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The Wedding Ghost
Journeying to a dilapidated castle for her sister's nuptials, sensible Anna Winston finds herself thrown together with the bridegroom's reclusive brother, Roarke Chancellor, the Duke of Seeton, when a mysterious ghostly apparition decides to play matchmaker. Original.
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
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67 people want to read
About the author
Cindy Holbrook
26 books23 followersBefore becoming a romance novelist, Cindy received a BFA in theater and pursued a career in real estate. She was both a broker and a general contractor and actually began writing to entertain herself while she sat open house as a realtor.
Although born in Wisconsin, Cindy moved to Florida with her family at a young age and has never left. Her home in Fort Walton, on the Emerald coast, provides Cindy with warm weather, beautiful beaches, and magnificent waters. She loves reading, pretending to cook (she says that she reads cookbooks far more often than she actually makes anything), and admiring old cars-especially Mustangs. Cindy is also a devoted dog person who maintains that dogs are actually women's best friend.
Although born in Wisconsin, Cindy moved to Florida with her family at a young age and has never left. Her home in Fort Walton, on the Emerald coast, provides Cindy with warm weather, beautiful beaches, and magnificent waters. She loves reading, pretending to cook (she says that she reads cookbooks far more often than she actually makes anything), and admiring old cars-especially Mustangs. Cindy is also a devoted dog person who maintains that dogs are actually women's best friend.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 3, 2023
When her beloved sister becomes engaged to the man of her dreams, the heroine is beyond happy for her. But never did she expect that with planning a wedding will also come with a dark family curse and a haunted house to boot! The heroine never took any stock in silly things like ghosts, that is, until she stepped foot in the manor. That first night she is visited by the family's ancestor who was wronged on the day of his wedding by his fiancé and murdered. Now, it's his responsibility to appear at every wedding day of his family line to proclaim whether the match is approved or not. The heroine may not be beautiful or overly social but she bright and she is hell and determined to prevent anything from ruining her sister’s happiness and the talk of ghosts is very unsettling to her sister. So, the heroine decides to put an end to it by discovering the mystery behind the ghosts death and allowing him to find peace- therefore ending the curse. She didn't count on the fiancés surly and antisocial brother being added to the mix and suddenly-thanks to this interfering and silly ghost- she finds herself caught in a compromising position with the hero and is forced to accept the idea of marriage. She knows she will never go through with it but the hero’s painful past of his own betrayal is upsetting to the family and so she must play along. There follows a story of betrayal, trust and mystery. The hero and heroine, once enemies, soon become something more but if they are not able to trust one another than the curse will really and truly win in the end.
This book is very much a discounted harquin novel. Meaning it is short, very uncomplicated and not exactly true to its portrayed era. The language of the time faded in and out as the author lost focus of the time period and repeatedly referenced modern phrasing and mannerisms. The vast majority of the scenarios were typical historical but a lot of the time I found myself rolling my eyes at the lack of true character reactions. Never would an unmarried female have any freedom of choice in marriage after she was caught in a man’s bedchamber. Never would she decide to ride along with a man without a chaperone. These things threw me off and paired with the rushed tone of the book and sever lack of chemistry between the characters made this book rate low for me. I felt no love between the characters and indeed most of the 250-page book was spent with them at odds with one another and having little to no private interactions. I wasn't a fan but then again, I should not have expected a whole lot out of it.
This book is very much a discounted harquin novel. Meaning it is short, very uncomplicated and not exactly true to its portrayed era. The language of the time faded in and out as the author lost focus of the time period and repeatedly referenced modern phrasing and mannerisms. The vast majority of the scenarios were typical historical but a lot of the time I found myself rolling my eyes at the lack of true character reactions. Never would an unmarried female have any freedom of choice in marriage after she was caught in a man’s bedchamber. Never would she decide to ride along with a man without a chaperone. These things threw me off and paired with the rushed tone of the book and sever lack of chemistry between the characters made this book rate low for me. I felt no love between the characters and indeed most of the 250-page book was spent with them at odds with one another and having little to no private interactions. I wasn't a fan but then again, I should not have expected a whole lot out of it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 18, 2017
Once Upon a Time Little Lexie Reader fell into he Zebra/Signet Regency Romance boom of the late 90's/early 00's. I fell on these like a ravenous wolf on a freshly dead deer. I read A LOT of these. Like. so many I can't remember them all. I'd get them for cheap at the local used bookstore, ask for them for holidays, save my pennies to get the new ones...it was a madcap adventure.
That said a lot of these are just not great. So I'm doing a Regency Read project to weed out the ones I won't re-read because guys, I have so many banker boxes of these...
THE WEDDING GHOST, which I haven't re-read in at least 8 years, is one I have fond memories of because our hero, Roark, likes to...well ROAR. Salome, a maid at the castle, constantly interrupts his cuddly but mostly chaste sexy times with the heroine, Anna and it makes him frustrated. It doesn't help Salome, who is "in the family way" (but not married, though this book is fascinatingly forward in how the characters treat her), CHANTS AT A BANSHEE WAIL every prayer she can think of. As one character remarks, its not like she's innocent so why is she freaked out by two consenting adults - who are fully dressed! - cuddling on the bed under a blanket?
Yes I read this book so many times as a teenager that I remember whole swaths of it without needing a refresher. Guys the banter between Roark and Anna is hilarious, the ghost (Charles) is hilarious and Anna loves to rib Roark about how everyone in his family thinks he's this miserly recluse that stares at the sky all day when he's practically a frakking rake who just happens to be mostly anti-social with his family.
So I went into this book with high hopes it would maintain its appeal to me. And it did! While I'm mostly not convinced of the romance that had little impact on the overall enjoyment I had. This is just a FUN book with some sexy times that were mostly chaste, but still surprisingly passionate.
A keeper!
That said a lot of these are just not great. So I'm doing a Regency Read project to weed out the ones I won't re-read because guys, I have so many banker boxes of these...
THE WEDDING GHOST, which I haven't re-read in at least 8 years, is one I have fond memories of because our hero, Roark, likes to...well ROAR. Salome, a maid at the castle, constantly interrupts his cuddly but mostly chaste sexy times with the heroine, Anna and it makes him frustrated. It doesn't help Salome, who is "in the family way" (but not married, though this book is fascinatingly forward in how the characters treat her), CHANTS AT A BANSHEE WAIL every prayer she can think of. As one character remarks, its not like she's innocent so why is she freaked out by two consenting adults - who are fully dressed! - cuddling on the bed under a blanket?
Yes I read this book so many times as a teenager that I remember whole swaths of it without needing a refresher. Guys the banter between Roark and Anna is hilarious, the ghost (Charles) is hilarious and Anna loves to rib Roark about how everyone in his family thinks he's this miserly recluse that stares at the sky all day when he's practically a frakking rake who just happens to be mostly anti-social with his family.
So I went into this book with high hopes it would maintain its appeal to me. And it did! While I'm mostly not convinced of the romance that had little impact on the overall enjoyment I had. This is just a FUN book with some sexy times that were mostly chaste, but still surprisingly passionate.
A keeper!
November 6, 2015
I was so tempted to give up several times while I was reading it. But I don't like to rate/review a book that I did not finish. And I wanted to review it. Besides, I own a paper book, which is what frustrates me the most. If it was an e-book, fine, I could have deleted/removed it. But there are no Cindy Holbrook e-books yet, and I honestly don't have spaces left in my shelf for paper-books (ha, as if I could stop buying!). I think I am going to leave this book in an empty seat of the bus or something.
Where to start... alright, the main points; points I remember so far, but that may increase within the week:
1. The love story. B-O-R-I-N-G! It was already a bad sign when I decided to leave the book for a moment to go and eat something while Anna and Roark kissed for the first time. The first kiss should be like, the climax of a Regency romance. First epic fail.
2. This is Regency, for God's sake. But everyone was calling everybody by their first name. No formality here. This is Anna, this is Roark, this is Aunt Deirdre, this is Julian... what were their last names? Right, Julian was the "charming villain", but even villains address the ladies by their last name. Why, the first time they meet, Julian calls Anna Anna. And she, Julian. (!)
3. There is a pregnant girl out of wedlock. And it is like, the most common thing for all these characters. Wrong! In Regency era, just saying the word "pregnant" made the girls blush. Imagine a girl pregnant AND single (and the father gone nonetheless). Anna and her sister Beth (who was the epitome of everything good, nice, etc) were not even shocked about this fact. And Aunt Deirdre even joked about it. Joked!
4. Anna and Roark were caught in bed together (of course, this is a clean-romance, so nothing happened) and no one is shocked. Not even Virginal Beth. I even asked myself if I was reading a regency or a contemporary love story?
5. The story is so predictable is painful. We have our MC, a plain Jane, who not only is beyond perfect for our hero, but she gets a suitor for the first time in her life, causing (of course) jealousy in our tormented hero Roark. The suitor is, of course!, charming, handsome, blah, blah. So why does this charming young man, who can have anyone, "fall" for our heroine? When no one in her twenty-something has ever paid her attention? Oh no, it is not because she is suddenly pretty, blah, blah, but because he has second intentions. Predictable. Of course our heroine cannot have another suitor without mean intentions involved.
6. The story is as corny as hell. Everyone has his/her love, and everyone is sooo much in love. Like, "I-cannot-live-without-you" in love. For about 30% of the book, the only character I liked was the ghost. Until he decides to become match-maker (along with everybody), because, of course, everybody but Anna and Roark, knew they were meant for each other. **yawn**
This is a clean-romance, but it is very heated-up and lusty. I wouldn't have been so angry with this book if a) I haven't the paper-book and b) I haven't read other books by this author. I have to give up with Cindy Holbrook, which is really bad cause I thought I found another favorite regency author. But 2 MEH books out of 3 its a sign.
Where to start... alright, the main points; points I remember so far, but that may increase within the week:
1. The love story. B-O-R-I-N-G! It was already a bad sign when I decided to leave the book for a moment to go and eat something while Anna and Roark kissed for the first time. The first kiss should be like, the climax of a Regency romance. First epic fail.
2. This is Regency, for God's sake. But everyone was calling everybody by their first name. No formality here. This is Anna, this is Roark, this is Aunt Deirdre, this is Julian... what were their last names? Right, Julian was the "charming villain", but even villains address the ladies by their last name. Why, the first time they meet, Julian calls Anna Anna. And she, Julian. (!)
3. There is a pregnant girl out of wedlock. And it is like, the most common thing for all these characters. Wrong! In Regency era, just saying the word "pregnant" made the girls blush. Imagine a girl pregnant AND single (and the father gone nonetheless). Anna and her sister Beth (who was the epitome of everything good, nice, etc) were not even shocked about this fact. And Aunt Deirdre even joked about it. Joked!
4. Anna and Roark were caught in bed together (of course, this is a clean-romance, so nothing happened) and no one is shocked. Not even Virginal Beth. I even asked myself if I was reading a regency or a contemporary love story?
5. The story is so predictable is painful. We have our MC, a plain Jane, who not only is beyond perfect for our hero, but she gets a suitor for the first time in her life, causing (of course) jealousy in our tormented hero Roark. The suitor is, of course!, charming, handsome, blah, blah. So why does this charming young man, who can have anyone, "fall" for our heroine? When no one in her twenty-something has ever paid her attention? Oh no, it is not because she is suddenly pretty, blah, blah, but because he has second intentions. Predictable. Of course our heroine cannot have another suitor without mean intentions involved.
6. The story is as corny as hell. Everyone has his/her love, and everyone is sooo much in love. Like, "I-cannot-live-without-you" in love. For about 30% of the book, the only character I liked was the ghost. Until he decides to become match-maker (along with everybody), because, of course, everybody but Anna and Roark, knew they were meant for each other. **yawn**
This is a clean-romance, but it is very heated-up and lusty. I wouldn't have been so angry with this book if a) I haven't the paper-book and b) I haven't read other books by this author. I have to give up with Cindy Holbrook, which is really bad cause I thought I found another favorite regency author. But 2 MEH books out of 3 its a sign.
August 11, 2014
An easy, witty, light-hearted read but I really liked it.
October 16, 2023
Love this book.
The comedy, the drama, and the g-ghost!
If you love an enemies to Lovers trope, this book is for you.
Anna doesn't believe in Ghosts. But when she and her sister Beth travel to Devenshire for Beth's wedding it becomes clear that the castle, with its ivy and spires, has to be haunted or it would be a shame for every Gothic novel that Anna has read.
Enemy to lovers:
Roarke's first impression of Anna wasn't a good one, and their continued encounters just keep causing them both trouble. Cousin Charles (the Ghost) isn't helping the situation either. Locking them in a room together creating an awkward situation, or blowing up winds at the most inconvenient times. Neither one of the aforementioned have the chance to sort out how they really feel before sandal strikes and their trust and love is tested.
Mystery:
Anna, being the only person who can actually see and hear Charles, is suddenly flung into an all out mystery to find out what really happened to him 200 years earlier. Did he really jump out of the tower because his fiancé ran off with another man, or was he pushed to his death. And if he was pushed, by who and why?
Scandal:
Charles has disrupted Anna's dance with Julius, and demanded that she follow him because he is certain that Roarke is about to walk into a trap. Anna walks in on Roarke with another woman in is arms and kissing him.
Anna is not only outraged, but at a loss, because he technically isn't her fiancé. But she knows that she loves him.
Anna later caught in the same circumstance with Julius. But is once again at a loss when Roarke is still willing to marry her, but he doesn't trust her.
With history repeating itself, Charles must convince Roarke to move past his hurt and follow the one he loves. Or face loosing it forever like he did with Genevieve.
The comedy, the drama, and the g-ghost!
If you love an enemies to Lovers trope, this book is for you.
Anna doesn't believe in Ghosts. But when she and her sister Beth travel to Devenshire for Beth's wedding it becomes clear that the castle, with its ivy and spires, has to be haunted or it would be a shame for every Gothic novel that Anna has read.
Enemy to lovers:
Roarke's first impression of Anna wasn't a good one, and their continued encounters just keep causing them both trouble. Cousin Charles (the Ghost) isn't helping the situation either. Locking them in a room together creating an awkward situation, or blowing up winds at the most inconvenient times. Neither one of the aforementioned have the chance to sort out how they really feel before sandal strikes and their trust and love is tested.
Mystery:
Anna, being the only person who can actually see and hear Charles, is suddenly flung into an all out mystery to find out what really happened to him 200 years earlier. Did he really jump out of the tower because his fiancé ran off with another man, or was he pushed to his death. And if he was pushed, by who and why?
Scandal:
Charles has disrupted Anna's dance with Julius, and demanded that she follow him because he is certain that Roarke is about to walk into a trap. Anna walks in on Roarke with another woman in is arms and kissing him.
Anna is not only outraged, but at a loss, because he technically isn't her fiancé. But she knows that she loves him.
Anna later caught in the same circumstance with Julius. But is once again at a loss when Roarke is still willing to marry her, but he doesn't trust her.
With history repeating itself, Charles must convince Roarke to move past his hurt and follow the one he loves. Or face loosing it forever like he did with Genevieve.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 4, 2020
Broad and a touch buffoony; pleasant enough; okay ghost; so much stupidity though. It's a combination of a decent story plus lots of buffoonery.
September 7, 2025
This was actually pretty good, it took me a while to read but it was really interesting. I loved all the drama and twists the betrayal too
August 23, 2012
I thought this was a charming little ghost story. I don’t normally like ghost stories all that much, but the ghost in this, Charles, was fun. He is a little busy-body and decides he wants to play cupid with Anna and Roark, with some fun results. I liked Anna and she knows how to speak her mind. While I liked Roark, he was a bit on the worldly side for me. It seems like a lot of these old-school regency authors were requried to make their “heros” all rakes. Roark isn’t too bad though and he does respect Anna, and even wins me over along the way. I was a little nervous at first, but this ended up being pretty clean (just a few kisses). The story was well written and there is even a mystery of what really happened with Charles and why he hasn’t been able to move on. Anna and Roark had a good relationship, despite Roark’s inability to trust women, which almost causes him to miss his chance with Anna. I don’t know why I enjoyed this one so much, but I did. It was lighthearted fun.
Content: A couple swearwords and some passionate kissing.
Content: A couple swearwords and some passionate kissing.
March 30, 2013
This was a very enjoyable book. The ghost story works beautifully as he is one of the secondary characters rather than a distant device. Each portion of the story served to parallel another story whether it was Charles story, Roark's story, Aunt Deidre or Anna's. Everyone had intertwined stories.
The tone is very light but the intrigue was engrossing and helped drive the novel at parts where the character or relationship development seemed to falter. I really enjoyed this novel and is by far my favorite one by Holbrook though Lady Megan's Masquerade comes a close second even if its for sentimental reasons.
The tone is very light but the intrigue was engrossing and helped drive the novel at parts where the character or relationship development seemed to falter. I really enjoyed this novel and is by far my favorite one by Holbrook though Lady Megan's Masquerade comes a close second even if its for sentimental reasons.
February 28, 2008
Nothing too serious, it's what I like to call brain candy. This is a light-hearted romp through a haunted castle with a typical tall, dark, and sullen--and handsome--male lead, countered by an intrepid and determined heroine. The supporting characters add charm as well as laughter, and the situations the characters find themselves in can be quite humorous. You don't feel the characters will jump off the page into real life, but they're fun to read about.
April 23, 2011
While this is a truckload of tired romance plotlines, I did like the funky ghost. You don't see a lot of ghosts as likable secondary characters in romances, and while Charles was quite the gentleman throughout, it did give me some inappropriate ideas about other things handsome ghosts might do in romances...
July 26, 2014
My mom mailed it to me in a package with a bunch of other books (genealogy, mostly). Easy read. Pretty predictable. Solid conclusion (sometimes writers leave you to guess or assume at an ending after a reconciliation but this was a full conclusion).
November 11, 2017
Regency
July 18, 2012
Loved reading this book. It made you laugh,made you believe in love and broke your heart but in the end it all ended well.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews