A Bride Most Begrudging by Deeanne Gist

When I received Deeanne Gist's A Bride Most Begrudging in the mail about two weeks ago, I was in the midst of reading four other books, a rare occurrence for me. I usually pick up a book and finish it that day or the next. I don't like being in the middle of more than two books at once (one fiction, one nonfiction), yet there I was with four books started and wanting to read another. I'd heard good things about Deeanne's book and reading the back cover was starting to drive me nuts. Finally, I couldn't stand it anymore and read the prologue. Excellent. I forced myself to put the book down and finished one of my library books. All the while, it sat there with old-fashioned wedding gown and daintily crossed fingers, tempting me like Swiss chocolate. I wolfed down my "dinner" of the nonfiction title, then moved on to savor dessert.

I read fast. I can polish off even long novels in under four hours. But it's a rare book that makes me want to zip through to find out what happens and linger so it doesn't end too soon - simultaneously. A Bride Most Begrudging was that book. I enjoyed every minute of reading it.

A quick synopsis: Lady Constance Morrow is taken against her will to become a tobacco bride for the colonists in Virginia. After losing his fiancee, Drew O'Connor only wants a maid to care for his house and his younger sister while he takes care of the fields. What he gets is a wife with a feisty temper, a head for mathematics, and no knowledge of housework.

For more, visit Deeanne's blog.