More Than Words Can Say

Absolutely LOVED this story! This long awaited sequel to "More Than Meets the Eye" was worth the wait! Excellent story of Zach Hamilton, a man that is largely non emotional, but feels deeply for others meets Abby, a young lady that is energetic and lively, who runs the town bakery. She asks him to marry her, and he reluctantly (at first) agrees. A humorous tale ensues, with a great ending! Loved it! Definitely will read again and again!

Another wonderful book from Karen! This was the sequel to “More than meets the eye”. It was Zach story. I couldn’t wait to see what happened to Zach! He was so mysterious and angry and you couldn’t help but want what his siblings had found...love! Leave it to a business contract to secure that for both Zach and Abby.
The epilogue left possibility of another book, so if that happens I can’t wait to see what will happen.

I always love a book written about a marriage of convenience. It's a part of history that is interesting, hard to imagine and a little bit crazy! These sweet characters jumped into a life together. Hardship, past struggles, an unknown need for love and a new friendship was the perfect starting point for this couple. Their journey of faith, passion and a desire for something more was pleasure to read.

MORE THAN WORDS CAN SAY by KAREN WITEMEYER is beautiful love story, with very real characters that you won't forget in a hurry. You can feel their joys and sorrows as well as see the Lord at work in their lives. The book follows More Than Meets The Eye, also well worth reading, but can be read as a stand alone.
The story starts in the small town of Honey Grove in 1896, with Abigail Kemp having to make a plan to save her bakery, where she and her beautiful younger sister, Rosalind, make a living.
There is so much in this book, but mostly it is about a marriage of convenience which turns into so much more. There are secrets, there is intrigue, romance and fierce loyalty towards family, which make for an interesting read. The importance of forgiveness, especially towards one's self, and the acceptance of the Lord's forgiveness, is also addressed. I love the author's humour - she has such a great way of writing!
I am not going to tell you any more in case I spoil the read for you.
I really cannot recommend this book highly enough for the heart warming story and good Christian message running through it.
i was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this review are copletely my own.

My Review:

Genre: Historical, romance, western, Christian fiction.

My Rating: 4 stars.

My Recommendation: 16-18 up, warnings below.

My Favorite Character/s: Zach, the gruff older brother from the first book in the series. I've been waiting for more about him since I read the first book. Zach is one of many of Witemeyer's heroes that I loved getting to know as he made choices that he thought was right but may have had harsh consequences. Zach is also my second favorite male lead character of the author's - my first being Gideon Westcott in Head in The Clouds which is my favorite of all Karen Witemeyer's books.

My Verse for Zach is Romans 10:9
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (King James Version.)

My Thoughts: Witemeyer is my go-to author for humorous and faith-filled stories of love. And this one no different! It was sweet, funny, and yet serious. This was so good and I loved it so much and am forcing myself not to reread it now. *sighs*

Warnings: A character had in the past made some bad choices and there are some mentions of it as the book goes on. I suggest that if you're under 16/17 you have a friend or parent read it first. It isn't that it is shown over much but that it isn't something that you will want to read.

I received this book in exchange for my honest review and am truly happy to provide it.

Review to post on my blog on May 31st 2019.

I loved this book! I loved the marriage of convenience store, but I also loved the theme of forgiveness.

One of the reasons I read Christian Fiction is because it includes spiritual truths. This book was full of reminders to trust God and also that he can forgive anything if we ask. Both are truly important reminders.

I also appreciate the clean romance. This one was full of heated kisses, some flirting, and lots of love. It was an especially good romance to watch unfold. Probably one of my favorites in historical fiction lately.

I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley. This is my honest review.

What a joy of a book! Whitemeyer's characters in More than Words Can Say are quirky, but genuine and the storyline is appealing. Any reader can see where much of the story is going, as Abigail, the plump and charming baker enters into a marriage of convenience with Zach, a big man with a big mystery -- but it's such a fun trip getting there! Several times I laughed out loud at the dialogue. Major themes in this book are family, faith, and moving foward from past mistakes. Five well-deserved stars from me!

The town council has told Abigail Kemp that she may not own and run her families bakery. She must either go in business with a man or close her business down. Abigail refuses to give up her business that easily. Abigail comes up with an idea to keep her business and have a man's name on the deed without giving up her freedom to run it the way she wants.



Zacharias Hamilton is enjoying his freedom. Having raised his adopted brother and sister from the time he was 13 Zachary is enjoying his crusty bachelorhood with nobody demanding anything from him. When Abigail comes to him with a proposal he is all set to tell her NO, until her sister comes to him and begs him to change his mind. Zach tells himself he can't resist helping a woman in distress, but Abigail's dimples don't hurt the deal much either.



It doesn't take long for Abigail's business deal with Zach to turn into affection and caring on both their parts. But does their relationship even have a chance with both of them keeping secrets?



First off I really love Zach and Abigail. I love how Zach wanted to take care of Abigail and her sister from the beginning. He was honorable and treated her well. Abigail in turn did the same for Zach. She fed him, made sure he was comfortable, supported him. She even cared for his spiritual well-being in that she wanted to help him heal from his childhood. I did have a few issues though with the story. I felt like a lot of time was spent on the two characters wanting to cement their relationship physically but things kept getting in the way. And then I really had an issue with Zach's referring to God as The Big Guy or The Big Man. It is a huge pet peeve of mine to have God referred in such a casual or cavalier way. It is so disrespectful and dishonoring and Zach's character did it a lot. I understand that he was unpolished etc. but as I said, it is a pet peeve. Moving on. I also had an issue with the author constantly referring to Abigail as too curvy or pudgy or round or any reference to her weight. I understand that that is what was part of Abigail's insecurity, but it seemed a trifle over-done. The rest of the story I totally enjoyed. I found myself getting very angry at the antagonist of the story, former friend Sophia. I could never have been as patient as Abigail was, but I loved the way she finally found her confidence to stand up to her. I loved seeing Zach's brother and sister from MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE and seeing how they were doing. I hope there will be another book in the series so that we can find out how Abigail's sister Rosalind does as she leaves the nest. A sweet romance, a bit of danger and a happy ending, made this reader very content.

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.

Wow, where to start? This book was a great mix of charming and romantic. I loved the bakery setting. The love interest doesn't disappoint. The sisters where highly believable.

I've been a Witemeyer fan for years and I highly recommend this one, as well as, all of her books!

I loved this book!!!! I really enjoy a marriage of convenience story line and this one was probably the vest I have ever read. I loved that it was a Christian book but the husband was open, yet respectful, about wanting a real marriage. I thought the author did a perfect job of showing that you have can have love and desire and all those intimate things in a Christian book and still have it be clean and appropriate.

Abigail wants to continue to run her bakery after her father dies, but the city council has told her she can't run it without taking on a male business partner. She has a better idea -- she will get married and make her husband the owner of record. One of her customers, Zach, seems like the ideal candidate. We met Zach in a previous book by this author concerning the Orphan Train and a trio of orphans who escaped a train wreck and set out together to live on their own.

Someone wishes her ill and even after she and Zach tie the knot, things continue to happen. This is the story of how they triumped over that with God's help and the assistance of some special friends and customers.

I loved this book! It was fun to read. I received an e-version of the book from Bethany House through NetGalley for the purpose of providing a review. It was my pleasure! I highly recommend this book and this author.

I adore Karen Witemeyer’s writing and More Than Words Can Say exceeded all my expectations. Funny, sweet and deliciously romantic, this story of resilience, family and love was wonderful from beginning to end.

Abigail will do anything to save her bakery and the livelihood of both her sister and herself - even if it means a marriage of convenience to satisfy the backwards ruling of the town council. When Abby asks Zach Hamilton - lumberjack, brooding type and overly handsome - to marry her she isn’t surprised when he initially turns her down. Even more surprised when he later agrees to her business-partner-based marriage. But as threats to the newly formed family arise, Abby and Zach will have to decide if building their marriage is worth revealing the secrets of the past.

More Than Words Can Say has so many ticks in the pros column:
Written by Karen Witemeyer (one of my favourite historical Christian romance writers). Tick
Marriage of convenience story. Tick
Story about baking (food. I’m a fan). Tick.
Story about a headstrong, courageous and independent woman. Tick.
Story about a strong, happy-as-a-bachelor, protective man who falls for the headstrong woman. Tick.

“Choosing a husband was much like choosing a good baguette.” And that quote pretty much sealed my love for this book - and that was only the first few pages. I adored every humour-laced, secret sharing, will-they-won’t-they, steamy, swoon-worthy, delicious moment of More Than Words Can Say. I loved the historical town setting. Loved the characters, from strong yet vulnerable Abby to protective but surprisingly loving Zach. I loved the story of arrangement of convenience to love and every tense, tantalising moment in between.

If you are a fan of Witemeyer’s books or a keen newcomer, you are sure to delight in More Than Words Can Say.

The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

I felt like I recognized the author's name when I chose this book. I am so glad I did. I had read More Than Meets the Eye and enjoyed it. As I read More Than Words Can Say, it was a few chapters in that I finally recognized Zach and his siblings. I can't tell you how delighted I was that Zach was getting his own story!

Abby is now the owner of her father's bakery since his death. The town she and her sister reside in have a law that no single woman can own a business. Abby tries to fight the order, but a pushy business owner who wants her property get the town council to rule against her, so she takes matters into her own hands.

Zach Hamilton is a happy single man and intends to stay that way...he wants nothing to tie him down. He is a daily customer at Abby's bakery because he loves the cinnamon rolls and coffee plus Abby is a nice girl to look at and she treats him like everyone else.

But desperate times calls for desperate measures, Abby decides a marriage of convenience will allow her to stay in the town and run her bakery. Her perspective groom of choice..
Zach Hamilton!

I won't give away any more of the story because these thoughts are just in the first couple chapters and there is a whole lot more to read about these two. I really do love the humor sprinkled throughout the story! It is a great book!

More Than Words Can Say by Karen Witemeyer is the eagerly awaited sequel to her book More Than Meets the Eye, which I recently read and thoroughly enjoyed (See my review for that here: More Than Meets the Eye Review  .  I am thrilled to have the opportunity to continue this series (A Patchwork Family) and read another work by Ms. Witemeyer. Before I begin my reasons for recommending this book, I must disclose my bias and say that Karen Witemeyer is definitely one of my top three favorite authors. I was introduced to the genre of Christian fiction by her books, specifically her hilarious and sweet Short Straw Bride, and continue to enjoy each of her individual novellas, books, and series.
More Than Words Can Say continues the tale of the three siblings joined not by blood but by choice and tragedy, the Hamiltons.  This book hones in on the oldest and least talkative of the siblings, Zacharias Hamilton. After dealing with his past and finally opening up to his siblings, Zach leaves the family farm to find his own place and way of life. He ends up in Honey Grove, a small rural town working at a lumberyard and living a simple life of bachelorhood.
Zach is simply minding his business one day at work when the local baker, Miss Abigail Kemp shows up with a very peculiar proposal.  Miss Kemp asks Zach to assist her in her quest to keep her bakery. Due to some meddling of the townspeople and an archaic city ordinance disqualifying women from owning a business in Honey Grove, the judge told Abigail that she would need to partner with a male financial backer or close the shop by the end of the month(in just five days). Scratching your head yet?  Zach certainly was at this point, but then Abigail shocked him with a marriage proposal!  While it would definitely solve the problems for her bakery, this marriage of convenience would create a pile of other issues.  Zach declines her offer, but then as he considers her predicament and her need, he is drawn to help her and protect her and her sister from the many dangers they are facing.
Zach and Abigail get married quickly and begin a tenuous friendship, hardly knowing anything about each other besides their work ethic and character.  They must face many issues as part of a small town, the busybodies, gossips, slander, and even sabotage, not to mention the great awkwardness of a life-long marriage initiated by a business contract. Is it possible to overcome the plenitude of hurdles that Zach and Abigail have in their path?  Can they learn to trust one another with the ghosts of their past?  What will happen to Abigail's bakery?  Will the town shut it down?  Will the new Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton survive the many attacks they face?
I greatly loved each of the main characters, Zach, Abby, and Abby's younger sister Rosie, not to mention Zach's siblings from the past book: Evie, Seth, Logan. Each character of Ms. Witemeyer's creation has genuinely realistic characteristics, flaws, and struggles. While this book isn't set in modern society, the difficult situations faced by these characters have very similar applications to our modern day.  I also appreciated the fierce love (and, to be honest, the arguments) between Abby and Rosie, showing true family loyalty, love, and protection. I also appreciated how Zach protected and watched out for his new wife's younger sister Rosie. Rosie, Zach, and Abby are a fierce trio, so when it comes time for them to face difficulties, they pull together in a remarkable way that is so refreshing to see, especially with the way modern society has tended to de-emphasize the family relationships.

Not only were the characters in More Than Words Can Say very wholesome and easy to relate to, but the adventurous plot, real-life struggles, sly antagonists, and struggles and triumphs of faith also completed the excellence of this story. I absolutely enjoyed this book.  The characters were genuine, the plot was unique and entertaining, and the overall effect was refreshing. Overall, I would highly recommend this book with no hesitation.  I hope you have the chance to pick it up and enjoy!

More Than Words Can Say is a delightful novel by Karen Witemeyer. I have thoroughly enjoyed every book written by Ms Witemeyer. She has a way of expressing a story that makes her characters feel real.

This story, of a marriage of convenience to save a family business, was intriguing. The story of Zach and Abby and the contract they agree upon, contains some humor plus romance.There is a tension that runs throughout with someone who wishes harm to come to Abby. But she is always gracious and kind. This was in inspiring story where with God's help, trust and forgiveness overcomes hatred and evil. I would recommend this book as I think it is a very enjoyable read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

More than Words Can Say is another wonderful novel in Karen Wittemeyer's Patchwork Family series. In this novel, readers are treated to the story of Zach Hamilton and Abby Kemp.
After her father dies, Abby Kemp wants nothing more than to continue running his bakery to honor his legacy and provide for her sister. Unfortunately, the town council has invoked an outdated law that forbids female business owners. Rather than selling out, Abby determines to find a solution. Her unconventional solution is to propose to the dark, handsome, and , according to her sister, slightly scary, Zach Hamilton. All Zach wants is his freedom, but he finds himself drawn to Abby, and her sister's pleas seal the deal. Together, Abby and Zach face the town and the foe determined to destroy Abby's business, and together they learn what it truly means to trust God and to love one another.
In this novel, readers will find Karen Wittemeyer's characteristic wittiness and ability to craft a sweet love story, while pointing readers toward God's faithfulness. What I love most about this book is the fact that both Abby and Zach, though they are bound up in their preconceptions based on their past experiences, refuse to be ruled by them. They fight for each other and for truth instead of letting appearances determine their actions. A great read!

It took me a while to figure out that the hero of this story was Zach Hamilton, adopted big brother to Evie and Seth, from More Than Meets the Eye, a book I reviewed quite a while ago. Once I had that figured out the read was so much more enjoyable having had the chance to learn his history before I cracked open this book. That being said, I don’t think one would have much of a challenge getting into the story without having read the previous book. The author gives enough backstory in all the right places as to not break up the pace of the story.
Zach Hamilton has relocated to Honey Grove, TX, and finally enjoying his freedom as it were as a bachelor. Having seen his responsibilities through in caring for his adopted brother and sister, both of whom are happily married to other people, Zach now seeks to only have to care for himself. His quiet life, and morning routine of sticky buns and a cup of coffee at his favourite bakery, takes a wild turn when Abigail Kemp confronts him with a business proposition he’d like to refuse.
Abigail Kemp has been successfully running her deceased father’s bakery for some time now and is still grieving his passing three months later. When an archaic law is enforced, Abigail has one decision to make, find a man willing to put his name on the bakery’s deed or risk losing everything she’s worked hard to keep.
What starts as a marriage of convenience, turns into a beautiful story of faith, forgiveness and love.
I didn’t know really what to expect when I started reading this latest upcoming release. I’d found with the past couple of books I’d read by Karen Witemeyer that they were starting to sound the same. Main characters would have the same body language and would react predictably, but this book felt fresh and different. What I really appreciated I think the most was that Abigail is a plump woman and conscious of her “belly and caboose”, a welcome change to the predictably skinny and beautiful heroines we get used to seeing. What Abigail feels she lacks in beauty, she more than makes up for in business savvy, brains, and compassion for the less fortunate. Abigail’s character felt real and relatable.
Zach continues his struggle with his background but Abigail helps him to come to terms with it, and points him back to God. Her background holds a similar type of trauma that haunts Zach, but through her example he is able to face his past and move on to his future with Abigail.
There are a lot of kissing scenes, though they are kept chaste. After all, this arrangement is a business one…in the beginning. The romantic tension definitely increases until our main characters reach their happily ever after. Sub-plots abound and create an interesting redemption story for Zach.
Overall, I quite enjoyed this newest book in The Patchwork Family Series.
I received an ecopy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

Fun book! Second in the series, More Than Words Can Say tells Abby and Zach's stories. Abby has recently lost her father. The town enforces an out-dated law that requires all local businesses to be owned by men - NOT women. At the risk of losing her father's bakery, Abby has to find a mate - QUICKLY. She chooses three men and proposes to Zach first. Zach has to decide whether or not it is worth giving up bachelorhood to marry Abby or not. Fun historical romance filled with sibling interaction and forgiveness from surprising areas.

I give this one a very enthusiastic five stars! I think this is the best Karen Witemeyer book yet.

Abby Kemp needs a man. Any man will do, as long as he's willing to put his name beside hers on her bakery's deed. After her father's death, the city council barely gives her time to grieve before attempting to enforce a little-known law that women are not allowed to own businesses on Main Street in the town of Honey Grove. Put on the books to close down a brothel, Abby is furious that the council won't budge for her. Facing pressure from all over - from those who want to swoop in and buy her out, to one very malicious former friend - Abby digs in and considers her options. Marriage would be the ultimate solution, but with only three unmarried candidates in town, and two of them completely unpalatable, can she talk handsome Zach Hamilton into being her convenient husband?

Zach Hamilton is finally free. No longer responsible for his adopted sister and brother, he can do whatever he wants. With no woman to tie him down, he enjoys his bachelor life. If it's a bit lonely, he can deal. His morning sweet rolls at A Taste of Heaven, served by the lovely Abby, is his once concession to being alone. When Abby approaches him, contract in hand, and tells him her dilemma, he gives her a hard NO, but when her sister, Rosalind, comes to him later and explains that, of Abby's three choices, he is the only one equipped to keep her safe from the danger that Rosie has possibly stirred, he reconsiders. His only request is that, if they do marry, it becomes a real marriage, not one of those "in name only" things.

As Abby and Zach interact, their care for each other grows. Can Abby begin to see herself through Zach's eyes, and believe that he finds her beautiful, even when she never has seen herself that way? Will Zach realize that sometimes, a woman needs words, not just action, to tell her she is loved and cared for?

More than Words Can Say is actually a sequel to More than Meets the Eye, and is book #2 in the Patchwork Family series. Abby has been convinced for years that she is the fat, ugly duckling sister, and that no man in his right mind would look her way. Her father only valued boys, and his desire for a son eventually killed her mother. Why would she ever choose to tie herself to a man? Zach has been caring for two younger children since he was 13, so he doesn't want to marry either. I loved how, when he finally decides to go along with Abby's scheme, Zach is all in. No doubts, just looking ahead.

Sweet romance readers will love this one. I know I did! The marriage of convenience trope is well done, and there's enough mystery in each of their histories to spice up the story. I definitely recommend, and if you haven't read More Than Meets the Eye yet, start there to get some of Zach's back story.

All Abigail Kemp wants to do is to keep her bakery shop open. It is just her and her younger sister Rosalind. Her father had died a few months earlier. She was a skilled baker having being trained by her father who owned the shop. Her fat Because of some asinine country law that states a female cannot own a business she must come up with a solution. She refuses to sell the shop. Her only other option is to find someone to marry. She has three choices. Zach Hamilton reluctantly agrees to marry her. He wants a real marriage so he courts her while living in the same dwelling. He was quite the gentleman never pressuring her for anything but he did want that goodnight kiss which she quite enjoyed. There was a female character in the book that kept causing trouble for Abigail. This particular person managed to create quite a bit of drama.

