Jean Stone Four Steps to the Altar

Four Steps to the Altar, Jean Stone, Bantam, Jul 2006, $6.99, ISBN 0553588532

Fortyish Lily Beckwith of Second Chance Wedding planners is considering marrying her boyfriend, Frank Forbes, but has a stipulation that she must not lose control of her late husband's fifty million dollar estate. However, any romantic endeavor like saying I do might mean her adversary, her ex-sister-in-law Antonia Beckwith, who controls much of the family fortune, could gain total access.

The other three partners are dealing with family issues too. Jo wants to be a great stepmother to her new spouse's twelve years old daughter, but her actions drive her husband to despair and his offspring to scorn. Elaine wants to marry her beau, but fears holy matrimony means the loss of her recently gained highly prized independence. Finally Sarah keeps an emotional distance from her boyfriend who wants more.

The fourth Second Chance contemporary tale is a well written story that continues the saga of four friends and partners. The recurring characters seem real and remain consistent so that those who have read the previous three novels will enjoy this entry though some of the euphoria of especially the first novel (see ONCE UPON A BRIDE) is diminished. New fans will be better off starting with the previous tales to learn more about the stars.

Harriet Klausner