Wendy Markham, Bride Needs Groom

Bride Needs Groom

Wendy Markham

Warner, Oct 2005, $6.50, 384 pp.

ISBN: 0446614548

In recent years, Mia Calogera has been spoiled because her grandpa won the lottery. However he is also from the old country and demands Mia marry before she reaches her thirtieth birthday or he will cut her out of his will. He even offers to bring a groom from Sicily for her.

Mia meets Derek Jackson, an orchid grower, over the internet. They exchange email, chats, and pictures, and soon agree to wed. She flies to Vegas to marry him at the Chapel of Luv. Her first class row mate on the flight is Dominick Chickalini. On the plane they hit it off starting with both being from Astoria Queens. In the Vegas Airport she decides to drop Derek and try to convince Dominick to marry her because she feels attracted to him. She offers Dominick money, which he needs to move out from under his father's roof so he marries her. Soon the newlyweds each wants to make their relationship permanent because they love each other, but neither is willing to take the daring first step.

BRIDE NEEDS GROOM is a fun lighthearted romantic romp that fans of contemporary tales will appreciate. The lead couple are fun to read about as they marry for the wrong reasons, but all the right reasons are there too if either courageously reaches out to the other. Readers will enjoy Wendy Markham's amusing tale of love across the tracks in Astoria.

Harriet Klausner