The Mayflower Bride

The book was a nice lead in to the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. While it is about the true Separatists' journey to the New World, and there is a lot of history included in the text, there is also some of the modern myth included as well. It is a clean, Christian-fiction novel that will teach you a little bit about history, geography, people, and faith. I look forward to the next couple of books in this series, where they follow the descendants.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Mayflower Bride. It is a good, fast read. I read it in one sitting with a heated blanket and my pet dachshund. The writing is descriptive, the characters likeable, and I wanted to finish it quickly.

The story centers around Mary Elizabeth and William. Mary Elizabeth is a hard working but timid young woman who boards the ship, Speedwell. She and her father and brother are Separatists looking for religious freedom in the Virginia territory. William is a young man who has been dealt many hard knocks in his short life. Orphaned young, he was taken in by relatives, who promptly kicked out to fend for himself at the age of nine. He was rescued by a good Christian man named Paul, who taught him to be a carpenter and make something of himself.

At the beginning of the voyage, the Speedwell develops a leak that won't stop and the passengers are forced to board the Mayflower. So, Mary Elizabeth and William begin their adventure together. The story outlines the hardships the people faced on their journey. Storms, loss of water, scurvy, and starvation are just a few of the challenges that Mary Elizabeth must overcome to build a new life for herself.

Overall, I liked the story a lot. I especially enjoyed the author's notes at the end. She outlines who was real and who was fiction. She includes more history in the notes, which I enjoyed reading.

I saw that the Mayflower Brides is a six-part series. I look forward to reading the future parts.

When I first learned that Barbour Books had contracted with a number of authors to write their new series, The Daughters of the Mayflower, I knew I was in for a treat.

Late last evening, or perhaps I should say in the wee hours of the morning, I finished reading the first book in the series, The Mayflower Bride, by Kimberly Woodhouse.

Having conducted extensive research, the author, has penned a captivating read about the Separatists and the Strangers on their voyage to the New World. While it is a work of fiction, some of the characters in the novel are historically real; such as Miles Standish; William and Dorothy Bradford; William and Mary Brewster; Edward and Elizabeth Winslow, along with others too numerous to name here.

In addition, a number of historical events are also included in the novel, events I do not recall having ever read previously and it most definitely was not included in my public-school education. In fact, due to not being familiar with some of the events, I took a few minutes to do a bit of research myself. Kimberly Woodhouse did an outstanding job of not only researching but also relating the events so as to make the reader feel a part of them.

Adding colorful and realistic fictional characters provided the novel with a realistic experience to the experience of the ocean voyage, including the cramped quarters; seasickness; discord between the Separatists and the Strangers; numerous storms; lack of food supplies; illness; death and burial at sea.
I could hear the waves as they crashed upon the ship; smell the sea salted air; the claustrophobia of the of the tight quarters below deck, along with the stench of illness and the lack of sunlight; feel the chill of constantly wet clothes and cry tears of grief as one after another of the Mayflower's passengers died offshore, before every getting to even set foot on the new land.

At the same time, I could feel the excitement and the apprehension of the Separatists as they prepared to leave everything they had ever known to cross a huge ocean to settle in a land they had never seen. Too, I could feel the excitement of finally seeing land and setting their feet on solid ground once again.

This is going to be a great series! I am very much looking forward to the next release.

Come on board and travel to the New World on the Mayflower. The author weaves a fascinating historic tale of the voyage of the Mayflower and the early settlement in Plymouth. This story was well written and the author vividly captured the trials and difficulties of our Separatists, who fled England because of religious persecution. The author provided a lot of detail, her research paid off.. Some parts of the story were slow moving but the ending was exciting. My favorite quotes of the book are: "But prayer was a beautiful thing. As soon as he laid his burdens down at the heavenly Father's feet, he knew he'd done the right thing." "There would never be a perfect church because it was filled with imperfect people." .and "Amazing what a few months of hardship could teach. To find joy in even the smallest matters."

The Mayflower Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse is a great read! 4 1/2 stars. So much history that I didn't know about. The hardships and dangers in coming to the New World. The fictional characters of William and Mary Elizabeth and her brother fit well into the story of the Mayflower. You get a glimpse of how the Separatist and Strangers were able to make it through illness, discouragement, and loss of life to start a new life.

I look forward to more in this series of Daughters of the Mayflower as we journey into history. I received this book from NetGalley for my review and all opinions are my own.

.Kimberley Woodhouse has written a heartbreakingly beautiful, yet realistic story of the life happenings onboard the Mayflower as it traveled to the New World. During all the struggles, deaths and sickness, but not losing sight that God was with them.
I truly wait in anticipation for the next Mayflower Bride book!
This is definitely a Five Star + book.

This is truly a remarkable, informative book. Things, that I never knew. I absolutely find this, to be a firm foundation of the Declaration of Independence! America was founded on Christian beliefs, this book proves that. I believe this would make a great Movie!
I highly recommend! Thanks! Enjoy!
carolintallahassee 👒

I've often wondered what it would be like to live during some of the more famous events from history. Not that I necessarily want to live during some of those events but just wondering about the people who did live during those events. I have several ancestors who have been in some amazing parts of history, reading some of the stories that have been kept about those events have been neat. One of my favorite movies is based on the book, North and South. In it Margaret goes to the Great Exhibition in London to see all the wonders of the world. I always love that scene because I have an ancestor who lived at that time who walked several miles to visit her grandmother. Her grandmother wanted the granddaughter to stay and go see the exhibition, and especially the first steam powered locomotive. My ancestor talked about how they laid tracks down on the street to watch this train engine work. To think about how much of an advance that was for them but to us it seems small due to all that we have and see in our lives today.

The first printing press, the first airplane, the first lightbulb. Columbus sailing off to find a new world. Pilgrims leaving behind all they knew to find religious freedom in a land unknown and undeveloped. The fears they might have had. The excitement. The stress. The joy. All of it building as they sold their possessions and chartered ships and land agreements and worked towards that day arriving and setting sail into the vast and open ocean. The unexpected (or maybe expected and anticipated) casualties and sorrows. The sickness. The change in plans. The weather. All that they had to encounter to go from point A to point B and being those early pioneers(yes they were called pilgrims but I use the word pioneer because they were pioneering the way) to help bring about change.

This book opens with two dear friends, Mary Elizabeth (our main female character) and Dorothy, eavesdropping on the meeting of the elders to discuss leaving for this new land and who would go with the initial group. Dorothy is full of excitement and adventure and is practically bouncing off the walls with anticipation when she first hears the plan. Mary Elizabeth? Not so much. She is reserved, scared, fearful of what's to come, fearful to leave behind her life and fearful of how her family will survive. She's already lost her mother to illness, her father is still mourning her and has not been himself since her passing. Mary Elizabeth is unsure about the path that lies before her. But drawing from her deep beliefs that God will direct her path as she puts her faith and trust in him, she moves forward in preparing for her journey.

Our main male character then comes on the scene in his own story. He is in a different part of Europe than Mary Elizabeth and has had his own struggles in life. He is joining the group bound for the new world as a master carpenter and is happy to not look back on his dear old mother land. Life has not been anything marvelous and wonderful for him. Being orphaned young, ignored and unwanted by family, living on the streets for years until finally a kind man rescues him and teaches him the skills of a carpenter. His rescuer dies after encouraging William to join this group and find a better life.

These two characters' lives collide as they start their adventure on the two ships bound for America. The love story between them is sweet and tender and very befitting a Separatist's life. It's not easy or necessarily pleasant at some points but it was very sweet. They help strengthen each other with all the trials and sorrows that come their way on this journey.

I think a good way to describe this book is to connect it to its subject matter. The Separatists group. Nothing flashy and glamorous. Not anything fast paced and big. But slow and steady (I mean that in a good way, not degrading). The pacing of the book is constant, but it isn't fast. There are moments of peril and many, many moments depicting struggles and trials that were faced by this group. The author did a great job in her research of this group and compiling it all into her novel. Each chapter has a date in the voyage so we see the time frame of the voyage and of how long certain events or sicknesses lasted. There are many, many characters within this book that she pulled from actual people who were on the voyage. At first when I was reading the list of characters at the beginning of the book, my head spun a little bit. I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to keep them all straight or not. Honestly, there are a lot. But I took a deep breath and decided that at least I had a reference chart to look back at if I couldn't remember who was who. But guess what? I didn't need it. The way they were presented was done in a way that me, with my spinning head, was able to keep them all straight and I didn't feel overwhelmed once with who was who. Most of those listed were just minor characters but the author shows us who they are at the beginning in a glossary of characters. So don't fret if you see the big list and think, like me, how you're going to keep them straight.

There were moments that I skimmed. Ok, maybe I should explain something. I'm a very fast reader. Usually I read each and every word. But when I skim through sections I'm still taking in everything that is happening. So my skimming is not quite the same skimming as other readers. Does that make sense? If not, no worries. Maybe speed reading sections might be a better way to say that. I don't know. But some parts were a little slower paced that I needed to move along the story otherwise my super exhausted brain was going to fall asleep. Not because of the book, but because of everything going on in my life that keeps me very busy and going full speed right now.

The writing was well done. The style and characterization fit very nicely with the time period and the group of people being written about. I think any reader who loves history, especially this time period or subject matter, will give this book 5 stars or more because it is done well. I enjoyed it but there are only so many times I can read about sickness after sickness, and struggle after struggle, and not feel completely wowed by the book. But this book is about the group on the Mayflower so I know why it was included.

