Bargain Bride

by Iris Gower

When love has to take second place to power, money and influence for the good of community, young Charlotte Mortimer has little option but to agree to a marriage proposal that looks more like a business arrangement.

334 pages, Hardcover

First published July 24, 2007

About the author

Iris Gower (b. 1935) was a Swansea-based novelist. Her historical romances are all set within Swansea and Gower in South Wales.

Iris (real name Iris Davies) was born in Mumbles and lived in Derwen Fawr, a part of Sketty, Swansea. She had four adult children, though her husband of 48 years, Tudor Davies, died on 15 April 2002 after suffering a major stroke. She later lived with a partner, Peter.

She was one of the top-selling authors in the country, and was awarded an MA in Creative Writing by Cardiff University, as well as an Honorary Fellowship at the University of Wales, Swansea. She wrote and published around 40 books including 26 novels.

Gower died at Singleton Hospital, Swansea on 20 July, 2010. She was 75 years old.

Reviews

[Bronwyn Rykiert · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very mediocre story but I listened to end.

[June Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good romance, although you had to wait along time for the romance!

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review taken from my Blog Post #113 in May 2013 (borrowed from the library).

After the last book I read by this author (The Other Woman) this was was a bit more like it .... no harping over and over the same ground! A 3 *** Star read. Actually, it was okay enough that I think I will find Book 1 in the series (Act of Love) and see how that is.

This particular book features young Swansea school teacher, Charlotte Mortimer who is engaged to her fellow teacher, Luke Lester.

Charlotte is devoted to her school and therefore elects to say in Swansea with her fiancé instead of going to America with her step-mother and siblings. Although, whilst she feels affection for Luke, she's not really ready to commit to marriage just yet.

Then into their lives comes a new School Governor, wealthy widower Mr Justin Harvard, and after an accident at the Copper works the school has to be closed. She strikes an unexpected bargain with Mr Harvard that she will marry him and he will build her a new school.

So with a broken engagement to Luke, and a strange marriage to the austere Justin, is there any chance for love?

[Ann-marie Riddle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Made a change from the usual books that I read.

[Sylvia Mort · Rating 5 out of 5]

always amazing reads

[Fiona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook
Old fashion romance