More Than Words Can Say

More Than Words Can Say
By Karen Witemeyer
Published by Bethany House
Release date: June 4, 2019

Abigail Kemp is not going to lose her family's bakery so when the city council tells her she must have a man's name on her deed, she's determined to find a way to make that happen...even if it means she'll have to ask a man to marry her and convince him to let her run her business her way. She decides on Zacharias Hamilton, the handsome bachelor who quietly comes into the bakery every morning for breakfast.
 Zach is dumbfounded when Abigail approaches him. He's been enjoying his bachelorhood and doesn't want to give that up, and yet, he's got a soft spot for a woman in distress, especially one as sweet and pretty as Abigail, and pretty soon, he finds himself with a wife who just might be perfect for him.
Although finding a husband should have solved Abigail's problems, things don't go as smoothly as she expected because someone still seems determined to cause trouble for her. But in Zach, she finds someone who is willing to stand by her--but can she also get him to love her?

Loved it. I love Abigail, who underestimates her worth because she thinks she's plump and plain, but who is determined to be successful in her business and is unfailingly kind to everyone. I love Zach, who doesn't even begin to realize what a catch he is and how his actions are exactly what Abigail needs to show her that she matters (I also have a soft spot for him because he's so attracted to Abigail, loving her imperfect figure, the very thing about her that she thinks a man wouldn't want). I love a man who is rough around the edges but has a heart of gold, so Zach was exactly the type of hero I wanted to read about. I loved seeing their relationship develop and how good they were for each other. I thought the plot was interesting and the themes were great but not overbearing. I love how Karen Witemeyer writes--she brings humor and great characters and great storylines together in books that are just a pleasure to read, and that was definitely the case here. Just a great book!
4.5 stars.

I read a copy of the book provided by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

A Reluctant Bride

A Reluctant Bride (Bride Ships #1)
By Jody Hedlund
Published by Bethany House
Release date: June 4, 2019

Although her life in London is extremely difficult, Mercy Wilkins has done the best she can. But when her mother loses her job, making it impossible to feed all members of the family, Mercy leaves home so that one of her younger siblings won't have to. Her sister Patience, who has already gone to the workhouse, convinces Mercy to go to the Columbia Mission Society in order to immigrate to Canada for work. Although she's reluctant to go, with no other option--other than marriage, and Mercy has vowed never to marry or have children--she does just that, only finding out after she has started her journey that the women aren't immigrating to find jobs; they're to become brides for men in Canada. Determined to find a recourse other than marriage, Mercy spends her time on the ship caring for the others and assisting the ship's doctor, Joseph Colville.
Joseph's aunt and his peers have long expected him to settle into his place among the gentry, but Joseph can't bear the thought. So instead of staying in England to take his place among the aristocracy and manage his estate, he signs on as the doctor on a ship bound for Canada. He's prepared to enjoy his journey to a new land; he's NOT prepared for the feelings he develops for Mercy. Beautiful inside and out, Joseph can't help but come to care for her, but with Mercy determined not to wed and with the differences in their classes, Joseph doesn't know what to do about his feelings for her.

Jody Hedlund is such a fantastic author, with an amazing ability to pull you right into the story alongside the characters. I wouldn't think reading a book that takes place largely on a ship would be so interesting--I mean, they're pretty limited in what they can do and what sort of action there can be--and yet, Hedlund made Mercy and Joseph's story so engrossing that I couldn't put it down. I was really drawn in by Mercy's character--so sweet and pure, rather than embittered by the harsh life she's endured, and I liked how Joseph was a bit of a prodigal initially but came to want to follow the path God wanted him to follow. Another terrific book from Hedlund!
4.5 stars.
I read an ARC provided by the publisher/author. All opinions are my own.

The Number of Love

The Number of Love (Codebreakers #1)
By Roseanna M. White
Publisher: Bethany House
Release date: June 4, 2019

Margot De Wilde loves her work as a codebreaker for England's intelligence network during WWI. Numbers are her life, something she has always been able to depend on, figure out, and follow. But when tragedy strikes, even her beloved numbers can't help her make sense of life.
Drake Elton first meets Margot when he takes his sister Dot to her new job as a secretary for the codebreakers. He's intrigued by Margot, who is different from other women, and he's pleased that she and Dot, who struggles with anxiety, become friends. His work as an agent in Spain keeps him from getting to know her better--but when he is injured and returns to England to recover, he quickly finds that Margot is the girl for him. But how can he get Margot, who cares only for numbers, to realize that following her heart isn't a bad thing?

Loved it. I loved the setting--seeing the British codebreaking going on during WWI was really interesting, and I loved how Margot was right in the middle of it. Margot cracked me up; I loved her no-nonsense, straightforward approach and how she would hold her own whenever she was challenged. I also liked watching her journey to see beyond numbers. Drake was great as well; I liked how sweet he was in trying to court Margot, really thinking about what she would like, and how he supported her and how he would push just enough but not too much. I really, really enjoyed it. 5 stars.

I read a copy of the book via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Upon My Heart Forever--Blog Tour and Giveaway!

Upon My Heart Forever
By Amber Lynn Perry

Book description:
 When Clara Moore learns of her brother's unthinkable scheme—to take her to England and force her into a hasty marriage—she knows she must escape New York. But when she finds out who has accepted the job of taking her to Boston, she almost rethinks her own hurried plan. For the handsome man who comes to her aid is none other than her former love, Ethan Barrik. He left her heart in shambles six years before. Can she trust him a second time? Ethan Barrik is no stranger to struggle. But tracking the enemy, and war-time spying are nothing compared to the pain of regret. Ready at last to leave his past behind, he accepts one final job for a friend, only to discover the person he's really helping is the woman he still loves. Despite her ire, he knows he must make every attempt to make it right—and hope she will find a way to forgive him and give their love another chance.

My thoughts:
This was a very good historical novella. The author did a great job of conveying the characters' emotions and keeping the plot moving. Really enjoyable.
I read an ARC provided by the publisher. All opinions are my own.


 Author links:
Goodreads
Facebook author page
Website
Twitter
Amazon author page
Purchase link

Tour Schedule

May 6th - Heidi Reads / The Bibliophile Files

May 7th - Katie’s Clean Book Collection / Wishful Endings

May 8th - My Book a Day / Singing Librarian Books

May 9th - Literary Time Out / Getting Your Read On

May 10th - Peggy Urry

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Beneath an Italian Sky--Blog Tour and Giveaway!

Book description: A love match turns into a lonely marriage. Will Clare and Emmett reconcile their differences before it's too late?

From USA Today bestselling author Stacy Henrie, comes BENEATH AN ITALIAN SKY, An American Heiress novel.

BENEATH AN ITALIAN SKY
--1908--
American heiress Clare Herschel made what she hoped was a love match when she married the handsome, witty Emmett Markham, the Earl of Linwood. A little over a year into her marriage, though, Clare finds herself wintering in Sicily—alone. She is sure the mild climate is the answer to avoiding another miscarriage and Emmett’s apparent indifference, so she’s determined to remain in Italy as long as possible. The last person she expects to show up at the villa is her husband, especially when Emmett confesses he’s there to convince her to return to England.
As the only surviving son of a marquess, Emmett has done everything his father has asked of him—even agreeing to run for a seat in the House of Commons. However, this latest task comes with a nearly impossible caveat. He must convince his wife Clare to come back to England with him in order for them to appear to be a happy couple for his political campaigning. Emmett isn’t confident Clare will agree to the plan, though, not when she seems to want nothing to do with him or the life they’d begun building before she abruptly left him for Italy.
When a massive earthquake strikes Messina, Sicily, claiming the lives of thousands, Clare and Emmett must set aside their mutual misgivings about their marriage in order to survive and lend a helping hand to others. But in the wake of the destruction, they begin to realize they’ve been given a chance to decide if their love is stronger than the upheavals of the past.

AMERICAN HEIRESS SERIES:
Night at the Opera
Beneath an Italian Sky
Among Sand and Sunrise (October 2019)

My thoughts: The historical setting for this story was so interesting. It was fascinating to see details of the earthquake and its aftermath. I also really liked how the story alternated between the past (letting us see Clare and Emmett's happy courtship and then the decline of their marriage) and the present. I found Clare and Emmett to be well-developed, with good reasons for the choices they make. This was just a really gripping story, and I really enjoyed it. I read an ARC provided by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/Stacy-Henrie/e/B008ESZ46U/

Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/stacyhenrie.author/

Blog tour schedule:

April 22nd - Heidi Reads

April 23rd - Peggy Urry

April 24th - The Bibliophile Files / Min Reads and Reviews

April 25th - Getting Your Read On / Katie’s Clean Book Collection / My Book a Day

April 26th - Wishful Endings / Literary Time Out / Singing Librarian Books


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The Governess of Penwythe Hall

The Governess of Penwythe Hall (Cornwall #1)
By Sarah E. Ladd

After her husband's death, Cordelia Greythorne left Cornwall, warned by her in-laws never to return, and obtained a position as a governess. For three years she has worked for the Tretheway family, and when the children are left orphans, she knows they need her to stay with them and provide a constant, loving force in their lives. However, their uncle Jac, their new guardian, lives in Cornwall, and staying with the children means returning to the area she's been avoiding.

Jac Trethewey is busy trying to revitalize his estate, Penwythe Hall, hoping that if he can get the apple orchards to flourish, the estate can thrive as well. When his estranged brother's five children and their governess arrive at Penwythe Hall, he knows he will take them in but he doesn't know how to make things work. What he does come to quickly realize is that Delia is more than the average governess--she is the one holding the family together and he wants to support her as much as she supports everyone else. And yet, there are rumors about her and secrets that make his new situation even more complicated than it first appeared.

I loved this book. It's easily my favorite of Sarah E. Ladd's books (all of which I've read and enjoyed) and one of the best books I've read in 2019. I was just so pulled into the story; I loved impulsive Jac who wants to do right by his nieces and nephews, and strong, good Delia who just works so hard to care for the children. I found the plot to be engaging and moving. The romance was slow-building and sweet, and I wouldn't have minded if there'd been a little more of the book that took place after their feelings were revealed, but all in all, it was a lovely book that I highly recommend.
5 stars.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

No Ocean Too Wide

No Ocean Too Wide (McAlister Family #1)
By Carrie Turansky

Laura McAlister is working as a lady's maid while her mother does sewing for a shop owner, trying to make ends meet and care for her three younger children. When Laura gets word that her mother is ill and hospitalized, she heads home to London only to find that her siblings have been sent to a children's home. When she goes to get them back, that is more complicated than she anticipated as Garth, Katie, and Grace have actually been sent to Canada as part of England's orphan emigration program.

Andrew Frasier, the heir to the estate where Laura was employed, is a solicitor who, along with his partner, is working on investigating the emigration program for the British government. While he has long admired the program and its leaders, Laura's story brings to light problems with its management. He promises to help Laura find her siblings and get them back--but will he be able to keep that promise?

This was a really engaging, interesting story. At times it was actually painful to read (the parts written from Katie's perspective, in particular) because it felt so real. This is a really fascinating piece of historical fiction, with some gentle romance that makes it all the better. I wouldn't have minded a bit more romance, but all in all, it was very well done and definitely makes me want to continue the series to find out what is next for the McAlister family.

4.5 stars.

I read an ARC provider by the publisher, WaterBrook & Multnomah, via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.