There's peril in the form of a bad guy. He's angry and feels slighted so he's out to cause problems and gain back what he feels should be his. So watch out for him. Hell hath no fury like a woman, um scratch that cause it's a man in this case...Hell hath no fury like a man scorned. Ok, maybe not quite the best reference for the bad guy here because all said and done he really wasn't super scary or horrible. But, he did fit in great with the rest of the feel and pacing of the book. So kudos to the author for keeping it all connected that way.

Overall it was a great depiction of this time and group of people. Their trials, their beliefs, their having to sacrifice and say goodbye to home, friends and family. There is a lot of depiction of death and storms on the seas, tragedies but some happiness too. If you're looking for a good historical read this is one that I would recommend picking up. I know many will really enjoy it. It is a Christian fiction genre book. I think that those who love that genre will really love this book and if you're not usually one to read Christian fiction because of the fear that it might be preachy but you love historical novels, I will say this to you...try it. Go into the book with the knowledge that it is about a group of people who were seeking for religious freedom. It is very historical and it does have a lot of talk about God and their beliefs but remember that was who these people were and why they were sailing on the Mayflower, crossing the ocean to find a new home. It's not preachy but it's who they were and what they lived. Just a little thought for you. If you still aren't interested, no worries. I am looking forward to the other books in this series. I've not read anything else by this author but did notice that she wrote one of the other books in this series. I'm looking forward to reading that book by her as well to see how I like it and her writing style with a little bit different time period. Each book moves forward in time just a little bit.

Content: Clean. I think I've pretty much touched on everything that should be listed in the content section throughout my review. But for anyone who just jumped to the bottom to see if I listed content, here you go. Moments of peril due to storms on the sea, sickness, death from sickness, but nothing graphic. Some mild religious talk but that is due to the Separatist group that the story is about, I wouldn't say that it is preachy.

I received a copy from the publisher, Barbour Books, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

I received this book from NetGalley and Barbour Publishing, and thank you Kimberly Woodhouse for writing it.

My goodness the perils the first colonists endured to get religious freedom. Which in turn caused me to not want to put this book down. The story is about Mary Elizabeth Chapman, her brother, and father,. It also follows the lives of her best friend Dorothy, and William Lytton - a carpenter on the Mayflower. The ships encounter setbacks, illness, and terrible seas. But through it all Mary Elizabeth and William find friendship and then love. Departing so late put the Mayflower arriving in the New World later than expected. It also put them in line with terrible storms which cause horrible seasickness -- to which Mary Elizabeth and Dorothy cared for the settlers. Once they reached the New World is when Mary Elizabeth faced her biggest tribulations. But in the end her faith, love for others and William get her through, to which she is truly happy.

This book was very good, you could tell the author did a lot of research into the events of the crossing of the Mayflower and its passengers. The things they encountered on their travels over were so much more than I could ever imagine. I would highly recommend this book to other readers. Now on to the next book.

I love history. This book was filled with actual hisrtorical events and it is fascinating. This author did her research. I can't even imagine being on the Mayflower and experiencing all the hardships that they endured. These pilgrims were Faith filled people and knew God had called them to this new land. The story uses fictional characters as for the hero and heroine and the romance was so sweet. What I loved the most besides the history and romance was the inspirational message throughout the book.
*I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion

The characters will take a hold of your heart, in this deeply poignant story. I was glued to the pages of this story, even though I know the history of the Mayflower, and have read journal accounts of those on board. Kimberley Woodhouse breathes new life into the history of not only the Mayflower but also the beginnings of what would become the United States of America.

This eloquent story gives readers an intimate look at what life was truly like on the Mayflower. The strength of character that is required to embark on a dangerous ocean crossing. No cozy private cabin, only a gun deck shared by strangers and littered with supplies. You won’t find bathrooms, the only privacy provided is a sheet separating your family from the next. No sturdy beds, or even straw mattress, just the blanket you brought (you did pack a blanket, I hope!), and the hard wood-plank floor beneath you.

Come travel across an ocean with the brave colonists on the Mayflower. With little more than the clothes on their backs, into a wild untamed wilderness. Into a vast unknown land fraught with dangers. There wasn’t a sturdy home, and stores filled with supplies on the other side of the voyage. Uncharted land welcomes them to the New World. Mature forests, thick with vegetation, there are no roads or signs to mark the way. It’s the end of fall and the beginning of winter. Will the dwindling supplies hold out until the gardens can be planted and start producing?

With a faith in God, and a desire to bring their families out of the persecution of the Church of England and to a New World where they can openly worship and follow the Bible. The brave Separatists embark on the journey of a lifetime.

I appreciated the strong threads of faith seamlessly woven throughout. I genuinely enjoyed reading this story and I’m eagerly anticipating the stories to follow! I give this story 4.5 stars and encourage you to pick up a copy or request it from your local library. You are sure to not only enjoy yourself, but learn something along the way!

(I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own.)

This is the first book in the new daughters of the Mayflower series. In beginning of the book, Kimberley Woodhouse added a letter to the readers explaining the work involved in writing this book. She said that she carefully researched historical documents and journals to keep the book as accurate as possible. I never realized that that the English of the day didn’t have common spelling, a lot of it was phonetic. If you’ve ever struggled to read children’s phonetic first papers, you will realize how difficult this task actually was. For this story, Woodhouse included some people who actually lived during this time, while making other characters fictional.

This a Christian book, and the author doesn’t only pepper it with a small amount of Christianity, like too many Christian authors do, instead she saturates the pages. You know right from the beginning the characters live devout and pious lives filled with respect, caring and prayer for each other. They are very well portrayed by their actions and words, and I got a real sense of how important their religion was to them.

I will admit that I really disliked history in school. Having to read about past times, that I felt had no relevance to my life, was so boring. The textbooks dull. Books like this have brought the past alive for me in ways that I never before imagined, and I’ve actually become a huge fan of historical fiction, much to own surprise.

Whether you are like me, and hated learning about history in school, or a fan of this genre, I wholeheartedly recommend this book.

I am always looking for exceptional historical fiction in time periods that I have read about previously so The Mayflower Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse caught my eye. I was not disappointed. This is the story of the Saints and the Separatist that came over on the Mayflower to start a colony in the New World. It centers on the fictional Chapman family and the trials and tribulations they suffered on the journey. It highlights how everyone lived on board the ship and the difficulties that had to be overcome. Although the Chapman family is fictional, the book is based on historical people and events.

What I enjoyed about this book was the tremendous amount of historical facts that are included for both the voyage and settling of Plymouth. You get a glimpse into life aboard the ship when the passengers are assailed with continuous storms and sickness. You feel the grief and helplessness as friends and family die. You are also witness to the joys as they finally reach land and the peace that they find in their religion and faith.

This book can be read and enjoyed by all ages who enjoy Christian historical fiction. The author does a marvelous job of weaving an engaging story thru the facts that will keep you turning pages. It has many wonderful examples of the characters’ faith and their beliefs in God, including many uplifting Bible verses.

I love to read historical fiction based on real life events. When I saw this book, I knew it was for me. This is the story of the Separatist's journey to the new world. They traveled aboard The Mayflower seeking religious freedom in the new settlement called Plymouth. This story centers around Mary Elizabeth and William, two young people, making this perilous journey. The author does a good job of writing about all of the tragic events these settlers faced-the boat leaking, storms, sickness, etc. It includes lots of history, and I enjoyed the authors notes at the end about what was fact and what was fiction. I look forward to reading more books in this series!

The Mayflower Bride by Kimberly Woodhouse is the first in a new series, Daughters of the Mayflower, that will transport readers through pivotal periods in U.S. history. I am interested to see if the next book will feature descendants of the characters in the first book. Mary Elizabeth Chapman belongs to the religious group, the Separatists, who are journeying to the New World in the hopes of religious freedom. William Lytton seeks to build a new life as a carpenter in the New World and put his past behind him. The two meet, and it is a case of instant attraction. However, their beliefs and backgrounds put them at odds. Will love truimph all? Can they find a way to love one another and build a life in the New World? Fans of historical fiction will enjoy the intersection between Woodhouse's fictional characters with historical characters as she paints a composite picture of what life was like for those journeying aboard the Mayflower.

Delightful historical fiction. Although the main characters were fictional, the story was based on historically accurate research. It really helped me understand what passengers of the Mayflower endured (I have an ancestor of the Mayflower passenger list.) It should make all Americans grateful for what those who went before have done.

So…let me just start this off with saying that I think I fell in love with William Lytton. Why don’t they make men like that anymore? William is a man who knows how to treat a lady: chivalrous, prays with Mary Elizabeth (sighs), spends time with her little brother, attempts to speak with her father, and most importantly, would do anything for the girl he loves. Not only all of those glorious things, but he is also handy and honest…the complete opposite of most men these days.

We are persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but we perish not.

Now, onto the story, the Separatists, originally from England and now living in Holland, are looking to adventure into the New World after facing religious persecution. Initially planning on settling in Virginia, and after several failed attempts on the Speedwell, the Separatists, the crew, and the craftsmen aboard the Mayflower and embark on the daunting journey of creating a settlement in Plymouth. Along the way, many characters struggle with faith, honesty within themselves, and of course, health.

The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

I love that Psalm 18:2 is mentioned in this novel, since it is my favorite! I think a lot of times, many of us struggle with being strong, and especially in these times, we feel lonely. But we are never alone and we never have to fear because God is always with us. In the beginning of the novel, Mary Elizabeth is a quiet, soft-spoken woman uncertain about the New World. As the story continues, we see Mary Elizabeth growing into a confident, outspoken women certain of her abilities. She begins this process by helping the sick of those on the ships, faltering slightly with the death of those close to her, but then becoming the strong women others look to in times of trouble and heartache. Mary Elizabeth has the characteristics she admired of those around her: strength, bravery, and full-heartedness in God.

I would love to live in this time period and be able to experience the hardships and fulfillment of creating a new settlement completely from scratch, which is why I found it so enjoyable. If you are looking for a book that is Christian, historical, and slightly romantic, then this is the book for you.

To be completely honest, I’m not usually a huge fan of colonial-period romance. There’s always a lot of death involved, or if there’s not, the story isn’t very accurate. As such, I was really dragging my feet to start on this one. Well, boy I regretted that!

Instead of struggling to get through it, I struggled to put it down. Kimberley Woodhouse weaves an engaging tale of early colonists learning about love, strength, courage, and God’s power in the darkness. The story is well researched, detailed without being weighty, and historically accurate enough that this layman found little to no problems. Unlike many colonial period novels, I found The Mayflower Bride to be extremely readable and significantly less depressing. While over 50 people die through the course (which is demanded by the historical account of 53 deaths), Woodhouse directs the readers’ attention toward the proverbial horizon as her characters learn to rely on God more fully.

All together, I was extremely pleased with this novel, and am looking forward to the next in the series, The Pirate Bride by Kathleen Y’Barbo .

Years ago, my husband and I took a tour of the Mayflower II, a replica of the historic vessel that delivered Saints and Strangers to the New World. Kimberley Woodhouse drew those memories to the forefront of my mind as I began reading her newest novel, The Mayflower Bride. Pairing the two together, I felt a new appreciation for all the Separatists risked to escape persecution and gain religious freedom.

This story follows the path of a young woman by the name of Mary Elizabeth. Mary, along with her father and brother initially embark on the Speedwell, but after two failed attempts at the passing, they join the passengers of the Mayflower. Friendships, faith, and romance are forged amid the physical and emotional trials of the journey. Mary and her friend, Dorthy, were great examples of iron sharpening iron since they prayed for one another and encouraged each other to serve their fellow shipmates. Knowing the Separatists to be pious people, I was not surprised that the characters often voiced their reliance and trust in God. That being said, their positive influence on the Strangers (particularly William Lytton) seemed to be based equally upon their deeds as their speech.

I enjoyed the interpersonal relationships as well as the history Woodhouse has woven into this story. Even though the novel is fraught with tragedy, the messages of hope and perseverance prevail in the end. For this reason, I am looking forward to reading additional titles in The Daughters of the Mayflower series.

This is the first of a series about the Daughters of the Mayflower. Being a genealogist, I love this time period. I have also given a webinar about the sail ship passages of the early years. It seemed very true to form and I had described it similary from my studies.

I enjoyed how the fictional and non-fictional characters interacted. It was an enjoyable historical fiction.

This is the first book that I have read from this author and liked it. It had great descriptions and I felt that I was visualizing what she wrote about in the book.

I was given a copy of this book from Barbour publishing and NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a review. All thoughts are my own.

The Mayflower Bride by Kimberly Woodhouse mixes historical facts with fiction to create a must-read novel.
The Saints along with some non-believers called Strangers are leaving Holland to sail to England and then on to the new world. Their passage is being paid by investors and the funds will be repaid with proceeds over the first seven years of the new colony. The families of Mary Elizabeth Chapman and her best friend Dorothy Raynsford are chosen to go with the first group to settle the colony and then others will follow. Dorothy is excited and ready for adventure; Mary Elizabeth is more reserved and not sure this is a journey on which she wishes to embark. The journey proves to be full of setbacks and challenges the faithful to hold steady to their belief that God is guiding their journey to religious freedom. Will Mary Elizabeth and Dorothy and their families be able to survive the journey? Will Mary Elizabeth and Dorothy find love on the Mayflower or in the new land?
I was completely immersed in reading this book and was surprised when I got to the end. The author mixes real life and imaginary characters in a seamless way so the reader tends to forget that the story in not historical non-fiction. The characters come alive on the pages and I had tears when some passed away and rejoiced with them when land was finally spotted. The story is well-researched and there is a lot of historical information from various sources included. I knew the story generally but there was a lot I learned from reading this novel. I highly recommend this book and can give it a solid 5 out of 5 stars rating. Everyone who enjoys history and fiction will enjoy reading this book.
I received an advance copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

The Mayflower Bride is a book that takes you into the journey of the Separatists to Virginia in 1620. The story is told from the viewpoint of Mary Elizabeth Chapman, her young brother, and William Lytton, a carpenter.

Mary Elizabeth has lost her mother and now she, her younger brother and her father are going to board the Speedwell and head to the America. Mary Elizabeth gains courage to take the trip from the Lord and from her best friend who is also making the trip. But the Speedwell begins to have trouble with repeated leaks and despite several attempts to fix the ship, they find themselves boarding the Mayflower to make the long trip. The conditions in the Mayflower are overcrowded and the trip is plagued with bad weather and rough seas. Before long sickness sets in and one by one passengers become very ill. Mary Elizabeth finds herself taking care of the sick and meeting the needs of her fellow passengers on the ship. David, Mary Elizabeth's younger brother, also tends to the sick. He does what ever is asked of him and some of those duties are not pleasant yet he does it any way. The strong faith in God that the Separatist have helps them to endure the long and unpleasant trip.

William Lytton is a carpenter that is hoping for a new life in the Virginia. He is a former orphan who lost his caregiver recently. But during the trip to the Virginia, William finds two things: faith in God and a bride. He meets Mary Elizabeth and the two are instantly smitten with one another. As William grows in his relationship with God, he accepts the ways of the Separatists. As passengers begin to die, William finds himself comforting Mary Elizabeth. He forms a relationship with Mr. Chapman and makes promises to him. As the passengers begin to succumb to illness and die, faith is all that get them through.

As they approach land, the find they are further north than they anticipated. They begin the task of writing a charter, finding acceptable land and then building homes for the passengers.

The Mayflower Bride really takes you into the journey of 1620 and how challenging it was for the Separatist to settle in Plimouth. I really enjoyed the book and found it to be very well written. There is underlying drama that comes to light in the later part of the book and that adds an interesting element to the story.

Having been to Plimouth Plantation and seen the replica of the Mayflower II, I was quite interested in reading The Mayflower Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse. Woodhouse has done a great job with the history and setting of this story. The reader feels like they are right there in the middle of the scenes. The mix of fictional characters with historical figures makes the story interesting and authentic. The sweet romance between Mary Elizabeth and William is engaging and delightful to watch unfold despite secrets and differences. The characters are vivid and lovable and their growth and maturity throughout the story is realistic. The Mayflower Bride is replete with information about the history of our nation and the struggles the passengers of the Mayflower endured. The author makes the story intriguing with some suspense as to the outcome of the passengers and to William in particular. And with a strong thread of faith in God throughout, the book is also inspirational as the reader can see how God's hand is at work in the lives of the individuals. I'm looking forward to reading more in this Daughters of the Mayflower series.

If you read Mayflower Bride by Kimberly Woodhouse, which I recommend, please don’t skip the “Dear Reader” and “Note to the Reader” sections. Woodhouse has provided wonderful information that will add to most readers’ knowledge of the times and events surrounding the crew and passengers of the Mayflower. Where most works of historical fiction include a few real people among the fictional characters, Mayflower Bride includes a few fictional characters among the real people who traveled to the New World on the Mayflower. This book is well researched which adds to the appeal for fans of historical fiction.
Among the fictional characters are Mary Elizabeth Chapman and her brother David. Their father volunteered to voyage with fellow Separatists in an effort to assuage his grief from the passing of their mother. Another fictional character is William Lytton, a Stranger encouraged and supported in joining the voyage by his mentor and foster father of sorts. Having had the seeds of Christianity planted while living with his mentor, William’s faith grew as he lived among the Separatists on the Mayflower. Mary Elizabeth found her faith strengthened as she worked among the sick during the trying voyage and continuing after their landing in the New World. William and Mary Elizabeth find God’s using their budding relationship to minister to one another as they face many trials.
I thank NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for providing me with a copy of Mayflower Bride in exchange for my honest review. I received no monetary compensation.

