• Shop
My Account
  • Register
  • Login
Header Logo
You are here: Products Forever a Bridesmaid by Courtney Hunt
Cover image of the book
Cover image of the book

Forever a Bridesmaid by Courtney Hunt

Will she fall in love or will she be…Forever a Bridesmaid?

From romance author Courtney Hunt comes the Always a Bridesmaid series, a fun, contemporary romance series about professional bridesmaids who end up finding their own happily ever afters…

Erin Delaney’s struggling professional bridesmaid’s business needs an infusion of cash—quick—so she can support herself and her younger brother. When she gets a last-minute contract for a week of wedding festivities in Savannah, she jumps at the chance to create the perfect wedding. But she didn’t count on the groom’s disapproving brother…

Charming architect Matthew Westbrook will do anything to stop his younger brother’s pell-mell rush to the altar. He just didn’t count on falling for the smart and sexy bridesmaid that his mother hired…

When his matchmaking mama offers to sweeten the deal, Erin will earn the money she needs, if she can manage to keep Matthew from destroying the wedding. But, when her secret deal comes to light, will she lose her chance at love…in Forever a Bridesmaid, first in the Always a Bridesmaid series?

SKU: B012PZAF1Q Category: Contemporary
  • Description
  • Reviews (0)

Description

Find more from this author on:

Buy this book on Amazon
Amazon
Author's Website
Author Site
Find this book on Goodreads
GoodReads
Find this author on Facebook
Facebook
Find this author on Twitter
Twitter
Find this author on Pinterest
Pinterest


About the author:

When Courtney isn’t writing, she enjoys photography, sailing, and reading. She can never resist a craft store. After an early stint as a Disney cast member, she is a life long Disney addict. She’s also an avid fan of Star Trek, Star Wars, Sherlock, Harry Potter, Buffy…just to name a few.

What inspired you to write your book?

During my family’s annual trip to Myrtle Beach in 2014, my sister, a bridal makeup artist, and I chatted about recent wedding trends and she mentioned the new trend toward hiring professional bridesmaids. Within a few days of splashing in the surf, Erin Delaney and her merry band of professional bridesmaids were chatting away and I was taking notes and along for the ride.

Here is a short sample from the book:

