Love Unexpected (Beacons of Hope #1) - Jody Hedlund

After reading the Michigan Brides series (Unending Devotion, A Noble Groom and Captured by Love), I was looking forward to more by this author.  This is the first book in the Beacons of Hope series.  There’s a free novella that comes before this book, Out of the Storm, which I recommend.  You don’t have to read it before reading this book, but it’s a good story and worth the time.

                                                               

Emma and her brother are aboard a steamship when it’s attacked by pirates.  The ship ends up on fire and they end up swimming to shore.  They’re rescued by the man who keeps the lighthouse, and they end up at Burnham’s Landing.  While her brother looks for a job to raise money to continue their journey, Emma is given a rare opportunity.  She’s told that she can be an answer to prayer.

Patrick’s wife has just died, and he’s been running himself ragged.  Trying to take care of a rambunctious two-year-old all day and tend the light all night, he’s at his wit’s end to figure out a solution.  Then the traveling preacher offers up the solution for Emma and Patrick to marry.  Patrick's had a criminal past and turned his life around, but he doesn’t think he’ll ever be judged by who he is now.

Emma’s never taken care of a child before and this one is definitely in his terrible twos!  Add to that she has no idea how to cook, and she feels inadequate.  Patrick is keeping his distance from her and while she falls in love with him, her ‘friend’ is whispering doubts in her ear.  Instead of judging her husband on his actions toward her, she finds her vision darkened by suspicion.

I loved this book.  While I was cheering Patrick on, I saw how his past could affect the way others saw him.  Patrick has turned his life around and is a godly man now, but a criminal past can ruin everything he’s worked for.  When the troubles come, Emma has the choice to judge him on how he’s treated her or to believe the worst.

I can’t wait for the next book in this series.  Hearts Made Whole comes out June 2015.  I like lighthouses and books with them incorporated always draw me in.  The cover of this book is beautiful and totally appropriate for this book.  There’s a brief mention of the characters in the novella in there, but the connection is minimal.  There’s some passionate kissing in there, but this prudish person wasn’t offended and didn’t blush, so I’d say it’s not a big deal.  Good Book!

*I received a copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.