A Wedding Story [Mass Market Paperback]

I bought this book because I'd enjoyed the other books in the "Marrying Miss Bright" series, THE BAD MAN'S BRIDE (which wasn't a keeper, but a good one-time read), and MARRY ME, which was a keeper. So of course I sought out the last book A WEDDING STORY, which is the story of Kate, the very proper oldest Bright sister.

I expected to love this book. I was so surprised that it did nothing for me. Oh, Susan Kay Law's writing style is enjoyable and humorous, as always. The dialogue is witty and fun, her descrptions are vivid without being overly wordy and her prose is easy-to-read without being "dumbed down". So what was the problem?

The characters! I couldn't like either the hero or the heroine. Kate came across as snotty and cold. James was more of a carboard cutout then a person. I didn't feel like I knew what drove him. I had no more insight into him by a third of the way into the book then I'd gleaned from the first ten pages. Normally, Kay Law creates wonderful characters that leap out of the book into your heart, but that just didn't happen here.

The antagonism between James and Kate came from an encounter years before (a romance staple). The problem? The encounter was a memorable kiss between them--while Kate was still married to Dr. Goodale. Granted, James didn't realize that she was married until after he kissed her, but she did. The author tried to gloss it over as one of those encounters that happened so quickly that Kate didn't have a chance to explain or stop James before he kissed her, but it still left a bad taste in my mouth. She didn't love her husband, but it was still cheating, and made it harder for me to like Kate.

I also found it completely unrealistic that a hothouse flower like Kate, who never had a hair out of place, would be able to keep up with James on a trip through the jungle. I'm not an impeccably perfect polished woman like her, and even I'd have trouble on such a trip. Most modern women would, let alone a woman of 1899. It just didn't sit right with me and really took away from my enjoyment of the book.

I'll still continue to try this author's work, as I know she can write good stories. I recommend MARRY ME for a good example of her work. As for A WEDDING STORY, I recommend that you borrow this one from the library before buying it.

Twelve years ago, Kathryn Bright Goodale shared an unforgettable kiss with Lord James Bennett. Unfortunately, she was married at the time, and James was one of her husband's best friends. Kate has carried the guilt of that kiss for years, and with it, the fantasies of Lord Bennett that kept stirring in her mind.

Now that her husband has passed away, Kate finds herself penniless. All the money went to his children, and Kate, as their stepmother, was left nothing. When she stumbles upon an invitation addressed to her late husband inviting him to participate in "The Great Centennial Race", she's intrigued, particularly since the winner is to receive the grand sum of fifty thousand dollars - a great deal of money in 1899.

But Kate realizes she can't embark on such an adventure on her own. Swallowing her pride, she approaches James, and asks for his help. He's known as a famous adventurer, and although his last expedition ended in his partner's death, James grudgingly accepts Kate's proposal. As the two of them set out to win the grand prize, the passion they shared so many years ago begins to resurface, and soon, Kate and James realize they're in for an experience that may result in a prize far more appealing than money.

Despite its rather misleading title, A WEDDING STORY is a fantastic adventure romance. The wedding itself only takes place in the last chapter, and even then it's mostly glossed over. As in all romances, the relationship between the hero and heroine is key, and it does culminate in marriage. However, the focus of the story is on "The Great Centennial Race", which is an adventure worthy of Indiana Jones.

It was refreshing to read about a heroine who was able to physically keep up with the hero through all the trials they had to experience as they embarked on the race. Kate is stubborn, determined, and she hates to lose - all traits that enable her to push herself to the limit of her abilities, and then somehow find the energy to push herself even further. James is wonderful in his role as adventurer, and the way he protects and cares for Kate is heartwarming.

Though the author does stumble a couple of times and calls James by the wrong name (Jake, which coincidentally is the name of the main character in one of her other books, "Marry Me"), the writing is beautifully descriptive and imaginative. Kate and James travel all over the world during their journey, and Susan Kay Law expertly describes the surroundings without making the reader feel overwhelmed, or detracting from the fast paced story.

If you like your historicals with a dash of adventure, and your romance on the steamy side, you'll love A WEDDING STORY.

I was not overly impressed with MARRY ME and BAD MAN'S BRIDE so I'm not sure why I picked up this book. Boy! Am I glad I did!! This is by far the best of her Bright sister books. It's a keeper! Will definitely order some more books by this author with hopes of finding the same kind of magic.