“I know it’s not until Saturday, mama,” Matthew Westbrook said into his phone as he stepped up to the gleaming chrome bar in Chicago’s O’Hare airport. His fool brother set his wedding date for this Saturday, causing Matthew to have to do some fancy schedule-shuffling to head home on short notice. Thankfully, mid-December was a slow time of year for architects. “I can’t believe you let it get this far. You always said you made a mistake with daddy.”
“Do not take that tone with me,” his mother snapped, her tone frostier than the tarmac outside.
“Yes, ma’am,” Matthew said, grinding his teeth. “I’m not going to let him make the same mistake I did. Mama? Hello? She hung up on me…” He pulled the silent phone away from his ear and muttered. “The battery. Damn.”
“Need to borrow this?” Next to him, a slim, perfectly-manicured hand held out a lipstick-sized portable phone charger in Barbie pink.
“Thanks. But I don’t think it’ll fit my phone.” Matthew slapped his dead phone onto the bar and raked his hands through his hair.
Arguing with mama was always an exercise in frustration. Might as well beat his fool head against the wall. He glanced at the darkening sky. Ominous clouds churned, gray-black and heavy, dimming the concourse interior. Maybe I can still make it out tonight…
Delays, cancellations, and infrequent boarding announcements boomed over the tannoy. Defeated, tired travelers, accompanied by their carry-on luggage, bloomed like wild mushrooms across the lounge, as they staked out their territory for what could be a long wait.
“Try this one.” The woman next to him hopped off the barstool and bent over her bright red and black polka-dotted suitcase, opening the top flap. Inside, in clear plastic travel cases, the woman appeared to have the entire contents of several emergency kits—chargers, spare cords, batteries, Band-Aids, lotions, granola bars. She handed him a different portable charger, still in eye-searing pink, and climbed back onto the barstool. He raised his gaze to her face.
Bright blue eyes, the color of a clear September sky over Georgia, dominated her heart shaped face. Plush pink lips curved into a lovely smile. And her peaches-and-cream complexion complimented her honey-blonde hair, styled into a long ponytail, with tendrils curling around her face.
Wow. Simply gorgeous.
She smiled at him before ordering a coffee. Extra cream, no sugar.
“Why do you have a charger for my type of phone?” Matthew asked as he plugged his dead phone into the bright pink charger and set it on the gleaming bar.
“I’m a bridesmaid.”
“You seem to be taking your duties very seriously.”
“A professional bridesmaid.”
“I get it,” he laughed. “Seems like all my friends got married at once…”
“No.” She shook her head, making her ponytail sway, the sun streaks in her hair glinting in the low light. “That’s my business. Being a bridesmaid.”
“Bridesmaids R Us?”
“Nah, I went with MaidMart.” She grinned, her impish smile lighting up her whole face and crinkling her adorable nose. He laughed again. She really was lovely. “No, it’s called Always a Bridesmaid.”
“I see. So how did you become a professional bridesmaid, Ms…?”
“Erin Delaney.” She stuck out her hand and he shook it, locking on her blue eyes, surprised at how aware of the simple contact he was, the press of her soft, warm palm in his hand sending tingles up his arm.
“Matthew Westbrook.”
“Well, Mr. Westbrook, it’s a bit of a long story.”
“Matthew, please. And it looks like we’ll be stuck here a while.” He waved to the steadily darkening cloud cover, beginning to drop fat, fluffy snowflakes across the greater Chicago area. The weather report indicated an oncoming storm but he’d hoped to fly out before it started. She glanced out the windows and shivered, looking away, biting her lip. “So, about being a professional bridesmaid?”
“When I graduated college, I couldn’t find a job right away.”
“So you invented your own?”
“Everyone I knew was getting married. Every weekend there was some bridal or wedding event. Sometimes more than one. One of my sorority sisters asked me to be her bridesmaid but, at the time, I was living on mac and cheese and PB and J. My big night out was a hamburger. So I told her I couldn’t afford to do it.”
“Go to the wedding?”
“Be a bridesmaid. It’s so expensive! With the dress and the shoes dyed to match and makeup and hair and nails and gifts. And sometimes travel too. Not to mention all the events leading up to the big day—showers, bachelorette parties, rehearsals… It’s insane.”
“But your friend wouldn’t take no for an answer?”