Other things I loved about the book beside the growing romance between Abigail and Zach was the appearance of Zach's siblings at the wedding. His sister gave Abigail some good advice about Zach being a man of few words. I also like Rosaline. She was considered the pretty one while Abigail was had more girth to her waistline. We will be seeing Rosaline in a novella come Fall 2019. I had a feeling at the end of the book the author was setting Rosaline up for her own story so I went to Karen Witemeyer's web page and sure enough Rosaline's story which will be called More Than a Pretty Face will be part of the Serving up Love novella collection.

Thanks to Bethany House and Netgalley for providing me an e-copy of this book to read and review. This book will be released on June 4, 2019. Highly recommended!

A marriage of convenience turns into a story of passion between Zacharias and Abigail. Wow! Karen Witemeyer really turns up the heat in More Than Words Can Say. The plot, of course, captured my attention because I wanted to know what would happen to Abigail's bakery, but the tension and heat between the two sparked most of the story. So if you are not a fan of a lot of romantic tension between the heroine and hero than you might want to hold off on reading this book. I'm not, but overall, I enjoyed this latest book. I loved how Witemeyer showed their friends and family who supported them. I also enjoyed how she allowed the heart of both characters to shine on the page. Either through their deeds done for others or the actions they went through to woo the other person. There was a huge moment of both characters being vulnerable and laying their hearts on the line for the other person to realize what secrets from the past they were dealing with. But like any good marriage, both partners have to take the good with the bad. The marriage vow does say for better or for worse. Overall, More Than Words Can Say by Karen Witemeyer has a lot more romantic spark than most Witemeyer books I have read, and I haven't read them all yet. But the transforming power of love is definitely worth sticking around and engrossing a reader in for a couple of hours. If you enjoy Julie Lessman's western series, than this might be the type of book for you.

I received a complimentary copy of More Than Words Can Say by Karen Witemeyer from Bethany House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.

More Than Words Can Say is a cute light romantic read. This is my first read from Karen Witemeyer and I was not disappointed. It is nice to see a heroine who is not perfectly beautiful but gorgeous in her own way.

I was excited for More Than Words Can Say as soon as I finished the first book in the Patchwork Family series by Karen Witemeyer. It is rather unique series in my opinion and I really enjoyed More Than Meets the Eye so I couldn't wait to read the newest book in the series! Here are my thoughts on what was great about this book.

I really enjoyed reading about Zacharias Hamilton's loyalty and service towards those who belong to him. In the first book, he was one of my favorite characters and his character is revealed even more in More Than Words Can Say because the focus of the story is on him.  I loved how he didn't say much (hence the perfect title) yet he showed his love in so many ways.   I also enjoyed the look into what a bakery would be like in the late 1800s. I could smell the scent of freshly baked treats coming from my kindle as I flipped the pages. If you want to grab a cinnamon roll or a slice of freshly baked bread to munch on while you read, I won't blame you! I thought that More Than Words Can Say was a fun, cute romance with the perfect title! 

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical romances and marriage of convenience stories.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

(4.5 stars) - a reminder that love is primarily a verb

A Karen Witemeyer book is always guaranteed to leave me with a smile that won't let go. This one was certainly no exception.

This story is the follow-up on what happened to Zach after the first book about Eva & Logan, "More Than Meets the Eye". Even though I generally hate reading books out of order, this is one that works just fine as a stand-alone.

Abigail & Zach take a while to figure it out, but they are perfect for each other. Zach has been thru a lot of abuse in his younger years to the point that he has been conditioned not to express himself. Abigail has been thru a form of abuse herself from an emotionally unavailable father. She's better able to express herself but the experience helps her to be more sympathetic and open to Zach's efforts.

The two have some difficulty understanding each other, but the key is that they care enough to keep trying - and giving the other room to try, and make mistakes, and to clarify as needed. Because of their efforts, they learn to understand each other better, with and without words.

Most importantly, Zach & Abigail learn to communicate love to each other by their actions. Their marriage of convenience becomes a real marriage.

The story is funny and touching and I became invested in it almost immediately. I fervently hope that the author will be sharing Rosalind's story with us next!

Clean romance level: passionate kissing, some discussion of marital intimacy but nothing graphic

[This is a Christian book with discussion of God, forgiveness, Scripture and prayer. It fits the setting & the context in a natural, non-preachy way]

True to the late 1800's, this novel tells the life of a young woman about to lose her family business because she's a woman. Abigail enters into a marriage of convenience with Zach to save her bakery. Both have been hurt in the past by their fathers and are leary of marriage. This story shares the historical view of a small town in Texas but greatly emphases the subject of forgiveness. Recommended.

Tender Story of Two Unlikely Characters Perfectly Brought Together

Honey Grove, TX 1896
Abigail Kemp is running a bakery with her pretty younger sister, Rosalind, as she has been doing for quite some time. However, now that her father has passed, “somebody” has dug up an antiquated city ordinance that does not allow women to own a business. “These stuffy male councilmen might want to hold her down, but like a well-made bread dough, she planned to rise to the occasion.”

Zacharias Hamilton is finally free to do as he pleases. He has fulfilled his obligations to his adopted siblings and moved away from near-by Pecan Gap to start fresh. He has carved a niche at the local lumber mill and keeps to himself as much as possible, save for a corner table at the local bakery where he enjoys coffee and sticky buns every morning and the occasional run-in with his boss’s passel of kids. Life is pretty comfortable now. Although his past deeds still haunt his thoughts. When Abigail approaches Zach with a proposition, he nearly chokes over her business plan. But, after some thought, he might consider it, with a few tweaks to her contract.

This was a wonderful, feel-good read. I really enjoyed getting to know Zach more. He is somebody special. He’s a bit gruff, but he feels deeply. He is a champion when needed and fights hard to overcome obstacles, even the unseen ones of foolish female hearts. I appreciated that Abigail was not the typical size 2, but a curvy, kind soul with a lot to offer. Both characters came to know each other and fit so perfectly together, in a way only God could have orchestrated.

I also liked learning about how Davy Crockett was responsible for naming Honey Grove in real life. Apparently, he set up a camp under the trees on his way to the Alamo and enjoying it so much, he carved his name in a tree along with the name Honey Grove, intent on returning there one day. Sadly, he did not survive the Alamo, but a friend, Sam Erwin purchased the land and honored the name.

Humorous Tea Moment: “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.”

I highly recommend this 5-star story and look forward to the next one. Thank you to Bethany House Publishing who sent me a review copy. My opinion is my own without expectation or compensation.

Award-winning & bestselling author Karen Witemeyer “writes historical romances because she believes the world needs more happily-ever-afters”. She is one of the sweetest authors you can connect with! You may do so at: http://www.karenwitemeyer.com/ or at: The Posse FB group fan page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1839437643052460/ where the ladies in the group build community like no other group I have experienced! Truly a blessing.
Patchwork Family Series:
1 - More Than Meets The Eye 6/5/2018 – 5 STARS
2 - More Than Words Can Say 6/4/2019 – 5 STARS
2.5 - Serving Up Love: A Harvey House Brides Collection expected 11/5/2019

...my thoughts...

More Than Words Can Say, Karen Witemeyer's book #2 in A Patchwork Family Novel series is entertaining, heartwarming and full of surprises. Zach and Abigail are bound to capture your heart. All the foibles they manage to get through make them as believable as your neighbor. There is a depth of character, though, that the reader goes through as the story reveals more of what they have both experienced while growing up.

I found this book is as serious as it is amusing. It shows that life can throw curve balls, but it is how you handle them that either gives you mettle or makes you bitter and withdrawn. When Abigail is faced with trial after trial at the expense of an unforgiving former friend, she relentlessly moves forward as she prays for God's guidance. When she is finally faced with the possibility of losing her business through a long forgotten law, she garners all resources and meets the challenge head on. Only her head is very in touch with her heart, and as the story goes along, her heart warms to the idea that she does not have to take charge of everything on her own. Her resilience, faith and growing love for Zach make this book one that you will want to have in your "To Read" pile.

Many thanks to Bethany House for providing me with an advanced copy of More than Words Can Say, although I was under no obligation to write a favorable review. To learn more about award winning author Karen Witemeyer, check out her website! If you are like me and enjoy reading a series from the beginning, here is a link to my review of Karen's first book in the series: More Than Meets the Eye.

Karen Witemeyer is a witty award winning writer who always delivers an amazingly fun read! More Than Words Can Say is the second book in the Patchwork Family series. It can be read as a stand alone. I have not read the first book, More Than Meets The Eye, and I was able to jump right into this book. There is a little bit of backstory mentioned from book 1, but not having read the book did not detract from this book at all. It has been a while since I've read a book by Karen Witemeyer and I was looking forward to reading her signature humor and page turning adventurous romance. More Than Words Can Say did not disappoint. Marriage of Convenience stories are always a wild ride as husband and wife learn to live together and hopefully love one another. In addition to the fun romance there is a powerful message of not believing the negative voices and the lies we tell about ourselves, but instead hearing and seeking out the voice of God who tells us we are created and loved by Him. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy clean romances and light-hearted, fun reading.

More Than Words Can Say will be available for purchase from your local or online book retailer on June 4, 2019.

Thank you Bethany House and Net Galley for the free copy of More Than Words Can Say. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Once again Karen Witemeyer has managed to bring together an unlikely pair that ended up being the perfect match. Despite his flaws, I developed a fondness for Zach in the first book of this series, and that only grew more with this one. As a woman in today's modern age I was intensely angered with the injustice that Abby was handed simply because of her gender. It didn't take me long at all to be rooting for things to work out for this unlikely duo.

The character development overall in this series is nothing short of masterful. The mood and energy of the interactions between the characters (leading or supporting), are easily visualized by the reader's understanding of their personalities and backstories. This is one of those books that is easy to escape into and forget you aren't actually standing in the middle of a bakery with real people. Even when it came to the antagonists in this story, you were still able to develop a level of empathy for them which only draws you deeper into their world.

It was quickly observed that life had dealt Abby a difficult hand. She spent the earlier part of her life trying to prove her worth to her father considering she wasn't the son he'd always wanted. After his passing, she fought to continue to run his bakery and remain profitable, only to be told she wasn't allowed to simply because she was a woman. The injustice is palpable, but the fight in her was strong. The more the story progresses the more you hope for her happiness and a relationship she can find love and security in.

I loved this novel, and highly recommend to historical romance fans. While I believe it could be read as a stand-alone, Zach was a large presence in the first book as well and to grasp the fullness of his character I think it would be helpful to read the books in order.

*I received a copy of this book through CelebrateLit. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.

Set in 1896 Honey Grove, Texas I found this to be a delightful story that held my attention. According to the author’s notes there was such a town and many of the real people and their businesses were portrayed in the story. This makes the fiction more fun and realistic.
Abigail, Rosalind and Zach were fictional characters but were brought to life by the words of Karen Witemeyer. In trying to save her bakery, willed to her by her father, Abigail had to find a husband quickly. City ordinances did not allow a woman to own a business but she could keep the bakery if the deed was in a husband’s name. Of her three candidates Zach seemed the most appealing but she had to convince him to go along with her plan.
There were also secrets alluded to by all three of the main characters that shaped their adult lives. I enjoyed the references to seeking God and his plans for their lives. Heartache can be sometimes avoided if you give God complete control but of course that didn’t happen right away.
Abby had a nemesis in the mayor’s wife Sophia, who spewed gossip and threw obstacles at her. Every great story has to have a token villain and she fit the bill perfectly.
And I found the romance aspect to be so special and tender. The love had to grow over a period of time.
My mouth kept watering for the taste of the baked goods described in the book. It made me want to go and seek out a local bakery and indulge.
I throughly enjoyed devouring the story that was a fast read for me.
I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through Celebrate Lit and Netgalley but was not required to write a review positive or otherwise.

A sweet story, well written, engaging and entertaining.
I liked the characters, the plot, and the style of writing.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

There are a few authors whose books I will pick up every time I see them. Karen Witemeyer is one of those authors. Her newest novel came up on my TBR pile (there is a certain order I read books in, so it was Karen's turn). Karen's characters are real, her settings are key to the plot, and her pacing is absolutely perfect.

Abigail's father has died and the city council has decreed that she sell her bakery, get a partner to put on the deed, or close down the bakery entirely. She's been given a month to fulfill the terms set out before her. She decides to ask a man to marry her in name only. She has three men in mind, including a couple of milquetoasts and a lumber man. Her sister thinks she should go after the lumber man because he's the scariest one of the men.

Abigail has written out a contract detailing what will be the terms of the marriage. Zach Harrison is the lumber man and he reads the terms and adds one of his own. She must give him a goodnight kiss every night.

One of the things going on is a former friend of Abigail's is causing trouble and was trying to close her down. Zach and Abigail make a great team in getting things done and getting the conundrum figured out.

This is a five-star book, with two thumbs up, and a fresh baguette straight from the oven.

Bethany House and NetGalley.com provided the galley I got to read. My thanks goes to them.

“From her place behind the Taste of Heaven Bakery’s counter, Abigail eyed the three matrimonial candidates breakfasting in her small eating area. None of them knew they were matrimonial candidates, of course. If they did, they’d probably knock one another over in a race for the exit. Thankfully, their ignorance was to her advantage” (location 181). The ensuing descriptions of the candidates had me laughing out loud. This book got off to a great start. I was drawn in immediately and loved the witty language and humor.
Witemeyer does a great job with her characters. They are flawed and real. I felt for them as their struggles were revealed and it was so nice to see people respond well to difficult revelations. I appreciated how Abigail and her sister cared for one another and for how Zach takes his responsibilities so seriously right from the start. On the other side, the mayor’s wife ranked high on my “people I’d most like NOT to meet” list. She was truly wicked and meanspirited.
I would highly recommend this book and this series. Thank you to Bethany House for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Patchwork Family Novels:
Book 1: More Than Meets the Eye
Book 2: More Than Words Can Say

More Than Words Can Say by Karen Witemeyer is the second book in the Patchwork Family. I was really excited to read this book, after reading the first book, More Than Meets the Eye. I really enjoyed the story of the found family. Zach, Seth and Evie were so cute and they really cared about each other.
In this second book, we follow the events right after the first., Zach has left and come to a new town, where he works as carpenter. Amelia, our new character, is a baker. She runs the bakery with her sister, after the death of her father. Through a law brought up unexpectedly, she must give up her bakery, or join with a male partner. This brings the two together and so begins the story.
I thought that this was a very cute and fun story. Watching Zach and Amelia fall in love and become a family was very sweet. They balanced and supported each other. They bonded through sharing their past stories and seeking to love each other in small ways. I also enjoyed getting to know Amelia’s sister, Rosalind, who we will hopefully get to see more of!
I would recommend this book to those who like romance, it is sweet and easy to read.

A new take on the marriage of convenience storyline. And I love it! In this book, Abigail proposes marriage to Zacharias, a man she knows only as a customer of frequents her bakery, in an effort to save her shop. As usual, Karen Witemeyer creates witty characters who you grow to love. Don't skim her books - you will miss out on good writing! Part of the story revolves around the characters growing intimacy leading to consumption of the marriage. It was written very tastefully, but probably not a book for younger readers.

My one complaint is not about the author (because she is amazing) but whoever chose the cover art. It does not match the story at all. Abagail is repeatedly described as fully figured and curvaceous which does not match the tiny lady on the cover. And the "cover" Zacharias is not sporting the muscles he would have from throwing lumber around all day.

“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.”

Karen Witemeyer is best known for the unconventional & out-of-the-ordinary in her books. In <i> More Than Words Can Say </i> it was the marriage-of-convenience proposal by Abigail. My favorite theme in a book, so I knew I was in for a real treat! She didn't do it for love, but to save ownership of the bakery she inherited after her fathers death. The top three candidates who frequented her bakery every morning were the contenders, but only one could take the prize home. Witemeyers signature wit comes out in the choosing:

“Unfortunately, Mr. Beekman was nearing fifty and had breath that could kill a bread dough's rise at twenty paces.”

Obviously she doesn't choose him, but I just thought Abigial's inner musings about each of the men was hilarious! She's desperate and desperate times often leads to desperate measures.

I missed Zach after he took off on his own at the end of <i> More Than Meets the Eye </i> and I'm so glad Witemeyer gave him his own story! Quiet, contemplative, and a man of few words he shows his feelings more than verbally expresses them. When Abigail presents him with the marriage bargain contract, his plans of bachelorhood go right out the window! She brings out the protective instinct in him and has his heart stuttering with the small amount of attraction for the pretty baker. Though this is a business deal, he finds himself having difficulty keeping his feelings at bay. Can these two form a true partnership both in business and matters of the heart?

With every story Witemeyer pens I find myself saying it's her best yet and this was no exception. Between her wit & humor, the unconventional elements, her characters I come to love, the uplifting spiritual truths, and the story to get lost in, it's the whole package for me. I also love the growth I find in her heroes & heroines...both Zach and Abigial try to hide painful pasts that can affect their relationship. What I really liked about this, is instead of burying them deeper, they eventually talk it out. Circumstances forced them to face them and move on, thus bonding them closer. I also really loved Abigail's sister Rosalind, they had a rock solid relationship that shows in everything. She too, has a past she's ashamed of and once that comes to light, she can finally be free of the regrets she's harbored for too many years. I'm hoping her story comes next because she's a young lady I came to care about.

“I've chosen fear over faith more times than I can count. And every time I did, I ended up with regrets. When I chose faith, I didn't always get the outcome I wanted, but I never regretted my choice, because I felt God beside me, holding my hand and lending me strength”~Abigail

I loved this book for everything mentioned here and more! Witemeyer knows how to engage the reader and keep them turning pages while reminding them of the promises God's given us through her characters lives. I always look forward to her next story.

*I received a complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishers and was under no obligation to leave a favorable review. All opinions are my own. *

I loved, loved, loved this book! I didn't even know it was the second in a series, so it was great as a standalone. But, knowing it is part of a series, I will now go and buy the first book which is called More Than Meets the Eye.

The main characters are Abigail Kemp and Zacharias Hamilton. Zacharias' story is developed in the first book, but you get enough background in this one that you don't feel lost. Abigail is a woman with lots of gumption and with an enemy that wants to see her destroyed. When she is faced with a ridiculous antiquated law that prevents her from owning the bakery her father left to her, she sets out to find a husband who will give her his name and not take responsibility for the shop. Enter Zach, a true hero if ever there was one.

I loved both of these characters and how they grew to love each other despite unusual circumstances. The theme of not holding on to past mistakes (or our past in general) was well developed. Both characters had pasts they regretted and both learned to let go and trust God.

The ending was beautiful and I can't wait to read book three. This is a great series to invest in. Pre-order your copy now! It comes out June 4th!

This is my new favorite Karen Witemeyer book. I loved it. I loved the two main characters, the side characters, the slow-burn romance, the plot and resolution. It was spot on. This is one I will definitely buy for my personal library and will recommend to many.

I love Karen Witemeyer's books and this one continues my enjoyment of them. It is a sweet romance with some humor and lovable characters. Of course, I already fell in love with Zach from the previous book that introduced the three orphans who became a family. I wished Zach hadn't had to leave Evie and Seth to find his story because I enjoyed their interactions and this book contained very few interactions between the three of them. However, his love for his patchwork family still showed through. Both main characters found redemption from their past mistakes and their guilt and shame that resulted.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a great book!

Can i just thank Witemeyer for not having a skinny-twig woman and instead a curvy heroine who is not traditionally pretty and having the hero desire her? Yes thank- you very much!

In order to save her bakery Abby must marry-- as a woman she cannot own her bakery. So she sets out to find a husband. Her first choice is the man who comes in every day and smiles at her: Zach Hamilton.

Zach on the other hand is finally free. He doesn't have family depending on him, he can do anything he wants. Visit the Queen in England if he wanted. So he does NOT want a wife.

These two were really cute and an amazing example of a good positive relationship. Abby learns to trust and improves her self confidence. Zach learns that needing people is the way to happiness, not freedom. A great sequel to the first book.

I look forward to a third book, featuring Abby's sister Rosalind!

