Rebellious Heart: Book Review

You are a girl. It doesn’t matter how intelligent you are, it’s not good enough. God created you to spend your days learning to sew, read the Bible, cook a few savory meals, care for children, and host a grand party. You will be a grave disappointment, considered wild and unruly—a deviant—should you attempt to read a book beyond the Holy Book. Your voice on political and societal issues will not be heard because you are uneducated and have no idea of what you speak. Just leave the concerns of life to us men.

In 1763 and this was the mindset of the general population. Many women, as well as men, followed it without questioning or challenging its truth. However, there were some women who could not remain within the constraints of this system. There were fewer men who would recognize the value of a woman’s mind and her opinion. Abigail Adams was one such woman, brave and bold, unable to accept the confines society had placed her in. John Adams was a rare man who would encourage and enjoy his wife’s radical behavior. Theirs was a marriage many see as having romance woven through their 50 years together.

Author, Jody Hedlund, has taken this historical couple and imagined what their early courtship might have been like and pieced together Rebellious Heart to loosely convey their (the Adams’s) relationship to us. Because there isn’t a great deal of information, her creative mind spun a tale of love and heartbreak, sacrifice and loyalty, determination and courage, surrounded by the pre-Revolutionary War era. She has painted images of the unrest that most likely stirred among the colonists as our “mother” country, England, imposed taxes and unjust laws upon a people she hardly knew any longer.

Her main characters, Susanna Smith and Benjamin Ross, found themselves faced with moral and spiritual versus legal decisions. Susanna struggled with whether breaking the laws of England were right in God’s eyes, even though morally the question should be settled. The question of obeying your authorities versus obeying your conscience came to the forefront.

Should you aid an abused runaway slave, or return her to her master to be further abused, raped, or put to death as punishment for running? Is it possible that God’s law is higher than man’s? Can it be so that man’s law contradicts God’s law? If so, is it right and expedient to reject those laws and press society to seek change?

Such questions plagued the men who forged their way through the days prior to the Revolution, and is portrayed in Ben Ross’s chosen path as a Harvard Law graduate seeking justice for the oppressed. As the story progresses, we are able to glimpse into the lives of these two heroes and cheer them along.

Understanding of their time grows as well as (for me) a deep gratitude for the courage it took for those who forged the path toward the birthing of our nation, grounded on the mission statement penned and signed by 55 men known as our Declaration of Independence. This story paints a clearer picture of all that led up to the Revolution. The rattling of cages was necessary to gain our freedom from oppressive and unjust governors.

I trust you will agree when reading that this is an engaging page-turner. Jody has created characters who have such depth that their credibility as people are unwavering and their end is beautifully done, without feeling forced.

**While this book was a gift upon the agreement of acting as an influencer for the author, Jody Hedlund, the statements made in this review are not based on the generosity of the author or publisher, Bethany House.**

 

You'll find your copy of this book at Baker Publishing, Amazon, Christian Book Distributors, Barnes & Noble, and perhaps your local bookstore. 

 

Happy Reading!

A Noble Groom ... Releasing April 1

She’s given up on fairy tales, true love, and happily-ever-after. He’s running for his life after being falsely accused of murder. She’s widowed, poor, and has no hope of freedom from the tyranny of men. He’s forced to leave his lofty station in life and live among the peasants—a prison worse than the dungeon, it seems. Together, they learn to trust those they’d been taught to disdain.

Who better to tell you their story than Annalisa and Carl—the couple who made this historical novel what it is—romantic.

I'm glad to say, they've agreed to an interview:

Me: Annalisa, Carl. Welcome and thank you for taking the time from your family and farm to share with us your journey.

Annalisa (blushing): nods and clutches Carl’s hand.

Carl (grinning at his bride): It’s a pleasure.

Me: First, how’d the two of you meet? Was it love at first sight?

Annalisa: I was widowed and my Vater (father) sent for a husband for me from the Old Country (Germany). And no. It was not love. Love was only for fairy tales, not reality.

Carl: I was sent to the Bernthal’s home (casting a glance at Annalisa) her parents to aid her with her farm while she awaited her new groom.

Me: (Surprised) But, Annalisa, you almost married him, didn’t you?

Annalisa: I did.

Me: Why?

Annalisa: Because Vater said so. It’s the way things were done. Women had no choice, no voice, no position other than that which her husband allowed her.

Me: Carl, how did you feel about being wed to a woman you didn’t know?

Carl: I wasn’t about to marry a woman I didn’t love, let alone know. And truth be told, had I been warned I might face disease, devastation, vermin infestation, and befriend a murderer, I might have run as fast and far as I could.

Me: Interesting. Why is that?

Carl: I’d witnessed enough of a loveless marriage to know I wouldn’t be trapped in one—if I could help it. Besides, I already knew Herr Bernthal would hate me if he knew who I really was, although I didn't know why until later, so marriage to Annalisa really wasn't an option.

Me: But you agreed to remain with the family and assist Annalisa?

Carl: I didn’t have much choice . . . in the beginning.

Me: In the beginning? So you’re saying after a while you wanted to be there? What changed your mind?

Carl (grinning, mischief playing in his eyes): I’m not at liberty to say. You’ll have to discover that for yourself.

Me: I see. (Looking to Annalisa) What about you? How did you feel about this man’s presence, knowing he didn’t really want to be there?

Annalisa (giggling): He knew nothing about farming. I doubt he worked much with his hands before coming to my family’s home. It was a pleasant surprise to see he’d finished the plowing . . . just in time to begin the next phase of farming.

Me: You look radiant, by the way, Annalisa. Have you always had such an easy laugh and joyful smile?

Annalisa: Oh no. I’d forgotten how good it felt to laugh. And to smile? It took the kindness of a stranger to show me how to stretch my lips in an upward curve. (She leans into Carl as his arm curls around her shoulder, holding her close.)

Me: So, Annalisa, do you still believe happily-ever-afters and true love are for books and fairy tales?

Annalisa (blushing): No, not any more. Through Carl, Gott’s changed all that. I now know that Gott cares for even the smallest details of our lives, both men and women. I am not insignificant to Gott or His plans.

Me: I’m so glad you said that. So many of us seem to think we need to earn God’s attention and affection. Yet you’ve discovered differently, haven’t you? Would you mind sharing how you came to this realization?

Annalisa (smiles): Sure, I can share. But I think you’d like the way my journey is told in the book much better.

Me:Well, thank you for that.

And I agree.

The book is fantastic, published by Bethany House. Jody Hedlund has woven historical fact with a beautiful romance that tells the true-to-life tale of how difficult it was to immigrate and settle in America—Michigan to be exact. Women had once been nothing more than a glorified servant. Chattel to many men. Some men saw past societal norms and into the beauty of God’s creation, cherishing her as a person of great strength and worthy of his love, devotion, and protection. I highly recommend you purchase this book, read it, and share with your friends. 


Learn more about Jody Hedlund at Bethany House or her website. 

Jody's books can be purchased at Baker Publishing Group, Amazon, Christian Book Distributors, or Barnes & Noble. You might also find it in your local Christian Book Store.

Remember: The book releases Monday, April 1.

(disclaimer: Jody Hedlund and Bethany House teamed up with their marketing strategy when they sent me this free copy of A Noble Groom. However, the review I have given is not based on their generosity, but on the book's merit. I'm sure when you've read it, you'll agree.)