I have really been enjoying The Bride Ships series by Jody Hedlund. I love the originality in these stories and the setting. Jody Hedlund is an excellent writer and you are always quickly drawn into her stories. I also love how her stories are inspired by history.
It took me a minute to warm up to Zoe, but once I did, she became my favorite character in this story. She was a perfect minister’s wife. She was very giving, selfless, and loving, especially when it came to kids. Speaking of kids, I loved Will. His personality was great and I thought he really added to the story. I have to admit that I did struggle a bit with Abe’s character. He is a minister who is very comfortable with people in all walks of life, he is also very kind, but he has a side to him that I thought didn’t seem to fit with the rest of his personality. In fact, there were a few instances during the story that made me a little uncomfortable because of the way he responded to the situation.
I felt like things tied up a bit too neatly at the end of this story, but for the most part, I was happy with the way it ended. I am really looking forward to the next story in this series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was under no obligation to provide a positive review. The faith element is light.
PAULA'S REVIEW:
In this third book of The Bride Ships series, we revisit Vancouver, British Columbia and a few of the characters from the previous books. This is the story of Pastor Abe Merivale.
Zoe Hart has nothing left to keep her in England so she boards a Bride Ship to British Columbia in search of her twin, Zeke, who is in the gold fields there. With so many men clamoring for a bride, Zoe can hardly choose. But she becomes desperate and almost marries an evil man. Pastor Abe steps in and offers a marriage of convenience. Together they have charge of a mixed race baby girl. Zoe has a real heart for orphaned children and Pastor Abe considers them a part of his ministry. He has established connections with the people in remote areas and has plans to build a Church in Yale. There are many obstacles for Zoe and Abe, from the weather to an unsympathetic Bishop to the man who says Abe stole Zoe from him.
Ms. Hedlund fleshes out her characters and gives them interesting backgrounds that all fit together in a story of faith and hardship, falling in love and learning to rely on God. Zoe: “If God gives us our ministry, then no one else has the power to take it away. Not even the bishop.”
As always, Jody Hedlund takes historical facts and weaves a plausible, inspiring and entertaining story. This is one of her finest.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House on behalf of the author. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.* 5 stars. Strong faith thread.
BackCover Blurb:
Unemployed mill worker Zoe Hart jumps at the opportunity to emigrate to British Columbia in 1863 to find a better life and be reunited with her brother, who fled from home after being accused of a crime.
Pastor to miners in the mountains, Abe Merivale discovers an abandoned baby during a routine visit to Victoria and joins efforts with Zoe, one of the newly arrived bride-ship women, to care for the infant. While there, he's devastated by the news from his fiancee in England that she's marrying another man.
With mounting pressure to find the baby a home, Zoe accepts a proposal from a miner of questionable character after he promises to help her locate her brother. Intent on protecting Zoe and frustrated by his failed engagement, Abe offers his own hand as groom. After a hasty wedding, they soon realize their marriage of convenience is not so convenient after all.
Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover and audiobook:
Buy Bride of Convenience at Amazon
Buy Bride of Convenience at Christianbook.com
No comments:
Post a Comment