Former U.S. Cavalry Captain Matthew Hangar and three of his men have left the service and moved far away from the horrors of the Indian wars. They banded together to bring justice to the innocent and help the helpless. They’ve taken a vow to help without killing, though—a difficult proposition in wild and wooly 1890s Texas.

When Matthew rushes one of his injured men to Purgatory Springs for medical attention, he doesn’t expect Dr. Joe to wear a skirt. Nor does he expect the spark of interest between them. After all, he vowed long ago that he would never marry or have a family. First the cavalry and now Hangar’s Horseman have provided all the family he’s needed.

Dr. Josephine Burkett doesn’t expect men to respect her abilities as a physician without having to prove herself over and over again. So when Matthew Hangar treats her like a professional, it takes her by surprise. What surprises her, even more, is the spark of attraction she feels for him. She knows God called her to serve through medicine and had given up dreams of ever having a husband and family.

When she discovers her brother has fallen into the hands of kidnappers, Jo knows the only men who can save him—Matthew Hangar and his horsemen. After a successful rescue, things go south in a hurry, and Matthew and Jo must learn how to trust each other and the God they serve in order to bring the villain to justice.

Why I Loved This Book

Witemeyer always populates her books with quirky, yet relatable characters who struggle with many of the same things I struggle with—just in a different era. When the book opened with a prologue from Wounded Knee, I worried a bit. But Witemeyer handled the scene without whitewashing history.

If you love historical inspirational romance, you’ll love Witemeyer’s latest book (and all the rest of her books, too).

Ex-cavalry officer Matt Hanger is used to giving orders and having them carried out but when he meets Dr. Jo Burket, he learns that his heart doesn’t obey him but beats At Love’s Command.

After the disaster of Wounded Knee, Matt critiqued the military’s handling of the situation and left the army. Three of his men followed, and together they formed the mercenary band Hanger’s Horsemen. Their excellent reputation means they only need to take the jobs which meet their code of ethics, opportunities which allow them to defend the innocent and fight for what’s right.

Which is how Matt finds himself exchanging gunfire with a band of ornery cattle rustlers. As usual, Hanger’s Horsemen win the day, but the youngest member of the group takes a bullet in the arm. Matt’s afraid the boy will bleed out before they can reach a city big enough to have medical professionals so he is delighted to learn that the tiny nearby town of Purgatory Springs, less than an hour’s ride away, has a doctor.

Jo is used to men reacting with surprise when they realize that the physician is a woman but she has to hand it to the cranky cowboy, he recovers his aplomb quickly and proves to be a big help during the surgery. He only wants what’s best for his friend and Jo is happy to oblige. She’s surprised by the reaction she has to him, though. Her attention is not normally captured by a handsome face, broad shoulders and commanding presence but she finds that all that, combined with Matt’s kindness to his compatriot and his practical, helpful demeanor in the sick room have her resurrecting dreams of romance she’d abandoned long ago.

Matt knows his lifestyle isn’t conducive to wooing a woman, getting married and starting a family but the beautiful lady doctor has him reconsidering his feelings about settling down. She’s strong, smart, caring and resourceful, just the kind of gal he would want to share a life with. He admires her dedication to her craft and can’t help but think about how handy having a doctor around would be for a group of men who have a violent career.

So it’s with a heavy heart that he gathers up his men and heads out once his friend has healed enough to sit on a horse. He knows he will miss Jo but fortunately, he doesn’t have to miss her for long. They aren’t more than a few hours out of town before they notice a rider trailing them. Turning around to confront their stalker, Matt is surprised to find Jo racing toward him.

The dust hasn’t even settled behind Matt Hanger and his men when Jo gets the letter advising that her scallywag of a brother has gotten himself abducted and their wealthy father is refusing to pay the ransom. Charlie hasn’t been the easiest sibling to have, and his carefree (read careless) ways have cost the family more than a fair share of heartache, but Jo is determined not to leave him in a dangerous situation. She doesn’t have the kind of money the kidnappers are looking for but she hopes she can make a deal with Matt so that he and his men agree to rescue her kin. She puts on some pants, grabs what little cash she has and gallops after the recently departed group.

