Bridal Favors Mass Market Paperback – August 27, 2002

I love this author’s novels. Her contemporaries are a hoot, demonstrating Connie Brockway’s love of Minnesota in all its glory. They read as if the very best bits of A Prairie Home Companion had been reworked to fit perfectly into the pages of a romance novel. Brockway’s nineteenth century romances are just as delightful. In this second Wedding Planner book, she creates a hero and heroine who together take on the world of espionage, all while engaging in ancient abbey renovation and planning an international ton wedding—and in the process shatter their own and other’s preconceptions about their respective roles in the world. They are a pair to remember, the owlet and the rake. Excellent writing and an abundance of humor make this a satisfying, heart-warming read.

3.75 Stars - Sweet and entertaining book. Some witty repartee. ** SPOILERS ** At 15 yrs old Evelyn sees Justin Powell leaving a married woman's bedchamber. Justin strikes a deal, that if she won't say anything about him, he will be indebted to her and will return the favor. Ten years later Evelyn breaks into Justin's home and explains that she's standing in for her aunt as a wedding planner and the current clients want to have the wedding at Justin's estate. He refuses so she shows him the voucher. That's when he realizes she's the girl he met 10 years ago. Now she dresses plainly in serviceable dresses knowing how plain she is after being compared to her beautiful sister for years. He lets her have the wedding there on the condition that he can be there as well because as a well known bird watcher, that is the time that he wants to see the habits of a bird he discovered there. What Evelyn doesn't know is that Justin is really a top spy for the government that hides behind a facade of disheveled looks, eccentricity, cleverness, unflappableness and obliviousness. While looking for possible spies that's looking for a crate he's going to receive, he pretends to be bird watching while Evelyn makes over his home for the wedding but it's getting harder and harder for him to resist her. She's interested in him but knows that he would never go for someone like her. Even though there are kisses and more, she writes it off as him being randy and she's the only woman available. When he makes it clear that he truly desires her, they make love, but the next day Justin tells her that he's a spy because he just realized that he'd been setup and that his superiors have made it look that Evelyn is also a spy. So with a wedding going on they find out who the spy is and trap him into revealing himself but the spy gets aways to tell the enemy that Justin and Evelyn are spies. Once a spy is known they can no longer be used and must retire thus keeping Evelyn and Justin safe. After the wedding disaster, Justin proclaims that he loves her and after much convincing she admits she loves him too.

I just read "Bridal Favors" back to back with "McClairen's Isle: The Passionate One" - and frankly, I am amazed that the same person wrote them both. McClairen's Isle was so dark and intense; Bridal Favors is full of light and air and cheer. Brockway writes both sorts with, apparently, equal aplomb.I totally adored Justin and Evelyn. They both stand out as individuals; Justin's glib tongue is endlessly amusing and Evelyn's determination and practicality are so poignantly woven in with her desire to please and vulnerability. They're both fundamentally good people, too, also independent and responsible.The ensemble is just delightful. Beverly the butler, Merry the dressmaker, Stow the spymaster...there's so much quirk and wit and froth, but at the same time, the plot is never thin and Justin is a pretty believable spy.This was a *fun* read - I smiled and laughed all through. I have to say, I am quite impressed by Brockway. I think I'm going to have to read all her other books now, too.

These stories of the Scottish highlands really thrill me, since although I am English I know little about these foreboding areas of Scotland. Connie Brockway really reveals her research into these novels set in such dark epic lands.I have never been a person to read romance until recently, but Connie's colorful portrayals of exciting. interesting, and fascinating characters, that seem to leap out of every page has made me a convert, and I eagerly want to read all her books.The romantic descriptions are thrust at you in such a way that they appear as if you were filming these love affairs yourself. The final ending is a challenging surprise.Suitable for all ages.

This book was given 3 stars because it was very slow, and the characters always flirted, but it never led anywhere, and the first kiss was chapters further than what I would have thought. Other than those things, the book was good.When 15-year-old Evelyn interrupts what she takes to be a tryst between Justin and a prominent diplomat's wife, she exacts a note of debt from the ruffled 23-year-old in return for her silence. Ten years later, Evie, who is filling in for her aunt as a society wedding planner, comes calling with her note. She needs Justin's familial estate for the wedding of the season. He agrees reluctantly, complaining it will interfere with his bird-watching he's an ornithologist on the tail of the elusive Bubo Formosa Plorimus (Most Beautiful Owl) but in truth, the nuptials will provide an excellent cover for his espionage activities. Far from the frivolous ladies' man Evie thinks he is, Justin is really a spy, but his latest mission to hide a "diabolical machine" being shipped to him by his handler may put them both in danger.

Great story. Great characters. The hero, Justin Powell and heroine, Evelyn Cummings Whyte share great banter together, which is the best feature of this book. The intrigue with the spies is pretty bland,and somewhat dumb, but the book is definitely entertaining.