Smitten by Books

Royal Wedding
Authors: Stephanie Laurens
Loretta Chase Gaelen Foley
Publisher: Avon Impulse
Pub. Date: April 5, 2011
Retail: $1.99
Pages: 77

Stephanie Laurens’ The Wedding Planner: Lady Margaret is proud plan the ton’s most important nuptuals—including that of a prince. But it’s Lady Margaret who falls in love . . . with dashing Gaston Devilliers!

Gaelen Foley’s Ever After: How scandalous! Eleanor Monford, Countess of Archer, is in love with her own husband. And as Princess Charlotte of England weds Prince Leopold, Eleanor’s “secret” is about to come out.

Loretta Chase’s The Jilting of Lord Rothwick: On the eve of Queen Victoria’s wedding to Prince Albert, the Marquess of Rothwick learns his fiancee, Barbara Findley, has broken their engagement! So he desperately rides out of London to seek her out . . . and to win her back.

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A fabulous anthology with a wedding theme sure to please any historical romance fan.

I love it when a handful of great writers get together and create an easy, enjoyable read. This quick little anthology set just the right tone to celebrate the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton, even if I wasn’t in love with each story. The pacing for each was good but, as with all novellas, I had a hard time really getting into the stories. Just when I start to like the characters, the story is done. So, I read novellas with an eye for a good story not a technically strong or well developed one. Each of the three in this anthology have their merits and unique attributes that make it a worthwhile read for any historical fan.

The Wedding Planner – Stephanie Laurens 7.5 (Good+) , Heat Level: 1.5 – 2 (Mild)

Margaret Dawlish is considered the Wedding Planner for the ton. When asked to plan a minor royal wedding between a family friend and a displaced prince, she not quite jumps at the chance. She goes through the motions, planning everything flawlessly until she discovers that the Best Man is none other than Gaston Devilliers, Duc de Pengord, the man she had to give up five years before. Gaston offers to help Margaret with the wedding plans but she is reluctant to spend any more time with him then she has to. But, they grow close and love is rekindled so our hero will stop at nothing to make our heroine his wife once and for all.

This first story was a great little forty page treat even if I am not crazy about Stephanie’s writing style. I found the story a bit bland for the most part however I did emit a loud sigh when our couple finally decide to wed. Margaret was a very attractive lead but I absolutely loved Gaston with his cheeky, sexy appeal. For fan’s of Lady Osbaldestone, the old dragon makes an appearance, wrapping up a pleasant, quick read.

Ever After – Gaelen Foley 8 (Very Good), Heat Level: 2.5 (More than just Mild)

Eleanor Montford is in love with her husband Roland, Lord Archer. Her passion for him is overwhelming yet he is the last person she wants to know that. They practically live apart, in different spheres yet bound in a marriage of convenience. The wedding of Princess Charlotte, a happy wedding, is the last thing Elle needs when her marriage is falling apart. Little does she know, her husband feels the same way about her and wants to make their marriage work. They must get past some misconceptions and deceit in order to find their happily ever after and move forward in their marriage.

This was a very short story and I didn’t really get a sense of who the characters are or the real relationship they share. However, I did really like the plot line and the idea of a couple, already wed, secretly in love with each other. The story flows well and ends on just the right note.

The Jilting of Lord Rothwick – Loretta Chase 7.5 (Good+), Heat Level: 3 (Sensual)

Hugh Fitzwalter, Marquess of Rothwick, has just been dumped by the wealthy Barbara Findlay just before their wedding. Hugh must marry a heiress to save his estate and Barbara is exactly what his home and his bed need. Barbara calls off the wedding not because she dislikes Hugh but because she is head over heels in love with him and can’t stand the thought of him marrying her for her money. With a few terse lines on a note, Barbara breaks it off with Hugh but he is having none of it. He wants his fiancée and will do whatever he can to keep her, including riding hell for leather through a storm to convince her to be his bride.

I really liked both Barbara and Hugh, perhaps even a little more than the leads in the other stories. They have a spark to their romance and vibrant personalities that make them interesting to read about. I found that I got into their story more than the others; perhaps the way the author writes her dialogue or her character descriptions that ties the reader to the story more. Overall, this was my favorite story and a suitable ending to an anthology about love, marriage, and happy endings.

Overall Rating: 7.5 (Better than just Good)

Overall Heat Level: 2.5 (More than Mild)

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