"The Amish Marriage Bargain"

By Marie E. Bast

About the Book:

Genre: Amish

Release Date: December 17, 2019

Will a baby girl bring them together at last?

She’ll do anything for her niece…Even marry the man who broke her heart.

Nothing can keep May Bender in her Amish hometown—except caring for her baby niece. But the bishop insists that May also marry her widowed brother-in-law, Thad Hochstedler—the beau who jilted her to wed her sister. Can May risk her heart long enough to learn the real reason for Thad’s first marriage…and possibly rediscover their love?

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My Thoughts:

As Marie Bast is a new author to me I was a bit apprehensive when choosing to review this novel. Would it be the typical Amish romance or would it have some special twists and turns that would draw me into the Amish faith? Since I am an avid reader of this genre, I get somewhat tired of the sweet romance element , unless it involves complications and it varies from the norm.

The book started out with a heartwarming tale, a marriage of convenience. The premise is good and many readers would love the simple narrative, however, my personal preference is for a book with a deeper meaning, more detailed challenges and complications. Don't get me wrong, there are many positive elements: the value of second chances, the struggle of forgiveness and redemption. I had difficulty getting involved with the characters and to me a great book has at least one with whom I can easily identify. There appeared to a lack of depth that attracts me and compels me to continue to read.

The plot had great basic ideas that could have grabbed my attention had they been more clearly explained , with more unexpected twists and turns. This is clearly my own preference. Others may love this style of writing.

This novel has great potential. I was just hoping for more depth and a clearer understanding of a marriage of convenience. I DO look forward to keeping up with this author and see how her writing develops.

This book was received from CelebrateLit. The thoughts and opinions expressed are honest and my own.

About the Author

Marie E. Bast is a Publishers Weekly bestselling author. Her stories whisper words of hope and healing through complex characters and twisting plots. She enjoys writing Amish, contemporary and historical stories. Married for twenty-eight years, Marie and her husband have two grown sons and one daughter. When she’s not writing, she’s walking, golfing, gardening or spending time with her family. Visit her website at MarieBastAuthor.com or follower her on social media.

More from Marie

Did you know that until as late as the twentieth century, marriage was never based on love?

In fact, the institution of marriage predates recorded history. But in ancient biblical times, the reasons for marriage are numerous. The kings, nobility, wealthy, and aristocratic families used arranged marriages to ensure loyalty between kingdoms, which forced a united bound and ensured the integrity of their inheritance and the family wealth.

Arranged marriages, marriages of convenience, and marriage bargains were practical to keep property and kingdoms intact and in the family line. But these marriage contracts also spilled over into the commoners’ lives. In times of poverty, a daughter was only another mouth to feed and therefore a burden on the family. That fueled the arranged marriages where the groom gave the family money, animals, or some other commodity in exchange for the marriage.

Also, arranged marriages were instrumental for women over the age of 30 who were unwed. Even in the nineteenth century, many women would find that a marriage of convenience was the way to go. Often, a widower needed a mother and housekeeper for his family, and sometimes a woman without means to support herself would readily accept a marriage of convenience. Even today, some cultures still use arranged marriages.

But one of the most unique marriage of convenience is the marriage bargain, and that is the central theme to my newest book, The Amish Marriage Bargain, which releases in book form December 17, 2019, and eBook January 1, 2020. The marriage bargain is the specific negotiation of the terms of the agreement regarding a particular situation and often included land.

After her sister dies, May Bender will do anything for her niece…Even marry the man who broke her heart. But like the days of old, the bargain goes deeper than that.