Oh how I loved this book! This is the second book in the Patchwork Family series and one of my most anticipated reads of 2019, partly because I have often thought of Zach since meeting him in More Than Meets the Eye and I have been waiting for his story but mainly because I love anything written by Karen Witemeyer.

Abby was instantly likeable and her story made me so glad that I live in a world where it's perfectly acceptable for women to own a business without having a man's name to put on the deed. That's how things were during the 1800's and since her father's death the city council started giving her a hard time. So, what's a single woman who owns and operates a successful bakery to do? Well, she decides to enter into a marriage of convenience which adds several humorous interactions with a couple of the single men in town. My goodness, Abby is determined she is not giving up her bakery and livelihood without a fight and that's when I rooted for her to have the best life had to offer her.

Things didn't get off to a good start as Abby went through the list of suitable men to marry, there were some duds who frequented her bakery but there was that one man she thought would be a good choice. Unfortunately he disagreed much to my disappointment but luckily Abby has a sister who has her back so that was a wonderful surprise when she pays Zach a visit. Zach has changed so much since the first book and the change has been positive making this readers heart so happy. I have admired the sacrifices he made for his Patchwork family and was so happy to reconnect with Evangeline and Seth. I didn't always condone Zach's behavior but knew he had little choice in how he provided for his family.

I think the author strikes the perfect blend of humor, love of family and faith in this wonderful story. This could be read as a standalone but I recommend reading the books in order to fully appreciate the characters and the fantastic writing of Ms. Witemeyer.

I received a copy from the publisher through Netgalley but was under no obligation to write a review. All opinions are my own.

So much happened in this book, I had a hard time putting it down in my eagerness to find out what was to come! I love how Karen Witemeyer always creates a unique story with twists and turns along the way. It's never predictable, it's always romantic, and it's always a great read for a long weekend. I have yet to read a book by this author that wasn't a pleasant read - and I am a notoriously picky reader!

Abigail Kemp needs a man. Any man will do, as long as she can keep her family's bakery. After being informed of a law that prohibits a woman from owning property in Honey Grove, Texas, Abigail is furious. Determined to get around it, she decides she needs to marry, with the provision that whoever she marries has nothing to do with the running of her bakery. Zacharias Hamilton seems to fit the bill nicely, if only she could get him to accept her business proposition. Zach is floored when Abigail comes to him with the crazy scheme - he never thought to marry, let alone marry someone he barely knows. But he can't resist a woman in distress, and thus ensues a story of loss, redemption, and love.

I will start off by saying that I found this couple a bit difficult to connect with at first, so steady on if you find yourself feeling the same way initially. Their relationship grows slowly, but as can be seen early on, they each find it easy to be attracted to each other physically. It just takes a very long time for them to connect in other ways. Zach was so cute in his attempts to "seduce" his wife, and I was rooting for him to succeed. It was a little odd to see the heat level in this book, since I am used to more sedate Christian romance, but as someone who regularly reads steamy romance novels, it wasn't a turnoff for me. And everything remained "behind closed doors", so to speak. Abigail wasn't your typical heroine, but I loved her quirks and her desire for independence. Yes, she married to keep her bakery, but she also genuinely felt something for Zach. Her relationship with her sister, Rosalind, was very strong, and I loved seeing that as a prominent feature of the story. Rosalind didn't fade into the background, but instead she became an important part of the story. Her bond with Zach was sweet and just pointed to the kindness and generosity of his character.

I am hoping Rosalind gets her book next, or at least soon! I really liked her character, and I'm interested to see who she is paired with.

Fans of Karen Witemeyer know that she excels at writing sweet, subtly sexy Western romances which are full of charm and joy. Her genuine, heartwarming stories never fail to bring a smile to my face and her latest book, More Than Words Can Say, completely met that expectation. It’s the second novel in a series but works perfectly as a standalone.

Thanks to her dad, Abigail Kemp has lived a life defined by misogyny. Just when she thought she was past that, the town council delivers a nasty surprise - the bakery she inherited is now in violation of the law because only men are allowed to own businesses within the city limits. Abigail can either sell the business to a man and work for him or find a husband. She’s not pleased about either option but it doesn’t take her long to figure out that a marriage of convenience will be the best solution. The deadline delivered by the mayor gives her only two weeks to pick a suitor in a small town with a serious shortage of bachelors.

Her primary qualification for a husband is “a tractability of dough” that would “hold whatever shape the baker deemed appropriate.” Which leaves her daily customer Zacharias Hamilton out of the running. He might make flutters dance in her chest when they exchange a morning nod over his preferred sticky buns and black coffee order but the man lacks the malleability she’s looking for in a groom. The only problem is, her other choices are a mama’s boy whose mama doesn’t think a baker is good enough for her baby and a church deacon whose breath could “kill a bread dough’s rise at twenty paces.” After some deep deliberation, Abigail musters her courage and proposes to Zach, complete with a contract outlining the benefits of the marriage for each of them.

Zach’s days of involving himself in other people’s troubles are past. He took on the raising of a family at thirteen and has done plenty of things he’s none too proud of in order to keep a roof over their heads and food in their bellies. He’d noticed that Abigail was tense and unhappy recently but had determined to simply appreciate the fact that her personal troubles weren’t interfering with her ability to brew a good cup of coffee or provide delectable baked goods for his morning repast.

He turns down Abigail’s original proposal courteously, but he finds it harder to say no when her younger sister Rosalind corners him later that afternoon and  pleads with him to accept it and protect the two ladies from harm. It seems young Rosalind has gotten herself into a spot of trouble, and without the bakery to live in and a strong brother-in-law to protect her, she is confident that trouble  will grow until it destroys both her and Abigail. Zach reluctantly takes a second look at Abigail’s contract outlining the terms of their marriage and assures her he will agree to all her terms if she agrees to one of his: marital relations must be part of the deal. Flustered by his physical interest in her but delighted at the chance to save her bakery, Abigail agrees.

There’s nothing better than a typical romance plot done well and that’s exactly what More Than Words Can Say is. Abigail, like many a heroine before her, doesn’t recognize her own beauty or charm even though she’s industrious, kind, and clever. We learn details of her life throughout the novel that show how she has overcome adversity and her own mistakes to be the lovely and caring woman she is.  Her surprise at Zach’s amorous interest comes from the fact she sees none of that in herself: she thinks she’s simply a “plain, plump dough slinger” while he’s the ultimate ruggedly handsome, confident cowboy.

What Abigail quickly comes to value more than Zach’s appearance, though, are things I loved about him, too. He has an egalitarian attitude towards their relationship. He never pushes her for more than she is willing to give physically, is helpful but not in the least controlling in terms of her business and shows a respect towards women that Abigail’s father never did.  Marrying Abigail is a kindness he doesn’t need to perform but which is totally in keeping with his character. As the novel progresses we watch him help Rosalind and an assortment of other people in need and are reminded of everything he did for his sister Evie, the heroine of More Than Meets the Eye. His compassionate, charitable nature coupled with his good looks, fighting skills and protective instincts make him a hero to die for.

I’ve never read a marriage of convenience plot that I didn’t think required a heaping helping of suspension of disbelief and this one is no different. This trope is a standard of the genre however, and is one I am willing to happily concede reality for. That was especially easy here since having Zach and Abigail married allows the author to build their relationship in historically accurate ways and gives us a chance to really see the hero and heroine pull together to face their difficulties.

Their marriage also allows Witemeyer to do an excellent job of combining her faith filled story with realistic sensuality. While this tale is in no way explicit, the genuine desire felt between a man and woman is expressed. Passages such as the following highlight that Zach has a very typical male attitude towards sex:

"Speaking from a purely practical perspective, Miss Kemp,” he interrupted,”a man can’t be expected to live like a eunuch when the woman he’s married to looks like you.” His gaze scanned her from head to toe, lingering ever so briefly on the places where her curves were most prominent.

The author is firm in her conviction that the only appropriate setting for the fulfillment of such desire is within a marriage but her acknowledgment of those feelings adds a realistic note to the hero and heroine’s interactions.

As I mentioned, this narrative is faith filled. Zach and Abigail speak of their beliefs  frequently, spend time in prayer and work through the problems they encounter throughout the book by using biblical principles and relying on scripture for guidance. Their convictions are generic to Christianity and appropriate to the time and place in which they live.

More Than Words Can Say is a lovely story that is a complete pleasure to read. I wish the author had taken a bit more time to deal with Rosalind’s situation but the quick resolution in no way affected my enjoyment of the tale.  I think fans of Inspirational romance will find a lot to love here and I urge them to rush out and pick up a copy as soon as possible.

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Abby took over the running of the family bakery after the death of her father, but due to an archaic law she has until the end of the month to get a man's name on the deed. She devises a marriage of convenience to keep her business, but will she lose her heart in the process?



Zach is a man of few words, but also a man of his word. Getting married was never part of his plan, he never considered himself marriage material. Strong and silent he doesn't crack under pressure either. He admires Abby for her faith and determination.



Abby has never been popular with the young men, she likes to keep the background, convinced that men don't find her attractive. Abby loves her family and has great business sense. She looks to the faith of her family to encourage her during difficult times.



One of my very favorite Karen Witemeyer books of all time, great romantic tension and interaction between Abby and Zach. I didn't want to put this book down, yet at the same time I didn't want it to end. I loved the close bond that the sisters share, as well as Abby's friendship with Lydia.



Though part of a series, it reads as a stand alone, set in a different town and a whole new cast of characters. I loved how relatable Abby was with her insecurities about her looks, and how she learns to move past that and see herself as others do. Neither Zach or Abby are perfect people and their marriage might not have been the perfect situation, but they make the best of it, keeping their heads, treating each other with respect and supporting each other through the hard times. A memorable read, full of romance, faith, and family.



I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4/5 STARS

I really enjoyed this story! This story was bright, engaging, and full of hope. Just the right book to lift my spirits and brighten my day.

This is a Historical Christian Romance set in 1896 about a woman named Abigail Kemp. Abby and her younger sister Rosalind run the family business, A Taste of Heaven Bakery, and have been doing so since their fathers’ death. Unfortunately, in their small town of Honey Grove, Texas, It is still against the law for women to own their own businesses. This has caused Abby to be backed into a corner and must make a life-changing decision. She must sell the business, find a male business partner, or come up with a different solution in just a few weeks time.

Abby has worked hard at the bakery, and she loves it dearly. Having forced her hand in making such a huge decision, Abby decides that it is only practical to find herself a husband, one that can add his name to the title of the bakery, but leave his hand out of bakery business. Her husband of choice? Zacharias Hamilton—the quiet, handsome bachelor that is a breakfast regular in the bakery.

Zach Hamilton loves being a bachelor. After spending most of his life taking care of his adoptive siblings, he is finally free. Free from the responsibilities and weight of taking care of another person. When Abigail Kemp, the beautiful bakery owner propositions him in a marriage business transaction, he doesn’t want to give up his newly found freedom to again provide for another person. But when the other Miss Kemp comes, begging him to agree to Abby’s proposal so that she and Abby can have a protector against her own foolish mistakes, Zach quickly changes his mind.

As Abby and Zach grow closer, trust starts to grow, and soon Abby finds that she wants more out of their relationship than a business arrangement—she wants his heart.

————————————————————————

First off, Abagail is such a strong female MC. She is smart, independent and fiercely loyal to her family. She knows she doesn’t need a man, but she does eventually realize that she WANTS a man (specifically Zach) in her life.

Zacharias is a strong, broody character. That being said, he is also a hard candy shell with a gooey center. He has such a big heart, is protective, loyal, and giving.

It is different in Christian romance to have such sizzling, steamy chemistry, but Karen Witemeyer accomplished this flawlessly! Zach and Abby are a phenomenal couple pairing, and while all the super steamy details were left “behind closed doors”, the chemistry was no less amazing and had this girl swooning and getting butterflies.

I also really loved the overall Christian theme and message to be gained from the book, which was that you have to forgive yourself of your past mistakes and God will help guide you and bless you in your life. A very inspiring and heartwarming message.

As for why I knocked it down one star? There were a few times throughout the book, where there would be a piece of dialogue that sounded much too modern to be considered historically accurate. I honestly don’t think they said things like “for sure” back then (and that’s just one example) but maybe I’m wrong? I just felt that it slightly took away from the overall awe I felt for this story.

Overall, I truly enjoyed this book, and look forward to more novels from this author. I’m also hoping to get a story about Abigail’s sister Rosalind. I am eager for more of a story about her.

Thank you to NetGalley, Karen Witemeyer, and Bethany House Publishers for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I did not know that it was a sequel or immediately remember Zach and his family, but a couple of chapters in, my memory was jogged and I was excited to get to know Zacharias better. I thought his portrayal was one of the most realistic male perspectives I’ve read in quite some time. I loved Abby too. I wished she wouldn’t focus on her weight so much, but that was probably realistic as well. I loved the way they worked together as a team and the solutions they found to their problems. I liked the little ways they cared for one another. And I thought their personal challenges were really well done ( for Abby- prioritizing, family vs career, and trusting God with the outcome. For Zach- responsibility vs integrity, trusting God to make a way. ) This was such a sweet story, with a lot to relate to and a lot to inspire. Loved it.

More Than Words Can Say continues the Patchwork Family series by Karen Witemeyer. What a fun, delightful and entertaining story. I loved Abby and Zach and loved how they came together.
I believe More Than Words Can Say is among my favorites I have read this year. I would give it 100 stars if I could. I highly recommend it for readers who love clean and sweet historical fiction with sprinkles of humor. This one is most definitely not one to be missed!
I received this book from the author, but was not required to write a review. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

I loved every moment spent reading this fun, page-turning story! This story captivated my imagination and the delightful characters captured my heart. I found myself more than once laughing out loud, and talking to the book as if my new character friends could hear me.

After meeting Zacharias in the last book, I was super excited to hold his story in my hands and get to know more about this quietly brooding hero. Zach quickly found his way into my heart. He tends to keep others at arm’s length with his scowls and grunts for answers. But his heart is big and he loves much deeper than he lets on.

Abigail is just such a sweet heroine. I wanted to hug her and invite her over to put up her aching feet and enjoy a cup of tea. I just know we’d hit it off right from the start! Abigail had to grow up fast when her mother died. She has carried the weight of responsibility of her younger sister and the bakery on her shoulders for far too long.

I loved the character growth that we get to see as the story progresses, and how we can each learn and take something away from the story. Maybe you need to hear that God loves you just the way you are, dimples and all. Or Maybe you need to hear that no sin is too big for God to forgive. It could be that you, like me needed to be reminded that we need to wait on God and not run ahead and try to fix the problem.

With fun to be had, lessons to learn, and laugher to enjoy, trust me when I say that you won’t want to miss your opportunity to pick up a copy of this fully engaging story!

(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.)

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?

This is a continuation of the Hamilton family. Zach feels he doesn't deserve to be happy because of what he did years ago. Abigail doesn't think anyone will want her because she sees herself as plain. The only thing she has going for her is she owns and operates a successful bakery. The city council makes it impossible to stay in business unless she turns ownership over to a man. This is where the fun starts. I was pleased how Zach's story turned out. I hope in the next book we hear Rosalind's story.

I was given this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.

As a longtime fan of Karen Witemeyer's, I've been anticipating this follow-up to last year's More Than Meets the Eye. It does not disappoint. Abigail Kemp is desperate to save her family's bakery, which is in danger due to an antiquated law. She turns to Zach Hamilton, the older brother from the previous volume, who works at the local lumber mill, with a proposition. Although he's determined to remain a bachelor, he can't stand by and not help Abby keep her dream alive. I loved this book and read it in one sitting. I particularly like that Abby is not the typical waif-like heroine we tend to find in romances. She is practical, no-nonsense, and has curves. Witemeyer's stories always surprise me by taking unexpected turns, which is a sign of a great author. I highly recommend this title and encourage anyone to read her backlist if you haven't done so already. You won't be disappointed.

Is it even possible to say that I liked this book even more than the first?
Yet, it's true. This book had me hooked right from the beginning. I had a sneaking suspicion that I would like this because I read the first book in the series last year, but I did not expect to like this one so much.
First off, Abigail was so relatable. She struggled to find her worth in matters other than baking. She worried about how she looked and how she could support herself.
Zach was back! I have to admit that his story was the one I was really looking forward too. He is so different from his siblings and carries a lot of baggage. Yet, through it all, he is able to learn and work through his issues with the help of God.
To sum it all up, I really enjoyed this novel and fans of historical will devour this story with all of its character development.

Rating: 5 Stars
Content: 2 Stars (kissing)

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

An archaic law makes this story, but they did really exist, and the author has used this one with in a very clever way!
Now this is the second book in this series, but there are some updates, so you won’t be totally lost, but the first is equally as good!
There are few chuckles here, and some serious sad moments, that lead to a lifelong grudge, but you have to wonder if the evil is about to prevail.
I enjoyed this read, and the pages flew, there was a sense of loss as the last page was turned, I wanted to continue with the lives of these characters!
You don’t want to miss this one!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Bethany House, and was not required to give a positive review.

“The council has denied your appeal, Miss Kemp.” Mayor Longfellow delivered the blow with a finality that threatened to buckle Abigail’s knees.” - Opening line from More Than Words Can Say by Karen Witemeyer

After thoroughly enjoying More Than Meets The Eye, I began its sequel by Karen Witemeyer, More Than Words Can Say, excited to see how Zach’s tale would unfold. Abigail is a delight from the first page and a wonderful counterbalance to Zach. To keep control of her bakery she must marry a man who will respect her business savvy (how thankful I am to live in 2019 and not 1896). Attracted to one another, the marriage between Zach and Abigail solves the problem and also offers the opportunity for love to grow.

Beyond the romance, the novel explores how the two come to conquer the challenges of the world together and how Christian forgiveness really works. I so enjoyed how Karen Witemeyer explored forgiveness’ many facets and difficulties.

The writing is beautiful, the characters well thought through and easy to connect with and there is even a little mystery thrown in. Several times I found myself giggling at the adventures Zach and Abigail go on. I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it! It’s a five out of five on the en-JOY-ment scale!

If ever asked why Karen Witemeyer is one of my absolute favorite authors, I will hand this book over as proof.

She is a master at creating characters that feel realistically flawed but genuinely lovable. Zach is absolutely swoon-worthy--not because of his oozing charm and ability to say all of the right things, but because he truly has a heart of gold and he shows it in his own way. I loved him in More Than Meets the Eye and I love that readers were able to get a deeper glimpse into what makes him tick.

Because I loved Zach dearly, I knew it would take a special woman to capture his heart. Abigail fit the bill perfectly. I truly appreciated her struggles and insecurities as it often felt that she was voicing thoughts I have had before.

Spiritual truths were sprinkled generously throughout the novel and the romance was masterfully done. I caught myself grinning and sighing on numerous occasions. This was an absolute delight to read. Witemeyer has hit it out of the park again!

{I received a complimentary copy of this book via the publisher and Netgalley. All expressed opinions belong solely to me.}

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 irresistible. 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 unconventional 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!

I loved this book!
I know I say that often, but since I get to pick and choose what I read I pick mostly books I think I'm going to like. I have never read a Karen Witemeyer book that I didn't love. She is such a talented author.
Her characters are developed so well that everyone falls in love with them from the first page. This book is no exception. Abigail and Zacharias are so cute, delusional, but cute. Both believe lies about themselves that prevent them from envisioning a loving and happy future.
The details of the town of Honey Grove, Texas are sprinkled into the story here and there to give the story that believable, historical feel.
This is the second book in the series, The Patchwork Family Novel. More Than Words Can Say could be read as a stand alone novel and the reader wouldn't feel lost at all. Karen has woven enough of the important details from the previous novel into this story. I hope that you buy the first novel, More Than Meets The Eye, and read it first. It is so much better when you see everything that  Zach, Seth and Eva went through to get to where they are now. It makes you understand why Zach feels the way he does.

More Than Words Can Say is the sequel to More Than Meets the Eye. I did not read the first book, but I can honestly say that this works perfectly fine as a stand-alone.

Witemeyer pulls us in with determined, hardworking characters with big hearts for their families. I loved the setting of the bakery, but it was the characters that really caught my attention. I loved the depth of their backstories and the redemption that came about for them. The plot was semi-predictable but it was so cute that I didn’t mind, and I loved all the good lessons it had woven in. The story inside in the book was just as adorable as the cover would make you think! I definitely recommend for anyone looking for a lighthearted (yet deep) summer read.

