More Than Words Can Say by Karen Witemeyer

Greetings!  Peach Clobbered by Anna Gerard, Killer in the Carriage House by Sheila Connolly, and The Last List of Miss Judith Kratt by Andrea Bobotis come out on July 9.  Child's Play by Angela Marsons releases on July 11 along with The Girl from the Corner Shop by Arlene Hughes.  The Pawful Truth by Miranda James is available on July 16.  It is the eleventh A Cat in the Stacks Mystery.  What book are you currently reading?

More Than Words Can Say by Karen Witemeyer takes readers back to May 1896 in Honey Grove, Texas.  Abigail Kemp inherited the Taste of Heaven Bakery after her father passed away.  But now an old city ordinance that forbids women from owning a property within the city limits can take away her livelihood.  Abigail needs to have a man on the deed within two weeks or she will be forced to sell.  Abigail decides a marriage of convenience is the best solution and there are three “eligible” men.  She has never wanted to marry because she saw the toll numerous pregnancies took on her mother.  Abigail drafts a proposal along with a contract and decides to approach Zacharias “Zach” Hamilton first.   Zach Hamilton has fulfilled his pledge by raising Seth and Evangeline.  He is now free of entanglements and plans on keeping it that way.  But then Abigail approaches him with her plan and he quickly turns her down.  Zach plans on sticking with his decision, but then Abigail’s younger sister, Rosalind pleads with him to help her sister (and happens to mention to the next man on Abigail’s list).  Zach tells Abigail he is willing to marry her, but he wants some changes made to her contract (this should be interesting).  With her marriage to Zach, Abigail’s troubles should be over.  Unfortunately, there is a threat to Rosalind’s reputation, and someone is not happy that Abigail was able to keep her bakery.  Abigail and Zach each came to the union with baggage, they will need to communicate and trust each other if they are to make their marriage work plus battle those against them.

More Than Words Can Say is the second novel A Patchwork Family series.  While I have not had the opportunity to read More Than Meets the Eye, I found that I was not lost.  The author provided details from the first novel which featured Evangeline, Seth and Zach.  I am looking forward to reading More Than Meets the Eye (available on Kindle Unlimited) which tells the story of Evangeline Hamilton and Logan Fowler.  I thought More Than Words Can Say was well-written with steady pacing.  Abigail, Zach and Rosie are delightful characters.  There are equally pleasing secondary characters like Reuben Sinclair and his wife.  Abigail cannot believe an antiquated law requiring a man’s name on the deed will be her downfall.  A marriage of convenience is the most logical solution and Abigail drafts up a contract.  Abigail wants to make sure she retains control of her bakery once she marries.  There are only three “eligible” men in town which consist of quiet, grumpy Zach, Elmer Beekman who has bad breath, and Clarence Ormandy with a domineering mother.  Zach is the best option, but he is not willing to settle for a marriage of convenience.  He finds Abigail attractive which she finds hard to believe.    But Abigail must admit that when she is with Zach, she finds her heart racing and wonders what it would be like to kiss Zach.  The road to happiness, though, is bumpy as they each have issues from their past that holds back from having a happy life together.  I enjoyed the humor sprinkled throughout the story (I laughed so often while reading More Than Words Can Say).  Zach and Abigail are cute together and I could not help but root for them.  Abigail’s faith is strong, and she works on getting Zach back on speaking terms with God.  Rosalind has a problem that she needs assistance with, and Zach is there to help her.  I look forward to reading Rosalind’s story.  I can tell that the author did her research for this book.  Honey Grove is a real town and Karen Witemeyer brought it alive.  I felt I was taken back in time with this charming historical novel.  More Than Words Can Say mixes one independent baker with one cantankerous man which produces an entertaining and witty story. 

More Than Words Can Say is available through Amazon.  Thank you for reading my review.  I will be a stop on the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour tomorrow for Guilty as Charred by Devon Delaney.  It is the third book in A Cook-Off Mystery series.  I hope you have a congenial day.  Take care, stay cool and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader