MARRY CHRISTMAS

Author: Jane Goodger ISBN: 9781420103786 10/2008 HISTORICAL Publisher: KENSINGTON
Time Period: 1892 Newport Rhode Island, New York, England

A Christmas wedding to the Duke of Bellingham. Any other socialite in Newport, Rhode Island, would be overjoyed at the prospect, but Elizabeth Cummings finds her mother's announcement as appleaing as a prison sentence. Elizabeth has not the slightest desire to meet Randall Blackmore, let alone be bartered for an English title. Her heart belongs to another, and the duke's prestige, arrogance, and rugged charm will make no difference to her plans of elopement. Against his expectations and desires, Randall Blackmore has inherited a dukedom and a vast estate that only marriage to an heiress can save. Selling his title to the highest bidder is a wretched obligation, but to Randall's surprise his intended bride is pretty, courageous, delightfully impertinent—and completely uninterested in becoming a Duchess. Yet suddenly, no other woman will do, and a marriage in name only will never be enough for a husband determined to win his wife in body, heart, and soul.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

I just hope there's a sequel in the works for this book. MARRY CHRISTMAS by Jane Goodger starts out in Newport, Rhode Island, where Elizabeth Cummings is being forced into a marriage by her overbearing mother and her sympathetic father.

Randall Blackmore never in his life expected to become a Duke. Upon his brothers death, that's just what happened though, and not only did he inherit a title but he also inherited his family's debt. In order to gain the funds that he needs to keep his family from poverty, he has no choice but to marry, and marry well.

Jane Goodger did an excellent job holding my interest throughout this story. There was always something interesting going on. I like the fact that everything wasn't always easy for the couple, that Elizabeth and Randall had to go through real up's and downs to get them where they should be. Even though this was a forced marriage, the couple had to find love on their own, and Jane did a great job bringing it to life.

Sheila Smith