• Home
  • Our Authors
  • Blog
  • Events & Giveaways
  • Privacy Policy

Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

New Release – At Love’s Command

June 4, 2020 By Karen Witemeyer

I’m so excited to share the first book in a new series with you! If you like your cowboys rugged on the outside and tenderhearted on the inside, and your heroines feisty, strong, and independent, this is the book for you.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook

Here’s an excerpt from where Matthew Hanger, ex-cavalry officer and leader of the famed Hanger’s Horsemen meets his match. Enjoy!

“Dr. Joe!” he yelled as he halted Phineas. “Get out here! Got a man down.”

He pulled his right foot from the stirrup, braced his left leg, and shifted Wallace’s weight against his shoulder. Slowly, he swung his right leg over the back of the horse, concentrating on keeping Mark steady.

“Here. Let me help.” A woman reached up to support Wallace and take a goodly portion of his weight.

Where was the doc? Didn’t seem right for a woman to be doing the heavy lifting. Though, Matt had to admit, the female seemed capable. Strong, too. She propped Wallace’s back up as Matt eased to the ground. As soon as he got his foot free of the stirrup, he relieved her of her portion of the burden and caught Wallace beneath the knees.

The sensible woman didn’t stand around gaping but immediately pivoted and scurried back to the office door, pushed it in, and held it open. “Bring him this way.”

Matt had already followed on her heels and angled Wallace to get through the door. The nurse—for that was what she must be, with her bibbed white apron and dark blue dress—seemed to catalog Wallace’s condition with her gaze as Matt eased him past her.

“Gunshot?” she asked as she scooted around him in the hall and led the way to an oak-paneled room filled with glass cabinets and a wooden examination cabinet.

“Yep.” That was about all the answer Matt could manage while lugging around 175 pounds of dead weight.

Seemed to suit the nurse, though, for she asked nothing more. Just skittered around the cabinet and stomped on a pedal of some sort. The inclined table lowered into a horizontal position.

“Lay him here.”

Matt did so. The woman immediately pressed two fingers to Wallace’s neck.

“Weak, but regular. That’s a good sign.”

Matt nodded, the words easing his apprehension enough to allow him to take a full breath. But then the woman started unwrapping the bandages.

Matt slapped his hand over her wrist. Her head jerked up. Shocked eyes flew wide. Shocked, remarkably green eyes. The kind of eyes that would make a man forget what he was about. Or would have, if he wasn’t in charge of fetching competent medical attention for a man he loved like family.

“The kid’s lost enough blood already. I just as soon wait for the doctor to get here before you go unraveling things.”

Those wide eyes narrowed as she tugged her hand free of his grasp. She straightened to her full height, which placed the top of her head even with his chin. “The doctor is here,” she said, enunciating each unbelievable word with metronomic precision. “Dr. Josephine Burkett at your service.”

Dr. Joe was a woman?

“Now, if you and your antiquated assumptions will get out of my way,” she said as she pushed past him and reached for the bandages once again, “I have a patient to tend.”

Matthew Hanger definitely has his hands full! And Josephine isn’t quite as immune as she pretends. Each are used to being in charge, both will have to learn to surrender.

This is my first book cover to highlight the hero instead of the heroine. It seemed fitting for a series linked by a group of horsemen, but what do you think? Do you miss the heroine on the cover?

The following two tabs change content below.
  • Bio
  • Latest Posts
My Facebook profile

Karen Witemeyer

For those who love to smile as they read, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer offers warmhearted historical romance with a flair for humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. Karen is a multiple award-winning author and a firm believer in the power of happy endings. She is an avid cross-stitcher, tea drinker, and gospel hymn singer who makes her home in Abilene, TX with her heroic husband who vanquishes laundry dragons and dirty dish villains whenever she's on deadline. Learn more about Karen and her books at: www.karenwitemeyer.com.
My Facebook profile

Latest posts by Karen Witemeyer (see all)

  • An Ode to Some Like It Scot - May 15, 2025
  • Karen’s Favorites - May 4, 2025
  • Spring Reading Bouquet - May 1, 2025
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • More
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window) Pocket
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print

Like this:

Like Loading...
«
»

Filed Under: Reading, Writing Tagged With: At Loves Command, Excerpt, Hangers Horsemen

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

LINKS IN COMMENTS

Please note: If you include a link or links in your comment (URLs or email addresses), your comment will not post right away. It will wait for a moderator to approve it, which may take some time.

Comments

  1. Kathy Johnson says

    June 4, 2020 at 6:58 am

    I love the cover! I don’t miss the heroine at all! I’m waiting for my copy to arrive and it will be my next read. Thanks for these amazing stories – especially in these crazy days!!

