Jody has written novels for the last 18 years (with a hiatus when her children were young). After many years of writing and honing her skills, she finally garnered national attention with her double final in the Genesis Contest, a fiction-writing contest for unpublished writers through ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers).
Her first published book, The Preacher’s Bride (2010 Bethany House Publishers), hit the CBA Best Seller list on two different occasions and has won multiple awards.
Her second book, The Doctor’s Lady, released this September. She has completed a third book which will be released in 2012. She’s currently busy researching and writing another book!
ABOUT THE BOOK:
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.
If you would like to read the first chapter of The Doctor’s Lady, go HERE.
Learn more about Jody and her books on her Website.
Watch the book trailer:
MY REVIEW:
The Doctor’s Lady may be one of the best historical novels of the year. With well developed characters, a well paced plot, drama, adventures, and romance, this story has something for everyone.Featuring Priscilla and Eli who both feel a strong call to be missionaries but each of them have run into a huge obstacle. The missions board will not accept unmarried missionaries. Although Priscilla had her heart set on India, she reluctantly agreed to Eli’s persuasion to marry him in name only and go west with him to the Oregon Territory to minister to the natives. Their seven month trek over what is now known as the Oregon Trail was a grueling adventure that pitted them against raging rivers, blazing sun, torrential downpours, disease, unfriendly tribes, and dishonest guides. Priscilla’s naivete and lack of preparation for the hardships of the mission field were tempered by her zeal and determination. Her situation was so typical of how even today we see missionaries who are sent to foreign lands with very little idea of what they will really encounter.
Eli doubted Priscilla’s ability to withstand the rigors of the trail but he grudgingly learned to respect her persistence and grew to love her in spite of his plans to remain single. In turn, Priscilla grew to care for Eli as she came to depend on his strength and tenderness. Each privately longed for a true marriage but neither of them could overcome their own self-doubt enough to totally trust the other. Only their faith and the Lord could ultimately bring them together as man and wife.
I truly enjoyed The Doctor’s Lady and highly recommend it to lovers of historical fiction. This is one book you need on your keeper shelf.
