Cloaked in Beauty

Author: Karen Witemeyer
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: Texas Ever After #3
Pages: 352
Release Date: December 17, 2024
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Trust no one in the shadows of the piney woods . . .

Letty Hood has spent the last fifteen years of her life hidden away with her grandmother in the backwoods of east Texas to escape the deadly schemes of an uncle who wants her dead. Now, with her twenty-first birthday on the horizon, she is forced to accept the escort of a stranger and return to Houston in secret so she can claim a birthright that will make her one of the wealthiest women in Texas. If she lives long enough to inherit.

Pinkerton agent Philip Carmichael has one duty: get the Radcliffe heiress home alive. Expecting a spoiled girl, Philip is surprised to encounter a woman of rare strength with a kind soul and keen wit. As they journey together, Letty's resilience wins his admiration, breaking through his hardened cynicism. Yet the threat to her survival grows more menacing with every mile, and Philip fears that keeping Letty out of harm's way may be just as impossible as keeping her out of his heart.

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Reviewer: Trixi Oberembt

Karen Witemeyer is one of my all-time favorite historical Christian fiction writers. So with this in mind and knowing I was in for a treat, I jumped at the chance to read Cloaked in Beauty.

If you are a fan of Little Red Riding Hood, I think you will get a kick out of Witemeyer’s take on this Fairy Tale. The nods to the original tale and the author’s twists on the story were a lot of fun to read! I think I have to say my favorite character is Rusty, Letty Hood’s red wolf. His personality certainly added a great mix to the story & his devotion to Letty was admirable. Of course, the human characters are just as great! Philip & Letty grew quite close as danger surrounded them while traveling for many days to get back to her mother’s after being in hiding for fifteen years. I enjoyed watching them work together and greatly anticipated the moment they fell in love. Of course, there are many obstacles along the way to keep the reader turning pages and anticipating that fairy tale ending of living happily ever after!

What a great story to get lost in and characters to cheer for! The strong faith thread ties this all up in a neat bow for me. I’m definitely putting the other two novels in the Texas Ever After series on my must-read pile…they are not to be missed in my book (pun intended)! 

I received a complimentary copy through Bethany House via NetGalley and Interviews & Reviews. I was not obligated to leave a favorable review; all opinions are my own.

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Reviewer: Laura J. Davis

Cloaked in Beauty by Karen Witemeyer is an engaging new narrative on the tale of Little Red Riding Hood. And it is one you will not be able to put down.

While the story is loosely based on Red Riding Hood with our main character, Letty Hood, wearing a red cape, the twist is Rusty—her trusted and faithful companion, a wolf she raised as a pup. 

Letty has been in hiding with her grandmother since she was a child because her uncle (who is the actual wolf) has been trying to find her so he can kill her and grab her inheritance. But now she is turning 21, and she needs to return to society to claim her inheritance and be done with her uncle forever. And it is Pinkerton agent Philip Carmichael’s job to get her home safely.

I loved everything about this book. Philip is a charismatic hero, trying desperately to keep Letty and her reputation safe as they travel alone from the backwoods of East Texas to Houston. His attraction to Letty and hers to him is a sweet romance that made this book hard to put down.

I also loved the faith element Witemeyer has expertly included. I also appreciated that she didn’t make Letty someone who was timid and afraid of everything. She is a wonderful heroine who is intelligent and brave enough to face whatever obstacles come her way. 

If you like historical romance, you will love Cloaked in Beauty. I highly recommend it!

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House Publishers through NetGalley for my honest review.

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Reviewer: Demetria Head

Karen Witemeyer’s Cloaked in Beauty is a captivating historical romance set in the rugged landscapes of 19th-century Texas. With a blend of suspense, romance, and rich character development, Witemeyer takes readers on a journey that’s as much about survival as it is about discovering the depth of the human heart.

The story centers around Letty Hood, a young woman who’s spent the last 15 years in hiding with her grandmother to escape the dangerous machinations of an uncle who wants her dead. Letty’s life has been one of secrecy, fear, and isolation, but as her 21st birthday approaches, she is thrust into a perilous situation: she must leave her hidden existence behind, journeying to Houston with a stranger to claim a vast inheritance that could make her one of the wealthiest women in Texas. But the threat to her life still looms, and time is running out.

Enter Philip Carmichael, a Pinkerton agent hired to escort Letty safely through treacherous terrain. Philip expects to meet a pampered, spoiled heiress, but instead, he encounters a woman of intelligence, courage, and emotional depth. Throughout their journey, Letty’s resilience and kindness challenge Philip’s cynicism and hardened heart, and he finds himself torn between his duty to protect her and his growing feelings for her. But with danger at every turn, their path forward is fraught with tension, uncertainty, and peril.

At the heart of Cloaked in Beauty is the slow-burn romance between Letty and Philip. The story carefully weaves their relationship, balancing moments of tension and affection with the ever-present danger that shadows their every move. Witemeyer excels in portraying their emotional growth and personal struggles. Letty, despite the trauma she’s faced, remains strong, compassionate, and resourceful. She’s not just a damsel in distress, but a woman who’s fought for survival her entire life and is determined to protect herself and those she loves.

Philip, on the other hand, is a man who has been hardened by years of dangerous work as a Pinkerton agent. He’s wary of becoming emotionally involved, particularly with a woman like Letty, who represents everything he’s never allowed himself to care about. His transformation over the course of the novel is powerful to watch—he learns to see Letty not just as a job to be done, but as someone worthy of his heart.

Witemeyer masterfully builds suspense throughout the book. As Letty and Philip journey through Texas, the stakes grow higher, and the threats against Letty’s life become more dire. This constant undercurrent of danger keeps the reader on edge, wondering what will happen next. The book blends action with emotional depth, ensuring that even when the characters are in the midst of peril, their personal growth and evolving feelings never take a backseat.

One of the most compelling aspects of Cloaked in Beauty is its exploration of inner strength and redemption. Letty’s journey is not just physical, but emotional. She’s had to carry the weight of her past, but she emerges as a heroine who finds beauty in the world, despite the darkness she’s known. Philip’s arc is similarly redemptive, as he learns to let go of his cynicism and open himself up to love, a lesson that feels as much about personal healing as it is about trusting in someone else.

Fans of historical romance will find much to love in Cloaked in Beauty. Witemeyer’s writing is lush with detail, painting a vivid picture of 19th-century Texas while allowing the emotional stakes of the story to be highlighted. The romance between Letty and Philip is tender yet fiery, building slowly but surely until it begins to feel natural. Witemeyer creates characters that feel real—flawed but relatable—and their emotional journeys resonate with readers on a deep level.

The book is also perfect for those who enjoy a strong sense of adventure and suspense. The perilous journey that Letty and Philip embark on is thrilling, and the plot is full of twists and turns that keep you guessing. At the same time, the novel balances action with reflection, allowing readers to connect with the characters on an emotional level. It’s a book that will appeal to fans of historical fiction, romantic suspense, and anyone who enjoys a story with deeply developed characters and a satisfying, emotional payoff. 

Letty Hood is a heroine you’ll root for, and Philip Carmichael is the kind of hero readers won’t forget. This novel will warm your heart, making it a must-read for anyone looking for an engaging and emotionally resonant historical romance.

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House Publishers through Interviews & Reviews via NetGalley.

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