Monday, November 14, 2011

The Doctor's Lady | Jody Hedlund | Book Review & Giveaway

This giveaway is closed. Congrats to the winner, Kimberly Ferland!

The Doctor's Lady
by
Jody Hedlund
Bethany House Publishers
378 pages

{ FROM THE BACK COVER }

Priscilla White KNEW God wanted her
to be a missionary. NOT A WIFE.
Then, the missionary board declares
THE ONLY WAY she can serve
is to be MARRIED.
Now, married IN NAME ONLY,
her epic journey west will test
her spirit...and the new
LONGINGS of her heart. 
~ from the back cover.

{ PLOT SYNOPSIS }

The Doctor's Lady is the fictionalized story of Marcus and Narcissa Whitman, a young missionary couple who traveled to Oregon country in 1836 to start a mission among the native Nez Perce. The Whitmans traveled with the Spaldings - a pastor and his wife - and Narcissa and Eliza Spalding are famous for being the first two white women to cross the Continental Divide and make it all the way to the far west. Narcissa wrote a very detailed diary, and drawing on those writings as well as the various historical accounts of their life, Jody Hedlund has constructed a vivid picture of the life of this incredible woman and her companions. In order to breathe life into her characters, Hedlund fictionalized the account just enough to speculate on what is not fully known, and gave the characters new names (Marcus and Narcissa Whitman become Eli and Priscilla Earnest); even so, this book is highly accurate as verified by Narcissa's diary.

{ MY REVIEW OF THIS BOOK }

From the very first chapter, to the final page, The Doctor's Lady is mesmerizing. Priscilla's faith as she marries a man she does not know so that she can serve God on the mission field is staggering, as is the faith of the man she marries, Eli Earnest. These two, so different and yet so alike, do not at first seem like they could ever have more than a superficial, even business-like relationship, but watching them grow together through the rigors and trials of the trail West makes you yearn for more for them than the distant arrangement upon which they agreed when they obeyed the American Missions Board and got married in order to serve as missionaries. Jody Hedlund proves her merits as an author in this incredible story as she masterfully depicts the harsh life on the Oregon Trail, and all of the twists and turns of two lives drawn together by the Master. I highly recommend this book!

{ BUY THIS BOOK }

You can own your own copy of The Doctor's Lady for only $10.19 at Amazon.com!
{ COMING SOON }
Want to know more about this incredible author? Check back on Wednesday (November 16, 2011) to read an exclusive interview with Jody Hedlund, here on Little Bit Of Wonderful!
{ WIN THIS BOOK }
Want to win a free copy of The Doctor's Lady, right here on Little Bit Of Wonderful? The incredible author, Jody Hedlund, is offering one of my readers their own copy of this amazing book! All you have to do is enter via the Rafflecopter widget below (only entries received via the widget will count - comments are for blog lovin' only), and check back here (and in your email inbox) in two weeks to see if you are the lucky winner! This giveaway is open to residents of the United States, only.



{ DISCLOSURE }

I received a free copy of this book for the purpose of providing an honest review. All words and thoughts are my own.

{ WANT MORE? }

Don't miss my interview with this amazing author! Jody shares some thoughts with us here.

20 comments:

  1. Well, My husband and I are missionaries. But I find it very inspiring to read about women who enter the mission field and the challenges they face. It makes me more thankful for what I have and the support that is available for missionaries in modern times.
    Kristine Rogers

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  2. I remember doing a report on the Nez Perce tribe in junior high. I would love to read Jody's latest novel!

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  3. Good luck, Pattie! :) It's a really great book :) Don't forget that following this blog with Google Friend Finder is a mandatory entry ;) All you have to do is click Join This Site up at the top on the left under the heading "Followers". It's really easy, and it will make those other entry options light up ;) Thanks for stopping by!

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  4. Well, silly me, you did it while I was commenting! :) Good luck in the drawing! :)

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  5. I have never considered being a missionary - I am not brave enough! But I am glad there are others who are willing to do this wonderful work

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  6. What a great review of this book, I have read it and it is a fantastic story, but then I like the author and the way she writes. Would love to be in your drawing and give this as a gift should I win. thanks for sharing.
    Paula O(kyflo130@yahoo.com)

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  7. Thanks for the review. . . this is definitely a book that I have been following as I read Jody's first book and really enjoyed it. I have to say that I have never felt the call to be a missionary but I'm sure glad that there are those who are.

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  8. Thank you for entering, and for your great comments, Kim, Paula, and Sheri! :) Missionaries are incredible people, and I am blessed to be related to several! :) Good luck in the drawing, ladies!

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  9. I have never considered becoming a missionary but help support several.

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  10. Growing up, our church was always sponsoring Missionaries. It was always exciting to hear their testimonies and then get to go after the service and visit their booth they had set up. As a child, I always wanted to go, but then as I grew to be an adult the Lord took me in a different path. My heart and prayers go out to the families that are able to give up everything to go and teach others, often at the expense of their own lives.

    I would love to win this book. Your review just made me desire it more. Thanks

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  11. Growing up I always wanted to be a missionary, but then I grew up and the Lord took me down a different path.

    I love reading the stories of missionaries and the lives that are changed by their sacrifice.

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  12. I was not able to find your button.

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  13. I once considered becoming a missionary, but it just wasn't where I was supposed to be. It sounds like a great read. Hope I win!!

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  14. I have not considered becoming one- I think I would get tired of all the traveling. I love reading about them though :-) Thanks for the giveaway.

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  15. I have not considered it-I admire people who are though
    vickie m

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  16. Yes, but major health issues have precluded it. Sometimes as my pastor's said, the greatest mission field is in your hospital bed looking up, doing intercessory prayer for others!
    Best wishes and thanks for a chance to win this wonderful book

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  17. Thanks, everyone, for you thoughtful responses to the question. I love reading your answers! Janelle, I am sorry to hear that your health has been poor, yet so encouraged to hear your heart and your faith. Blessings *hugs*

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  18. I love the idea of being a missionary, but not sure if in reality I can handle it. I admire people who do it though! :)

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  19. Actually, just recently I have felt God calling me to get involved in missions. One of my teen sons and I are praying about going on a trip to Fiji/Tonga next year with a missions group from church!

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  20. Wow, Lisa, that's great! My husband and I have talked about it, too, but now just isn't the time. Good luck, and may God bless your interest and faith, whether you end up on the mission field or not :)

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