Matt has his suspicions regarding the details of the hostage situation but he’s not about to turn down this damsel in distress. He and the other horsemen set out to rescue Charlie with Jo accompanying them as a field medic. He’s not sure how successful their mission will be but he does know he will take every chance he can get to spend time with Jo.

At Love’s Command is a classic Western romance sure to delight readers of that genre. Ms. Witemeyer utilizes her authentic Texas setting to advantage and peoples her story with realistic, richly drawn characters that perfectly evoke the rugged, romanticized charm of the stagecoach era. Her hero and heroine fit perfectly into that environment. Matt is the quintessential cowboy: brave, stalwart, stoic, handsome and gallant. His occasionally rough exterior hides a heart of twenty-four karat gold and his bossy demeanor conceals an egalitarian mind which respects independent women and judges a man not by his color but his character. Jo is a competent, clever heroine whose kind heart is balanced by her reason and astute understanding of human nature. She doesn’t wear rose colored glasses but she tries to see the good in the people around her and roots for them to aspire to their best selves.

Their romance isn’t exactly love at first sight but it’s pretty close. Both characters believe they’ve missed whatever opportunity they might have had for love, Jo because she has concentrated so much on her unconventional (for the time) career and Matt because he’s devoted himself to a rambling, danger-ridden life style. They are surprised but delighted when they meet and find themselves immediately drawn to each other. They have issues to work through but quickly realize they are willing to tackle whatever challenges they have to to be together.

This is an Inspirational romance so faith is shown as central to the character’s lives. The issues of God’s will, prayer, and trusting God with what’s important to us are all brought up within the context of the story in a natural, conversational manner. Preacher, one of Hanger’s Horsemen, always had the perfect bible verse for any occasion, but none of the characters sermonize, lecture or otherwise soliloquize about spiritual issues.

At Love’s Command is a fun book full of the adventure and excitement Americans associate with the Old West. Fans of the author will be delighted with this offering and I am happy to recommend it to readers of Westerns, Inspirationals or anyone looking for a light, lively read.

(4.5 stars) - John Wayne 2.0!

Matt Hanger is a John Wayne flavored hero. This story reminded me in the best ways of old classics like "Big Jake" and "McClintock", while updating some of the anachronistic aspects of the stories.

Jo takes the place of the strong-willed Maureen O'Hara character, but instead of a traditional role, she's the doctor in town and a very capable woman.

When her scapegrace of a brother gets into serious trouble, Jo seeks out Hanger's men to rescue him. But Charlie's in even deeper trouble than they realize.

The story is sweet, funny, swoony, suspenseful, exciting - it's got it all! The idea that the Horsemen could fight vicious outlaws without killing them isn't even remotely believable (+ in real life, they'd have to worry about outlaws seeking revenge), but at least it makes for a less ugly story & created a few amusing moments.

I LOVE Matt's tradition of asking Preach "Got a verse for me?" before each of their engagements & want to incorporate that into my own life.

My only dissatisfaction is that now I have to wait for the next in the series, lol!

*Clean romance level: sweet kisses, nothing graphic

*Religion: explicitly Christian, but not preachy

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.

I often enjoy Karen Witemeyer’s books for their combination of romance, wit, a little bit of suspense, and lovable characters. This book all of these elements and more. It contains a heroine who is in a male dominated profession and has had to fight for where she is and doesn’t lose that spirit when she meets the hero and they fall in love. She will do anything for her family even though her brother doesn’t deserve it. I also liked how faith was interwoven through the book. Most times when books include a faith aspect and quote verses, it feels forced, but in this book, it felt more authentic and there were more than one or two scenes that included it. Another thing in this book that I appreciated was that it didn’t take the two main characters the whole book to realize they loved each other, as sometimes that can really frustrating. I fell in love with all of the Hangar’s Horsemen and I’m looking forward to reading the others stories as well.

