Ok! I’ll admit it; I’ve been stuck in a historical fiction rut. So when this book landed on my doorstep I thought, “right, I’ll have a go at that”. I’m not sure what I expected, but I didn’t think I would enjoy reading this book quite as much as I did.
The story is set in America, which automatically ticked a box for me as I am fascinated by the history of the country. The author, Liz, spent time on a ranch in Wyoming researching before writing – see article here.
Author Liz Harris on her research trip to Wyoming.
Image: Courtesy of Liz Harris
The story focuses on a shy widow, named Ellen, who ‘strikes a bargain’ with a widower, whose advertisement for a new wife she sees in a newspaper. But, Ellen is hiding a secret…I wonder what that could be?!
Although the story was fairly simple, and a little predictable at times, I really enjoyed constructing the setting of the American frontier lands in my mind. The descriptions of the locations, buildings and costumes, and practices of ‘back in the day’ life are lovely and you can tell that Liz really took her research seriously. The result is an authentic piece of literature, which warms your heart.
Now, we all dig a little bit of love and romance in a book, in fact, the Honey’s are notorious for it! As far as romances go, this book features one of those frustrating relationships…you know, a ‘will they, wont they’ kind of thing. Naturally, it keeps you on the edge of your seat, and you hope with all your might that they do! You will, of course, have to read it to find out if ‘they did or not’!
‘A Bargain Struck’ was heart-warming, and unexpected. Liz is evidently a great story-teller who has the knack of taking a simple idea, nurturing it, and putting some real flesh on its bones.
Would I recommend it – yes, I would! You’ll be pleasantly surprised!
