The Runaway Bride

GIVEAWAY

HEDLUND, JODY
THE RUNAWAY BRIDE

Wealthy Arabella Lawrence flees to British Columbia on a bride ship still wearing the scars of past mistakes. One of the few single women in the boomtown, she immediately has suitors, but she is determined not to find herself trapped again by a poor choice.

Vying for her hand are two very different men. Lieutenant Richard Drummond is a gentleman in the Navy and is held in high esteem. Peter Kelly is the town's baker and has worked hard to build a thriving business. He and Drummond not only compete for Arabella's affections, but clash over their views of how the natives should be treated in the midst of a smallpox outbreak.

As Arabella begins to overcome her fears, she discovers someone in dire need -- a starving girl abandoned by her tribe. Intent on helping the girl, Arabella leans on Peter's advice and guidance. Will she have the wisdom to make the right decision or will seeking what's right cost both her and Peter everything?

My Review:

"Yet as far a he had fallen, God had held on tight. When he had been at his worst, God's grace had been at its best."

What an emotional blockbuster! I was alternately seething and swooning and aching and laughing and...well, let's just say The Runaway Bride has all the feels to send an emotionally addled reader like me into a frenzy of bibliophile delight. :-)

So, clear off the fainting couch and grab your smelling salts 'cause Pete is the kind of swoonworthy hero that makes both a safety requirement...if you want to reach the end without risk of  a romantically induced concussion. :-)

Pete's pursuit of Arabella!!! My heart hasn't slowed to its normal pace yet. He's so clearly the better of her two suitors (no spoiler here, just the plain truth that any reader can see for herself) but this class conscious bride-to-be takes a harrowing long time to come to that conclusion. Hence my emotional meltdowns. And Pete's pursuit of God is just as powerful...wait...make them even more powerful. That man doesn't do anything by half measures.

This piece of my country's history is heart breaking and confusing and some aspects of it sent me into raging hissy fits. The treatment of the natives. The ridiculousness of fleeing the constraints of the class conscious English society only to replicate it in the new world! The pettiness of those who think they are superior. The layers of cruelty that so much of the populace turned a blind eye to. Argh! Rampant emotions ran amok throughout the read.

Well, actually, I listened to the audible version narrated by Esther Wane. Her superlative performance enhanced Hedlund's storytelling and held me spellbound right to the very end.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of  The Runaway 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 April 4 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!