Karen Witemeyer has done it again - it's now 2am because I couldn't stop reading. While I promised an honest review for this book, it is obvious by the late hour that I really enjoyed it! The book has themes of trusting in God and overcoming your past. It was a clean read.

I liked both of the main characters and the strong woman that Karen has created. I think to tell you exactly why would qualify as spoilers but I will say that I love ten dollar words too. You'll have to read it to find out what I mean!

Would I buy this if I had to pay? Yes! I've liked everything I've ever read of Karen's (which is every book she has ever written). This is a standalone at least until the other books in the series come out. I do suggest reading her other books though. While they won't contribute to this series, they are just a darned good read

I really liked this story. It started off slow and did have me questioning my favorite author's book. But, she was merely setting the stage for the rest of the book.

The story is about a female doctor, Dr. Josephine Burkett, who is fixing up one of Matthew Hanger's men. Of course none of them expect a woman, but she pretty much can stand on her own two feet with no problems.

Eventually the men leave, and of course there is some interest in the two (Burkett and Hanger) brewing. It isn't until Josephine receives a letter from her father's housekeeper, that spurns her towards Matthew. She needs his help.

As I started with this review, I wasn't really sure of the book. But, once Josephine catches up with Matthew the story picks up and doesn't let go of you, as a reader. You are suckered in and wondering just where this story plot will take you. There are surprises and happiness. 

So with happiness I can say, you should give this book a try and you just might enjoy it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, Bethany House via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.

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’

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.

In 1890s Texas, Hanger’s Horsemen are a legend. Matt Hanger is the former cavalry officer who leads the band of 4. They go around taking care of situations that local lawmen either can’t or won’t. When one of the horsemen gets injured they take him to the nearest small town to be fixed up. The doctor there is Dr. Josephine Burkett. As they spend a couple of days in her infirmary, Matt becomes intrigued with the lady doctor. Dr. Jo has a problem of her own though. Her brother has been kidnapped by an outlaw gang and she asks them to take her case and she insists on tagging along.

This is a fun story. There is nothing more satisfying than reading a story of a tough man and a tough woman meeting up in Texas when it was just getting settled again after the Civil War. This book is historical romance fiction at its best.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

I officially have a new favorite book. Karen Witemeyer gives readers yet another deliciously wonderful read, and a few new swoon worthy heroes, with her latest, At Love's Command. I've been a fan of Witemeyer's books for almost a decade now, and having never met one of her books that I didn't adore, she quickly became one of the few authors of which I'll blindly buy their new releases with full confidence, knowing that it won't disappoint. At Love's Command is absolutely no exception to this rule and certainly delivered above and beyond my already high expectations.
Matthew Hanger is a hero of heroes and could make even the stoniest heart swoon. A seasoned ex-cavalry officer turned mercenary, Matthew has made it his life's mission to defend the innocent and obtain justice for the oppressed. Leading his now legendary band of mercenaries, Hanger's Horsemen, they soon find themselves in need of saving when one of his men takes a bullet and is in need of a doctor...
Witemeyer expertly weaves four distinct personalities in the Horsemen's Matthew Hanger, Luke "Preach" Davenport, Mark Wallace, and Jonah Brooks, to the point where the reader feels as if they are old friends, easily recognizable through mannerisms and speech. I personally found myself drawn to both Matthew and Luke/Preach the most, and am very happy that Luke "Preach" Davenport will be closing out the Hanger's Horsemen series with his story.
The heroine of At Love's Command, Dr. Josephine Burkett is a woman used to men discrediting her skills due to her gender, what she wasn't expecting was for a rugged mercenary to change his mind in a heartbeat and to assist her in surgery. Matthew's dedication to his friend during recovery quickly earns Dr. Jo's respect, and when her wayward brother is abducted, he becomes her only hope for rescue. When things go terribly wrong, placing Josephine herself in the crossfire, Matthew faces having to sacrifice everything, including his men, to save her.
A thrillingly delightful read, At Love's Command is the beginning of another intoxicating series. That's truly been one of only two complaints I have when it came to Karen Witemeyer's novels, you simply cannot put them down. Each novel is so addicting that you simply have to read it in one sitting. There's no walking away from a Witemeyer story before you reach the end. It actually pains me to do so. The second complaint is simply having to wait not-so-patiently for the next.. ;)

