The Wedding of the Century & Other Stories: The Wedding of the Century\Jesse's Wife\Seduced by Starlight [Mass Market Paperback]

Mary Jo Putney (Author), Kristin James (Author), Charlotte Featherstone (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Swindon Palace

Spring 1885

After two weeks of dizzying social activity in London, a visit to the English countryside was an enchanting change of pace. Nature had cooperated by blessing the garden party with flawless weather. Puffs of white cloud drifted through a deep blue sky, the grass and trees were impossibly green, and the famous Swindon gardens were in glorious flower.

Yet the grounds were not half so splendid as the guests, who were the cream of British society. All of the men were aristocratically handsome and all of the women graceful and exquisitely dressed. At least, that was how it seemed to Miss Sarah Katherine Vangelder, of the New York Vangelders. As she surveyed her surroundings, she gave a laugh of pure delight.

The woman beside her said, "Don't look so rapturous, Sunny. It simply isn't done."

Sunny gave her godmother a teasing glance. "Is this the Katie Schmidt of San Francisco who scandalized English society by performing Comanche riding stunts in Hyde Park?"

A smile tugged at the older woman's lips. "It most certainly is not," she said in a voice that no longer held any trace of American accent. "I am now Katherine Schmidt Worthington, Countess of Westron, a very proper chaperon for her exceedingly well-brought-up young American goddaughter."

"I thought that we American girls were admired for our freshness and directness." A hint of dryness entered Sunny's voice. "And our fortunes, of course."

"The very best matches require impeccable manners as well as money, my dear. If you wish to become a duchess, you must be above reproach."

Sunny sighed. "And if I don't wish to become a duchess?"

"Your mother has spent twenty years grooming you to be worthy of the highest station," Lady Westron replied. "It would be a pity to waste that."

"Yes, Aunt Katie," Sunny said meekly. "If I'm very, very impeccable, may I view the rest of the gardens later?"

"Yes, but not until you've met everyone worth meeting. Business before pleasure, my dear." Katie began guiding her charge through the crowd, stopping and making occasional introductions.

Knowing that she was being judged, Sunny smiled and talked with the utmost propriety. She even managed not to look too excited, until she was introduced to the Honorable Paul Curzon.

Tall, blond and stunningly handsome, Curzon was enough to make any woman gape. After bowing over her hand, he said, "A pleasure to meet you, Miss Vangelder. Are you newly arrived in England?" His question was accompanied by a dazzling smile.

If it hadn't been for her rigorous social training, Sunny would have gaped at him like a raw country girl. Instead, she managed to say lightly, "I've been in London for the last fortnight. Before that, we were traveling on the Continent."

"If you'd like to visit the Houses of Parliament, Miss Vangelder, I'd be delighted to escort you. I'm a member." Curzon gave a deprecatory shrug. "Only a backbencher, but I can show you what goes on behind the scenes and treat you to tea on the terrace. You might find it amusing."

"Perhaps later in the season Miss Vangelder will have time," Katie said as she deftly removed her charge.

When they were out of earshot, Sunny said with awe, "Mr. Curzon is the handsomest man I've ever seen."

"Yes, but he's a younger son with three older brothers, so he's unlikely ever to inherit the title." Lady Westron gave a warning look. "Not at all the sort your mother wants for you."

"But as a Member of Parliament, he actually does something useful," Sunny pointed out. "My grandfather would have approved of that."

"Admiral Vangelder would not have wanted a penniless younger son for his favorite granddaughter," Katie said firmly. "Come, I want you to meet Lord Traymore. An Irish title, unfortunately, but an earl is an earl, and he's charming. You could do worse."

Dutifully Sunny followed her godmother to the next knot of guests, though she promised herself that she would slip off and view the famous water garden before she left. Until then, she would enjoy the color and laughter of the occasion.

She was also guiltily glad to be free of her mother's rather overpowering presence for a day. Augusta Vangelder was the most devoted and solicitous of parents, but she had very firm ideas about the way things ought to be. Very firm. Unfortunately, she was laid up in their suite at Claridge's with a mild case of the grippe, so Sunny had the benefit of the more liberal chaperonage of her godmother. Not only did Lady Westron know everyone, but she made racy comments about them. Sunny felt very worldly.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: HQN Books; 1 edition (May 24, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373775504
• ISBN-13: 978-0373775507
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #909,355 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

A New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USAToday bestselling author, Mary Jo Putney was born in Upstate New York with a reading addiction, a condition for which there is no known cure. Her entire romance writing career is an accidental byproduct of buying a computer for other purposes.

Her novels are known for psychological depth and intensity and include historical and contemporary romance, fantasy, and young adult fantasy. Winner of numerous writing awards, including two RITAs and two Romantic Times Career Achievement awards, she has five times had books listed among the Library Journal's top five romances of the year, and three times had books among the top ten romances of Booklist, the magazine of the American Library Association.

Her favorite reading is great stories, but in a pinch she'll settle for the backs of cereal boxes. She's delighted that e-publishing can now make available books that have been out of print.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Historical Romance Novellas, July 5, 2011

By 

akb--bookworm (Utah) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Wedding of the Century & Other Stories: The Wedding of the Century\Jesse's Wife\Seduced by Starlight (Mass Market Paperback)

THE WEDDING OF THE CENTURY & OTHER STORIES is a collection of 3 short historical romance stories all about marriage with the most unlikely man. I haven't always been a fan of short stories nor have I been a big fan of anthologies. I'm starting to understand the benefit of being able to sample a few different authors before spending larger amounts of money on them. Having never read anything by any of these fine ladies, I was very happy with this anthology and to discover some new (new to me) authors. I've seen these authors around the blogosphere and on the bookshelves, but hadn't read anything by them before.

***The Wedding of the Century by Mary Jo Putney (131 pages)--4 Stars

American heiress Sarah Vangelder made her British Society debut, but returns home without a match having turned down several offers. Even though she only spent an hour in the presence of Justin Aubrey, she made quite an impression. Such an impression that when his older brother dies leaving the dukedom to Justin, Justin immediately seeks out Sarah as a bride feeling that now he has a title he would finally be worthy of her. Sarah's mother accepts Justin's offer, but Sarah can barely remember the man! And she just accepted another man's offer!

I really enjoyed this story. I loved watching Sarah and Justin meet; even if it was forgettable to Sarah it was memorable to me. I loved watching Sarah and Justin getting to know each other. One thing that stood out to me is the wedding night disaster! Sarah's mother has given Sarah advice to just lay there...things don't go well.

***Jesse's Wife by Kristin James (105 pages)--4 Stars

When a late-night walk on her father's ranch inadvertently destroys her reputation, Amy McCallister is saved from marrying the gold-digger who tried to seduce her by marrying ranch hand Jesse. Jesse has been the closest thing to a friend Amy has ever had and isn't quite sure what to make of their marriage of convenience. Jesse promised her from the beginning that he wouldn't force his "marital rights" because he loves her and doesn't want her to feel forced, especially after a scoundrel just recently did try. Amy is falling in love with her husband and goes about seducing him.

I enjoyed this story as well. Both Amy and Jesse are fun loving characters who help each other grow and adapt to their new life. It was funny to watch innocent Amy try to seduce Jesse. And a very nice "Aww" moment when Jesse confesses....I don't want to spoil it. But I loved it.

The only drawback for me on this story was it felt like both Amy and Jesse constantly made assumptions about what the other was feeling. You know: "He said this only because he must think such and such." And "She doesn't want me because I know she loved so and so even though I have no idea what I'm talking about." It got a bit old.

***Seduced by Starlight by Charlotte Featherstone (136 pages)--4 Stars

(Part of the Addicted World)

Lady Blossom has been intended for Samuel Markham, the second son of the Marquis of Weatherby, since the cradle have been the best of friends. With only months away from their marriage, Samuel confesses he has fallen in love with someone else. Blossom isn't hurt, but only wishes she could find such passionate love and urges Samuel to follow his heart. Now Blossom's parents are determined to find the right man and host endless parties to introduce her to perspective husbands. Jase Markham, Samuel's older brother, has long loved Blossom. He has kept his distance in the past not bearing to watch the two together. When Jase hears the news, he dashes for home to throw his hat into the ring. Just a few problems: first, Blossom doesn't believe him sincere in his declarations as his rakish reputation precedes him. Second, Blossom doesn't want a rake or rogue.

I have heard so much about Ms. Featherstone and most especially about the Addicted Series. When I found out this story was part of that world, I was hesitant to read it since I hadn't read any of the series. Gladly, this is a stand-alone story. I never felt as if I were missing out on anything.

I absolutely LOVED Blossom and Jase. I was so enthralled by the story and watching Jase go about convincing Blossom that he was indeed sincere and did love her. He wasn't trying to right the wrong of his brother; he was trying to claim what he has always wanted.

The only problem I had with this story was the fact that Jase convinces Blossom to give him seven nights to prove his passion. Blossom has said over and over again that she wants a passionate marriage like her parents. She boldly tells Jase that she thinks there has to be more than desire and the skills he has learned as a rake, yet she stupidly believes that if she gives him 7 nights to seduce her and have sexual contact with her that that will prove there is passion, that they will prove they have "that something more" she is searching for. How stupid! She wants more than just sex between her and her husband but decides that to get to know her suitor she will embark on a sexual relationship with him to get to know him. What about actually talking?

Despite my annoyance with that, I did enjoy this story. I loved how passionate Jase was about Blossom from the very beginning. I loved that Blossom wasn't a sheltered and ignorant girl. In the very beginning she reflects on advice given to her from her father about how to avoid rakes and why. She isn't naïve.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Mind Candy Sweet, June 21, 2011

By 

ruthjoec "ruthjoec" (Kenner LA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Wedding of the Century & Other Stories: The Wedding of the Century\Jesse's Wife\Seduced by Starlight (Mass Market Paperback)

Come on, a girl is allowed a little mind candy sometimes, isn't she? This is one volume made of three Harlequin romances. All the relationships are consummated after the weddings, and yes, we get to watch. There is no literary value to any of these stories, they are all pure fluff and I had a great time reading this book. There is nothing new original or different about any of the stories; as the saying goes, "they are what they are". Grade: B (I can't give any higher rating for this type of story).

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely Romances, June 17, 2011

By 

K. M. Martin (MN USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Wedding of the Century & Other Stories: The Wedding of the Century\Jesse's Wife\Seduced by Starlight (Mass Market Paperback)

The Wedding of the Century by Mary Jo Putney

This was such a nice romance. The hero was the quiet younger brother who unexpectedly inherits a dukedom. The heroine an American Princess who has been groomed to be aristocrat's wife. He met her and fell in love before becoming a duke but she almost doesn't remember him because she was entranced with a more handsome and charming rogue at the time. Their marriage has a rocky beginning mainly because she is railroaded into it by her domineering mother and because her mother has made her believe that it is unladylike to enjoy marital passion. Also, he has his own mother issues and is used to concealing his feelings.

Jesse's Wife by Kristin James

Amy is the plain older sister who is overshadowed by her younger, more vibrant sister. When a handsome guest asks her to take a walk in the moonlight, she is flattered. Unfortunately, he is a cad who is determined to compromise her and force her into marriage. She is rescued by Jesse who is a horse trainer on her father's ranch. He has loved her for a long time but knows she is socially out of his reach. Rather than marry the cad, she marries Jesse but the two are not communicating well. She thinks he married her out of pity; he thinks she really loved the cad.

Seduced by Starlight by Charlotte Featherstone

Blossom is a duke's daughter betrothed to a younger son of a neighbor. They love each other but are not "in love." When he finds a woman he loves, Blossom lets him go and clears the way for his older brother Jase. Jase has loved Blossom for years and has the reputation of being a rake. Blossom is afraid to trust him with her heart. But Jase seduces her to his point of view.

It is interesting that in two of the three stories the reason for the marriage and the conflict in it is based on "current to the day" social-moral philosophies. In the first story, the conflict comes from the bride's mistaken idea that women don't feel lust or, if they do, they are loose women undeserving of their husband's respect. The whole idea of an arranged marriage and bridal ignorance is rather appalling if you look at it with 21st Century eyes. The second story has to do with a young woman being "compromised" by walking in the moonlight with a single man and needing to be married to save her reputation.

All the stories were well-written and engaging. I recommend this book to lovers of historical romance.