After fulfilling a pledge to a dying friend, Zacharias Hamilton is finally free. No family entanglements. No disappointing those around him. Just the quiet bachelor existence he’s always craved. Until fate snatches his freedom away when the baker of his favorite breakfast bun is railroaded by the city council. Despite not wanting to get involved, he can’t turn a blind eye to her predicament . . . … . . or her adorable dimples.
Abigail Kemp needs a man’s name on her bakery’s deed. A marriage of convenience seems the best solution . . . if it involves a man she can control. That person definitely isn’t the stoic lumberman who oozes silent confidence whenever he enters her shop. Control Zacharias Hamilton? She can’t even control her pulse when she’s around him.
When vows are spoken, Abigail’s troubles should be over. Yet threats to the bakery worsen, and darker dangers hound her sister. Can she put ever more trust in Zach without losing her dreams of independence?
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Strong Characters Who are Flawed but Forgiven
And with his luck, she’d probably take his comment as an insult, with all her skewed ideology about men wanting delicate filigree instead of solid mahogany.
Zach frequents Abigail’s bakery every morning for breakfast. A man of few words, he’s a practical, no-nonsense employee at the local lumberyard who has a rough background but a soft heart. He had a lot of responsibilities cast on him at a young age and is now enjoying the freedom to live life without the worry of others relying on him. But are his bachelor days numbered?
As an independent, competent woman of business, Abigail successfully runs Taste of Heaven Bakery, which she inherited after her father died. Abby is committed to keeping it as part of the family legacy, but after the town council insists that an archaic ordinance forbidding women from owning businesses be upheld, she has two weeks to either sell the business or find a man who will be a silent partner.
Abby and Zach will make you swoon, make you laugh and make you cheer. They are imperfect people who learn that God uses others to help us see ourselves as He does. Karen Witemeyer does a masterful job at creating characters that resonate. Her dialogue is witty, even through Zach’s grunts! This is a feel-good summer read that will keep you reading until the last page.
*I received a free preview of this book from the publisher. The opinions stated in this review are entirely my own.
Abigail Kemp needs a husband since the town of Honey Grove has decided to enforce a law that a woman cannot own a business! You will love Abigail who inherited her family’s bakery and is making a success of running it. Kind, handsome Zach Hamilton turns her down when she asks him to marry her and sign a business contract but has second thoughts! Both Abby and Zach are great protagonists. Abigail and Zach face many problems and setbacks but learn “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good”. I thoroughly enjoyed More Than Words Can Say by Karen Witemeyer! If you like historical fiction, you will want to read this book. I received an advance copy from the author and Bethany House Publishers. This is my honest opinion.
Wow! I think what I felt when I finished this book would totally honor this book’s title. I’m at loss at words!
But I will try to express my feelings in this review. Unlike Zach, I think I can manage it easier, even if I’m not accurate in my praise for this book. Words are always limited, by the way, and sometimes affection and feelings go much deeper.
First, I have to say I fell in love with the “Hamilton” siblings in “More than Meets the Eye”. I had to wait a year of earnest to get Zach’s story in my hands and devour it. I have a weakness and that is that I fall in love with the book characters and they feel as if they were really related to me. Sometimes I see family members of friends reflected in their characters, or my own.
