The Wedding of the Century & Other Stories-Mary Jo Putney, Kristin James, Charlotte Featherstone

The Wedding of the Century & Other Stories
Mary Jo Putney, Kristin James, Charlotte Featherstone
Harlequin, HQN, May 24 2011, $7.99
ISBN: 9780373775507

The Wedding of the Century by Mary Jo Putney. In 1885, beautiful and affluent Sarah “Sunny” Vangelder of the New York upper crust has come to London to follow in the footsteps of her godmother who rode like a Comanche in Hyde Park and not wanting to wed just for a title. Justin Aubrey needs income to save his dukedom. First came marriage, and then came love.

Jesse's Wife by Kristin James. Amy McCallister knows she is a plain wallflower who cannot compare to her vivacious beautiful younger sister, but dreams of Charles Whitaker courting her. She was walking on her father’s ranch with Charles, but Jesse Tyler spots them. Her reputation is ruined when Charles insists he loves her and begins to kiss her over her objection. Jesse rescues her and offers to marry her as he seeks acceptance. First came marriage, and then came love.

Seduced by Starlight by Charlotte Featherstone. In 1874 England, rake Jase Markham loves Blossom, who is his brother Samuel's fiancée. They were engaged since they were children. Samuel informs Blossom he loves someone else so she ends their engagement as he races with his love to Gretna Green. Euphoric Jase is in the game for the first time as he plans to court and marry his angelic succubus Blossom. For her first came marriage, and then came love; for him first came love and then came marriage.

These are three wonderful historical romances though Kristin James’ feels a bit out of place with the two Victorian English aristocratic tales and also is a reprint of a 1994 tale.

Harriet Klausner