Thank you to Bethany House publishers and Net Galley for providing me with an electronic copy of this book to read and review. I received a copy of this book for free. I was not required to post a positive review and the views and opinions expressed are my own.*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion – which I’ve done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

Karen has done it again! Karen's books are always at the top of my must read and favorite lists and this one is no exception. I have been eagerly awaiting Zach's story for a year and it did not disappoint in the least. It was going to take a special woman to claim Zach's heart and Karen created a perfect counterpart in Abigail. She is going to be one of my most favorite of Karen's characters, and while Amos is still my favorite of Karen's heroes, Zach is a VERY close second! More Than Words Can Say is full of great characters from Zach and Abigail to a very well crafted villain(who in all honesty, I would love to see her redemption story!) and some adorable kiddos. This book was one I devoured! If you enjoy great historical Christian Fiction with lots of heart and humor and a great faith message, then this is the book for you!

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

Zu Beginn des Buches wird vom Stadtrat entschieden, dass Abigail Kemp als Frau in der Stadt Honey Grove, Texas die Bäckerei ihres Vaters nicht alleine besitzen und weiterführen darf. Sie will das auf keinen Fall akzeptieren und bekommt noch zwei Wochen Zeit, um eine Lösung zu finden. Abigail beschließt in ihrer starrköpfigen Art kurzerhand, einen Ehemann zu finden. Sie will keine Ansprüche an Äußerlichkeiten stellen, aber formbar wie ein Teig muss er für sie sein, da sie ja weiter die Bäckerei führen will. Sofort geht sie in Gedanken die heiratsfähigen Männer durch. So prüft sie auch Zacharias Hamilton auf Tauglichkeit. Er ist regelmäßiger Gast zum Frühstück, aber sehr verschlossen. Es ist ihr noch nicht gelungen, ihn in ein längeres Gespräch zu verwickeln. Dabei ist er der einzige von den Kandidaten, der ihr Herz schneller schlagen lässt. Formbar ist er vielleicht nicht, aber dafür würde er ihr vielleicht kämpferisch zur Seite stehen können.

Abigail hält sich selbst für unansehnlich, ganz der Gegensatz zu ihrer hübschen jüngeren Schwester Rosalind. Zudem ist sie sehr freiheitsliebend und geschäftstüchtig. Aber sie will auch nicht mit ihrem Aussehen überzeugen, sondern mit ihrem ausgefeilten Angebot. Sie sucht eine geschäftliche Beziehung ohne körperliche Komponente.

Zach arbeitet im örtlichen Sägewerk und will nun mit 30 nur noch seine Freiheit und finanzielle Sicherheit genießen und nicht mehr für Menschen und ihre Probleme Verantwortung übernehmen. Da hat er sein Maß an Pflichten bei der Erziehung von Evie und Seth schon längst erfüllt. Aber sein Geschäftspartner und seine Frau wollen ihn gerne verheiratet sehen.

Es vergehen nicht viele Seiten im Buch, da überrascht Abigail ganz ohne Vorankündigung Zach schnurstracks mit ihrem Angebot...

So entspannen sich amüsante Dialoge und humorvolle Szenen. Die Beziehung zwischen den beiden Protagonisten entwickelt sich dann herzerweichend zaghaft und berührend. Man fiebert mit den Entwicklungen mit und drückt den Hauptfiguren mental die Daumen und wünscht Ihnen nur das Beste, so sympathisch sind sie. Erfreulicherweise tauchen auch Evie und Seth aus dem ersten Teil wieder auf. Mit Abigails Schwester, den Witwen und den anderen Einwohnern hat die Autorin überzeugende Nebenfiguren geschaffen.

Im letzten Drittel entwickelt sich die Geschichte in interessante weitere Richtungen. Sie dreht sich um die Themen Zuneigung, Verantwortung, Respekt und Vergebung. Abigail und Zach wachsen charakterlich aneinander und jeder Leser kann daraus etwas für sich mitnehmen.

Es kommt zu einem herzerwärmenden Ende und es zeigt sich, dass der Titel ausgezeichnet zur Erzählung passt. Jetzt muss ich nur noch ein Rezept für Sticky Buns finden!

Fans of Karen Witemeyer know that she excels at writing sweet, subtly sexy Western romances which are full of charm and joy. Her genuine, heartwarming stories never fail to bring a smile to my face and her latest book, More Than Words Can Say, completely met that expectation. It’s the second novel in a series but works perfectly as a standalone.

Thanks to her dad, Abigail Kemp has lived a life defined by misogyny. Just when she thought she was past that, the town council delivers a nasty surprise – the bakery she inherited is now in violation of the law because only men are allowed to own businesses within the city limits. Abigail can either sell the business to a man and work for him or find a husband. She’s not pleased about either option but it doesn’t take her long to figure out that a marriage of convenience will be the best solution. The deadline delivered by the mayor gives her only two weeks to pick a suitor in a small town with a serious shortage of bachelors.

Her primary qualification for a husband is “a tractability of dough” that would “hold whatever shape the baker deemed appropriate.” Which leaves her daily customer Zacharias Hamilton out of the running. He might make flutters dance in her chest when they exchange a morning nod over his preferred sticky buns and black coffee order but the man lacks the malleability she’s looking for in a groom. The only problem is, her other choices are a mama’s boy whose mama doesn’t think a baker is good enough for her baby and a church deacon whose breath could “kill a bread dough’s rise at twenty paces.” After some deep deliberation, Abigail musters her courage and proposes to Zach, complete with a contract outlining the benefits of the marriage for each of them.

Zach’s days of involving himself in other people’s troubles are past. He took on the raising of a family at thirteen and has done plenty of things he’s none too proud of in order to keep a roof over their heads and food in their bellies. He’d noticed that Abigail was tense and unhappy recently but had determined to simply appreciate the fact that her personal troubles weren’t interfering with her ability to brew a good cup of coffee or provide delectable baked goods for his morning repast.

He turns down Abigail’s original proposal courteously, but he finds it harder to say no when her younger sister Rosalind corners him later that afternoon and pleads with him to accept it and protect the two ladies from harm. It seems young Rosalind has gotten herself into a spot of trouble, and without the bakery to live in and a strong brother-in-law to protect her, she is confident that trouble will grow until it destroys both her and Abigail. Zach reluctantly takes a second look at Abigail’s contract outlining the terms of their marriage and assures her he will agree to all her terms if she agrees to one of his: marital relations must be part of the deal. Flustered by his physical interest in her but delighted at the chance to save her bakery, Abigail agrees.

There’s nothing better than a typical romance plot done well and that’s exactly what More Than Words Can Say is. Abigail, like many a heroine before her, doesn’t recognize her own beauty or charm even though she’s industrious, kind, and clever. We learn details of her life throughout the novel that show how she has overcome adversity and her own mistakes to be the lovely and caring woman she is. Her surprise at Zach’s amorous interest comes from the fact she sees none of that in herself: she thinks she’s simply a “plain, plump dough slinger” while he’s the ultimate ruggedly handsome, confident cowboy.

What Abigail quickly comes to value more than Zach’s appearance, though, are things I loved about him, too. He has an egalitarian attitude towards their relationship. He never pushes her for more than she is willing to give physically, is helpful but not in the least controlling in terms of her business and shows a respect towards women that Abigail’s father never did. Marrying Abigail is a kindness he doesn’t need to perform but which is totally in keeping with his character. As the novel progresses we watch him help Rosalind and an assortment of other people in need and are reminded of everything he did for his sister Evie, the heroine of More Than Meets the Eye. His compassionate, charitable nature coupled with his good looks, fighting skills and protective instincts make him a hero to die for.

I’ve never read a marriage of convenience plot that I didn’t think required a heaping helping of suspension of disbelief and this one is no different. This trope is a standard of the genre however, and is one I am willing to happily concede reality for. That was especially easy here since having Zach and Abigail married allows the author to build their relationship in historically accurate ways and gives us a chance to really see the hero and heroine pull together to face their difficulties.

Their marriage also allows Witemeyer to do an excellent job of combining her faith filled story with realistic sensuality. While this tale is in no way explicit, the genuine desire felt between a man and woman is expressed. Passages such as the following highlight that Zach has a very typical male attitude towards sex:

“Speaking from a purely practical perspective, Miss Kemp,” he interrupted,”a man can’t be expected to live like a eunuch when the woman he’s married to looks like you.” His gaze scanned her from head to toe, lingering ever so briefly on the places where her curves were most prominent.

The author is firm in her conviction that the only appropriate setting for the fulfillment of such desire is within a marriage but her acknowledgment of those feelings adds a realistic note to the hero and heroine’s interactions.

As I mentioned, this narrative is faith filled. Zach and Abigail speak of their beliefs frequently, spend time in prayer and work through the problems they encounter throughout the book by using biblical principles and relying on scripture for guidance. Their convictions are generic to Christianity and appropriate to the time and place in which they live.

More Than Words Can Say is a lovely story that is a complete pleasure to read. I wish the author had taken a bit more time to deal with Rosalind’s situation but the quick resolution in no way affected my enjoyment of the tale. I think fans of Inspirational romance will find a lot to love here and I urge them to rush out and pick up a copy as soon as possible.

This book was an enjoyable read. Not overly cheesy, I appreciate cheesy but some christian authors go overboard for some reason. Not this book. There are quirky misunderstandings and miscommunication and the like without going ridiculously overboard.

Abby goes to Zach with a proposal of marriage of convenience so that she can keep her bakery since there is a town ordinance preventing women from owning businesses.

The plot flows along nicely even setting up the next book (fingers crossed) without breaking stride. The characters are delightful and real if a little comedic. This goes for both the main and secondary characters. The "villain" was believable even though at first I felt that story line was a little petty and implausible but it really doesn't take a lot for some people to hold life-long grudges.

I liked that the author didn't allow too many contrived situations for romance not to happen or be interrupted. This is a romance book and though we are not looking for smut, this is a married couple who have every intention of having a "real" marriage despite their beginning. Affection is allowed and I was glad to have it.

Zach and Abby are adorable and I enjoyed reading their story.

Warning: extreme gushing ahead...

Another top favorite of 2019!!! I absolutely adored every part of this book! While I've enjoyed every book by this author, I have two favorites that I just love to re-read- To Win Her Heart and Short-Straw Bride. More Than Words Can Say has now been added to that elite list- it gave me that special reading experience I crave- great characters and (I don't often use this word) *swoony* romance full of crackling chemistry, romantic tension, and longing for each other.

Zach is a hero that sacrifices for others, he's a protector. He has a troubled past but has redeemed himself, even though he still struggles with forgiving himself. He's a bit like Mr. Darcy in that he's quiet and standoffish, but personable and charming with those closest to him. He and Abby were genuinely adorable when they engage in a little flirting and teasing. I loved seeing them warm up to each other so quickly and the laughter and delight they take in each other. A marriage of convenience that is affectionate from the start, they don't rush their boundaries but also don't keep their growing feelings a secret. Zach shows his love through actions more than words (although the scene where he uses his words is, again- adorable!) and Abigail recognizes that. Abigail also struggles with a trauma in her past and the way her former BFF and current archenemy is still punishing her for it. There is a strong message of forgiveness and healing through relying on faith in God to provide answers to our challenges that they learn together. I loved Abigail's grace and compassion, which make her a perfect match for our sacrificial hero. This is a story I'm already itching to re-read, and I highly recommend it!!! It works perfectly well as a standalone, but if you can, read the first book in the series since Zach is such an important character in that story and it will add to your understanding of him when you read this one.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review 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.

This book is the second in a series, but could be read as a stand alone novel. Reading the first book, "More Than Meets the Eye," will, however, provide some good background for Zach's character and honestly is a great read so...bonus! I've been a Karen Witemeyer fan for a LONG time, and one reason is that every book feels like a new, sweet surprise. I love the dialogue she creates between the characters, the way she weaves in a faith aspect without it feeling forced, and romantic tension that's real! In this book, there's obviously going to be some tension if two people, who are basically strangers, get married and start living together in the same house. I'm glad the author didn't skirt around that but addressed it throughout the novel...which led to some fun scenes between the two main characters. Loved it!
I also loved the hero, Zacharias. The protector in him, even though he initially resisted a commitment to Abigail, won out. He wasn't afraid to stand up to those who mistreated her and stepped into his role in the story quite well. Abigail was a very likable character. Sweet, kind hearted, and "curvy" were some of the words I would use to describe her. I liked the connection she had with Zach in the story. My only wish for curvy girls in all the novels I read is for there to occasionally be one that is proud and confident in her curviness and not always feeling self conscious because of it. In real life, many girls who are not slim feel like they're not attractive enough to have a handsome guy like them (like Abigail did). I would love to see a heroine who may not fit the mold with her body type and have confidence that goes through the roof ; ). Personal preferences aside, I still loved this story and couldn't put it down. I would certainly recommend it!
Karen Witemeyer was so gracious to be my very first author spotlight....way back in 2012! It's hard to believe it's been that long ago. In the interview I asked Karen what one of her favorite recipes was. Click here to find out! : )

**I received a free copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in order to give an honest review, which I did.**

A book by Karen Witemeyer never disappoints. I suppose the nexus of any good story is the protagonists. And Abby and Zach are a couple of mixed confections that are baked just right. Their combination of strengths and weaknesses causes you to love them. Zach is this tower of strength and commitment, yet in his heart he's begging Abby to choose him. Abby is filled with drive, intelligence, and compassion yet she's fearful of being rejected because she doesn't feel she measures up to a visual ideal. How these two hearts connect will give your heart a warm glow. Sweet story!

You may remember Zach from More than Meets the Eye. In that book he was the champion for his adoptive brother Seth and adoptive sister Eva. His champion status continues in Karen Witemeyer’s new book More Than Words can Say. Now he is the champion for the town baker, her sister, and some orphans who remind him of his younger self.

Once again Karen Witemeyer has created characters who are believable and stir emotions. Each of the major characters have a mistake in their past that they regret or a character flaw they can’t seem to get past - making them real people. Three of her characters learn to better rely on and take care of their family members as well as relying on the Lord. Since she chose to set the story in a real place, she did extensive research to make sure she “got it right.” Her author’s note at the end helps readers decipher fact from fiction.

I would not hesitate to place More Than Words Can Say in my k-12 Christian School library.

I want to thank Baker Book House and Celebrate Lit Tours for the complimentary Net Galley e-copy of More Than Words Can Say.

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 through Netgalley. I wasn’t required to post a positive review. This is totally my honest and unbiased opinion.

I finished More than Meets the Eye late last week and dove straight into More than Words Can Say...finishing it in two days. These are both such engaging reads. The first book introduces a family of orphans who have survived together for the last 15 years. Zach is the oldest, followed by Seth and Evie. It’s a family that Evie would do anything to keep together even if it means giving up the man she loves. More than Words can Say is Zach’s story: a marriage of convenience that becomes something more precious than either character ever imagined. I enjoyed both of these books for the strong, spirited female leads, the equally strong male leads and the message of hope, forgiveness and reliance on God.

Karen Witemeyer is one of the most gifted authors of historical Christian Fiction romance in today’s market. She writes with a flair that snares my interest within the first page or two. Her style is natural and easy. Nothing seems forced. Everything flows along in an even pace.

“More Than Words Can Say” is part of a series, but I had no trouble following it. It can easily be read as a stand alone. However, now I want to go back and read the others because it was so good!

There are many themes in this delightfully executed tale. Forgiveness, secrets, grudges, honesty, hope, family, love, past mistakes, and marriage are all tackled in a Christian perspective. Returning to and trusting in God is beautifully woven into this story, too.

The author has done a marvelous job with providing a wide array of believable characters. With both attributes and flaws they are well rounded and easy to imagine and relatable. I immediately loved Abigail (Abby) and felt what she felt. Zach was a swoon worthy leading man in looks and deeds.

The chemistry between this couple was explosive. I loved reading about the attraction between a husband and wife. It was never over the line and very tastefully presented.

There were just a couple of disappointments. A book set in a bakery is perfect for recipes and more detailed offerings by the shop. Sigh. There were none. Discussion Questions were absent, too. I still loved this quirky romance with its life lessons, mysteries, twists, and turns, and faith-filled story.

I highly recommend this book. It is a page-turner that caught my attention within the first few pages and swept me away. This would make a great Hallmark movie. I rated it a 5 out of 5 stars.

Karen Witemeyer is one of my favorite authors, she never fails to delight me page by page, and novel by novel.

Her heroines are smart, witty, industrious and flawed, imperfection makes them more realistic. In this novel, Abigail Kemp owns a bakery in Honey Grove, Texas and has the need for a certain someone to help her business and she has the ingenuity and grit to make it happen. She's smart as she chooses a begrudging, but loveable man, Zacharias Hamilton, to aide her with her plan.

Speaking of Zach, Zacharias Hamilton has emotional baggage he needs to discard, and through a series of events, this swoon-worthy character comes to peace with them with a little help from Abigail.

If you've read Karen Witemeyer's books about the Archer Family, you know how these strong characters make for a great novel. In my opinion, Zach's heart, and mettle toward anyone going against his family makes him a stand-out in this novel.

More Than Words Can Say is the second in A Patchwork Family series, it can be read in order or as a stand-alone. It is a wonderful book of overcoming obstacles to find love, a stronger faith, and families facing adversity together. I was sad when this book ended, but I'll try to be patient until this talented author's next book is published.

I received this book from the publisher but was under no obligation to post a review or write a blog post.

I am so glad that Zacharias Hamilton got his own story! And Abigail was the best match for him. They have a business arrangement to save her bakery. A marriage of convenience. Zach has found 2 more people to protect. This a very sweet story in more than just the bakery sense! You’ll find yourself wanting a sweet roll and staying up late to finish this one! There are some great secondary characters that I hope to see in future books as well. I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All views stated are my own.

I confess, I haven’t been keeping up with Karen Witemeyer’s books like I had been. Not because I wasn’t enjoying them, just that life got busy and my reading time reduced drastically. I’m definitely a sucker for marriage of convenience tales, though, and when I saw the cover for this one, I knew I had to read it! Especially after reading the first book, “More Than Meet the Eye” and getting just a small glimpse into Zacharias Hamilton and his quiet, stoic ways. Like its predecessor, this book was a quick, thought-provoking, entertaining read that I would happily pick up again!
What makes or breaks any story for me is the characters and I definitely enjoyed getting to know these new additions! Mrs. Witemeyer has a knack for creating intriguing characters that wrap around your heart and draw you into their story. I was super excited that this book would be Zacharias’ story and was curious to see where it would go. I was immediately drawn in from the very first page and didn’t want to put it down! (unfortunately, real life tends to intrude) He’s a character not particularly known for effusive ways and is running from a past he can’t erase. I always so appreciate the spiritual truths this author shares and the encouragement found within her books. This one focuses on trusting God and finding His forgiveness is always there, waiting for us to accept it. I found Abby to be an excellent counterpart for him, with her no-nonsense ways and independent streak. I loved that he saw her beauty, when she wasn’t so sure. And the kisses! There’s definitely quite a bit of sparks and flirting, which I adored! I also loved getting to know Rosalind and am really hoping the next book is hers! My only mild negative is that I found part of the story to be a bit anti-climatic. And felt something of it was left unfinished. Though if the next book follows the character I’m hoping it will, then I’m assuming that will be cleared up in it.
Overall, I greatly enjoyed this book and would have raced through it in one sitting, given the chance!

*My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for my copy of this book! I was not required to write a review, positive or otherwise, and have not been compensated for it in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.

Zacharias Hamilton might be the single most impressively kind, gruff, generous, selfless, handsome teddy bear and hero in Christian fiction! I absolutely loved his character. His past is flawed, sure, with previous choices outside of God’s plan, but with the help of the spunky and wonderful Abigail, he comes to realize that God’s way is truly the best way. I enjoyed relating to the characters, which was easy to do in this story. The baking puns, quirky characters, and seamless writing style make the book well rounded and complete. I did not want to put the book down! And the romance was sweet and spicy, with a realistic progression of their feelings. I really enjoyed this book and cannot wait to read more by this author!

