Wedding Bell Blues (The Piper Cove Chronicles)

This is a wonderfully romantic tale of two people who had too much, too soon. As teenagers, Alex and Josh fell in love and shared a stormy marriage that lasted less than a year! Sixteen years later, Alex's sister is getting married, and Alex is helping to plan the wedding as the Maid of Honor. She is about to pay off a business loan to her critical father. Life is looking good. Then, Alex learns that Josh is returning to Piper Cove as the Best Man in her sister's wedding! Will Alex be able to get through her dealings with Josh without losing her heart to him all over again? Wedding Bell Blues is a masterfully written story about choices and forgiveness and love. Bravo, Linda Windsor! I can't wait for book 2!!!

This is the first novel I've read by Linda Windsor and now I'm wondering what took me so long to delve into her stories. I own several more, which I will soon be reading, especially if they are all as good as this book was. I really enjoyed the tension between characters. Especially the hero and heroine. The longing for each other, and yet trying-to-remain-aloof-but-not-succeeding portion of the story kept me smiling. I love a book that has passionate kissing in it, especially when the two people who are drawn together also feel like they shouldn't succumb to what they long for. That makes for the best romantic tension. And this book has fabulous kissing and romance, yet they never fall into dangerous territory because Joshua is heroic enough to flee temptation. The author has a gift for description, making your heart float at times. She also has a great sense of humor and uses witty metaphors. Incredibly romantic, this novel had just enough sizzle to hook me on her books for life. Not to reduce it to sizzle, because the spiritual element was deep and edifying as well, but I SO love an inspirational novel that has more than just one kiss at the end. Trust me, if you love romantic tension, great character arcs and an interesting plot, this story has a gourmet distribution of them all. Delicious and addicting. I loved it.

Alex Butler has built a new career for herself after a painful divorce. She can pay off the loan on her business, and her three best friends are there to give her support and encouragement. The last thing she needs is another man in her life. Then she finds her younger sister is getting married and wants Alex to be Maid of Honor. The best man is none other than Josh Turner, Alex' former husband, and she is totally ticked. Wedding Bell Blues is book one of the Piper Cove Chronicles, following the lives of four women who have been best friends since high school. Lively and witty, with Linda Windsor's trademark humor. A fun story.

I thoroughly enjoyed Wedding Bell Blues. The story centers around Alex and Josh. Once married 16 years ago, Josh left Piper Cove to pursue his music career leaving Alex only a note. She went to school and then began her own interior design business. Now her little sister Lynn is getting married and Alex is planning her wedding. Lynn finally drops the bomb that John's (Lynn's finance) best friend and best man is Josh. Alex is stunned. Josh is a changed person though and determined to win Alex back. The chemistry is still very much there but the deep heart love had not really ever left. Both of them were determined to get through this situation, but it seemed every time they ran into each other (and that happened a lot) the "love" feelings became more pronounced. Realizing how they each felt....well, guess you'll have to read it to find out. This story, which is filled with lots of quirky characters (The Bosom Buddies) is such a fun read, yet has such a deep message. That of faith, love and forgiveness. (Stuff we can all relate to). Linda's characters are not perfect and struggle with doing things the way God wants them to and waiting on His timing. I think we can all identify with that. Realizing mistakes of the past and knowing we can't change them but reminded that God can use them for good and also use them to change you into a better person. Most of all, allowing second chances. I highly recommend this book if you enjoy humor, honesty, a great cast of characters and a timely message. Linda never disappoints.

Like always, you have built characters that have a sense of humor, as well as some short comings. Alex's biggest short coming is the fact that she is afraid to trust. To trust God and to trust Josh. She's also too impetuous. But what's great about her is that she recognizes her failings and is the first to admit them. I love the fact that she is very believable. And Josh. Well, I just love him. I love how he fights for what he wants. And he wants Alex. He's determined to show her that his faith is real and that it has changed his life. The Bosom Buddies. What a unique group of friends these women are! I'm looking forward to reading each of their story in turn. I think that my favorite character is the little girl who is sitting on the swing with Alex at the end of the book. She's such an imp that it reminds me of my friends who have young children. I don't want to wait until the next one is done to read Ellen's story. Or Jan's. Or Sue Ann's. I'm totally hooked!