Cargando
Información sobre el libro
Head in the Clouds
Por Karen Witemeyer
Acciones del libro
Comenzar a leerDescripción
Adelaide Proctor is a young woman with her head in the clouds, longing for a real-life storybook hero to claim as her own. But when a husband-hunting debacle leaves her humiliated, she interviews for a staid governess position on a central Texas sheep ranch and vows to leave her romantic yearnings behind.
When Gideon Westcott left his privileged life in England to make a name for himself in America's wool industry, he never expected to become a father overnight. And five-year-old Isabella hasn't uttered a word since she lost her mother. The unconventionality of the new governess concerns Gideon--and intrigues him at the same time. But he can't afford distractions. He has a ranch to run, a shearing to oversee, and a suspicious fence-cutting to investigate.
When Isabella's uncle comes to claim the child--and her inheritance--Gideon and Adelaide must work together to protect Isabella from the man's evil schemes. And soon neither can deny their growing attraction. But after so many heartbreaks, will Adelaide be willing to get her head out of the clouds and put her heart on the line?
When Gideon Westcott left his privileged life in England to make a name for himself in America's wool industry, he never expected to become a father overnight. And five-year-old Isabella hasn't uttered a word since she lost her mother. The unconventionality of the new governess concerns Gideon--and intrigues him at the same time. But he can't afford distractions. He has a ranch to run, a shearing to oversee, and a suspicious fence-cutting to investigate.
When Isabella's uncle comes to claim the child--and her inheritance--Gideon and Adelaide must work together to protect Isabella from the man's evil schemes. And soon neither can deny their growing attraction. But after so many heartbreaks, will Adelaide be willing to get her head out of the clouds and put her heart on the line?
Acciones del libro
Comenzar a leerInformación sobre el libro
Head in the Clouds
Por Karen Witemeyer
Descripción
Adelaide Proctor is a young woman with her head in the clouds, longing for a real-life storybook hero to claim as her own. But when a husband-hunting debacle leaves her humiliated, she interviews for a staid governess position on a central Texas sheep ranch and vows to leave her romantic yearnings behind.
When Gideon Westcott left his privileged life in England to make a name for himself in America's wool industry, he never expected to become a father overnight. And five-year-old Isabella hasn't uttered a word since she lost her mother. The unconventionality of the new governess concerns Gideon--and intrigues him at the same time. But he can't afford distractions. He has a ranch to run, a shearing to oversee, and a suspicious fence-cutting to investigate.
When Isabella's uncle comes to claim the child--and her inheritance--Gideon and Adelaide must work together to protect Isabella from the man's evil schemes. And soon neither can deny their growing attraction. But after so many heartbreaks, will Adelaide be willing to get her head out of the clouds and put her heart on the line?
When Gideon Westcott left his privileged life in England to make a name for himself in America's wool industry, he never expected to become a father overnight. And five-year-old Isabella hasn't uttered a word since she lost her mother. The unconventionality of the new governess concerns Gideon--and intrigues him at the same time. But he can't afford distractions. He has a ranch to run, a shearing to oversee, and a suspicious fence-cutting to investigate.
When Isabella's uncle comes to claim the child--and her inheritance--Gideon and Adelaide must work together to protect Isabella from the man's evil schemes. And soon neither can deny their growing attraction. But after so many heartbreaks, will Adelaide be willing to get her head out of the clouds and put her heart on the line?
Acerca del autor
Reseñas
Head in the Clouds is the sweet story of Adelaide Proctor in Texas in the late-Nineteenth Century who has been hired as a nanny for a motherless girl on a sheep ranch. Witemeyer focuses not only on the relationship between Adelaide and the little girl, Isabella, but also on the relationship between Adelaide and Gideon, the rancher. The story of Adelaide and Gideon highlights not only the dangers of living in the west in the 1800s, but also the true blessings that come from trusting God to guide you through choices in your life.
Rating: 4I dont usually read "christian fiction" genre but I liked the cute cover and enjoy a challenge so I picked up. In general religious stuff aint my thing, but I was able to finish this book because it wasn't overly blatant. The problems I did have were more with historical inaccuracies and awkward portrayals of minority characters that I felt barely toed the line of acceptable. I tried to let it slide since it is fiction but it still bothered me, and I found in particular the scene with a porter offensive. But I did finish the book. It was ok. Nothing exciting or exceptional; overall it was just an ok mild romance set in the 1800s with western setting. I still do like that cover though lol
Rating: 2I loved this story it was a western version of Jane Eyre yet more spritual
Rating: 5This book took a little more time for me to get into, but once I did it was well worth it. It's a sweet romance with a little suspense. The characters were fun. This was the first book by Karen Witmeyer I had the opportunity to read. I enjoyed the book and will definitely be picking up another book by the author. Thanks Bethany house for the opportunity to review!!!
Rating: 4I loved this sweet novel! I had the chance to review A Tailor Made Bride, Karen Witemeyer's debut novel, so when it came to me that I could review her second novel, Head in the Clouds, I just couldn't refuse. Karen's writing style had me hooked from page one of A Tailor Made Bride, so I knew that with this book, her writing style would be as good, or better. I was not disappointed, as I absolutely LOVED this witty book even more so than her first one.I was instantly in 1800's Texas, sitting at a table next to Adelaide. I was dressed the same, saw the same things, felt the same emotions, as she. I love that feeling. Don't you wish you could travel to that time and place and live simpler? I sure do! And for just a time, with all her wit and humor added to Adelaide's character, Karen Witmeyer really makes me feel like I've lived in that time and place. All Adelaide wants, being a fellow book lover and all, is to find her Mr. Right, the one that she so often reads about in many novels. Someone who will sweep her of her feet in a heroic rush of gallantry.Gideon Westcott left a life in prestigious England to chase a decent life here in America. Including being a father to a sweet young daughter named Bella. But when he advertises for a governess for this precious child, he never imagined the spunky Adelaide Proctor to fill the position! Boy oh boy, did the fun start then when he gave in and hired her. Wowee!I absolutely would love to have Gideon jump out of the pages of this book and become real so I can have my heroic ending. Karen Witmeyer's 5 star novel certainly makes me wish my head was in the clouds where I might find Gideon, or at least someone who resembles a hard working, loving and gentle man! A message of hope and longing, love and God's perfect timing is woven in this sassy new novel (oh and I must say that there is just a teeny tiny twist of suspense to it) and it's one that I most definitely recommend to everyone who loved Karen's debut, or who just loves a witty historical novel full of love and laughs.
Rating: 5This is an historical romance novel based in Texas in 1880. Adelaide Proctor, orphan, and young woman, quits her teaching job to follow a man to another city after he dumps her. After her true situation comes to light, she searches for another job and lands one as a governess, taking care of a little mute girl on the ranch of Gideon Westcott. The plot revolves around the little girl, also an orphan, and her inheritance which an evil uncle wants for himself.This is an enjoyable read for those who love Christian romance novels.
Rating: 4Cisco, Texas-April 1883 Adelaide Proctor was a school teacher and had meet a book salesman and as she had never had a beau before, she was really taken with him, she gave up her job and went to find him after he changed his job. She was so surprised when the first day she met him alone with his wife and child. She had no idea what she was going to do until she saw an ad in the paper where a sheep farmer was needing a Governess for his small daughter. She applied and found out there were three more going for the interview. She got the job and she and the little mute girl bonded so well.Adelaide always wanted a family as she really loved working here with the little girl and learned to love her as if she was her own child, she also liked the father. But will things work out and get Isabella to talk again and will she finally get the family she had always wanted since her father had died.This book will catch you from the first page with it humor, love and mystery. This is the first book I have read from Karen Witemeyer but it will not be my last. She keep me so into the book I could not put it down, I read it in two days.The review copy of this book was sent to me by Bethany House Publishers for review.
Rating: 5Adelaide Proctor is a young school teacher who longs for a husband and a family of her own. Her teaching contract is quite explicit in stating that she cannot marry during the term of the contract. When circumstances bring a traveling book salesman, Henry Belcher, across her path, little does she realize that he is simply a worthless philanderer who already has a wife. Instead, she misinterprets his attentions and rashly resigns her position and sets off to follow him, hoping to become his bride. It matters not that Adelaide doesn't feel the spark of romance that she has always dreamed of; that will come with time, she decides.The situation that Adelaide next finds herself in is humiliating and only her quick thinking saves her from being completely mortified. In an effort to save face and thinking that God has abandoned her, she applies for a position as governess to the daughter of rancher Gideon Wescott. Gideon has left a home of wealth and privilege in England to make it on his own as a sheep rancher in America. On his voyage to America, he aids and befriends the mother of young Isabella and becomes Isabella's guardian and adoptive father when the mother dies.The adventures that await Miss Proctor as she assumes the role of governess to the ward of Gideon Wescott are filled with peril, adventure, excitement, humor, and, yes, with romance too. Gideon and Adelaide must unite forces to protect Isabella from her greedy and evil uncle who wants to obtain custody solely for the fortune attached.This book is, without a doubt, one of the best books that I have read in a long while. This book of historical romance is not a book that I would normally pick up to read. As a rule, I much prefer contemporary fiction filled with suspense and mystery. However, in giving this book a rating, I would definitely have to assign the highest marks possible. Head in the Clouds has something for everyone; the suspense and drama, interwoven with elements of rich humor, make it a book that demands that you keep turning the pages and allows no stopping point. In fact, I took the book with me to school to read on my lunch break and became so immersed in the story that I nearly forgot to stop in time for my afternoon classes.From the beautiful front cover to the final word in the text, this book captures the reader and takes them back in time on a journey fraught with peril and adventure. Through it all, Karen Witemeyer paints a picture with her words that show God's faithfulness to His own. She very adeptly shows that what man may mean for evil, God can take and use for good.If you are looking for a good book to read, I highly recommend this book to you. If you are looking for a Christmas gift for a friend or loved one, you won't go wrong if you give them a copy of Head in the Clouds.
Rating: 5This was a cute story about Adelaide Proctor, a woman who travelled to Texas to get married and it didn't work out. Looking for work, she's hired by Gideon Westcott, a sheep rancher. The premise of the book reminds me of "The Harvey Girls" but the protagonist becomes a governess instead of a waitress. Of course, she falls in love and finds happiness but the fun is in the journey.This review is based on an advance reader's copy provided by the publisher.
Rating: 3In 19th century Texas, Adelaide Proctor has been on the lookout for the man of her dreams like the heroes from her favourite novels but when she leaves her teaching job to follow a traveling salesman she thinks is the one for her, she's devastated to discover he's not what she thought. In the wake of her disappointment she stumbles across an ad for a governess to a rancher's daughter. In short order, Adelaide is installed as the governess to Isabella, a young girl who's refused to speak since the death of her mother and the ward of the very handsome Gideon Westcott. But as Adelaide works with Isabella and finds herself drawn to Gideon, shadows from Isabella's past threaten the happy ending Adelaide thinks she's finally found.A solid Christian romance with a healthy suspense plot, I thoroughly enjoyed this one and stayed up late to read it all in one sitting. Adelaide is a perfectly charming heroine and Gideon is equally delightful. What I enjoy most about Witemeyer's Christian romances is that there's a healthy dose of humour that often leaves me giggling aloud. Thoroughly worth reading if you enjoy the genre.
Rating: 4Head In The Clouds was my first Karen Witemeyer and came highly recommended by a number of fellow readers. This book did not disappoint! What a unique and exciting story! I was hooked from page one and couldn't put the book down. The action/romance was perfectly balanced and I appreciated the action among the romance, rather than just a simple romance story. Witemeyer did an excellent job with this novel.The heroine, Adelaide Proctor, was easy to relate to and I felt as if I were there with her, experiencing everything she went through. I loved her personality and the way she took life and problems head on. Her faith is God was solid, which I was happy about, and she didn't take her faith lightly. What I liked most about this character though is the way she longed for God's approval over her actions over any other. Even after she'd fallen in love, she prayed often about is he was the man God wanted her to marry. I loved Adelaide so much for her fine qualities! Her outgoing personality and her love of books and outdoors reminded me of myself!Gideon, the hero, was an instant like for me. I loved his personality, temperament, outlook on life, protectiveness, and love of his family. He was extremely likable and, in my opinion, awesome. lolSweet little Bella was an excellent add to the story, along with the other side characters. I enjoyed everyone of them - they all fit so perfectly into the story.There are only a few things I need to caution here...First off, Adelaide is molested. While nothing is descriptive aside from the harassment ending in a torn dress, the motive behind the offender is clear and he accuses Adelaide of toying with him and then turning him down, though she did no such thing. Another thing is that a husband is injured and unable to perform his husbandly duties on his wedding night. There is some brief thoughts by the wife on this and she ends up wearing one of his shirts so she can feel close to him. While they are married and this is not immoral, it may make young readers uncomfortable. There are a few instances where it mentions a man's desire for a woman, but nothing explicit whatsoever. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it. If you love a sweet romance, you won't be able to dislike this story...and if you like action, well there's some of that too. It's the perfect mix!
Rating: 5Adeleide Proctor is a young school teacher looking for love who find herself teaching the mute ward of a handsome rancher who also just happens to be British nobility (naturally). This wasn't great and it wasn't awful. The plot is absurd, but there's nothing wrong with that. The writing is generally good, and the characters are even fairly well developed. What's missing is chemistry between Adeleide and Gideon. At the (predictable) end, I just didn't feel that they liked each other that much. I don't mind a predictable and rather absurd plot, but it needs excellent character development and chemistry between the characters - and the author didn't deliver that.
