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The Bride
Lady Efa knows the pain of heartbreak and betrayal. Thrust into a marriage she did not choose, and made mother to three neglected children, she is deserted by the man she loved and forced to leave all she knows behind.
Yet amid bitterness and despair, unexpected friendships introduce Efa to a different kind of love, to a God who promises to turn her painful betrayal into joy-filled belonging. If only she will open her heart to Him, wounds could be healed, relationships restored and more lives than her own transformed.
But when changing circumstances leave her adrift and without purpose, can Efa trust God for another place of belonging? And as her past invades the present, will love’s promises hold true?
The Bride is a companion story to The Healing, set among the beautiful abbeys and landscapes of Medieval Wales.
Yet amid bitterness and despair, unexpected friendships introduce Efa to a different kind of love, to a God who promises to turn her painful betrayal into joy-filled belonging. If only she will open her heart to Him, wounds could be healed, relationships restored and more lives than her own transformed.
But when changing circumstances leave her adrift and without purpose, can Efa trust God for another place of belonging? And as her past invades the present, will love’s promises hold true?
The Bride is a companion story to The Healing, set among the beautiful abbeys and landscapes of Medieval Wales.
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Published October 20, 2023
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About the author
Joy Margetts
11 books71 followersI am a fifty something mother of two grown children, and a grandparent. I have always loved writing but never believed I would have a book published. The Healing is my first novel. I have always loved history and the inspiration for the book came whilst visiting local abbey ruins.
I live with my husband and feisty Jack Russell, on the wild and beautiful North Wales coast, surrounded by history and stunning landscapes. I love the Word of God and teaching it. The Healing is full of both truth and beauty.
I have experienced the redemptive healing power of God in my own life, and hope that my writing gives hope to those who need it.
I live with my husband and feisty Jack Russell, on the wild and beautiful North Wales coast, surrounded by history and stunning landscapes. I love the Word of God and teaching it. The Healing is full of both truth and beauty.
I have experienced the redemptive healing power of God in my own life, and hope that my writing gives hope to those who need it.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 25, 2023
Joy Margetts has done it again!
In The Bride, we read the story of a medieval woman trapped in a marriage not of her choosing, and nothing like what she expected. But through all the heartbreak she comes to find a far more beautiful purpose and meaning to her life than she could ever have imagined.
This book is so much more than an enjoyable piece of fiction - though it is that, for sure. The author's gift for story-telling with compelling characters set in a well-researched historic background, always makes for a totally immersive pleasure, and The Bride did not disappoint my high expectations.
But even more than that, the redemptive message of the book will surely speak to every reader who has ever longed for meaning beyond the circumstances they find themselves in. It's a book to take your time over, and not rush on from afterwards. Highly recommended!
In The Bride, we read the story of a medieval woman trapped in a marriage not of her choosing, and nothing like what she expected. But through all the heartbreak she comes to find a far more beautiful purpose and meaning to her life than she could ever have imagined.
This book is so much more than an enjoyable piece of fiction - though it is that, for sure. The author's gift for story-telling with compelling characters set in a well-researched historic background, always makes for a totally immersive pleasure, and The Bride did not disappoint my high expectations.
But even more than that, the redemptive message of the book will surely speak to every reader who has ever longed for meaning beyond the circumstances they find themselves in. It's a book to take your time over, and not rush on from afterwards. Highly recommended!
January 26, 2024
The Bride is the third novel of a historical series set in medieval Wales. The story centers around a woman, typical of her era, who has no choice over the path her life takes. But she does have a choice in how she responds to her situation and circumstances. This becomes a love story, in the fullest sense of the word, as the main character discovers meaning and purpose in life through faith in God. The author uses quotations from the Song of Songs to remind us all of the depth and richness of God’s love for us. The book interweaves with the two previous stories, and ties together some loose ends, but equally could be read alone. An enjoyable and uplifting read.
November 30, 2023
The Bride is the third instalment in Joy Margett’s Historical Fiction Series set in medieval Wales. The opening thrusts us into the distress of Efa, a young girl wrenched from the love of her life and forced to marry a man many years her senior to raise his children, some of whom are older than her. The culprit? Her uncle, a favoured father figure until that point, who laughs off her lover’s attempts at protest and unquestionably, uncharacteristically, unexplainably betrays her.
Without preamble, we jump into Efa’s emotions, feeling everything with her as each carefully crafted word paints the canvas of her situation, from the tearing thin silk of a borrowed gown, to the cruel abrasive laughter that turns her heart to stone, we feel the betrayal, the loss, the sheer devastation of every earthly hope dashed.
With her heart broken, Efa endures a gruelling ride over the harsh Welsh countryside to begin her new life. Our souls sink with hers as the walls of her new home loom before her and it seems all happiness is lost forever. But is it?
Within the walls of this home, Efa finds something entirely unexpected – kindness and a spirituality she has never before encountered. From this point on, we see glimmers of God’s grace and purposes for Efa’s life shining through her circumstances.
The title of The Bride hints at the deeper meaning of this story. For this is more than a novel. It is an exploration of The Song of Songs through fiction. Where Efa is denied the love of a man on earth, she’s invited into a deeper communion, a greater love, introduced by the humble young woman, Non, and the gentle abbot, Father Ulrich, who provide Efa with what she truly needs – space to explore what she’s been through and encounter the God who has plans beyond all her expectations. And yes – there is a happy ending – but I’m not giving you any hints!
Each chapter is framed by reference to part of the song, as Jesus the bridegroom gently whispers to Efa’s heart and in time she responds, “I’ve made up my mind. Until the darkness disappears and the dawn has fully come, in spite of the shadows and fears, I will go to the mountaintop with you – the mountain of suffering love and the hill of burning incense. Yes, I will be your bride.” Song of Solomon 4:6 (The Passion Translation)
Reading The Bride feels like a spiritual experience. I was deeply moved by Efa’s encounter with Jesus and it left me diving into The Song of Songs for myself.
I received an advance reader copy of this book but I was under no obligation to leave a favourable review.
Without preamble, we jump into Efa’s emotions, feeling everything with her as each carefully crafted word paints the canvas of her situation, from the tearing thin silk of a borrowed gown, to the cruel abrasive laughter that turns her heart to stone, we feel the betrayal, the loss, the sheer devastation of every earthly hope dashed.
With her heart broken, Efa endures a gruelling ride over the harsh Welsh countryside to begin her new life. Our souls sink with hers as the walls of her new home loom before her and it seems all happiness is lost forever. But is it?
Within the walls of this home, Efa finds something entirely unexpected – kindness and a spirituality she has never before encountered. From this point on, we see glimmers of God’s grace and purposes for Efa’s life shining through her circumstances.
The title of The Bride hints at the deeper meaning of this story. For this is more than a novel. It is an exploration of The Song of Songs through fiction. Where Efa is denied the love of a man on earth, she’s invited into a deeper communion, a greater love, introduced by the humble young woman, Non, and the gentle abbot, Father Ulrich, who provide Efa with what she truly needs – space to explore what she’s been through and encounter the God who has plans beyond all her expectations. And yes – there is a happy ending – but I’m not giving you any hints!
Each chapter is framed by reference to part of the song, as Jesus the bridegroom gently whispers to Efa’s heart and in time she responds, “I’ve made up my mind. Until the darkness disappears and the dawn has fully come, in spite of the shadows and fears, I will go to the mountaintop with you – the mountain of suffering love and the hill of burning incense. Yes, I will be your bride.” Song of Solomon 4:6 (The Passion Translation)
Reading The Bride feels like a spiritual experience. I was deeply moved by Efa’s encounter with Jesus and it left me diving into The Song of Songs for myself.
I received an advance reader copy of this book but I was under no obligation to leave a favourable review.
November 6, 2023
This is a moving, uplifting tale set in 13th century Wales, relating events which run concurrently with - but separately from - those of Joy Margetts' first novel 'The Healing'.
The Lady Efa, niece of the powerful Prince Llewellyn (a key figure in medieval Welsh history) has been denied the chance to marry Philip, the man she loves. Llewellyn has decreed instead that she will marry a man much older than her, who is a stranger to her, but who will be a useful political ally to Llewellyn.
As with so many women throughout the ages, Efa is denied freedom of choice and her future security, status, and survival lies wholly within the will of a male authority figure.
Efa spends much time unable to forgive the betrayal of Llewellyn, and that of Philip's higher status brother, John, both of whom were instrumental in making this decision for her.
Efa discovers she must take total responsibility for her new husband's three children from a previous marriage - and each one of them presents a major challenge to her. I love stories like this which tell how the main protagonist, after years of suffering, painful learning, developing surprising new relationships and overcoming adversity, comes to a place of acceptance, and is finally restored in the most unexpected way to the fulfillment of her heart's desire.
