Book Club: Book Review of At Love's Command

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Karen Witemeyer's first in the Hanger's Horseman Series, At Love's Command, is a Christian Romance set in 1893 Texas. The book weaves together the story of Matthew Hanger and his band of mercenaries with the life of Dr. Josephine Burkett. When Dr. Jo (Josie) is brought one of Hanger's Horsemen, Mark Wallace, to operate on after a bullet finds its mark, she and Matthew start to fall in love. At Love's Command really could be a book about love at first sight. But this is not a sappy romance novel but one where both main characters are grounded in their faith and ask God into their lives to help them on their journey.

One of my favorite parts of At Love's Command are the Bible quotes provided by "Preach" Luke Davenport. Whenever the Horsemen are setting out to carry out a mission, Matthew asks Preach "got a verse for us?" These always seem really fitting as the story continued. 

"He's fought through ruthless outlaws and injury, but with her, he's tempted to surrender." 

Throughout the novel we also see Josie's struggle with leaving the mission and rescues in God's hands. I really appreciated reading the words that Karen Witemeyer provided for Josie. At the heart of Josie's thoughts and prayers: "Only you can save him, Lord. Please. Save him" (228). I was wary that Josie would be an overbearing female character since she was a doctor in a world and time when there were not many female doctors. But even though she took pride in her skills as a doctor, she was humble and understanding of knowing when she was not the strongest. 

My third favorite thing: The two occurrences where God seemed to intervene to help the Horsemen. They were left in the wilderness without their horses and a man with a wagon came along the road. And in the second occurrence, they found something that was missing and were able to return it to someone who gave them rest and assistance on the final leg of their most dangerous mission. 

If you enjoy historical fiction, Christian romance, and westerns, this might be the perfect novel for your summer reading. At Love's Command was a book that had me at the edge of my seat, turning the pages to see what would happen next. I look forward to reading what happens to the rest of Hanger's Horsemen.