Deeanne Gist
A Bride Most Begrudging (2005)
Author: Deeanne Gist
Genre: Romance (Historical)/Christian
Plot Summary:
Lady Constance Morrow, the daughter of a British earl, is kidnapped and sent on a ship to the Virginia Colony, where she is to be sold as a bride to a tobacco farmer. She ends up in the home of Drew O’Connor, who unintentionally won her in a game of cards and plans to use her as a servant. When the local leaders find out, they force the couple to marry because it would be improper for them to be living under the same roof otherwise. At Constance’s insistence, Drew agrees that it will be a marriage in title only; he will contact her father and, if her story of being kidnapped is confirmed, the marriage will be annulled and she will return to England. As she waits the many months it will take for the message to reach her father, Constance settles into her new life as best she can. During this time it becomes clear that neither Constance nor Drew would have chosen the other as a spouse: she wants to be living a life of luxury in England, while he has no interest in having an educated, headstrong wife with no household skills. Despite their many differences, however, their faith in God brings them closer. SPOILER: The two fall in love, but Drew believes she deserves better than the life he can provide her and he secretly plans to send her home to England. He pulls away from her and Constance, believing he doesn’t love her, plans on her own to return home to spare him from an unhappy marriage. An Indian attack on the colony that nearly kills them finally makes them realize their mutual love. When Constance’s father eventually reaches the colony to bring her back to England, it is to find her happily married with a child and no intention of leaving.
Geographical Setting: Virginia Colony
Time Period: 1643
Appeal Characteristics:
The well-developed main characters are an important element in this novel. Constance and Drew’s back stories unfold throughout the book, which allows the reader to understand their motivations and why they behave the way they do. Less developed are the secondary characters, who mainly serve to move the plot along. The story line is character-centered, with a focus on their development and relationships, but the plot also serves to pique the readers’ initial interest and keep them invested in the story. Also noteworthy about the storyline is Gist’s emphasis on the Christian faith; the main characters are religious and turn to God for guidance throughout the book. This helps set the tone of the book, and the detailed historical setting sets the frame. Gist provides descriptive details about colonial life, and the dialogue and story stay true to the time period, all of which should appeal to fans of historical fiction interested in this time period. The writing style is simple and unaffected, with a lot of dialogue, and Gist successfully conveys the speaking conventions of the time period without making it hard for a modern reader to understand. The novel starts with a brisk pace that slows slightly after the initial chapters, which quickly introduce the main characters and set up the plot. The reader is then compelled to keep reading at a steady pace to see how the romance will develop and the plot will come together.
Read-alikes: Highly recommended for readers looking for another inspirational historical romance is Rekindled, by Tamera Alexander. The first in a series, it features well-developed characters and a compelling, character-driven story about a married couple that is separated under tragic circumstances and then, once reunited, must work to re-establish their relationship. Another Christian title in the historical romance genre is Bittersweet by Cathy Marie Hake, in which a couple is threatened to be torn apart by a possible forced marriage of the man to another woman. Set in 19th-century America, it has significant historical detail and strong characterization. A title that captures the same pioneer spirit as A Bride Most Begrudging is Allison Pittman’s Ten Thousand Charms. Another historical Christian romance (set in mid-1800’s Oregon Territory), this novel depicts realistic and well-drawn characters in a character-focused plot. A Perilous Proposal by Michael R. Phillips is a Christian romance that features significant dialogue and strong characters who develop feelings for each other while dealing with racism in the post-Civil War South. Eva Ibbotson’s Madensky Square is a romantic historical novel with a lighter tone than A Bride Most Begrudging, but that shares similarly well-developed characters and detail about the time period. It takes place in Vienna, 1911, and follows a woman who must overcome various hardships that are thrown her way.
Red Flags: Sexual tension and a sex act is alluded to (between a husband and wife). While relatively tame, it might be racier than readers interested in Christian fiction want.
The Measure of a Lady (2006)
Author: Deeanne Gist
Genre: Romance (Historical)/Christian
Plot Summary:
When her father dies on route to find gold in California Rachel Van Buren must not only find a livelihood for herself, but for her younger brother and sister in a San Francisco that is overrun by lawless men. She walks into the first place she finds that claims to be a hotel. It turns out to be a gambling saloon with 6 bunks along the walls- unsuitable for a lady or her family. Johnnie, the owner, is kind enough to let Rachel and her kin stay in his shanty - a doorless shack - out back for the evening and later agrees to her proposal to let her family work at the hotel in exchange for room and board. All Rachel wants is to get enough money to leave the god-forsaken place, but a ship leaving the land of gold is a rare and expensive matter. Things get worse as Rachel's younger siblings start acting out over a number of inappropriate things, not to mention her inappropriate desire for Johnnie's company. In an effort to keep her family pure and get away from her desire for Johnnie, Rachel opens a cafe for family folk. SPOILER: Through the mutual care for Johnnie's property (where he raises trees), Rachel and Johnnie form a loving bond based on more than physicality, but Rachel cannot marry a man who serves alcohol, gambles, and associates himself with the women of the whore house down the road. After many months of sweet torment the two finally come to a compromise and marry happily ever after.
