Every girl dreams of her wedding and for some romantics
planning for someone else's big day is just as rewarding
and certainly lucrative. No doubt about it, weddings are big
business. In THE BEST LAID WEDDING PLANS, Lynnette Austin is
about following a dream and conquering even the most
dramatic roadblock to attain your goal. THE BEST LAID
WEDDING PLANS is the first book in a new series Magnolia
Brides. Candidly, I was so happy to learn that this was to
be a series. As usual Lynnette Austin captured the essence
of a small town with amazing characters and quick, witty
dialog.
THE BEST LAID WEDDING PLANS is about second chances. The
town of Misty Bottoms desperately needs a boost in the
economic department -- its second chance. If Jenni
Beth Beaumont's idea of turning her home, Magnolia House,
into a wedding destination doesn't pan out its failure will
have a ripple effect throughout the entire town. Jenni
Beth enlists the aid of two of her best friends, who also
have a vested interest in the outcome of this very
challenging project.
Jenni Beth and her parents are still reeling from the death
of her brother Wes. His choice to join the military came
with risks. The Beaumont's were hoping for the best --
instead the family received word of his passing. Wes's good
friend, Cole Bryson, feels compelled to help in any way he
can. Looking out for Jenni Beth comes almost second nature
-- it's his attraction to her that causes him to keep a
comfortable distance.
Hey, who said it's better to be comfortable? No one in
love, for sure. Cole doesn't really think he is in love with
his friend's sister but there is no denying an attraction.
Jenni Beth has had an on again, off again crush for Cole.
Learning to trust Cole and lean on him was definitely going
to forge a new relationship between the two. But the most
important thing was knowing that Cole supported Jenni
Beth's idea of the wedding planning business as a means to
revamp the Beaumont's financial, as well as mental, well-
being.
Once again we are treated to a story that revolves around a
strong, determined, enterprising young woman in this newest
book by Lynnette Austin. THE BEST LAID WEDDING PLANS
doesn't skirt around the idea that resurrecting a business
in a town on the decline is a major undertaking. But
Lynnette Austin wisely employs an amazing cast of
characters -- neighbors -- town folk that support the idea
and infuse the effort with mass amounts of encouragement,
hard work, love, tenacity and pride. THE BEST LAID WEDDING
PLANS by Lynnette Austin is an engaging work by a very
talented author who knows her stuff.
With love in their hearts and crafting the perfect wedding on their minds, the possibilities are endless for the ladies of Lynette Austin's new Magnolia Brides series.SOME DREAMS ARE WORTH WHATEVER IT TAKES Jenni Beth Beaumont left her broken heart behind when she took her dream job in Savannah. But after her brother's death, Jenni Beth returns home to help mend her parents' hearts as well as restore their beautiful but crumbling antebellum mansion. New dreams take shape as Jenni Beth sets to work replacing floors and fixing pipes to convert the family homestead into the perfect wedding destination. However, some folks in their small Southern town are determined to see her fail. Cole Bryson was once the love of Jenni Beth's life, but the charming architectural salvager has plans of his own for the Beaumont family home. As the two butt heads, old turmoil is brought to the surface and Cole and Jenni Beth will have to work through some painful memories and tough realities before they can set their pasts aside and have a second chance at their own happily ever after.
Excerpt
“To have and to hold, from this day forward...” Jenni Beth Beaumont whispered the age-old vows. Tiny white lights transformed Savannah’s Chateau Rouge’s gardens into a magical fairyland. The heavily beaded bridal gown shimmered in their reflected light. Unfortunately, Jenni Beth was not wearing the gown. But oh, how she wanted this. Not the wedding itself. No. She wanted to be the driving force behind making a bride’s wedding day the most special of her life. Instead of organizing events here at Chateau Rouge, she wanted her own wedding planner business. Tonight’s bride fairly radiated. The groom, Jenni Beth’s second cousin, looked so handsome in his dress uniform. He’d just last week come off a tour of duty in the Middle East. Pain, instant and excruciating, washed over her. Her brother Wes had been even more handsome in his dress uniform the day he’d graduated from Officer’s Candidate School, then again the day he’d deployed in his camos. The day she’d kissed him goodbye. The last time she’d seen him alive. Her throat constricted. She exhaled, forced herself to shake it off. Not tonight. Tonight was a celebration of love. The beginning of a new family. Of dreams come true. As the evening wore on, Jenni Beth relaxed. A familiar voice whispered in her ear. “Dance with me.” Cole Bryson. She hadn’t seen his name on the guest list. Shivers raced down her spine, and her heart stuttered. It had been too long, not long enough. “No.” She wouldn’t turn around, wouldn’t meet those mesmerizing eyes. His hands settled on her bare arms, and she nearly jumped. As the work-roughened hands moved over her skin, her stomach started a little dance of its own. “I’m working, Cole.” “Nothin’ needs done right now. Come on, sugar.” Knowing she shouldn’t, she turned to face him. Mistake. She always had found him irresistible, and that hadn’t changed. He’d perfected that slow Southern drawl, had the sound of a true gentleman. But the twinkle in his eyes gave him away. Revealed the bad boy tucked not far below the surface. Dressed in a dark suit and tie, the man looked like every woman’s dream. On the surface, smooth and debonair. But beneath lay the wild. He took her hand, and, God forgive her, she followed him, weak- kneed onto the portable dance floor, telling herself she didn’t want to, that she only did it to keep peace. Knowing she lied. A full moon shone overhead and candlelight flickered. When he drew her into his arms and pulled her close, she sighed. One hand held hers, the other settled south of her waist. “You smell good, Jenni Beth. You always do.” His voice, low and husky, sent goosebumps racing up and down her arms. Despite herself, she rested her head against his chest, seduced by the strong, steady beat of his heart, the illusion he could make everything and anything all right.
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