Hanger's Horsemen Series by Karen Witemeyer

 

Normally, I would review one book at a time as it was released BUT I am so far behind that I didn't do the review on the first book when I read it, the second book I had taken forever to read it (NOT because I didn't love it, but because of a mental roadblock) and I read book three right after finishing book two. SO, here we are! 

I loved this series! These books are centered around these four men who are more like brothers than just friends. It brings the women they fall in love with together and meets some needs they didn't even know they had. The fact that they are in Texas is just plain fun for me, since I've lived in Texas my entire life. 

I'm going to break each book down by sharing the back of the book description, I personally love to read that part before picking a book to read plus right before I start reading it. 

At Love's Command

HE'S FOUGHT THROUGH RUTHLESS OUTLAWS AND INJURY, BUT WITH HER, HE'S TEMPTED TO SURRENDER.

Haunted by the horrors of war, ex-cavalry officer Matthew Hanger leads a band of mercenaries known as Hanger's Horsemen who have become legends in 1890s Texas. They defend the innocent and obtain justice for the oppressed. But when a rustler's bullet leaves one of them at death's door, they're the ones in need of saving.

Dr. Josephine Burkett is used to men taking one look at her skirts and discounting her medical skills. What she's not used to is having a man change his mind in a heartbeat and offer to assist her in surgery. Matthew Hanger's dedication to his friend during recovery earns Josephine's respect, and when she hears of her brother's abduction, he becomes her only hope for rescue.

When plans go awry and Josephine is caught in the crossfire, Matthew may have to sacrifice everything--even his team--to save her.

Matthew is the leader of this team of men. In this first book you get a great look at each of the Horsemen. It's a solid foundation for the other books. You CAN read each one alone, but for the big picture and even richer experience, start here and just keep reading. 

Josephine is a wonderful female character. She's full of spunk and determination. Exactly what you would expect a women to have in that time period that serves in a profession that was largely male. She's no nonsense when it comes to her patients. 

All three are filled with danger and suspense. This one includes her brother and has a very interesting twist to it. You'll just have to read it to see for yourself.

The Heart's Charge

FOR YEARS THEY'VE BEEN NOMADS FOR JUSTICE, BUT A FINAL MISSION MAY JUST LEAD THEIR HEARTS HOME.

Members of the legendary Hanger's Horsemen, Mark Wallace and Jonah Brooks arrive in Llano County, Texas, to deliver a steed, never expecting they'd help deliver a baby as well. Left with an infant to care for, they head to a nearby foundling home, where Mark encounters the woman he nearly married a decade ago.

After failing at love, Katherine Palmer has dedicated her life to caring for children, teaming up with Eliza Southerland to start Harmony House. Eliza understands the pain of not fitting society's mold, being illegitimate and of mixed ancestry. Yet those are the very attributes that lead her to minister to outcast children. The taciturn Jonah intrigues her by defying all her stereotypes of men, but there are secrets behind his eyes—ghosts from wars past and others still being waged.

When the Horsemen hear rumors of missing children, they stay to investigate, sticking close to Harmony House and its beautiful owners. As they work together to uncover the truth, love and danger grow hand in hand until a final sinister scheme threatens to destroy them all.

This one was for sure different than the usual story, in the fact that we got to experience not one but TWO love stories unfold in this one book. We got to know these two guys in the first book. In this one you get to dig a little deeper into their back stories and into their personal thoughts and actions. I enjoy their deep friendship and how they work together so effortlessly, in all the books. 

Katherine and Eliza are amazing together as they run a children's home. Like the men, they play a vital role in how the story plays out. Strong characters in their own way, but each different. 

The children in the story have such vital parts to play. The danger in this story is centered around the children who hang around the railroad, those without families that are older than the ones residing at Harmony House. Karen is great at sticking in a twist ending that you MIGHT have considered, yet it still gets you! This one is very much like that. Better get reading so you can find out what I'm talking about! 

In Honor's Defense

HE'S FACED COUNTLESS PERILS ON THE BATTELFIELD, BUT NOTHING SO DANGEROUS AS FALLING IN LOVE.

Luke Davenport has been fighting all his life—for respect, for country, and for those unable to fight for themselves. But now that his Horsemen brothers are domesticated, he's left alone to battle the wildness within. When an opportunity arises to take a job on his own, tracking down a group of rustlers, he jumps at the chance.

Damaris Baxter has mastered the art of invisibility. Plain and quiet, she hides in books and needlework, content to be overlooked. Until her brother dies suddenly, leaving her custody of her nephew. She moves to Texas to care for Nathaniel, determined to create the family for herself that she never thought she'd have and to give him the family he desperately needs.

When Nate finds himself knee-deep in trouble, Luke's attempt to protect him leaves Damaris feeling indebted to the Horseman. But suspicions grow regarding the mysterious death of Damaris's brother. And the more questions they ask, the more danger appears, threatening the family Luke may be unable to live without.

We get to REALLY get to know Luke in this book. So much MORE than even in the first one. You think you KNOW him but this book brings out so much. In the other books, you don't see how he feels like a loner and doesn't think falling in love is "in the cards" for him. He is such a caring person. I love the interaction between him and the teenager. He sees right through the boys anger and shenanigans. 

Damaris is one of the kindest, most patient people. Despite everything she goes through, she never stops being patient with her nephew. As the book cover explains, his pa, her brother, dies under questionable circumstances. That is where the mystery and danger comes in. 

This one reunites all four Horsemen and I was LOVING that! It has quite a few twists in it. It left me wanting a story for Nate and for several of the orphans from The Heart's Charge. I've put in my request, as I am sure others have done. So we share see if those characters and these beloved eight from the three books return to take us on more adventures through Texas. I surely hope so.

Conclusion

I enjoyed this series so very much. Since it has been so long since I read the first one, I have the urge to go read it NOW, but like I said, I'm too far behind to reread a book at the moment. My TBR pile hasn't stopped growing just because I stopped reading as regularly as I always had. I HIGHLY recommend getting these three books at the same time, if you are able, and just reading straight through. If you enjoy a western then I am pretty sure these will be books you wish you had read sooner. I'd love to hear how you liked them once you finish!

As Always,

~A Simple Texas Girl living life on the Jesus Way!