At Love's Command
by Karen Witemeyer
Bethany House
You Like Them You Are Auto-Approved
Bethany House Publishers
Christian
Pub Date 02 Jun 2020 | Archive Date 02 Jul 2020

This is a must-read for my Christian romance readers. Our library has a heavy stream of patrons who will eat this type of book up. Great book!
Thanks to Net Galley and Bethany House for providing me the ARC of this book. I like to read them before they are published so I can give an honest review to our patrons.
This is a 5 star.

I just have to start off by saying that, in the past, I’ve loved all of Karen Witemeyer’s books.
I’m a big fan!
Now though, I’m afraid I have a favourite!
I loved, loved, LOVED this book.
The characters are strong, thoughtful and fully developed.
We meet them and watch them as love changes their lives. Watching a tough Calvary man fall for a smart lady doctor and all her “ten-dollar words” (LOL), made me laugh one minute and sigh the next.
There are several reasons I enjoy Karen Witemeyer’s writing, setting, writing style, characters (I could go on), what always draws me is that , yes this is a Christian romance, but she doesn’t throw bible verses at every given opportunity. They are there but it’s just enough. Nicely done.
I can’t wait for the rest of the Horsemen to get their stories told!
I’ll be waiting!
I received a free advance readers copy of this ebook in exchange for my review.

I have been a fan of Karen witemeyer for yeeeeeeeeears! She was one of the authors that truly hot me hooked on historical romance.
I have loved her books because they are just the right amount of humor, fun, romance with sometimes a touch of danger to make things interesting.
However.
I have loved some more than others.
This book wasn't my favorite book from her. I think it comes down to personal preference, because I know some people are loving it.
What I liked:
I LOVED the concept of an "A-Team " in a western setting.
I really liked Mathew as a hero. He was that calm in the storm type and I really was drawn in by his backstory.
I enjoyed the beginning of the story and that Mathew stood his ground in the banter with Josephine.
What I didn't like:
I really never liked Josephine, I thought her pushy with her pacifist view, and sometimes downright mean about it. I get really upset when others look down on the warriors who sacrifice so much in order that they can live in peace.
Past the halfway point the book seemed to drag for me. I think it was supposed to be suspenseful, but I didn't get caught up in it at all. It could be because I really didn't care what happened to Josephine at that point.
I just don't think this was a Witemeyer for me.
I recieved a copy of this book through Netgally from the publisher. My opinion is completely my own.

This new series by Karen Witemeyer looks to be another good one judging by the first book, At Love’s Command.
The characters in this book were certainly the most compelling aspect. Both are very strong people who have had to fight in their own way to get to where they are now. I really liked Josephine and the perspective Witemeyer wrote about with her being a lady doctor. Though others have created characters like that before, Witemeyer writes hers in a refreshing way. Matthew Hanger is an interesting, multi-faceted character as well. Driven by past mistakes, he and his band live to come to the rescue of others. All of this combines to create some fun tension, a gripping plot, and a realistic faith element. That last one I really enjoyed, as both Josephine and Matthew had to wrangle with their wills in submitting to God and letting Him have control in their lives. As someone who has wrestled there as well, I appreciated how Witemeyer wrote that aspect of the story.
This book also gives a good look at the other Horsemen, who I’m sure have stories coming in the future. After reading At Love’s Command, I will definitely be back to read more about these men and the turns their lives take.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

“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. *

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 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.

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.

Karen Witemeyer's historical romances are always so smooth and such fun to read. The main characters, a young woman doctor and a former cavalry captain, were likable, and despite how quickly the romance developed in real time, it didn't feel rushed because so much happens so quickly. This book had more action - lengthy detailed combat scenes - than anything I've read by this author. The scenes were done well enough, just a little too prolonged for my taste when I crave the interactions between the hero and heroine most of all. I'm looking forward to reading the other books in this new series!

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.