β Scribed by Jody Hedlund
No coin nor oath required. For personal study only.
Hedlund's debut novel is no light-hearted romp through history. Instead, this double finalist in the 2009 ACFW Genesis Contest for unpublished writers takes on 1650s England during the final days of Cromwell's reign. The Puritans had enjoyed years of freedom, but as Royalists begin to regain power, preachers like John Costin face danger. Costin's wife dies, leaving four children behind, one of them blind and another, newborn. Elizabeth Whitbread, who sees children in need, volunteers to become Costin's housekeeper. She comes to love the children and, eventually, John, yet she is bound by strict Puritan standards and her promise to marry another. Elizabeth faces the threats of a Royalist, the rebukes of powerful Puritans, and the turmoil of her feelings as political events threaten all she holds dear. Hedlund, who based her tale on the life of John Bunyan, writes well of life in Puritan England, though the middle drags and readers will become annoyed with the stubbornness of Costin. Yet this is a fine beginning for a writer we'll hear from again.
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In her historical inspirational fiction debut, Hedlund crafts a penetrating narrative about loss, love, and the sacrifices that are made for ones faith. Opening in England in 1659, The Preachers Bride tells the story of Elizabeth Whitfield, a young Puritan maiden, and John Costin, an intrepid minister and recent widower with a young brood. Although Elizabeth only means to serve as she believes God intends, John repeatedly rebuffs her charitable attempts to take on the role of his housekeeper and childcare provider as he grieves for his wife. Elizabeths world darkens when a frightening stranger on a mission to destroy Johns growing ministry begins to stalk her. It is only then that John is able to realize his true feelings for Elizabeth. The strength, chastity, and faithful zeal of both main characters will resonate strongly with fans of inspirational historical fiction. Based loosely on the second marriage of John Bunyan, a hero of the faith and author of The Pilgrims Progress, Hedlunds novel exemplifies the struggles of the Puritan preachers and their well-beloved wives. --Elizabeth Ponder
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