A Reluctant Bride

GIVEAWAY

HEDLUND, JODY
A RELUCTANT BRIDE

A  new life awaits her across the horizon

Living in London's poorest slum, Mercy Wilkins harbors little hope for a better life. So when she's offered the opportunity to join a bride ship sailing to British Columbia, she agrees. The journey abroad is her only prospect to escape a bleak future -- both for herself and to help her sister, who's suffering in a workhouse.

Wealthy and titled Joseph Colville leaves everything behind and takes to the sea to escape the pain of losing his family. As the ship's surgeon, he's in charge of the passengers' welfare aboard the Tynemouth, including sixty brides-to-be. He has no immediate intention of settling down, but when mercy becomes his assistant, the two must fight against a forbidden love.

With hundreds of single men congregating along the shore of Vancouver Island, eager to claim a bride from the Tynemouth, will Mercy and Joseph miss their chance at true love, or will they overcome the obstacles that threaten to keep them apart?

My Review:

"What's the small part God's calling you to? Are you seeking His leading or are you running away from it?" (p 22)

Jody Hedlund has made a cracking good start of her Bride Ships series with this first book. There's such depth in both the character development and the faith thread that it was easy to be swept away right from the very first page. And I love that the story went in directions I wasn't expecting.

I was completely entranced by Mercy and Joseph and the very different worlds they come from. The way their lives intersect both in London and on the ship -- such a magical 'destined for each other' kind of aura and that made me all the more anxious during the gnarly bits that threatened my blood pressure! There's this one odious individual in particular who gave me conniptions - gah, but he's lucky I wasn't on that ship or it would have been 'man overboard' for sure! :-)

The historical research is impeccable, and it's worth reading the author's notes at the end of the book for some extra insights. Hedlund doesn't gloss over the horrid conditions in the London slums or in steerage on the ship. I shudder just remembering some of those scenes and marvel that our ancestors had the courage and gumption to go through what they did for a better future. And I love that books like this one bring history to life and help me appreciate the sacrifices of those who have gone before.

 Honestly, I'm kinda speechless over this one. Riveting. Enthralling. Moving. Uplifting. Not to be missed in my books!

"I want you to remember that when we are troubled on every side," Patience said, her voice wavering, "we can't get caught up in seeing the problems from our view. God's so much bigger and has things worked out in His ways -- ways we can't begin to understand." (p 61)

Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of A Reluctant Bride, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday August 31 2019. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!