"More Than Words Can Say" is the second book in Karen Witemeyer's A Family Patchwork series and it is so good! Seriously, I read the first book and loved it, but I love this one even more! I really liked all 3 of the Hamilton siblings, but Zach really tugged at my heart, especially at the end of the book in "More Than Meets the Eye," and now after reading this book and it being his story he is definitely my favorite of the siblings! Zach feels free to live his life now that his two siblings are married; he is not responsible to take care of and provide for them anymore. Now, Zach is working at a sawmill as he never wants to farm again and he is in a set routine as a bachelor. However, a part of his routine is breakfast at the local bakery every morning, two sticky buns and a coffee, delivered to him by Abby whom runs the bakery. Abby understands him, she delivers his breakfast to his table with little to no words; they have an understanding. When Abby has a proposition for him, his immediate response is no; however the more time that passes and the more involvement there is, he knows he cannot say no.
Zach grows so much as a character and yet the strength, and kindness as well as such a huge heart has been there all along. Abby is a wonderful main character as well and she just became so real in the pages of the book as does her sister Rosalind (whom I hope book #3 focuses on!). This book has it all - mystery, romance, healing, forgiveness and hope. I love how the characters come to life and they are so easy to like and relate to. I cannot say enough about this book, it is just so good!

4.5 stars

Author Karen Withemeyer writes historical romance because she believes the world needs more happily-ever-afters. She wraps her stories with humor, but the underlying spiritual themes have her stories rise above many that saturate the market. Witemeyer's love for her home state of Texas is apparent in her flawless research and vivid descriptions of life in Honey Grove, Texas.

"When had a practical solution for saving her bakery turned into an emotional campaign for a love match?"

Abigail Kemp needs a man's name on her bakery deed to retain ownership of her family business. The search for a solution brings Abigail Kemp and Zach Hamilton into an unconventional alliance. This story is filled with humor and the chemistry between the two practically sizzles as each realize they may want more than just a business arrangement. But each hides secrets and guilt from the past that keeps each from experiencing peace and the ability to look ahead. Their personal struggles touched my heart.
One of my favorite quotes:" Satan is the one who wants to increase our burden, to weigh us down with shame and despair, to steal our joy and the strength of the Lord that goes with it. Believing his lies instead of God's truth makes us weak."

I found this story to be delightful. While the happily-ever-after is not a surprise, the journey as Abigail and Zach find the courage to open the hearts to each other will bring a happy sigh to readers. I look forward to reading more stories of this charming Patchwork Family in the future.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

More Than Words Can Say is the first book I have read by author, Karen Witemeyer, but it definitely won't be the last. I really enjoyed this story and read it quite quickly, totally caught up in Abby's and Zach's story. What started as a marriage of convenience for Abby was always more to Zach. Watching them dance around their feelings for one another and not wanting to upset or scare off the other, allowed them to get to know what a truly wonderful person their spouse was and I loved watching them fall in love.

This is a story of love, taking care of your family both financially and emotionally, faith, trusting God and forgiveness. Being unable to forgive themselves and others caused characters in the story to hurt themselves by making the wrong decisions as well as hurting others. I did not like Sophia very much in this story due to her despicable actions towards Abby. Unable to forgive Abby for an accident many years before had her doing whatever she could to make Abby's life miserable, eventually causing her husband to make some serious decisions. Rosie, Abby's sister, also had to learn from a major mistake in her life. The support of both Abby and Zach helps her to move on. There are so many characters in the book to love from Zach's partner and his family to the widows who Abby sends her leftovers to at the end of the day, the town is full of wonderful characters. Abby's love of her Lord is evident, and when she finally gives it up to God, she is at peace that whatever he has in mind for her, it will be what she needs. A great story, with great characters, and a wonderful message. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.

I am always ready to read any book by Karen Witemeyer because I find them to be the perfect blend of historical romance, humor, and faith, not necessarily in that order. After reading More Than Meets the Eye, it was a must to read Zach’s story to find out how his life turned out. More Than Words Can Say definitely lived up to its promise.

I can truthfully state that Zach certainly met his match in Abigail. She threw his carefully made plans out the door with her sensible proposal to save her bakery. His overactive sense of protection wouldn’t allow him to let her sacrifice herself to another man who might take advantage of the situation.

It was fun catching up with Zach and meeting Abigail for the first time. Friends and family from the previous novel made an appearance or two that added to my enjoyment. Zach and Abigail’s interactions had a bit more sizzle to them than usual yet the story pretty much remained squeaky clean. Hard feelings from a former friend and escalating threats against the bakery brought added drama and danger to the story.

I thoroughly enjoyed More Than Words Can Say and loved how both Zach and Abigail learned to place their trust in God. It was so encouraging to see how the community came together to help those in need and also the powerful effect the act of forgiveness can have on a person’s life.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Celebrate Lit. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

Wowsa! This book totally knocked it out of the park for me!

It’s been a little while since I’ve read a 1800’s Western Historical, but with this book, Karen Witemeyer helped me remember why I fell in love with the genre in the first place.

I like to talk about my favorite characters in my book reviews, and y’all. The characters in this book were awesome!!

Abigail—Ohmygoodness, can I just say how amazing it is that Abby is a plus-sized heroine? She was also so very relatable—she struggled with so many things that so many of us do as well—guilt, feeling less-than, self-recrimination, doubt, etc... But she was an amazing character that fought back, and chose hope. Chose love and trust instead of letting fear and guilt bind her.

Also, Zacharias (I 😍 his name!). He was so sweet!! He was quiet and kind of lonely—but very content to stay that way, until Abby burst onto the scene and turned his world upside down! 😉 His fierce protection of his family was so touching, and the way he championed Abby and her sister was awesome!!

I think one of my favorite aspects of this book, was when the main characters were having struggles with misunderstandings, etc... they refused to just back down and turn silently away from the issues they were having—especially Zach! As quiet as he was, I am so impressed with the fact that he stood up to and for Abby time and again, and proved his love, steadfastly and honorably.

Another amazing aspect of this book was the rich themes of hope and forgiveness found in God alone—only he can take two lives broken and shaped by so much shame and tragedy, mold them together, and create something so beautiful!


Witty, sincere, relatable, hilarious, and touching—this book was fantastic, and you totally need to give it a try! 😉 And I am so excited to find out what comes next in this “Patchwork Family” series! Amazing job, Ms. Witemeyer!

I received a copy of this book for FREE, and a positive review was not required.

Note: This book might be better for a slightly more mature audience, as it about a marriage of convenience, and some topics may be a tad TMI. 😉

"More Than Words Can Say" by Karen Witemeyer
I loved this story. I also requested the opportunity to receive an ARC of this story, and yes, it was granted by the publisher via NetGalley. This is a wonderful historic romance story set in America in the late 1800's. What I loved? It was a clean romance that made me chuckle and made me cry, and made me ever so glad to spend my time with these characters in the town of Honey Grove, Texas. Love and Faith can change your world. And when you read this story, be sure to read the author's notes at the end. Happy Reading !!

I always love Karen Witemeyer books and this one is one of my favorite. I could not put this book down. I loved the characters of Abby, Zach and Rosalind. They had an interesting start to the beginning of their family. Both Abigail and Zach needed to let some past transgressions go so they could start their own lives. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

There are times when a marriage of convenience goes in all the wrong directions, and there are times when it’s done with a linear path and a single goal. Abby is a woman with one goal: Save her bakery. But that goal has conditions. She refuses to sell, and won’t allow anyone to become a partner because then they’d be able to control the bakery. Her solution comes in the form of tall, dark, and handsome, Zacharias Hamilton.

In small-town Honey Grove, Zach is one of only a few eligible bachelors, and he’s by far the best choice.

Que romance music every time Zach walks into a scene. He’s the answer to all Abby’s problems, some problems she didn’t even know she had. And best of all, Abby is the answer to breaking through Zach’s determination to set himself apart from love.

Abby and Zach have a painful past they don’t reveal to each other until after the wedding vows. Although, I think they could have been friends even without the ‘I do’ if Abby’s circumstances hadn’t been needing such a quick fix.

For me, there’s a bit of a conundrum with the arranged marriage. Abby is a devout Christian. Zach is not. Oh, he goes to church, but he’ll admit he’s on shaky ground with God. Shaky as in, he has no foundation to stand on. So, I know Abby needs to save the bakery, but I never read where she prayed about what to do. Then there’s the whole ‘unevenly yoked’ thing where believers are not supposed to marry unbelievers. I’m not going there, I don’t have the right since I broke that one myself…just saying it’s there.

But, this is fiction, and I can’t give spoilers. So, you’re just gonna have to read it for yourself and see if everything works out.

Back to Zach and Abby. It felt like a wonderful relationship between them, despite the short notice. Abby is relatable on so many levels. She thinks she’s fat and interjects her lack of self-worth at least a dozen times into conversations with Zach. Zach is having none of it and always tells her how beautiful and wonderful she is. Talk about multiple awwww moments.

Overall, I thought More Than Words Can Say was a wonderful Historical Christian Fiction. And I should definitely go read book one.

I requested a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Let me preface this by saying I absolutely LOVE the cover. It is so cute! I also love the attraction between Abigail and Zach and his matchmaking friends. I also love Ms. Witemeyer's voice. I're read some of her novellas before but this is the first full-length novel I've read by her.

MORE THAN WORDS CAN SAY is a cute retelling of the tried and true marriage of convenience plot line in romances. Instant sexual tension. And, of course, both parties bit off more than they bargained for. Abigail is strong-willed and wants what she wants and Zach isn't the silent pushover she'd hoped for. No way. He is very much a man's man.

Add a light mystery, stir well, and you end up with a delicious historical romance with fun flavored additions. You won't want to miss MORE THAN WORDS CAN SAY. Grab a copy while it's hot.

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

I’m loving this series. The main thing I love is that Karen doesn’t have perfect looking heroines. In the first book Evie had mismatched eyes, which isn’t a big deal now days but apparently back “then” it was a big deal.

In this book Abby is a big more round then your typical character, again this is true to life and how many women are built and feel self-conscious about.

I knew this romance would be hot and it was. Our two characters are thrown together but the romance builds slowly.

There is also a mystery hanging in the air that we know nothing about for a quite awhile, well, you know it exists but we have no idea what it is.

Karen Witemeyer fans will not be disappoint in this latest book and other readers will love discovering a new author.


A copy of this book was given to me through the Celebrate Lit Team. All opinions are my own.

This is a fun, and yes, slightly humorous historical romance. It involves a marriage of convenience. (I find these always to be intriguing, because whoever does this in real life??!!)

Abby is a fun heroine. She feels forced into marriage in order to save her bakery--the one that's been in her family and belongs to her! So, she proposes to Zach. Although he's unsure about it at first, it's interesting to see how quickly this all changes.

A few twists and turns, as the characters get to know each other better. I especially liked the details about Abby's "Taste of Heaven" bakery, and would have enjoyed sampling her wares.

Their town sounded quite typical of small towns in those days...close-knit, and yet some strife when people don't always get along.

Abby had to face some hard things from her past in order to move forward into her future.

All in all, a great read.

Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

I requested Karen Witemeyer’s latest book, More Than Words Can Say. I do not typically read Amish fiction; however, this tale provided an interesting tale!

More Than Words Can Say, by Karen Witemeyer, is the second book in her Patchwork Family series but can easily be read as a stand-alone story. This book is engaging right from the beginning where readers find the heroine, Abigail, in a heap of trouble in small-town Texas during the late 1890s. She’s about to lose her bakery unless she can get a man to sign the deed. But it has to be a man she can control and will a bribe of a lifetime supply of sticky buns and a place to live be enough? Marriage-of-convenience stories like this are one of my favorites and More Than Words Can Say does not disappoint. The characters are vibrant and likable—or not—, each of their poignant histories is filled with regrets and the author expertly reveals them layer by layer, keeping interest high. The characters have depth and reality and their emotions, strengths, and foibles resonate well with readers. And what a lovely romance…reluctant at first but oh, that first kiss! The story moves quickly and I felt like I was right there in the story as the author has a delightful way with words—an easy flow of dialog, descriptive details and just the right amount of humor. I hope there is another book or two in the series. This is one book readers who love charming historical romance stories will not want to miss.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via CelebrateLit. A favorable review was not required and opinions are my own. This review is part of a CelebrateLit blog tour.

The second book in the Patchwork Family series, I’m so glad author Karen Witemeyer gave us Zach’s story! Quiet and seemingly grumpy, Zach is a great protector and has a heart of gold. Someone just needs to go mining for it. And Abigail will do what it takes to see her dreams come true while supporting her family. Great characters that you will love!

Through the story we read about hurtful pasts causing challenges in the present, but we are reminded that God has a path for each of us to walk, and that path includes forgiveness and redemption. We also see God putting families together in unique ways, because He is all about family; whatever that looks like to you.

A rough hero, a heroine with a less than perfect body shape, and a wonderful small town full of real people make for a great, unconventional read. I highly recommend this book!

I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.

The city council has told Abby that women can not own a business, only men. Wow! She refuses to take their suggestions and takes matters in her own hands by arranging a marriage to her terms. Her first choice for the behind the scenes and not in control is a fellow who is a favorite visitor to her bakery. Quiet, strong and a hard worker. A marriage of convenience? Well, I think they both got a surprise. I loved how this played out!

Zach is one of my favorite heroes. He developed such a protective and noble character despite the circumstances of his upbringing. Yet he was filled with grief and guilt over his past, things he did to survive and to ensure his adopted sister and brother survived. Mostly for them. He was also a confirmed bachelor, figuring he was no catch – who would want him after what he had done?

Abby was such a complex character. Her larger size and the way her father made it so clear he was disappointed she wasn't a boy combined to make her feel insignificant and yet she was confident in her abilities as a baker and had a great strength of character. I loved her generous heart and even the way she treated Sophia with kindness despite the vitriol aimed Abby's way whenever this former friend was around.

One of the things I appreciated the most about Abby's size is how the author showed how Zach was attracted to her. Not despite her appearance, and not just because of it. His words to reassure her that he wouldn't have married just anyone to help them were some of the sweetest!

I thoroughly enjoy marriage of convenience stories. The situation driving Abby to propose to Zach was one I've not seen used before. And I liked that even though Zach turned her down initially, he fathom the idea of Abby marrying anyone else. That they had a slight relationship prior to the marriage and that they had been attracted to one another was also very sweet.

The title ties into several themes. One being that Zach wasn't much of a communicator, sometimes speaking more eloquently with grunts than words. Another being the need for words to be shared between the two regarding their pasts - each harbored secret shame that they dreaded having to reveal yet knew they needed to. Words and openness were also needed when gossips took an innocent situation and blew it out of proportion, preying on Abby's self-consciousness and insecurities.

An enemy seeking to harm her, secrets from her sister's past, and the awkwardness of being married to an- almost stranger all combined to make an interesting story with sweet spiritual encouragement throughout.

I do feel it necessary to mention that the author doesn't hide the fact that Zach and Abby are physically attracted to one another. This ended up being a subject woven throughout the story as they determined not to consummate their relationship until they knew each other better. This was tastefully handled yet I mention it for the frequency in which it occurs. For this reason, I do not recommend it to younger teen readers.

More Than Words Can Say is a delightful story that lovers of historical Christian romance with a touch of intrigue will enjoy.

Ms. Witemeyer has done it again - given life to characters that you quickly fall in love with and don’t want to say goodbye to. After meeting Zach in ‘More Than Meets the Eye’ I was anxious to get my hands on this book and discover his story and I was not disappointed.

I found myself immersed in the story right from page one. How dare the town council tell Abigail what she can and can’t do with her bakery. She works hard and is dedicated to her sister, but she is in threat of losing everything all because she is not married. Abigail comes up with a plan that will enable her to keep her business and provide for her sister but it does require her to sacrifice some of her dreams, however she is willing to accept those consequences.

Zach is reluctant to accept Abigail’s proposal at first, but thanks to her sisters meddling he accepts. He can’t turn his back on a women in need (and his attraction to her makes it harder.) I really enjoyed how these two respected and treated one another. Zach was honorable and treated Abigail well and looked out for her sister, just like a brother would. In addition to providing for Zach’s physical needs (feeding him) Abigail supported him and helped him deal with scars from his childhood. It doesn’t take long for feelings stronger than friendship to develop but will they act on them and risk the arrangement? I was cheering for them to realize how much more fulfilling life could be if they would risk their hearts.

I cringed each time Sophia ran into Abigail, she was so mean and rude to her. It pained me to see Abigail treated this way, but she quietly accepted it and tried not to let it bother her. When she did finally stand up to Sophia she went about it with grace and kindness. I was so proud of her.

I really loved this book and hope that Ms. Witemeyer plans on writing a story for Rosalind.

‘If I am the cornerstone, whatever you build on it will stand firm.’

It’s 1896 in the sweet little town of Honey Grove, TX. Abigail Kemp owns and runs the local bakery after inheriting it from her father. Unfortunately there is a law in this small town, that states a woman cannot own a business without a man as partner. Following is a simply lovely story of how a marriage of convenience leads to a husband and family that should hopefully result in love — but will it or is her need for independence more important? Between unfortunate choices made, long buried hurts brought to light and payback that affects more people than expected I didn’t stop reading until the book was finished. While this book is obviously part of a series of books, I had no trouble following the story without having read the first one, something I certainly want to do. I highly recommend this book and look forward to learning more about these wonderful characters.

An ARC of this book was given by Baker Publishing Group, NetGalley and CelebrateLit. The impressions and opinions are my own.

I received this in the mail and was very excited to get into the world of Abigail. The cover was just delicious as well as the baked goods she produces.

Abigail was a woman with gumption. She was in a predicament and didn't wait around to solve it. She knew what she needed to do. Zach thought he was free but was he really? Zach and Abigail had a valuable lesson to learn on their own and together.

GOD doesn't mess around. He knows what is best. He knows what Abigail and Zach need.

I really enjoyed the book. It was entertaining and delightful. It clearly pointed out that turning to our Heavenly Father in times of trouble, in times of worry and in times of being thankful is the answer. It is the solution to every need.

I received this free from Celebrate Lit to review.

This book is now my favorite Karen Witemeyer book. This one is a marriage of convenience (favorite) and it really touched me how the hero Zacharias (Zach) wooed and pursued his wife Abigail (Abby).
Abby has father issues and feels she never measured up to her father who always wanted a boy heir to take over his bakery. Out of the children that survived, only Abby and her younger sister Rosalind are left after her father’s untimely death. And due to an archaic city ordinance, neither of them is allowed to own the bakery without support of a man.
Zach too has father issues and believes he has finally received what he has always wanted. Freedom. Until Abby concocts a plan to save her bakery by offering a partnership by marriage, one that would keep her in charge of her own business.
There was already an attraction between these two and the time table pushed Abby to pursue a more unconventional means. The push and pull these two gave was enjoyable to watch. I also liked their growth as individuals, a married couple, and a family. This was a story that didn’t let any misunderstandings derail the relationship. That was refreshing. Zach was so intent on loving his wife he wouldn’t let that happen. And I liked watching Abby grow into her own confident woman with a good man always behind her.
This story is one not to be missed. I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

1896 - Honey Grove, TX Christian Historical Romance
"Satan is the one who wants to increase our burden, to weigh us down with shame and despair, to steal our joy and the strength of the Lord that goes with it. Believing his lies instead of God’s truth makes us weak."