Geographical Setting: San Francisco, California
Time Period: 1849
Appeal Characteristics:
The Measure of a Lady is an engrossingly-paced edgy inspirational romance (as the publisher, Bethany House, describes it). Gist writes from the point-of-view of both the female and male love interests in turn which gives power to well-drawn characterizations. The main perspective is that of Rachel who is written with a believable combination of naivete and strength for a woman of the mid-1800's. The storyline is episodic in nature as the reader gets to know and love the parentless Van Buren family and the memorable secondary characters surrounding them. Gist is talented in her ability to weave Biblical scripture without preaching and intriguing historical detail in the everyday lives of her characters which is always important to the frame of the novel. Gist's natural writing style is comfortable for the reader and creates a romantic feel for both the characters and the wild place that is Gold Rush-era San Francisco.
Read-alikes: Another strong female character in a detailed historical setting can be found in Deep in the Heart of Trouble, also by Deeanne Gist. This sequel to Courting Trouble is set in Texas in 1898 with many facts about the oil business, gender roles, and the new bicycle fad. Independent and outspoken Essie Spreckelmeyer has decided to stay single but finds herself attracted to Tony, the new employee in her father's business. The tone is humorous and romantic as Essie and Tony bicker while trying to hide their true feelings. Another story set in California during the Gold Rush is Redeeming Love, a retelling of the biblical story of Hosea and Gomer, by Francine Rivers. Angel, a prostitue, meets Michael Hosea, who wants to marry her and help save her soul. Although she gave up religion long ago, she begins to consider a new life. The more gritty details of daily life are described, and details about Angel's background and thoughts create a realistic character and engrossing pace. Cathy Marie Hake's Fancy Pants is another humorous, inspirational story with well developed characters. English aristocrat Sydney Hathwell poses as a boy to work on a Texas ranch and escape her fiance. A foreman tries to toughen Sydney up, and she starts to fall in love with him. Sydney's actions and inner struggles are described, making her realistic and identifiable. The story has a light, funny tone as it follows Sydney trying to act like a man on the ranch, in saloons, and in brothels. The constant difficulties and bleak tone in Rekindled, the first book in Tamera Alexander's Fountain Creek Chronicles, are similar to Gist's The Measure of a Lady. Set in Colorado in 1868, Larson Jennings is attacked ad disfigured while away on business. By the time he gets home, he finds that his wife has had to start a new life working in the city, and he chooses not to reveal his identity to her. Detailed characterizations illustrate the inner conflicts and changes that the husband and wife go through. For readers looking for a contemporary setting, Splitting Harriet by Tamara Leigh is a funny story about people trying to do the right thing. Harriet Bisset wants to live a more Christian life and divides her time between working at a church, a senior citizens' trailer park, and a restaurant. She is conflicted when she starts to fall for Maddox, a former bad boy. Harriet and Maddox's differing views create a humorous and romantic tone. Her hectic life and struggles within herself and with her church make her a tangible, identifiable character. A reader who enjoyed the Old West setting and Gist's ability to seamlessly weave scripture into plot without preaching should try books by the author Tamera Alexander. Alexander's Remembered is a Christian historical romance set in the mid-1800's about a young Frenchwoman who, after her mother dies, searches for her father who abandoned her when she was just a baby. She receives help from a handsome widower in the untamed Colorado territory. Those that would like to read another romance with a strong female character in the same time period but want to look at a new place should try Tracie Peterson's A Lady of High Regard or Ginny Aiken's Spring of My Love. A Lady of High Regard is a tribute to Jane Austen's Emma revolving around Mia Stanley, a journalist and self-proclaimed matchmaker, living in Philadelphia in 1852. Spring of My Love is about a young woman who, after losing her parents, is forced to take care of the family ranch in Colorado against all odds of the frontier with a little help from an attractive neighbor. Lovers of Gold Rush era California and memorable secondary characters may enjoy Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. It is a biblical retelling of the Book of Hosea about a man who marries a prostitute to save her from a life of sin. Readers interested in how Gist got her inspiration for inspirational romance should try Years by LaVyrle Spencer. Spencer shares Gist's talent for historical romance that is more about the mental attraction rather than the physical between two lovers. Years is about a school teacher in the early twentieth century who travels to an unknown town in North Dakota only to find out that the family she is staying with was not expecting her to be female and must work hard to earn their trust and respect.
Red Flags: Violent bear vs. bull fight, prostitutes, suicide
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