"excellent nineteenth century Mountie romance"

In 1893 Alberta, Mountie Inspector Mitchell Reed visits the home of Charlotte Ford accompanied in tow by her two brothers Wayde and Tim; he lectures Charlotte that her brothers are delinquents heading for trouble as her two preadolescent sisters watch the one-sided harangue.

Charlotte is tired raising her four younger siblings since their parents died and left their children impoverished. Putting aside her dreams of working in the medical field, Charlotte toils hard on a poultry line to bring in some money and food. At the Harvest Fair her two "poultry" friends dare her to try "Dunk the Mountie" as she is a good pitcher having played with her siblings. She succeeds in soaking Mitchell and soon "earns" him for the night winning a raffle while the elite huff and puff over the outcome. Instead of attending the extravagant gala, she puts him to work on the poultry assembly line. As the Mountie from an upper crust home and the lower working class woman become acquainted they fall in love, but she knows that she is beneath his level as he belongs with the beautiful debutante.

THE BACHELOR, the latest late nineteenth century Mountie romance, is a terrific tale, perhaps the best in one of the top historical series in the last few years. The story line showcases the distinct differences between social classes, but does it without condemning either group. Instead the delightful lead couple receives a respective education by escort into their beloved's world and through the strong secondary cast. THE BACHELOR as with the entire Mountie collection provides a dependable bridge into a bygone era.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted February 24, 2005

Summary

She'd won herself a Mountie...but Diana Campbell knew even a brief relationship with Officer Mitch Reid, her bachelor auction "prize," could lead only to disaster for her family—and heartbreak for herself. For she wanted this marvel of a man not just for today—but for all their tomorrows!

Mitch Reid had returned to Calgary a changed man. A newly sworn officer of the Mounted Police, he wanted only to rectify the errors of his wilder days by serving the public. He had neither time nor desire for romance—until Diana Campbell, armed with a nickel and a fastball, won his services for a day!