Her
Best Man
Left
at the Altar Series
Book
One
Jana
Richards
Genre: Humorous contemporary
romance
Publisher: Uncial Press
ISBN: 978-1-60174-019-9
ASIN: B004I6E4ZY
Number of pages: 166
Word Count: 55,000
Cover Artist: Judith B. Glad
Book
Description:
Sarah Stevens experiences a
bride's worst nightmare; being dumped at the altar. When she goes on the
Caribbean cruise meant to be her honeymoon in order to lick her wounds, she
discovers her ex-fiancé has sent his brother, Will Marshall, the former best
man, on the cruise as well. Everyone on board thinks they're newlyweds, and
Sarah is too embarrassed to set them straight. How is she supposed to share a
tiny cabin with a man she barely knows? Even worse, how is she supposed to
pretend that she and Will are on their honeymoon? Sarah discovers the best man
for her really is the best man.
Excerpt
“You
have a beautiful engagement ring,” Josie commented.
Sarah
felt her positive resolve slip a little. She stared at the ring,
uncertain why she still wore it. Did she miss Brad that much, or was it
the idea of being married she missed?
“Thank
you,” she said simply, hoping Josie would drop the subject. Apparently,
that was too much to hope for.
“Why
is it you and Will don’t wear wedding bands?”
“Josie,
that’s really none of our business,” Ted rebuked gently. He took his
bride’s hand and planted a tender kiss on each of her fingers. “We talked
about this, sweetie. Boundaries, remember?”
Ted’s
love for Josie shone in his eyes, despite her lack of tact. He knew all
her foibles, weaknesses and plain old stupidities and he still loved her.
Sarah wondered why someone couldn’t love her like that. She stared at her
engagement ring and thought of the day Brad had given it to her. She’d
been so happy and so hopeful of a wonderful future. But now all her plans
and dreams were gone, her hopes of having a family of her own dashed. How
could he have done that to her?
The
sob seemed to come from the pit of her stomach, working its way up her body
until it just burst uncontrollably out of her mouth. She covered her
mouth with her hand, shocked by the emotion as well as by the tears flooding
out of her eyes. To her surprise she found herself being drawn into
Will’s embrace. She sniffled against his shirt, embarrassing herself
further by getting his shoulder wet.
“It’s
okay, Sarah,” he whispered. In a louder voice she heard him speak to the
rest of the group who had stopped in mid-chew to stare at her.
“Sarah’s
had a very difficult couple of weeks,” he began. This was it, she thought.
This was where she got outed as a fake bride. She sucked in a
breath. If he told the truth would he go to jail? Would she?
“We
don’t have any rings because a few days before the wedding the jewelry store
where we purchased our rings burned to the ground. Our rings were lost
and Sarah was devastated. As you can see, she’s still emotional about
it.”
Sarah
sniffed against Will’s shoulder. What?
“Oh
Sarah, how awful for you!” Josie said.
“But
that’s not everything,” Will continued, his voice taking on a serious
note. Sarah stopped sniveling to listen to what he’d say next. “The
wedding dress she’d ordered was lost in transit. She had to wear a dress
off the rack.”
Josie
took in a sharp breath. “No!”
“But
the last straw came when a pipe broke at the hall where our reception was going
to be held and the place was flooded. We had to cancel.”
Again,
more ohhs and ahhs sounded around the table. Where did he come up with
these crazy stories?
Beatrice
chuckled. “I’ve heard some wedding disaster stories, but yours take the cake.
Don’t worry, Sarah. Someday you’ll look back and laugh, I promise.”
Gladys
raised her glass. “Here’s to Sarah
and
Will. May their marriage be luckier than their wedding.”
“Hear,
Hear.”
Everyone
raised his or her glass in a toast. As Sarah wiped her eyes, Will made a toast
of his own. “To Sarah. Nothing but blue skies from now on.” He took a drink
from his glass, his blue eyes full of compassion, with a hint of humor
twinkling under the surface.
Sarah
picked up her wineglass. How had he done that? She knew Will’s stories were
more about saving his butt than protecting her from humiliation, but still,
she’d rather be thought of as the girl whose wedding blew up then the girl who
got dumped at the altar. For that she was grateful.
And
how had he made her feel so safe and comforted in his arms? She shivered a
little, remembering the gentle touch of his hand sliding up and down her back.
For that she was less grateful. She was confused enough already about her
feelings.
Sarah
reluctantly tipped her glass to Will. “To blue skies.”
Review
Two simple words were all Sarah needed to hear to begin her new life with her future husband, she had no idea he would flea and run out of the chapel. The pitying looks, family becoming too involved, Sarah Stevens decides to go on her honeymoon without the groom. Will Marshall, the grooms brother, agrees to take his ticket to the honeymoon that won't happen. Who knows maybe he will receive the inspiration he needs to write the novel he has been in limbo with. He had not expected to Sarah, who he had only met once. Neither planned to form a friendship of sorts and to be pushing each other's boundaries. When friendship turns to something else though, Will knows he can't have Sarah, after all his brother wants her back. The question is, does Sarah?
Sweet story, the beginning grabs the readers attention and you are entertained until the very end. I liked that it wasn't just instant rebound for Sarah, she and Will take time to cultivate a friendship.
There
Goes the Groom
Left
at the Altar Series
Book
Two
Jana
Richards
Genre: Humorous romantic comedy
Publisher: Uncial Press
ISBN: 978-1-60174-159-2
ASIN: B00CUQR7RG
Number of pages: 157
Word Count: 52,500
Cover Artist: Judith B. Glad
Book
Description:
Eight years ago Tony left Olivia
at the altar. He was sure she didn't really want to marry him. Now he's back,
and they're forced to work together.
Coming home isn't easy for Tony,
because his father wanted him to work at a trade instead of going off to college.
Their relationship is still unsteady. Even before Tony's return, Olivia began
questioning the depth of her love for her fiancé, a man she chose because he
was safe and reliable. Yet the last thing she wants is a loveless, faithless
marriage like the one her parents suffered through.
When Tony, who never stopped
loving her, insists her fiancé is the wrong man for her, Olivia sets out to
prove him wrong. But the sexual chemistry between them is still strong, and so
are her feelings for him. Even so, how can she break her engagement, hurt her
fiancé as she was once hurt? And how can she trust Tony not to abandon her as
he did before?
If anyone does the jilting this
time, she will.
Excerpt
She
was going to faint. Or throw up. Or trip over her dress. Perhaps all three,
possibly at the same time.
Olivia
Taylor’s legs trembled as she walked up the aisle of the church on her father’s
arm, a smile frozen on her face. Was she out of her mind? She was barely
twenty years old. What did she know about marriage?
Olivia
amended that thought. In the past few weeks she’d learned more about marriage
than she cared to know. She stole a glance at her father, so tall and
distinguished, his smile confident and relaxed, as if he didn’t have a care in
the world. Olivia shuddered, her limbs shaking with anger. How could he act as
if nothing had happened? How could he pretend nothing had changed?
Everything
had changed.
Tony
stood at the altar looking handsome in his rented tux. Her heart lightened. Her
beautiful, wonderful fiancé. She loved Tony DiPietro with all her heart. He was
smart, funny, kind, and his touch sent her hormones into overdrive. Tony was
everything a potential husband should be.
But did she want to marry him?
Her
bouquet quivered in her hand. Where had that thought come from? Of course
she wanted to marry Tony. She loved him and she knew he loved her.
But was love enough?
She
wanted to scream at the little voice in her head to shut up. She forced her
smile to shine a little brighter.
Olivia
and her father reached the front of the church and her father handed her over
to Tony. Tony’s hands were cold and clammy, and she noticed a bead of sweat on
his brow. He managed a smile for her and she beamed back at him. Her mother’s
voice played in her brain. “Nobody needs to know your world is falling apart.”
Olivia felt her smile dim a little.
The
minister began the marriage liturgy in a loud, monotone voice, droning on about
loving and obeying, forever and ever, Amen. Soon they came to the part where
the vows were to be said. Tony and Liv faced each other while the minister
recited the vows. Tony repeated the words after him.
“I,
Anthony James DiPietro, take you, Olivia Jane Taylor, to be my lawful wedded
wife, from this day forward, till death do us part.”
The
impact of the words hit Olivia. They were promising to love each other for the
rest of their lives. How could anyone make a promise like that? How could she
possibly know at twenty how she would feel at forty?
She
swallowed and closed her eyes for a moment, thrusting the thought from her
mind. All she knew was that she loved Tony. They’d have to figure out this
marriage thing as they went along.
Like her parents figured it out?
Something
inside Olivia snapped, like an elastic band reaching its breaking point.
What if she and Tony didn’t make it?
The
minister continued the liturgy. “Olivia, repeat after me, ‘I, Olivia Jane
Taylor—”
“I
can’t marry you.”