Zach’s story touched me from the first book, even if he wasn’t the main character. A boy of thirteen, son of one the most famous gambler, that had ssuffered and had been mistreated by his grandfather, was suddenly turned into a man, when life (better said God) makes him head of a misfit adopted family. After Evie’s brother, Hamilton, saved his life by giving his in a train wreck, he pledges him that he’ll protect his four year old sister as if she were his. So he vows he’ll take care of Evie and Seth, a frail young boy sick from asthma who, as Evie, was rejected from possible adoptive families. Evie because of her mismatched eyes, and Seth because of his weak health. So he turns himself into older sibling, provider and head of this unique family. And he’s nothing if loyal and protective to the bone. He’s had his share of suffering and he wants his siblings to have a better opportunity at life. He loves them, but he doesn’t know how to express his love, so he does it the only way he knows, with his actions, by providing and protecting. He may be rugged and rough on the outside, but with a heart of gold and a fierce protectiveness for his family and needy souls. So when surviving and providing a healthy home to his siblings seems impossible, he grabs an opportunity of doing what he knows he’s good at, what his father taught him, even if his conscience tugs at him, he sees no other option, and he cheats a man from his home on a bet. So, blinded by need, and with a justified cause in his eyes, he doesn’t give a second thought to the other man’s fate, and wins the deed of the property that will guarantee that his siblings will have a healthy and stable place to live and food in their bellies.
But the consequences of his wrong -albeit for an honorable cause- choices come back to haunt him in the first book. I don’t want to throw spoilers, but on top of his guilt, now he has to live with knowing the real consequences of that misguided choice. But wasn’t Evie and Seth’s safety worth it? Would he have done it again given the chance?
So, when Evie and Seth settle down, and he’s no longer the provider, he decides to leave and find his own way, free to do as he wishes without duty dictating him what to do next. That’s how he ends up in Honey Grove, and starts working in the lumberyard, and then Reuben, the owner, and later his best friend, makes him his associate.
His life seems satisfying and he’s not interested in the women that pursue him, but deep down he knows there’s something he’s missing, starting with his relationship with the Allmighty.
But things change and rattle him to the core when Abigail, the town’s bakery owner and most talented baker shows at his work with a marriage business proposition. The city council has ensued a law that prohibit a woman to own a business, and after her father’s passing they are pressuring her to sell the bakery or to find a financial partner. But Abby doesn’t want a man controlling her business so she proposes Zach a contract in which he has no control over the bakery, nor responsibility, but if he becomes the owner, he will benefit from lodging and pastries with no end. Abby doesn’t expect him to fall for her, plain and curvy as she is, but she needs the bakery to provide for her sister and her, and she would do just anything, honorable of course, so they can keep it in her family.
After an initial rejection, and coaxed by Abby’s sister telling him they need a protector, and his surprising attraction to Abby, Zach agrees, but only if she’s open to make it a real marriage some day when she feels ready. He’s already planning to woo her, but he’s not much of a charmer, how will he ever succeed when his few words always get, either stuck in his mouth, or in the way.
So they make their vows and start a new life full of adventures, secrets, town gossip and betrayal, sweet wooing, getting to know each other and protecting the bonds that circumstances can only deepen. Will this business have a chance of becoming the real thing? Can Abby overcome her fears of ending up as a means to an end like her mother? Will Zach open up and trust Abby with his past? Abby seems to carry a baggage too and guilt is no stranger to her either. Will their past break their fragile union or will it help them heal each other’s wounds?
This was a wonderful story and I just can praise it enough! I loved that the main theme is forgiveness, redemption and trusting God when your life seems to be in a dark tunnel with no light at the end. I think this is a theme we can all relate to, there is always a time when life takes strong turns and it’s not easy to trust that God never forsakes us, and that only Him can bring good from a bad or impossible situation.
I was wondering how Zach was going to completely redeem himself in this book. He had already started, but his faith in God was still lacking. He knew he had done wrong, but he felt he HAD to do it, given the circumstances. Abby was a wonderful character and she too learns and grows through out the story. Enough to discover that nothing, even a thriving business, is more important than honoring God, family and loving others. I loved the way she loved Zach, being patient with him at expressing his feelings. And how she put his spiritual welfare above other things, even securing a future.
There is so much to be learned from this book. It really inspired me to the core. It showed me what real love is, and that sacrificing for others is the most satisfying endeavor one can pursue.
Two of my favorite quotes:
“Therefore we should count our blessings and remember that the best way to take our minds of our own troubles is to help someone else with theirs”.
