Meet Lady Rosemarie Montfort and Sir Derrick Harding

About the book:

Due to her parents' promise at her birth, Lady Rosemarie has been prepared to become a nun on the day she turns eighteen. Then, a month before her birthday, a friend of her father's enters the kingdom and proclaims her parents' will left a second choice--if Rosemarie can marry before the eve of her eighteenth year, she will be exempt from the ancient vow.

Before long, Rosemarie is presented with the three most handsome and brave knights in the land. But when the competition for her heart seemingly results in a knight playing foul, she begins to wonder if the convent is the best place after all. If only one of the knights--the one who appears the most guilty--had not already captured her heart.

from Jody Hedlund's Pinterest Board,
An Uncertain Choice. (Isabel Lucas)

Brief Physical Description:
Lady Rosemarie Montfort is a young woman on the verge of vowing celibacy and devotion to God on her eighteenth birthday; in accordance to a vow her parent's made before her birth. All will agree that Rosemarie is the most beautiful in the land with her golden blonde hair and fair complexion.

from Jody Hedlund's Pinterest Board,
An Uncertain Choice. (Max Irons)

Perhaps the best way to describe Sir Derrick Harding is through Rosemarie's view:
"...The knight's eyes were the gray color of burnished steel. His hair was a hazy blond, not at all like my pure golden strands, but tested, tried, and weathered by battles and elements from which I'd always been sheltered. The muscles in his face were as taut and well defined as the rest of his body. The only imperfection on his face was a scar alongside one of his eyes -- eyes that even now seemed to see past the walls that surrounded me and to the vulnerable young woman I really was..."
Sums him up pretty well, don't ya think?

Character Traits:
Rosemarie's most eminent trait is compassion. She is very tenderhearted and can't stand to see anyone suffer unduly. She struggles with making big decisions on her own but through Derrick's influence and God's guidance she prepares herself to become her land's ruler.

Derrick has many of the same traits as Rosemarie. Once you get to know him you will vouch that he has a soft side to him that is hidden to the eye. He may come off as apathetic at first but he is actually very loyal, noble, kind, daring, compassionate,...the list continues. Combine those with the thought of him being a real knight....every girl's dream guy, right? :P

Occupations:

Montfort Castle, Ashby
(from Jody Hedlund's Pinterest Board,
An Uncertain Choice)

At the death of her parents Lady Rosemarie Montfort became Ashby's ruler. Though young, she possesses wisdom beyond her years and a heart of kindness for her people. For the past fours years she has been preparing to enter the convent on her eighteenth birthday.

Sir Derrick Harding is a knight in the train of the Duke of Rivenshire. Not just any knight, but one of the three most noble and known for brave and valiant deeds. At the Duke's bidding, he competes with two other knights for the hand of Lady Rosemarie.

Meet Mollie Tate & Jacob Sadler

Brief Physical Description:

 

Mollie Tate is a spunky young woman. Her bright and cheerful personality makes her a joy to be around. She has beautiful dark-blonde hair and a svelte figure. She became an orphan at a young age but was blessed to be rescued by a kind man named "Uncle" Curtis. Mollie is quick to see the best in people and has a deep passion for her "family". - Julianne Hough is my view of Mollie.
 

Jacob Sadler is a man burdened with the memories of the past. He comes back to his original home to lay those memories to rest but because of unforeseen circumstances they are more real than ever. He has hair of very dark-brown color. His eyes are a vibrant blue, a trait Mollie really likes, and a muscular build. Jacob struggles with forgiveness but Mollie is determined to help him overcome this. :) - I thought Scott Shilstone fit Jacob's description pretty well.

Character Traits:

Mollie is a loyal, fun-loving girl. Family is everything to her and just because someone's made a mistake doesn't mean you stop loving them for even a minute. She's compassionate and tough, a combination that works well when you are the assistant to a doctor. Blood may make a body queasy but when there's a job to be done Mollie isn't one to shirk from the sight. She's spunky and a bit stubborn too. She is a natural born peace-maker and has made it her goal to help the two men she loves the most in the world come to forgive each other and become a true family again.

Jacob has all the right characteristics of his trade. His has a heart for helping others and when there's a crisis you can be sure he'll be one of the first there. He is naturally protective of his friends and family; which makes forgiving the one who hurt them a big issue for him. Jacob is also tenacious. Just because something looks hard doesn't mean it's impossible. He is devoted and would do anything for Darius and Nicole Rucker, his "adopted" parents, and of course, would even try to lasso the moon for Mollie :D)

Occupations:

Mollie used to be a pick-pocket when she was a young orphan. When she was rescued by "Uncle" Curtis, she became saved and gave up those ways. She lived at Uncle Curtis's home with the other orphaned children he gave a home to. Most of them, when they became older, moved on but Mollie is too close to her adopted family to leave so she stays at a rented room in town to be close by. When the new doctor comes to town he offers her a job as an assistant; to which she gladly accepts with only a little hesitation.

