Welcome to my stop on the Celebrate Lit Tour for More Than Words Can Say. Besides getting information about the book and author Karen Witemeyer, there is a sign up to win the Giveaway. It is a $20 Panera gift card and both books in this series.
My Thoughts:
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.
A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but I was under no obligation to write a review. These are my own, honest words.
About the Book
Book: More Than Words Can Say
Author: Karen Witemeyer
Genre: Historical Romance
Release Date: May 7, 2019 
After fulfilling a pledge to a dying friend, Zacharias Hamilton is finally free to live life on his own terms. No opportunities to disappoint those he cares about, just the quiet bachelor existence he’s always craved. Until fate snatches his freedom away once again when the baker of his favorite breakfast treat is railroaded by the city council. As hard as he tries to avoid getting 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. Not the stoic lumberman who oozes confidence without saying a word whenever he enters her shop. Control Zacharias Hamilton? She can’t even control her pulse when she’s around him. Once vows are spoken, Abigail’s troubles should be over. Yet threats to the bakery worsen, and darker dangers hound her sister. As trust grows between Zach and Abby, she finds she wants more than his rescue. She wants his heart.
Click here to purchase your copy.
About the Author
Winner of the HOLT Medallion and the Carol Award and a finalist for the RITA and Christy Award, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer writes historical romance to give the world more happily-ever-afters. Karen makes her home in Texas, with her husband and three children. Learn more about Karen and her books at www.karenwitemeyer.com.
More from Karen
Settings – Real or Imagined?
One of the key decisions an author has to make before she begins to write is selecting the setting for her story. And the first choice she faces is the question of whether to use a real or imagined location. Roughly half the stories I have written are set in fictional towns. The use of a fictional setting allows an author greater freedom to manipulate the environment of her characters to fit her plot. This provides a great deal of flexibility. However, there is something special about setting a story in a real place. First, readers who are familiar with that place never fail to get excited about seeing a town they recognize in print. Second, if an author can find historical photos and documents, she can add a wonderful layer of authenticity to her setting that might otherwise be missing. Third, an author may turn up fascinating tidbits when studying the history of her setting that find their way into the story and bring a flavor the author never could have supplied on her own. This was the case as I wrote More Than Words Can Say. All of the stories in my Patchwork Family series have been set in real places. Pecan Gap, Texas for More Than Meets the Eye, Honey Grove, Texas for More Than Words Can Say, and coming this fall we’ll travel to Gainesville, Texas for the concluding novella, More Than a Pretty Face. Researching each location brought its own unique discoveries, but I have to admit that researching the small town of Honey Grove brought this history-loving girl a special level of joy. For example, there is a legend about how the town got its name that I knew needed to be incorporated into my story. Legend has it that when Davy Crockett was on his way to join the fight at the Alamo, he stopped in a grove of trees and set up camp. There were so many bees in that in letters to family and friends, he called the place a “Honey Grove.” He carved his initials into one of the trees and intended to return and settle there after the war. Unfortunately, as we know, Crockett did not survive the Alamo and therefore did not return. One of his friends, Samuel A. Erwin, later found the grove and became the first settler in 1839. Many people recall seeing the initials carved into Crockett’s bee tree even into the early 1900s, which led me to believe that this legend was based in truth. It doesn’t play a pivotal role in my story, but if you watch for it, you’ll find it mentioned. Discovering the Honey Grove Preservation League’s website proved a tremendous boon. Their online historical resources are some of the best I have ever come across. Historical photos, newspaper articles, government records—it was like stepping through a time portal every time I visited. And I visited often. Thanks to the Preservation League, I was able to mention real people and places in my novel. Places like the Commercial Hotel, the home of James Gilmer that was built during my time period, Wilkins, Wood & Patteson Dry Goods, and Dora Galbraith Patteson’s millinery shop on the east side of the town square. While Zacharias Hamilton and Reuben Sinclair are completely fictitious characters, there really was a lumberyard located on the corner of Sixth Street and Rail Road. As fiction authors are wont to do, I did take a few liberties with Honey Grove’s history. To my knowledge, there was never any city ordinance banning women from owning businesses in town, which was a key plot point in More Than Words Can Say. In addition, Mayor Chester Longfellow was a complete invention of my imagination. The true mayor of Honey Grove during this time period was J.H. Smith, a man who served in that capacity from 1888-1897. He must have been a well-loved city official to hold office for nearly a decade. I paid brief homage to him by having him step back into office when my fictitious mayor resigned. I hope you enjoy stepping back in time with me into historic Honey Grove, Texas. Zach and Abigail might not have lived there in truth, but I like to believe their tale is a representation of the many amazing love stories have taken place in that sweet little town through the years.
Blog Stops
The Power of Words, June 15
She Lives to Read, June 15
Real World Bible Study, June 15
Carla Loves to Read, June 15
Baker kella, June 16
D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, June 16
EmpowerMoms, June 16
Daysong Reflections, June 16
Through the Fire Blogs, June 17
Genesis 5020, June 17
Lighthouse Academy, June 17
Bigreadersite , June 17
Among the Reads, June 18
All-of-a-kind Mom, June 18
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, June 18
For The Love of Books, June 18
C Jane Read, June 19
Inspired By Fiction, June 19
Mary Hake, June 19
Hallie Reads, June 19
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, June 20
For Him and My Family, June 20
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 20
Living Life Free in Christ, June 20
Connect in Fiction, June 21
Jeanette’s Thoughts, June 21
Splashes of Joy, June 21
Pause for Tales, June 21
Stories By Gina , June 22
Worthy2Read, June 22
Blossoms and Blessings, June 22
Southern Gal Loves to Read, June 22
Christian Chick’s Thoughts, June 23
Connie’s History Classroom , June 23
Vicky Sluiter, June 23
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 23
Wishful Endings, June 24
Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, June 24
Simple Harvest Reads, June 24 (Guest post from Mindy Houng)
Texas Book-aholic, June 24
A Baker’s Perspective, June 25
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 25
amandainpa , June 25
janicesbookreviews, June 25
Britt Reads Fiction, June 26
Quiet Quilter, June 26
Older & Smarter?, June 26
A Reader’s Brain, June 26
LifeofLiterature, June 27
Chas Ray’s Book Nerd Corner , June 27
Christian Bookshelf Reviews, June 27
Inklings and notions, June 27
Emily Yager, June 28
Lukewarm Tea, June 28
By The Book, June 28
The Becca Files, June 28
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Karen is giving away a grand prize that includes More Than Words Can Say, More Than Meets the Eye, and a $20 Panera Bread gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/e4f4/more-than-words-can-say-celebration-tour-giveaway
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Batter:
Crumb Topping:
Bake 45-50 minutes.
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