Customer Reviews

The Preacher's Bride

5 star:		(102)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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

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.

I've read, and enjoyed, historical romance before. But, this is the first one I've encountered based on the Puritan way of life. I normally go for a good mystery or a crime drama with offbeat humor. Lately I've been indulging in young-adult paranormal. I'm also a big sic-fi fan and I throw in the occasional classic now and then. So, it would stand to reason that I might hold a small fear of this book turning out to be dull. I mean, come on... Puritans. How can that be engaging and romantic?

But, engaging and romantic it is. The book opens with a heart-wrenching scene that grabs the reader and the plot never lets go. You're immediately thrust into the lives of the main characters, John and Elizabeth, with a special peek into their hearts. Fear, worry, doubt and second-guessing. These topics of romance are always in season, Puritan or not. But, the Puritan part of the story is essential. It's the love of God that causes the steadfastness of conviction that leads to much of the story. It's an imbedded part of who the characters are and what makes them tick. But, you don't have to be religious or a believer to fully fall in love with the Puritan's of The Preacher's Bride and be wringing your hands or cheering with fulfilled hope depending on the page.

This novel is based on the real lives of John and Elizabeth Bunyan. Writer's license is taken with the romance of the couple, as well as creating personalities of the townspeople, while keeping most historical moments intact. John Bunyan wrote Pilgrim's Progress. A book I've never read, but I'm going to now.

So grab this one. Don't let it pass you by because you think it's all about religion. It's about people. Their hopes, dreams, fears and struggles. It's an awesome, intriguing page-turner for anyone regardless of your usual reading genre.

THE PREACHER'S BRIDE by Jody Hedlund is an inspirational historical romance set in 1650 England. This is this author's debut. It is well written with depth, details, research, twists, turns and a definate page turner. It has romance, faith, sacrifice, intrigue, family, children, poverty, tragedy, persecution, hardships, and perseving faith while in the midst of hardships. The characters are easy to follow, will capture your heart while they struggle to endure and do God's work and his will even while being persecuted. This story is based on the writtings of John Bunyan, a uneducated, Puritian preacher ,("Pilgrims Progess" )while he was imprisioned. It shows the hardship, struggles, and endurance his beloved wife Elizabeth went through.Their marriage, relationship, love was strengthened while enduring which trials. This is a touching story of true faith, love, hardships and following God's will during the trials of persecution. I would highly recommend this book especially if you enjoy faith, love, romance, learning more about the early Puritians in England and thei plight of persceution. This is a keeper and an author to be watching for in the future.This book was received for review from Library Thing and details can be found at Bethany House and My Book Addiction and More.

Set in England in the mid-1600s, The Preacher's Bride is the story of Elizabeth Whitbread, the daughter of a baker, betrothed to one man, but called to help another. The starving cries of the baby of widower and preacher, John Costin, stir Elizabeth to action, and start a series of events leading to family struggles, personal danger, and unforeseen love.

Hedlund is a gifted writer. She draws a vivid portrait of 17th century England, and the personal difficulties of its inhabitants. The internal and external conflicts of her characters and the decisions they made kept me full of questions throughout the novel, and turning pages so quickly that I read it in three nights. I also appreciated the portrayal of violence and romance without graphic language and disturbing images. It was refreshing to read a fully satisfying romance without anything that made me squirm in my seat.

Jody Hedlund's debut novel, The Preacher's Bride, is engaging, suspenseful, and well-written. Readers of historical fiction and Christian fiction have an excellent new book to add to their shelves.

I really enjoyed this story. The language, the descriptions, the historical content all melded together to make me feel as if I was really in Puritan England. The ending was so satisfying.

If you like historical fiction, romance that warms the heart, and stories of great faith through adversity, The Preacher's Bride is the book for you.

I literally couldn't put this book down... I started reading on a Friday evening and was finished by Saturday afternoon... the story is incredibly gripping and powerful and engaging and I was fascinated to find out that it was based on a true story about the life of one of my favorite authors. I highly recommend this book.

Really enjoyed The Preacher's Bride by Jody Hedlund. It was an interesting story and I found out much that I didn't know about the Pillars of our Christian faith. I actually had trouble putting the book down and took the afternoon off from my own work! Thanks Barbara Hagler

The Preacher's Bride captured my heart and plunged me into 17th century England--where social status determines destiny, petticoats and propriety reign, and where gossip can tragically alter a young Puritan woman's life...even when the words are painfully untrue.

I instantly admired and identified with Elizabeth Whitbread, an intelligent, big hearted baker's daughter who bravely answers God's calling to step in and temporarily help a handsome, grieving widower with his four young children. What Elizabeth doesn't expect is to be overwhelmed by such strong feelings for the children, and eventually for their tinker-turned-preacher father.

An emotional, exhilarating story that often moved me to tears, Jody Hedlund makes good use of her experience as a mom of five in her stunning, tender portrayal of a mother's fierce love. Through grievous hardships and many trials, the author brilliantly portrays the biblical truth that all things truly work for the good of those who love God.

An inspiring, powerful, and beautifully written debut novel.