Jody Hedlund first captivated me with her debut novel, The Preacher?s Bride. What struck me most about Jody?s writing was her ability to take a short page from history and reconstruct it with passionate creativity and insightful prose. Her second publication, The Doctor?s Lady, met the same level of ingenuity as it brought to life a missionary tale from the early 19th Century of the first white woman to cross the US Continental Divide. Set initially in Angelica, New York, the story follows a young, single woman ? Priscilla White ? whose strong faith has given her a determination to enter into the mission field. With her heart set on serving in India, Priscilla?s dreams are shattered when she is rejected by the Mission Board for her single status. Simultaneously, we are introduced to Dr. Eli Ernest who is unable to fulfil his dream of reaching the Nez Perce tribe of the American West for the same reason. With much persuasion, and despite Priscilla?s naivety and petite frame, Eli agrees to a marriage of convenience and allows her to accompany him on the long, arduous journey to Oregon Country. We are then swept up in a journey of physical hardships, emotional struggles and faith-sharpening trials, as well as the joy of witnessing gentle tugs on their heartstrings along the way. Based on the true story of Marcus and Narcissa Whitman ? with a few imaginative plot lines thrown in for good measure ? The Doctor?s Lady is all-in-all a fascinating read. Jody?s third book is due for release in September, and I?m looking forward to seeing what other literary and historical surprises she has in store for us.

Jody Hedlund first captivated me with her debut novel, The Preacher’s Bride. What struck me most about Jody’s writing was her ability to take a short page from history and reconstruct it with passionate creativity and insightful prose. Her second publication, The Doctor’s Lady, met the same level of ingenuity as it brought to life a missionary tale from the early 19th Century of the first white woman to cross the US Continental Divide. Set initially in Angelica, New York, the story follows a young, single woman – Priscilla White (any English reader will be amused at the name, but will soon forgive Jody for not realising the celebrity connection) – whose strong faith has given her a determination to enter into the mission field. With her heart set on serving in India, Priscilla’s dreams are shattered when she is rejected by the Mission Board for her single status. Simultaneously, we are introduced to Dr. Eli Ernest who is unable to fulfil his dream of reaching the Nez Perce tribe of the American West for the same reason. With much persuasion, and despite Priscilla’s naivety and petite frame, Eli agrees to a marriage of convenience and allows her to accompany him on the long, arduous journey to Oregon Country. We are then swept up in a journey of physical hardships, emotional struggles and faith-sharpening trials, as well as the joy of witnessing gentle tugs on their heartstrings along the way. Based on the true story of Marcus and Narcissa Whitman – with a few imaginative plot lines thrown in for good measure – The Doctor’s Lady is all-in-all a fascinating read. Jody’s third book is due for release in September, and I’m looking forward to seeing what other literary and historical surprises she has in store for us.

Jody Hedlund first captivated me with her debut novel, The Preacher’s Bride. What struck me most about Jody’s writing was her ability to take a short page from history and reconstruct it with passionate creativity and insightful prose. Her second publication, The Doctor’s Lady, met the same level of ingenuity as it brought to life a missionary tale from the early 19th Century of the first white woman to cross the US Continental Divide. Set initially in Angelica, New York, the story follows a young, single woman – Priscilla White (any English reader will be amused at the name, but will soon forgive Jody for not realising the celebrity connection) – whose strong faith has given her a determination to enter into the mission field. With her heart set on serving in India, Priscilla’s dreams are shattered when she is rejected by the Mission Board for her single status. Simultaneously, we are introduced to Dr. Eli Ernest who is unable to fulfil his dream of reaching the Nez Perce tribe of the American West for the same reason. With much persuasion, and despite Priscilla’s naivety and petite frame, Eli agrees to a marriage of convenience and allows her to accompany him on the long, arduous journey to Oregon Country. We are then swept up in a journey of physical hardships, emotional struggles and faith-sharpening trials, as well as the joy of witnessing gentle tugs on their heartstrings along the way. Based on the true story of Marcus and Narcissa Whitman – with a few imaginative plot lines thrown in for good measure – The Doctor’s Lady is all-in-all a fascinating read. Jody’s third book is due for release in September, and I’m looking forward to seeing what other literary and historical surprises she has in store for us.

Jody Hedlund first captivated me with her debut novel, The Preacher’s Bride. What struck me most about Jody’s writing was her ability to take a short page from history and reconstruct it with passionate creativity and insightful prose. Her second publication, The Doctor’s Lady, met the same level of ingenuity as it brought to life a missionary tale from the early 19th Century of the first white woman to cross the US Continental Divide. Set initially in Angelica, New York, the story follows a young, single woman – Priscilla White (any English reader will be amused at the name, but will soon forgive Jody for not realising the celebrity connection) – whose strong faith has given her a determination to enter into the mission field. With her heart set on serving in India, Priscilla’s dreams are shattered when she is rejected by the Mission Board for her single status. Simultaneously, we are introduced to Dr. Eli Ernest who is unable to fulfil his dream of reaching the Nez Perce tribe of the American West for the same reason. With much persuasion, and despite Priscilla’s naivety and petite frame, Eli agrees to a marriage of convenience and allows her to accompany him on the long, arduous journey to Oregon Country. We are then swept up in a journey of physical hardships, emotional struggles and faith-sharpening trials, as well as the joy of witnessing gentle tugs on their heartstrings along the way. Based on the true story of Marcus and Narcissa Whitman – with a few imaginative plot lines thrown in for good measure – The Doctor’s Lady is all-in-all a fascinating read. Jody’s third book is due for release in September, and I’m looking forward to seeing what other literary and historical surprises she has in store for us.