Author: Karen Witemeyer
Publisher: Bethany House
ISBN: 978-0-7642-0967-3


Why hadn’t she returned home? Who was after her? What was this mysterious errand that she risked so much for? And how much was she truly risking? Her father’s favor? Her reputation?” Karen Witemeyer pens regarding Darius’s concerns in her novel, Full Steam Ahead.

At three hundred and fifty-two pages, this paperback targets those that like historical Christian romance set in the nineteenth century in America’s Wild West. With no profanity, overtly sexual scenes, or extreme violence, the indulging kissing may not be appropriate for immature readers. The ending includes an author’s note and biography along with similar books from the publisher. This reader wishes all pronouns of God were capitalized for reverence.

In this tome set in the Galveston, Texas, in 1849, young Nicole Renard must make an important decision when her father becomes gravely ill. With no male offspring to carry on the family name or its well-established Renard Shipping business, she agrees to go to New Orleans to choose the best suitable spouse to become heir and take over the company’s operations.

Taking the cherished heirloom, the Lafitte Dagger, without her parents’ permission, Nicole travels to Oakhaven to escape the Jenkins, two sordid brothers who would do anything to obtain the dagger, which they feel rightfully belongs to their family.

Hiding out in the small town for a couple weeks, the young lady acquires employment as a secretary for Darius Thornton, a shattered scientist fixated on understanding steam boilers due to a horrid experience where one blew up, killing many onboard a ship.

The hermit Thornton begrudgingly hires Nicole because she not only interprets his scribbled notes, she corrects a mathematical error in his project. As they warm up to their personalities, he treats her equally in spite of her hiding her true reasons for being there.

Living and working on Thornton’s plantation is challenging as the man repeatedly blows up boilers trying to make them safer. While explosions often happen on the land, they also start to erupt between the odd gentleman who cannot sleep from constant nightmares and the sassy, determined pirate of a woman.

Somewhat campy in the heavy kissing over a mere two week period, the book brings to light what truly consists of a family legacy while past failures cannot be redeemed, they can be forgiven.

Thanks to The Book Club Network Inc. for furnishing this complimentary book in exchange for a review based on the reader’s honest opinions.


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