There is nothing superficial or sentimental about this: Joy Margetts' psychological realism and spiritual insights make this a truly profound and yet thoroughly engaging story. The modern reader will find it difficult not to see resonances in Efa's journey with their own progress and life experiences, even though the action of this story is set in medieval times.
This is a masterful work of historical fiction which once again demonstrates Joy Margetts' gift for transporting us to the abbeys, castles and manor houses, the rivers and hills of Wales in the 1200's. Utterly captivating fiction.
The Lady Efa, niece of the powerful Prince Llewellyn (a key figure in medieval Welsh history) has been denied the chance to marry Philip, the man she loves. Llewellyn has decreed instead that she will marry a man much older than her, who is a stranger to her, but who will be a useful political ally to Llewellyn.
As with so many women throughout the ages, Efa is denied freedom of choice and her future security, status, and survival lies wholly within the will of a male authority figure.
Efa spends much time unable to forgive the betrayal of Llewellyn, and that of Philip's higher status brother, John, both of whom were instrumental in making this decision for her.
Efa discovers she must take total responsibility for her new husband's three children from a previous marriage - and each one of them presents a major challenge to her. I love stories like this which tell how the main protagonist, after years of suffering, painful learning, developing surprising new relationships and overcoming adversity, comes to a place of acceptance, and is finally restored in the most unexpected way to the fulfillment of her heart's desire.
There is nothing superficial or sentimental about this: Joy Margetts' psychological realism and spiritual insights make this a truly profound and yet thoroughly engaging story. The modern reader will find it difficult not to see resonances in Efa's journey with their own progress and life experiences, even though the action of this story is set in medieval times.
This is a masterful work of historical fiction which once again demonstrates Joy Margetts' gift for transporting us to the abbeys, castles and manor houses, the rivers and hills of Wales in the 1200's. Utterly captivating fiction.
October 31, 2023
What a beautiful book. Not only is the narrative a double-threaded love story without a trace of sugary sentimentality or the need for bedroom scenes, but the prose is wonderful, and the setting evoked with authenticity and an eye for detail. Joy Margetts clearly loves her subject, and loves Wales. She carries the reader effortlessly into the medieval era, evoking the landscape and a world of Cistercian chapels where souls are healed and refreshed.
Expanding on the characters she introduced us to in both 'The Healing' and 'The Pilgrim', we meet Efa again, who is ripped away from the man she truly loves and forced into a loveless marriage in order to care for another man's children. Grappling with loneliness and a broken heart, Efa is warmed by the authentic love and warmth of the other adults at Tregaron. Intrigued by the peace carried, particularly by Non, the bastard daughter of her new husband, she is gradually introduced to a loving heavenly Father who sees her as beautiful and whose love is as strong as death.
Interspersed with extracts from a modern paraphrase of the Song of Solomon, every chapter reveals the beauty of who God really is without being preachy or overbearing, I found refreshment in the pages of The Bride.
Joy Margetts writes with grace and gentle conviction; I hope she continues to do so. This is her best book so far.
Expanding on the characters she introduced us to in both 'The Healing' and 'The Pilgrim', we meet Efa again, who is ripped away from the man she truly loves and forced into a loveless marriage in order to care for another man's children. Grappling with loneliness and a broken heart, Efa is warmed by the authentic love and warmth of the other adults at Tregaron. Intrigued by the peace carried, particularly by Non, the bastard daughter of her new husband, she is gradually introduced to a loving heavenly Father who sees her as beautiful and whose love is as strong as death.
Interspersed with extracts from a modern paraphrase of the Song of Solomon, every chapter reveals the beauty of who God really is without being preachy or overbearing, I found refreshment in the pages of The Bride.
Joy Margetts writes with grace and gentle conviction; I hope she continues to do so. This is her best book so far.
April 11, 2024
In The Bride Joy Margetts returns to the thirteenth-century Wales she describes so well.
Lady Efa has been separated from the boy she loves and forced into a marriage of political advantage by her uncle Llewellyn, the Welsh Prince. Feeling betrayed by those she once trusted, including God, Efa determines to guard her heart. But Efa isn’t one to sit and wallow in her sadness. Her new husband’s three young children need her – even if they don’t realise it – and she finds gentle loving acceptance among the people who make up the household of her often absent husband.
Efa’s gradual reconnection with and development of her faith is beautifully described and absolutely believable. There’s an excellent cast of characters, but I especially liked the Abbot and would have loved to sit in the coolness of the Abbey chapel with him.
A book which I found hard to set aside, it gives plenty of opportunities for contemplation of one’s own faith and attitude. A love story in many respects, it’s never predictable. There are plenty of difficulties to overcome before the end.
Joy Margetts novels are on a par with Ellis Peters’ Brother Cadfael novels in terms of people, places, plot, and pacing, and would make perfect gifts for fiction-reading friends. I fervently hope that there’s another one coming.
October 26, 2023
The Bride is an opportunity to once again jump back into medieval Wales, to discover a little more of the story that was told in the first two books, The Healing and The Pilgrim. This time we learn about the backstory of Efa, the character introduced towards the end of The Healing. It is worth noting though that this book works well as a standalone read, without having to have read the other books (although they are great too!).
Efa is a lovely character – a gentle young woman with so much potential, who at the start of the book is heartbroken, rejected and lonely, given away in a marriage for political reasons.
As she settles in her new home a sense of purpose is rekindled, and through her care for others she enters her own journey of discovery. She rediscovers her role and through it the satisfaction that there is in being loved, firstly by those around her and ultimately finding the deep love of God.
For anyone wanting to know and experience the truly profound love of God, that is freely available, this will be a helpful read. At first Efa struggles to understand it or feel it, but it grows and develops to a point where she knows in her head and her heart how precious and loved she is by God, which then spills out to those around her.
The reader enters into a well-imagined medieval world, with no doubt well-researched details to enhance the story, inspired by the stunning landscape of rural Wales, much of which will be little changed now. This is an uplifting tale, a story of discovering faith and love that, like the landscape, is also as relevant today as it was in the time this story is set.
There is a real peace to be gleaned when you dive into one of Joy's books. It could be from the change of pace, throwing the reader into an era when life was less hurried and calmer. It could be that Joy's writing style immerses you into the characters and scenes, easily evoking the feelings, emotions, sights and scents of the times. Or it could be the underlying constant of Christian values that are conveyed as key messages of the books; the kindness, gentleness and love that exude the pages. Likely it is a combination of all of the above that bring such a lovely calmness and peace.
Read more reviews of Christian books at https://www.robseabrook.com/category/...
Efa is a lovely character – a gentle young woman with so much potential, who at the start of the book is heartbroken, rejected and lonely, given away in a marriage for political reasons.
As she settles in her new home a sense of purpose is rekindled, and through her care for others she enters her own journey of discovery. She rediscovers her role and through it the satisfaction that there is in being loved, firstly by those around her and ultimately finding the deep love of God.
For anyone wanting to know and experience the truly profound love of God, that is freely available, this will be a helpful read. At first Efa struggles to understand it or feel it, but it grows and develops to a point where she knows in her head and her heart how precious and loved she is by God, which then spills out to those around her.
The reader enters into a well-imagined medieval world, with no doubt well-researched details to enhance the story, inspired by the stunning landscape of rural Wales, much of which will be little changed now. This is an uplifting tale, a story of discovering faith and love that, like the landscape, is also as relevant today as it was in the time this story is set.
There is a real peace to be gleaned when you dive into one of Joy's books. It could be from the change of pace, throwing the reader into an era when life was less hurried and calmer. It could be that Joy's writing style immerses you into the characters and scenes, easily evoking the feelings, emotions, sights and scents of the times. Or it could be the underlying constant of Christian values that are conveyed as key messages of the books; the kindness, gentleness and love that exude the pages. Likely it is a combination of all of the above that bring such a lovely calmness and peace.
Read more reviews of Christian books at https://www.robseabrook.com/category/...
March 8, 2024
Joy Margetts returns us to a familiar cast of characters and her same gentle style for this third novel in her Christian historical fiction series. When Efa is forced into an unwelcome marriage, she believes that everyone she thought loved her has abandoned her - her adoptive father, her beloved, his brother, and God himself. Yet, in her new situation, she finds people who need her and despite her intentions, she cannot close her heart. As she learns new ways of loving, she also comes to a new understanding of the way God loves her, and finally a second chance for her heart to find its home. This sweet, but deep story immersed me in Medieval Wales, and Efa's predicament. I look forward to reading more in this series!
May 9, 2024
The main character (Efa pronounced Eh-va) finds herself in an arranged marriage and estranged from her true love. The way she reacts to her new situation develops into a story of growing wisdom and faith. The Bride is an encouraging book with the possibility of strengthening many people, especially those going through difficult times in their lives. Parents might find it helpful too. It would also make a lovely gift for anyone struggling to believe in a loving God.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews