A Bride Most Begrudging, by Deeanne Gist

Setting

1643

Detford, England

Virginia Colony

Synopsis

Lady Constance Morrow boards a ship, intent on bidding her beloved uncle farewell before he is transported as a convict.  However, she is barred from leaving the ship and ends up getting transported to America as well, and sold as a tobacco bride.  A Virginia planter then wins her from her original purchaser in a game of chance.  Drew O'Conner has no wish for a wife.  Not only is he is still pining over his first wife's death, but he is repelled by Constance's red hair and freckles.  Yet the church elders will not allow an eligible woman to remain unmarried since there is a shortage of "breeders" in the colony.  Thus, Drew is forced to marry her, though they secretly agree that it will only be a marriage of convenience, and Constance is still determined to return to England posthaste.  Conflicts follow as this prideful, independent lady refuses to buckle to Drew's domineering commands, and also insists on continuing with the forbidden mathematical pursuits that she had learned from her dear uncle.  Can these two very different people find a compromise... and  perhaps even love?

Review

I have a fascination with colonial era America, and this story just really grabbed me from the start.  I loved the idea of the tobacco brides.  What a romantic and original idea for a story!  Deeanne Gist worded things in such a way that I could easily envision the setting, and I was quickly endeared to the characters and their humorous situations as well.  She also stayed true to what I think the men of that era might have been like, expecting strict obedience of those they considered to be their inferiors.  I loved everything about this book.  This is the first one that I read from this author, and her books are now some of my all time favorites.  When I think of Edgy Christian Fiction, I automatically think of this author.  Her stories have a wonderful amount of fire in the romance scenes, really causing the reader to be enthralled, without going too far.  The connections within the couples are so real and so full of emotion, and her humor and originality is refreshing.

Edgy Content

1) Kidnapping and selling of a woman into marriage
2) Gambling.  The purchased bride is lost in a game of chance.

2) Romance scenes are more in depth and emotional than many others of this genre.
3) Domineering male character, which felt very authentic for the time period.