Two young people of few words unexpectedly come together. Now that her father has died, Abigail owns their bakery, and the Mayors wife wants to punish her. Abby is told that she must sell the store because no single women are allowed to own a business in town. She turns to Zach, her first choice, to marry her. Zach carries over from the last book (not necessary to enjoy this). Marriage, a threat to his valuable freedom, was not on his horizon. This is a situation that neither of them would choose, yet since it's done with prayer, we see that God's plan is always the best. The story unfolds as they grow together, learn more about one another, find how much alike they are, and help each other to cope with their own trials and learn to love. Excellent unfolding of characters and depth of story. Now we need to know what happens to the other characters. You'll want to read the first book if you haven't already, just because I'm sure you'll enjoy that too.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
#MoreThanWordsCanSay #KarenWitemeyer #NetGalley #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42075360-more-than-words-can-say" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="More Than Words Can Say (Patchwork Family, #2)" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1539121838m/42075360.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42075360-more-than-words-can-say">More Than Words Can Say</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3114906.Karen_Witemeyer">Karen Witemeyer</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2864702405">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3114906.Karen_Witemeyer" title="Karen Witemeyer" rel="nofollow">Karen Witemeyer</a> has been a favorite of mine for quite some time how. She hasn't disappointed in this novel either!<br /><br />Abby owns a bakery and has run it since her father fell ill and subsequently passed away. With the help of her sister, Rosalind, Abby and Taste of Heaven are a hit in town. Well, that is until the day that an outdated city ordinance is resurrected that states that businesses are not to be run by female business owners. Not one to back to down to anyone, Abby develops a plan. <br /><br />Zach Hamilton has had his share of woes. He's grown up on the streets and even took in two kids and raised them after a tragic situation. Zach works for Reuben at the local lumbar mill and has no plans of ever settling down. He's running from his past and not wanting to have anymore responsibilities than he currently has. <br /><br />Every morning at breakfast, Abby has the pleasure of serving the town her famous hot breads, other sweets, and coffee. Zach comes in every day. Could he help her save her bakery? If not him, maybe the church deacon or the mama's boy would be willing to sign her business agreement? <br /><br />Never underestimate the power of a woman on a mission as she will succeed. Abby succeeds in her quest for a partner but he can win his mission as well? <br /><br />I loved this book and found it hard to put down! There is a lot of sensuality with Abby and her chosen as they go from business arrangement to falling in love. It's all very sweet and satisfying to see how together, they win may battles that they are faced with. I do hope that this story will continue as I feel that it easily might. I'd love to know more about Nate and Ida Mae!! <br /><br />Thank you for another great read, Karen!
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/736648-julie">View all my reviews</a>

Oh my goodness, where to start! This book is captivating. I love the cover. It just looks like it’s going to be a super cute story. And it is! I connected with this story immediately when I saw that it centers around a bakery. I’m a baker myself so this was a huge connection point for me. The words flow so nicely. I flew threw the pages. It’s definitely a book where you find yourself saying late into the night, “Just one more chapter!” The story progresses at a great speed. Not too fast not too slow. The details are interesting and pertinent. The main characters are great, the other characters make you like the main characters better and make you root for them. I love how the story opened like a flower. A little bit more revealed as the story progressed until you know the characters deeply. The chemistry between Abigail and Zach is so well written. It makes your heart pound and you smile a little to yourself. I love how Zach stands up for her. This story made me laugh. It made me smile. It made me grit my teeth. It made me frustrated at people’s vindictiveness. The whole gamete of emotion is contained within this story. This is my first experience with Karen Witemeyer’s work. It will not be the last. I’m intrigued by her writing. Well done! I give this book 4.5 stars.

I received a copy of this book from CelebrateLit. I was in no way required to write a positive review. All thoughts are my own.

“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.”

Such a fabulous, fun, clever book with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments! I can’t believe this is the first full-length novel by Karen Witemeyer I have read! She has definitely moved into my “must-read historical romance” list. The author’s fluid and easy-to-read writing style effortlessly creates a cozy small town atmosphere of Honey Grove, TX in 1896 as Abigail fights to keep her bakery and her father’s legacy alive in the midst of stiff opposition. There is delightful dialogue and great humor as the passionate, astute and stubborn Abigail forges a marriage of convenience with the reticent, loyal, grudgingly compassionate and hard-working Zacharias as a last ditch effort to keep her bakery in business.
The entertaining plot is girded by beautifully complex and real characters in Abby and Zach. Despite his reluctance at first to the proposed marriage, Zach becomes the protector who “might not understand what was going on in her head, but a mighty squall was battering her hull, and if he couldn’t figure out how to shelter her from it, he aimed to be her anchor until it passed.” Both have wounds from their past - Zach’s more upfront and Abby’s somewhat surprising when it’s revealed - and they both need to let God heal those wounds so that they can move on to live life fully.
This is book 2 in the Patchwork Family series but can absolutely be read as a stand-alone. I didn’t read More Than Meets the Eye (book 1) prior to reading this book and didn’t feel that I missed anything. This book is a must-read for all fans of historical romance. I’m hoping there will be a third book in the series about Abby’s younger sister Rosie. And I’m definitely going back to read the first book about Zach’s adoptive younger sister Evie.

I received a copy of the book from Bethany House via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.

I was dying for this book to be released! I first met Zach in More Than Meets the Eye, and easily fell in love with him, obviously I could not wait to see him get his happy ending. What I did not expect was to love his love interest as much as I did. You know we girls aren’t big about sharing. Abigail was delightful. She was so unique as a heroine and I enjoyed every moment I got to spend in her company. Being a woman in times where our rights were so different would be no easy task. When forced to find a way to keep her bakery, Abigail knows she must find a husband. Unfortunately there are only a few options in her small town. The one that interests her the most doesn’t seem like the kind of guy who will completely agree to her plan.

Whenever I pick up a book from Karen Witemeyer I know I am in for a treat. More Than Words Can Say is one of those treats. I couldn’t stop reading and found that several of the chores I planned to get done were pushed to the back burner. There was just the right amount of suspense mixed in, and I loved every moment of it. Zach is the perfect hero and I only grew to love him more. I loved seeing the spunky side of him when it came to Abigail and wished for even more when the book was over. Both of the books in A Patchwork Family Series belong on a re-read shelf right along the other books by Karen Witemeyer. I received a copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley and was in no way forced to post a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This book made me laugh. This book made me cry. I love that Abby is not your usual heroine in the physical sense. As a “woman of substance” myself, I relate to her feelings of inadequacy and self-deprecation. The affirmation Zach gave her warmed my heart and reminded me of my own husband who loves me despite the extra weight that I carry.
I found so many quotes that I wanted to share, so in the end, all I can say is read this book! You will enjoy watching Abby and Zach fall in love and watching both take their burdens to Christ and let go of the past that hinders their marriage.
Abby and Zach are perfect for each other as you will see. It’s a beautiful love story reminding us of all that God can do to bring the right people into our lives when we need them most.
It was lots of fun revisiting with Evie, Seth, and Logan from More Than Meets the Eye. If you have not read that one, I strongly recommend it, but if you haven’t, it will not dampen your enjoyment of More Than Words Can Say.
I do feel that some of the subject matter (relating to marital intimacies) is not appropriate for young adult readers. There was also the matter of one character carrying a secret about sitting for inappropriate photos and those photos leading to suggestive remarks. Parental discretion is advised.

As I've mentioned before, I love marriage of convenience stories because I love seeing love develop and deepen within a context of commitment. I was also really looking forward to this book from Karen Witemeyer after getting to know Zacharias in More Than Meets the Eye, which I loved! I'm happy to say that I also really enjoyed this book. It was fun to get inside stoic Zach's head and see how his ever-practical, ever-protective personality fell in love. I also really enjoyed the Texas setting of this book and look forward to spending more time in this community in further books soon!

This book is definitely on my best of 2019 books. I couldn't get enough of the characters and how easy it was to relate to them. The author has charmed me with her attention to details and historical facts scattered throughout the book. It is a book about forgiveness, secrets, pride and humbleness.

Abigail was a delight to read about. Being the oldest daughter she took her role of taking care of her younger sister seriously after both parents passed away. I loved reading about the bakery she ran and could smell the delicious aromas filtering out into the street. Abigail is not very confident in her looks and I could understand her insecurity. I think a lot of women, me included have issues with out looks. The author examines this as she gently leads the character to overcome her insecurity and understand that God made her in His perfect image.

Zach is my favorite character. He is strong, independent and fiercely protective of his siblings. It was interesting to hear about his childhood and how responsible he has become. I could picture him as a tall and strong man who may intimidate people, but was really a big teddy bear. How him and Abigail become married is funny but necessary. There is no way that Abigail is going to lose her bakery and Zach is the answer to saving it.

The story has several lessons in it that I didn't overlook. Each character had a secret from their past that prevented them from forgiving themselves . This hindrance has caused them to stray away from relationships and more importantly, forgive themselves. As I read the book, I thought about the title. It reminds me of the saying, "Actions speak louder than words." In this book that saying is perfect as Zach and Abigail learn to trust each other by their actions rather than words. A simple act of bringing coffee to her husband, brought a deep sense of love to Zach. His commitment to always stand beside Abigail brings her to realize just how much he cares.

There is one character I \can't forget to mention which is Rosalind. Being the pretty sister as Abigail sees her, also brings with it danger of being taken advantage of by others. What I love about Rosalind is how little she thinks of her looks and how encouraging she is to see her sister happy. She is always there to lend a hand to her sister and only wants the best for her.

It is a tug of war between love, respect and forgiveness in this wonderful story. I liked how the author took the relationship of Abigail and Zach slowly and peeled away the scabs that had never healed from their past. The author fills the story with God's wisdom and as I finished the book, I immediately took a look at my life. How many times have I been discouraged by my looks? Have I really allowed God to be first in my life? Am I thankful for a husband who loves me unconditionally? I am thankful for an author that writes stories that not only entertain but gives us words of compassion and love through stories that highlight God and His infinite love.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Absolutely beautiful. Over the past few years Karen Witemeyer has quickly become one of my most favorite authors. I loved the vulnerability of both characters and it was just a genuinely good read start to finish. I loved it!

I really enjoyed this sweet romance but I think it's bull crap that a woman couldn't own a business in the community she was in.

I have enjoyed many of Karen Witemeyer’s books—wonderful, creative stories of historical fiction. This novel is no exception. She weaves an intriguing tale with interesting characters and frustrating dilemmas. Not only do they face challenges that test them, the details are far from boring and typical, but unique ones that draw you in. I don’t know how she comes up with the situations, but they make for great reading. Pick up any of her novels and settle down to enjoy her gift of storytelling, but More Than Words Can Say may be one of her best. Watching the main characters develop and mature in life and faith offers a rewarding experience. This book deals with a woman who owns a bakery she may not be able to keep. How she lands a husband and manages to keep her business going makes for a satisfying story. Some characters from the previous book in the series appear in this one, but you don’t have to read Than Meets the Eye to enjoy this (although it will add depth to this drama). I received a copy from Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own.

I love reading historical fiction, and this one is a perfect one. Abigail is trying to save her bakery. She has to have a man’s name on the deed. So she and Zach decide for a marriage of convenience.

The author has to do a lot of research in writing historical fiction. I admire the hard work that the author puts into writing the book. Even though the characters are fiction, the town was an actual place.

I loved Abigail and Zach so much. Also, there is Rosalind who is Abigail sister. They all have things from their past to work out. The characters were so real to me. Definitely would make a good movie for TV.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher through Celebrate Lit. I was not required to write a positive review. This review is my own opinion.

When I read the description of this book, I knew I was in for a delightful ride. More Than Words can Say, is the story of Abby and Zach and their unconventional marriage. Surprised by an antiquated law on the Honey Grove Texas books, Abby has to find a man to put his name on the deed of her bakery. Not wanting to give up control of her business and profits to a partner, and not willing to sell, Abby has only one option: find a man to marry who will be content to lend only his name, but not his opinion to her business, and to keep his hands to himself. She makes a list of eligible men and starts proposing.

Zach Hamilton has had his eyes on the curvy, dimpled baker for quite some time. He appreciates her pastries and enjoys their morning interaction before his goes to work. But when she sidelines him with a marriage proposal, what is a red-blooded man to do? Renegotiate certain aspects of her contract. Namely, that part about keeping his hands to himself.

Karen Witemeyer has written a delightful tale. The growing relationship between Zach and Abby is so fun to watch. As they change and develop as a married couple and as individuals, they must hand the pain from their pasts over to God and to trust each other with the whole truth.

I was immediately and fully immersed in this story world with these well-developed characters. It made me want to travel to Honey Grove to visit Abby’s bakery, hug her sister, Rosalind, and then sit down to a lemon scone and a chat. All the town’s folk are fantastic. I especially love Lydia Putnam, a widow in the town. She has gumption and grit and I loved to see her relationship with Abby as she mentored the young bride. The antagonist of the story, Sophia Longfellow, was absolutely perfect. You will love to hate her as she makes life difficult for Abby time and time again. All in all, a wonderful read that you will not want to miss.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

First sentence: "The council has denied your appeal, Miss Kemp." Mayor Longfellow delivered the blow with a finality that threatened to buckle Abigail's knees.

Premise/plot: Abigail ("Abby") Kemp has inherited her family's bakery shop--A Taste of Heaven. But the bakery is now being threatened by the city council: she needs to sell her property or find a silent business partner, a MALE business parter by the end of the week. Abby rejects both options. Instead, she plans to find a HUSBAND by the end of the week.
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. The crust could be a little stale. The crumb could be chewy and tough. Beggars couldn't be choosers, after all. But she refused to scrimp on malleable dough. Too much depended on the outcome.
Her first choice for husband is "Bachelor #3" a newcomer to town, a regular for breakfast at A Taste of Heaven. His name? Zacharias Hamilton. (Readers may remember him as the older brother in More Than Meets The Eye.)

Zach isn't looking for a wife. And when Abby proposes completely out of the blue, his first reaction is to say YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING?!?!?! But. The more he thinks about Abby, her sticky buns, and her offer of a convenient marriage...the more he's tempted to say yes. But he has a few conditions...

Will these two fall madly in love with each other after saying I do?!

My thoughts: I loved, loved, loved, loved, loved, loved, loved, loved, crazy-loved this one. I thought Short Straw Bride would forever be my absolute favorite book by Witemeyer. (I'll have to reread that one again to see if it still holds its spot.) But I could easily see myself rereading this one frequently. It is a swoon-worthy book cover to cover. I loved Abby. I loved Zach. I loved them together. I loved the spiritual aspects of this one. I loved getting to know the other characters as well that live in Honey Grove, Texas. Speaking of which, I love her TEXAS setting.

More Than Words Can Say has skyrocketed to the top and is now probably my favorite Karen Witemeyer book! I enjoyed this story so much! It is book two in the series, yet can easily be read as a stand alone novel if you haven’t read book one.

I love marriage of convenience stories and this novel is one of the best of this type of plot that I have read. I loved the commitment that Abby and Zach made to each other when they did decide to get married. I loved the tension between this husband and wife. And I loved the way they cared about each other and wanted what was good for each other, even as they were still getting used to the idea of being married.

This story deals with being able to forgive not only others, but also yourself, and allowing yourself to accept God’s forgiveness for those things that need forgiving. There was a lot of character growth in both Zach and Abby. I liked them both at the beginning of the story, and loved the way they grew together by the end.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This was a delightful story of how two unmarried women, in the growing US, survive on their wits to keep control of the family bakery after their dad dies. The older sister, Abigail, only know bakery life and vows to marry to save the business from a ridiculous city law. Thankfully bachelor Zacharias Hamilton has taken a shine to Abigail and is willing to help out. The younger sister, Rosalind, is protecting a secret that threatens her reputation. Enjoy this heart-warming, quick read story.

If you are looking for a spark-filled, sweet romance, then More Than Words Can Say by Karen Witemeyer is a sure bet. Set in the late 1800s in small town Texas, this novel is a fun and fast read that will delight. Hunky hero Zach Hamilton (last seen in More Than Meets The Eye) is a man of few words, but what he does say he means. And, especially in his case, actions speak louder than words. Abigail Kemp, a determined businesswoman who whips up treats in her Taste of Heaven Bakery, wants to keep their relationship strictly professional, but Zach is as tempting as the sticky buns he loves. I loved this marriage of convenience story. There is chemistry right from the start with the characters — it was only a matter of time before they both recognized it. 😉 Honey Grove, the setting for the story, was perfect — small town people with big hearts and down-home celebrations. There is also conflict introduced that kept Zach and Abigail committed to their arrangement, while keeping the pages turning for the reader. Guilt and unworthiness are explored in the novel, and the characters supported each other in their faith journeys. Reminiscent of the story of Joseph in Genesis, circumstances and the machinations of others did not keep God from working out His plan for their lives.

Fun and funny, sweet and sizzling with some great kissing scenes, More Than Words Can Say checks all the boxes for fans of historical romances.

Recommended.

Audience: adults.

I read and enjoyed the first in this series, so when a book about Zach came out, I was eager to finish his story.

This is, more or less, a story about a passionate marriage of convenience. As in, the couple was attracted to each other before something made them agreed to a business-partnership-type-marriage of convenience. Though there was a non-romantic thread, the primary thread was romantic. And, yes, I’m not a romantic swooner here. It *was* sweet, and I liked both Zach’s and Abigail’s personalities very much. But for a single gal, the romance was a little too much. Detailed kisses were woven throughout the whole book (“acceptable” because they are married—but a good dozen or so written in detail about sparks and wishes for courage to do more) and then the romantic plotline was basically getting to the marriage bed. So yeah, romantically speaking, it was a little too over-the-top for me.

But writing-wise, this totally sucked me in. I do like Witemeyer’s way with words. Like “This man had just made a date with his fist.” Yeah. She’s very colorful in her writing style and I enjoyed it as a writer.

The non-romantic plot involving Rosalind did whet my appetite for book three hopefully being her story. However, depending on if her secret comes back to haunt her, it could be a very touchy subject right there.

Spiritually-speaking, there were mentions of God throughout the whole book. Abigail was, more or less, a strong Christian. However, it was when her husband said that she was beautiful that she changed—though she did say it was because her husband helped her to see she was fearfully and wonderfully made. It is evident that Zach got saved toward the end of the book. One of those subtle things stood out to me: before he “made his peace with God,” he referred to God as the “Big Man” (which I find highly disrespectful), but afterwards, the “Almighty” and “Lord.” To me, that was very neat.

I do find it hard to know how to rate this book. For the writing and spiritual aspect, I’d say a solid five stars, but the romance content was too much for me (so much so, that I really am glad I don’t have the paperback around for my teen sisters to thumb through) and I’d put that rating at most three.

*I received this book from NetGalley and happily provided my honest review*

More Than Words Can Say was yet another fantastic read from Karen Witemeyer. I started the book with the expectation that I would enjoy it, but it completely blew my expectations out the window -- I was hooked after just the first couple chapters.

The characters were lovely. They weren't perfect and had some things they needed to work through, which made them realistic and the story believable.

I LOVED the romance. It was so sweet how he waited for her to be ready for their marriage to not be in name only...and yet he only had one request that they end each night with a goodnight kiss. He was a great hero in the ways that he protected not just Abigail, but also her sister.

All in all, I give More Than Words Can Say 5 stars and highly recommend it if you enjoy historical romances.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

Abigail Kemp finds herself in hot water—the town council of Honey Grove will shut down her bakery if she doesn’t find a man to run her business. She doesn’t need a man—since her father’s death, she has managed to turn a profit just fine. But in 1896, a stubborn group of men can’t countenance a successful businesswoman.

Her younger sister Rosalind depends on her, and Abby can’t stomach the thought of selling her building and starting over somewhere else. So she does what any logical businesswoman would do. She identifies potential partners, writes up a business plan, and sets out to offer her hand in marriage to a biddable candidate.

Abigail doesn’t feel she has a lot to offer—she doesn’t have Rosie’s beauty, she’s plump, and she has no desire to subject herself to a man who only sees her worth as a vessel for producing children. One of her three potential candidates might feel desperate enough to accept her offer. She hopes.

Zach Hamilton has settled into Honey Grove just fine, despite his unusual background and dark past. He sometimes wonders what the matchmaking mamas would say if they knew the real him. When his favorite baker approaches him with a marriage proposal, he has to decide if he’s willing to give up his most precious commodity—his freedom.

Readers will love this quirky romance between two people who marry before courtship. If you’ve read Karen Witemeyer’s More Than Meets the Eye, you’ll recognize Zach. If not, no worries, this book stands alone.

I love how Witemeyer always has well-developed characters with relatable problems. She skillfully weaves spiritual truths into the story as well, while never sounding preachy or heavy-handed. Put this book on the top of your good historical romance novels to read list today!

Witemeyer's More Than Words Can Say is the epitome of what happens when an author takes a run-of-the-mill trope and turns it into something completely unexpected. The character development in this book was amazing (and I can say that even though I've not yet read the first book in the series) and the chemistry between Zach and Abby was equal parts heartwarming and romantic. In fact, I thought their connection was so intriguing, I felt it stole the story--in a good way. I can honestly say that if this book had had zero plot (which wasn't the case at all), I'd have read it anyway just to "watch" Zach and Abby's relationship. They came across as the kind of people you'd choose to surround yourself with simply because they radiate a level of joy that's often imitated in books, but never genuine. They were the real deal, I thought. I thoroughly enjoyed their story.

Note: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley, however all opinions are my own.

I have this weird thing about baking novels. I wonder if I like reading about them because I can't bake. Cook, yes. Bake, no. I have no patience for it and and I don't understand the chemistry behind it. It could also stem from my weird obsession with the Great British Baking Show. But either way I was excited that Witemeyer had written about a baker. I'm also a fan of Witemeyer and so that and the cute cover made me pick this book up.

To jump right in, while I enjoyed the book immensely and will probably read it again, I did feel like a lot of it was focused on the intimacies of marriage. Maybe too much. I would have rather had that as a side note instead of a main point. The story didn't need all of it, maybe just a little, because the rest of it was great! Who was behind all of Abigail's troubles? Why was it still happening after she gets hitched? This is what I wanted more and more focused on.

You also have great side characters that I'm hoping will get their own story, or show up in future novels. Abigail has personality issues that she deals with in this novel that I felt were well written, and of course, Zach is great. Witemeyer knows how to write a great male lead.

It's another great addition from Witemeyer, and I'd suggest checking it out, along with her other novels.

Sometimes after reading a really good book I have a hard time getting into the next one I pick up. I had just finished reading a book that was amazingly good, so when I picked up More Than Words Can Say by Karen Witemeyer I was not sure how easily I would "get in" to the story.



How wrong I was. This was such a delightful book! I have been reading a lot of suspense novels lately and this was a refreshing change. When a book can bring out real emotion from me, I know I have found a favorite and this one had me laughing out loud on more than one occasion. It was just a fun book to read.



It's actually the second book in the Patchwork Family series. I would definitely say that it works well as a stand alone book, because I have not read the first book in the series. I will soon be remedying that though. I loved it so much that I want to read more about the family. I'll be ordering More Than Meets the Eye very soon!



Abigail needs a mans name on her bakery's deed or she will be out of business due to an outdated town ordinance. She decides her best solution would be a marriage of convenience and proposes to Zacharias. She presents a contract and surprisingly he agrees, but not without a few stipulations of his own. Zacharias is so much more than what she bargained for. She did not expect such a compassionate, hard working and caring man. It's not long before feeling start developing and their marriage of convenience is becoming more and more like a real marriage. Everything should be going smooth, but it seems as if someone is out to destroy Abigail and her business. Plus, Abigail's sister has some secrets of her own.



Zach and Abby's love is so pure and innocent and it was so enjoyable to read and see it unfold.



***Thank you to Bethany House Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book. I was not required to review and all opinions are my own.

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 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.

Karen is one of my go-to authors when I'm looking for a book that will make my laugh out loud, has great historical details, romance that is just perfect, with a bit of mystery mixed in. I think I've said before that I get bored with regular ole romance, and hers are anything but. I really enjoyed More Than Words Can Say. It was so fun to read Zach’s story, since I got to know him in a couple earlier books. He was a rich secondary character, but shines as the hero. Swoon worthy. Then you add this amazing heroine and her sidekick sister, and the plot is rich, the romance sweet, and a fresh take on the marriage of convenience plot. Perfect for those who love late 1800s romances.

I enjoyed this sweet story. It was light and peppered with humor. I appreciated the real life approach to problems that the characters had and that the author focused on characters with real life flaws. The hint of mystery added some intrigue to the story and as always with Karen Whitmeyer there was so great spiritual truths woven into the story. Not my favorite by this author, but it was entertaining and cute!

In More Than Words Can Say, Abigail Kemp inherits her father’s bakery after his death, unaware of an obscure law requiring main street businesses to be owned by men. She needs to sell the business or find a male business partner so she can continue to provide a living for her sister Rosalind and herself. Abigail picks her rescuer from among the town’s eligible bachelors – Zach Hamilton.

After raising his siblings to adulthood, Zach enjoys a carefree bachelor’s life. When Abigail proposes a marriage of convenience, he hesitates to say yes, despite being a fan of her baked goods! However, he is opposed to the city council forcing her to comply with this unusual law, and reluctantly he becomes her hero. Will they find a happily-ever-after as they get to know one another, have hard discussions in which they uncover secrets from their past, and learn to build trust with one another?

Witemeyer is known for her historical romances, filled with humor, clean romance, dreamy heroes, and independent heroines. Abigail is not your typical heroine; she struggles with her weight and her self-image. Her books are appropriate for adults as well as older teens. The faith element is not heavy-handed, and themes of forgiveness for past actions run throughout the novel. Zach, Abigail, and Rosalind have regrets for past actions, afraid that when the past is revealed, others will look down on them. Filled with hope, humor, trust and family, this book is a delight for the reader.

I started this book with the sole intention of reading one chapter. My bath water was run and I knew I wasn’t going to stay in there long, just long enough to relax for bedtime. Or so I thought.

Once I started on this book stopping at just one chapter was out of the question. My toes turned into raisins as I turned page after page to see what was going to happen. The story had me tuned in from start to finish.

Karen Witemeyer always writes well thought out books that captivate the reader, and fortunately this one was no different.

The main character has a problem and that is sometime ago in the laws of the town, because she is woman, she cannot own her own business. She spent the last months, after her father died keeping the business strong and running and now a bunch of men are telling her that she can’t keep it any longer. What they don’t expect her to do, she does.

So we have the story of Zachary Hamilton which is essentially the continuation of the set of three adopted siblings. The focus of the story is on Abigail, yet we have Zachary and his story woven into this one. The great thing about it, is that even though I vaguely remember the setup with his sister, I didn’t need to read the previous stories to understand. Each book is solely on it’s own and can stand there with no problems.

Excellent book and as always, I look forward to the next compilation of words that Karen brings together.

There is something about Karen Witemeyer’s writing that allows it to be light-hearted, easy reading while also being entirely sincere. More Than Words Can Say broached subjects of past regret, secrets, broken relationships and a woman’s desire for both independence and fair treatment within a story that captivated the heart of compassion and the beauty of God’s redemption.

While this book could stand alone it would be best read after the first book in the series: More Than Meets The Eye.

PS – My only disappointment was not with the novel itself, but with the cover. I thought the cover was really appealing until I read the book and realized that the cover image of Abigail was a long way from the plump baker that I found in the novel. (Think Sookie from Gilmore Girls). In retrospect I feel a little disappointed for the character that on the cover they would choose to keep her dimples but alter her weight.

I received a free digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Super cute perfect sweet romance story. I love reading good clean books!
5 stars!!! I really enjoyed the charcters and the charcter growth. I am looking forward to reading more by this author.
Book summary
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.

Another winner by Karen Witemeyer in More Than Words Can Say! The premise is simple, Abigail is forced to marry someone to keep her bakery. I adored the twist where Abigail and Zach don't have "relations" until she is ready. So they basically marry and then he courts her. I loved, loved, loved how the reader had a backstage pass to the journey of them falling in love with each other. The love grew in such a tender and organic way.

This book held great tension and very nice plot twists to keep me interested until the very end. Grab your copy of More Than Words Can Say today!

This book read so smoothly, making it hard to put down. Karen Witemeyer really makes it look easy!

The marriage of convenience trope is used to full effect here, with a large part of the ongoing tension being when Zach and Abigail will make this a "real" marriage and begin having those "relations" that Zach bargained for. That makes it sound a tad unseemly, but it's really a rather cute, clean story that is refreshingly frank about marital love and the emotional intimacy that should co-exist with the physical intimacy.

Characters are well-drawn - independent, generous Abigail and taciturn, protective Zach. It's obvious the author "knows" her characters well as they always remain in character.

The spiritual messages of letting go of grudges, forgiving oneself, and relying on God are well done.

My only disappointment is in the cover the publisher selected. It's attractive and cute - but it's not Zach and Abigail. I rarely comment on covers in reviews, but the dissonance between the cover and the text really struck me. It's lovely if the author portrays an overweight heroine who is loved by her husband just as she is, but when the cover model is anything but overweight, it undercuts the story's message. Likewise, the model for Zach does not resemble the gruff, silent hero who permeates the pages of More Than Words Can Say.

I was really excited to get a chance to read this book. I loved the cover and the description. I had not read the first book in the series. I did not have any problems following along. The book gives back story so I did not feel like I was missing out on anything. This book is a story of marriage of convience. However, I love the forgiveness theme. No matter what we do, how far we wander God always forgives us. This was a reminder I needed. This author has well written characters, a very amazing storyline, and her writing flowed so clear you felt you were right there watching. I love when books do that! I will be going back to read the first book, and cannot wait until the next book by this author comes out!
I received a copy of this book through the Celebrate Lit blogging program, all thoughts are my own.

"More than Words Can Say" relates the story of a woman who makes a "business arrangement" marriage in order to save her business. Both Abby and her new husband Zach find themselves attracted to each other, and their marriage turns into more than "business."

The setting in a western town provided interest and insight into developing towns and businesses of the American West. The plot moved along quickly and kept my interest throughout. I especially liked both Abby and Zach, who proved to be quite a match for each other, and each feisty in their own right. The Christian message is overt, yet plays an integral role in the story, and is not overdone.

I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy a quick-paced Christian romance in an interesting setting.

I received this book from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

ADORABLE! As I've come to expect from Karen Witemeyer. And full of her signature romance and thoughtfulness.

Zach's story has been long coming and the romance took him by surprise as it did us, readers. But only determined, undaunted Abigail to come to severe-looking Zach with a marriage proposition and thaw his heart during the first days of their "business".

Cheerful ad humorous, this book quickly pulls you into the story. And Witemeyer also wisely thread in themes of forgiveness and sacrifice. Zach always comes out as grave and serious, but we who have read the past books know the big heart that lies within. Abigail won't take long to discover it as well. No, it is actually Zach who needs to acknowledge the goodness received to that absolves any corruption.

I was first drawn to this book by the ADORABLE cover! JUST LOOK AT IT: the colors, the baking, the subtle glances, everythingggggg.

The characters are the sweetest: I think my favorite character was Rosie, who wasn't even the main character! I also totally shipped Abigail and Zach: they were SO cute and their chemistry was so good! The story was also SUPER sweet and the character development was so sweet too!

In terms of content, I thought this one was kind of on the heavy side? There were several really sweet kisses, but they were written out in great detail. Also, the symbolic choice for character development in this book seemed the two MCs sleeping together. As someone who is currently in a relationship, I appreciated the sweet kisses and the relationship in general, but even I thought the romantic line was a bit much.

Aside from that, the writing style was phenomenal! I really loved some of the metaphors and imagery that was used, it was witty and sweet and read smoothly and it was just fun. This is my second Witemeyer book, and I remember enjoying the last one like this too!

I haven't read the first book in the series, but I've seen it was about Zach's backstory, and now I'm interested in reading it!

My Rating-
4/5

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review.

This review first appeared on: https://losingthebusyness.wordpress.com/2019/05/29/book-revire-more-than-words-can-say-by-karen-witemeyer/

Really enjoy reading Karen's books. Her characters are so alive with engery. and excitement. She weaves Christian love throughout her books. Can't wait for the next book of the series.

More Than Words Can Say by Karen Witemeyer is a wonderful, zany, historical romance that includes faith at its core. While it is helpful to read the preceding book in the series, it is not required to enjoy More Than Words Can Say.

Abigail Kemp and Zacharias Hamilton are well-developed, lovable characters that I quickly found myself rooting for. Witemeyer provides likable secondary characters and a villain who, the more I knew, the more I actually hoped for redemption.

It was nice to read about a heroine who was somewhat less than thin. Unfortunately, the picture on the front of the book does not accurately portray the Abby presented inside.

Secrets and shame, guilt from past hold both Abby and Zach back. I feel shades of Les Mis in my mind when Zach cannot release the past, knowing he would repeat the wrong for its benefits. What a conundrum that causes and a stumbling block in his road to total honesty and a relationship with the Father.

Quotables:

“...a wise woman never burned a bridge she might need to cross at a future date.”

”...revenge had a tendency to warp a person’s mind when allowed to fester for a long period of time.”

“These stuffy male councilmen might want to hold her down, but like a well-made bread dough, she planned to rise to the occasion.”

For a fun, faith-filled romance, all well blended, baked, and deliciously served up; I heartily recommend More than Words Can Say. I was gifted a complimentary copy of the book through NetGalley. This in no way influenced my opinions for which I am solely responsible.

More Than Words Can Say by Karen Witemeyer

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

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Story Notes

Karen Witemeyer continues the story of the Hamilton family with a story that focuses on Zach and his journey to find love and a forever home.

I was so glad to see that Ms. Witemeyer’s newest book was going to tell her readers of Zach finally finding a place to belong. His story began in More Than Meets the Eye but this book lends its focus to him and his journey of love. The story begins with a young woman named Abigail Kemp, who is the current owner of “Taste of Heaven” bakery. She is in a very unwanted dilemma which requires her to either sell her property to a male investor or find a husband very quickly. Neither appeal to her but a marriage of convenience seems to be the lesser of the two evils she faces. Making a list of the eligible bachelors in town gives her a choice among three candidates who answer her needs. Now she just has to convince one of them to agree to her contracted marriage arrangement. Zach Hamilton is finally free of all his burdens of the past and is enjoying his newfound freedom. He is bound to no one and has no desire to become bound to anyone anytime soon. But when the lovely bakery owner approaches him with an unorthodox arrangement, Zach will have to think long and hard about his decision. Problem is, he doesn’t have long and hard to think if he is going to help Abigail save her bakery. Agreeing very reluctantly, Zach marries Abigail but with the understanding that while their marriage may start out as one of convenience, they will work towards making it a true marriage. Abigail is not adverse to a true marriage but agrees it will take time to get to know each other. As they work together to make the bakery thrive, they also learn ways to help each other thrive. And when the bakery comes under attack, they will both need to accept help to ensure all will be well again in the bakery and in their married life. I love stories like these, that begin with two persons that seem like opposites coming to find they are much more similar than they first believed. I enjoyed the quiet but growing romance between Zach and Abigail. They each had a past that made finding love a gamble but they still held out hope that they would find it. Zach thought he didn’t want responsibility anymore but he discovered that he is his best self when caring for others. Abigail found she did not want to do everything on her own even though she thought that would be best in the beginning. And their coincidental faith journeys allowed them to grow together as they worked to make the bakery flourish again. I will certainly be recommending this book to others as I found it to be very well done. I’m also looking forward to adding a copy of it to my “re-read soon” shelf. Ms. Witemeyer is certainly turning out some really great reads and I’m hopeful the next will be out very soon!

I received this E-Book free of charge from Bethany House Publishers via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation for this review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

Abigail Kemp has kept up the operation of her father's bakery since his death six months ago. More than merely thankful for a way to provide for herself and her younger sister, Abigail loves making delicious recipes and has a good head for running the bakery. Unfortunately, the city council has decided to enforce an archaic law that says no woman can own a business in their town, and Abigail is faced with a choice: close up shop, or find a man willing to accept a proposed marriage of convenience in order to put his name on the deed. With a detailed contract in hand, Abigail begins making the rounds of Honey Grove's eligible bachelors.

Zacharias Hamilton is happy to be his own man after spending his youth raising his siblings. Now that they are grown and on their own, he loves being free from the weight of responsibility. When Abigail approaches him about her need, his first instinct is to run away—no matter how much the pretty young woman and her tasty baked goods have impressed him in the past. But thinking of Abigail having to tie herself to any of the other choices on her list makes him reconsider, especially when he learns that the city council is not the only danger facing the Kemp sisters. With a few adjustments to her thorough contract, Zach agrees to the marriage.

Overjoyed to have saved her bakery, Abigail tries not to let Zach's presence disrupt their daily lives. But, as she muses in Chapter 15, "Marriage to a man with a penchant for kissing was proving to be a trial." She's agreed to being open to a real marriage once they get to know one another better, but she's in no rush. Meanwhile her sister faces some difficulties and her former best friend is set on ruining everything Abigail touches, giving her plenty of things to focus on along with the daily workings of the bakery.

Wooing one's extremely practical but also beautiful and thoughtful wife is taking longer than Zach anticipated. He's up to the challenge, though he'd just as soon keep the shadier parts of his past hidden if he can. Soon all their wits will be required to outsmart those trying to bring them harm, and true intimacy also means being vulnerable with God and each other. Can these two ever find the words to say what's in their heart?

This story is a sweet delight that I thoroughly enjoyed. Marriage of convenience is one of my favorite tropes, Zach is my favorite kind of hero, and Abigail reminded me of myself, making this a delicious confection for my reading tastes. Although I wouldn't recommend it for young readers, it was perfectly lovely as two broken yet seemingly strong people find their way to each other. This is a story I'll be reading again in the future.

I received my copy of the book from the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

Where There’s a Will There’s a Way….

Determined to keep her family business, Abigail Kemp is resorting to a marriage in name only—and she must do the proposing! But someone wants her out of business so badly, even that might not be enough. She must deal with her sister, who inadvertently puts her reputation at stake, an enemy who is set out to ruin Abigail, and a secretive, confirmed bachelor. Despite it all, she doesn’t give up as she faces one roadblock after another.

This is a fun story with lots of predicaments, all told from a Christian point of view. It was refreshing to have the heroine be someone who does not look like a runway model, thank you Ms. Witemeyer! This is a clean story, but there are some mature themes and innuendo when referring to marriage that might make it inappropriate for young readers. This is the second installment of A Patchwork Family Novel series, but this story stands by itself. I recommend this 5-star book to everyone who enjoys light stores of over-comers with a dash of humor and romance!

NetGalley has provided bookreadingtic with a complimentary copy of More Than Words Can Say, for the purpose of review.

This was the first book I have read from this author, although I have seen many of her books. I really liked it although it was interesting that the character Abigail, felt she was heavy and yet the cover picture certainly doesn't indicate that.

It was an entertaining read and this marriage of convenience seemed to be a good decision for both as they worked through their pasts and their concerns about them. Each needed to work those things out before their marriage of convenience could go to the next level. There may have been a little too much mention of the "marital relations". Although the book was clean, it seemed to dwell on that a bit more than I would want it to.

But it was a good read, longer than many books I have read lately, but enjoyable.

I received an ebook copy from NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.

Karen Witemeyer is a wonderful author of historical Christian fiction. I have enjoyed every book I have read by her and More Than Words is one of my favorites! Even with the unorthodox beginning, the relationship between Abigail and Zacharias has a beautiful progression. The story moves along steadily with both action and character growth, and it has a satisfying ending. This was a thoroughly enjoyable read!

My Thoughts:
Prepare to time travel. And then prepare to be spellbound in the new time and place you’re in. You may never want to come back to the present day again. I know I didn’t!

Karen Witemeyer writes excellent books. I’ve read some of her series before and was very excited to get to read this book. I made sure to grab a copy of the first book in the series and gave it a fast read before diving into this one. You don’t have to though. I recommend you do because who doesn’t want to read more than one good book? Come on, we all know we’re book-a-holics. That being said you don’t have to read book one to understand and love book two, it just makes it that much better. And I’m sure book three will seal the deal!

When I look at an author and decide if I’ll read another of their books I’m looking to see if they elicited a response from me. Did I laugh? Were there tears in my eyes? Did my kids have to ask me what was making me giggle or wipe tears away? Those are all wonderful things! Really they are. That means the author is simply amazing and I must run out and get more of their books or at the very least request them from the library.

Karen Witemeyer is one of those amazing authors that you just have to read more and more by because she makes you feel like she knows you. You feel like the main character is you at times. It’s not just the fun and the small bits of mystery and romance. Rather, it’s the reminders of God’s love and the assurances of whether we screw up a little or a lot He’s there.

There aren’t a lot of books or authors anymore that I want to keep around for my children to read as they grow older. I have teenage daughters now and one is always asking if she can read the book I just finished. This is actually one book that I’m okay with her reading. Even in the Christian fiction circles there are just some books that I don’t feel comfortable sharing with my daughter. I would share this one. That’s probably the highest praise I can give a book or an author.

I highly recommend this book and all of this author’s wonderful reads. You’ll love them.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

More Than Words Can Say by Karen Witemeyer is book 2 in the Patchwork Family series. I am a fan of this author's writing and was excited to pick up this book. A bakery, a marriage of convenience, a possible romance, and a threatening situation-- what more could a novel have? This is the perfect read and I highly recommend it to readers of many backgrounds. You won't regret it. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

This is book two in the Patchwork Family series. It is sill a stand alone book, however you do miss some history, and a good read, by jumping right into this one. Witemeyer does a great job though of bringing you up to speed, so it is not necessary to read book one (More than Meets the Eye).

Book two we find Zacharias Hamilton is finally free of being a provider. He is loving his new freedom, but when Abigail Kemp is in need of help can Zacks' protective instinct keep him from helping, even if his freedom is now in danger.

Abby is an independent baker, when her livelihood is put to the test she will stop at nothing to keep it.

I love the sparks, mystery, forgiveness and of course romance in this novel and I look forward to book three.

This was a cute story about two sisters that were in between a rock and a hard place.

Abigail had inherited her father’s bakery however women weren’t allowed to own property at that time. She was to either sell the bakery or have it taken from her.

Or, plan c.

Find a husband.

I love Karen Witemeyer for her wit and storytelling… and I love stories of marriages of convenience. All her stories are well written, this one is no exception.

The only trouble is when the couple gets married at the beginning of the book and the story is about them falling in love… well, boundaries ain’t no thang… so that can create a bit of a… blushing reader…if you know what I mean. To be clear, it is a CLEAN read, but I’m not sure some of the topics in this book are really for an unmarried reader. It’s kind of like when certain things are talked about to the entire congregation instead of holding a marriage conference. Do you know what I mean?

I love Karen’s work. I definitely laughed a lot and enjoyed the plot and all that. I don’t want to give a spoiler, but the kids Abigail and Zach helped in-the-end were the cherry on top… that, and the widows in the community who came to Abigail’s rescue. I hope that’s not too spoiler-like for you all.

I give it a four-star – I mean, I am married and found this story very relatable. It might be a good book for a book group for engaged ladies or new brides. 😀

I think I’ve just read one my favorite marriage of convenience stories ever! Witemeyer grabbed my attention right from the first chapter, with the fiery Abby trying to hold on to what is rightfully hers. I mean, plus the fact that she owns a bakery, and I love baking kind of sealed the deal 😉

Then she brings Zach into the picture. Here’s this sort of quiet, shy, strong man who you can see has a soft side (the scene where he is playing with children – yeah totally liked that). I instantly knew I wanted him and Abby together. What’s great about their love story is that it is not your typical marriage of convenience. First of all, there isn’t this huge awkwardness between Zach and Abby. In my opinion, it’s more of a shyness. However, neither one of them is afraid to ask the hard questions. I mean, Zach comes right out and asks about relations as part of the contract (gasp)! I think I almost fell on the floor when I read that. This open communication continues throughout the entire story. They just easily fell into this rhythm, and I found myself not getting enough of it.

Then there were the smooches. From the very first smooch at the wedding, I knew there were plenty of toe curling moments ahead. What chemistry Zach and Abby had! Again, this was not your normal marriage of convenience story, but I was so happy with the way Witemeyer wrote it. Even more important was that Zach and Abby both had something in their past they were ashamed of. They carried guilt around for years, as a lot of us do with things in our own lives. The power of giving that burden over to the Lord, and the freedom that can come afterwards was such a great lesson in their story.

Historical fans and romance fans alike will devour the latest in the Patchwork Series. I cannot wait to see what story comes next! I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Witemeyer has created another amazing 4 star novel! This one, in her trademark fashion, will have you whootin out loud with laughter! From start to finish, the reader is taken to the heart of the historical story and made to feel a part of the fun. Definitely recommend this novel that's full of hope and love, faith and acceptance to all who want to chuckle while they read. Hats of to Witemeyer! Can't wait to read the next!

I truly enjoyed this book. This is a genre that I tend to really enjoy. I love a good historical romance when the author takes the time to research the time and place to bring as much realism and accuracy as possible to the story and setting. Ms. Witemeyer never disappoints. This author has been one of my favorite authors for her last several books. I find that she improves with every book she writes, and I have found her work very good from the beginning!

Ms. Witemeyer has created a slew of very well developed characters with wonderful depth. She took the time to lay out wonderful back stories for each character. I also loved that even though this book was part of a series that does build from one book to the next, it can easily be read as a single story without the reader being fully lost. This author doesn't go into repeating the entire previous story, but does share just enough to easily understand the history needed for the current story to make total sense. With many authors, either the books have to be read in order in order to not feel totally lost, or every story feels like a replica of the previous with just some new tidbits added here and there. This is not the case in this series.

The editing is very well done. Grammar and punctuation were clearly a priority, as this story was smooth to read from beginning to end. I also was drawn in from the very first page, and found that that story did not feel at all rushed, but also did not drag on at all. There was just enough description of surroundings to bring the reader within the pages to feel like they are within the storyline without feeling so much description that you find yourself bored.

I look forward to reading more stories from this author in the future. I'm grateful to NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read and review books for them. This is a privilege I greatly value, especially when I get opportunity to read such wonderful work as this one!

This is the second book in the Patchwork Family series and it can read as a stand-alone novel. That is how I read it and thought that it made good sense. I do think reading them in order might provide a bit more clarity to some of the characters, but I also don't feel like I missed too much in the book either.

It's a fun little historical romance with a strong theme of grace and forgiveness running through it. Sometimes forgiveness is easier to extend to others than to one's self. It's also easy to be blinded by our choices and think that we have only one option when that is not true.

Abigail wants to keep her bakery and Zacharias wants to keep to himself, but a marriage of convenience turns into more, of course. But then there's sabotage and orphans and things like that that get thrown into the mix, creating a fun, but challenging story. How quick am I to extend grace and forgiveness? How quick am I to offer hope to someone who needs it if it is going to inconvenience me and cause me to sacrifice?

I received this book from Bethany House via NetGalley and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

MORE THAN WORDS CAN SAY is another delightful read from this author and series! Readers will easily fall in love with these characters and cheer them on as they try to find their happily-ever-after.

I just plain adored these characters! Abby is one of those characters that is so easy to relate to. She's hard-working, loyal, sweet, with a heart of gold. Zach is rough around the edges and somewhat gruff, but he also has a soft heart and is fierce in protecting his own. I loved their interactions and I especially loved how Zach didn't let Abby storm off or turn away from him. He stopped and sorted things out right then. I also loved seeing their relationship develop and love grow, leading to plenty of swoon-worthy scenes. The story also has plenty of moments when I wasn't sure how things would turn out, keeping things interesting to the very end.

In the end, was it what I wished for? I thoroughly enjoyed reading this from beginning to end. It did have some more mature content as the characters tried to figure out their roles as husband and wife, so I'd recommend it to older readers, but I definitely recommend it!

Content: Some innuendo, content related to marital relations, but clean.
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the the publisher through Celebrate Lit, which did not require a positive review nor affect my review in any way.

More than Words Can Say is a historical fiction set in the late 1800’s in Honey Grove, Texas. It is the second book in the Patchwork Family Series, however it can be read as a standalone novel. Karen Witemeyer has written a fictional story about a real town, her details would delight anyone familiar with the town or its history. I enjoyed Abigail Kemp and her determination to keep her inheritance and her family’s legacy. She also demonstrated forgiveness and understanding when many would choose another route. Zacharias “Zach” Hamilton has already sacrificed to raise a family once, but finds himself drawn to Abigail and want to not only save her legacy but save her from a loveless marriage. Zach grew the most as a character to me, he went from a character that confused me to one that I loved. I enjoyed the interaction between the characters, it was entertaining while still being believable. I am looking forward to the concluding novella in the series.

I received a copy of this book from celebrate lit, this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.

First book that I have read by Karen Witemeyer and I was not disappointed. Being pulled into the characters dilemma had me endeared to them from the start.

I just love it when a book makes me laugh-out-loud and this book delivered some laughter all right! My favorite quote from the book was from chapter 2 which said “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 found myself reading this out loud to anyone who would listen 😊 If you want to laugh and enjoy some great light-hearted fiction, this is the one!!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.


*** Also posted on CBD , B&N

I enjoyed this story. The second book in the Patchwork Family series. Zach Hamilton from the first book has started his life after raising his "sister and brother". He meets Abby Kemp the baker in the town where he lives, she needs a husband in order to keep her bakery. He agrees to marry her and in the process the two fall in love. It's a story of trusting God and seeing what He will do.

Karen has once again crafted a meaningful story of love, forgiveness, redemption and grace. When reading this story, the message of God's love being an important part of any type of relationship shines through loud and clear.

The main characters are described in such depth and realistic detail that one immediately becomes engrossed and involved in their lives. The reader easily identifies with characters who are just like ourselves, less than perfect. Abigail who has always struggled with her weight and is very self conscious about her looks, can not believe that any male could ever be attracted to her. Even when confronted with the difficult situation of a female owning property, she failed to think that anyone would be attracted to her without promises of something to be gained. Zach is a true jewel! He not only consents to the marriage of convenience, but does so with grace and true love, although undisclosed. These two imperfect people represent all of us. We need to always look above for our help in our rough times. We are far too hard on ourselves.These endearing characters, alongside the somewhat quirky, whimsical secondary figures exhibit the author's wit and sense of humor.

The plot, although starting off at a very slow pace, once established, moves along well with just enough unexpected twists and turns to keep the reader glued to the page. The underlying meaning shines clearly throughout the many problems and challenges experienced by these dear people. We all need to pay attention to this message. Forgiveness of self and others is required in order for us to experience true happiness. Whether the family is connected by blood naturally or a "patchwork" of individuals, we must all consider ourselves perfect in God's sight. Faith , trust and forgiveness are requirements to a truly happy life!! God can help each of us achieve that goal, as Karen has described with her collection of characters and events.

A fantastic book!! Worthy of five stars! Eagerly awaiting the next book from this talented author!

This book was received from CelebrateLit. The thoughts and opinions expressed are honest and my own. A positive review was not required.

This novel is too cute! I loved watching Zach and Abby find their way to each other. I loved that Zach loved Abby as she was and wholly devoted himself to her. I loved that Abby understood Zach's quiet nature and never pressed him to say more than he wanted. And I looooovvvvvvveeeeeeed the chemistry between Zach and Abby!

The romance is definitely a highlight, but I also enjoyed the other relationships in the book—between Abby and her sister, Zach and his co-worker, and even Abby and her antagonist.

Here's the mark of a good book: I finished reading it two weeks ago, I've read multiple books since I finished it, and I'm still thinking about it! It's probably the most enjoyable historical romance I've read this year.

Here’s a story that is a <i>good</i> example of a marriage-of-convenience stories! How could I expect less, since it’s a Karen Witemeyer novel? Once again she proves herself one of my favorite authors with this gently romantic, humorous story of a woman business owner whose town board decided to force her to marry in order to keep her business. While I wanted to kick the corrupt mayor to the curb, of course, I was in the wrong time frame to do so, and the hero was a great option!

But naturally the independent heroine isn’t as easily convinced. She’s skeptical of men, especially after the town gangs up on her in order to give her and her business to the smarmy town favorite who’d rather shmooze the mayor than to make himself more worthy of the woman he supposedly loves.

There were a few things that weren’t super believable, but honestly Witemeyer is such an engaging author that I really tend to just swallow down whatever delightful plot she throws my way and beg for more. I just wish she could write faster than one book a year! I binged her entire backlist the first year I discovered her and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a free reading copy. A favorable review was not required. Review is based off a final paperback copy.

This is such a sweet story. I loved the characters and storyline. I liked how strong the females are in stories. Even though some are mean, the main character was able to stay calm and not sink to their level. She also fought to stay above her issues. The main male character is simply amazing. I love how his background is not so clean and how he had to survive. I honestly didn't know this was the second book to series. It was great on it's own. Now I can't wait to read the first book. Happy reading my friends.

O my! More Than Words Can Say by Karen Witemeyer basically jumped off the page and read the story itself to me. It's extremely visual with tons of great characters and plot lines that had me going and going. Let's back-track a bit. Karen Witemeyer is one of my favorite authors. That being said, I've never been disappointed with any of her stories I've read, but as with any favorites, I try not to bring my expectations too high, in case I'd get disappointed. I'm more than happy to announce that this story will not disappoint, even for those that are not a fan of historical novels.

The characters are perfectly presented, each unique in their own way, with a backstory that gives them all depth and most importantly, flawed. Yes, flawed. They're not perfect, but that's why they make perfect characters for readers to get to know and invest their time in to have our own opinions about them - either to love them, dislike them or anything in between. All the main and secondary characters rounds out a story that gives readers a glimpse into their past and their present during the course of the start to the end of the novel, but with a good book, it gives readers the imagination of a future.

The start of a story of an unconventional marriage bounds for laughter, awkwardness and some great dialogue. Yet, it's the themes of forgiveness and self-confidence that highlights More Than Words Can Say from good to great. How well it is threaded throughout the story, gave readers the expectant time to build up to full comprehension. In all, a wonderful story of entertainment with timeless messages that correlate to the modern day reader.

Ms. Witemeyer always writes good books. I can't wait for her next title in a series, they are always detailed in description and character. Her plots are always full of twists and turns and her character's either are eccentric or have unusual occupations. More than Words can Say is a follow up to More than meets the eye. If you read More than Meets the Eye then you found yourself wanting to know more of Zacharias Hamilton, a tough introvert, with a big heart.

In More than Words Can Say, Zacharias meets his match in Abigail Kemp. She is a feisty, outgoing young lady who knows what she wants...and what she wants is to keep her Bakery Business going and remain the Woman Entrepreneur she longs to be. To do that she has to find a husband, quick, to be her, in name only, partner so that the town council will allow her bakery to stay in business and she can continue to run things as she has.

Zacharias finds himself agreeing to the unusual contract because he's attracted to Abigail and her sticky buns; but Zacharias is not a pushover. Still he becomes a strong supporter of Abby the longer they continue their budding relationship.

Both have deep secrets that could undermine their, in name only, marriage but this read is worth the time to find out what those secrets are and how everything turns out, no pun intended. I received this ebook through Netgalley from Bethany House. The opinions expressed are my own.

Karen Witemeyer's second novel in her wonderful Patchwork Family series, More Than Words Can Say, releases June 4th, and you will not want to miss it!

I was privileged to work on Karen's promo team for both More Than Meets The Eye (the 1st book in the series) and More Than Words Can Say, and have greatly enjoyed the experience and the books. Though I received this book in advance and am on Karen's team, it was with the understanding that I would give an HONEST review of the book. I am in no way obligated to give a good review if I don't feel it deserves one. Thankfully for me, Karen never disappoints with her stories. She continues to produce superbly woven tales with earthy characters, interesting plots, and a beautiful message weaved throughout the story.

In More Than Words Can Say, the reader gets a front row seat to Zacharias "Zach" Hamilton's deeper story. We first met Zach in More Than Meets The Eye, but he was on the fringes, the dark, mysterious character within the story. More Than Words Can Say brings him front and center and really helps the readers that have been following this series gain a fuller understanding of his past and what drives him.

I found Zach such an interesting character right from the beginning when we met him in the Prologue of More Than Meets The Eye as a 13 year old boy on an orphan train, on through to the end as a full grown man who has done the best he could in raising his adoptive siblings and keeping them safe, albeit making mistakes and a few questionable decisions along the way. Those very mistakes and decisions haunt him like ghosts on through to More Than Words Can Say. The question is: Will he be able to come to terms with them and accept the forgiveness that God has already given him?

More Than Words Can Say also introduces a set of new characters and a new town, though Evangeline, Seth (Zach's siblings), and Logan (Evie's husband and a reminder of Zach's greatest ghost) all make a brief appearance as well. The heroine of this story is Abigail Kemp, owner of the town's bakery. Faced with losing the bakery, which is Abigail's means to provide a home and future for her sister and herself, she turns to drastic measures to hold onto her beloved business. But will she succeed? And more importantly, will she find something more important to her than her business?

I love the way Karen weaves her stories, creating characters that are earthy, real, and flawed. In More Than Words Can Say, we have a man who is far out of his depth with communication, particularly when it comes to how he feels, and a woman who see's herself as fat and undesirable, rather than a "fearfully and wonderfully" made young woman who deserves love and admiration. Witemeyer gives the reader the enjoyable experience of watching these two learn and grow, while banding together to help one another. And Spoil Alert! There is a happy ending. ;)

I'd highly recommend this book. It's well written, keeps you interested until the very end, and is a joy to read. Karen never disappoints.

A book that takes place in a small town I actually have visited a few times and a plump baker who is completely adorable? Yes, please! For five of my growing-up years, I lived just a few miles from Honey Grove, Texas, but I didn’t know any of the history of this town that was shared in this book (assuming the research was accurate). I must say, I’m now curious and want to learn much more about this darling little town.

The fact that the baker wasn’t as petite as the cover indicated made me smile. Of course, I wish the cover designers would have chosen a model who better reflected the plus-size of the leading lady. Tsk, tsk! But the story surrounding Miss Abigail Kemp was amazing, and she brought enough spunk to the table that I forgot she wasn’t properly portrayed on the cover. (Though, that dimple on the cover model’s cheek is perfect and matches the one featured in the story.)

The leading man, Mr. Zach Hamilton, was a sweet surprise for me. I had really liked him in book one in the Patchwork Family series, but this story featured him as a lead, and that allowed the author to fully explore the depths of his character. I liked what I learned about him this time around!

One thing both characters had in common was a mistaken perception of their past deeds. So many times, we get an idea stuck in our minds about how things happened, but the perception for others might be different. It’s only when we seek God’s truth about it that we learn where our true mistakes were and what steps we may take to patch up any bridges with people and also learn what we can from those past events. I think this journey was well expressed in this book, and I love that both characters could figure out some hard truths in their journeys that can also apply to readers’ personal lives.

The unique spin on the marriage of convenience genre was special and neat. I liked that Abigail was marrying to save her business rather than to keep her family together or something. Not that I don’t enjoy that other type of story; I do. But this one gave more variety to the genre than many of the other marriage of convenience stories I’ve read lately. I enjoyed seeing the bakery play a huge part in the plot, because so often the leads’ careers take a back seat to the romance. Not so with this one! The bakery was front and center, and I rather liked that.

This story was fun, entertaining, charming, quirky, and challenging. The author’s trademark humor was in top form, and she dipped into deeper waters with the main themes but knew when to pull back into lighter tones at just the right moments. I especially adored how children came to be involved in the plot in a couple of different spots, and the references back to Zach’s siblings were perfect.

Only a handful of things were disappointing to me. There was one mention of a character swearing to the Lord. There were a few references to “big man” or “big fellow” when in reference to God. Those are very disrespectful terms for a reverent and holy God, and I’m disappointed every time I hear them, for the lack of respect they convey. The sensuality in this story was heavier than in other Witemeyer books. While it flirted with the line between chaste and tawdry, it managed to stay on the more innocent side of things, though there were a couple of moments that I wasn’t sure which way it would go.

I wish this series could continue forever, but I suppose I’ll instead have to look forward to the next series by this author.

Content: “big man” and “big fellow” in reference to God several times, one character swore to the Lord once, sensuality (flirted with the line but did not cross it), mentions of gambling (but not seen on-page)

There are times when I wonder why it took me so long to read a book? I have had this on my reading list for a long time and I finally settled into reading it.

Zach and Abigail are wonderful characters. Abigail has some self-esteem issues. She doesn't think she is much of a catch, but fortunately, Zach does. Her proposal of marriage came as a surprise to him, but his regard for her eventually won him over.

This is a "marriage of convenience that turns into something more" book. I loved Zach's strategy to turn it into a real marriage between two loving partners. He was so patient with her. He is one of the good guys, even though he has a past that he isn't proud of.

The book held a few surprises. It was a book that I needed. Pure fun with a good message.

Source: I requested a copy from Netgalley a few years ago. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.