He Leadeth Me: Hymns to Stir the Heartstrings

by Janice Cole Hopkins, L.B. Neibaur (Narrator)

A pastor’s duty, a father’s hope, a little girl’s trust, and a young woman’s desperation

Nebraska, 1887 - Widower Joseph McBride had resisted long enough. His little girl needed a mother, and the congregation expected their pastor to have a wife. Reluctantly, he wrote to his cousin for help. A few weeks later, Christine Hanna arrives on the train—lovelier than he imagined, but beauty alone won’t ease the burden of life in a parsonage. Could she withstand the constant scrutiny, the endless duties, the weight of being a pastor’s wife? As Joseph and Christine navigate faith, family, and the expectations of a small-town church, they discover that the greatest test isn’t whether she can fill the role, it’s whether their hearts can find a home in each other.

Audible Audio

Published April 16, 2026

About the author

Janice Cole Hopkins grew up in the Appalachian Mountains. As an only child, she learned to love the stories of Appalachian culture, and when she started school, she discovered a even wider world of stories through reading. She was writing her own by third grade and had published poetry by eighth grade. After graduating from Appalachian State University, she first wrote for magazines because the shorter articles were more manageable while she taught school. She retired early and became her mother’s caregiver, which is when she wrote that first novel, and she hasn’t stopped since. Soon she will have over a hundred books listed on Amazon with more to come.
href="https://www.facebook.com/JaniceColeHo...

Reviews

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook of He Leadeth Me: Hymns to Stir the Heartstrings. The narrator was wonderful and I loved the storyline. Joseph is a Pastor and needs a wife. He is a widower, with a small daughter. He has been through various babysitters, but needs a permanent solution. His cousin sends Christine. She is young, but they seem to fit together. Problems start to happen and they both don't know if she is cut out to be a Pastor's wife. It will take faith and love to help them.
I was given a copy of the book by the author for an honest review.