The Preacher's Bride [Paperback]

Jody Hedlund (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2010

In 1650s England, a young Puritan maiden is on a mission to save the baby of her newly widowed preacher--whether her assistance is wanted or not. Always ready to help those in need, Elizabeth ignores John's protests of her aid. She's even willing to risk her lone marriage prospect to help the little family.

Yet Elizabeth's new role as nanny takes a dangerous turn when John's boldness from the pulpit makes him a target of political and religious leaders. As the preacher's enemies become desperate to silence him, they draw Elizabeth into a deadly web of deception. Finding herself in more danger than she ever bargained for, she's more determined than ever to save the child--and man--she's come to love.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Hedlund's debut novel is no light-hearted romp through history. Instead, this double finalist in the 2009 ACFW Genesis Contest for unpublished writers takes on 1650s England during the final days of Cromwell's reign. The Puritans had enjoyed years of freedom, but as Royalists begin to regain power, preachers like John Costin face danger. Costin's wife dies, leaving four children behind, one of them blind and another, newborn. Elizabeth Whitbread, who sees children in need, volunteers to become Costin's housekeeper. She comes to love the children and, eventually, John, yet she is bound by strict Puritan standards and her promise to marry another. Elizabeth faces the threats of a Royalist, the rebukes of powerful Puritans, and the turmoil of her feelings as political events threaten all she holds dear. Hedlund, who based her tale on the life of John Bunyan, writes well of life in Puritan England, though the middle drags and readers will become annoyed with the stubbornness of Costin. Yet this is a fine beginning for a writer we'll hear from again.
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From Booklist

In her historical inspirational fiction debut, Hedlund crafts a penetrating narrative about loss, love, and the sacrifices that are made for one’s faith. Opening in England in 1659, The Preacher’s Bride tells the story of Elizabeth Whitfield, a young Puritan maiden, and John Costin, an intrepid minister and recent widower with a young brood. Although Elizabeth only means to serve as she believes God intends, John repeatedly rebuffs her charitable attempts to take on the role of his housekeeper and childcare provider as he grieves for his wife. Elizabeth’s world darkens when a frightening stranger on a mission to destroy John’s growing ministry begins to stalk her. It is only then that John is able to realize his true feelings for Elizabeth. The strength, chastity, and faithful zeal of both main characters will resonate strongly with fans of inspirational historical fiction. Based loosely on the second marriage of John Bunyan, a hero of the faith and author of The Pilgrim’s Progress, Hedlund’s novel exemplifies the struggles of the Puritan preachers and their “well-beloved” wives. --Elizabeth Ponder

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Product Details

• Paperback: 379 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers; Original edition (October 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764208322
• ISBN-13: 978-0764208324
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (125 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #764,767 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jody Hedlund is an award-winning author of inspirational historical romances, including the best-selling historical, The Preacher's Bride.

As a busy mama-writer, she has the wonderful privilege of teaching her crew of 5 children at home. In between grading math papers and giving spelling tests, she occasionally does a load of laundry and washes dishes. When she's not busy being a mama, you can find her in front of her laptop. Sometimes her family thinks her fingers are super-glued to the keyboard, but in reality she usually finds her writing time in the wee hours of the morning and then for a couple of hours in the afternoon when done with school. She views writing as God's gift to her--a creative outlet that helps bring fresh energy to her parenting.

She's living testimony that amidst the crazy chaos of running a large family, it's still possible to squeeze in time for writing and fulfill the dream of publication. She chronicles both the joys and difficulties of her journey toward publication on her blog, Author Jody Hedlund: http://jodyhedlund.blogspot.com/

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

52 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Faithful!, September 30, 2010

By 

C. Estrella (USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Preacher's Bride (Paperback)

Compelling........

That is the one word I would use to describe this book. Honestly, this was not a "normal" read for me. Needless to say, life has drama, sorrow and heaviness so generally I tend to lean towards light and easy reading to balance it all out. This book, however, would not let me put it down. It compelled me along, beckoning to me to continue reading.

This driving story follows the (author enhanced) life of John Bunyan, writer of Pilgrim's Progress, and his second wife Elizabeth. This book was well researched and it's always amazing to read of different time periods and what those people had to endure. A greater appreciation for this family and the hardships and sacrifices they had lived through in order to survive was unimaginable. After reading this powerful portrayal, a deeper sense of purpose and conviction can not help to be felt in one's heart. I am so proud of Jody accomplishment and the obvious Inspiration behind this book's story.

37 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Above all, we must protect the children, September 20, 2010

By 

Holly Weiss "Crestmont" (NY) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Preacher's Bride (Paperback)

The Preacher's Bride is a lovely read. The intriguing cover drew me in and as I read I was immediately transported and immersed in the day-to-day lives of the Puritans of 17th century England. Set in the framework of the rancor between English Royalist and the Puritans, the book's message is that enduring faith, children and family trump persecution. I was unable to put the book down until I learned the fates of John Costin, a tinker "called to mend souls not just kettles" and his housekeeper.

Elizabeth Whitbread, the heroine of this refreshing Christian historical romance, is a compassionate, persistent and perceptive young woman bent on protecting and nurturing the children of the recent widower. "My conscience before God will not allow me to stand idly by," says Elizabeth.

Author, Hedlund, particularly adept with dialogue, has the gift of swiftly moving her plot along. Her personal experience as a mother of five has evidently enabled her to delve easily into the fanciful, innocent world of children. Her young characters literally jumped off the page into my heart. Particularly impressive is the characterization of Mary, the blind eight-year-old, whose sixth sense is clairvoyant and prophetic.

The Preacher's Bride will keep you engaged. Highly recommended.

Reviewed by Holly Weiss, author of Crestmont

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Preacher's Bride - The type of book I've been waiting for., September 24, 2010

By 

K. Hansen (CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Preacher's Bride (Paperback)

I am always looking for a good book to invest my time in. I want to be sucked into it's world with no desire to put it down. More importantly, I want to finish it with a sense of closure and fulfillment. "The Preacher's Bride" was this type of book.

It was interesting to walk in Elizabeth's footsteps as she stood strong in her faith to follow what she felt the Lord wanted her to do. In the face of opposition and public gossip, she stood firm in following His will when it would have been easier not to. Such a wonderful example of a woman of faith. I felt her happiness as well as her sorrow while I learned about the Puritan struggles in 1600's England.

I finished this book with the sense of wanting to doing better, to be better in my own life. It easy to recommend this book to all my reading friends because I know they will enjoy it as much as I did. "The Preacher's Bride" is perfect for a church book/discussion group of any Christian faith.