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Jody HedlundBethany House / 2010 / ePubOur Price$5.894.6 out of 5 stars for Preacher's Bride, The - eBook. View reviews of this product. 41 Reviews
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Jamie5 Stars Out Of 5Loved it!February 28, 2013JamieThis review was written for The Preacher's Bride.Just when I thought I knew about Puritans...here's a novel about one of the most famous ones in history. And a great one too!
Jody Hedlund paints a vivid and accurate picture of the Puritan culture and era centuries ago in The Preacher's Bride. While the Puritans lived out their faith much different from the way I live mine, there is plenty to learn from. I found it historically intriguing as well, from the conflict (and often persecution) that happened depending on which English king or queen took the throne (Henry VIII, then his daughters Mary and Elizabeth).
And now I know why the Puritans high tailed it to the U S of A.
I really enjoyed the story and her characters. I liked that the main character Elizabeth was a strong woman with a feisty spirit, who stood up for what was right and could give a much needed tongue lashing to some well deserving people. I really enjoyed the story of her and John and what they went up against. Times were different, but love never really changes does it?
Looking at the culture of England and specifically the Puritan culture in the 1600s, I can't help but chuckle at the differences. Example A) Elizabeth freaking out over seeing a man without a shirt on. Oh how different today is! One look at a Victoria Secrets commercial and they would have died. But it shaped much of history and it's a fascinating time period to study. Probably why I enjoyed it so much.
I didn't realize until after I finished that this story was based upon real life preacher, John Bunyan and his second wife Elizabeth. So sad to think there really were insane people who thrived off of harming others with violence and intimidation. Even worse that there are still people like that today.
History sidenote: Bunyan wrote one of the classics of Christian literature, Pilgrim's Progress (you can get it free for the kindle), and is a key figure in Christianity history (he was in prison for twelve years for preaching scripture). His book inspired C.S. Lewis' Pilgrim's Regress (another creative read that documents Lewis' conversion).
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kcjeanetteColumbus, MSAge: 45-54Gender: female5 Stars Out Of 5WONDERFULFebruary 1, 2011kcjeanetteColumbus, MSAge: 45-54Gender: femaleQuality: 5Value: 5Meets Expectations: 5This review was written for The Preacher's Bride.WOW!! not too much else to say that would not be repeating what others have already stated! At first it was somewhat different getting into this book but once I was there I could NOT put it down. I do hate to admit I really did not know too much about the Puritan way of life and Hedlund did a great job of telling the story. After I was done reading this book I found I then had to go google more info about the Puritans & the Pilgriams Progress. Whatever you do, do not miss this great read! JOB WELL DONE. Story is based on actual events. * Please write a follow up to this story Jody.*
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GCCanadaAge: 18-24Gender: Female5 Stars Out Of 5Magnificent message.February 16, 2014GCCanadaAge: 18-24Gender: FemaleQuality: 5Value: 5Meets Expectations: 5This review was written for The Preacher's Bride.By the time I finished this book, I felt emotionally drained...drained and in a haze.
''The Preacher's Bride'' ended up breaking me in every way possible. I dived into it not expecting a fairy-tale but definitely not expecting to resurface with way more than I had bargained for. It is an absolutely beautiful book. Its depth is mind-blowing and gut-wrenchingly sublime. Its wisdom washed over me and by the time I turned its last page, my soul was kneeling before the Almighty in awe.
Be warned, though, you need at least a whole box of tissue to go through this journey.
About three years ago, I discovered Jody's writing when I read '' The Doctor's Lady''. To give you an idea of how much I loved it -- and still do! -- I literally couldn't stop flipping pages for twelve hours straight. It isn't a light story, the characters go through rough patches but it isn't extremely, bawl-your-eyes-out emotional. Neither are the other books by Hedlund that I read afterward : ''Unending Devotion'', ''A Noble Groom''. The more I was endeared to this author's writing, the more I was curious about her debut. Great things were being said about it, after all, so when chance came for me to read it, I quickly grabbed a copy.
Let me be honest ; at first, I really wasn't sure I would end up liking it. The pace was a bit slow and I was not as engaged as I had hoped to be in it. Moreover, there were edgy elements that truly took me by surprise -- they were raw and gore. (Please note that this one is for mature readers only. Hedlund is not afraid to expose the sheer cruelty and injustice her characters face. There are frequent mentions of bloodshed and violence and the atmosphere is, in general, ominous.) Though I was, in the beginning, skeptical about the book, the story piqued my curiosity, leaving me with the need to find out the characters' outcomes. As it turns out, despite the trials endured, both John and Elizabeth remain steadfast in their dedication to their calling. Everything about them oozes love, commitment and hope. The depth of these flawed but courageous characters tugged at my heart -- though, at times, I wanted to shake some sense into them. How could they be so stubborn when danger constantly threatened? Why couldn't John just leave his ministry for his family's sake? I was frustrated but the more the story unfolded the clearer the message became.
What would you do if everything around you shattered?
What you would do if your enemies were so great you didn't know if tomorrow or today would be your last day on earth?
Would you truly love and believe God? Would you refuse to believe anyone or anything above Him? Would you crawl toward him if you didn't have the strength to stand or run?
I was wide-eyed and stunned by the time I read the conclusion to this story and immediately after turning the last page, I was sobbing uncontrollably. (Even as I reminisce this story, tears are threatening to spill.)
I cried for Elizabeth... what a beautiful, beautiful woman. What a God she serves. She believes Him. Though He slays her, she clings to Him with whatever strength she has left. Her faith is flawed but oh-so willing. As the snares and shadows of death menace to swallow her, she holds on and fights for her man, her children. She is the kind of woman I want to be. A warrior, a tender soul, a believer. Elizabeth discovers an amazing and rare spirit in John Costin who is as stubborn as a mule but dedicated and confident in his calling. His heart for his family and God is anything but untrue. I was a blubbering mess when it came to their relationship. My God. These individuals face so many losses and missed opportunities, so many fears and insecurities. Elizabeth's hopes are utterly destroyed after she marries John and yet the hardship only serves in deepening their love. I like what she says to him at some point : ''It is better to love and be loved, even for just a day, than to have not loved at all.'' Forget about happy-ever-afters, the best heroes and heroines are the ones who, after undergoing the refining fire of persecution and tribulation, come out as pure gold.
Many of us believers have most likely vowed we'd willingly do anything for this Savior we serve. With ''The Preacher's Bride'', Hedlund reminds us that the road toward Home is not smooth. There will be moments of sheer helplessness. We will feel confused and abandoned. In despair we will wonder : '' Is He as good as He claims to be?'' Will we chose to believe Him throughout it all?
'' The Preacher's Bride'' transcended every of my expectations. In it, the author does a terrific job of bringing alive John and Elizabeth Bunyan's story through the Costins, crowning their journey with a breathtaking scene.
It is impossible to come out of it the same. -
Author Amanda BethMI5 Stars Out Of 5I loved it!September 28, 2011Author Amanda BethMIQuality: 5Value: 5Meets Expectations: 5This review was written for The Preacher's Bride.I don't normally read historical fiction books. I only bought it to support Jody since she is a local author. But I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. There was so much going on that it kept you wanting to flip to the next page. I have a new found love for historical fiction now. Thanks, Jody! Great job! I can't believe this was your first book!
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AprilRHenderson, NCAge: 55-65Gender: female5 Stars Out Of 5AN EXCITING DEBUT,PURITIANS HISTORICAL ROMANCE!October 4, 2010AprilRHenderson, NCAge: 55-65Gender: femaleThis review was written for The Preacher's Bride.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.
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