More Than Meets the Eye (A Patchwork Family Novel Book #1)

Karen Witemeyer

Jun 2018 · A Patchwork Family Novel Book 1 · Baker Books

About this ebook

Many consider Evangeline Hamilton cursed. Orphaned at a young age and possessing a pair of mismatched eyes--one bright blue, the other dark brown--Eva has fought to find her way in a world that constantly rejects her. Yet the support of even one person can help overcome the world's judgments, and Eva has two--Seth and Zach, two former orphans she now counts as brothers.

Seeking justice against the man who stole his birthright and destroyed his family, Logan Fowler arrives in 1880s Pecan Gap, Texas, to confront Zach Hamilton, the hardened criminal responsible for his father's death. Only instead of finding a solitary ruthless gambler, he discovers a man not much older than himself with an unusual family. When Zach's sister, Evangeline, insists on dousing Logan with sunshine every time their paths cross, Logan finds his quest completely derailed. Who is truly responsible for his lost legacy, and will restoring the past satisfy if it means forfeiting a future with Evangeline?

Ratings and reviews

The prologue for this book is powerful. Had me tearing up within the first few minutes of opening the cover. From that point on, you have to know what will happen to the orphan characters, because you've become connected to them on a heart level, every single one. Logan and Eva are both beautifully flawed characters, and their journey is a delight to read. From the heroine's unique family and newfound friends to a horse and pet pig named after Old Testament prophets (one of which wears a red bow to avoid becoming ham steaks), the secondary characters display show-stealer potential. Their plot weaves in and out with the main characters' goals so well. I have a hunch we'll be seeing Zach's story soon, and the anticipation is getting to me already. The jaded son of a riverboat gambler who gave up his dreams to raise two orphans? I have a feeling his story is going to be well worth the wait. I was delighted to see a dual romance thread in this book. Smart, protective men and strong-but-feminine women shine through all the ups and downs of finding love in tough circumstances. The nerd in me loved to see a bookish romance between secondary characters, while the western-loving part of me smiled at the roguish antics of the tough and gruff leading man with his Lady Sunshine. One aspect that sets apart the main romantic story, is the hero's "wooing" the heroine to get information from her that will advance his goals, which of course accidentally turns into a real courtship, leaving our hero with lots of well-deserved inner conflict! I enjoyed watching him squirm under the glaring light of his conscience while wrestling between serving up justice and admitting his heart had found its home with a plucky little farm-girl sporting mismatched eyes. Overall, this story delighted me with surprises and fueled my curiosity for the next book in the series. There were only a couple times I didn't quite understand the hero's decisions in relation to the villain, but the resulting danger and edge-of-your-seat moments saw me turning pages faster to keep up with the action! The author's trademark wit, adventure, and warm western charm saturates this story. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys inspirational western romance with a giggle. *I received a copy of this book from the publisher free of charge. My review is voluntary, and the opinions expressed are my own.

Once again I must say, you can't go wrong with a Karen Witemeyer novel. What ever this author writes I want to read. She has a way of taking you on an unforgettable adventure. I finished this first book in her new series Patchwork Family, and immediately started researching to see when number two will come out. Karen has such a way of building her characters they stay with you long after you have read that last page. In More than Meets The Eye, we have two romances budding, two over protective brothers, at least two bad guys and a lot of love, romance, humor and feisty characters. I found myself laughing out loud one minute and wiping away tears the next. I love the way Christian ethics are always a part of Karen's books, and yet she is never in your face. There were many lines and quotes from this book, but my favorite is “It was Logan's job to live for God, and God's job to take care off the rest:” If you haven't realized yet, I loved this book, and I would highly recommend it.

Evangeline Hamilton is different, but she doesn't let that dim her enthusiasm and love of life and family. She and her brothers have seen their way together into adulthood. So, when a strange man camps out near their land, she feels its her duty to check him out and make sure he's a friend and not a foe. Vengeance or Revenge? Logan Fowler tells himself that he's seeking vengeance. So, when he shows up in Pecan Gap to find Zach Hamilton and hold him accountable to what happened 7 years ago, he's not quite ready for what he finds. A family of siblings who may or may not be blood related all working together and for each other. When he catches the sister snooping, he fears that his plans may have hit a snag. What follows is a storyline filled with examples of how to turn problems and heartache over to a God who can heal and help. Evangeline exhibits a pure faith in the power of God. So, when she senses the pain and anger in others, she immediately tries to help them turn to God for help. She's a strong heroine who is willing to stand in the face of evil and trust that God will provide. The romance is sweet and gentle, building over time as she and Logan spend time together. The time scale helped it seem real and believable. The one thing I don't understand is why the author chose to integrate Seth's story into Evangeline's. Granted, she'd have had to come up with a different means of suspense and danger, but it's truly a story within a story that could have been developed into at least a novella, if not a full novel. I felt like Evangeline and Logan's story got set aside while Seth and Christie had theirs. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love Ms Witemeyer. She's one of my all time favorites, but I feel like I need to be honest here. Evangeline and Logan's story got lost in the mix with Seth and Christie's. Otherwise, it's a wonderful book filled with numerous examples of faith and trust in God. Romance - PG / Kissing Language - clean Violence - PG - one man dies of gunshot, fist fight, evidence of abuse My rating - 4 stars

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 Abilene, Texas, with her husband and three children. Learn more about Karen and her books at www.karenwitemeyer.com.