Wedding of the Century

At the First Church of Tobias in Tobias, Wisconsin, Steve Corbett and Annette Trevetti are at the alter getting married when a pregnant Lily Wilbanks interrupts the ceremony. The intruder claims that Steve is the father of her unborn. When Steve fails to respond, a stunned Annette leaves the church, the town, and her beloved behind.Seven and a half years later, Annette returns home to help her beloved brother who broke his wrist though she has no plan to remain in her hometown once her sibling heals. When Annette and Steve see each other, sparks still fly, but she nevertheless feels betrayed and he furthermore credits her lack of trust to their break up. His elderly relative "arranges" for Annette and his seven-year-old daughter Nell to meet; the incident first panics then stuns Steve as he observes the two important women in his life behaving like buddies. As Annette and Steve realize they remain in love, he wonders if he should risk all by telling "Every Detail" about Nell.The second chance at love theme of WEDDING OF THE CENTURY showcases Patricia McLinn's ability to tell a compelling story starring a strong cast of characters. The delightful lead protagonists belong together and the mostly charming (except for his snobbish mother) secondary cast provides deep insight into the respective personalities of Annette and Steve. Though a final twist seems inane especially when the hero remained stoically silent at the church and subsequently blames Annette for their break up, fans will enjoy this novel and want sequels starring a friend and a brother or two.Harriet Klausner

...minutes before she was to say, "I do." But now Annette Trevetti's back. She's no longer poor little Annette. She's grown strong. But is she strong enough to face the man who betrayed her, to face his daughter...the daughter that was conceived with another woman while he was planning a wedding with Annette? There are words that Steve should have said, but after seven years he's not sure if he still has the right to say them. So much water under the bridge, so many things have changed. But there is one thing that remains the same--his feelings for Annette. Could he win her back?Together Annette and Steve find that though they've both changed, their love is strong enough to overcome everything...even their past. Patricia McLinn shines in this story of a love that was meant to be.

Instead of the simple ceremony of her dreams, Annette Trevetti stands with Steve Corbett before the altar in a church bedecked in elegance and wealth. Her Cinderella gown and rise above her social position have come with a price, however, and she expected Steve to protect her from the discomfort much as her own brother would have done. Then a woman interrupts the ceremony claiming that Steve fathered her baby. Annette leaves behind only her torn gloves and rings.Seven years later Annette returns to her hometown to care for her injured brother. Steve had married and divorced the woman who interrupted their ceremony and now raises his daughter Nell. Seeing Annette brings back all his old feelings in force, but convincing Annette to give him a second chance proves nearly impossible. However, Steve is tenacious. When his elderly relative arranges a meeting between Nell and Annette, events take an interesting turn, and Annette soon finds herself confronting living in only the present, and sharing much of it with Steve.A second chance at love takes an interesting twist in WEDDING OF THE CENTURY. Once again author Patricia McLinn pens an evocative and powerfully told tale. While readers might doubt the groom's ability to remain silent at the altar when accused of fathering another woman's child, the idealism of youth and inbred control in any situation certainly explains his hesitance. Indeed, his demonic mother gives a new meaning to control and secret keeping. Annette's growth from victim to strength reveals a fascinating heroine who deserves such an extraordinary hero as Steve. The secondary cast also dazzles, especially Steve's precocious daughter. Fans will eagerly anticipate the sequel THE UNEXPECTED WEDDING GUEST coming in May 2003. WEDDING OF THE CENTURY comes highly recommended.