I love historical fiction, and I began reading this book knowing I would enjoy it, but I was pleasantly surprised and ended up loving it! Some of the main characters are fictional, but many historical figures make an appearance as well.
Mary Elizabeth has lost her mother, and now her father has decided to take her and her younger brother David to the New World with the small congregation of Separatists in order to start a new life with religious freedom. She is fearful and doesn't want to leave, but her friend Dorothy encourages her along the way. They begin their journey on the Speedwell, but soon they all move to the Mayflower due to safety concerns. Mary Elizabeth meets William, a young man also looking for a new start who is searching for the truth about God and the Bible. The travelers all endure unimaginable illness and hardship on the journey, but they soon make it to the New World. Along the way, Mary Elizabeth and William grow and change while they build a relationship. Can their faith in God sustain them through these difficult losses and setbacks?
I loved the way the author portrayed the characters' faith in God and the Bible. Most Christian fiction these days is watered down and shallow, so it was refreshing for me to read this book. Thanks to the author for standing firm and not caving in to the wishy washy popular opinion so rampant in Christianity these days. The historical context was very well written and accurate, and it was a very clean read. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian historical fiction.
I received a review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

" The Mayflower Bride" by Kimberley Woodhouse
I really liked this story... For me it was a very difficult read. I knew a bit of the Mayflower voyage story.. but until now, well I never really felt what it was like for the people who populated this 'journey of faith'. I vote for this story to be a "Book Club" read. If you get emotionally involved in the stories you read... be sure to come prepared!

It's always exciting when I come across the first book in what is to become a series. I love staying in fictitious worlds so even though I love reading stand alone books, there is nothing like a good series that keeps me immersed with characters for some time. I thought the Mayflower Bride sounded intriguing because it isn't often you come across a book that is set on the famous Mayflower. I felt like this book gave me some good insight into what the journey to the new land might have been like. Part of the reason I felt that way is because a lot of the book uses real passengers from the ship and tells their stories, and the author gives some background information before and after the novel which I found very helpful and enlightening. I really enjoyed getting to know Mary Elizabeth, and her family.
I am hoping to see more of them, even if just a brief glimpse or mention, in the coming books of the Daughters of the Mayflower series. I recommend this book to anyone who likes historical fiction.

I was really excited to have an opportunity to read and review the first book in the Daughters of the Mayflower series,The Mayflower bride. I really love reading historical facts and learning historical things in books I read. Now I know this is a fiction book but many of the facts presented I was not aware of since I don't regularly read in the time period presented. The author included a glossary of terms used in the book and I found it so helpful since a lot of the terms refer to parts of a ship which I'll admit I am not familiar with. The cast of characters listed was also very helpful as well. Beautiful historical story that is the introduction to the series as it sets up the story for the upcoming books in the series. The hardships,hunger,depression,sickness,loss and raging storms is just incredible on this voyage. When they make it to land will it be too late for the planting season? Will things work out for Mary Elizabeth Chapman so she is able to marry William or will he be branded a traitor and expelled?
This was a smooth reading fabulous book that I had trouble putting down. I can't wait to read the next books and continue the series.
Pub Date 01 Feb 2018
Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing, Inc. for a review copy in exchange for my honest review.

Years ago, I started reading an incredible series for a review project including American’ Dream, which includes four stories of girl-hood journeys in our American history. The first of which was called Sarah’s New World which was a story of a young girl’s journey on the Mayflower across the great ocean to the shores of the colonies. As I started into turning the pages upon The Mayflower Bride, my mind was sent back to how I enjoyed reading Sarah’s New World years ago. I actually even retrieved the book from my shelf and handed it to my eight year old advanced reader and said here, have a fun read for school. Her eyes lit up as she knew she was going on an adventure and one to share with me as I read my book and she read hers. The entire Sisters in Time series is available on Kindle as eBooks (both as the reprint omnibus and single story editions) and I truly hope to collect them all for my girls to read in their homeschool studies.
While, I’m familiar with the name of Kimberley Woodhouse and know I’ve got here with a Tracie Peterson book around here somewhere, this is the first time that I have really dived into a book of her own solo. I’m always nervous when it comes to introducing myself to a new-to-me author of Christian Historical Fiction and intrigued at the same time.

In my own genealogical history, I know that we have claim to members of ancestry being on the Mayflower and so on of ships. We’ve been on the American continent for ages, and perhaps it is because of this that I often find these books of Christian Historical Fiction of special interest. This story is about a girl, a young woman with quite the spirit and personality, her name is Mary Elizabeth. And then, of course, a young man of a rough past, William.
Reading this story, coming in with my own knowledge and attention to detail, it is apparent that Kimberley Woodhouse has indeed done her research and provided a vivid tale of the times. The opening notes really set the background and while I’ll read this series for fun as that is the kind of person I am, I fully intend to set these aside to be a feature in our high school studies as I bring my girls back around to study to earliest in American history days once again. This is a great book for a read, as well as a good resource for homeschool living literature.

Many of us have heard about the people who boarded ships to travel to new land. They had hopes of a better life and dreams of owning their own land. The book was a big eye opener for me. I never realized how much the people went through as they traveled on treacherous waters at times. I can’t imagine seeing water seeping up to a point where you fear you may drown. The author has done an exceptional job of making this story so accurate with historical facts. I was mesmerized by the dangers everyone was willing to take a to find a new beginning.

Mary Elizabeth was my favorite character. She was someone you could rely on and pitched in when needed. After having to depart from one ship that kept sinking to board the Mayflower was a daunting task. I was so emotional as I read of all the sickness these people endured. The accommodations were crowded and supplies were dwindling. I know Mary Elizabeth was happy to be traveling with her family, but will they be able to get to their destination as storms thrash the ship with waves that could cause devastation? I loved knowing that Mary Elizabeth had her best friend with her. They were abłe to gather strength from each other when times were almost hopeless as sickness and death surrounded them.

William was a delight to read about. He is so kind to Mary Elizabeth and helps her as much as he can when so many people become ill. The story is filled with tragedy, hope, trust and a dream of a bright future. Grab a copy of this book and travel with a group that were willing to risk their life for a better future.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing abs was under no obligation to post a review.

Impeccably researched and well written! Captivating story of change, love, endurance, friendship, family, and freedom. I learned so much through this fiction book. The author does an incredible job of making historical events come alive for the reader. The characters are well written and relatable. They are so close to real people! They add to the historical information in a great way that doesn’t detract from the actual events. There’s something for everyone in this book. I loved it. Can’t wait to read the others in the series.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. I was in no way required to write a review.

Kimberly Woodhouse managed to transport me back in time to the Mayflower and it was fascinating. I love historical fiction. This was the first time I read books by this author. But it definitely won’t be the last. This was such a heartwarming story. I enjoyed reading this and am so excited for the rest of the books in the series to be released.
The Mayflower Bride provided some great information about the Separatists who traveled on the Mayflower. While history books teach us that the settlers face some incredible hardships, this book is what really made the hardships come alive. While I really didn’t get drawn into the characters of the Mayflower Bride, the historical facts captured my attention and kept my attention to the end. I was overwhelmed by the amount of faith it took for those first settlers to come to the New World. I finished this book with a great appreciation of the sacrifice made by our founding fathers.
I received a copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review.
posted on goodreads, amazon, cbd

Set sail on July 22nd, 1620 aboard both the Speedwell and Mayflower towards Virginia, joining a group of Separatists seeking to settle a colony in the new world! High adventure on the rough seas brings tragedy, triumph, loss and love.

I enjoyed revisiting a time in history that I was unfamiliar with. I'm sure we studied this in history class in school, but Kimberley brought it all to life for me. Told from the viewpoint of several people—Mary Elizabeth, her brother David, Dorothy her best friend, William Lytton, along with several others—I got a complete picture of what it must have been like through their eyes. I can't imagine the trepidation Mary Elizabeth felt leaving the only home she knew in Holland to an unknown future, or the elation William felt in wanting to start a new life from his old past. The journey across the vast ocean brought much tragedy for many passengers when sickness and disease struck. I enjoyed seeing the character growth in Mary Elizabeth as she cared for those around her & how she clung to her faith though it all. My most favorite was William, he was a Stranger who didn't know or want anything to do with God due to his past, but with gentle guidance & teaching by Mr. Brewster, he eventually gave his heart to the Lord. The tender love that grew between Mary Elizabeth and William was blissfully satisfying! Lastly, I especially enjoyed the notes in the “Dear Reader” & “Note to the Reader” sections in the front and back of the book. It gave historical details and what she used to put this wonderful book together. I always love it when an author includes this, as it brings more depth to the story for me! I'm looking forward to the rest of the Daughters of the Mayflower series written by several authors and thoroughly enjoyed the first installment in “The Mayflower Bride”.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. *

The Mayflower Bride is an amazing and thoroughly researched novel. Ms. Woodhouse thoughtfully provides a cast of characters at the beginning of the book so her readers will know which ones are fictional and which ones were true Mayflower travelers.

I knew the travelers faced hardships, but I truly never thought of just how bad it was until I read of the illness, hunger, horrible weather and loss of life they experienced. They had hopes and dreams, but most importantly, they had faith.

I loved seeing Mary Elizabeth become a young woman filled with dignity and grace. I admired her compassion for others, especially since she faced the same thing as the other passengers did. William is another character that I grew very fond of as the story progressed. I admired his work ethic and his desire to succeed. Most of all, I loved how Mary Elizabeth and William formed a close bond, helping each other and their fellow passengers on their journey.