“The future is in God’s hands Zach. Not yours, and not mine. Trusting Him to bring what is best is the only choice we need to make”.
Thank you Karen for another wonderful story and for unforgettable characters. I even loved the secondary characters: Reuben and Audrey, Rosalind, the widows… I’m hoping Rosalind’s story will be the next book coming. I loved her and her relationship with Abby that was rock solid. And I hope I get to know more of this unique Patchwork family in further stories.
This is a must read and one that will inspire and uplift you wanting to be a better person along the way. Sweet, heartwarming, endearing characters, and unique sense of humor. A true gem!
I received a copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers. I wasn’t required to post a positive review. This is totally my honest and unbiased opinion.
Zach moved from Pecan Gap to Honey Grove after his “siblings” Seth and Eva got married. He’s perfectly happy being on his own, with no one he’s responsible for. He calls it Freedom. Enter Abby, who approaches him with a proposition that will help out her and her sister Rosalind. We meet Abby, Rosie, Zach’s partner Reuben and his wife Audrey, Sophia, Nate, Ida and a few other townspeople. Beautiful story that deals with regrets and guilt of past decisions. In this story those past decisions wound up with some major consequences. The author does a great job of making the characters relatable and bringing about their healing. Love the whole Hamilton crew, including those from the first book, whom we see briefly in this one. Looking forward to Rosie’s story and her adventures.
A complimentary copy was provided by Bethany House. A review was not required and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
More Than Words Can Say by Karen Witemeyer is the second book in A Patchwork Family Novels. It is a smile inducing, romantic, marriage of convenience book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Karen’s writing is witty and makes you giggle. When the city council tries to force Abigail Kemp out of business because she is a women business owner she has choices to make. Her best choice turns out to be Zacharias Hamilton. Than the fun begins. Who is really behind the troubles that her business is having? A very enjoyable book! I am looking forward to the next book in the Patchwork Family.
I received this book from Karen Witemeyer/Bethany House Publishers and all opinions are my own.
I love this book!
For a man who doesn’t use many words. When he does, they are GOOD. I love the way he won Abby’s heart even though this was a “marriage of convenience”.
I love how they connected on so many levels (including their “issues” from the past).
My only gripe is that the girl on the cover does not match the description the author gave for Abby – a very curvy girl. Certainly not what I imagined. Haha
Here are a few of my favorite quotes:
Two weeks didn’t give her much time, but she was no stranger to working under pressure. She’d find a way around this discriminatory ordinance. These stuffy male councilmen might want to hold her down but like a well-made bread dough, she planned to rise to the occasion.
Choosing a husband was much like choosing a good baguette. One looked for a strong outer shell, a tender interior, and most importantly, a tractability of dough to hold whatever shape the baker deemed appropriate.
“I’ve chosen fear over faith more times than I can count,” she admitted. “And every time I did, I ended up with regrets.”
“Choosing a husband was much like choosing a good baguette. One looked for a strong outer shell, a tender interior, and most importantly, a tractability of dough to hold whatever shape the baker deemed appropriate.
Abigail needed a good baguette by the end of the week.”
Oh wow…this book is sooo good! I love Karen Witemeyer’s books…all of them. The title of this book sums up my feelings about it perfectly.
I love this book…“More Than Words Can Say.”
More Than Words Can Say is Karen Witemeyer’s second Patchwork Family Novel. As the quote above suggests, this is a marriage of convenience story. Zach’s story has been highly anticipated and meeting Abigail, a joy. Zach was such a rough and broken, yet loyal and dependable character in More Than Meets the Eye, that I couldn’t wait to see his tale unfold in More Than Words Can Say. I was not disappointed. Witemeyer expertly crafted each thought and interaction, deepening our regard for Zach. He is a man of few words, with a heart of gold. Abigail’s determination and protectiveness were apparent from the beginning causing you to want her to succeed. The warring confidence in her abilities in the shop versus her insecurities in her personal life were realistic and very relatable. Zach and Abigail’s interactions are one of my favorite things about this book and they range from lighthearted and funny to deep and heartbreaking.
I love the way God speaks through Karen Witemeyer’s fictional characters to teach, us, His non-fictional children how to draw nearer to Him. Witemeyer takes us to church without making us feel like we’ve been preached to. In this book guilt holds Zach back from a true relationship with God. It also causes Abigail to cower from her harasser. A conversation Abigail remembers and shares with Zach allows us to learn along with them. “Guilt leads us to confession and repentance, she told me, but after we take it to the cross, we’re supposed to leave it there, not carry it around with us.”
One of the things I enjoy most about Karen Witemeyer’s writing is her beautiful balance of humor and heartache. She writes historical romance and life was hard in the late 1800s. Just as in every period of time, God was good and good could be found in and through the difficulties of life. Witemeyer’s writing handles these matters with grace and wit. A perfect example of this is Zach’s realization that God might just have a sense of humor. “The Big Man must be elbowing the angels right now and guffawing with the heavenly host over the fool mortal who’d done the marrying part yet was still combusting over a pair of dimples.”
More Than Words Can Say is definitely a book for the keeper shelf…one I will be reading again. And, I’m already looking forward to the next installment – which is a novella of Rosalind’s story…yay!! If you enjoy historical romance, if you enjoy well developed characters in cute little towns, if you enjoy seeing God working in the lives of others, you will enjoy this book. Whether you are like me and a stickler for reading your books in order if it doesn’t matter either way to you, you should order the first Patchwork Family Novel, More Than the Eye Can See. This series is fantastic, and I can’t wait to see where we go from here. Happy Reading!
*Thanks to the publisher and the author for the complimentary copy to review. A good review was neither encouraged nor requested. All thoughts expressed are my own.
I absolutely adored this book! I loved the characters. I loved the troupe. I loved the setting. I loved the chemistry. I loved the message. I loved the family. I LOVED IT ALL!
The author wrote such a well rounded story, I never felt like anything was rushed or incomplete. Each character was perfectly formed and every problem was faced.
I loved Zach! His silent, brooding, gruff self was truly hiding the biggest teddy bear with a massive heart underneath. He just doesn’t express it in the same ways everyone else does, but once he considers you family you’re locked in forever. He was exactly the kind of guy Abigail was looking for and needed.
Abby was a great character! She was strong, brave, gracious and loving. She had a lot of insecurities because of the way she looked, but throughout the story Zach helps her realize that she is beautiful just the way she is, she is perfect just the way she is.
Zach and Abby complemented each other so well! Not only did they make each other better, they built each other’s relationship with God. They never judged each other, but chose to use each opportunity to learn and grow.
They both had pasts that they tried to run away from and forget, but they leaned on each other worked through it all. They learned that man will fail you, but God never will.
I LOVED that communication was actually a thing!! I have the hardest time reading and enjoying a book when the main characters don’t talk to each other.
These characters did not have that problem. They never held secrets from each other for very long. They talked everything out and that helped build a foundation for a strong relationship. They knew that if their marriage was going to be a good one they needed to get everything out on the table.
Lots of healing took place throughout this book, and I enjoyed every minute of watching it happen.
I’m looking forward to Rosalind’s story as well.
I rated this book a 4.5/5 stars.
*I received this book from the publisher**I was not required to leave a review**All opinions are my own*
4.5 Stars
Y’all, I loved Zach Hamilton! Despite his insistence he wants his freedom and doesn’t want to be tied down by obligation, he’s a protector at heart. A fact which is proven over and over with his interactions with both his new wife and his new sister-in-law. He’s also an adorably clueless male when it comes to interaction with the fairer sex (although he is one hundred percent male when it comes to marital expectations).
