Marriage by Design

Mia Savard has had it with lace, tulle, and white bridal gowns. She is ready to stop being the baby of the family and to be a grown woman. She was born into a family of designers; her parents own the biggest bridal design companies in Kansas City. She wants out of bridal and into trousseau making, and she wants it now. She issues an ultimatum to her father, but loses steam when it is found that someone stole one of her designs – and sold it to their biggest competitor.

Joseph “Joe” Kerr is a top-notch private detective who comes highly recommend to Savard Creations. He and his team are determined to find the thief who stole the gown, and to do it quickly. Joe however runs into distractions, namely the youngest Savard who has stolen his heart. He is determined to clear Mia, and to find a way to make her his own bride.

MARRIAGE BY DESIGN is a fun, fast paced novel that will leap into reader’s hearts from the start. Mia’s life may seem at first perfect, but as you get to know her, you find that she has many layers that need to be peeled back to meet the real heroine. Mia becomes a friend as the pages fly by; her heartaches are painted so well that they become a part of the readers mind. Lynn Michaels is a talented writer who creates characters so divine they become real.

Ms. Michaels has interlaced enough humor in this novel that it will leave readers laughing and crying with Mia as she finds her way in the world of adulthood. The mistakes she makes are truly heartbreaking, but when she hits the positive notes, readers will cheer along with her. A true happy ever after is in store for Mia, but the heartache she faces first will make her vulnerable and endear her to even the hardest hearted reader.

Not only are Mia and Joe great main characters, they have a story that is filled with drama and mystery. While classed as romantic comedy, MARRIAGE BY DESIGN is filled with enough intrigue to give it a place on this reviewer’s keeper shelf.

August 2006