Overall, this book has everything a historical fiction reader appreciates. Wonderful characters, a perfectly paced storyline and impeccable writing.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

THE MAYFLOWER BRIDE by KIMBERLEY WOODHOUSE is a romantic historical novel with a strong Christian message. The Author has obviously done a great deal of research and has followed the account of the Mayflower's crossing with the addition of some fictional characters.
It is the story of the Separatists who left England to escape the dogmatism and persecution of the Church of England, living in Holland until the opportunity arrived to cross over to found a new colony in America. These people were brave and totally committed to the truth of Scripture and to one another. There were also people who did not believe as they did on the voyage, and they were known as Strangers. To start with there was conflict, but high seas, sickness and death drew them together. It is an encouraging story of overcoming in dreadful circumstances.
William Lytton, a fictional character, was orphaned as a baby and was given the opportunity to have a new life by the man who took him in and taught him carpentry. His mentor bought him passage on the Mayflower.
Mary Elizabeth Chapman, her father and young brother David, also fictional characters, were among the passengers on the Speedwell who ended up on the Mayflower when the Speedwell sprung a leak.
We see how the desperate circumstances brought the best out of so many of the passengers, amongst whom were William, Mary Elizabeth and David.
I found the story interesting, the characters real, and the Christian content good. I am looking forward to the next novel in the series.

In The Mayflower Bride, Kimberly Woodhouse created a word picture of the Mayflower voyage that captures the imagination and fills the mind's eye with vivid images. From the sailors climbing up the sails to the tumultuous tossing of the sea, and the horrific conditions of the Pilgrims trapped below deck by the tossing sea, I could see it all.

I thought that the characters (most of them) were pretty likable. I learned a bit about the Mayflower journey that I did not know before. That's saying something since we studied it every year when the kids were little as part of our homeschooling. I think that the author used a bit of poetic license, but it did make for a good story. Most of the story does take place on the ship during the journey. Compassion and service were two important themes through the novel.

I enjoyed the novel. I think that it is a nice, relaxing read. I didn't feel compelled to keep reading, but not every good book needs to be compelling. Sometimes just spending time with the characters is enough. Although it may not be expressly accurate, I think this book gives a good taste of what life on the Mayflower was like. Therefore, it is good for historical fiction and romance readers alike.

Disclosure: I was sent an e-book of this product for review purposes only. I was not compensated in any way. All opinions are my own based on my experience with this product. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

I love it when I read a Christian historical book that gives me a “you are there” feeling. I experienced that with this book as I followed the characters through their journey to the New World, and felt empathy with them for all they were experiencing during the voyage. The characters of both William and Mary Elizabeth were interesting and likable. There is an encouraging theme of trusting in God that carries throughout the story. There were a couple of historical details that I wasn’t quite sure about, but it didn’t affect my enjoyment of the story.

This book is sweet and clean. I’d have no hesitation for a teenage girl to read it. At only 256 pages, it’s an easier read than some of the more involved historical novels I’ve read. It’s a good start to a new series, and I’m looking forward to the next book.

Oh My Goodness! This book is absolutely fantastic! The wonderful history that this story is FULL of, the sweet, sweet love story between Mary Elizabeth and William., the difficulty that those sailing to the New World encountered, and the beautiful story of God's never ending love for us...this is a must-read novel. I was drawn in immediately and couldn't wait to see what would happen next.

Mary Elizabeth Chapman is seeking a better life and freedom from religious persecution in the new world when she steps on board the Speedwell in 1620. When William William Lytton boards the Mayflower as a carpenter, he's seeking opportunities to succeed, and he may have just found one when a man with the Virginia Company offers him a significant amount of money to keep a close watch on the company's interests in the new colony. They've left too late in the season for good sailing and the storms are raging but reaching land isn't any better with food being so scarce and the people being so weak. Will Mary Elizabeth and the rest of her group survive long enough to see the spring planting and the natives? Will William be branded as a traitor and expelled from the colony?

I really enjoyed this sweet story a great deal. I could tell that Kimberley Woodhouse did a great deal of research into the Mayflower's journey and the very different groups, of Saints and Strangers, who set sail aboard her. I loved that she included a glossary so that those of us who aren't well versed in sailing terms and/or the vocabulary of the day can keep up easier. She was able to write and describe each scene so well that you can almost see it, almost feel like you were experiencing it for yourself, or at least watching it unfold, like a play. The characters were also extremely well written, even the ones you didn't want to like, the ones who were just unlikeable people, were still dynamic. I have always loved this period in history and Woodhouse certainly lived up to my expectations. This may have been the first book I've read by this author but I certainly hope that it won't be the last!

Travel to America with the first residents!

What a pleasure to be able to read the first in this new series. My husband and I have been tracing our ancestry back as far as we can. In each instance, we would love to have a journal or something that belonged to our people so that we can understand their journey and know more about how they lived. Stories like this are so helpful to us. The author did a LOT of research before writing this story. I still find it fascinating how an author takes facts, creates new characters to illustrate, and fills in an individual’s day to day thoughts and actions to tell the tales. Kimberly is another great author who brings history and the people to life.

The two main characters of the book had their trip on the Mayflower decided for them. They both grew in strength and learned how to live in faith. And found each other to share their troubles, individual thoughts and fears.
I bookmarked two of the passages, the first a quote from scripture, that go to the heart of this story:
“. . . Count it exceeding joy when ye fall into diverse temptations, knowing that the trying of your faith bringeth forth patience. And let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, lacking nothing. “
And
“…but it wasn’t until I found salvation through Jesus Christ and my new faith that I was able to let go of the past.”

All of the passengers on the Mayflower (and that of other immigrants after) went through exceedingly hard times. It’s a wonder that any from this voyage made it at all, or that others still kept coming afterward. Timing is everything, and theirs was not good yet it's God who directs all of our lives, and uses many of us in one way or another to help and shape the lives of others.

Mary Elizabeth is carried along on the journey by her father and her best friend. They are very enthusiastic about the opportunity, but she would rather stay where they are in Holland. Yet the Separatist community they lived in felt that this was getting to be as bad as what they had left in England, so it was decided to emigrate.

William was orphaned as a baby and given to relatives to raise, who used him as a slave then kicked him out at 9 years of age. He lived on his own, working as he could to live, until a man found him, took him in and taught him the trade of being a carpenter. His mentor purchased a share on the Mayflower and a place in developing the new colony in America – so his path was set for him. A good and honest person, he had developed an excellent reputation – but because he was an orphan he would never have a social standing if he stayed in England. However, that early life had shaped him too, and fed his fears. He knew something was missing in his life, and found it when he sailed to America with the Separatists.

This is an excellent read that makes you wish you could learn even more about this time and the people who lived through it. I highly recommend it!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Bethany House Publishers - Netgalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

I’m always amazed when I consider the enormous courage of the people that came over on the Mayflower. To leave one’s home, family, friends, and country and to settle in a new place full of dangers, it would require a lot of bravery.

Mary Elizabeth has to learn how to acquire that courage. As she sets out on the voyage, and encounters the many dangers, delays, and troubles, her courage grows, and her character grows as she learns to rely solely on the Lord.

I thought there would be more in the story about William and his spying, but on the other hand, he hardly had time to, what with all the adventures they had on the Mayflower.

This is a sweet book and the writing fits the classic story. I enjoyed it, and am very excited for this new series, The Daughters of the Mayflower. A new book in the series will be released every two months and will continue to progress through history, all connected because of the Mayflower.

I just finished reading The Mayflower Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse (Daughters of the Mayflower (book 1) and I found it rich in history! This book was a great, quick read. I read it in a few days, picking it up here and there. I loved the characters and the story line. Sailing over to America took over half of the book. And I wish there was more story line after arriving here, but I guess that would be more of a Plymouth story than a Mayflower one. I would recommend this to other history buff readers that like a little love story in the middle. I would definitely like to check out the other book in this series. Special thanks to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing, Inc. for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

#TheMayflowerBride #NetGalley

The Mayflower Bride
by Kimberley Woodhouse

Most Americans are pretty familiar with the trials of those who came over on the Mayflower, but this story draws us in, and we live through the voyage with these brave men and women in a way that makes the story and struggles become more real. The majority of the story takes place through the eyes of two fictional characters, William and Mary Elizabeth. They each work through personal difficulties and doubts, as well as the hardships of the voyage. I felt the characters’ struggles were very realistic.

I really enjoyed this story and the extra information that the author provided before and after the story. What originally drew me to the story was the fact it was a series that would focus one family’s descendants from the Mayflower through various times in history. As a genealogy buff, this really appealed to me and reminded me of Gilbert Morris’ The House of Winslow series which I enjoyed many years ago. I look forward to reading more of the series and would recommend it to anyone who likes historical fiction.

MY RATING: A solid 4 stars for entertaining me, holding my interest, and providing strong examples of relying on God in adversity.

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At my request, I received a free electronic copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not required to give a positive review. This review reflects my honest thoughts and opinions on the book, and I received no compensation for this review.

