God’s Handmaiden

by Gilbert Morris

A historical and romantic adventure woven around the story of Florence Nightingale.Gervase Howard is in her mid-teens when her working-class mother dies and she must go to live with relatives in service to a wealthy, noble family, outside of London. While learning various jobs, she is drawn to the eldest son, Davis. Her fascination with him grows deeper, but more hopeless, since the two are separated not just by class, but also by Davis’s love for Roberta.When Davis announces his engagement, he asks Gervase to join them as Roberta’s maid. But instead Gervase becomes a companion to Florence Nightingale and accompanies her when the Crimean War breaks out and she is asked to create a corps of nurses. On the field, Gervase crosses paths with Davis, who has become disillusioned in his marriage and is drawn to her warmth and care. Both know, however, there is nothing more for them than friendship.Upon her return to England, Gervase receives word that Davis has been seriously injured in a fall and is asked to nurse him back to health. As he regains consciousness, he reveals shocking news that plunges them both into danger.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Christian, Historical, Romance, Fiction

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

also published under the name Gilbert L. Morris

Gilbert Morris was one of today's best-known Christian novelists. He lived in Gulf Shores, Alabama, with his wife, Johnnie. He is the father to Lynn Morris and Alan Morris

Series:
* Adventures of Kerrigan Kids
* American Century
* Appomattox Saga
* Barney Buck
* Bonnets and Bugles
* Cheney Duvall, M.D. (with Lynn Morris)
* Cheney and Shiloh: The Inheritance (with Lynn Morris)
* Chronicles of the Golden Frontier
* The Creole (with Lynn Morris)
* Danielle Ross Mystery
* Daystar Voyages
* Dixie Morris Animal Adventures
* Far Fields (with Robert Funderburk)
* House of Winslow
* Jacques and Cleo: Cat Detectives
* Katy Steele Adventures (with Alan Morris)
* Lady Trent Mystery
* Liberty Bell
* Lions of Judah
* Lone Star Legacy
* Omega (with Lynn Morris and Alan Morris)
* The Price of Liberty (with Robert Funderburk)
* Reno Western Saga
* Seven Sleepers
* Seven Sleepers: The Lost Chronicles
* Singing River
* Spirit of Appalachia (with Aaron McCarver)
* Too Smart Jones
*

Reviews

[Bette · Rating 4 out of 5]

History, romance, good morals, good summer read.

[Andrea Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner by Gilbert Morris. The cover didn’t give away much about the era or anything. It did show Mr. Bob, the delightful cat.

I was very happy to discover this story featured Florence Nightingale, with a cameo appearance by Charles Spurgeon. This was a beautiful tale of nurses and battle-weary soldiers during the Crimean War.

The leading lady was wonderful. She went from being an orphan to a lady’s maid to a nurse, and I enjoyed the journey with her. It was she who had the fantastic Mr. Bob, and that critter was a pleasure to get to know as well.

There was this moment when Davis longed for a woman who wasn’t his wife. What made this most interesting and respectable was that he put aside those carnal feelings to honor and respect the promise he had made when he married his wife. This was a good example of how to purposely choose to be loyal and honorable in one’s marriage.

Another wonderful thing in this story was seeing true repentance from sinful choices.

Content: replacement expletives, profanity, marital affairs, alcohol

[Bev Driggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was just what I needed as the season of lent approached. Story of hardship, romance and forgiveness, trusting God and living for others. A nice peaceful story with some history and surprises.

[Rene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet Christian romance with an interesting historical fiction sidebar thrown in.

When her mother dies, young Gervase Howard goes to live with her aunt and uncle, who are servants in the wealthy Wingate family. Gervase is treated kindly there, especially by Davis, the family's older son. As the years go by, she falls in love with him. When he inevitably marries a money-hungry society woman, Gervase changes jobs rather than see him with another woman.

The Nightingale family hires Gervase as the personal maid for their headstrong daughter, Florence. Gervase becomes one of the first nurses trained by this remarkable historical figure, who had to fight gender stereotypes and ignorance about medical hygiene. Gervase follows Florence to the front lines of the Crimean War, where she encounters Davis once again. Later, she becomes his personal nurse after a fall leaves him comatose.

The book is simply written. The good characters (Gervase, Davis, his mother) are always good. The bad characters, like Davis's wife, are uniformly bad. The only multi-dimensional character was Florence Nightingale herself. She was truly a woman ahead of her time.

From a Christian point of view, I ike that the book made it clear that David was not a believer, even though he was a good person. The truth of salvation and trusting in God was presented plainly and simply.

[Misti · Rating 3 out of 5]

After her mother dies, teenage Gervase moves to a grand estate where her aunt works as a cook. Gervase finds a place as a maid, but can't help falling in love with Davis, the oldest son of the owner of the estate. When he marries a gentlewoman, Gervase feels that she must leave. She goes to work for the Nightingale family, and eventually follows Florence Nightingale to the Crimea, where she nurses wounded soldiers. But little does Gervase know that her path and Davis's will cross again...

This story bears some (intentional, I think) resemblance to Jane Eyre. I found it a fair read, ultimately forgettable. It felt like it was just glossing over events; I never felt fully engaged. I'd also like to have seen an author's note about the historical elements used in the story. Recommended only to readers who can't get enough inspirational historical fiction.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would have given more stars but...

I would have given this book the full five stars but who ever transcribed this book into an e-book did a very poor job. The story however is great but it was very distracting to have to figure out what some words were due to improper spacing of all of the words.

