DNF around 30%

I felt that this book was so in-your-face feminist. I understand that things were quite different back then from what they are now, but I did not appreciate how almost every single male except Romantic Hero™ was villainized. I also find it unbelievable that in a town of all women, most of who fled abuse, there were only four guns with only one lady knowing how to shoot. Keep in mind that this is *supposedly* a historical novel.

I hope it changed as the book progressed but I was not interested in reading more. ( )

Book 1 of 3. Have all 3

Emma and her two aunts are the femist movement that the modern woman wants in her historical books. (Sarcasm)

A town full of females. No men allowed. No someone is scaring them off their land. So they ask a man to help. ( )

An interesting story line, where women established "Harper's Station, a women's colony that offers a fresh start to females in need. It is the 1880's and the town is in Texas. Emma Chandler, who is the banker in town and pretty much runs the town of ladies, needs help. Someone is trying to run her ladies out of town and threatens their existence. Who can she trust to help them? Only one man she knows, and that is Malachi Shaw, a young man who lived with Emma and her two aunts briefly. Now Malachi is a explosive expert for the railroad. But when he receives the telegram from Emma, he drops everything and rushes to help the only people who were ever a family to him

Of course there is that romantic attraction between Emma and Malachi, but there is also the mystery of who is behind the threats, and the getting to know all the ladies in this town. The characters in this story were heartwarming. The author does a great job of keeping your interest and of writing a warm and delightful romance between Emma and Malachi. Looking forward to more stories in this series. ( )

Author Karen Witemeyer’s inspirational historical romances are told with charm and humor. “No One Else Will Do” also offers adventure, mystery, and suspense. A childhood meeting between Malachi Shaw and Emma Chandler leads to a lifetime friendship. Orphaned Mal had been taken in by young Emma and her family, and he had lived with them until an unjust accusation by a bully had forced him to leave town. He and Emma had kept touch through letters, and Mal had made her promise to contact him if she ever needed him. Through the years, he had built a career and a reputation as an explosives expert for the railroad. Now, a decade since he had last seen Emma, he had received her plea for help, and he headed back to the town and the memories he had left behind. Emma had grown into an intelligent, caring and determined young woman who had founded Harper’s Station, a colony for women who needed hope and a new start in life. Not everyone embraced the women’s fight to have their social rights and equal and fair treatment. Someone was becoming increasingly violent in their goal to drive the women out of Harper’s Station, and Mal was the only man Emma trusted to help her—no other would do. Reunited as adults, will Mal and Emma see each other in a new light? Will friendship and trust lead to love, and will a deep and abiding faith lead them all to a lifetime of happiness? A recommended read from the very talented Karen Witemeyer.
Book Copy Gratis Bethany House Books ( )

Emma Chandler founded the community of Harper's Station as a place where women can pursue the careers that might be denied them in other male-dominated communities and as a safe haven for women who have left abusive relationships. However, when the community is suddenly threatened in ways Emma can't handle on her own she calls on her old friend, Malachi Shaw, whose life she once saved. As Malachi works with the women to help protect themselves from the increasingly deadly threats, he and Emma discover that their old friendship has the potential to blossom into something more.

A historical Christian romance with suffragettes from one of my favourite authors in the genre. It was pretty much a given in advance that I'd like this one and I wasn't disappointed. Strong characters, a compelling suspense plot, and a lovely happy ending. Recommended to those who enjoy the genre. ( )