Fleeing persecution for their religious beliefs, 16-year-old Mary Elizabeth Chapman along with her father and eight-year-old brother David, join their congregation aboard the Speedwell in hopes of prosperity and religious freedom. After having to return to port for repairs to the ship on more than one occasion, the passengers are eventually transferred to the Mayflower to complete their journey. William Lytton was orphaned as baby and raised until the age of nine by relatives who did not want him. Thrown to the streets, he survived on his own until a man named Paul took him under his wing at age 13 and treated him as a son, including teaching him of the LORD and of his trade as a carpenter. Knowing his time was near, Paul purchased a ticket for William’s passage to the new colony as well as an extra stake in some land for him to be able to prosper and start his own family. At first William isn’t receptive to hearing about the LORD and his love, and it isn’t until they are at sea that William truly discovers his need for the LORD in his life. The journey is a difficult one, with nearly all of the passengers falling ill, including many deaths. It is aboard the first ship that William and Mary Elizabeth are introduced. Mary Elizabeth’s best friend Dorothy teases her about her immediate interest in him, but over time their affections truly grow for each other. They work together (along with any of the few not ill at any given time), to care for the sick aboard the ship. I will not spoil any events, however I will share that the heartache is great and death touches nearly every family. In an attempt to stay true to historical accuracy, the author takes the reader deep into the heartache of sickness and death of loved ones. Once the ship makes it to land, they hope that all will be well, but they continue to face more heartache as they struggle to build homes for their families and feed their community. As William and Mary Elizabeth work hard to help build their new colony, is the love they’ve developed for each other enough to sustain them?

A lot of research and preparation went into the writing of this novel as the author shares in snippets both before and after the book. While the main characters are fictional, several of the characters were real people aboard the ship (and she even shares some interesting lineage about some of them at the end). While the book does fall under a romance category, it’s also full of history. Both Mary Elizabeth and William’s stories are shared including their own struggles and heartaches aside from that of romance. Life in 1620 aboard the Mayflower was certainly no walk-in-the-park, and the author did a wonderful job of sharing just how painful and difficult life could be for the early settlers. While sad in many parts, the settlers clung to their faith in the LORD to sustain them through the difficulties they faced. This was a very emotional yet powerful read, and one I would greatly encourage.

*I received a free copy of the book from the publisher for an honest review*

The Mayflower Bride is the first book that I’ve read by this author and I honestly enjoyed it. This book wasn’t without flaws, however. The story stalled at times with the ridiculous (though accurate) amount of sickness and deaths aboard The Mayflower. While this was realistic, I almost became desensitized to the deaths and by the time that key figures in the book became ill, I found that I couldn’t bring myself to be too upset about it.

Overall, I thought the characters were endearing and likable. I enjoyed Mary Elizabeth’s journey to the new world. I watched her struggle to overcome her fears and become a woman of great faith. William’s conversion felt rushed and forced to me. I think this was because he was studying with the brethren while I was occupied with yet another round of illness aboard the ship.

The ending felt slightly rushed, especially with the time jump. I felt there could have been more depth to the story but it wasn’t a bad read. At 256 pages, this book is more of a novella. The length is what (in my opinion) contributes to the lack of depth. Having said all of that, I actually enjoyed the book and I’m interested in reading more by this author.

I enjoyed reading “The Mayflower Bride”, the first of the Daughters of the Mayflower. I thought Kimberly Woodhouse did an excellent job of telling this interesting but tragic story. I loved the way she was able to draw hope out of the darkness. In so doing, I found the reading to be an easier more light hearted read. I appreciate all of the research that went into writing this historical fiction novel. There were many sad facts about the crossing that were touched upon, but Kimberly did not dwell on. Again, I believe it was a wonderful written love story. I always appreciate when the author takes the time to tell us what was actual fact and where she may have taken liberties. It makes me want to do more research. Kimberly at the end gives us information and details to help us out, listing some of her references. I enjoyed this story and would recommend it, especially if you like a well written historical fictional love story. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Books through NetGalley, Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is the first book in the Daughters of the Mayflower series which follows the female descendants of a Mayflower family. There was a lot of historical information in this book, I learned some things that I had never known. The author depicted how difficult the journey/settlement was for the Separatists (and others) who were determined to start a new life. However, I felt the pacing of the story was a bit slow and uneven and I couldn't quite connect to the characters. Although they went through such hardships, their interactions felt forced. In addition, the plot line with the villain was underused and didn't feel necessary. However, the author does include strong spiritual content and shows how much the people had to trust God to actually make something of this settlement. I appreciated the author's historical notes and delineating what was fiction and fact. I think the idea for this whole series is interesting and I look forward to how other authors add to it--3.5 stars.
* I received this book free of charge from NetGalley.

I've been anticipating this series for some time, and I've been delighted with the amount of history presented so far. Yes, this is a romance. However, The Daughters of the Mayflower series promises to deliver more than the typical cotton candy fare. 

Mary Chapman reluctantly boards the Speedwell while her soon-to-be hero, William Lytton, boards the Mayflower as a carpenter. Spoiler alerts are unnecessary at this point. Most of us (hopefully), know the Speedwell is doomed. Mary stumbles into William aboard the new ship, the Mayflower. The sweet, handsome man catches her attention. He notices her as well. Yet, disaster strikes again and again, tearing everyone apart. Loved ones die. Storms decimate. And William might have made a deal with a devil, agreeing to spy on his unsuspecting traveling companions. In the treacherous New World, trust is everything. 

For a short novel, plenty of suffering fills the pages. Woodhouse ends on a note of triumphant hope ... and love. I'm assigning four out of five stars. Readers fascinated with early American history and gentle love stories will enjoy this series.

I received a copy from NetGalley. My opinions are my own.

This is an incredible historical novel!

The author starts by explaining which characters are fictional. I really appreciate that information. I found these characters very well developed and easy to connect with as the story progressed. At times I found myself verbally counseling William, the male lead, in how I felt he needed to deal with situations and people.

I had learned the story of the Mayflower in school. The story of these brave people came alive in this wonderful book. It is no longer just dry history facts. The people became more real to me. Their fears and heartaches were easy to take on personally while reading.

I received a free eBook copy of this novel through NetGalley. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinion.

This is the first book in the new "The Daughters of the Mayflower" series.

It's difficult to lose a mother. It's also difficult to leave one's home, but that's what is required of Mary Elizabeth Chapman . "The Mayflower Bride" by Kimberley  Woodhouse gets underway as Mary Elizabeth  and her best friend, Dorothy,  listen in on a conversation that changes their lives. They, along with their families, and others, prepare to sail to the New World.

History:  Too many times we're so anxious to start the actual story that we overlook information from the author.  After the Dedication to this book, Woodhouse, writes a "Dear Reader" letter in which she explains the true language versus the language of the book. She also gives us a "Glossary of Terms" regarding the ship, a list of fictional characters and a  "Historical Speedwell/Mayflower Passengers" list.


This was my first Kimberley Woodhouse novel and there is no denying that this book was enhanced with historical facts surrounding the sequence of true accounts.  Historical fiction like this one is rewarding to read.

Characters: The differences between the "Separatists" and the "Strangers" were well written into the scenes. The Separatists lived by strict guidelines that were often ridiculed and some "Strangers" even tormented them. The Separatists, those we now call Pilgrims, were not a weak people. They were a people of strong faith and throughout the book we learn about their convictions and way of living.

Mary Elizabeth, Separatist and protagonist, loved God and she strove to follow His ways.  She had a flaw that I wanted to pull right off the page and make walk the plank, but this irritating characteristic made her believable and  strengthened her faith as she depended upon the Lord. Mary's best friend, Dorothy,  almost stole the show, but only briefly.  Mary Elizabeth's and Dorothy's friendship was a beautiful and an integeral part of the story.

William Lytton, a Stranger and a carpenter by trade joins the journey.  He observes many things and finds himself having to make serious choices.   He and all the other characters drew me into sharing their struggles and victories while sailing the sea with them.

Plot:  As a title, "The Mayflower Bride" is deceptive in that it's much more than a romance.  It is a very real account of hardship and sacrifice, but also a story of hope and perseverance. The Separatists first board the Speedwell, but it was the Mayflower that carried them to the New World.  Many things happen in this story that might cause you to ask questions like,  "How would I have handled what Mary Elizabeth faced?" and "Would I have survived the voyage?"

Setting:  The Speedwell and the Mayflower.  Ships.  The "Glossary of Terms" was extremely helpful especially if you know nothing about ships.  Woodhouse did an amazing job at describing life aboard in 1620.

My Thoughts:  If "The Mayflower Bride",  is the standard for the other books in this series, then I know I'll enjoy every one of them.  It's a book that I'll keep and recommend because the content is extremely clean, free of graphic descriptions and inspiring.

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Books through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Personal Rating: 4.73     Star Rating: 

Title: The Mayflower Bride
Author: Kimberley Woodhouse
Publisher: Barbour Books
Published: Feb. 1. 2018
Series: "Daughters of the Mayflower", Book 1
Reading Format: ebook, Kindle

"Daughters of the Mayflower" Series

 

 


About "The Mayflower Bride"

A New Series Begins for Lovers of History, Adventure, Romance, and Ancestry 
A brand new series for fans of all things related to history, romance, adventure, faith, and family trees.

Mary Chapman boards the Speedwell in 1620 as a Separatist seeking a better life in the New World. William Lytton embarks on the Mayflower as a carpenter looking for opportunities to succeed—and he may have found one when a man from the Virginia Company offers William a hefty sum to keep a stealth eye on company interests in the new colony. The season is far too late for good sailing and storms rage, but reaching land is no better as food is scarce and the people are weak. Will Mary survive to face the spring planting and unknown natives? Will William be branded a traitor and expelled?

Join the adventure as the Daughters of the Mayflower series begins with The Mayflower Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse.

More to come in the Daughters of the Mayflower series:
The Pirate Bride by Kathleen Y’Barbo - set 1725 New Orleans (coming April 2018)
The Captured Bride by Michelle Griep - set 1760 during the French and Indian War (coming June 2018)

Mary Elizabeth Chapman doesn't want to go to the New World, but when her father takes the opportunity to reserve passage on the Mayflower, it is decided. Mary Elizabeth must care for her young brother, as their mother has passed.



Mary Elizabeth, is fearful of what awaits them in the New World, but her dear friend Dorothy, encourages her to see it as an adventure.



William is a "stranger" and a carpenter by trade. He grew up on the streets until he was taken in by a kindly mentor. He is befriended by John Alden who lives his faith as a Separatist and shows William what a life of fait looks like.



I like how both Mary Elizabeth and her brother, David, grow up a lot on the voyage, taking care of the sick passengers. This story is full of history and does a grew job of bringing to life the plight and dream of the Separatists, and the struggles that they faced before and after landing on Plymouth. This book also highlights many great historical figures and their faith.



William is curious about the Separatists, and is respectful yet inquisitive. I like how he and Mary Elizabeth are brought together by their trials, serving others alongside each other.



Great attention to detail, rich in history , and inspiring historical characters that bring the plight of the Separatists to life, bringing to life the courage of those who through their faith were led to voyage to a new land.



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

It seems there’s much I didn’t know about the journey of the Mayflower, which brought religious dissenters to the new world. Kim Woodhouse’s coming-of-age story is both entertaining and informative. The opening pages are set in Leiden, the Netherlands, in 1620, when motherless Mary Elizabeth learns that her family will be embarking on the voyage of a lifetime. Committed to caring for her much younger brother, Mary Elizabeth doesn’t expect romance to enter her life any time soon. But that’s exactly what happens when the expedition is forced to put in for repairs in England and she meets William.

Kim Woodhouse has deftly woven known facts and supposition about Mayflower’s voyage with imagination and exquisite detail. History tells us that the journey was anything but smooth. Through Woodhouse’s writing, we get to experience the hardships of the turbulent seas, disease and malnutrition. We witness birth and death, joy and pain, and the separation between the ‘Saints’ and ‘Strangers’ onboard. The narrative continues when the Pilgrims reach land and go in search of a suitable site for their colony. The hardships did not stop and the winter of 1620-21 would take as harsh a toll on the people as the voyage, if not more so.

The Mayflower Bride is the first in a new series published by Barbour, called Daughters of the Mayflower. Six books are scheduled to be published in 2018, all written by different authors, and are set between 1620 and 1814. The next title, The Pirate Bride, is due within the month. Kim Woodhouse is also the author of The Patriot Bride, book four in the series.

Thank you to Barbour Publishing for my complimentary electronic copy of The Mayflower Bride.

The Mayflower Bride is the first book in a new series called The Daughters of the Mayflower. I was intrigued by the idea of a series that has a common theme (all of the books so far have the word "bride" in the title) and they are written by different authors. I am looking forward to comparing the different writing styles of each author and the way each approaches the theme.

I have never read a book about the first pilgrims and their journey to the New World on the Mayflower. Kimberley Woodhouse has obviously done a lot of research, as she notes several factual events and characters in the author's notes. I appreciated the realistic description of what the travelers went through to endure a long and treacherous crossing and the hardship of settling in a wild, new land. That aspect of the story was very well written. The novel was a little slower pace than what I typically prefer, and the romantic tension did not build up as intensely as I'd hoped. I love reading Bible verses and Biblical truth when it's interwoven through a story and flowing right into a story line. This novel had a lot of Bible verses, but the placement of them felt a little forced to me at times.

Personal takeaway...Even when the circumstances seem impossible, we can have courage and trust in God to guide us through.

I'm glad I read this book and I am definitely looking forward to the next books in the series.

**I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley to share my honest thoughts and opinions, which I did.**

3 1/2 stars

This is an interesting beginning of a series written by different authors who give readers a heart-felt peek into the lives of two brave souls; Mary Elizabeth Chapman and William Lytton and their daring boat ride as they seek a better life in a new land – story set in 1620. Would they make it to the promised land? They didn’t know. I liked what Kimberley wrote in author’s notes where she tells readers what was real and what she added to make the story work. She elaborates a little more there about historical event. I liked that.

I look forward to reading the next book in this series. The titles and covers of the next books look very interesting! Looking forward to reading them.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from blogging for books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
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I thought the author did a wonderful job mixing how difficult, tragic and loss filled the journey on the Mayflower was with the hope of his passengers. There is a romance but it is not the main focus of the book. I was a little thrown by the title, it made me think the romance would be a larger focus. It's still a good book, one worth reading. I definitely recommend reading the author notes, they are very informative.
I rounded the stars up to 4 because of the epilogue.

When I first heard about this series, I was super excited! Over the past year, I have researched my family history, and I discovered that I am a descendant of several passengers of The Mayflower.
We all know that the voyage of The Mayflower was horrible for the passengers. I feel that Kimberley Woodhouse did a wonderful job portraying what it would have been like on that voyage. The true story is compelling, and this book brought the story to life for me, though the main characters are fictional.
I enjoyed reading Mary Elizabeth and William's story. There was much for these characters to struggle through, but their love story was sweet and believable. I did, however, feel that the character of Peter and the problems that came along with him were not particularly necessary to move the story forward. There were enough challenges for the characters to overcome without him.
Overall, I greatly enjoyed this book, and I look forward to the rest of the series.

My husband's 10th great grandfather was William Bradford, so I was definitely looking forward to reading this book; and it did not disappoint. This is the heartrending and horrifying fictional story of the Separatists voyage across the Atlantic to the eastern coast of the United States in 1600-01. This story is vividly written and closely follows the historic timeline of events while using a few fictional characters mixed among the actual sojourners. Woodhouse's historical research is evident throughout the story.
Due to the inability of the Speedwell to continue the journey because of damage, the Separatists and the Strangers (those whose religious beliefs did not align with the Separatists) were crammed together onto the Mayflower. There was a high price paid for those who sought a new world where they would have religious freedom. Many were ill due to rough seas for the entire journey and some died. Others died due to scurvy or pneumonia. Of the women who braved the journey, only 5 arrived alive. Woodhouse does an incredible job of describing the efforts and bravery of the women who made the trip. One even delivered a baby during the voyage.
The central focus of the story is the developing relationship between Mary Catherine Chapman, a Separatist, and William Lytton, the carpenter on the ship who is a Stranger. Bringing both a poignant love story that develops slowly and sweetly as well as the budding growth of William's faith in God to the forefront, made this along with the history an excellent story.
I also appreciated the information Woodhouse included at the front regarding the cast of characters to understand which were fictional and which were real people. The notes following the story offered additional historical information that was quite interesting.
Definitely made my 2018 Favorites list and highly recommended.

We all know the story.
But with The Mayflower Bride, you won’t just know what happened, you will live what happened!
This book is not historical fiction. This is history come to life! The Daughters of the Mayflower series begins with The Mayflower Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse and I whole-heartedly give this book 5 stars. The amount of effort put into the historical research for this book was magnanimous. Of all the characters in the story, only seven of them are fictitious. I learned so much about the lives of those first settlers than I knew before.
As you experience the pain and struggles endured by the Mayflower voyagers, you will, as I was, be impressed by their strength and courage. Even the best laid plans often go awry, and for the Saints and Strangers on the Mayflower, sorrow and sickness plague their journey every step of the way.
These weary travelers learned to depend on God for strength to endure, courage to face the unknown, and to find joy in the little things. They believed God has sent them on this journey, like the Israelites in the wilderness, could they trust God to bring them safely to the promise land?
The main character Mary Elizabeth struggles with fear. Along the way, she finds her faith tested more than she ever imagined and discovers the source of true courage.
William Lytton wants nothing more than to flee his past and make a new life for him in the New World, but along he journey he finds faith and family—two things he never thought he’d have.
There were many lessons to be learned through this journey.
Patience
Joy
Getting out of our comfort zone
Praising him in the storm
How we could all grow so much more in these areas! As a person often plagued by fears, the courage of Mary Elisabeth and the other “pilgrims” touched my heart. They left their homeland and loved ones on a journey to a New World. One where they would be free of religious persecution and allowed to worship him as they believed the Scriptures taught. They lost so many of their members through sickness that first winter and yet they praised him anyway. Oh, that I would remember to praise him in the storm and have patience that his timing is always best.

I really enjoyed this book! I loved the characters, but I also really loved that this was actually historical fiction - the settings and descriptions made the time period realistic. There were a few things off about the historical aspect, but nothing too jarring. William's friendship and developing relationship with Mary Elizabeth was well done. Overall, a good read in a time period that I don't typically read.

Wonderful historical novel! The first of a series of three books by different authors following the stories of three ladies generations apart of the same family. This, I felt, was the most historically accurate of the three. It's main characters were fictional but there were many many real characters, events and motives that really did happen. Best way to learn about history is through a story! The characters were also very endearing, and though there were sad and realistic parts like support characters dying that are not normally a part of a romance, it added to the authentic feel of the story and made me all the more appreciate the resiliency and authenticity of the events. Great read and one I plan on reading again!

The Mayflower Bride is such an eye-opening book! I had no idea that the Separatists originally left from the Netherlands. I also had forgotten that it took them quite some time to establish Plimouth Colony once they finally arrived in America. I certainly don't envy all of their hardships and the harsh conditions that they had to endure. However, Kimberley so beautifully portrays the Saints' struggles and their devout faith throughout their entire journey. Mary Elizabeth's and William's relationship developed slowly and sweetly under these trying circumstances, and understandably, this book has a lot of emphasis on faithful endurance through life's trials. I could've done without the one aspect of the story that involves William's record keeping for the Virginia Company. It added so little to the story, and its resolution wasn't very climactic or exciting.

***I received a copy of this book from Barbour Publishing through NetGalley and am under no obligation to provide a positive review. All opinions are my own.

The Mayflower Bride What a magical, warming, loving, tender and historical tale of the riders on the Mayflower. Oh how the author brought this tale to life. It was so original and real. The author did such a fantastic job catching your attention and bringing you along for the ride with the travelers; you honestly felt like you were on it with them but felt so grateful that we have the shot for pneumonia and bad that they didn't an awful for the result because of it. If this sounds good - which I know it does - go get this and enjoy for yourself….

It's a small world.

When I saw this on through NetGalley, I thought the name looked familiar. I read about Kimberley's daughter in a CLUBHOUSE magazine years ago and my dad and I had literally been talking about it just a few days before!

This is a sad book. Really, it is. At the start, Mary Elizabeth and her family are trying to find their way to a new normal only a year after her mother's death. In an effort to start fresh, her father volunteers their family to be one of the first to go across the Atlantic to the New World. About to be uprooted from everything she's ever known, Mary Elizabeth takes comfort in the fact that she is with her family and her best friend, Dorothy.

The adventures start immediately. Mary Elizabeth and her group are on the Speedwell, which, due to leaks, never leaves England. All the Speedwell's passengers crowd into the Mayflower and off they go.

[Pause. We think people give their kids strange names nowadays? (They do). But, some of the names from back then are so weird! Here are some examples: Remember, Resolved, Oceanus, Peregrine, Giles, Humility (seriously?!). Oh, for my friends, there was a couple on the Mayflower who had two children, John and Francis :)]

I'm sure it's no surprise to you that the journey is tough. It's not spoiling anything to talk of all the loss due to sickness, both on the ship and once they arrive in the New World. That's why the book is so sad though. Mary Elizabeth feels all the loss and takes it rather hard. (view spoiler)

The main theme and message from my point of view is that of trust and surrender to God. Mary Elizabeth struggles to maintain joy and trust amidst all the loss and suffering. I could relate, especially to her times of feeling depressed due to a situation. I also can relate to gaining comfort from Scripture.

The characters were well-done and the story enjoyable. I'm interested in reading the other two books when they come out to see how the story continues.

This book is historical fiction. Keep in mind, that a lot that is written is fact woven into the storyline.
This is about a young lady's journey on a ship, to a land of religious freedom. The book tells about the tribulations that are endured in this venture. The lack of accommodation, food, sanitary conditions. Overcrowding was another common problem. Then the illnesses, scurvy, pneumonia, most likely ending in death. After months of living in these dire conditions, they reach their destination and must than start building homes, a town.
Very well written. First of a series.
5 Stars

The Mayflower Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse is the first in the Daughters of the Mayflower series. I love how the author brings this time period to life while making it easy to read without the old English that can be difficult to read. Mary Elizabeth is a young girl coming of age. She and her father travel on the Mayflower. They face much adversity along the way. Overall, this is a wonderful historical novel and I highly recommend it. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher and then purchased it myself. These opinions are entirely my own.

The people that came over on the Mayflower are an amazing group. It really is remarkable what they were able to endure. I thought this story was absorbing on a historical perspective but it left me wishing for more. I know the main characters in this book were fictional and that the actual people who came over on the Mayflower come and go as side players in this story but I felt like I would have rather had more about them. I guess perhaps this is a good introduction and now I need to actually go and read up on some of these very interesting people.

As the starter book in a series this set the stage well. It shows a couple starting over in the new world and then as the series progresses decendants of these two will take over the story and lead us through some of American History. It sounds like a promising series!

I have read very little books that take place in this period in history, so I was thrilled to pick it up and try something new! Woodhouse does a great job of providing background/history while still writing a captivating and engaging story. Looking forward to reading her next book!

The book is about the pilgrims who came over on the Mayflower, and try to start a colony in Plymouth. I loved the history aspect of the book, and learned so many interesting things I never knew about that voyage over to America. I liked how the author incorporated real people from the voyage into the story, and showing how their faith played a big role in their decisions. Otherwise, I felt the story was a bit lacking. It just seemed there needed to be more. It was still a quick, and enjoyable read.

3.5 or 4 stars. I really enjoyed this story of the Mayflower and the Separatists' efforts to establish a new colony. I had only really known the bare bones of this part of history, so I really liked becoming more familiar with the details. Historical fiction is more interesting to me than straight history as I like to see how the historical events may have affected the people involved. One complaint I have, however, is that the main characters were not as well-developed as I would have liked and the other characters even less so. The book seems to have been fairly thoroughly researched, based on the details of the ships, the voyages, the Separatists' beliefs, etc. Something I thought the author did well is incorporating the characters' religious beliefs in a smooth and believable way. I'm a Christian myself, but most "Christian fiction" seems to be too preachy or too awkward and just not well-integrated. Here, that didn't seem to be a problem, maybe because the characters were so very religious that it seemed natural to have frequent quotes from Scripture, prayers, etc.

Recommended for fans of historical fiction and/or Christian fiction.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me a free e-ARC of this book.

I love historical novels, and this one was particularly unique. So as not to detract from the stories of actual passengers, Kimberly Woodhouse created fictional characters in her retelling of the Mayflower voyage of 1620. Most people are familiar with the Thanksgiving story, but I don’t think people really comprehend the great sacrifice that journey cost those early settlers. Woodhouse does, and she uses that knowledge to tell a story of bravery, loss, and exploration. Ironically, right after finishing this book, I discovered I am a descendant of one of those brave souls. I now plan to reread this book from that new-found perspective. This was an enjoyable read, and I’m looking forward to future books in the series.

I love reading historical fiction and I am not very familiar with this particular time in history. I enjoyed the authors writing style, her characters, Mary & William and their journey on the Speedwell. I really look forward to reading the next book in the series. While my little bit of research inspired by this book showed that a lot of the details were not exactly historically accurate, it did inspire me to research more about 1600's.

Fleeing to the New World for religious freedom, Mary Elizabeth along with her widower father and brother David, are among the Pilgrims who were severely tested on the crossing to Massachusetts. William, not a religious man, is hired on as a carpenter. Abandoned as a child, he was finally taken in by a benefactor who encouraged William to be part of the Mayflower voyage.
Both young adults, Mary Elizabeth and Williams are drawn to one another. Circumstances on board, though, are tenuous and many perish. The late season landing in Massachusetts was unexpected; the group was aiming for current day New York City area.
I felt the author did a great job portraying the difficulties of the voyage and the peril involved in the first year in the New World.

Kimberley Woodhouse in a new author to me and one I will be looking for again. I enjoy historical fiction that is well researched, in that, The Mayflower Bride exceeded my expectations.The book began with an extensive list of characters designated as factual or fictional and a glossary of terms that I did refer to more than once during my reading.

The story begins as Mary Elizabeth Chapman and her best friend Dorothy Raynsford are eavesdropping on a meeting of Separatist elders as they planned their voyage to the New World. Dorothy was excited for the adventure while Mary Elizabeth was terrified by the unknown and all the risks it involved.

The journey was more harrowing than anyone had imagined. The author did a great job of portraying the sickness aboard the Mayflower, the endless days and nights of struggle and heartbreak of so many lives lost in the hope of finding freedom. During this journey as Mary Elizabeth tends to the needs of many sick and dying friends, including her own father and her best friend, she finds strength and courage she had not known she possessed.

William Lytton, an orphaned Stranger, gained passage on the Mayflower looking for a chance to prove his worth as a carpenter. Before he sets sail the Virginia Company hirers William to keep an accurate accounting of the journey to protect their interests. William was pleased they had placed their trust in him and is faithful in his record keeping.

During the arduous journey, William begins to seek the faith and peace the Separatists display and wonders if he would be found worthy of the brown eyed beauty who nurses the sick.

My emotions went from high to low and back again as read this book. I thought the Mayflower would never reach land and then when it did, I wondered if anyone would live to start the colony, in other words, I felt very much a part of this journey.

I will not give away the delightful ending.

Very well done, Kimberley Woodhouse!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. This is my own honest opinion.

Kimberley Woodhouse did an amazing job of penning this intense, moving, hard-working, and tear bringing book. To set the imagination of what these people faced while crossing the great, deep, dark ocean in search of being able to live in freedom for their faith. The times of sea storms, sicknesses, and death, she's included it all. As we study American History in school this year, I felt that this book was right on time and a great read gearing us up for our year of study ahead. I really look forward to continuing this series as new books come out!

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Mary Elizabeth Chapman wants to get to America so she can live freely with her faith.  The trip is not easy and Every hardship seems to happen.  William Lytton is also on the trip as a carpenter.  Once they end up in Plymouth, things don't go smoothly.  The ship arrives too late for the colony to plant and harvest crops.  Building isn't easy and the first winter is hard.  Tempers are lost and someone in their midst is a spy for some of the investors in the venture.  

I found this book to be a good read.  I would recommend it for a few good hours of getting away.