The Marriage Bargain

I been looking forward to reading this book and this series of Cowboy Grooms Wanted ! . And I enjoy the story the characters are telling me too.

The Marriage Bargain by Susan Fox Harlequin Romance #3606 - May 2000 Hallie Corbett couldn't believe what her dying grandfather was taunting her with. He'd will her the ranch, if she married before he died. Wes Lansing could remember only a handful of times that he'd actually seen his neighbour up close. He's intrigued when she comes to his home with a proposition. There's a parcel of land that has been disputed in their familes for four generations, and Hallie's willing to part with it if Wes is willing to help her meet her grandfather's conditions. After putting in place the legal agreements needed to guarantee their personal interests, they fly to Vegas to marry. Hallie's never known a man like Wes and she's overwhelmed by the emotions he brings out in her. She's not used to kindness and concern and she finds herself longing for the possibility of a real love with Wes. Wes knows that Hallie was treated very badly by her grandfather and her cousin and that she grew up a recluse with little affection from anyone. When he asks her why she doesn't feel there might be something growing between them, she answers quietly, "There are some gambles, I won't take." Deep in Hallie the hunger to be loved by Wes is almost overwhelming. If only she could free herself of her fears. Another intensely emotional story by Ms. Fox. Hallie's had so little warmth shown to her that she doesn't recognize Wes' sincereity in wanting to make a future with her. Wes is her perfect match, strong and stern when needed but with a heart of gold. Their love story is very moving.

Back cover reads: A husband in name only? Hallie had never even been in love--now she must marry to save her home! She just needed a wedding certificate--well, first she had to find a bridegroom... Wes Lansing was her neighbor and the ideal candidate. Only what could a shy virgin like Hallie offer this dynamic man? Wes was intrigued and the marriage deal was struck. But could Hallie handle her new husband?

Don't put down the tissues. Halona (Hallie) Corbett has never had anyone to love her. Hallie has always worked along side the men on her granfather ranch. When her grandfather Hank tells her to act like a woman & find a husband or when he dies ( he is in the hospital ICU), he won't leave her a cent.Candace her cousin hates her, and if Candace gets the ranch, both the Hank and Hallie know, Candace will sell it.Wes Lansing their next door neighbor, has had a fued with the Corbetts over some land for ages.Hallie goes to Wes and offers him the land he has wanted if he will marry her.Wes has been secertly interest in Hallie for as long as she has been an adult.Wes goes to Hank and makes a deal, only the same land Wes wanted is to go to Hallie.This impresses Hank so much he changes his will to give Hallie everything.But before he dies, Candace tells Hallie to leave and take her horses with her. Hallie gets Candace's permission to use the horse trailers. Only as soon as Hallie hits the open road, Candace calls the cops, and has Hallie arrested for stealing the trailers.Wes gets Hallie out of jail, and He admonishes her for trusting Candace.But Wes treats Hallie with tenderness and kindness only.Soon Wes finds he is in love with Hallie just as Hallie closes up to him when Candace burns down the house that is to be Hallies.Wes waits and watches, then when Hallie turns to him he is there with his arms open wide. Wes loves her as only a hero can.

Hallie is a tortured soul -- the family scapegoat. She's stayed on because of her love of the ranch, not her love of the people on it. Her grandfather's dying and left her the ranch . . . only if she marries before he's dead. Hallie goes to Wes Lansing, a man her grandfather hates, and offers him an irresistible proposal, marry her and she'll deed him the land her family stole from his family. Wes agrees. But is it the land, or the woman who entices him?Rather than a traditional tortured hero, Hallie is a tortured heroine. And it's Wes's love that begins to show her that she can chose to end her pain and seize a happiness beyond anything she ever imagined. Fox writes a very traditional romance, with a twist that leaves it feeling quite untraditional. An Alpha male with a Beta soul, and a heroine who's strong enough to survive her life and find something better. I found her books last year and can't get enough of them.