Book Review and Giveaway: A Bride Most Begrudging by Deeanne Gist

This has wonderful history and an engaging romance.

A Bride Most Begrudging
by Deeanne Gist

Paperback: 347 pages
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers; First Edition edition
(July 1, 2005)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0764200720
Genre: Christian, Historical Romance
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

When Lady Constance Morrow finds herself kidnapped and bound for the American colonies, she's sure she'll find a reasonable man who'll believe her story and send her back to England. Instead, she's "bought" by farmer Drew O'Connor. How long will it take before this marriage of convenience becomes very inconvenient for both of them?

Review:
Lady Constance Morrow is visiting her uncle who is being deported to the American Colonies. When she lingers too long she is kidnapped by the Captain. She manages to make a friend of Mary, one of the women who is being transported to be bartered as a bride to the colonists.

Two months later they arrive at a Virginia port where the Captain presents Constance to the crowd as one of the brides. In spite of her protests Constance is sold to a crude, sleezy man named Emmet. Later that night a rugged colonist arrives to claim her, having won her purchase receipt in a card game.

Drew O’Conner doesn’t want a wife. He has lost too many family members and the woman he fell in love with died like so many others who never make it through the hardships of wilderness life or the long lonely winters. Besides, Drew doesn’t like redheads or girls with freckles. But he couldn’t allow the woman to be tied to Emmet.

Drew practically drags Constance through the forest to his homestead. He doesn’t want to believe Constance’s claims that she is a gentlewoman who was kidnapped. Still, he can’t explain her baring, her cultured speech, her ability to read and, to top it off, her complete lack of practical skills. Fortunately for Drew and Constance, Drew’s brother Josh purchased Mary who is skilled at cooking and household tasks that stymie Constance such as starting a fire, collecting eggs, and even cleaning.

Local community authorities show up forcing Drew and Constance to marry. Constance convinces Drew to a marriage of convenience which can be annulled later. That was the original plan but things begin to change as they spend time together, Constance grows close to Drew’s younger sister and Drew finds himself admiring Constance’s determination to learn and fit in. But really, Drew begins to think he is completely unworthy of this remarkable woman and he sets his heart on sending her home to England.

I found this story charming. Constance and Drew are wonderfully real characters. I was just frustrated by their failure to communicate their misconceptions of each other’s feelings. The history seemed well researched and I was very interested in the detail of colony life in 1643. My ladies book club enjoyed the story but thought it a bit longer than needed. We recommend this to readers who enjoy Christian, historical romance.

Source: Print books picked up on sale at Christianbook.com. This book fits my 2019TBR and 2019Alphabet goals.

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Book Review: Fair Play: A Novel by Deeanne Gist

This is absolutely DELIGHTFUL!
Fair Play: A Novel
by Deeanne Gist

File Size: 45611 KB
Print Length: 464 pages
Publisher: Howard Books (May 6, 2014)
Sold by: Simon and Schuster Digital Sales Inc
ASIN: B00DPM7YPO

Genre: Historical Romance
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: May 6, 2014
From the bestselling author of It Happened at the Fair comes a historical love story about a lady doctor and a Texas Ranger who meet at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair.

Saddled with a man’s name, the captivating Billy Jack Tate makes no apologies for taking on a man’s profession. As a doctor at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, she is one step closer to having her very own medical practice—until Hunter Scott asks her to give it all up to become his wife.

Hunter is one of the elite. A Texas Ranger and World’s Fair guard specifically chosen for his height, physique, character, and skill. Hailed as the toughest man west of any place east, he has no patience for big cities and women who think they belong anywhere but home…

Despite their difference of opinion on the role of women, Hunter and Billy find a growing attraction between them—until Hunter discovers an abandoned baby in the corner of a White City exhibit. He and Billy team up to make sure this foundling isn’t left in the slums of Chicago with only the flea-riddled, garbage-infested streets for a playground. As they fight for the underprivileged children in the Nineteenth Ward, an entire Playground Movement is birthed. But when the Fair comes to an end, one of them will have to give up their dream.

Will Billy exchange her doctor’s shingle for the domesticated role of a southern wife, or will Hunter abandon the wide open spaces of home for a life in the “gray city,” a woman who insists on being the wage earner, and a group of ragamuffins who need more than a playground for breathing space?

Review:
Doctor Billy Tate is struggling for respect at a time when female doctors are not easily accepted. When patients realize that “Billy” is a female they turn away. Billy is to speak at the Women’s Symposium at the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago but she experiences difficulties trying to get past the crowds. The security men don’t believe that she is a Doctor or one of the speakers and try to keep her from accessing the full hall. When she sneaks in, her unceremonious entry (legs exposed by upturned skirts) is caught by security guard, Hunter Scott, a Texas Ranger.

Hunter later needs medical attention at the fair and isn’t happy to be treated by a female doctor. Billy and Hunter are pulled together to take care of an abandoned infant. They cannot find the mother so they travel on street cars and walk through less desirable parts of town to take the baby to Hull House. Along the way they are distressed by the conditions of the poor, young children who have to work to help feed and clothe their families.
One of the young boys is arrested after being taunted by older boys into stealing a handful of coals. Billy goes to the jail to try to help the boy and is appalled by the conditions after she sneaks downstairs. She enlists Hunter’s help to get the boy released. Later they champion an innocent nine-year-old boy who is accused of murder.

Billy and Hunter work together with children from the area to build a playground for the poor. A friendship blooms between Billy and Hunter. Hunter plans to return to Texas to continue his wide ranging job as a Ranger. Billy has her heart set on building a successful medical practice and being a wage earner in the family. Although their first kisses are tantalizing they are both concerned that their goals don’t mesh.

This story is delightful in its characters and wonderful in the wealth of history. I thoroughly enjoyed the social issues that are discussed: a woman’s place in society, rights of children, medical conditions and supplies of the time, poverty and the underprivileged, prejudices, juvenile delinquency, intolerable prison conditions and more. The story line includes moments of tenderness, joy, heartbreak and sorrow. Hunter’s Texan phrases are particularly fun like:“Die and be blamed”, “That dog don’t hunt...” and “Stepping out with her would be like tying a bobcat with a piece of string”.

The love story is old fashioned and sweet. The characters have integrity and references to religion and faith are simple and easy. I highly recommend this story to those who like clean, authentic historical romance that offers as much in history as in romance. I will be looking for more books by this author to share with my ladies’ book club.

I received this from the publisher through NetGalley.