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Romantic Traditions #1
Once upon a Wedding
A terrible accident had left lawyer Jess Dante scarred forever, in body and soul -- and determined never again to let anyone get close to him. And yet a needy, newborn little girl had somehow found her way into his embittered heart.... The only future he could offer was to adopt her, and for that he needed a wife. It wasn't easy, but he managed to persuade a friend and colleague, psychologist Hazel O'Connor, to marry him -- in name only. The trouble was, a make-believe marriage with this woman -- so familiar, yet suddenly so very new -- was enough to make a man dream of the real thing....
251 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 1, 1993
47 people want to read
About the author
Paula Detmer Riggs
57 books16 followersPaula Detmer Riggs was born in 1944 and earned a BS from the Miami University in 1965. She is a member of the Romance Writers of America and Novelists Inc.. She's worked professionally as a ember of the writing faculty of San Diego State University, Long Beach State University, and Irvine State University. Paula Detmer Riggs has written for Silhouette Desire and Silhouette Intimate Moments.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 27, 2011
Once upon a time, Jess was a famous race car driver. And then he had an accident that cost him his career and his right arm. 12 years later he is a successful lawyer, heard-hearted on the outside, but incredibly compassionate on the inside. It was that compassion that made him accept the possibility of adopting Francey, a daughter of one of his clients who died in childbirth. But because of his disability it is highly unlikely he could adopted. So, he needs a wife. Hazel fits his requirements perfectly.
Hazel is a child psychologist, who get roped into marriage by her love of a tiny child. And the fact that she was falling in love with Jess, even with his family and friends warning her off.
Jess in incredibly sensitive about his missing arm and the scars covering his chest. He retreats when Hazel’s reaction to them isn’t like he expected. Retreats and acts like an idiot with a wall of ice surrounding him. I had a hard time liking him.
Hazel is compassionate, patient and a good person, but nothing memorable.
BTW, Jess and Hazel are friend of the h/h from the book Paroled.
Rating:
2.5 stars.
Hazel is a child psychologist, who get roped into marriage by her love of a tiny child. And the fact that she was falling in love with Jess, even with his family and friends warning her off.
Jess in incredibly sensitive about his missing arm and the scars covering his chest. He retreats when Hazel’s reaction to them isn’t like he expected. Retreats and acts like an idiot with a wall of ice surrounding him. I had a hard time liking him.
Hazel is compassionate, patient and a good person, but nothing memorable.
BTW, Jess and Hazel are friend of the h/h from the book Paroled.
Rating:
2.5 stars.
June 26, 2011
Once Upon a Wedding features the lawyer friend Jess Dante from Paroled and the psychologist friend Hazel.
Jess had a great career in formula one, a wife when an accident on the track, made him lose his right arm, and his wife. It took him a long time to get over it and to some extent he is still dealing with it. He went back to school and became a hot-shot lawyer but he still has to deal with people's stares and looks and what he feels is pity from women. When one of his clients dies, after giving birth and says she wants him to raise the baby, Jess doesn't know what to do. On one hand he wants to raise the girl, on the other he knows that no court will let him and then he feels what if his child is ashamed of him in the future.
Hazel is a psychologist, she has wanted Jess ever since she met him in Paroled and knows Jess feels the same but he avoids her and keeps his distance. He asks her to marry him to keep the baby, but Hazel isn't sure. She doesn't know if Jess can open himself up.
I wanted to like the book and it wasn't bad but Jess spent almost half the book pushing Hazel away, taking her attempts to get him to open up in the wrong way, even after their marriage gets off to a good start, when one morning she sees his scars, he retreats. Even after so many years he had not dealt with what had happened to him, yes he was entitled but Hazel she never pitied him and only loved him and he didn't do a thing for it. Hazel on her part had lost her husband and baby close together. She got him and was very patient with him, I would have liked to see something from Jess's side as well.
