Customer Reviews

The Wedding in White: AND Circle of Gold (Silhouette Desire)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Description from the back of book:

Sweet, gentle schoolteacher Natalie Brock's life changed forever when handsome rancher Mack Killian branded her with his masterful kisses and gave her a tantalizing taste of true passion. Ever since that first sensual awakening, Natalie knew Mack was the only man for her. Trouble was, the rough-edged loner had sworn off marriage - especially to an innocent rose like her - and told her so on more than one occasion. But Natalie wasn't giving up. For Mack had taught her the best was worth fighting for ... and Natalie would not settle for anything less than all his love!

* This was my first Diana Palmer book & I really enjoyed it. This book will hook you right from the start. It gave me many laughs & a few tears along the way. I did find some of the phrase & expressions to be very repetitive. She used some of the sayings over & over again. That's my only real complaint. I would certainly recommend this book.

I have read Diana Palmer books for about 12 years and even collect them. Overall I like her books b/c I'm familar with her storyline formula, it makes for a comfortable reading experience.

The Wedding In White is one that I like to read again periodically. In fact I reread it just a couple days ago! Her books normally focus on a very young, timid virgin and a much older man (12-15 year age difference in most cases) and the man is almost always verbally cruel to the lady. But this book is a little different. There is only a six year age difference between Natalie and Mack (22 vs. 28 - same decade YEAH!). Natalie is a strong female who knows how to stand her ground with Mack and shows him that he doesn't scare her. His meanness is mostly based on a lie he was told. Of course, he should still know Natalie well enough to see the truth but he is also fighting his feelings for her which makes it easier for him to just push her away. When something terrible happens Mack realizes what his life would be like without Natalie and his heartache makes you forgive him for his cruelty.

For me Diana Palmer books are very similar to each other in plot/style but when you think about it many romance authors have a particular style used in their writings. Some of her more recent books have been a little disappointing to me (for instance Outlaw and Boss Man) but I like this one b/c it is very down to earth without all the "hokeyness". By the end you realize that Natalie and Mack are really made for each other and their love is very strong.

First, let me say that this is not the 1st Diana Palmer book I've read. I have read several, in fact. However, at this point, I'm not sure if I'll read any more. Why?...

As reviewer "Weezie" comments (which, by-the-way, is a good review), most of DP's books have a similar story line involving characters with similar personalities. When reading a few books, some similarities are tolerable, but when those patterns are repeated in every book, well, I just can't get into that.

So, yes, maybe I have missed something, but frankly, I'm tired of reading about the Hero who CONSTANTLY insults the Heroine & the Heroine being soooo besotted with the Hero that she will forgive him anything. Oh, & let's not forget the fact that the Hero, who just happens to always be more experienced sexually than the Heroine, seems to lead her on, "to let you see what it will be like when you're ready", then promptly & rudely pushes her aside because...? Well, believe it or not, in his minds eye, he's always got a good reason for doing that. And, of course... she always forgives him.

Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with forgiving people, esp. those you love. We all make mistakes & hope to be forgiven, but seriously... is it necessary to read that in so many of her stories?

We all have our reading likes & dislikes, which is a very good thing. I like feel good stories, & while a little tension between the characters is expected & accepted, the men in alot of her stories are just downright mean & nasty.

In "The Wedding in White", the Hero is Mack Killain & the Heroine is Natalie Brock. Yes, you guessed it, she's a virgin, while he is not. She's sweet, gentle, & naive (sexually), while he is not. But, oh, yes, she has a backbone & stands her own against Mack. He has 3 siblings that he raised since their parents died: Vivian, 22, & two brothers- Bob & Charles, who I believe are in High School. Anyway, Nat's boyfriend dies & Mack comforts her. One thing leads to another--they stir each other up, then he says she's not ready... And so it goes...

Mack gets hurt, Nat helps take care of him. Tough guy that he is, he pushes her away, she stands firm & stays, they bicker...And so it goes.

Then, of course, there's the ultimate misunderstanding... involving Nat, Vivian & Viv's boyfriend, Whit, who Mack dislikes. In a spoiled, jealous rage Viv accuses Whit & Nat of making love, then orders both of them out of her house. Mack, believing his sister without questioning Nat, later criticizes & insults Nat about it in public & forbids her to step foot on the ranch again. He says some really mean & hateful things to her. Uncalled for!!

What happens next is the turning point to which Mack & Viv both realize the depth of Mack's feelings for Nat. The things Mack says to Nat at this point are sweet & loving & emotional.

So, should you read the book? If this is your 1st DP book & you can get it cheap, or even free, then yes, read it because there are some good parts in this story. However, if this isn't your 1st DP book & stories of aggressive, insulting men, & innocent virgin's tend to upset you, then no, don't read it.

If you insist on reading it (nothing wrong with that), then try not to read too many of DP's books together. Space them out, read a lighter romance with less tension, in between readings of DP's books.

If you're still not sure, then I would encourage you to read the reviews about DP's other books. Maybe that will give you a better understanding of what to expect from her stories.

The Wedding in White by Diana Palmer

Silhouette Desire - 2000 special release

Men from Medicine Ridge #1

This is a powerfully emotional story of a orphaned woman who from a teen befriends a girl and seems to weave herself into her family. Natalie is a true innocent when it comes to romance and men, but when it comes to life and knowing what's important she has wisdom in abundance. She's been in love with her best friend Vivian's brother since she was a teenager. Mack's always had a special place in his life for Natalie, even knowing that Natalie loves him, he can't bring himself to make a life with her. He's vowed never to marry, and because of that he's constantly battling his desires. He has promised Natalie that when the time was right he'd be the one to show her what love making was all about. And now she's 22 and slowly he's awakening her desire and he's awakening feelings in himself that he doesn't want. But something happens and Vivian is certain that Natalie has betrayed their trust, and Mack pushes Natalie away, forbidding her to ever set foot on their ranch again.

As mentioned, this is a very emotional story. The bond between Mack and Natalie is a deep one that grows as Natalie matures. In Mack we see a brooding hero who's duty to raising his sister and brothers makes him a loner. While Natalie is a spirited woman who knows instinctively how to make the world right for others around her. Ms. Palmer brought these two to life. Their story grabs the heart and holds on.

Men from Medicine Ridge series

The Wedding in White ~ SD-Promo ~ 2000

Circle of Gold ~ SR-Promo ~ 2000

Diamond in the Rough ~ HR-4087 ~ April 2009

Will of Steel ~ SD-2054 ~ December 2010

This was the first book I read by Diana Palmer.. I loved it and still do. I can go reread this book over and over!

This is the best book. She's sweet and innocent but still has fire. He's rough and tough but still gentle and loving. If you like Diana's books this is a treat.

I love Diana Palmer, because her old books hooked me. Now it seems she makes mistakes about the rich rancher Mack Killain, asking a underpaid school teacher Natalie Brock if she is slumming,(pg120 he calls her a penniless two-timing orphan) when she comes to his ranch. She is the only one

Mack had few friends who could pronounce Mckinsey Donald Killain, I don't understand what is so hard about pronouncing that name.

Mack had an accident that blinded him when he was gored by a bull.

On page 9 Natalie is living with her aunt Mrs. Barnes when Mack is hurt, on page 98 she is living at an orphanage. Neither likes her tending to Mack.

Natalie lived with her aunt in a one bedroom home on the outskirts of Mack's ranch. Where she slept when her aunt was alive is a mystery.

But Mack takes her to bedroom in her aunt's house. (the one with only one bed room pg 27) pg 171 Afterward there was a mad dash out the door-done leisurely to accommodate Natalie's still slow pace. ???

I still say Ms Palmer wrote better books before she went to college to learn to write.

Anyway I will continue to read her books so I guess I need to quit belly-aching.