Oh my, what a hero Matthew is! He was such a fun character to meet and his love for his Josie was so fun to read and swoon at. This book has a ton of excitement and kept me on my toes wondering what would happen next. I think this story has a bit more danger than Karen's previous stories and it was hard to put down when life intruded(which it did far to much!). I can not wait to see all of Hanger's Horsemen get their happy endings!! The next story can't come soon enough to suit me!

I received this book from the author and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.

I think I've read every book Karen Witemeyer has written (except possibly her novellas. I don't think I've read all of those.) and can say with authority, there isn't a bad one in the bunch! Her latest book, At Love's Command, introduces her new Hanger's Horsemen series. It brought back many memories of nights with the family watching "Dr. Quinn: Medicine Woman", as the female main character is a doctor on the frontier.

I loved how Matthew Hanger is willing to look past society's norms to see all that Josephine has to offer. She may not be wife material for the typical man, but he's anything but typical. Jo is able to see Matthew's honor, and even when he can't see it for himself, she believes he can do anything, even rescue a brother who doesn't want to be rescued.

I also love the humor Witemeyer tosses in at the most unlikely spots. I've come to expect this in her books, so I look for it, as sometimes it's pretty subtle.

Readers who enjoy historical/western romance will love this series starter. Even if you prefer more contemporary stories, this one will still be a fun read. I highly recommend this, and it gets all the stars from me!

At Love’s Command by Karen Witemeyer is one awesome story! I loved every minute, and I’m sad my time with these characters is over … for now. The plot is highly engaging; the pages flew by! The action is pretty intense; there are a couple scenes I was on the literal edge of my seat. The characters are SUPERB. The bad guys are crusty and dirty and evil. You root for them to lose the whole time! The good guys are fantastically endearing and relatable. Josie is a spitfire heroine. She is sassy, smart, and bossy. She is also exceptionally capable and brave. I found her to be the perfect match for Matthew Hanger. And, let’s talk about Matthew Hanger for just a second. How would I describe him? How about the coolest Western hero ever!!! He’s smart, strong, and very, very capable. He has a heart as big as Texas. He’s broody, but not negative. He carries the world upon his shoulders, but he’s the first to run into a burning building to save someone’s life. He’s downright sexy, yet he doesn’t know it. Most importantly, he’s just SO cool. Like James Bond cool. And, if this isn’t enough to make it a must-read novel, Witemeyer weaves beautiful and timely messages throughout her narrative. All of this coalesces into one spectacular read that I HIGHLY recommend.

Josie is a get-things-done kind of woman. She is highly intelligent, exceptionally capable, and not afraid to get in the middle of a fray if it means helping someone she loves. When she sees someone hurt, even the “bad” guys, her medical instincts kick into high gear and she cannot physically help herself — she has to fix whatever is broken. One can get caught up by such abilities and fall into the trap of feeling like she is in control. In a moment of great frustration, Josie thinks to herself that “[she hates] being outside the realm of control.” Oh my, do I completely understand this sentiment. I am a massive control freak and my OCD can skew off the charts. When life gets crazy I do my utmost to control everything. I mistakenly believe that if I can control my surroundings then the crazy I’m going through won’t drown me, and I will ultimately be able to create the outcome I want. Yes, this is foolish. The only thing I can control is how I behave in those crazy moments and if I go to God or not. But my instinct is like Josie’s — I want to fix everything. However, like Josie, I have learned the truth — I control very little and I can’t fix everything. I cannot always shield my loved ones from pain, suffering, or tragedy no matter how much I try. Only God can control everything. As Josie comes to understand in this story, I, too, understand that I have to trust that God works EVERYTHING for the good of those who love Him, and sometimes that means doing nothing myself and getting out of God’s way so He can work! Not an easy lesson to learn, but one that is of the utmost importance.

At Love’s Command is a one-of-a-kind read. Yes, many have written Westerns, and many have written very good Westerns, but there is something different about this book. Witemeyer has written a home run! If you are a fan of Westerns then At Love’s Command is a novel you do not want to miss. This is a story that will stick with the reader long after the final pages have been read.

I received a copy of this novel in eBook form from Bethany House Publishers via NetGalley in order to review. I also received a paperback copy of this novel from Bethany House Publishers as well. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I've been waiting for this book for months! And it definitely didn't disappoint. The plot starts on the very first page and is intertwined with a bit of suspense, romance, betrayal and humor. I love how the main character Dr. Josephine Burkett, is very independent and is making a life for herself by doing something that typically (at that time) only men did and it was awesome to read how she overcame several obstacles in her life to get there. One of my FAVORITE parts of the story was at the very beginning when Matthew Hanger (the other main character) met Dr. Jo for the very first time and I thoroughly enjoyed reading about their interactions throughout the book.

Another thing that I liked was that the characters are so relatable! Especially Dr. Jo and Matthew. Both of them thought that they could never find love because of their job and they were OK with it, but of course God had different plans for them. Overall, I loved the entire book and can't think of a single thing that I didn't like about it, except that it had an end (LOL). At least book 2 should be coming out soon! I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars and would give it more, but I ran out of stars!


Special thanks to Karen Witemeyer, Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley for letting me read and review this book - all opinions are my own.

Whitmeyer has written another great cowboy story. The hero is is a ruggedly handsome ex-cavalry officer with a past, named Matt Hanger. He and three of his friends are for hire to help those who they feel are deserving of help. A tough bunch who causes fear in the hearts of outlaws. Then the heroine is Josephine Burkett, a fiesty female and a doctor in a time when none, especially men and especially Matt Hanger, want a female doctor. This is an excellent mixture of action, romance, suspense and faith in God to give you a great read….I was given a copy by the publisher via Netgalley and I am pleased to leave a review.

Fans of Witemeyer have anxiously awaited this new series and will not be disappointed in the first book at all! I know I sure wasn’t. At Love’s Command is filled with adventure and romance on a whole new level. Hanger’s Horsemen has some pretty intense drama swirling around these ex-Cavalry men.

Matthew Hanger is a tough guy. He has to be as their leader. And there’s a code all leaders follow. “Protect your men. Complete your objective. Ignore the rest.” That has some pretty heavy ramifications later on. To see Matthew work through emotional hurts and regrets was quite a moving experience. He knows the saving grace of Jesus Christ and yet he struggles, as we all do.

Josephine Burkett is quite a forward-thinking woman for her times, being a doctor and all. She’s had to take a bold stance in order to begin carving out a place for her medical practice. When unforeseen circumstances bring Matt and his men to her door, it was fun to watch two forces collide without knocking each other out. *wink*

Plenty of excitement, both dramatic and romantic, fills the pages of At Love’s Command. Overall, I highly enjoyed the story and look forward to the next book.

I received an electronic copy from Netgalley and the publisher with no expectation of a positive review. All opinions are my own.

At Love’s Command has all the elements I adore about Karen Witemeyer’s books. There is wit, great character development, a strong faith element, and a budding romance. But this first book in the Hanger’s Horseman series also includes elements of a cohesive team.

Matthew Hanger leads his group in doing justice. The man recognizes the strengths in each of the others that make him an irreplaceable part of the group, and there is a deep friendship and trust there. There’s also plenty of good-natured ribbing when these men realize Matt’s growing feelings for the pretty Dr. Josephine Burkett.

Witemeyer shows each personality of them men, as well as the intelligent and sometimes stubborn doctor, so well that I cannot wait to find out who is next in line to meet his match.



Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

At Love’s Command by Karen Witemeyer

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

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Story Notes

Karen Witemeyer presents readers with a new series that will take you off on a non-stop adventure of learning to trust and love without holding back.

I have been waiting very impatiently to write this review. I follow Ms. Witemeyer’s Instagram page and loved seeing all the info and sneak peeks before the release of this wonderful book. But I must stick to my order of books to be fair to everyone so I’m finally getting to write my review now. This book was one of the best I’ve read in a good while. It had lots of action and sharply written conversations alongside a nice romance story that had me both excited and sad to reach the end of the book. It began with a group of Cavalry soldiers at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in Wounded Knee, South Dakota. Captain Matthew Hanger and unit are there to ensure that the Lakota warriors surrender their weapons and agree to the terms of peace. But the Lakota have no intention of agreeing to peace with the settlers who have taken over their lands and they will put up an incredible fight, including the women and children. When all is over, hundreds of Lakota are dead and there is no need for peace talks for the future. Captain Hanger and four of his men leave the cavalry after the massacre, no longer able to stomach killing so many in the name of peace. They begin taking on jobs for those who need help against those looking to take advantage of weaker persons. Their weapon skills and ability to find a resolution without deadly force have earned them the moniker “Hanger’s Horsemen” and their reputation has made finding work very easy. Their latest job in Texas has them pinned under gunfire, leading to the injury of the youngest member of the Horsemen, Mark Wallace, which will require a doctor’s care. Rushing Wallace to the nearest town, Matt is stunned to realize that “Doc Joe” is a woman. Glad to see that she is skilled and very efficient at her job, Matt dismisses his gender bias in favor of getting his man healed. After removing the bullet and bandaging Wallace tightly, Doc Jo tells Matt that barring infection, Wallace will recover just fine. Now if Matt can just keep his unexpected attraction to her under wraps until Wallace is healed enough to travel, he can make his escape with his heart intact. Josephine Burkett has been working in Purgatory, Texas for quite a while and has finally earned the respect of the men in town. When Captain Matt Hanger brings his man to her for help, she is both intrigued and annoyed at the instant attraction she has to the leader of “Hanger’s Horsemen”. Their reputation of always getting the job done, no matter what odds, is well known and feared. She didn’t expect a well-mannered man who would accept her skills with little argument. And his uncanny ability to verbally spar with her and his depth of care for the men in his charge only increases her admiration of him. Can she hold onto her heart or will this too-often-silent former cavalryman carry it away with him when he leaves? The choice is taken away from both of them when Josephine receives word from home that her brother has been taken captive by outlaws and her father refuses to pay the ransom. Charlie has always been a bit of a rascal and after causing many problems for his father, Thaddeus has washed his hands of his irresponsible son. But Josephine cannot leave Charlie’s fate up to chance and therefore begs the Horsemen to rescue him in exchange for any horse in her father’s stable. Gringolet stables are renowned throughout the country so her offer is a lucrative one. Thus begins a journey of rescue that will bring more danger than expected and much more sacrifice than any of them expected to make. And when all is said and done, Matt and Jo will have to decide if a chance at love is worth giving up what they thought they always wanted. I loved every chapter of this book. The snappy conversations, the jokes and ribbing between the Horsemen, the sweet romance and the spiritual journeys of the main characters made it such a good read. Each Horseman had a distinct voice and added much to the depth of the story. Luke “Preach” Davenport was a character I really liked alongside Matt and Jo, given his incredible ability with knives/swords and his applicable Bible verses he would quote for every situation. I will be very interested to see how his story will turn out sometime in the future. The near-constant action of the second half of the story was very well done, with just enough suspense to keep you reading but not exhausted by the pacing. You could almost taste the dust flying through the air and hear the whine of bullets being exchanged. I will most certainly be highly recommending this book to others, knowing they will be as intrigued and entertained as I by this incredible story. I will also be adding a copy to my shelves and very much looking forward to the next in the Hanger’s Horsemen series.

I received this temporary complimentary E-book from Bethany House Publishers via NetGalley in order to provide a fair and honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation for this review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

David Wilcox once sang, “Start with the ending.” I think when it comes to this book that’s the best place for me to start.

At the end of the book I was engaged in the story and I had found a number of things that spoke to me personally, which is always a bonus in a novel.

Such as:

“What would life be like if he lived from a place of surrender like this all the time?”

and

“Control was nothing more than an illusion, a lie to trap the competent in the own capability. One that created such a dependence on self that it clogged the conduit of wisdom and power flowing from the Omnipotent until only a trickle of living water found its way through.”

Each of the characters grew on me as the story progressed, especially Josie and her ten dollar words.

But moving back toward the beginning I have to say it took me a long time to get into the book. Perhaps because it started with a war scene and then moved into a shoot out. Perhaps because the instant and compelling attraction between two people who were both focused on not being in a relationship (for work or for fear) seemed to be a bit to sudden and perhaps a bit too convenient. Perhaps it was just this season of Covid-19 lockdown that made it hard to concentrate. Whatever the reason, this book took awhile to warm up to. It took me weeks to get half way into the story and just hours to finish once I was finally engaged.

But circling back to the ending I have to say that all in all, it was a good western. An independent woman, a protective and noble cowboy, the attempted rescue of a prodigal, family reconciliation, personal growth and, of course, love, make At Love’s Command a book worth reading.

I received a free digital galley of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Matt and Josephine! Such an unlikely match. Both head strong but soften by the common goal to ease pain around them.
My heart went out for Josephine when she felt that she couldn't practice medicine and at the same time have a family.
Matt's job of a former Calvary officer with the famous four Horsemen to instil law and order kept him always moving, behind enemy lines and in danger. That was the only life he knew till he met the independent and strong-willed Josie.
I really enjoyed the humor in this book, some parts made me laugh out. I enjoyed reading about their love story. So wonderful and heartwarming.
Josie learn to surrender to will of God, Matt learn to open his heart again to love. They both learnt trust in God.

If you love historical romance you'd love this book.

I received a copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.

Nach dreizehn Jahren Indianerkrieg ist Matthew Hanger das Kämpfen satt und die Verluste belasten ihn schwer. Im Alter von 5 Jahren wurden seine Eltern und seine jüngere Schwester von den Comanchen getötet. Doch ein weiterer Einsatz führt zu einer Konfrontation mit Lakota Indianern. Eigentlich sollen sie nur entwaffnet werden, aber die jungen Krieger rotten sich zusammen und es kommt zum Gefecht, bei dem auch viele Frauen und Kinder getötet werden. Eine friedliche Mission endet in einem Blutbad. Das gibt ihm den Rest und er verlässt mit seinen engsten Mitkämpfern die Kavallerie. 3 Jahre später, Matt ist inzwischen 37 Jahre alt, haben sie sich einen Namen als Hangers Horsemen gemacht. Sie nehmen gegen Geld Schutzaufträge an und kämpfen für die Schwächeren. So haben sie aktuell eine Bande von Viehdieben gestellt. Sie vermeiden es, bei solchen Auseinandersetzungen Menschen zu töten, was für sie größere Gefahren bringt. So wird ihr jüngstes Mitglied Wallace dabei schwer an der Schulter verletzt und droht zu verbluten. Dr. Joe ist der nächstgelegene Arzt und zu Matts großer Überraschung eine Frau. Aber die schwere der Verletzung lässt gar keine Diskussionen zu und Sie stellt sich sofort als stark und kompetent heraus.
Für ihre Anerkennung bei den Männern vom Ort musste Dr. Josephine Burkett monatelang schwer kämpfen, doch Matt hört, ohne zu zögern auf ihre Anweisungen und hilft ihr bei dem schwierigen Eingriff. Danach behält sie Wallace einige Tage zur Überwachung bei sich. Dann trennen sich ihre Wege, aber als dann ihr Bruder Charlie in große Gefahr gerät, kann sie sich in ihrer Verzweiflung nur an die Horsemen wenden...
Mit der Zeit entdecken Matt und Joe, dass sie von ähnlichen Geistern verfolgt werden. Er von den Getöteten der Schlacht am Wounded Knee und sie von den Gesichtern der Patienten, denen sie nicht helfen konnte. Matt hätte nie gedacht, dass das jemand außerhalb des Militärs verstehen könnte. Beide haben auch nicht mehr mit der Gründung einer Familie gerechnet. Joe aufgrund ihrer Berufswahl und ihres Alters und Matt, aufgrund des traumatischen Verlustes seiner Familie. Sie hätte nie gedacht, einen Mann zu finden, der sie vom ersten Augenblick an als Gleichberechtigte behandelt.
Mit detailreichen Beschreibungen, die in der ersten Hälfte etwas zu Längen führen, lässt die Autorin die Leser ausführlich an der überzeugenden emotionalen Entwicklung der Protagonisten teilhaben. Die anderen Mitglieder der Horsemen und Charlie sind interessante Nebenfiguren.
Nach einer gravierenden Wendung im zweiten Teil nimmt die Spannung rasant zu. Man fiebert mit Jo, Matt und seinen Männern mit. Man bangt um sie und schließt sich den eindringlichen Gebeten um Rettung an. Die Erzählung findet ein herzerwärmendes und glaubhaftes Ende. Die Geschichte dreht sich um die Themen Reue, Vertrauen und Respekt, mit einer starken Botschaft zu Gottes Fürsorge für seine Schäfchen. Ein Roman über die Kraft des Gebets und des Glaubens an Gott.

I received an early copy of At Love's Command and dove into the 1890s Texas story. Dr. Josephine Burkett is a woman doctor used to being underestimated. She's had to fight for her place in town, and her clients, using her words and willingess to serve. She's a pacifist at heart, uncomfortable with the idea of justice enforced with a gun.
Of course, she meets the head of a famous band of mercenaries, who defend the innocent and specialize in enforcing justice with their guns.
When she needs help rescuing her brother, she realizes guns might not be such a bad thing to have around. She turns to the Horsemen for help. Her brother isn't quite the man she expected him to be, and she ends up caught in the middle.
This was a wonderful book!

It's been a long time since a new release kept me on pins and needles, dying to know what would happen next, but this one did! Matt Hanger was a swoonworthy hero in the charming, humorous, savagely devoted style that Karen Witemeyer fans love, and his band of horsemen promise many heartpounding thrills in the future books in this series. Definitely recommend!

At Love’s Command is the first book in Karen Witemeyer’s new series, Hanger’s Horsemen. With colorful, engaging characters, witty banter, lots of intrigue, and plenty of twists and turns, the series is off to a great start. Matthew Hanger is a fantastic hero—protective, skilled, dedicated, and courageous. Dr. Josephine Burkett has many of the same traits, but is also feisty and doesn’t hesitate to use her extensive vocabulary to annoy Matthew. I enjoyed the banter between them and seeing their relationship develop. The stellar secondary cast added much to the story, and I’m anxiously awaiting reading more about Luke ‘Preach’ Davenport, Jonah Brooks, and Mark Wallace and the adventures they have.

Preach’s scripture quoting was a fun addition to the story. He could call up the perfect scripture to fit any situation.
“’If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed . . . nothing shall be impossible unto you.’ Time for some mustard, boys!”

If you like historical fiction with intrigue, suspense, humor, inspiration, and a big dash of romance, you’re sure to enjoy this tale. I’m looking forward to the rest of the series. 4.5 stars

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the author and Bethany House Publishing. All opinions are my own.

The first in the Hangar's Horsemen series by Karen Witemeyer is a must-read for anyone who loves westerns! I could not put this book down from the very first page. Ms. Witemeyer has the best characters; I love that they are flawed but are always trying to be better. The setting is the old west and who doesn't love a cowboy? Or a damsel in distress?

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves westerns, Christian fiction, and happily ever after!

At Love’s Command is the first in the Hanger’s Horsemen series by Karen Witemeyer. I have been impatiently waiting to hold this book in my hands since Karen discussed her ideas about the story on her fan page. And I have to say after reading this first installment, I don’t think I’ve ever looked forward to the rest of a series more.
Karen continues to deliver phenomenal inspirational stories time and again. I love her use of scripture in her writing, and I fall in love with her characters every time. At Love’s Command is no exception!
I loved Dr. Jo from the very beginning. Her grit. Her heart. And especially her ability to identify an admirable/handsome man and stand with him during battle. Her vocabulary had me laughing out loud more than once as she crossed proverbial swords with Matt. What fun!
Oh, and then there’s the legendary Matthew Hanger. Sigh. Such a good man through and through. And while his roughened exterior is attractive enough, it’s his struggle to surrender everything to the Lord that makes him a true hero. Be prepared to lose your heart. (And gain an extra book boyfriend!)
Then, there are The Horsemen. What a group! Each one with their own distinct personalities that complement each other so well. I can’t wait to get to know Preach, Wallace and Brooks even better with the rest of the series. I can only imagine the adventures that await!
One of my favorite things about this book is Preach and his penchant for remembering the perfect scripture for any situation. The verses he chose not only provided peace to The Horsemen, but to my hectic life as well. I’m grateful for authors who chose to use the Word of God instead of shy away from it.
If you are a fan of Christian historical romance you will adore this book, especially if you are overly fond of western settings.
I was given a copy of this book by the publisher with no expectations of a positive review. All opinions are my own.

n her new book, At Love's Command, Karen Witemeyer tells the story of ex-calvary officer Matthew Hanger and his group of mercenaries known as Hanger's Horsemen in Texas. While trying to do good works together, one of them takes a bullet and needs a doctor. Dr. Josephine Burkett earns the respect of the men as she performs surgery and removes a bullet. Not long after, her brother is abducted and she calls on the Horseman to help her. Matthew and the other men come to her assistance although things don't look quite right from their angle. What is going on?


I have read several of Witemeyer's books before reading At Love's Command. I enjoy her style and I like that she adds bits of humor within the story. Looking at this picture of Matthew on the cover makes it easy to picture how a lady of the 1890s could be attracted to him. He also has a nice smile on the little picture posted on the spine of the book. I especially liked that the Hanger's Horsemen were doing good and were asking God about their plans throughout the book. I also like that they looked to the Bible for their wisdom. The romance was there but not as prominent throughout the second half of the book. I most enjoyed the beginning where Dr. Jo was working with the men in her office. There were some cute scenes there. At the same time, At Love's Command read more like a western movie than the other historical novels that I have read by Witemeyer. Each book in this new series will tell about the four men in the group of Hanger's Horseman and I think that will be interesting so I am looking forward to the next installment. According to Witemeyer, the next book will feature two of the men in the group. I would say that the ending of At Love's Command was predictable but in our unstable times right now, I was okay with that.

At Love's Command, by Karen Witemeyer, is a treasure of words wrapped in stunning story and sealed with hope and meaning. With fascinating characters and a captivating plot, this novel is thoroughly engaging and beautifully written. Elements of history, suspense, and romance come together seamlessly to create a story that entertains and inspires.

With a writing talent that seems effortless, Ms. Witemeyer has once again crafted a story that is utterly memorable and enjoyable. The characters in this novel are complex, compassionate, determined, and loyal. As they pursue redemption and purpose, they make room in their hearts for forgiveness, faith, and unexpected blessings. In their vulnerability, they are relatable, and they enrich this novel with their wit and authenticity. Furthermore, Ms. Witemeyer places these characters in situations that challenge them physically, emotionally, and spiritually, while still leaving room for God's merciful provision and grace. So as the plot unfolds, there are plenty of surprises and unexpected moments that are truly thrilling and delightfully endearing.

From the first page to the last, At Love's Command, is a compelling adventure full of faith and heart. Its riveting story is certainly worthy of praise and attention. It is a remarkable start to an exciting new series, and I recommend it wholeheartedly.

*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. A review was not required. The review I have written is voluntary and contains opinions that are entirely my own.

Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for a gifted review copy of At Love's Command by Karen Witemeyer.

At Love's Command is the first book in the new Hanger's Horsemen series. Matthew Hanger is an ex-calvary officer and the leader of Hanger's Horsemen. When one of his men is hurt during a mission he must find the closest doctor. Matthew is surprised to discover Dr. "Joe" is really Dr. " Jo" or Josephine Burkett. Josephine is a skilled doctor and used to men being skeptical about her skills. There is an instant connection between Matthew and Josephine which makes her reach out to Matthew when her brother is in trouble.

The story alternates between Matthew and Josephine. Both are strong and independent characters. There are cowboys and outlaws. The friendship and loyalty between Matthew and his friends is beautiful. The depth of the story is about faith, love, and forgiveness.

I enjoyed this book and I'm looking forward to the sequels in this series.

Christian
Historical Romance
Release Date: June 2, 2020

AT LOVE'S COMMAND is a Christian historical western romance, the first of a new series by a popular author. This is only the second book of hers that I've read.

I wasn't a huge fan of this book. But then I'm not a huge fan of westerns. There's a lot of gun fighting action, a lot of violence and a very fast-paced romance. Dr. Jo uses a lot of big words, is super stubborn, but kind.. I loved the faith message at the end. Matthew is a hero of heroes. I liked is co-warriors, too.

This book was a miss for me, but a friend of mine loves it. So if you like western romances, check out AT LOVE'S COMMAND.

I was given a copy free. All opinions are my own.