ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Deeanne Gist, the bestselling author of A Bride Most Begrudging and The Measure of a Lady, has a background in education and journalism. Her credits include People magazine, Parents, and Parenting. With a line of parenting products called "I Did It!® Productions" and a degree from Texas A&M, she continues her writing and speaking. She and her family live in Houston, Texas.
Since the debut of those novels, her very original, very fun romances have rocketed up the bestseller lists and captured readers everywhere. Add to this two consecutive Christy Awards, two RITA nominations, rave reviews, and a growing loyal fan base, and you’ve got one recipe for success.
ABOUT THE BOOK
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?
If you would like to read the first chapter of A Bride In The Bargain, go HERE
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My Take:
If I had a rating on the At Split Ends Blog, I'd give this book a 5, for the best.
I just love books by Deeanne Gist. I giggled when I saw this cover. A beautiful girl (who's actually Deeanne's daughter) in a lovely bridal gown with her chin propped on the handle of an ax! How fun!
A Bride in the Bargain is based on fact. Asa Mercer did collect $300 from Washington Territory bachelors in exchange for an eastern bride. The author put her own spin on the story by bringing to life Anna Ivey and Joe Denton who spent most of the novel not married, though Joe needs a wife to win his land. Yet Anna is harboring memories of her past that cause her to feel that anyone she loves will die, just as her father, mother and brother did.
I loved the tension between these two characters. The old-fashioned attraction of two people who find each other beautiful in every sense. The sexual tension was tight, yes even in Christian Fiction, because both characters wanted each other and loved each other. But Anna didn't believe she could be good for Joe and then an accident proves to her, she is right. Yet Anna nurses Joe to recovery, proving by her actions and her words that she truly loves this man.
A Bride in the Bargain is wonderfully enjoyable from the start with enough twist in the plot to keep you wondering how its really going to play out. This was a book I read in stand still traffic and was disappointed when it ended. Somehow, the characters just came alive. I am reading it a second time around slowly, to enjoy the past, the rich setting and the beloved characters.
1 comment:
Also participating in the Blog Tour at Bloggin' Outloud. Pop by and say hi!
PS Sounds like a book my mom-in-law might read! Thanks for the review.
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