The Preacher's Bride by Jody Hedlund

One of my favorite books is “The Preacher's Bride” by Jody Hedlund. I have read this book three times. Hedlund has a way of luring you into a story and embracing you with her characters.  Elizabeth Whitbred is the type of character that you can get lost in. This is not your everyday Cinderella story, this is the love story of two people who learn to love despite hardships and turmoil.

In 1650s England, Elizabeth Whitbred sets her heart on taking care of the newborn babe of the late Sister Mary Costin. The babe’s cries call out to Elizabeth, twisting her heart. The older children become attached to her. Especially Mary, the eldest child who is blind. The newly widowed preacher, John Costin is aggravated by Elizabeth’s presence in his home. It takes him a while to become adjusted to the headstrong woman's presence. Elizabeth’s sister Catherine’s jealousy and the manipulative Mrs. Grew’s meddling doesn’t make life any easier for her.

Elizabeth is a young Puritan maiden with high morals. Her father has promised her hand to Samuel who had just finished his Cooper apprenticeship. Samuel reluctantly agrees to let Elizabeth work in the Costin household.

Elizabeth becomes the young Preachers nanny and housekeeper, working diligently to hold his household and her life together. John comes under scrutiny by his peers as he speaks out in what he believes in finding himself and his family in danger from men that would rather see him quiet. Elizabeth is placed in danger many times, becoming a target by John Costin’s enemies. In time Elizabeth finds herself in turmoil and she loses grips on the life her father planned for her as she discovers the love she has for John Costin.

“The Preacher's Bride is a beautiful love story that is based on a true life story of John and Elizabeth Bunyan. Elizabeth was the second wife of John Bunyan. They were married in 1659, shortly before he was arrested and imprisoned, leaving her to care for his four children by his first wife. During this time he wrote The Pilgrim's Progress.

Jody Hedlund is married and the mother of five beautiful children. She not only finds time to write books but to also home school her five children. I home school one child, my hat is off to her.

I highly recommend “The Preacher’s Bride” to anyone who loves a good heartfelt uplifting Love story.

 

Thanks for stopping by, Now, go grab a cup of coffee or a tall glass of ice tea, crawl out on the front porch swing with a good book and enjoy.