**NOTE: Almost a Bride is Book 4 in the Bride Ships series but can be read as a standalone novel.Always close, but never a bride.Longing to find true love, Kate Millington arrives in British Columbia on a bride ship. With countless men waiting to snag a bride, Kate has no trouble getting engaged. It’s staying engaged that’s the problem. After traveling to the remote mining town of Williamsville … the remote mining town of Williamsville to marry her newest fiancé, she finds herself single again.
As the prosperous owner of a gold mine, Zeke Hart has everything he’s ever wanted except for a wife. At Kate’s arrival, he takes it upon himself to protect his childhood friend from the men clamoring to court her. The more he renews her friendship, the more he wants to win her for himself. But as much as Kate admires Zeke, she’s resolved not to marry someone who doesn’t share her faith.
When Zeke begins receiving anonymous threats, he unwittingly puts them both in grave danger. In the midst of peril, the past rises up to haunt them both, and Zeke realizes the fight for Kate’s affection may be his biggest challenge yet.
“This excellent series launch will leave fans eager for the next entry.”–Publishers Weekly starred review
The Bride Ships Series
Book 1: A Reluctant Bride
Book 2: The Runaway Bride
Book 3: A Bride of Convenience
Book 4: Almost a Bride
Other books by Jody Hedlund:
The Orphan Train Series
Prequel Novella: An Awakened Heart
Book 1: With You Always
Book 2: Together Forever
Book 3: Searching for You
The Beacons of Hope Series
Prequel Novella: Out of the Storm
Book 1: Love Unexpected
Book 2: Hearts Made Whole
Book 3: Undaunted Hope
Book 4: Forever Safe
Book 5: Never Forget
The Michigan Brides Collection
Unending Devotion
A Noble Groom
Captured by Love
The Hearts of Faith Collection
The Preacher’s Bride
The Doctor’s Lady
Rebellious Heart
Historical
Luther and Katharina
Newton and Polly
For a complete list of Jody’s novels, visit her Amazon page or website – jodyhedlund.com
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Jody Hedlund’s Almost a Bride, is a fulfilling conclusion to a heart-warming, tender, compelling, and spiritually stirring series. Almost a Bride is the fourth and final installment of Jody Hedlund’s, The Bride Ships series. A beautiful location with breathtaking landscapes, entertaining and appealing characters, and a tender romance with a great deal of sizzle quickly capture the reader’s interest and heart.
Kate Millington arrives in Williamsville, a mountain town located at the base of the Caribou Mountains in British Columbia to marry her new finance. Months earlier, Kate traveled from Manchester, England aboard the Robert Lowe bride ship to Victoria, British Columbia. Upon her arrival, Kate’s hope was to find a husband and be married. After one failed engagement, Kate is engaged again. Her new finance has paid for her safe passage to Williamsville and is eagerly awaiting her arrival. Kate’s dream is to be married, but she’s having second thoughts.
Zeke Hart is a successful miner in Williamsville. Because of his prosperous mine, Zeke is respected, highly influential, and even envied in the town. He never expects to encounter Kate Millington, the little sister of his closest childhood friend. With Kate’s growing misgivings about marriage, Zeke is happy to use his influence to help and protect Kate.
While growing up, Kate always admired Zeke from afar and is delighted to see him again. Zeke isn’t looking for a wife and wants to help Kate as a friend or older brother. However, Zeke can’t help but notice the beautiful, lovely, and innocent Kate. Unfortunately, Zeke no longer shares Kate’s strong faith in God and mining is dangerous work. Is their love worth the cost or are the obstacles too great for a future together?
As I read Almost a Bride, I discovered the mother lode. I could relate to the story so strongly. Through the characters portrayal of their dreams, secrets, deep struggles, and even the fortresses they’d constructed around their hearts, the characters put on flesh. I couldn’t help but pause and reflect while I read.
In addition, I enjoyed the author’s well developed supporting characters. One of my favorites was Mr. Peabody, Zeke’s housekeeper. His quirks and eccentricities were amusing and endearing. It is always a joy too to discover the golden nuggets of spiritual truth the author uncovers or reveals along the way in her writing.
Lastly, the patience, love, and surrender between Kate and Zeke was beautiful to see unfold. It hit very close to home for me. Jody Hedlund’s stories affect me deeply and leave me changed. Almost a Bride is no different. At its conclusion, I have a renewed desire to draw closer to the Lord, to persevere through present trials and difficulties, to rest in His strength and affirmation, and to bask in His promise of redeeming grace.
I look forward to Jody Hedlund’s next releases. She has another YA medieval series, The Fairest Maidens, releasing September 22, 2020. In January 2021, she’s introducing a news series called
Colorado Cowboys. I’m very excited about these upcoming releases! I can’t wait to uncover the riches found there!
I am grateful to the author and BookFunnel for providing a complimentary digital copy of this book. Thank you for the opportunity to share my review. My thoughts and opinions are solely my own.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
GOD had a plan for Kate and Zeke. They both didn’t know what was in store for them. Kate and Zeke were fleeing from their demons. Both had a past they couldn’t forget.
What would it take for Kate to take the plunge? Could Zeke move forward and accept that he is one of GOD’s children?
This is Book 4 of the Bride Ships Series. Each bride was looking for a new life in Canada. Their stories are not traditional as they might be on a bride ship but not necessarily looking for a groom.
I enjoyed this book and hated to have it end. As I was reading this story I continued to hope that Zeke and Kate would get together. I had my doubts.
I highly recommend this book along with any other book by Jody Hedlund. They are great stories. I often suggest her books to others. I am proud to say she is from my home state of Michigan!!!
The most fabulous characters that you can’t help but fall in love with. This is an incredible story that takes the reader on an beautiful journey. I was so caught up in the pages of this book from the very beginning. The story speaks right into your heart and sole with the many trials the characters endure. Jody Hedlund does a phenomenal job of showing how the characters mature in Christ and how God brings them through each storm. Sweet clean romance with danger, mystery and obeying God even when it hurts. This is a story that will plant itself right into your mind and not turn loose for days after you put the book down. There is just so much to love about this book!
Was given a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
This is a satisfying end to a wonderful series. The setting is fabulous–I love seeing the wilds of Canada and what life was like as men hoped to strike it rich and build a new life there. I loved seeing how Kate and Zeke both had to find healing, Kate because of how she’d been hurt by her father’s leaving and Zeke because of his own choices. The book was exciting, with an element of mystery, and had wonderful secondary characters as well.
4 stars.
I read an ARC provided by the author/publisher. All opinions are my own.
I enjoyed reading Almost a Bride, Jody Hedlund’s fourth and concluding book in her Bride Ship series. The characters come across as being real and are ready to jump off the page into real life.
One of my favorite quotes was: “ The truth was, they lived in a broken world tainted by sin, sickness, and the very devil himself. With such vice running rampant, horrible things happen. That’s all there was to it. No doubt they needed to do their part to stop the atrocities. But sometimes, even after doing everything right, bad things still affected them.” This quote is one that for me speaks of what is happening in the world today. Jody shows what living as a believer is like. She can bring people to a place in her stories to want to make a decision in their own lives.
I received an advanced copy of this book and all opinions are strictly my own.
I don’t know how she does this, but this is now my favorite Brideship book! I thought that it couldn’t get better than the last book. Almost a Bride was so great! Almost a Bride is the fourth book in Jody Hedlund’s Brideship series. Zeke finally gets his own book and maybe his own happy ending.
Kate Millington has been almost a bride many times. She is all set to get married until she realizes that she doesn’t actually want to marry the man she had promised herself to. Things get even more complicated when she finds out that the man she had a crush on is living in her new town. Zeke Hart stole her heart many years ago and it appears he still has it.
Zeke has built himself a good life, he has everything he could ever want except for a wife. Zeke ran away years ago to get from the horrors of his past. But things get complicated when he takes it upon himself to protect his childhood friend. To make matters worse, he receives anonymous threats that threaten both him and Kate.
Kate’s past had made it hard for her to move one, she has broken off more engagements than she thought possible. Marriage scares her like nothing else, however, she never thought that she would find her crush in her new home and even fall in love with him. I liked Kate, she was really sweet. I loved how she cared for Zeke but she knew that he needed to find God first.
I loved Zeke from the beginning, he was so honorable. He loved Kate from the beginning and it was so cute to see him fight off her suitors. He was a hard worker and I loved how he cared for the people who were living in town. I just really liked him.
Zeke and Kate had the sweetest relationships, I loved the banter they had together. It was so nice that they were so comfortable together. I thought it was cute how they knew each other before and then they fell in love. I think they may be my favorite couple, though Abe and Zoe are a close second. I always adore the secondary characters. Although this book did not have Mrs. Moresby, it had Mr. Peabody and Wendell. They were so funny.
One of my favorite quotes is “You’ll never be the same. You’ll be better once you give control of your life to the Lord.” This quote was such a good reminder of how much we need God. We can do nothing on our own and no matter how hard we try we will always be left wanting.
I loved this Almost a Bride. It was a wonderful conclusion to a great series! I can’t believe her Bride ship series is over, this series is definitely one of my favorites. I totally recommend this book, if you have read any of Ms. Hedlund’s books then you have to read this one. I can’t wait to see what else Ms. Hedlund writes!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
In this enjoyable conclusion to The Bride Ship Series, Jody Hedlund once again displays her expert storytelling skills. This book has it all—a fast-paced, gripping, attention-grabbing plot with a little mystery that keeps you turning pages; a vividly described setting whether it be the muddy streets of Williamsville, Hart’s General Store, Zeke’s gold mine shaft, or the wooded mountain peaks of the Cariboo range; characters who are engaging, believable, and memorable; a permeating faith element that is inspiring and uplifting; and sweet romance that is heartwarming and emotional. Almost a Bride works well as a stand-alone even though the main characters Kate and Zeke are introduced in Book 3, A Bride of Convenience. I read this book in one day’s time, thoroughly enjoyed it, and highly recommend it.
I received a complimentary e-book copy of this book but am under no obligation to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I have the worst habit of spoiling a book by reading the end first. I’m so incredibly glad I exercised some self restraint and let this book unfold in all its glory as Jody intended it. I have loved all 4 books in the series but this one might have been my favorite. The immediate attraction between Zeke and Kate was beautifully written and led to a building tension as they sought to include the Lord in their relationship. I particularly love when an author can incorporate Christian values with real life scenarios without coming off as “preachy” and Jody is a master at that. There are elements of mystery, danger, and a superb supporting cast of characters. Almost a Bride was a perfect series finale (but could also read it as a stand-alone novel).