Friday, December 31, 2010

The Accidental Wedding, by Anne Gracie

The Accidental Wedding is the fourth in the Devil Riders series by Anne Gracie.  This is the story of Nash Renfrew, diplomat for the English crown, and non-believer of love.  Nash has returned to England to look over his newly inherited property, and to ask his Aunt to find him a suitable wife.  None of these things happen as he thought they would.  Maddy Woodford is a gently born young woman, living in a two room cottage and taking care of her five half brothers and sisters.  Maddy has scrimped, saved, and grown what she could to keep her little family from starving, but the wolf is at the door in the form of an estate manager demanding money for rent.  When a stranger rides by and has an accident with his horse, Maddy takes him in and nurses him back to health, having no idea who he is or what he is doing in the area.  And neither does the stranger- he has lost his memory and has no idea who he is.  As the two avoid each other and passion they feel, evil forces are at work to drive Maddy from her quaint cottage and into the arms of an elderly, possessive man who wants to marry her.  When the stranger remembers himself as being Nash Renfrew, gentleman and Maddy's current landlord, the plot thickens as they try to unravel who is trying to scare them out of their home, and for what reasons.  

Maddy and Nash have an instant connection that only becomes stronger over the more time they spend together.    Neither planned on falling for each other, but when Maddy's reputation is called into question because of Nash's actions, he does the honorable thing and asks for her hand.  But Maddy has lived in the country all her life, and has no idea how to move about in the ton, or how to be a diplomat's wife.  With the help of Nash's family, Maddy makes the transformation and is determined to make him happy.

I've read this series out of order, as there are three other books before this one.  Gracie is a new author for me, recommended by a dear friend, and I am eternally grateful for the nod her in her direction.  Gracie's writing is smooth and witty, with emotion suffused into the characters and a well thought out plot.  All in all, it's a good read, and I would assume the others in the series are as well. 

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