The interactions between Abby and Zach alternate between awkward, tense, and adorable before and after they become husband and wife. Abby might be all goodness and kind-hearted but she’s also fierce about protecting what’s hers. And the bakery, her sister, and even Zach are hers.
The theme of forgiveness is examined from a few different angles—from letting go and letting God to forgiving everyone but yourself and on to the deep-rooted bitterness that occurs when forgiveness is refused to be given.
With an extra dash of humor and a full serving of heart, Karen Witemeyer delivers a story of family, faith, and finding your happily-ever-after when you aren’t even seeking it. More Than Words Can Say is one historical romance you won’t want to miss.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
More Than Words can say is Karen Witemeyer’s second book in her Patchwork Family series. This story takes place in 1896 Honey Grove Texas.
“The council has denied your appeal, Miss Kemp>” These are the words spoken by the mayor of Honey Grove Texas. Because of some ridiculous, antiquated city ordinance, that states that ” no single woman can own a business” Abigail has one week to marry for convenience, so she can save her late father’s bakery by having a man’s name on the deed. After considering the prospects for a husband, from several of her customers, she decides on Zaclharias Hamilton, a lumberman, to marry. I don’t want to give away too much of the story, but I can tell you, once you get started reading More Than Words Can Say, you won’t want to put the book down until the end to see how this arrangement between Abigail and Zach works out.
It is a delightful book, and t;he characters in the book are great I personally loved Abigail and how determined she was to keep ;her father’s shop. She is a very independent woman.
I was provided with a copy of More Than Words Can Say by Bethany House and the author and this is my honest opinion of the book
Title: More Than Words Can Say
Written By: Karen Witemeyer
Genre: Christian Western Romance
Recommended Ages: 16 & up
Introduction:
I’ve loved Karen’s books for some time. But this one is different. In a good way, though. I loved it! The way Karen handled Abigail’s character and her uniqueness was well done.
Characters: 1/1
I loved them all. I had read about Zach in a previous book and really enjoyed getting to know him better in this book. Add to that Abigail and Rosie and you have the perfect combination. Abigail’s character was well developed and fit perfectly with everything she did.
Dialogue: 1/1
The dialogue was period appropriate and I loved all the banter between the characters. When Abigail does her big reveal, I thought everything said was realistic and emotionally impactful.
Plot/storyline: 1/1
I loved the plot, especially the reasons why everything was happening. The revelations of all the secrets were well done. The plot was more complex than some of Karen’s books and I appreciated that.
Overall writing quality: 1/1
The book was well-written and the editing was very good. I didn’t notice any typos or grammatical problems.
Un-put-down-ability: 1/1
I had to put the book down a few times because of sleep. But then I finally had a couple of hours to read on a Sunday morning and I took them! I didn’t put the book down and I’m glad I didn’t have to because the last half gets extra super interesting to the point where putting the book down is nearly impossible. I even managed to make my husband’s breakfast while I read it.
Conclusion: 5/5
There are a couple of things that are slightly on the mature side, but are handled well in this book. I recommend 15 & up because of those few things, but use your own discretion. If you are looking for a fun book to read that has unique characters, check out this one.
Note: I received a free paperback from the publisher. I was not under an compulsion to write a review whether positive or negative.
I am so glad Zach got his own story! I really liked how he and Abigail were able to help each other overcome their personal inner battles. There was great character development! I’m just hoping #3 is about Rosalind!
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists,
and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive
reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this
in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
More Than Words Can Say by Karen Witemeyer is the second book in her Patchwork Family series. “Then a gentle whisper echoed above the storm. If I am the cornerstone, whatever you build will stand firm.” This is the kind of faith that Abigail Kemp has. Even when threatened with the closure of her bakery she clings to God. T save her bakery she has to have a man’s name on the deed. So, settling for a marriage of convenience; she asks Zach Hamilton, a daily customer, if he will marry her. As their hearts grow closer to each other the threats to the bakery escalate. Will Zach be able to protect his new family from this unseen danger? What an awesome story! Zach was such a sweetheart and Abby always had just the right words to say in any situation. I love how she encouraged Zach and how patient he was with her. Sometimes the right thing to say is nothing at all. Zach knew this from experience. If only we could do the same.
