The Preacher's Bride

Beautifully Written

This was not my first time reading Historical Fiction. However it was my first read of Historical Christian Fiction. Skeptical at first, I didn't quite understand the genre and half expected preaching to be involved. As I delved in, I quickly realized that this was not the case.

Pious Elizabeth Whitbread looked only to serve God and those in need, accepting what she thought was her lot in life. When God called upon her through the cry of a baby, Elizabeth put her life and marriage on hold and answered. Little did she realize that her path had now diverged.

Jon Costin, tinkerer by trade preacher by calling, never suspected God's ulterior motives.

The Preacher's Bride was a true example of God working through mysterious ways. Strong willed, quick to wit, and God serving characters perfectly matched from the beginning. Both struggled through the persecution of the Royalists and their own personal struggles with God. Their relationship between each other and with God grew throughout the entire book.

Jody Hedlund captured my heart in her first book with her perfectly executed writing. She took the true story of John Bunyan and wove her own of "the woman behind John Bunyan". It was not preachy, it was not mushy. But it sure was moving! The reader got into the head of Elizabeth from the very first moment and felt the pull of emotions throughout.

I cannot wait to read her next book, The Doctor's Lady.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Great book

This book was a great read! And then to find out so much of the history in this book was true, made it all the better. I will read this book again. Props to the author!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Beatiful Story

I enjoyed reading every second of this book. It took me on such an emotional journey and I could not put it down. God bless the author to write the true fiction story.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Sacrifice, love, and turmoil bring a historical figure into life

The Preacher's Bride is a story you will want on your bookshelf. When I realized it was on John Bunyan's wife, I did not look forward to reading it as I do not like fiction that is on historical figures. Yet I was in for a big surprise. Jody Hedlund pleasantly surprised me in that the book did not make me feel as though I was reading a historical novel. Her imagination shaped the characters into people who went through trials and temptations with the strength that God only gives.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Utterly Brilliant!

This is by far one of the best books I've ever read! I couldn't put it down. The way Hedlund creates conflict on every single page leaves the reader on the edge of their seat. And the way she develops the romance between the two main characters was crafted in such a delicate but visceral way that leaves one swooning for the love of their life. I could go on and on about how good this book is but my words could never do it justice. Better to just read it yourself!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Good read

Good read

Excellent

It was hard to put down. Jusrt a thrilling book.

Loved it!

Good, clean, captivating story based on a real person's life. Thoroughly enjoyed it!

Great Book

I enjoyed this book.

Great book

I truly enjoyed this book. It will stay in my list of books

The Preacher's Bride by Jody Hedlund

The Preacher's Bride by Jody Hedlund is Jody's debut release from 2010, which I somehow missed. The story was inspired by the life of John Bunyan (Pilgrim's Progress, anyone?), but Jody chose to focus primarily on his second wife, Elizabeth.

Elizabeth is a fairly "plain" Puritan woman whose greatest desire is to serve the Lord. When John Costin's wife dies shortly after childbirth, Elizabeth volunteers to step into the role of housekeeper and take care of his four children, including his oldest daughter Mary who is blind. The children quickly come to love Elizabeth, but it takes John quite a bit longer to realize the depth of his feelings for her.

As far as debut novels go, this is one of the best I've read. The story is gripping from the very start and Jody does a fantastic job introducing characters (there are quite a few), explaining the political and religious affairs of the day, and describing the town of Bedford in such a way that you feel like you're walking through the community with a personal tour guide. The dialog was incredibly well-done as well . . . with a few "methinks" and "mayhaps" and "perchances" thrown so you don't forget that you're in England in the mid-1600s.

The relationship between John and Elizabeth certainly didn't come easily. As I read their story I was both frustrated with John and hoping that he would come around (and quickly!). At the same time, I wanted Elizabeth to find something in herself that was worthy of love and for others to see that in her as well. The romantic relationship between John and Elizabeth was unlike anything I've ever read before. While completely innocent and chaste (as was proper for Puritan men and women), it was simultaneously steamy. I'm not sure how she pulled it off but it was perfect!

The story itself is incredibly inspiring. To get a glimpse of what it might have been like to be the wife of one of the heroes of the faith at a time when Christians were regularly persecuted. It made me think more about what it was like to be a Christian in England during that time and also what it's like to be a Christian in many parts of the world . . . even today.

I can't wait to read more from Jody Hedlund. The Doctor's Lady (2011) is definitely on my TBR list! I can't wait to see what she publishes this year.

This book was loaned to me by a friend. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Excellent Book

This is the first book I had read by this author. I found this book hard to put down; it held my interest from the beginning to the ending.

Really Good!

I really enjoyed this book. It was sweet and was different than I expected.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A must read

A very exciting, passionate, and encouraging book. I pray and hope my daughters are as faithfull and strong as Elizabeth...

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great story

Enjoyed learning about this time in England. Interesting characters and a quick read.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Good story

Nice and clean historical love story

Awesome reading

Starts a bit slow ,, but once you get into it you won't put down

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Nicely written story about John and Elizabeth Bunyon

A glimpse into the lives of real people who lived ij difficult times yet did not compromise their beliefs nor their ethics. I will look for more by this author! LadyB

Excellent

Excellent story.

Not bad at all!

A little different, good reading.