Book Challenge - Review: A Bride In the Bargain

So as of January 1st, I started a challenge to read 100 books this year. This is not including my text books for school :) BTW if you are interested in joining just click the link on the side bar!!

I have read 2 books so far, and am almost done my third. My fiance has been doing a lot of shows with his band, so if I don't go it gives me a whole night to read!

The second book I read was called "A bride in the bargain" by Deeanne Gist. I found this book one day when I was killing time at Chapter's Bookstore, and I thought it looked good. It sat in my closet for quite some time after I brought it home, and I really couldn't bring myself to read it for probably 2 months. I eventually figured I might as well just read it, and I am SO glad I did. It was soooo good!

The description from the back of the book says: 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?

This description totally does not do the book justice. It was such a sweet love story, but it had a lot of interesting historical information as well. Basically Anna, who is an orphan, is escaping her abusive boss on the East coast, and is promised work in Seattle. She doesn't know that she's actually been purchased as a bride by a man out West.
Joe moved to Seattle to start a logging business, but his wife died before she could arrive. Without his wife, he is going to lose his land, which his business is on. He ends up paying for a wife, and Anna is given to him.
Anna wants nothing to do with marrying Joe, even though she finds him very handsome. The book basically goes along with the story of Anna and Joe's relationship, and it is really cute to watch it blossom. I don't think I would classify this book as a romance book. I'm not really sure what category I'd put it in.. but I know when I saw it at Chapter's it was on thier featured items shelf. I won't give the ending away, but this was such a well written book that I read it in 2 days. I will be looking for more books from Deeanne Gist for sure!

If you are interested in purchasing this book, click here for Chapters.

Has anybody else read this book? What other good books have you guys read lately?