The Doctor's Lady by Jody Hedlund

Synopsis:~

Priscilla White knows she'll never be a wife or mother and feels God's call to the mission field in India. Dr. Eli Ernest is back from Oregon Country only long enough to raise awareness of missions to the natives before heading out West once more. But then Priscilla and Eli both receive news from the mission board: No longer will they send unmarried men and women into the field. Left scrambling for options, the two realize the other might be the answer to their needs.

Priscilla and Eli agree to a partnership, a marriage in name only that will allow them to follow God's leading into the mission field. But as they journey west, this decision will be tested by the hardships of the trip and by the unexpected turnings of their hearts.

My take:~ 

After receiving high praise for her debut novel, The Preacher's Bride, Jody Hedlund ensures she retains readers' favour with her second novel, The Doctor's Lady.  Once again Jody has been inspired by real life people to develop her multi layered characters, Priscilla and Eli.  Fashioned on the lives of pioneering missionary couple Marcus and Narcissa Whitman, Jody deftly draws readers into the emotion and tension surrounding Eli and Priscilla's wedding and their subsequent arduous trip across the Continental Divide into Oregon.  Rich in characterisation and historical detail, Jody's prose flows naturally and is a pleasure to read.  Easily immersed into the adventure, heartache and frustrations of their journey, readers will fall in love with Eli's tenderness and Priscilla's determination.  Jody easily measures up to gifted historical writers like Tamera Alexander, Laura Frantz and Julie Lessman so be sure to look her up.

With thanks to Bethany for my review copy

Relz Reviewz Extras
Q&A with Jody
Enter my signed giveway of The Doctor's Lady thanks to Jody
Character spotlight on Eli & Priscilla
View the trailer for The Doctor's Lady
Review of The Preacher's Bride
Visit Jody's website and blog
Enter Jody's 'Be a trailblazer' contest
Buy Jody's book at Amazon or Koorong