Jacob studied to become a doctor at a young age. His service in the Civil War as an army doctor was anything but pleasant and he has many bad memories of the lives he couldn't save. He has now come to his original hometown of Cold Springs to take over the practice from the old town doctor.

Time in the Limelight with Priscilla White & Eli Ernest

 

The Story

Priscilla White knows she'll never be a wife or mother and feels God's call to the mission field in India. Dr. Eli Ernest is back from Oregon Country only long enough to raise awareness of missions to the natives before heading out West once more. But then Priscilla and Eli both receive news from the mission board: No longer will they send unmarried men and women into the field.

Left scrambling for options, the two realize the other might be the answer to their needs. Priscilla and Eli agree to a partnership, a marriage in name only that will allow them to follow God's leading into the mission field. But as they journey west, this decision will be tested by the hardships of the trip and by the unexpected turnings of their hearts.

 

 (from the cover of The Doctor's Lady)

Brief Physical Description:

Priscilla White is a devoted young woman with her heart leading her to the mission field. She has beautiful golden, blonde hair and gray/blue eyes framed by long lashes. She is mostly gentle and soft-spoken but occasionally her determination gives her a fiery disposition.

Eli Ernest studied to become a doctor with the intentions of bringing healing to others. He has tan skin from being constantly in the outdoors and his eyes are the color of blue winter skies. A thin scar is faintly seen from the corner of his left eye down to his cheek. He has a strong resolve and willpower in things he is passionate about.

Character Traits:

Priscilla's strongest trait is probably determination. Most of that is directed towards the mission field. She loves to sing hymns and to others she has the voice of an angel. She is gentle and sweet with a natural ability for teaching.

To those who don't know him well Eli seems gruff but his compassionate spirit is definitely seen in his care for patients. Like Priscilla, he feels a strong call as a missionary. His passion is doctoring and through his travels he's become a skillful woodsman.

Occupations:

Priscilla is the daughter of a fairly wealthy family in New York. She teaches school to the town's children-a job she loves. She has also been training to become a missionary to India. When the mission board refuses to accept single people she marries Eli Ernest and heads west instead.

Eli is a doctor by trade but has been called to be a missionary to the Indians. He intends to use his skill as a doctor to share God's love and care with those who have never heard the Gospel.  Having been out West, Eli sees the Indians' plight and starts whole-heartedly into helping them. But when the mission board changes their mind on accepting him Eli realizes he must find a wife. At first he is uninterested in Priscilla, but when a lack of options forces his hand he makes an agreement with her--they will marry in name only. At first all is well with this partnership but when their feelings for each other change will Eli and Priscilla be united in love or is it too late?

Note: The Doctor's Lady is loosely based on the accounts of Marcus and Narcissa Whitman.

Time in the Limelight with Elizabeth Whitbread & John Costin

 

 

Anna Selezneva (my view of Elizabeth)

Brief Physical Description:

Elizabeth Whitbread is a young Puritan woman. She has always believed herself to be unattractive but others are willing to disagree. She has wispy dark blonde hair and gray eyes full of emotion and fire.

John Costin is a recently widowed preacher. He is strongly built with untamable red hair. His blue eyes are bright and quick to sparkle.
(sorry, no photo for him)

Character Traits:

Elizabeth is very compassionate and generous in helping with the needs of others. She is not easily swayed by others' opinions and determination is a strong point. She is a hard worker, not shirking away from her responsibilities. When Elizabeth feels called to do God's will she is devoted to the task. A quick wit gives her a special ability with words-a common trait she shares with John.

Like Elizabeth, John has a special way with words; which is why he makes such a great preacher. He is quick to find the humor in a situation and determined to share God's word; despite the consequences. 

Occupations:

Elizabeth is the daughter of a baker. She helps her father bake bread and deliver extra loaves to the poor. When John Costin becomes widowed with four small children Elizabeth becomes housekeeper for the family.

John was a tinker for many years before God called him to be a preacher. Although he stays very busy traveling to various cities and towns, he still finds time to work in his forge. He is the father of four children, the oldest being only eight and blind.

Note: The Preacher's Bride is loosely based on the account of John and Elizabeth Bunyan.