The Preacher's Son — Elizabeth Gill

A new historical saga set in the North-East of England in the 1800s. Born into a family of Methodist preachers in Country Durham, Joshua Castle grows up knowing that he too will become a minister. Though his faith is strong, his young heart is broken when he goes to Bristol to train, leaving behind him Emma Meikle, the beautiful daughter of the pub landlord. For both Emma and Joshua know that their backgrounds are very different, and that their love will never be allowed. In Bristol Joshua meets the Matthews family, wealthy industrialists, and their daughter Patience. Though his Methodist upbringing is at odds with their lavish lifestyle, Joshua is attracted to Patience, and when his letters to Emma remain unanswered allows himself to be drawn into the family. When he eventually returns north it is with Patience as his bride to a community and a people whose lives he hopes to be able to change through the power of the Word.