A story set in Michigan in 1880. I found the story to be full of "what could happen next" moments, and also got a glimpse into the people who left their home country of Germany and tried to make a life for themselves in Michigan. I enjoy the way this author writes.

Annalisa Werner knows from experience that there is no "fairy-tale love". Her husband, like many she has observed, only used her as more of a slave than a wife. When he dies her father sends for someone from Germany to come and marry her and take over her farm for her. Carl Richards is running for his life and escapes Germany, and delivers a message to Annalisa's father that her future husband will arrive later. So Carl offers to help Annalisa run her farm until her husband arrives. The problem is Carl is really a nobleman, disguising himself as a common man. But he has a heart for the Lord and believes women should be treated with respect and honor and love. Watching these two get to know one another and observe one another was very interesting. And the book never lacks for something always happening. Even up to the very end. As it says on the back cover: "Hedlund intricately balances romance and drama " ( )

German noble Gottfried Charles von Reichart III, falsely accused of dangerous scientific experiments, assumes the name Carl Richards and seeks refuge in a German-American farming community. He never expects to develop feelings for the daughter of his father's arch-enemy. With a price on his head, a secret identity to maintain and a land-greedy villain threatening the farmers, Carl has enough to do without constantly guarding his heart against the beautiful widow Annalisa Werner.

Annalisa's childhood dreams of true love died the day she married her lazy, abusive husband Hans Werner. Now with Hans dead and no husband to help work in the fields, her hopes to pay her farm debt and earn money to send her girls to school perish as well. Her father sends away for a new husband for Annalisa, her distant cousin Dirk. Before her new groom arrives from the Old Country, Carl Richards appears and agrees to work her fields until Dirk comes. But each day Annalisa spends with Carl sprouts new hope in her heart that all men aren't the same, that true love is possible. With all that keeps them apart, will the kind but haughty nobleman and the disillusioned widow find their way to a fairy-tale ending?

Like Jody Hedlund's other novels, this story is strong in unique characters, description and plot twists. As heroes go, Carl doesn't have any horrific emotional wounds from his past, but his scientific inventor quirks, his protective, gentle nature and prince-like qualities make him a hero worth sighing over.

As you journey with these characters through their joys and heartaches, you find a certain hope for the future and a glimpse at the nature of God. He is ever present, always in control, and he loves His children.

After reading this book, I only have one question. What happened to Uri? ( )

I loved this book. From the moment I started reading it I didn't want to put it down. I fell in love with the main character and saw so much of myself in her. I find it sad how things were back and then and how hard the people had to struggle. I felt like I was there with her and I understood everything she was feeling. The author did a great job of explaining things and making it all come to life in my head. I can't wait to read more books from this author. ( )

Life as a German immigrant is hard, but when Annalisa Werner's husband dies, she is left to contend with the man who wants her land, the rigors of a struggling farm, the responsibility of raising her daughter and the preparations for her unborn child. Her father arranges for a distant cousin to marry Annalisa and take over the farm. Love is not needed. Carl Richards lived an easy life as a nobleman's son until he was falsely accused of murder. He travels to America as a fugitive and finds shelter and food as hired help for Annalisa. Their views on love and marriage are as different as their past lives. As Carl and Annalisa work together to grow a harvest to save her farm, they both find that they have much to learn about love. Can this relationship survive the revelation of Carl's past and the arrival of Annalisa's groom? Read more in A Noble Groom by Jody Hedlund.

A Noble Groom is the first book I've read by Jody Hedlund and I'll definitely be on the lookout for her books in the future. I love it when I'm surprised by a book. I expected a romance with a medium-level of tension. The progressively playful banter and spark of attraction made for a sweet blossoming of love that maintained my interest throughout the book. However, quite unexpectedly, I found high drama interlaced with healing and growth. This marvelous combination was an excellent complement to the story line. I confidently recommend A Noble Groom to any fan of Christian romance.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising." ( )

Action, adventure, anticipation...
I loved this intro to author, Jody Hedlund's historical writing.

Well researched info infused the story with authenticity and well crafted characters that readily induced like/dislike from this reader. Attitudes and actions that wouldn't be tolerated in our day and culture suffused the life realities for women such as protagonist AnnaLisa, her sister, mother yet seemingly bypassed the pastor's wife. She seemed to be living the ideal in the settlement of German immigrants to this area of Michigan and provided a much needed Godly influence and example for the women and men to see modelled before them. I struggled with the outspoken remarks of Annalisa's own father to her would be suitor when encouraging a wedding that evening,to the effect, "then you can do whatever you want with her after that". What would any woman have to look forward to knowing there was no support or valuing of her as a person other than her ability to work and provide for the husband's needs?

Definitely well written, capturing my interest with the intrigue of the escape of the nobleman and his impact on the rest of the story... Not a book to miss if you're a historical fiction reader with romantic notions. EnJoy!

And thankyou, Jody, for providing readers with a great read!

( )