The Preacher's Bride by Jody Hedlund

Puritan Elizabeth Whitbread lives in Bedford, England in 1659. Striving to do God's will in every way by serving the poor, healing the sick and feeding the hungry, she oversteps her bounds when she attempts to care for a crying babe. John Costin, tinker and lay preacher, has just lost his wife and their son is starving for lack of milk. Feeling directed by God, Elizabeth insists on caring for this infant, raising the ire of more prestigious sisters in the community. Add to this the threat of death for preaching without a license, John is overcome with grief, and seems unable to care for his other three children, the oldest a small girl who is blind. Hedlund writes a compelling tale based on the real life story of John Bunyan, writer of the classic Pilgrim's Progress. This is a good read. Sandy Penton.