Ready to Wed

Title: READY TO WED
Author: Melody Carlson
Publisher: Guideposts Books
October 2007
ISBN: 978-0-8249-4724-8
Genre: Inspirational/contemporary

Jane Howard’s bed and breakfast isn’t doing so well. Due to the cold and rainy May weather, all her guests have cancelled and gone home. She goes out to try to get some work done in her garden, when a pink Cadillac arrives. The driver, Belle Bannister, claims she had a dream from God, saying that God told her to come to Acorn Hill, Pennsylvania, and that she would find her husband there and they’d be married in three weeks.

Jane, understandably, is a bit put off by this revelation, but her sisters, Louise, and Alice, and their elderly aunt Ethel are excited about the prospect of a wedding. Ethel even volunteers to take Belle out to introduce her to all the eligible bachelors in town.

Matters are complicated when Jane gets a letter from her ex-husband, Justin, saying that he’s planning on coming for a visit. Jane is almost sick with anxiety. What can Justin possibly want after all this time?

READY TO WED is a totally fun story with a completely unexpected character. I loved Belle’s upbeat attitude, but wondered if she wouldn’t be scaring the bachelors off by being so blatantly obvious about her “man-hunt.” The three sisters and aunt are just as well developed, and interesting in their own ways.

READY TO WED is the first book in Melody Carlson’s Tales from Grace Chapel Inn series. I’m looking forward to reading the other books in the series. This book truly does remind readers that “God moves in mysterious ways.” Don’t miss this new series, or this book, READY TO WED. 336 pages. $11.95.