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The Widower's Mail-Order Bargain

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Is it really possible to choose a loveless marriage… Or is it true that love really does conquer all?After Jonas lost his wife, he swore he would never marry again, but unless he does, he fears his in-laws will never let him have custody of his son, Teddy, again. The only course of action is to find a new bride… so he advertises for one, making it clear that although he can offer her a good home and a stable life, he will never be able to love her.

That suits Geraldine just fine. She’s also recently widowed, and her husband’s family is refusing to honor her rights to his fortune – if she remarries, she’s certain they won’t be able to deny her new husband’s claim.

Neither Jonas nor Geraldine is planning to fall in love… This is an arrangement to make both their lives easier, nothing more. But their connection is undeniable – even if neither of them is willing to admit it to the other.

As soon as the papers are signed, their focus is on getting Teddy back and securing Geraldine’s inheritance… But of course, nothing is that simple.

Soon there are much higher stakes, and their energies must not just be focused on integrating Teddy into their new family… but on finding him and bringing him safely back to Eagle Creek.

Perhaps if Geraldine and Jonas hadn’t fallen in love for real, nothing beyond Teddy and Geraldine’s inheritance would matter… But solving the issues they started out with will never be enough now that their feelings for one another are true.

Will they ever be brave enough to be honest with each other, or is their relationship doomed to live on the surface forever?

Step into the thrilling drama of Eagle Creek life, and fall in love with a romance that may never truly be spoken… unless both parties can finally admit the truth of their feelings.

Lose yourself in a romance no one will admit to, and watch as the story Scroll up and click “Add to Cart” right now.

350 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 22, 2023

401 people are currently reading
32 people want to read

About the author

Karla Gracey

76 books64 followers
Karla Gracey was born with a very creative imagination and a love for creating stories that will inspire and warm people's hearts. She has always been attracted to historical romance including mail order bride stories with strong willed women. Her characters are easy to relate to and you feel as if you know them personally. Whether you enjoy action, adventure, romance, mystery, suspense or drama- she makes sure there is something for everyone in her historical romance stories!

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5 stars
476 (71%)
4 stars
139 (20%)
3 stars
44 (6%)
2 stars
8 (1%)
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2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
Profile Image for J.E. Grace.
Author 23 books137 followers
July 25, 2023
The story takes place in New York City, in 1886. Geraldine Hart is meeting with her attorney for the reading of her husband's will, and his family ready to fight for the money. Forced to find a new husband in order to end the stressful fight, she answers an ad in the paper asking for a wife.

Jonus Gilpin, separated from his son is in a battle with his in-laws who have been caring for his son since his wife died. His only solution is to marry and put an end to all of it.

The story is filled with compassion and understanding but also not without conflict. A marriage of convenience doesn't come without its problems. I really enjoyed the characters, especially Geraldine. She is a strong and independent woman, but also filled with hope for a second chance. The ending wrapped up the story nicely. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and voluntarily choose to review it.
779 reviews18 followers
July 27, 2023
Geraldine and Jonas, both widowed, meet by coincidence at the Eagle Creek forge where Jonas is the blacksmith. An easy friendship progresses to a decision to marry, in name only, to solve their individual dilemmas. Just as their problems seem to be resolved, a new potentially disastrous crisis occurs…
Karla Gracey has written another enjoyable romance, based in the small Montana town of Eagle Creek, but spanning several cities across late 19th century America. The difficulties of, and time taken to, travel and communicate between destinations is well-depicted, although not overemphasized, and makes the reader more appreciative of Jonas’ anxiety during his family predicament.
I received a free review copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Sherrie.
501 reviews1 follower
July 24, 2023
I cannot say enough good things about this whole series! Such excellent books, and this one kept my attention, and I could not put it down. Love the characters and the settings, the variety and difficult circumstances, the way the characters help each other get through, all excellent. This is the story of Geraldine, a recent widow, and Jonas, a recent widower with a young boy. Such heartbreaking situations for all of them, they are trying to move on. Geraldine's husband had been very wealthy, and his family is fighting her for the money. Jonas wants to take his son home, but his in-laws are fighting him. This book is well worth reading!
Profile Image for ReadingWench.
2,097 reviews13 followers
July 26, 2023
Love this series and its author.
1. I Love that all the covers are similar in the series
2. I Love that the cover says the Series Title
3. I Love that the cover says the book number in the series
4. I Love that there is a character list at the front of the book.
5. I Love how this author revisits characters from previous books here and there.
6. I Love that this author will sometimes use a word that I have to look up and then I can use it in my vocabulary.
7. I Love that this author writes believable and realistic characters.

Great Book, Great series. I loved the story !!

Read it, you won't be sad about it.
Profile Image for Lynda.
1,017 reviews8 followers
July 25, 2023
Jonas and Geraldine start a mail order bride contract for the reasons that both need a spouse because of things that they need to do in their lives. Jonas needs a wife so that he can gain custody of his son Teddy and Geraldine needs a husband so that she can get control of her deceased husbands business holdings, so they decide on a marriage of convenience. They realize that they can talk to each other about anything. They marry and do the things that they had wanted to do not knowing how feelings can sometimes change your lives. Received an arc of this book.
4,558 reviews31 followers
July 29, 2023
I enjoyed this story. I love that both Jonas and Geraldine had spouses they adored and who loved them. Their willingness to help the other with their problems shows their characters. I did have to bite my tongue over the injustice of Geraldine’s problems. Jonas’s are more understandable, even if unfair. I’m sure no one will be surprised to learn that their marriage of convenience becomes more. Plenty of action in this book.
217 reviews
November 12, 2023
good book

This was a really good book! It had a very involved story that was wonderful! It had so many interesting things happening you had to keep turning the pages to find out what happened! It was a well written book by Karl’s Gracey she is a very talented author. I don’t want to give away any spoilers so I will just say their is a happy ever after and at end of this book you are left feeling so good. I highly recommend it!
133 reviews2 followers
July 25, 2023
I received this book as an ARC from the publisher.
What a wonderful storyline! The characters were very relatable. The background storylines are a perfect continuation of the series as well. One of my favorites by this author so far. A clean romance with one main story with other events occurring in addition that come together in the end to create a perfect ending.
528 reviews
July 27, 2023
This series is so good! I have loved watching the town grow and the characters are very well developed. I have read many marriage of convenience stories but this is the first one I've read that started out as a legal contract. The premise was unique and watching the characters evolve was captivating.
Profile Image for Vickie Raynor.
1,168 reviews17 followers
July 25, 2023
Again, this author has gripped me into her story. With the stringent rules that were in force during the 1800’s, it was genius to strike a bargain between Jonas and Geraldine. Watching their story was magical. Book gifted to me.
73 reviews
July 27, 2023
Mailorder bride Runaway from Karla Gracey is a well-written clean romance based on Christian principles. Karla never disappoints you with her wonderful stories. The story is entertaining and captivating til the end.
146 reviews
July 31, 2023
Great Read

As with all Karla Gracey books, this one is hard to put down. I have enjoyed all of the Eagle Creek Brides Books
Profile Image for Susan Waclawski.
266 reviews8 followers
August 1, 2023
wonderful

I really loved this story. Jonas and Geraldine made a. Wonderful couple Tommy so needed a family. I was so happy to learn of a baby coming…
115 reviews
August 3, 2023
Eagle Creek Brides

I have just finished reading all four of the books in this series. They were so good it was hard to put them down. I read them back to back.
1,083 reviews1 follower
September 15, 2023
great book

This was a great book. I love this author. I highly recommend this book and author. I can’t wait to read the next book by this author.


Profile Image for Delbora.
1,458 reviews6 followers
September 22, 2023
I truly enjoyed reading this book but it has taken me forever to find it to review, the title was changed. This was a riveting story for me because it was ongoing action throughout!
66 reviews
October 13, 2023
Different stories

I've read four of the stories in this series. Each one better than the last. Well written stories that explains the lives and loves of these mail order brides.
74 reviews1 follower
December 22, 2023
The Widower's mail order bargain

This book was so enjoyable. The author brought bad and good characters together. The book leaves you with a sense of peace and good will.
59 reviews
April 2, 2024
This was the best so far. So much compassion and devotion with the love so hidden. Couldn’t put down.
Profile Image for Crystal Mary Lindsey.
81 reviews2 followers
July 1, 2024
A lovely story that captivated the goodness within people helping each other. The hero and heroine in this story were both good people willing to place the good of others before themselves.
A great and interesting read.
8 reviews
September 9, 2024
Best yet

This one had more interesting characters and a more robust plot. The characters are getting more interesting. I hope you enjoy!
Profile Image for Debbie.
4 reviews
September 16, 2024
the widower’s mail order bargin

A great read. I loved the characters and the story. And that everyone came together in the end. And lived happily ever after.
4 reviews
January 6, 2025
pride falls

Great story how God has His plans for us and we can be so head strong we can’t see love when it is all around us.
160 reviews
April 16, 2025
Blended family

Excellent book, unexpected love, fabulous descriptions of bourse training by the crow Indians. A not so surprising ending but beautiful just the same
203 reviews3 followers
July 28, 2023
Sweet Romance

Even though they have agreed to a marriage of convenience, two people from very different backgrounds end up falling in love.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews

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