Marian Baay reviews A NOBLE GROOM by Jody Hedlund

A Noble Groom

A NOBLE GROOM

By Jody Hedlund

Bethany House, 2013

Reviewed by Marian Baay

In the 1800’s many Germans immigrated to America in hopes to start a new and better life than they had in Germany. They worked hard and had little, but anything was better than what they had in the Old Country. In this book the German immigrants in Forestville are farmers.

Annalisa is a young widow. Her husband was recently murdered and now her father has decided she needs a new husband. He writes to his brother in Germany to look among their family for a young man who is willing to come to America to become a farmer and to marry his daughter.

Carl is the son of a duke—a nobleman who is not accustomed to hard work. He is accused of murder and therefore has to flee from Germany to America. He promised to help a young widow until her groom—also from Germany—would arrive. He can never tell his true identity—that he is the son of the duke—that would probably get him killed, because Annalisa’s father hates Carl’s father. Carl is a man of faith and finds it hard to live a lie, but feels he doesn’t have much of a choice.

In these days marriage was more a practical thing. Annalisa needed a man to run her farm...and soon! While waiting for her groom to arrive Carl is helping her on her farm. She can see he is different than any of the other farmers, but she is grateful for his help and doesn’t ask him any questions about his life in the Old Country.

Carl and Annalisa develop feelings for each other, but they know they can’t get married, because her father promised her to her cousin who is coming over from Germany. It is taking too long for her cousin to arrive. Will he ever show up? Or is there a chance that she can marry Carl?

This was another great book by Jody Hedlund. Carl and Annalisa were very likable characters. I really enjoyed reading this book. I love Jody’s story-telling and I also love to learn more about American history in her books. Looking forward to her next book…

*I received a review copy through NetGalley.*

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