[Kathy Monroe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very engaging story! I literally couldn't put it down. Set in the 1850s, includes the Crimean war and even a bit about Florence Nightingale which was fun. And being a cat lover, there is a cat named Mr Bob who is a constant throughout the entire story.
I loved this book and the clean Christian morals that were included in the storyline.

[Mindy G. · Rating 3 out of 5]

She’s bleeding in her ‘eart, she is, but there’s nothing else for it.
p. 15

You never know what a person is like until you marry them.
p. 131

The past had power to touch, and she well understood this.
p. 229

[Triss · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned a lot about the Crimea war and Florence Nightengale by reading this. I think it is a young adult book?

[Linea Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story!! The only complaint I have is that they mentioned God speaking to them, which does not occur since the writing of the book of Revelation. Other than that, great young adult book!!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am never disappointed in a Gilbert Morris book - good story - good characters and well read on audio - very inspirational

[Karen]

Good Christian author

[Robin Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

After the first chapter, I was thoroughly invested in the main character. I loved the writing style, the characters, all of it.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gervase Howard is a young fifteen year old girl who is thrown into a frightening new world when she loses her Mother, and is sent to live with her aunt and uncle at their home of Kimberly, where they work as the head cook and gardener. She takes along her trusted friend and furry kitty companion Mr.Bob, and is befriended by the master and mistress's oldest son Davis who she develops feelings for as the years pass.

Through encounters with bullies, and in one instance almost losing her furry friend, Gervase's feelings for Davis grow deeper as time passes, so when he becomes engaged to be married she leaves the Kimberly home to be a companion and ladies maid to Florence Nightingale; and will eventually work with her to take care of soldiers during the Crimean War. During this time Gervase again meets up with Davis who has left home and joined the war effort because of problems in his marriage, and unhappiness at work. After returning home from the war Gervase works with Florence and a friend for awhile then finds herself back at Kimberly, as for what happens next you should read to find out ;)

The characters in the book were warm and easy to relate to, it was an easy book to read and I did not want to put it down. The only thing that I would change is that the ending was very predictable, and during the last few chapters I figured out exactly what was going to happen so it got a little taxing I think it could've been shortened quite a bit, other than that I loved the plot, and the idea of the book and its characters in general.

For other reviews check out my blog http://www.booksalicious.blogspot.com/

[Gerald Curtis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my second Gilbert Morris book and I really loved it. I was sad when the story had to conclude and I had to give up my relationship with the characters.

My first exposure to Morris was called "One by One," a rather far-fetched plot with blatant, unabashed Christian preaching by one of the characters.

God's Handmaiden, on the other hand, was a delightful historical kind of novel, not about Florence Nightingale so much as fictional characters who ended up serving with her. I really enjoyed learning some about that time in history, and found the story line and characters compelling. It even had a serious challenge to the characters at the end, with no possibility of things working out as I wanted to, so far as I could predict.

A great story.

[Lynnda Ell · Rating 4 out of 5]

The horrors of war in the 19th century make the battlefield destruction of the 21st century look humane. Going to war during that era, was a death sentence. Rampant diseases, little or no care of the wounded, and a cavalier attitude about supplying soldiers with food made the risks of death almost a certainty.

Florence Nightingale's work to improve care of the war wounded is the backdrop of this romance that Gilbert Morris treats with his usual excellent writing style. The twists and turns of the plot and the fully dimensional people in this novel will encourage me to read it more than once.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is great Christian historical fiction. It contains a wonderful account of some of the activities and accomplishments of Florence Nightingale as part of the novel. She is not the main character, but an important one. I loved the fact that there was a plot twist I did not totally expect, and romance, faith, moral dilemmas, moral failures and their consequences, and mystery are all present. The only reason it did not get five stars from me were that some of the scenes dealing with the war were a little too drawn out for me, but I do recommend this book if you love history.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my comfort book. I've read it at least 5x over. Well written, I'm also a fan of historical fiction, so that drew me in as well. This book was actually given to me by my grandmother because of the religious factor, but it's really one of my favorite reads. The main character is a young woman trying to find her way, learning to be a woman and falling in love with someone she can't have. She keeps her faith through all her hardships and her story comes full circle in the end. It's heartfelt, romantic, historical, and satisfying.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful read! This incredible story of an orphan, love, attempted murder, and the love of God all wrapped around the story of Florence Nightingale! I enjoy these kinds of stories because I learn so much of the history of an area and era, war times, medicine, the profession of nursing! If you missed this one a few years ago, please pick it up and enjoy! You will be glad you did. Good writing, good story, good characters.

[Dawnmcd · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy Mr. Morris's books. This one was no exception. A nice easy romance with nice detail about the time period that made to interested to find out more. I like how it has shades of Jane Eyre to it as well.

[Omi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspite some of my dislikes about this book, one thing that really gripped me in this book was the fact that it has some great historical content, including some detailed thigns about Florence Nightingale. I also really liked one of the sub-characters and how her part in the story turned out.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

He is a really good author I came across his books in the library and really enjoyed reading them

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

reminds me of Jane Eyre. Really good book!

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like the historical content in this book. Good story.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A new author for me - found it in a Christian Fiction display at the library. Good bits of history mixed with a nice love story.

[Odetta]

Crimean War

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cheesy goodness

[Annie Schuler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a “go to” type of book, fun to read again. It gives a similar feel to Jane Eyre, without being totally the same. I liked the plot twists.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book!