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.
Eli and Priscilla want to be missionaries. He wants to go to the frontiers of Oregon and she to India. When the missionary board rejects their applications, they reluctantly marry in order to serve and Priscilla agrees to give up her quest for India and travel to Oregon with Eli.
I will admit to finding the premise a bit implausible: that this man and woman who barely knew each other, would marry for convenience simply so they could be missionaries. But, the story was compelling and quickly drew me in. Priscilla and Eli were characters I grew to care about. Their travels from New York to Oregon by wagon train were difficult and arduous, but very true to life. Yet, as they journey, faith in God and a growing love and faith in each other shows them that anything is possible. I enjoyed reading their story and seeing the growth in themselves and their relationship.
I also enjoyed the author's note that shared the true life inspiration for the novel. I liked, but didn't love Jody's first novel, The Preacher's Bride, but I thoroughly enjoyed The Doctor's Lady.
Thanks to Bethany House for the opportunity to review this book. You can learn more about Jody Hedlund here. You can purchase your own copy here
.Read 11/11
* * * *
4/5 Stars
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