Rebellious Heart

by Jody Hedlund

Overview

Jody Hedlund Brings History to Life Like Few Others

In 1763 Massachusetts, Susanna Smith has grown up with everything she's ever wanted, except one thing: an education. Because she's a female, higher learning has been closed to her, but her quick mind and quicker tongue never back down from a challenge. She's determined to put her status to good use, reaching out to the poor and deprived. And she knows when she marries well, she will be able to continue her work with the less fortunate.

Ben Ross grew up a farmer's son and has nothing to his name but his Harvard education. A poor country lawyer, he doesn't see how he'll be able to fulfill his promise to make his father proud of him. When family friends introduce him to the Smith family, he's drawn to quick-witted Susanna but knows her family expects her to marry well. When Susanna's decision to help an innocent woman no matter the cost crosses with Ben's growing disillusionment with their British rulers, the two find themselves bound together in what quickly becomes a very dangerous fight for justice.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780764210488
Publisher:	Baker Publishing Group
Publication date:	09/15/2013
Series:	Hearts of Faith Series , #3
Pages:	378
Sales rank:	508,616
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.40(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

Jody Hedlund is the author of Unending Devotion, The Doctor's Lady, and The Preacher's Bride, winner of the 2011 Award of Excellence, and a finalist for the 2011 Carol Award in First Novel. Currently she makes her home in Midland, Michigan, with her husband and five busy children. Learn more at www.jodyhedlund.com.

Editorial Reviews

Hedlund (A Noble Groom) offers another beauty for fans of historical romance, unfolding an unlikely relationship in the midst of political and social machinations in pre-Revolutionary War Boston. This fast-paced drama draws the reader in quickly while introducing engaging characters who wrestle with ethical and emotional challenges. As tensions begin to flare between the king’s soldiers and colonials, young lawyer Ben Ross finds himself winning court cases by day and smuggling molasses by night. He’s drawn to Susanna Smith, an intelligent young socialite with a heart for the less fortunate, but Ben knows his common social status is no match for her mother’s expectations. As their feelings for each other warm, Susanna struggles to reconcile her religious obligations and honoring her parents—duties that seem to conflict with her desires. Ben and Susanna form a growing, but seemingly impossible, bond while risking their lives to save an abused runaway. Both are faced with the same question affecting their personal and political loyalties: what is more important—doing what is right or obeying God-ordained authorities? Twin themes of faith and loyalty animate the story’s conflict. Don’t miss the author’s note revealing her real-life inspiration for these characters. Agent: Rachelle Gardner, Books and Such Literary Agency. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

09/15/2013
Susanna Smith, the daughter of a wealthy minister, has never known physical hardship, but she desperately wants an education beyond merely learning to read and cipher. Unfortunately, women are denied a higher education in 1763 Massachusetts, but Susanna continues to broaden her self-taught knowledge and isn't afraid to question the status quo. Poor lawyer Ben Ross struggled to attain his education at Harvard, and he understands Susanna's frustration, but class distinctions and her need to marry well leave them in the friend category. When Susanna reaches out to hide a runaway indentured servant, Ben's frustration with the British authorities leads him to help her and puts both of them in the crosshairs of the local redcoat militia. VERDICT Hedlund won the Inspirational Readers Choice Award from the Romance Writers of America's Faith, Hope and Love Chapter in 2011 for The Preacher's Bride. In her second novel, she vividly captures authentic historical details as she explores the radical changes looming in light of the approaching American Revolution. In a note, Hedlund explains how she used John and Abigail Adams as her role models for her characters.

Library Journal