I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.
I have truly enjoyed every Karen Witemeyer book, but this one was over the top! I think I can confidently say this is her most romantic book to date. This book held all the elements of a great book…..a bit of intrigue, humor, historical detail, a lesson to be learned, and of course the sweet romance. There were a couple of things that sent this story into a bigger and better territory for me. Number one, these characters were very real, which I feel like Karen has done before, but maybe on a bigger scale in this story. Number two, I felt I could relate to many of the situations and raw emotions dealt with in this story. And number three, the Faith content in this tale was out of this world! I felt the characters growing, but more than that, I felt myself growing in the Lord right alongside them. What an awesome, tangible thing to read a book by an author you can trust to include God’s Word and Truths in a world where that may not be how it is always done even when it should be. I am abundantly grateful for that! I thank God for authors such as Karen who follow His leading.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review.
More Than Words Can Say by Karen Witemeyer is a wonderful historical romance about twopeople, Abigail and Zach that come together under the most unusual circumstances! A story about new beginnings, forgiveness, and a step in faith! A story about choices and most importantly God’s grace and unconditional love! I highly recommend this delightful story ful of charm and humor! One you won’t want to miss!
This may be Karen Witemeyer’s best work yet! As a young lady in her 20’s with a mind for business, a roundness to her figure, and internal struggles with self-esteem, I identified with this heroine more than any other character in any book I have ever read. I found myself being not only entertained by this lovely and enchanting tale, but also challenged in my faith because I saw a reflection of myself in Abigail’s personality, struggles, challenges, successes, and overall spiritual journey throughout the story. Karen Witemeyer’s writing always inspires and teaches, but this time she hit the nail on the head for me, and I am telling anyone reading this review to go pick up a copy and dive in to this story. But it is not only spiritually fulfilling— it’s absolutely entertaining with wit, sweetness, humor, adventure, and romance to keep any lover of the genre hooked for hours. This is a wonderful story of a determined and courageous baker Abigail, and her unlikely partnership with the stoic, heroic, and protective Zach Hamilton through a marriage of convenience to save her bakery and her family’s legacy. What starts off as business arrangement turns into a romantic adventure that involves danger, redemption, romantic tension, spiritual growth, and true love. For me personally, I think these are two of the most relatable and well written characters to ever be featured between the covers of a Karen Witemeyer book— or any book of the genre. This is a must read—seriously, stop what you are doing right now and go buy this book and read every last word! You will love it “more than words can say!”
I received a copy of this book from the publisher to review, but my thoughts are my own. I really did love it!
There were really good main characters in this story. Not only Abby and Zac but also her sister, Rosalind.. There is possible danger headed toward them because of Rosalind’s innocent mistake which is a surprise.
Zac had experienced so little generosity while he was growing up. But he readily picked up responsibility when he was just a young teenager himself. Abigail was a loving daughter to a father that wished that he had sons instead of daughters. He was often critical of everything that Abigail did, giving her little or not credit for her accomplishments. She also saw herself as too plain and too unattractive because she wasn’t a “slim jim” kind of woman. None of which Zac agreed about. Even though at first he never had done anything about the attraction he felt towards her. He ignored how he adored her dimples and appreciated her curvy shape. He was in denial and being a man of few words it’s hard for him to express himself when it comes time to. He has always shown his caring ways in actions instead of words. And he continues to do that with Abby.
Sophia, the mayor’s wife was one nasty piece of work and most of her venom was directed straight at Abby. I was hoping she either had a change of heart or that her schemes would cause the people of the town to take a closer look at both the Mayor and his wife. It’s time for either that or a new Mayor in town.
