title: The Preacher's Bride
author:  Jody Hedlund 
description: 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 Instead, this double finalist in the 2009 ACFW Genesis Contest for unpublished writers takes on 1650s England during the final days of Cromwell's reign.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. <BR>(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
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  # Books by Jody Hedlund
  
  
  
  
  
  The Preacher’s Bride
  
  
  
  
  
  The Doctor’s Lady
  
  
  
  
  
  Unending Devotion
  
  
  
  
  
  A Noble Groom
  
  
  
  
  
  Rebellious Heart
  
  
  
  
  
  Captured by Love
  
  
  
  
  
  BEACONS OF HOPE
  
  
  
  
  
  Out of the Storm: A BEACONS OF HOPE Novella
  
  
  
  
  
  Love Unexpected
  
  
  
  
  
  Hearts Made Whole
  
  
  
  
  
  Undaunted Hope
  
  
  
  
  
  ORPHAN TRAIN
  
  
  
  
  
  An Awakened Heart: An ORPHAN TRAIN Novella
  
  
  
  
  
  With You Always
  
  
  
  
  
  Together Forever
  
  
  
  
  
  Searching for You
  
  
  
  
  
  THE BRIDE SHIPS
  
  
  
  
  
  A Reluctant Bride
  
  
  
  
  
  The Runaway Bride
  
  
  
  
  
  A Bride of Convenience
  
  
  
  
  
  COLORADO COWBOYS
  
  
  
  
  
  A Cowboy for Keeps
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Title Page
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Copyright Page
  
  
  
  
  
  © 2021 by Jody Hedlund
  
  
  
  
  
  Published by Bethany House Publishers
  
  
  
  
  
  11400 Hampshire Avenue South
  
  
  
  
  
  Bloomington, Minnesota 55438
  
  
  
  
  
  [www.bethanyhouse.com](http://www.bethanyhouse.com)
  
  
  
  
  
  Bethany House Publishers is a division of
  
  
  
  
  
  Baker Pu