“When I declined, my friend said she’d pay me to come do it. So I did. While I was there, I defused a big family argument. And then her sister got married and I did the same thing…and it sort of snowballed from there. I mean, here I was with no job, a closet full of dresses, and lots of experience as a bridesmaid. What else could I do?”
“What does a professional bridesmaid do?” He liked listening to her. Her voice carried the hint of the South in it, reminding him of sunny, warm days at home on his mama’s porch, sipping peach-and-bourbon-laced iced tea.
“Whatever necessary to make the day as perfect as possible for the bride. Sometimes, I only consult and help with planning. Sometimes, I attend just the wedding and rehearsal. Sometimes, it’s all the events, like the wedding I’m going to now.”
“So you’re a wedding planner and a bridesmaid?”
Erin nodded. “Mostly, I act as a buffer for the bride’s well-meaning family and friends.”
“Don’t most women want their family and friends there? Isn’t that the point of the whole show? Why would anyone want a stranger to be their bridesmaid?”
“So says the person who’s never been a bridesmaid,” Erin smiled at him.
“The skirts make my hips look big,” Matthew winked.
She laughed then, crinkling up her nose. He wanted her do it again. He wanted to be the one to make her do it again.
“I’m the neutral party, smoothing things over, the mediator,” Erin continued, “I run interference a lot. The bride will tell me, ‘Oh I had to ask my sister or my cousin to be maid-of-honor or my mother can’t get along with my aunt or the other mom,’ or whatever.”
“So you coach them through the family strife.”
“Exactly. I’ll do anything to ensure the bride and groom get their special day, exactly as planned,” Erin nodded, sipping her drink. Her stomach grumbled and she pressed a hand to her belly. She rummaged in her suitcase again, coming up with a few crinkly wrapped granola bars. She held one out to him but he shook his head.
“You wanna share an order of something?” He offered.
“I have my protein bar, but thanks.” She shook her head and he ordered the nachos anyway.
“Can I buy you a drink?”
Erin shook her head. “I have a rule against drinking during the day. Though I really wanted one on my turbulent flight.”
“Do you do this bridesmaid gig alone?”
“No, I got so busy I hired my best friend too. She and I split the duties usually. Though she’s handling it all at home at the moment.”
“Where’s home?”
“Boston.”
“I went to school there. Great town. But you’re not from there originally.” When her forehead furrowed, he continued, “Your accent.”
“I grew up in Atlanta. Where I am flying to today. Or not.” She glanced out the window at the thick blanket of fluffy snow covering the runways. In unison, they both checked the departures display board above the bar.
“Flight 734 is still delayed.” She took a bite of the dry-looking granola bar.
“I’m heading to Atlanta too.” Matthew noted she didn’t wear a ring on her left hand. “What does your husband do while you’re off being a bridesmaid?”
She raised her eyebrows at the obvious ploy but said, “I’m not married. You?”
“Divorced,” Matthew said. “No boyfriend?”
“Don’t date much, to be honest.”
“You’re far too beautiful for me to believe that.”
“You are smooth, aren’t you, Mr. Westbrook?” She tucked a tendril behind her ear and took another sip of her drink, a light blush ghosting over her cheekbones.
He grinned at her. “You haven’t answered my question.”
“I’m working when most people my age are out on dates or clubbing. Most eligible men don’t want to meet for coffee when I’m not busy, like at noon on Tuesday.”
“But everyone says you meet people at weddings.”
“Yeah, if you’re not working at it. I’m too busy putting out fires. And I make it a rule never to hook up with anyone there. Far too messy.”
“You have a lot of rules, Erin Delaney.”
“You have no idea.” She smiled. He wondered what it would take to make her break those rules. “What do you do, Matthew?”
“I’m an architect. I specialize in modernizing historic buildings. It’s all I ever wanted to do.” He shrugged, picking at the too hot nachos when they arrived, tilting the plate toward her. “Want one? Looks better than that dry protein bar you’ve got there.”
She took one, toying with the chip. “Do you live here in Chicago?”
“At the moment. I’m doing a redesign of the warehouses along the waterfront.”
“They did that in Boston. Those spaces are amazing. Such beautiful views.”
“That was my graduate project at MIT.” Matthew couldn’t help the pleased jolt that went through him that the lovely Erin knew his work.
“Wow. I went to a wedding there a few months ago. So lovely and open. I loved seeing all the restored wood.” She checked the departures board. “Our flight is delayed again.”
He met her eyes, shocked at deeply he’d connected with her already. “Well then, since we’ve got nothing else to do, wanna play cards?”

Reviews

There are no reviews yet.

Be the first to review “Forever a Bridesmaid by Courtney Hunt” Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Related products

Prev Next
  • Cover image of the book

    Pushing over 40 by S M Mala

    0 out of 5

    Maya wants a baby but at forty two there’s one problem… she hasn’t got a man to help her get pregnant. She created and runs a website called ‘Pushing over 40’ to help women of a certain age trying to have a child. It’s a place where can they give each other advice, support and hope.

    And as she tries to find a man to help her with this small task, other than the sperm donation clinic regular taking her money, there are two people who could deliver the goods.

    Her brother’s new neighbour Tony or her sister in law’s brother, the wayward Adam. Both of whom she really likes but the pair aren’t your usual run of the mill suitors.

    But you have to be very careful for what you wish for as Maya then finds out the downside of getting pregnant and how it can really destroy your soul and diminish your hope if things go unexpectedly wrong.

    A heart wrenching story dedicated to all women who have loved and lost in the battle to become pregnant when they’re ‘Pushing over 40’… or not.

    Read More
    Quick View
  • Cover image of the book

    Public Attraction: The Complete Trilogy by Sophia Moore

    0 out of 5

    Emma Turrell is just a small town girl with a loser boyfriend.

    That all changes when she meets one of the world’s biggest movie stars.

    But their relationship isn’t easy. Paul Thatcher will challenge everything about the way she sees the world, love, and sex.

    Desire can’t wait for privacy. Neither should you.

    This book is intended for mature audiences only, due to intense sexual scenes and graphic descriptions. Themes are for adults only.

    ———–

    Public Attraction is perfect for those who seek:

    Books like Fifty Shades of Grey or 50 Shades of Grey

    Books like Bared To You

    Books like Beautiful Disaster

    Books like Fifty Shades of Grey and Bared To You (yes, both!)

    Books Like This Man

    It’s a story of public sex, private love, and the place where the two meet.

    If you love E.L. James, Sylvia Day, Sylvain Reynard, or any of today’s top contemporary romance authors, you’re ready to meet Sophia Moore.

    It’s clear: Public Attraction is what to read after 50 Shades of Grey, what to read after Bared to You, and what to read when you’re ready for a steamy night in.

    Read More
    Quick View
  • Cover image of the book

    Love in Tomes of War by Uvi Poznansky

    0 out of 5
    Read More
    Quick View
  • Cover image of the book

    Black & White by Erol Rashit

    0 out of 5

    A young man, Igor, adopts as his mother a middle aged woman, Sylvia, after meeting her in a café, each having come from the nearby cemetery. He had been visiting his mother’s grave; she, her son’s. In taking it upon himself to investigate the death of Sylvia’s son, Igor soon finds himself confronting racists. Sylvia is black; Igor is white. The deeper he delves, the more intricately embroiled he becomes and the more he becomes the focus of a police investigation himself.

    Alongside the surface interplay of the characters, Igor remains preoccupied with an inquiry into the nature of existence. Within the field of human activity, notions of ‘good and bad’ and ‘pleasure and pain’ are perhaps bound to prevail, but the essence of existence must precede such differentiation. The presence of suffering in the world should not be taken as proof that the world cannot be perfect. A photograph consisting only of black or only of white would probably seem pretty boring. A world consisting only of good or only of bad would perhaps be comparable to such a photograph. Each extreme acquires its significance by being in juxtaposition with its opposite. Happiness does not result from the elimination of suffering; rather, happiness may ensue when the realm of pleasure and pain has been transcended.

    One aspect of the title, Black & White, relates to issues of race. Another aspect relates to Igor’s ability in violent situations to interpret matters in black and white terms. However, it is as a general phrase covering all dualities that the title derives its primary import. The use of the ampersand character in the title imitates its usage by photographers when referring to ‘black & white’ images, and is intended to denote a synthesis of the individual terms into a unitary whole.

    The book includes some brief passages depicting scenes of polyamorous sex (pleasure) and homicidal violence (pain).

    Read More
    Quick View
  • Cover image of the book

    Fate Interrupted by Kaitlyn Cross @KaitlynCross6

    0 out of 5

    Dean Jacobs is one of Milwaukee’s hottest eligible bachelors and in no mood to settle down, until she comes along. Evy, however, is focused on opening a new dessert bar with her sister but Dean won’t take no for an answer. She finally gives in to the want in her gut and – much to her surprise – discovers he isn’t the player she thought he was. Just when things turn into a fairytale sent from above, Dean’s past comes back to haunt him. The only question is: will it make them stronger, or rip them apart?

    Read More
    Quick View
  • Cover image of the book

    Good Vibration by S M Mala

    0 out of 5

    Sylvie works in an e-commerce company, ‘Good Vibration’, specializing in the distribution of adult toys. She’s surrounded by colorful people as well as interesting items she refuses to use.

    The place has been her lifeline, even though it’s made out of silicone and plastic, for two and a half years as she still tries to come to terms with the devastation of losing of her husband while bringing up their daughter, alone.

    Her world is turned upside down when her work partner collapses and his stepson, Finlay, comes in to sort out the business, which his family own.

    The consummated snob isn’t impressed with it and wants it to shut it down. He finds the product and people distasteful … and it shows. And he has his own problems, as his beautiful French wife has just told him she’s pregnant but he might not be the father.

    Determined to keep the place open, against someone fixed on closing it down, the pair fight tooth and nail to achieve what they want, both poles apart on how they see the world and why.

    But could opposites really attract?

    Or is it that they want to be with that person, but all for the wrong reasons?

    It’s about finding unexpected love in the most extraordinary place when faced with every possible obstacle to stop having a ‘Good Vibration’.

    Read More
    Quick View
  • Cover image of the book

    Taking Chances by Té Russ

    0 out of 5

    Copy editor Miranda Parker is surprised when the famous photographer Spencer Gray becomes the CEO of the company she works for after his uncle passes away. She’s always found his work amazing and inspiriting, especially since she desires to put her photographic skills to use. And he’s not bad to look at either.

    Grieving Spencer Gray is immediately attracted to Miranda, and she is a welcome distraction.

    After a few coincidental run-ins, he decides he would like to something more with her, but she has strict rule, no dating co-workers.

    But Spencer Gray is determined and with a little help from fate, he finally convinces her to spend some time with her.

    But can she keep her past in the past to prevent her from messing up a good thing with Spencer?

    Read More
    Quick View
  • Cover image of the book

    Who Killed ‘Tom Jones’? by Gale Martin

    0 out of 5

    Ellie Overton is a 28-year-old rest home receptionist with a pussycat nose who also happens to be gaga for the pop singer Tom Jones. Regrettably single, she is desperate to have a white-hot love relationship, like those she’s read about in romance novels. Following an astrological hunch, she attends a Tom Jones Festival and meets an available young impersonator with more looks and personality than talent. Though he’s knocked out of the contest, he’s still in the running to become Ellie’s blue-eyed soul mate—until he’s accused of killing off the competition. It’s not unusual that the handsome police detective working the case is spending more time pursuing Ellie than collaring suspects. So, she enlists some wily and witty rest home residents to help find the real murderer. Will Ellie crack the case? Must she forfeit her best chance for lasting love to solve the crime?

    Read More
    Quick View

Book Categories

  • Collections & Anthologies
  • Contemporary
  • Erotica
  • Fantasy
  • Gothic
  • Historical Romance
  • Multicultural & Interracial
  • Mystery & Suspense
  • Paranormal
  • Romantic Comedy
  • Science Fiction
  • Time Travel
  • Westerns
  • Romance
  • Author Interviews
banner-01testtesttesttest
banner-01testtesttesttest
banner-01testtesttesttest

Top Rated Products

  • More Than Everything by Delphie Gray
    5.00 out of 5
  • Forever Loyal by Sheppard Brothers
    5.00 out of 5
  • Crashing Into Me by R.L JACKSON
    5.00 out of 5
  • Bad at Love by Emeline Piaget
    5.00 out of 5
  • Captured by Conner Kincaid
    5.00 out of 5

Author Marketing Club

WantonReads.com supports indie authors!

for Authors

  • Submit Your Book
  • Submit an Author Interview
  • Get Featured Placement

for Readers

  • Discover New Books
  • Meet the Authors
  • About WantonReads

Thanks for visiting!

  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
© 2017 - WantonReads.com