Married to a Stranger
by Laura V. Hilton
Published by Whitaker House
Publication Date July 2, 2019
Genres: Amish Fiction, Christian Fiction, Clean Romance
Setting: Michigan Contemporary
Main Character Ages: 25-34
Written for: Adults
Pages: 272
Synopsis:
He marries her out of need. She marries him to escape. What does love have to do with it? When her father falsely accuses a stranger of dishonoring her, Bethel Eicher finds herself promised in marriage to a man she’s never met. Not exactly a dream come true, but since she has spent several years caring for her handicapped mother, she’s already considered an old maid at twenty-five—and she longs to escape her lonely life as permanent caregiver. When newly-called Amish preacher Gideon Kaiser learns he’s been accused of a dishonorable act, he's horrified. But his wife died in childbirth and his toddler is approaching his “terrible twos,” so Gideon figures marrying a woman he’s never met could be beneficial. How can Bethel and Gideon possibly make their marriage work—especially when the truth behind the accusations is revealed?
I received a complimentary copy of this book. This gift did not influence my opinion or review.
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Has someone you love ever accused of something terrible? And nothing you say can change their mind? Bethel’s situation is exactly that. As a result she is shipped off and married to a man she had never met!
My heart went out to her as she felt rejected by her father and unloved by her new family. Miscommunication and misunderstandings abound and keep her feeling isolated and unwanted. Yet she serves everyone with a kind and generous heart. I really admired her for this.
Gideon, unprepared to marry again, felt he had no choice. I loved the way he determined to love his new frau even though the union had been forced. His best efforts at treating her kindly and courting her were sabotaged more than once, and mostly by his own rash words. His grief felt so palpable at times!
Hints of something more ominous than the rumors that resulted in this marriage are dropped throughout the story yet the truth, when it was revealed, was surprising to me! While the matter was (mostly) resolved, a mystery surrounding it remains for yet another story (I hope!).
A multitude of spiritual teachings filled the pages of Married to a Stranger. Forgiveness and choosing to love are just two of them, incorporated in a very natural manner and beautifully expressed. The author’s heart for the Lord shines through.
“Gideon, choose love. Not loss.” Lizzie gave a quiet sigh and then her eyes rolled back in her head.
It wouldn’t do any gut to ask der Herr for this stranger—what was his name, anyway?—to be nice to her, because it seemed apparent Gott hadn’t heard one word of her endless prayers over the last few days. Either that, or He callously chose to disregard her requests.
At least, with this situation being handled directly between Gideon and both their fathers, with nein preacher or bishop involvement, none of the potentially damaging dirty laundry was hung out to dry.
She should’ve packed her bags and run away instead of going through with the wedding. Which was probably what her sister had done, kum to think of it.
Thank you for your review on “Married to a Stranger” by Laura V. Hinton and for being part of the Celebrate Lit book tour.
Adore this author’s books and I can’t wait for the opportunity to read this amazing sounding new one.
2clowns at arkansas dot net
This book sounds intriguing , a real good page turner! I love the excerpt and I really like the cover, wow, what some people will do. I would love to read this book. Thank you for sharing this review. God Bless you.
This certainly sounds like an i teresting storyline and one that I would like to read.
Thank you!
Sounds like a very difficult situation Bethel finds herself in!