Full Steam Ahead by Karen Witemeyer

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First lines

"Passengers jockeyed for position along the steamboat Louisiana's railings, waving and calling merry farewells to the crowd lining the levee. Darius Thornton stalked determinedly across the deck in the opposite direction."

My thoughts

Nicole Renard is a proper young lady who simply wants to please her father and protect her family's legacy. Darius Thornton, a man haunted by a tragic past, is one of the most unique heroes I've encountered this year. He was definitely my favorite character.

One of my favorite authors, Karen Witemeyer delivers with Full Steam Ahead. While I have to admit, the first few chapters didn't hook me right away, Darius's presence tugged me into the story. One or two scenes reminded me of the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice (the pond scene, anyone?).
  Some sections lost my attention, only because of the technical jargon used. Steamships and boilers aren't my forte.
At times, Nicole's slightly feminist attitude did annoy me, but I appreciated her devotion to her family. The banter between her and Darius was one of my favorite aspects of the novel.
I would give this one a four out of five stars. Not my favorite, but certainly an entertaining read with a captivating hero.

 The suspense is just enough to keep you wondering, and the romance is sweet. The spiritual theme was beautiful as well we can't redeem ourselves. Only the Lord can. And He did, once and for all, on the cross.
Give this one a try by buying it here.

From the Back Cover

Nicole Renard returns home to Galveston, Texas to find her father deathly ill. Though she loves him, Nicole's father has always focused on what she's not. Not male. Not married. Not able to run Renard Shipping.

Vowing to find a suitable husband to give her father the heir he desires before it's too late, Nicole sets out with the Renard family's greatest treasure as her dowry: the highly coveted Lafitte Dagger. But her father's rivals come after the dagger, forcing a change in Nicole's plans.

After a boiler explosion aboard the Louisiana nearly took his life, Darius Thornton has been a man obsessed. He will do anything to stop even one more steamship disaster. Even if it means letting a female secretary into his secluded world.

Nicole is determined not to let her odd employer scare her off with his explosive experiments, yet when respect and mutual attraction grow between them, a new fear arises. How can she acquire an heir for her father when her heart belongs to another? And when her father's rivals discover her hiding place, will she have to choose between that love and her family's legacy?

*I received this book free from the author. This review is my honest opinion of the story.