Book Review - The Doctor's Lady By Jody Hedlund

I had read The Preacher's Bride By Jody Hedlund so I was eagerly looking forward to her next book. I was not disappointed!

The two main characters, Priscilla White and Eli Ernest meet in the most unexpected place and take an instant dislike to each other. She wanting nothing more than to be a Missionary in India and he wanting, as a doctor, to travel back to the Oregon country to open a mission to the Nez Perce Indians. The problem with both of their dreams is that neither one of them is married and that is a requirement of the mission board. So, having been told she cannot go to India as a missionary because she is unmarried, Priscilla enters into an agreement with Dr. Ernest to be his wife in name only. Now mind you, a large part of this arrangement was from the result of Priscilla's very pushy mother. Having been told years earlier by the family doctor that she would never bear children, Priscilla felt she would never marry. This arrangement seemed perfect, IF they could get along.

The trip across country from New York to Oregon in the early 1800's was a difficult trip at best for a man and had never been attempted by a woman. If anyone could make it, it would be Priscilla. Or would it? Travelling with another couple, a Preacher, who also happens to be the man Priscilla was supposed to marry before she got her devastating news, and his pregnant wife was not what any of them, except Eli had counted on.

Through the words of the author we travel right along with them, in deplorable conditions, a cholera outbreak, heartbreak, the joy, and fullfillment of finally reaching their destination. The author does a wonderful job of helping the reader to understand what it was like during those times to travel across country and we experience every painful, fatigue filled moment of the journey. There were many times during the journey when Priscilla wanted to beg Eli to send her back to New York but her resolve to see it through was strengthened by the glimpses he gave her of the feelings that were growing. There is a lot of sexual tension in this book and it only enhances the story. The author takes us through many opportunities for both Priscilla and Eli to let their guard down and let the feelings show.

There is pain, doubt, and love in this book but most of all the need to rely on God to see them through. And see them through He does. The ending of this book was somewhat expected snd parts of it were not. There is a big surprise in the Author's Notes at the end of the book which only made the story richer. I am so glad the author chose not to put the Author's Notes in the beginning of the book. I highly recommend this book as it is not only a good story but is rich with history.

Thank you Ms. Hedlund for a wonderful book and a look into what life was like in the early 19th century. I look forward to reading your next book!

Well, I Did It!

I decided to reopen my Tupperware business! I really do love and believe in this product and that is why I keep going back to it. I have asked God to bless my business and I am confident He will. Just in case you might be inclined to take a look to see what's new, and believe me there is plenty, here is the link to my website - http://my2.tupperware.com/lynneyoung. I am still in the process of bringing it completely up to date but it's there! Anytime is a good time to be in Tupperware but especially now. Right now, for a limited time, you can join for just $5. Isn't that amazing! And then with your first party or 2 you can pay off the balance of your kit! With back to school and the holidays coming this is a great time. And Fundraisers, let's not forget about Fundraisers, and online parties! See the money making possibilities are limitless!

Other than that big news, I am now officially volunteering at the Nashville Public Library, Madison branch. I had to go down to their main branch to train and let me tell you, if you have never been to the Nashville Public Library Main branch, please go. There is so much more to see than just books!

Our God is an awesome God and I am so Blessed to have a personal relationship with Him. He gets me through more things than I can count and is the one constant in my life. I have been blessed with so many friends on Facebook who also love God and we have an amazing fellowship going. I am so glad we have this medium with which to encourage and love each other.

Well, guess that's it for now. I'll keep you posted on how things are going. For now I will leave you with something I read last night in Lori Copeland's new book "The One Who Waits For Me" that made me stop and go "wow". The will of God will never take you where the grace of God will not protect you.

Treasuring Emma - Part 2

I knew it would all come together in the end and wind up being a great book! As I said in the previous post, I wasn't liking all the secrecy, manipulation and negativity in the first half of the book but as is true with most good books, it all worked out in the end and left me wanting more. I truly hope there will be more books in this series!

Emma had the weight of the world on her shoulders in the beginning of the book, having just lost her mother and now caring for a farm and her aged grandmother. By the end of the book she is not so heavily burdened and is looking at things with a new perspective. Even her sister, who had pulled away from her husband, found her way back to happiness. The brother in law, well that's still up in the air, but it did bring in a new person in the form of his former love, or should I say victim. It will be interesting to see where the author takes that character. As for Emma's love life, it's looking up. Adam, the former love who decided to go English 2 years before, has been doing some thinking. Might there be a future for them yet? I think so. Let's see what the author thinks!

Kathleen Fuller has written another page turner. I found myself finished with the book before I wanted to be, and that's a good thing! Eagerly waiting for the next chapter in the lives of these Middlefield families to unfold. I highly recommend this book! You will not be disappointed!

Treasuring Emma By Kathleen Fuller - Part 1

I am currently on page 151 of 243, beginning Chapter 19, and this morning when I got up I felt led to do a "halfway through the book" review. I normally don't do that but I wanted to make a few comments.

While I am enjoying this book, as I do every book I read from this author, I have noticed some things that, while I know they make a good story, seem to take away from the "Amish" way of life I have come to expect in "Amish fiction." Right from page 1 Emma is the "needy" one. Having just lost her mother not too long after her fathers passing, and having been her mothers primary caregiver until the end, Emma is carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders. Add to that her grandmother who is in advanced years and not moving quite as fast as she used to, a sister who has troubles of her own with her family and wants to take away everything that gives Emma comfort, an old love of Emma's who suddenly comes back into her life, and a scheming distant cousin of her brother-in-law who thinks courtimg Emma, while wanting her married sister, is a means to an end.

I realized last night as I was replaying what I had read through my mind, there is a lot of negativity in this book so far and not a lot of "Amish". For instance, Adam, the ex boyfriend, has been under the bann since he left for the English world 2 years earlier. He is not supposed to be allowed to eat at the same table and is supposed to be treated as if he is invisible. While he finds the Amish way of life is pulling at him again his own mother and Emma's grandmother both ignore rules and not only speak with him but eat with him as well. Now I understand authors being able to take liberties, I think it's called "poetic license", but I guess I am more used to authors of Amish fiction sticking more closely to the correct Amish way of life instead of it being a passing reference. If I am wrong, someone please correct me.

Now, having said all that, I really am enjoying this book, even though I don't like all the scheming and can't wait to see how it all plays out. I look forward to books by this author because she weaves a very interesting story of conflict, both personal and religious, as well as developing well rounded characters. This book however, has more conflict than I have encountered lately and I hope there will be other books in this series based on some of the other characters in this book. Maybe the depth of conflict in this book comes from the several story lines that are going on simultaniously.

So far, so good. I will post a final review when I finish the book. Who knows, maybe the author has a good reason for doing it this way. Can't wait to find out!