THE WEDDING CHALLENGE

Author: Candace Camp ISBN: 0373773080 9/2008 HISTORICAL Publisher: HQN
Time Period: Regency

PLAYING CUPID CAN BE A DANGEROUS GAME Lady Calandra should have suitors beating down her door. But her overprotective brother, the Duke of Rochford, has managed to scare off every suitable gentleman. Every man except the mysterious Earl of Bromwell, that is. Callie finds herself drawn to the enigmatic earl, despite her brother's almost violent protestations. In defiance of her brother's wishes, Callie devises a plan to see Bromwell again, enlisting the help of matchmaker Francesca Haughston. But when shadowy secrets about the duke and the earl come to light, it may be too late for Callie to see that she's walked straight into a trap....

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

THE WEDDING CHALLENGE by Candace Camp is part of the Matchmaker Series and features a young woman with an overbearing brother and the man who just might be able to pull her out of her sibling's clutches—that is, if they can all deal with, then bury, the secrets of the past that threaten to consume any chance at a happy future. Sounds interesting, doesn't it? Well, it is.

Callie's brother is more than a typically protective brother but he has his reasons. At least, he thinks he does. The problem is, he doesn't share them with anyone. So when Callie meets, and is intrigued by, a roguish earl at a masked ball who comes to her rescue on a dark terrace, her brother goes ballistic. Of course the plot is fairly predictable because once something (or someone) is deemed off-limits... well, who isn't going to desire a taste of the forbidden fruit? Callie's only human and does, indeed, yearn for Bromwell.

This would have been a less-than-stellar story simply because of its predictable plot, but Ms. Camp's attention to detail, realistic and often amusing dialogue and delightful characters make this story highly entertaining. While I wouldn't reread this, I am definitely going to pick up a copy of the next book in the series, THE COURTSHIP DANCE. I've got some ideas about whose romance will be featured in that one, and I'd love to see how close I've called it from the clues in THE WEDDING CHALLENGE. All in all, THE WEDDING CHALLENGE is a fun tale and a pleasant way to pass a long afternoon.

Kay James