Full Steam Ahead by Karen Witemeyer is another delightful story from this author. Nicole Renard is a beautiful, rich, and head strong young woman and when she returns home to Galveston, Texas, she meets Darius Thornton a reclusive and obsessive scientist. He was aboard the Louisiana when a boiler exploded causing the death of many passengers. Darius is determined to built a better boiler and this experimenting causes him to work for long periods of time not bothering to eat or sleep. When he meets Nicole, he thinks that she is just another pretty face but she convinces him that she could be a great help to him as his secretary for she could organize his notes and findings. Not only is she pretty but she has a head full of knowledge concerning shipping and boats and this helps her becomes an excellent assistant to Darius. Nicole’s father has never let her forget that she is not a son that can take over his shipping business.The author did an excellent job in developing all the elements of the story. Nicole was so real that I could just see her doing all the things that she did to get herself into trouble. And Darius with all his experimental explosions was quite loveable in spite of his obsessiveness. Each time there was an explosion in the story, I felt as if I should duck and run for cover. The dialogue of Nicole and Darius gave me some good laughs as did all her antics. In addition to the romance, there was the mystery surrounding the Lafitte Dagger to keep one guessing. This story was a page turner and I could not stop reading until I finished the book in one sitting.I highly recommend this book, especially if you are a fan of Karen Witemeyer.Bethany House provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Author Karen Witemeyer is a wonderful storyteller, and "Full Steam Ahead" is an involving Inspirational Historical Romance. The story takes place in the mid-nineteenth century, when changes to technology, transportation, communications, social mores, religion, fashions, science and medicine, literature, art and entertainment were rapidly revolutionizing the entire world. Darius Thornton and his brother David ran the family shipping business, with David the master of social connections and negotiations, and Darius the brains behind schematics and production. After Darius barely survived a deadly steamboat explosion, he was determined to prevent further such disasters from causing suffering and taking more human life. Nicole Renard is summoned from her school in Boston back home to Galveston, Texas by her mother's warning that her father is gravely ill. Always smart, capable, and interested in helping her father run Renard Shipping, Nicole was never given the chance to work by her father's side. With his health failing, and business-rival sharks circling the family business, desperate measures must be to taken to protect the Renard legacy. Nicole will be sent to New Orleans to find a worthy husband, one who will hold off threats to a takeover of Renard Shipping. Unbeknownst to her father, Nicole takes with her the family treasure, the Lafitte Dagger, hoping the dowry will help her to rapidly find the right man to marry. Her plans are hurriedly changed, however, when her father's rivals follow her to the docks and she must devise a quick-escape route. After eluding her pursuers and taking an alternate route, she makes her way to a town called Liberty, and finds employment as a secretary for the absent-minded genius, Darius Thornton. A woman in his way is not what Darius envisioned when he advertised for "help wanted", but he can't help but be impressed by the brainy beauty who becomes his assistant. Not only does she actually understand his work, she makes suggestions that prove to be progressive in aiding Darius' cause. As the two work side-by-side, friendship and admiration grow, and attraction blooms. Each of them have their secrets, and each must come to terms with the faith ever waiting to take hold of their hearts. Can they find an unexpected, lasting love in each other? Can they take a leap of faith and blend their lives and love for a happy future for all? Another excellent read from the talented Karen Witemeyer.Review Copy Gratis Bethany House Books
What do You think about Druk Op De Ketel (2014)?
Amazing read about the time period of the steamboats.
—Joseph
