A Bride in the Bargain by Deeanne Gist

Here is yet another author I hadn't heard of before reviewing this book for Bethany House blogger book reviews. I am sorry I haven't heard or read Dianne Gist before, the historical aspects she includes in her novels makes it seem so real.

Summary:

"In 1860s Seattle, a man with a wife could secure himself 640 acres of timberland. But because of his wife's untimely death, Joe Denton finds himself about to lose half of his claim. Still in mourning, his best solution is to buy one of those Mercer girls arriving from the East. A woman he'll marry in name but keep around mostly as a cook. Anna Ivey's journey west with Asa Mercer's girls is an escape from the griefs of her past. She's not supposed to be a bride, though, just a cook for the girls. But when they land, she's handed to Joe Denton and the two find themselves in a knotty situation. She refuses to wed him and he's about to lose his land. With only a few months left, can Joe convince this provoking--but beguiling--easterner to be his bride?"

I got very involved in this book very quickly, I think it was the historical basis surrounding the story, given that a lot of the facts given were actual true events made it very interesting. While I did enjoy this book and Deeanne's writing style - I didn't like the descriptions of how the male and female main characters would look at each other, to be honest it was lust. What would one expect though with two unmarried persons living under the same roof who were both lonely - this is why God doesn't allow for living together before marriage. Although the characters didn't actually live together - he slept in the barn and she slept in the house - they would occasionally see each other in various states of undress while bathing.

Like I said this was a quick read and very enjoyable but it's not a book that I would allow a young unmarried woman to read this. A married woman needs to be careful in reading this book to not stir up certain feelings or emotions that would undermine her marriage relationship. As in all books Christians need to guard their hearts and minds, if you're reading it for the purely historical aspects you'll be fine. Again it's a good read! It is available through Bethany House Publisher's website.