The Preacher's Bride

Elizabeth Whitbread had her life planned out ahead of her. Being as plain as she was in comparison to her beautiful and much younger sisters, she was happy to have any man interested in her much less engaged to her. Even though he wasn't much to look at, perhaps in time she could grow to love him. Not many other men would even glance her way.

John Costin tragedy would alter his life in more ways than one when his wife dies delivering their youngest son. Yet with no one to wet nurse him, Thomas' fate wasn't much better than his mother's. When Elizabeth Whitbread locates Lucy, a poor but willing mother to offer extra milk to feed Thomas, it seems like an ideal plan. Little does Elizabeth understand that not all women make suitable wet nurses for families of higher standing in the community. It seems like Ms. Grew has the final say in most matters when it comes to the women of Bedfordshire, yet Elizabeth isn't about to let her have the final say.

When Vicar Burton suggest that Elizabeth offer housekeeping service to John Costin for the summer until suitable arrangements can be made, Elizabeth feels it's God's calling on her life to step up and do the right thing, even though her fiancee' Samuel Muddle isn't at all happy about her spending time with another man and his children.

It isn't until a stranger shows up at the Costin home when John is away, that their lives all about to change. When he threatens to spread rumors of Elizabeth being more than a housekeeper for John unless she provides him with information as to what John Costin has been preaching about, she will ultimately pay in more ways than one.

I received the book, The Preacher's Bride by Jody Hedlund, compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review. This one rates a pure 5 out of 5 stars. Not only are the characters believable, once again we have a strong female role model who isn't afraid to stand her ground even against all the odds. I loved this book and highly recommend it. For more information about this book, the author and where to get a first chapter glimpse, please read on:

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing The Preacher's Bride Bethany House; Original edition (October 1, 2010) by Jody Hedlund
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jody has written novels for the last 16 years (with a hiatus when her children were young. In May of 2009 she double-finaled in the Genesis contest, a national fiction-writing contest for unpublished writers, sponsored by American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW.Shortly after the final, Jody acquired an agent, Rachelle Gardner of Word Serve Literary. Her agent spent the summer of 2009 working on selling her books. In September of that year, Jody signed a three-book deal with Bethany House Publishers. Jody’s debut novel, The Preacher’s Bride, releases in Oct. 2010. Her next book will release in 2011 and a third in 2012.


ABOUT THE BOOK

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.

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Preacher's Bride, go HERE.