About the Book

Book: The Amish Marriage Bargain

Author: Marie E. Bast

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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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 (Facebook).

Amish Wedding ~ Wedding Guests on Benches on the Ladies Side for the Wedding Ceremony and Service~ Sarah's Country Kitchen ~

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.

partied with the Amish -yes I truly did this-not like crazy party you are thinking~very nice & calm party-Awesome Amish in our area

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.

Amish And Pregnant: 15 Things They Do Differently

My Thoughts

The Amish Marriage Bargain by Marie E. Bast takes readers on a journey to Washington County, Iowa. May Bender has been carrying for her niece, Leah along with her brother-in-law, Thad Hochstetler since the death of her sister, April a year prior. It has been difficult since Thad broke her heart when he stopped courting her and married April. May now has an opportunity to work with her aunt in Indiana and she will inherit the business. It will be hard, though, to leave Leah who she loves so dearly. Then she learns that her family farm is in dire financial straits and there is a chance that Thad will lose it. Thad needs May, but, for her to stay living there, May will have to marry the man who broke her heart. Can they reach a bargain that will keep May’s safe from heartbreak? The Amish marriage Bargain is a sweet story. I like Marie E. Bast’s conversational writing style. It engages the reader and draws them into the book. I could understand May’s feelings toward Thad and her current situation. She is angry, frustrated, and heartbroken. May ends up taking care of the man she lost, but the bright spot of her life is her niece, Leah. May knows that she must forgive Thad and she tells him that she does. However, it takes time to feel the forgiveness in your mind and in your heart. I admit that I was surprised in the story that May and Thad slept in the same house at night since they are both single and there is no chaperone. The story would have been more realistic if Thad had slept in the Dawdi haus. Thad knows how May feels about him and it hurts his heart. He had reasons for his actions, but Thad feels he cannot share them with May. Thad’s mother, Gretchen is a critical woman who seems to find fault with May’s work. I enjoyed how that storyline played out. Thad and May marry for convenience and you could feel the tension between the pair. Thad hopes to change May’s feelings for him which will take time and a whole lot of patience. I assumed that May and Thad slept in separate rooms after they wed, but it was never addressed. I wish the author had added this element to the story. I like how the story developed and the revelations May uncovers. I enjoyed reading this heartwarming and inspiring story. The Amish Marriage Bargain is a touching story about second chances and forgiveness.

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Marie is giving away to four winners each a $25 Amazon card will also receive a copy of the book. Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway. Click here enter. Good Luck! You can purchase a copy of The Amish Marriage Bargain here*. Marie has also written The Amish Baker which you can find on Amazon. Thank you for joining me today. I will be back on Saturday with my review of Good Girls Lie by J.T. Ellison. I hope that you have a happy day. Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader