‘This is more than a novel. It is an exploration of The Song of Songs through fiction’ Read More »
News for The Bride
‘Best book Joy has written. Her portrayal of Efa, the woman torn from her first love and forced to marry a much older man when neither loved the other was a real masterpiece of human insight … The icing on the cake is the end of the book – so beautiful’ Read More »
‘I really cared about the character of Efa as soon as I met her … There were elements throughout the book that also challenged me in my own spiritual walk’ Read More »
‘Stories are powerful. Jesus used them all the time in His teaching, because they can carry deep life-changing truth in a really accessible way. That is the heart behind my storytelling’ Read More »
‘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’ Read More »
‘Evocative and touching, it paints a beautiful picture of life and marriage in the 13th century … great use of scriptures woven into the story throughout . A really good read’ Read More »
Female powerlessness meets the Father’s love in medieval Wales
‘I found Efa’s growing spirituality and gentle responses to those around her challenging, and was rivetted to the story.’
Claire Musters, writer, speaker, editor and host of the Woman Alive Book Club
The Bride’s leading lady, Efa, may be a noble woman, but she is as subject to the whims of the powerful men who surround her as any peasant might be. 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… Read More »
‘For anyone wanting to know and experience the truly profound love of God, this will be a helpful read … There is a real peace to be gleaned when you dive into one of Joy’s books’ Read More »
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Bride
February 1222, Swansea Castle
Efa slumped hard against the wall behind her, the rough stones tearing through the thin silk of her borrowed gown as she sank heavily to the floor. She felt it rip, felt the painful scrape of stone against flesh, but she did not care. She shut her eyes and clamped her hands to her ears, the thump of her heartbeat sounding loud in her head. If she could have hoped that this was all some sick dream… Read More »