Review
Olivia thought she had put her past behind her when Tony left her at the altar. Eight years later he is back and they have to work together. Tony still has feelings for Olivia, he believed he did the right thing. Olivia is now engaged to someone else, but she can't stop herself from thinking about Tony. Can there be such a thing as second chances or will Olivia get revenge?
If your a sucker for second chance stories, this one is for you. I thought the tone is perfect for the story, you can feel Olivia's animosity towards Tony and Tony's hesitation with Olivia. Another wonderful read for Jana Richards.
Always
a Bridesmaid
Left
at the Altar series
Book
Three
Jana
Richards
Genre: Humorous contemporary
romance
Publisher: Uncial Press
ISBN:
ASIN:
Number of pages: 201
Word Count: 61,000
Cover Artist: Judith B. Glad
Unical Press ARe
Amazon BN
Kobo Untreed Reads Itunes
Sony Chapters
Book
Description:
Dani Dipietro has always
considered herself an ugly duckling in a family of swans. She's the bridesmaid
her friends count on, but never the woman any man wants for his bride. So she
plays the funny girl and guards her emotions, and her secrets, closely.
When Zach Morrison was dumped at
his wedding, Dani was there to help him through the humiliation. A year later
they meet again and once more Zach needs her help. To fend off the unwanted
attentions of his former fiancé, he asks Dani to pretend to be his girlfriend.
They play their roles a little too well, and make believe turns into reality.
But their relationship comes crashing down around them when Zach's trust issues
cause him to accuse Dani of cheating. Telling the truth means Dani will betray
a friend, something she will never do. But keeping her secrets means she may be
destined to remain a bridesmaid forever.
Excerpt
Her heart cried for him. Zach was
a good guy. He didn't deserve the humiliation Chantal had heaped on him. She
wanted to tell him how badly she felt for him, wanted to let him know that she
would gladly listen if he felt like talking. But their relationship had always
been superficial, one that didn't include intimate heart to heart
conversations. Offering sympathy would only embarrass him more.
So she'd do what she did best.
She'd make him laugh.
"I realize you've had a bad
day, but hey, look at me. I got squeezed into a dress that makes me look like
an overstuffed Barbie doll. My shoes are killing me, and then to top it all
off, the dress from Hell splits across my ass so the whole world can see my
underwear."
One corner of Zach's mouth
quirked in a brief grin. "Yeah, you've got it all over me. I've only been
cheated on and humiliated on my wedding day. For the record, the whole world
didn't see your underwear, just me."
She did her best to keep a
straight face. "I happen to take my semi-nakedness seriously, even if
there's only one person to witness it."
He chuckled, a deep rumbling
sound that did funny things to her insides. But despite his laughter, his blue
eyes were full of pain. Dani wished there was something more she could do for
him.
"Thanks for the loan of the
jacket," she said. "Can I hang on to it for a while?"
"Of course. Thank you for
providing a diversion."
"Always glad to provide
comic relief." She sneered at the neon pink satin spilling out from
beneath the tuxedo jacket, while lifting the fabric and dropping it in disgust.
"It wasn't a much of a stretch, seeing how I was already dressed like a
pink clown."
Zach's lips twitched. "It's
certainly an interesting color."
"Please. This pink is bright
enough to be visible from space."
He laughed out loud, and she was
struck by the warmth of his smile. Once upon a time, she'd had a secret little
crush on him. He was way out her league and had been devoted to Chantal, but
what red-blooded woman wouldn't lust after a man as handsome as Zach just a
little bit, in the privacy of her bedroom?
"The best thing about this
dress is that someone else paid for it." Dani was saving her money for
something special and nothing was going to stand in her way. "Chantal said
she wanted the bridesmaid dresses to make a statement. In my case, the
statement was, 'Get a different dress.'"
Hearing his fiancée's name
instantly wiped the smile from his face. "She shouldn't have made you wear
a dress you felt so uncomfortable in. Don't be so hard on yourself, Daphne."
Her heart fell. "Actually,
it's Daniella, Daniella DiPietro. Everyone calls me Dani." She knew this
was probably the longest conversation they'd had in their acquaintance, but it
still hurt that he didn't remember her name.
He closed his eyes and shook his
head. "Of course I know your name. I don't know what's the matter with me.
I'm sorry."
"Don't be. You've had a hell
of a day. Not as bad as mine of course, but still lousy. It's not a big deal."
"It's a big deal to me. I'm
really sorry."
