A Bride Most Begrudging

Full of adventure and romance!

When I first started reading this book, I was pretty reserved about how it would all unfold and I set myself up not to like it. As a general rule I'm not a big reader of Christian fiction because I believe that most writers of the genre are not as good a writer as they are a Christian. And I'm not trying to sound mean, but I believe the rules are more lax for someone to get published in the Christian fiction VS. general fiction. But I'll admit, I started reading this with a jaundiced eye, waiting to find it was a ridiculous book, but I was pleasantly entertained. Gist has a great sense of timing and style and she wasn't afraid to push the barriers and treat readers like adults. She brings in a sense of modest "spice", if you will, to let readers know that not only to the two protagonists love each other, but they desire each other too. It's tastefully done and in no way detracts from the message of how God guides us in our lives. The Colonial times were brought out and seemed like true research was done to show readers the living standards of that age. Gist's writing itself was bright and crisp. She ought to consider writing general fiction, she'd excel at that, I'm most positive. Readers who even enjoyed Francine Rivers' Redeeming Love will appreciate this author's talents and are sure to have this book on their prized shelf. I recommend this book to any Christian who would like to enjoy a delightful read of love and life in the colonial times. My other Recommendations: The Vanishing Point (a historical fiction book based on two sister in Colonial times) by Mary Sharratt; Redeeming Love (historical Christian Romance set during the California gold rush) by Francine Rivers.

Lady Constance Morrow, daughter of Earl Greyham has found herself on board a convict ship sailing for Virginia without chaperone or papers detailing who she is, so when they dock in the colonies she is shocked and not very happy to find out she is going to be sold for Tobacco. If that is not insult enough she has been won in a card game and her new master is not what she's expecting. She's expecting to get her life back once she speaks with the governor. She's about to find out life in the colonies is much different from England Drew O'Conner knows that only the strong survive in the new world. He has lost the love of his life and he is not interested in marrying...ever. So when he is the reluctant winner of Constance, he brings her to his home only to find out she can't cook, how to keep house and has a sassy argumentative mouth. And she's has red hair and freckles! But some how these two very different people learn to appreciate each other and a marriage of convenience is more then they ever thought it could be. Ms. Gist is a wonderful addition to the inspirational romance genre. Her story is full of heart and emotion. Drew and Constance were engaging characters and their romance is truly a superb read. Ms. Gist has done her research for time period and as a result the reader will feel transported to the Virginia colony. This is one author I highly recommend and one I look forward to reading in the future.

Shackled at her wrists and ankles, Lady Constance Morrow is put up for sale as a "Tobacco Bride" in the Virginia Colony. How had things come to this? With the death of her beloved Uncle Skelly, who could vouch that she really was the daughter of an earl and not an indentured servant? Yet, as the bidding continues and she is sold to the repulsive Emmett, she falls into despair and can only pray for help. With the lucky turn of a card, she ends up married to Drew O'Connor, a handsome farmer still in mourning for his beloved Leah. Drew only wants a maid to care for his home and four year old sister and definitely does NOT want a wife, especially an argumentative redhead (a colour he abhors) with a head full of book learning and hands totally inept in domestic skills. Constance only wants to get back to England to edit a mathematics journal, shocked that this place is so uncivilized that they wash their dishes in dirt. Since they both want an out from the marriage forced on them, they agreed to keep it celibate so it can be annulled. But, Virginia in 1643 is a long way from England and nothing can happen till spring. In the meanwhile, the lushness of the country, the friendship and support she gets from Mary, another woman from the ship, makes Constance begin to appreciate both Virginia and Drew. Faced with the challenges and tragedies of colonial life, they learn to understand each other a little better and find joy in small pleasures. As spring approaches and feelings change, will they go their separate ways or will they change their marriage of convenience to one of love? Right from the first page, Deeanne Gist skillfully pulls us right into the sights and sounds of the period. She humourously develops the interplay between the two strong willed and very believable characters as well as weaving in an inspirational theme of how faith developed to sustain them in their adversities. Her work is well crafted, solidly researched, and she realistically portrays the tensions and concerns of the settlers and the Pohatans. So, pull the bed ropes tight and snuggle up with this witty book! Enjoy!

I laughed, I cried, I learned something about history. What more can you want from a novel? But wait, there's more--Gist also reminds us that God is loving. A BRIDE MOST BEGRUDGING is a satisfying book without any heavy agenda, but flavored with the truth of God's grace sustaining his children in tough times. The characters are well-rounded and likeable, their conflicts are, for the most part, credible, and Gist's light sense of humor moves the story along enjoyably. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.

Setting - Virginia Colonies, 1643 --- Lady Constance Morrow snuck aboard a ship without a chaperone in order to say goodbye to her dearest Uncle Skelly who was being transported to the colonies. Naively believing no one would ever harm the daughter of an Earl, she had no idea of the danger she was in. Having left her maid behind, and with no footman in sight, the unscrupulous captain had her thrown in the hold along with the female felons who were earmarked as `tobacco brides' for the colonist farmers. Drew O'Connor, grew up in colonies loved the land but knew it was a harsh life and had experienced all the sorrows along with the joys and knew full well that only the strongest survive. Having lost his beloved a week before their marriage, he had sworn to never love again. Therefore, he was unmoved by this latest ship full of brides, coming only in search for a maid to tend his house and look after his young sister. Though after a game of cards that very evening, what he ended up with was a wife claiming to be the `kidnapped' daughter of an Earl, and who demanded to be sent immediately back to England. Not only was she argumentative, but she'd no idea of how to cook, no housekeeping skills whatsoever - and to his horror - she had RED hair and freckles! She wanted nothing more than to spend time doing mathematical equations rather than housework. Although they seemed to have nothing in common but individual stubbornness and a love for mathematic puzzles, Drew and Constance came to admire one another with both wishing that their marriage of convenience would become a marriage designed in truth by the power of God's great love. *** In a most delightful way this new author has taken a small slice of American history and created a perfectly lovely romance. The heroine, Lady Constance, though educated and intelligent was in for the culture shock of her life when faced with the harsh life realities of early colonial America. As the pampered daughter of an Earl, the author clearly had a field day in being able to portray both the frustrations Constance went through as she struggled to adapt to her new life and the joys as she overcame those challenges. Drew, though morally strong had lost so much and buried so many loved ones that he'd thought the best way to protect his heart was to not let it become engaged and so the theme of faith in God during trials was extremely uplifting and very lovely indeed. This book was well written, well researched, emotionally engaging, and featured two wonderful protagonists. Along with a superb cast of secondary characters, the author opens the door for what I hope to see is a sequel featuring Drew's brother Josh. I most definitely recommend this novel for anyone looking for an extremely satisfying and wonderful feel good read. -- Marilyn, for www.romancedesigns.com ---