Rating 2.5
Jess had a great career in formula one, a wife when an accident on the track, made him lose his right arm, and his wife. It took him a long time to get over it and to some extent he is still dealing with it. He went back to school and became a hot-shot lawyer but he still has to deal with people's stares and looks and what he feels is pity from women. When one of his clients dies, after giving birth and says she wants him to raise the baby, Jess doesn't know what to do. On one hand he wants to raise the girl, on the other he knows that no court will let him and then he feels what if his child is ashamed of him in the future.
Hazel is a psychologist, she has wanted Jess ever since she met him in Paroled and knows Jess feels the same but he avoids her and keeps his distance. He asks her to marry him to keep the baby, but Hazel isn't sure. She doesn't know if Jess can open himself up.
I wanted to like the book and it wasn't bad but Jess spent almost half the book pushing Hazel away, taking her attempts to get him to open up in the wrong way, even after their marriage gets off to a good start, when one morning she sees his scars, he retreats. Even after so many years he had not dealt with what had happened to him, yes he was entitled but Hazel she never pitied him and only loved him and he didn't do a thing for it. Hazel on her part had lost her husband and baby close together. She got him and was very patient with him, I would have liked to see something from Jess's side as well.
Rating 2.5
August 21, 2008
ONCE UPON A WEDDING - G
Riggs, Paula Detmer - SIM 524
Jess Dante, a lawyer was scarred forever in body and soul in a terrible accident. Left by his intended to go through hell alone, he was determined never again to let anyone get close to him. And yet a needy, newborn little girl had somehow found her way into his embittered heart. Begged by the baby's mother to raise her, he found that he needed a wife.
He had to persuade a friend and colleague, psychologist Hazel O'Connor to marry him -- in name only. The trouble was that Hazel was more than a wife -- she became his dream of the real thing as he helped her to heal a wounded heart. His lost dream of love and a family became possible as Hazel taught Jess to accept her love of his scarred body. The trouble they encountered in adopting and raising the baby girl will tug at your heartstrings.
It wasn't great, but it was a good read. SIMs are a bit light for me.
Riggs, Paula Detmer - SIM 524
Jess Dante, a lawyer was scarred forever in body and soul in a terrible accident. Left by his intended to go through hell alone, he was determined never again to let anyone get close to him. And yet a needy, newborn little girl had somehow found her way into his embittered heart. Begged by the baby's mother to raise her, he found that he needed a wife.
He had to persuade a friend and colleague, psychologist Hazel O'Connor to marry him -- in name only. The trouble was that Hazel was more than a wife -- she became his dream of the real thing as he helped her to heal a wounded heart. His lost dream of love and a family became possible as Hazel taught Jess to accept her love of his scarred body. The trouble they encountered in adopting and raising the baby girl will tug at your heartstrings.
It wasn't great, but it was a good read. SIMs are a bit light for me.
September 3, 2017
Loved it so very much. It was very touching and emotional and I loved it from the start to the very end.
P.S. It would be better if you read Paroled! then Once upon a Wedding (Romantic Traditions) then Her Secret, His Child and in the end read Perfect Hero (Whose Child?).
P.S. It would be better if you read Paroled! then Once upon a Wedding (Romantic Traditions) then Her Secret, His Child and in the end read Perfect Hero (Whose Child?).
January 4, 2013
Not as good as Her Secret, His Child (well, what is?) but still a solid entry by PDR. I'd probably give this one a 3.75 ;)
For anyone hoping for a glimpse of Mitch, he does make an appearance, but it's very short (maybe one scene?). On the other hand, anyone hoping for a glimpse of Jess in HSHC has at least two or three appearances -- one in person and one or two on the phone.
For anyone hoping for a glimpse of Mitch, he does make an appearance, but it's very short (maybe one scene?). On the other hand, anyone hoping for a glimpse of Jess in HSHC has at least two or three appearances -- one in person and one or two on the phone.
February 14, 2017
Just ok and hilariously dated.
August 12, 2016
Good story with nice writing. I liked the strong heroine who did not crumble when hero growled but found a way to show him the way to move forward.
November 25, 2014
First read: at publication
Reread: Often
Most recent reread: November 2014
Reread: Often
Most recent reread: November 2014
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews