A Noble Groom by Jody Hedlund

My Thoughts:

Let me start off by telling you that A Noble Groom is one of the most romantic books I've ever read.  Hunger, typhoid, battered women, old fashioned child birth (shudder), wild animals, a forest fire, and even an incidence of lice?  Yes, believe it or not, even the lice event was filled with passion.  Jody Hedlund knows exactly how to deliver stories that women LOVE to read.  She takes her readers back to 1880 into the lives of struggling immigrants.  Women are considered possessions and, sadly, romantic love is nothing more than a fairy tale.  Annalisa is a lovely young widow with no hopes of happiness for the future.  Her destiny is to be married off quickly by her father in order to save her farm.  Annalisa has given up on the idea of love- sadly she never even experienced it with her first husband.  Then, into her life walks Carl Richards.  He's handsome, kind, polite, yet, could it be that he's hiding something?  He doesn't appear to be a farmer or a teacher but offers to help Annalisa until her future groom (a distant relative) arrives.  (This is when you'll have to pop in a movie for the kids so you can really pay attention to the story!)

I admire how Jody Hedlund creates characters that are lovely, strong and endearing, yet they experience a bit of raw vulnerability, too.  Annalisa and Carl's story is not an easy one at times yet the strength they gain from each other is glorious.  Their passion is palpable and I swooned over and over and again!  "Carl Richards" is at the top of my hero list- dashing, kind, brave, intelligent and very handsome.;)    Annalisa is heartbreakingly precious.  Such sadness she's experienced in her short life!  Don't even get me started on her poor sister, Idette.  (Ms. Hedlund, you truly must write a happily ever after for Idette.  Please??)  I adored Herr Pastor and his wife, and sweet little Gretchen and Sophie.  Uri broke my heart with the measure of love that he had for his sister, Annalisa. As you can see, the characters in A Noble Groom became a part of my life while I savored the pages of their story.  Jody Hedlund truly impressed me with Unending Devotion last year (really loved it!) but A Noble Groom stole my heart.

About A Noble Groom:

Michigan, 1880

Annalisa Werner's hope for a fairy tale love is over. Her husband failed her in every way and now his death has left her with few options to save the family farm. She needs a plentiful harvest. That, and a husband to help bring it in. Someone strong, dependable. That'll be enough. A marriage for love...that's something she's given up on.

So her father sends a letter to his brother in the Old Country, asking him to find Annalisa a groom.
Then a man appears: Carl Richards, from their home country of Germany and a former schoolteacher---or so he says. He's looking for work and will serve on the farm until her husband arrives.

With time running out, she accepts his help, but there's more to this man than he's admitting. He's also gentle, kind, charming---unlike any man she's ever known. But even as Carl is shining light into the darkness of her heart, she knows her true groom may arrive any day.

Meet Jody: Jody Hedlund is the bestselling author of "The Doctor's Lady" and "The Preacher's Bride". She won the 2011 Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, the 2011 Award of Excellence from the Colorado Romance Writers and was a finalist for Best Debut Novel in the 2011 ACFW Carol Awards. Currently she makes her home in central Michigan, with her husband and five busy children. She loves hearing from readers on Facebook and on her blog.

Find out more about Jody at http://jodyhedlund.com/. 


Jody Hedlund is celebrating the release of A Noble Groom by giving away a Kindle Fire and hosting a Facebook Author Chat Party {5/8}! 







One "noble" winner will receive:



• A Kindle Fire


• A copy of A Noble Groom by Jody Hedlund

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 7th. Winner will be announced at the "A Noble Groom" Author Chat Party on May 8th. Connect with Jody, get a sneak peek of her next book, try your hand at the trivia contest, and chat with readers just like you. There will also be many fun giveaways -- gift certificates, books, and more!




So grab your copy of A Noble Groom and join Jody on the evening of May 8th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)




Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 8th!

*I was given a copy of this book from Litfuse Publications in exchange for my honest opinion.  No other compensation was received.*