A Bride Most Begrudging [Paperback]

Deeanne Gist (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2005

When Lady Constance Morrow ?nds herself held against her will aboard a ship bound for the American colonies--a ship ?lled with "tobacco brides" and felons--she is quite sure that as soon as she arrives she will ?nd a reasonable man who will believe her father is an earl and send her back on the next ship to England. Instead she meets Drew O'Connor, a determined Colonial farmer who is nearly as headstrong as she is. Drew wins Constance as his bride but soon realizes he has taken on much more than he bargained for

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A dazzling debut novel....an inspirational tale that truly inspires rather than preaches at the reader... " -- Love Romances

"If you enjoy a story of love and faith with historical details, A Bride Most Begrudging is one you'll adore." -- The Romance Reader's Connection

"If you enjoy reading books set in the colonial era, A Bride Most Begrudging is the book to read." -- Road to Romance

"Ms. Gist is a talented author with a humorous voice." -- A Romance Review

"My favorite heroes are those with a toughened exterior, but the heart of a saint... Deeanne Gist creates such characters." -- Armchair Interviews

"This book was well written, well researched, emotionally engaging, and featured two wonderful protagonists....I most definitely recommend it." -- Romance Designs

"[Gist's] graceful dialogue brings hearty, out-loud laughs, as well as tears of realization, sadness and understanding." -- Christian Fiction Reviewer

"[a] tender love story... [an] exquisite novel..." -- Carol Lynn Stewart, ForeWord Magazine

"a fantastic colonial romance that highlights the plight of women and incarcerated indentured servants" -- The Best Reviews

"a fast-paced, interesting look at life in the mid-1600s... Its original plot will keep you entranced and entertained." -- Bookloons

About the Author

Deeanne Gist -- known to her family, friends and fans as Dee -- has rocketed up the bestseller lists and captured readers everywhere with her very original, very fun historical & contemporary romances.  Add to this three RITA nominations, two consecutive Christy Awards, rave reviews, and a growing loyal fan base, and you've got one recipe for success.

She has a very active online community on her website at IWantHerBook.com and at Facebook.com/DeesCircle.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 347 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers; no edition stated edition (July 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764200720
• ISBN-13: 978-0764200724
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (129 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #71,804 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Deeanne Gist -- known to her family, friends, and fans as Dee -- has rocketed up the bestseller lists and captured readers everywhere with her very original, very fun historical & contemporary romances. Add to this three RITA nominations, two consecutive Christy Awards, rave reviews, and a growing loyal fan base, and you've got one recipe for success.

She has a very active online community on her website at IWantHerBook.com and at Facebook.com/DeesCircle.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

121 of 126 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Extremely Satisfying both Historically and Inspirational, June 26, 2005

By 

M. Rondeau (West Springfield, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Bride Most Begrudging (Paperback)

Setting - Virginia Colonies, 1643 --- Lady Constance Morrow snuck aboard a ship without a chaperone in order to say goodbye to her dearest Uncle Skelly who was being transported to the colonies. Naively believing no one would ever harm the daughter of an Earl, she had no idea of the danger she was in. Having left her maid behind, and with no footman in sight, the unscrupulous captain had her thrown in the hold along with the female felons who were earmarked as `tobacco brides' for the colonist farmers.

Drew O'Connor, grew up in colonies loved the land but knew it was a harsh life and had experienced all the sorrows along with the joys and knew full well that only the strongest survive. Having lost his beloved a week before their marriage, he had sworn to never love again. Therefore, he was unmoved by this latest ship full of brides, coming only in search for a maid to tend his house and look after his young sister. Though after a game of cards that very evening, what he ended up with was a wife claiming to be the `kidnapped' daughter of an Earl, and who demanded to be sent immediately back to England. Not only was she argumentative, but she'd no idea of how to cook, no housekeeping skills whatsoever - and to his horror - she had RED hair and freckles! She wanted nothing more than to spend time doing mathematical equations rather than housework.

Although they seemed to have nothing in common but individual stubbornness and a love for mathematic puzzles, Drew and Constance came to admire one another with both wishing that their marriage of convenience would become a marriage designed in truth by the power of God's great love.

*** In a most delightful way this new author has taken a small slice of American history and created a perfectly lovely romance. The heroine, Lady Constance, though educated and intelligent was in for the culture shock of her life when faced with the harsh life realities of early colonial America. As the pampered daughter of an Earl, the author clearly had a field day in being able to portray both the frustrations Constance went through as she struggled to adapt to her new life and the joys as she overcame those challenges. Drew, though morally strong had lost so much and buried so many loved ones that he'd thought the best way to protect his heart was to not let it become engaged and so the theme of faith in God during trials was extremely uplifting and very lovely indeed. This book was well written, well researched, emotionally engaging, and featured two wonderful protagonists. Along with a superb cast of secondary characters, the author opens the door for what I hope to see is a sequel featuring Drew's brother Josh. I most definitely recommend this novel for anyone looking for an extremely satisfying and wonderful feel good read. -- Marilyn, for www.romancedesigns.com ---

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Enjoyable!, January 6, 2006

By 

J. Queen (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Bride Most Begrudging (Paperback)

This book was exactly what I was looking for. I enjoy historical romances, but don't read "romance" books because they're always full of sex. This book managed to demonstrate the attraction between the main characters without resorting to the "throbbing member" descriptions in other romantic novels. I think the author tries a little late in the story to throw in a Christian message, and I also found some of the dialogue a little cheesy, but overall, this was a good book, and I tore through it in about 2 days. I recommend it.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderfully Emotional Read!!!, March 12, 2006

By 

Kristi Ahlers (Illinois) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Bride Most Begrudging (Paperback)

Lady Constance Morrow, daughter of Earl Greyham has found herself on board a convict ship sailing for Virginia without chaperone or papers detailing who she is, so when they dock in the colonies she is shocked and not very happy to find out she is going to be sold for Tobacco. If that is not insult enough she has been won in a card game and her new master is not what she's expecting. She's expecting to get her life back once she speaks with the governor. She's about to find out life in the colonies is much different from England

Drew O'Conner knows that only the strong survive in the new world. He has lost the love of his life and he is not interested in marrying...ever. So when he is the reluctant winner of Constance, he brings her to his home only to find out she can't cook, how to keep house and has a sassy argumentative mouth. And she's has red hair and freckles! But some how these two very different people learn to appreciate each other and a marriage of convenience is more then they ever thought it could be.

Ms. Gist is a wonderful addition to the inspirational romance genre. Her story is full of heart and emotion. Drew and Constance were engaging characters and their romance is truly a superb read. Ms. Gist has done her research for time period and as a result the reader will feel transported to the Virginia colony. This is one author I highly recommend and one I look forward to reading in the future.