Rating: 3My thanks to Early Reviewers and Bethany House for the chance to review this book.Head in the Clouds is wonderful Christian fiction with just the right amount of romance and action. I truly enjoyed the chemistry between Addie and Gideon. Their love for Isabella and their desire to keep her safe from her evil uncle draws them closer together. The references to religion are simple to relate to the story and not pushy. Historical romances that take place in the Old West are my favorite and this one will go on my keeper shelf.
Rating: 5Loved it! Head in the Clouds was such an enjoyable read. I enjoyed the characters and the storyline. Some of the Old West stories fall short but this one is well done. I will recommend this one to my friends.
Rating: 5Adelaide is a delightful character in this historical Christian novel. Set in 1880's Texas, she is on a spiritual as well as physical journey. As she allows God to guide her, rather than her selfish desires, He places her in the home of Gideon Westcott, Englishman and sheep herder. She is hired as governess to his 5 year old charge. Little Isabelle has not spoken since her mother's death. Adelaide is exactly the person needed in the situation as she proves over and over. Many adventures take place as Adelaide and Gideon fall for each other. I loved this story and hope there is more to come.
Rating: 5Received this from Early Reviewers Giveaway and was so glad. This was such a cute book. It is an American historical (American frontier) with a young woman who is a teacher and has great romantic dreams. Dreams that are suddenly stomped on when she is mislead by a man. Now stranded without a job she looks through a newspaper trying to figure out what to do and sees an ad for a governess. The book is Christian, but it is not preachy. Both of the main characters are Christians and strong in their beliefs. Gideon has a daughter that is his ward, but she is in danger from a unscrupulous uncle who wants her fortune. Gideon and Adelaide work together to protect and care for Bella. And along the way something may be growing between them.Really enjoyed reading this, i had a hard time putting it down. Good storyline, great characters, and excellent writing. Cannot wait to read more by this author.PS. Love the cover, in her signature yellow, this actually from a scene in the book.
Rating: 5"Head in the Clouds" was a fun read. I really like how Adelaide formed a bond with Isabella from the very beginning and through her love for her brought her out of her silence. I liked the combination of suspense and romance. I would definetely read more books written by Karen Witemeyer. She kept my interest throughtout the book.
Rating: 4Head in the Clouds was a quick read. It's a Christian historical romance, and better written than many in that genre. Adelaide Proctor, out of work because of a failed relationship, takes a position as a governess for sheep rancher Gideon Westcott, caring for his daughter Isabella. Adelaide's romance with Gideon feels inevitable, and not much stands in their way. But Bella's villainous uncle has evil plans that threaten them all.... I found Adelaide to be a thoroughly likable character, and Isabella was well rounded as well, not simply a child figure there for requirements of the plot. Adelaide grows as she learns to trust God and follow His leading. The relationship between Adelaide and Gideon has no real twists and turns, and Reginald is a stereotypical movie bad guy. A great read overall, fast paced for a historical setting. I'd like to read more of this author.
Rating: 4I tend to like books less when I listen to the audio version (something about the annoying voices they always give the characters, ESPECIALLY Isabella's voice and ohmygosh the sleazy Jose, gah) so maybe this is unfair. But I really didn't like this book. I'm used to Ms. Witemeyer's style, but this was just way too melodramatic, even for her. Adelaide was too back and forth for me. I hate that she accepted Giddeon's proposal. Isabella was not at all lifelike to me. I have a six year old and this child was too babyish and too perfect for much of the time. Actually, I think that's the issue I have with these books- the characters do not seem to be given any flaws. They don't change, they don't grow. The villain's were too over the top. Nothing in the book was subtle or slow building, and therefore none of it felt lasting.
I really enjoyed the first book of Witemeyer's that I read, Short Straw Bride, and though I have not read them in chronological order, it seems that they are getting more and more desperate with the violence, threats, declarations of love, and obstabcles, and so I'm liking them increasingly less (if that makes sense).
Rating: 2I really enjoyed the first book of Witemeyer's that I read, Short Straw Bride, and though I have not read them in chronological order, it seems that they are getting more and more desperate with the violence, threats, declarations of love, and obstabcles, and so I'm liking them increasingly less (if that makes sense).
I thoroughly enjoyed Head in the Clouds by Karen Witemeyer. Her story had just the right amount of suspence to keep me turning the pages. The attraction between the lead characters warmed my heart and I loved the mix of English nobility and the American West. As a piece of Christian fiction, this rates up there with Dee Henderson and Kristen Heitzman. Karen Witemeyer is one of my new favorites!
Rating: 5Adelaide Proctor longs for romance and a hero to call her own. When she follows a fellow she thinks will fit that bill she is surprised to learn that he is married. Stuck in a new town with no job and very little money prompts her to apply for a governess position caring for the daughter of handsome rancher, Gideon Westcott. She gets the job when he sees how very good she is with his 'silent' Isabella. As Adelaide slowly draws Bella out of her shell with her playful and endearing ways she also slowly starts winning the heart of Gideon. But Bella's uncle wants her inheritance and will stop at nothing to get it. Maybe even murder!This was the first book I've read by this author but I can tell you it won't be my last. The story was a well balanced mix of romance and suspense with splashes humor and touching moments along the way. Filled with great characters and lots of snappy dialog it held my attention from beginning to end. Adelaide was the type of heroine I love reading about. She was sweet yet feisty and her playful manner made me want to be like her. Gideon was a wonderful hero. He was strong yet sensitive and tender. Isabella is at the center of the story and is so cute you'll want to adopt her as your own. One thing I really appreciated about the story was that it reminds us that just because bad things happen to us doesn't mean God's not taking care of us. It was also clever how the author used an old testament story to guide out heroine. This was just an all around GREAT story that I would highly recommend. Great job, Karen! A thank you goes to LibraryThing Early Reviewers for this complimentary review copy.
Rating: 5Witemeyer’s second novel is much like her first, which I reviewed earlier this year: Headstrong heroine, a do-no-wrong hero, and a “bad guy” or two whose motives (and violent tendencies) are one-dimensional.Taken as a whole, I enjoyed the novel enough to recommend it as a rainy-day read borrowed from the library. It wasn’t bad, but like Witemeyer’s first novel, there were a few things that irked me… for that matter, some of the things have been bothering me within the genre as a whole, as well.For starters, I’m sick and tired of the rape motif in Christian fiction. Yes, women were and are vulnerable, but does that honestly mean that every ill-intentioned man wants to sexually violate women? Isn’t there anything else that writers can choose as a man’s vice in order to portray him as a ‘bad guy’. Not every BAD man in the world wants to rape women, but it seems that in historical fiction these days, if you’re evil, you’re also a rapist.Look, even criminals have moral boundaries (not all, I know, but most). And life isn’t so black and white that all ‘bad guys’ want to sexually abuse women and all ‘good guys’ are 100% chaste and wouldn’t even be willing to indulge an impure thought. Seriously, CBA, is this how you want to portray male/female relationships to impressionable female minds?The ‘good guy’ won’t always ride in to save the day, and the ‘bad guy’ doesn’t always want to violate you. So why is this showing up in nearly EVERY SINGLE CHRISTIAN HISTORICAL NOVEL I’ve read these days?!?! Yes, I know lately I’ve been singing the praises of the CBA market and the changes it’s been making, but no one is perfect and that includes publishers. Maybe this is part of the attempt to be ‘edgy’ and ‘realistic’, but it’s becoming an epidemic and I’m sick of reading it.It’s insulting to men in general, and it’s demoralizing to women. I don’t want to see it anymore, and I’m stating right here, right now, that I will not finish any more Christian Historicals that include this as a way to characterize its male characters./endrantBut back to the book. The heroine is mostly likable, and the hero is mostly perfect, and everyone lives happily ever after, albeit cut and bruised (and recovering from bullet wounds), etc., etc.I have yet to figure out why there’s a focus on the heroine’s love of novel-reading in the back cover copy (and the image) when this aspect of her personality is barely touched on (I think she mentions a book by name once… you’d think it would be happening all the time, based on the description) so I found this piece of her character lacking and undeveloped.Still, like I said… if you’re looking for a (mostly) feel-good, rainy-day read, it might be worth your time.Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
Rating: 3As one review stated so well, this is "the perfect blend of humor, history, and romance". It takes place in Texas during 1880 and is truly a 'full length feature film' in a book form.Adelaide Proctor is a romantic young teacher who is longing for a real-life hero to capture her heart. Through a difficult heartbreaking situation, she ends up going to work for a handsome ranch owner, Gideon Westcott, and becoming a teacher to his "daughter" Bella, who hasn't spoken a word since she lost her mother.Then there is the villain in the story, Bella's uncle, who wants to claim her for her inheritance. Gideon and Adelaide will work together to protect little Bella. But the longer these two are around each other, the greater the attraction. This was a story that captures your attention and holds it all the way through until the end.
Rating: 4