Reviewer: Connie Payne
Title: A Bride Most Begrudging
Author: Deeanne Gist
Publisher: Bethany House
ISBN: 0-7642-0072-0
Release Date: July 2005
Genre/Sub-genre: Historical Inspirational Romance
Year/Setting: 1643-44 Virginia Colony
Overall rating: 5.0
Sexual content rating: None
Deeanne's Website:
www.deeannegist.com/index.php
Lady Constance Morrow has acted most impulsively. She boards a ship packed with felons to be indentured, which is headed for the American colonies, to bid beloved Uncle Skelly farewell. But she’s waited a bit too long. The visitors have since departed and the ship is about to set sail. Spotted by the captain, who sees an opportunity for a bit of money for himself, she’s forced into chains and taken below with the indentured women.
Not wanting any part of marriage, Drew O’Connor refuses to take the bait when encouraged by his brother to "purchase" Constance to wed, and instead purchases another indentured servant to be just that. A servant. However, things don’t exactly turn out the way he planned. Winning Constance’s papers, and subsequently her, in a game of cards he now has two women living at his home. Something the "council" won’t allow. He’s forced to marry one leaving the other to serve out her indenture.
Constance is chosen. Though they butt heads, and she claims she’s a Lady, and horror of horrors she has red hair and is educated, there’s something about her that pulls at him. And it’s with a bit of reluctance that he agrees to her marriage of convenience stipulation. But in spite of all those things that are wrong with her, a life and death situation makes him realize he’s fallen in love with her. That may not be enough though, as he comes to think she’d be better off back in England, away from him.
The colonies may be as different as night and day from her English homeland, but as time passes Constance learns so many things and begins to see and feel things in a different light. She also begins to fall in love and wants to stay, though she is aware Drew wants to send her back.
Trials and death, and misunderstandings and hardships begin to compound. I began to wonder if their love and faith in God would be enough to hold them together or if their love and faith would whither from the weight of their tribulations.
Being honest here, when I began reading A Bride Most Begrudging I prepared myself to struggle through the book. First off, the time period of 1643-44 is not one of interest to me. Secondly, Constance displayed a fierce and stubborn attitude, to the point I was afraid she’d be unlikable.
I admit I was wrong. Before I knew it page after page was turned and I was hooked. Constance’s fiery temper, while still there, soon evened out. She was fiercely protective of those she loved, compassionate, and desperately wanted to fit in, to learn.
Drew was equally protective of his loved ones. Gentle and kind. But there was a wall around his heart he tried to erect as a protective barrier against the harshness of life in the savage land.
It’s apparent no stone was left unturned in her effort to be historically accurate. In addition to events and everyday life, Ms. Gist found a way to blend phrases and words of the time without overpowering us with them. She depicted this era in time beautifully.
I also appreciated her insertion of Scriptures (one being one of my favorites) and the struggles with faith. She did so in a gentle way that fit the story yet wasn’t preachy. It was done in a manner that may cause one to think and reevaluate their thoughts.
A Bride Most Begrudging literally tugged my heartstrings. It’s written with warmth and sensitivity. And faith. What better combination could there be when reading a romance?
Connie
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