    • Karen Witemeyer says

      June 5, 2020 at 7:22 am

      Thanks, Kathy. I like it too. It’s a nice change for me, and well . . . he’s rather nice to look at. 🙂

  2. Joy Tiffany says

    June 4, 2020 at 7:45 am

    It’s fantastic to have a hero on the cover! The horse is nice too. ha! I enjoyed this little introduction and can’t wait to read the full story! Reminds me a bit of Dr. Quinn.

    • Karen Witemeyer says

      June 5, 2020 at 7:23 am

      Thanks, Joy.Watching Dr. Quinn in my teen years had a definite influence on this story. 🙂

  3. Amy M. says

    June 4, 2020 at 7:48 am

    Call me a silly female, but I prefer a male hero on the front, and Mr. Hanger is cover perfection to me 🙂

    • Karen Witemeyer says

      June 5, 2020 at 7:26 am

      There’s nothing silly about that at all, Amy! Seems personally reasonable. Especially when the hero is a rugged cowboy. 😉

  4. Angie Quantrell says

    June 4, 2020 at 7:55 am

    Love the cover! Congratulations!

    • Karen Witemeyer says

      June 5, 2020 at 7:26 am

      Thanks, Angie. 🙂

  5. Stacy Simmons says

    June 4, 2020 at 8:49 am

    What a wonderful book, enjoyed each and every page.

    • Karen Witemeyer says

      June 5, 2020 at 7:27 am

      So glad you enjoyed the story, Stacy. This was a little more of a true western for me, and it was fun to dig a little deeper into the hero side of things.

  6. Becky Wade says

    June 4, 2020 at 8:59 am

    Congratulations on your new release, Karen! I love “rugged” heroes and female doctor heroines. 🙂

    • Karen Witemeyer says

      June 5, 2020 at 7:28 am

      Thanks, Becky! I love rugged heroes with just about any kind of heroine. Ha!

  7. Leanne K. Demmons says

    June 4, 2020 at 9:22 am

    I love the cover, but do wonder how you envisioned Dr.Jo? Maybe a good Posse discussion. I love her character already and I have barely begun!

    • Karen Witemeyer says

      June 5, 2020 at 7:36 am

      So glad you are enjoying the story, Leanne! We did have a Posse discussion about Jo way back in the idea stage. Here’s a link to the post where I share the inspiration photos for Matt and Dr. Jo: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1839437643052460/permalink/2147357805593774/

  8. Janice Laird says

    June 4, 2020 at 9:50 am

    Revell/Bethany always does a fabulous job with their covers. That being said, I really like romance covers with both leads pictured.

    • Karen Witemeyer says

      June 5, 2020 at 7:38 am

      They have some of the best cover designers in the business! I do enjoy seeing both leads as well, Janice. It does lend to the “romance” of the cover.

  9. Donna Howe says

    June 4, 2020 at 10:30 am

    It’s on my TBR list, for sure. Heroes on the front cover are fine 😉😊❤️ God makes the males just right. 🤣 (I’m single. 😊)

    • Karen Witemeyer says

      June 5, 2020 at 7:39 am

      Ha! Love it, Donna. 🙂 There’s a reason I chose to focus this next series on a group of rugged horsemen. 😉

  10. Elisa says

    June 4, 2020 at 10:56 am

    I have the novel on hold at the library and looking forward to reading it! Thanks for sharing a preview with blog readers. 🙂

    • Karen Witemeyer says

      June 5, 2020 at 7:40 am

      You’re so welcome, Elisa. I hope you wait isn’t too long. 🙂

  11. Ellie says

    June 4, 2020 at 3:18 pm

    I loved the book! I didn’t even notice that the heroine wasn’t on the cover. 🙂

    • Karen Witemeyer says

      June 5, 2020 at 7:40 am

      Yay! So glad you enjoyed Matt and Josephine’s story, Ellie.

  12. Pam K. says

    June 4, 2020 at 6:56 pm

    I enjoy having the hero on the cover. This one is particularly handsome and will make a nice addition to my Karen Witemeyer shelf.

    • Karen Witemeyer says

      June 5, 2020 at 7:41 am

      He IS looking pretty fine there, isn’t he? 🙂 Can’t say I mind having him on my bookshelf, either.

  13. Lelia (Lucy) Reynolds says

    June 5, 2020 at 7:06 am

    I think the cover is perfect. Going on my wish list.

    • Karen Witemeyer says

      June 5, 2020 at 7:42 am

      Wonderful, Lucy! Hope you get your own copy, soon. 🙂

Search Site

Monthly Archives

Blog Categories

Recent Posts

  • Cara’s Favorites May 18, 2025
  • God Made Us Creative May 16, 2025
  • An Ode to Some Like It Scot May 15, 2025

Disclosure

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the pages on this site may be "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, someone will receive an affiliate commission. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Copyright © 2025 Inspired by Life & Fiction | Website Design by Robin

%d