The Mayflower Bride

In this exciting first entry in Barbour’s planned 18-book multi-author Daughters of the Mayflower series, Woodhouse tells the thrilling story of the Mayflower’s journey to North America in 1620. Mary Elizabeth Chapman signs up to travel with a Protestant separatist group leaving England in order to practice their faith without persecution. Upon boarding the Mayflower, she meets the mysterious carpenter William Lytton, who seeks a new life without the hindrances of his past. But when a man from the Virginia Company asks William to become an agent for the company in the New World by scouting out potential business ventures, his allegiance to the religious exiles is tested. The ship sets sail from Plymouth, England and continues for two stormy months across the Atlantic. Though Woodhouse doesn’t hide the difficulties and tragedies of the historic voyage, the simmering romance between Mary Elizabeth and William alleviates the claustrophobia of shipboard life and dire human conditions. Faith elements are strong as Mary Elizabeth doubts her faith and William’s faith is born. With this action-packed tale, Woodhouse properly kicks off this series centered on major events of American history. Agency: Steve Laube Agency. (Feb.)