Book Review/ /The Doctor's Lady, Judy Hedlund

“God doesn’t expect us to be perfect women or perfect missionaries. Rather, He wants us to learn to lean upon Him more, to let Him be our help during those stormy blasts.” 

Summary (inserted from Goodreads): Priscilla White knows she'll never be a wife or mother and feels God's call to the mission field in India. Dr. Eli Ernest is back from Oregon Country only long enough to raise awareness of missions to the natives before heading out West once more. But then Priscilla and Eli both receive news from the mission board: No longer will they send unmarried men and women into the field.
Left scrambling for options, the two realize the other might be the answer to their needs. Priscilla and Eli agree to a partnership, a marriage in name only that will allow them to follow God's leading into the mission field. But as they journey west, this decision will be tested by the hardships of the trip and by the unexpected turnings of their hearts.
Thoughts: This book captivated me from the start. I have to admit, Priscilla did not make a very good first-impression in the book. She kind of seems snobbish and prideful about herself, but in the end, she turns out to be quite the opposite. Her character growth changes almost as rapidly as Eli's. The turn of events that lead them into traveling west together as a married couple changes the way they were raised. No longer will they be fending for themselves, they will have to adapt to each other's needs and wants. 
At the time I was reading this, they were headed west as I was traveling east on the same route they were taking. It helped me visualize the story better. Also made me appreciative of motorized vehicles. 

Genre: Christian, historical fiction, romance

Appropriate Age: 15+

The reason Priscilla can never bear children is caused by a bad case of mumps (A viral infection), which made her lose her monthly courses. The longing Priscilla has for a child of her own is quite sad and becomes important in the book.
Eli, not wanting to marry, makes a deal with her that they will never have to consummate.  Of course, as you can assume the two have feelings for each other because they made a deal not to. 

There are a few kisses shared between the two main characters and talks of the marriage bed along with its duties.

One of the things that it mentions is Eli's sisters grew up with a raping step-father. Eli is tormented by the echoing screams that he could never stop through his maturing age. 
Priscilla is one of the first women to make it this far west, which introduces her to the hard life of trappers and traders who haven't seen a woman in years. There are few innuendoes comments made.
Priscilla, while journeying west with some rough trappers, almost gets raped. The scene is brief and doesn't give too much detail.