Dani brushed aside his apology
with a wave of her hand, trying not to let her disappointment show. She wasn't
the kind of woman men remembered. Men remembered women like Chantal, beautiful,
tall, slim blondes, with cute little turned up noses. Not short, dark, pudgy
women with prominent Italian beaks.
"I should go. Your mother
and Camp are waiting for me in the limo. Would you like a ride home with us?"
Zach shook his head. "Thanks,
but I think I want to be alone for a while longer. Please tell my mom I'm fine."
"I will," she said. "Can
I ask you to do one more favor for me? I promised your mother I'd bring her
purse to her, and we both know what'll happen if try to crawl under there
again." She pointed to the little beaded bag on the floor beneath the pew.
"Of course." He bent to
retrieve it, giving her a close-up and personal view of his gorgeous, tight butt.
She swallowed and looked away.
Zach straightened and handed her
the bag. "There you go."
"Thank you. How do I get the
jacket back to you?"
"Just drop it off at the
rental place." He told her the address.
"Okay, I'll do that. Well, I
have to go home now and burn this dress. Goodbye Zach."
"Goodbye, Daniella."
It surprised her that he called
by her full given name. She blinked and looked into his face. The desolation
she saw felt like a punch in the gut. He'd obviously loved Chantal and she'd
hurt him deeply. Without thinking, she laid her hand on his arm.
"It's going to be all right."
He placed his hand over hers.
Closing his eyes for a brief moment, he took a deep breath. I know. I just…"
Wanting nothing more than to
comfort, she wrapped her arms around his waist in a hug. He held her tightly,
pulling her against him and burying his face in her neck. Dani inhaled the
intoxicating scent of spicy aftershave laced with underlying notes of warm,
clean male. How could Chantal treat a wonderful man like Zach this way?
She gently pulled away, keeping
him at arm's length. "You're going to get past this, Zach."
"It doesn't feel like it
right now."
"I know, but someday, when
you're old and grey, you'll be sitting on the front porch with your wonderful
wife of fifty years, and you'll say 'Thank Heaven Chantal cheated on me or I
never would have met you.'"
He made a sound somewhere between
a laugh and a sob. "Fifty years, eh?"
"Trust me."
Some lucky girl would snap Zach
up in a minute, and if she was smart, she'd shower him with the love and
consideration he deserved.
Some lucky girl, but not me.
Reluctantly, she took a step
back. He squeezed her fingers before letting her go. With her heart pounding in
her chest, and regret nipping at her heels, she hurried from the church.
Before she did something stupid,
like kiss the jilted groom.
Review
Daniella Dipietro could sing the words to Here comes the bride, she could whistle, hum, and mime it if she had too. Dani has been a bridesmaid one to many times, so why had she agreed yet again to be one? She would have to honestly say though this last one was a doozy, worthy of a soap opera. Now she finds herself trying to cheer up jilted groom Zach Morrison whose bride to be betrayed him.
One year later, Dani has done it again, she is in another wedding. What she had not planned on is pretending to be Zach's girlfriend to keep his ex away. Heck she had not seen him in a year, but Dani can't help getting a little giddy about being around him, after all he is a hunk. Pretending is fine until feelings begin to get involved and Zach's issues from his past are slowly creeping in.
Entertaining story. I really liked Dani, she was so sweet and even though pretending to be Zach's girlfriend was out of her comfort zone, she embraced the challenge. Great chemistry, a really fun weekend read.
About
the Author :
When Jana Richards read her first
romance novel, she immediately knew two things: she had to commit the stories
running through her head to paper, and they had to end with a happily ever
after. She also knew she’d found what she was meant to do. Since then she’s
never met a romance genre she didn’t like. She writes contemporary romance,
romantic suspense, and historical romance set in World War Two, in lengths
ranging from short story to full length novel. Just for fun, she throws in
generous helpings of humor, and the occasional dash of the paranormal. Her
paranormal romantic suspense “Seeing Things” was a 2008 EPPIE finalist.
In her life away from writing,
Jana is an accountant/admin assistant, a mother to two grown daughters, and a
wife to her husband Warren. She enjoys golf, yoga, movies, concerts, travel and
reading, not necessarily in that order. She and her husband live in Winnipeg
with their Pug/Terrier cross Lou and several unnamed goldfish. She loves to
hear from readers and can be reached through her website at
www.janarichards.com
Website: http://www.janarichards.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/JanaRichards_
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/janarichards
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