This was a good, clean Christian romance with several unexpected twists as the story nears it’s end. I was only semi-satisfied with how things finished with Sophia because of that part feeling rushed. I was hoping for more consequences for her actions.
“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”
It was so refreshing to read a book about a heroine with a less than perfect figure. Abigail Kemp had always been self-conscious about her looks, and I was cheering for her when she landed a gem of a husband, even though it was a marriage of convenience. Both Abigail and Zacharias were hurting and unsure they were worthy to be loved by someone else, but they were so perfect for each other. I loved Zach’s heart for helping others and caring for their welfare, and I was happy for him to have a chance at love and happiness. Karen Witemeyer is a pro at creating imperfect, but loveable, characters and plopping them down in a unique setting and situation. The main characters are endearing, and the cast of secondary characters are colorful and well-drawn. The author’s wit and sense of humor shine through the story to make it a fun read.
Tender messages of forgiveness of self and others are woven through the story, along with themes of faith and trust. There was also a strong thread of the importance of family, whether it be a natural family or a “patchwork” one. More Than Words Can Say is part of a series, but it can be read as a standalone book. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy historical romance with a twist of wit and fun.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
More Than Words Can Say is a complete work of joy. From the adorable front cover to the witty, charming and sweet romance inside, it is completely irresistable. There aren’t many books that make me laugh out loud, but I confess to getting more than a few sideways glances from my coworkers as I read a few pages on my breaks. (Especially when Abby and Zach are discussing their business proposition.)
This book will steal your attention from the first chapter as you get to know Abby’s oversized heart. And while the grumpy, introvert called Zacharias Hamilton may not seem a good match for the bubbly and optimistic Abigail, their unconvential marriage is full of enough respect and honor to make you sigh. Oh, and there will be sparks–and not just from the Fourth of July celebration.
The only disappointment is I reached the end, but I’m looking forward to reading Rosalind’s story in the next book in the series!
More Than Words Can Say by Karen Witemeyer is the second book in The Patchwork Family series.
It takes place in 1896 in Honey Grove, Texas.
This book is scrumptious and delectable— but what would you expect in a story about a baker and penned by Karen Witemeyer!
Abigail Kemp is fit to be tied. The town council won’t allow a female owner of a business so she must find a male backer or sell the bakery she has inherited from her father. Abby comes up with a third option. She just has to find an eligible bachelor to marry! Abby is a strong willed woman who knows what she wants and goes after it, but is surprised when her best laid plans for a marriage of convenience turn into something much more.
Ms. Witemeyer has couched Abby’s thoughts in bakery terms:
“Choosing a husband was much like choosing a good baguette. One looked for a strong outer shell, a tender interior, and most importantly, a tractabllty of dough to hold whatever shape the baker deemed appropriate.”
Abby’s musings as she considers her options from the bachelor customers that frequent her bakery:
“ Bachelor Number One sat by the window. Bran muffin and tea with sugar. Man and muffin shared a remarkable resemblance— both a bit squatty and thick around the middle with smooth, round tops. Abigail forced quirking smile back into a straight line. ‘ Be kind Abby. You might end up married to that muffin man.’”
Abby is not the typical female lead character. She is big boned and sees herself as plump. She is keeping a secret and running from guilt.
The winning bachelor, Zach Hamilton, is part owner of a lumber company and has a secret of his own that is hampering him. But Zach is kind, thoughtful and lets his actions speak of the growing affection he has for his wife.
This story is sweet, saucy and a bit awkward as Zach and Abby take steps toward being a real husband and wife team. This one kept me chuckling but Ms. Witemeyer keeps it interesting by including a suspense thread that draws the characters closer and shows their true motives.
I was glad to read this second book because the first one More Than Meets the Eye was a delight.
The third one should be just as grand because it hints that it will be about Abby’s sister Rosiland.
Recommend for fans of lighthearted Historical Christian fiction by a very adept author.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher on behalf of the author. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*