Tuesday, January 12, 2010

A Bride in the Bargain is a bargain indeed...


THE WEDDING IS ALL PLANNED...SOMEONE JUST NEEDS TO TELL THE BRIDE.


In 1860s Seattle, redwoods were plentiful but women scarce. Yet a man with a wife could secure 640 acres of timberland for free.

Joe Denton doesn't have a wife, though. His died before she could follow him to Seattle and now the local judge is threatening to take away his claim. In desperation, he buys himself a Mercer bride--one of the eastern widows and orphans brought to the Territory by entrepreneur Asa Mercer.

Anna Ivey's journey west with Mercer is an escape from the aftermath of the Civil War. She signed on to become a cook--not a bride. When she's handed over to Denton, her stubborn refusal to wed jeopardizes his land. With only a few months before he loses all he holds dear, can he convince this provoking, but beguiling, easterner to become his lawfully wedded wife?In 1860s Seattle, redwoods were plentiful but women scarce. Yet a man with a wife could secure 640 acres of timberland for free.


This was seriously one of the best historicals I've read. Definitely made my top ten list, maybe even top five. I've recently started getting into historicals, thanks mostly to Allison Pittman and her amazing CROSSROADS OF GRACE series, but Deeanne Gist's "A Bride in the Bargain" was such a fun read. Intriguing, very unpredictable, and, with the exception of Julie Lessman's novels, probably one of the most sizzling Christian fiction romances I've ever read. It takes a talented author to show chemistry and tension between the hero and heroine without crossing a line, and Deeanne did a fine job with that.

This was a very enjoyable read, and I look forward to more of her books!!
Find out more about Deeanne and her novels here: http://www.deeannegist.com/

2 comments:

Rae said...

Thanks, I've ordered it! The Library (aka my work) happens to have it in stock!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a great book! Thanks for the review. :O)