Title: Without Words
Author: Ellen O’Connell
First published September 30, 2014
334 pages, Kindle Edition
Rating: 4.22
Overview
When bounty hunter Bret Sterling kills Rufus Petty, he never expected to find himself saddled with a frightened, half-starved woman. Hassie Petty has no one, and Bret sees an opportunity to earn the five hundred dollar reward for leaving her in a safe place.
But as they travel together across the West, Bret and Hassie become unlikely companions, hunting down criminals and discovering a connection they never thought possible. As they navigate the dangers of the frontier, they must decide whether they are just friends, partners, or something more.
Ellen O’Connell’s Without Words is a captivating Western romance about two mismatched souls finding love in the most unexpected way.
Editoral Review
Without Words by Ellen O’Connell is a historical romance novel that was originally published on September 30, 2014. O’Connell is a renowned author who is known for her skillful storytelling and captivating characters.
The book is set in the 1800s in Texas, which was a time of great social unrest and political upheaval. The novel explores themes of love, loss, and redemption and effectively draws a connection between past and present struggles.
The plot of the novel revolves around Rachel Bailey, a deaf-mute woman, who falls in love with a wealthy rancher named Cord Bennett. Despite their different social statuses and Cord’s initial reluctance, the two eventually form a deep bond.
The story is filled with intricate characters such as Cord’s loyal ranch hands, his menacing brother, and Rachel’s caring family. As the novel progresses, the characters are faced with various conflicts that threaten to tear them apart.
However, the resiliency of their love and dedication to each other allows them to overcome even the toughest obstacles. One of the strengths of Without Words is O’Connell’s ability to bring the historical setting of Texas to life.
The descriptions of the scenery, customs, and social norms of the time period are vivid and enhanced by the author’s attention to detail. The author paints an accurate and realistic picture of the challenges that people faced during this time.
Another strength of the novel is the development of the main characters. Rachel Bailey is a particularly well-crafted character who evokes empathy and admiration from the reader.
Her disability is portrayed with sensitivity and accuracy, and her determination to overcome the obstacles she faces is inspiring. Cord Bennett, on the other hand, is a complex character that develops throughout the story.
His journey is one of self-discovery as he learns to navigate the intricacies of love and the social hierarchy of Texas. However, the book does have some weaknesses.
The pacing of the novel can be slow and at some points, it seems like the story is dragging on. Additionally, the plot can be predictable in some places, which can diminish the tension of the story.
Despite these flaws, Without Words is still a captivating read that is recommended for anyone who enjoys historical romance novels. The book’s themes of love and redemption are universal and the characters are well-developed and relatable.
Although the book is set in the 1800s, its themes and commentary on social class resonate with current events and issues. I give Without Words by Ellen O’Connell a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
