A Bride of Convenience
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4.8 • 33 Ratings
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- $10.99
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- $10.99
Publisher Description
Unemployed mill worker Zoe Hart jumps at the opportunity to emigrate to British Columbia in 1863 to find a better life and be reunited with her brother, who fled from home after being accused of a crime.
Pastor to miners in the mountains, Abe Merivale discovers an abandoned baby during a routine visit to Victoria and joins efforts with Zoe, one of the newly arrived bride-ship women, to care for the infant. While there, he's devastated by the news from his fiancee in England that she's marrying another man.
With mounting pressure to find the baby a home, Zoe accepts a proposal from a miner of questionable character after he promises to help her locate her brother. Intent on protecting Zoe and frustrated by his failed engagement, Abe offers his own hand as groom. After a hasty wedding, they soon realize their marriage of convenience is not so convenient after all.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In the entertaining third installment to Hedlund's Bride Ships series (following Runaway Bride) two good-hearted people find unlikely love as they struggle to fulfill their callings. In 1863, Zoe Hart takes a bride ship from England to Vancouver Island to find her long-lost brother, Zeke. Upon arrival, she, out of pure goodness, takes responsibility for an abandoned newborn half-native orphan, putting off most of the townspeople. But one disreputable man, Dexter, offers to take her to her brother if she'll marry him. Abe Merivale, a minister who brought the baby to town and whose reputation was damaged by a failed engagement, warns Zoe away from Dexter and defies his bishop by marrying her himself. Back in Abe's mountain village, they continue on the trail of Zeke and learn to care for their child while rejecting old fears. But Dexter follows them, and secrets from Abe's past emerge, challenging Zoe and Abe's commitment to each other and the search for Zeke. Hedlund vividly captures the spirit of pioneering in a lush Pacific Northwest setting, and her characters display faith naturally and realistically. Series fans are in for a treat.
Customer Reviews
Loved this story!
I have enjoyed reading the Bride Ship series. Each story stands alone yet eloquently captures the very heart of not only the time period but also the characters. I find myself saying, “this is my favorite one”, And then I read the next story, and its even better! The flawless descriptions of the setting bring me right into the story with the characters. I could almost smell the abundant evergreens and feel the mud sucking at my feet as we traveled through the town burdened down with our purchases from the small, cluttered general store. Even the background characters felt real and important. I loved Zoe’s heart for others, especially children. Even though she has known her share of heartache, and tries to hold her heart away from others, she just can’t help but be lead by her heart. I also, wanted to scoop up baby Violet and cuddle her and sing her songs, and give her bubble kisses on her sweet cheeks. It is easy to see how Zoe instantly fell in love with this sweet baby! Abe may have bumbled his way into his marriage with Zoe, but once he made the commitment he didn’t stray from it. I just wish he had learned a little sooner how to express his affection and commitment. Of course it was his personality type and his history that held him back. But once he figures it out, nothing holds him back! I absolutely loved this marriage of convince story and I know these dynamic characters will stay with me for quite a while. This story has easily earned a place on my favorite keeper shelf and I smile ever time I glimpse the book there, knowing what delights await within its pages! I highly recommend this wonderful story! (I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher. I am not required to write a positive review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.)