grace. I like reading stories without the typical hero.

In conclusion, as my second book into the Witemeyer library, I enjoyed this story and wouldn't be disappointed if I had to pick up another one. Fans of Witemeyer's other stories should pick this one up. Even younger fans of westerns might enjoy her writing.

I received a complimentary copy of Heart on the Line by Karen Witemeyer from Bethany House Publishing, and the opinions stated are all my own.

There's a reason I pre-order all books, unread, written by Karen WitemeyerKaren Witemeyer. I have yet to read a book by her that I didn't thoroughly enjoy!! I've read No Other Will Do and the novella, Worth the Wait, both featured in the female-run town, Harper Station. This was the 2nd full length novel set in the same town. The ladies of Harper Station each have their own story of why they have searched out an all-gal town. Grace is no different. She has been in hiding since her father was murdered right in front of her. She works as the telegraph operator in Harper Station, where she has made some amazing friends. She has one chat friend, Amos, who she has never met in person, but has grown to know and admire via telegraph. (Picture "online dating" 1800's style...)
When those who have been tracking Grace find where she's been hiding, Amos drops everything to come to her rescue. Y'all, Amos is the cutest. He's not the tough, burly, hot ranchhand or lawman. He's not a big guy, not real athletic, but what he lacks in brawn, he makes up for in heart. Grace, she was brave and feisty. I admired her fight!
This book has it all: romance, mystery, wit... We also get to see Emma and Malachi, Tori and Ben, and all the ladies of Harper Station we've grown to love!! Even Helen- the biggest anti-man woman in town, does her best to help the opposite sex. <3 So, my advice to you is to pre-order this book as well. Your personal library needs it. :)

4.5 stars! Online dating meets 1890s Texas in this charming, spiritually deep, laugh-out-loud funny romance! Quirky, geeky Amos Bledsoe was especially endearing, and quickly vaulted up the ranks to become one of my favorite Karen Witemeyer heroes of all time! His and Grace's telegraph antics brought a wonderfully refreshing angle to historical western romance, and the strong spiritual themes will satisfy even the most ardent inspy readers. An absolute must-read and one for the keeper shelf!