Customer Reviews

A Bride Most Begrudging

5 star:		(57)
4 star:		(37)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(10)
1 star:		(12)

 

 

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 ---

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.

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.

Gist's style is easy to read as her words flow through the pages. She keeps the story moving without getting bogged down in too much detail, yet she still paints a picture that easily takes root in the reader's imagination. The dialogue is realistic, and the plot unravels in an uncomplicated sort of way.

The book is 31 chapters long. The first 21 chapters focus on the sexual tension between the two main characters, Constance and Drew. This is one element I could do without. Perhaps Gist is trying to balance a Christian fiction theme with the sexual content of most romance novels, but I found it unnecessary and distracting. I would rather a Christian fiction novel focus on the meaning of true love, which appears to be the focus the book turns to after the 21st chapter. Drew, attempting to convince Constance to stay, goes all out to win his begrudging bride over with his good deeds and loving gestures. Constance, attempting to convince Drew to keep her as her bride (a little miscommunication going on here), learns to cook - a task she has never been fond of - in an attempt to please her husband.

While I had a difficult time putting the book down, I did not find the "dramatic twists" author Liz Higgs refers to her in her praise for Gist's first novel. However, the plot as is still keeps the reader's interest and fingers turning the pages as quickly as possible.

I recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a nice love story without the smut typical romance novels offer.

While at times cheesy and somewhat predictable, this book is charming and wholly entertaining. Much of the dialogue is simplistic and will induce an eye-roll or two, but it can be easily ignored due to the engaging characters and plot twists that keep you turning pages at a rapid rate.
While reading, I kept thinking about the PBS series "Colonial House", which helped the images and settings to come alive for me, and to really appreciate the details that the author researched and included in the novel.
Also, the portrayals of Christianity and God in this book are very well done: realistic and relatable, not hit-you-over-the-head sappy.
It's so refreshing to read a "Historical Christian Novel" that so wonderfully encompasses all three items! All in all, a very well done and loveable book!

I read the reviews before I bought this book, and I was waiting for this terrible "lust" to start...I didn't get it. First of all, they were married, and secondly they were married!! I don't think there is anything wrong with a man and woman being attracted to one another, especially if they are married!
I never even figured out what these ladies were talking about, all I saw was an attraction, and not lust. Someone said that the characters just lusted after one another, and that there was no love...I think that the author showed the love grow...just like any marriage that starts off like theirs did, you will never have instant love, love is something that takes time. Physical attraction on the other hand can happen much sooner, which is what the author demonstrated.

I really liked the book, it was easy to read. Someone else pointed out the historical inaccuracies, well that may be so, but I still enjoyed the book. I love the friction between the two main characters, it makes for an exciting and sometimes funny read!

In 1643, Lady Constance Morrow says goodbye to her beloved Uncle Skelly, a prisoner on board the Randolph. Skelly failed to bow to the king so he will spend the next seven years as an indentured prisoner in the Virginia Colonies. Before Constance can leave the vessel, the captain and his crew abduct her and toss her in with the other female detainees.

Two months later Constance is for sale in Virginia while Skelly died on board. To the spirited lass' chagrin odious tobacco farmer Emmett wins the booty. However, Drew O'Connor collects the prize having won Constance in a card game. He takes her to his tobacco farm where he only wants her to serve as a maid and companion to his younger sister. He definitely does not want marriage still mourning the death of his beloved Leah. Drew rejects Constance's babble that she is the kidnapped daughter of an earl until he realizes she can't cook or clean or do anything domestic, but he desires her. She falls in love with her employer.

A BRIDE MOST BEGRUDGING is a fantastic colonial romance that highlights the plight of women and incarcerated indentured servants. The gist of the story line provides a vivid look at the mid seventeenth century Virginia Colony, especially life on a tobacco farm. The lead couple is a delightful pairing as he begins to believe her only after he sees how domestically pathetic except for their kisses she is. The support cast is a bit extreme either being real nice folks or loathsome soulless thugs. Still Virginia and the prime lovers make for a wonderful historical tale.

Harriet Klausner

Shackled at her wrists and ankles, Lady Constance Morrow is put up for sale as a "Tobacco Bride" in the Virginia Colony. How had things come to this? With the death of her beloved Uncle Skelly, who could vouch that she really was the daughter of an earl and not an indentured servant? Yet, as the bidding continues and she is sold to the repulsive Emmett, she falls into despair and can only pray for help.

With the lucky turn of a card, she ends up married to Drew O'Connor, a handsome farmer still in mourning for his beloved Leah. Drew only wants a maid to care for his home and four year old sister and definitely does NOT want a wife, especially an argumentative redhead (a colour he abhors) with a head full of book learning and hands totally inept in domestic skills. Constance only wants to get back to England to edit a mathematics journal, shocked that this place is so uncivilized that they wash their dishes in dirt.

Since they both want an out from the marriage forced on them, they agreed to keep it celibate so it can be annulled. But, Virginia in 1643 is a long way from England and nothing can happen till spring. In the meanwhile, the lushness of the country, the friendship and support she gets from Mary, another woman from the ship, makes Constance begin to appreciate both Virginia and Drew. Faced with the challenges and tragedies of colonial life, they learn to understand each other a little better and find joy in small pleasures. As spring approaches and feelings change, will they go their separate ways or will they change their marriage of convenience to one of love?

Right from the first page, Deeanne Gist skillfully pulls us right into the sights and sounds of the period. She humourously develops the interplay between the two strong willed and very believable characters as well as weaving in an inspirational theme of how faith developed to sustain them in their adversities. Her work is well crafted, solidly researched, and she realistically portrays the tensions and concerns of the settlers and the Pohatans. So, pull the bed ropes tight and snuggle up with this witty book! Enjoy!

Deeanne Gist's first novel, A Bride Most Begrudging, is refreshing and entertaining in a genre where you may think you have read it all.

It's 1643 and a ship arrives in the new colony of Virginia, filled with women known as "tobacco brides", hoping to snare a husband and a chance for a new life.....except one Lady Constance Morrow, transported against her will and desperate to return to England.

After a humiliating experience as the brides were purchased, Constance finds herself at the home of Drew O'Connor, the only single man in Virginia who does not want a wife, especially one with without any practical skills in cooking or home making. Drew cannot fathom a woman who is beautiful yet argumentative, intelligent yet impractical and claims to be the daughter to an earl!

This book is beautifully written transporting the reader to the New World with rich and colourful descriptions of the scenery and culture. The dialogue between Constance and Drew is both witty and enthralling as they grapple with genuine emotions and social constraints. If you choose historicals sparingly, as I do, make sure Deeanne Gist's books make the cut!

I laughed, I cried, I learned something about history. What more can you want from a novel?

But wait, there's more--Gist also reminds us that God is loving. A BRIDE MOST BEGRUDGING is a satisfying book without any heavy agenda, but flavored with the truth of God's grace sustaining his children in tough times.

The characters are well-rounded and likeable, their conflicts are, for the most part, credible, and Gist's light sense of humor moves the story along enjoyably.

I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.