Everything's Coming Up Rosie

September 4, 2006
The week-long pre-wedding house party for Doug Llewellyn's cousin Lili-beth is slated to be the social gathering of the decade-or a seven-day ordeal of shrill matchmaking and grim self-reflection, as it would seem to Doug-in this latest contemporary romance from Michaels (Stuck in Shangri-La). Handsome, intelligent, witty-and "matrimonially un-catchable,"-Doug is a successful 40-year-old Philadelphia architect dreading the tireless matchmaking efforts of Lili-beth's mother. Ditto for sassy, independent web-site designer Rosie Kilgannon. With no graceful way out, Rosie and Doug figure "us victims have to stick together," and proceed to undo Bettie's best-laid plans. Meanwhile, disaster rules at the pre-nuptial festivities: the groom is showing a dark side, Bettie is methodically bedding each of the band members, the wedding planner drinks more than she pours, and Lili-beth isn't sure she wants to get married after all. Lots of flirting, slap-stick antics and eccentric characters, including light-fingered 85-year-old Aunt Susanna and Lili-beth's secretive childhood friend Delbert, make this a cheerful, lighthearted read.

September 18, 2006
The week-long pre-wedding house party for Doug Llewellyn's cousin Lili-beth is slated to be the social gathering of the decade-or a seven-day ordeal of shrill matchmaking and grim self-reflection, as it would seem to Doug-in this latest contemporary romance from Michaels (Stuck in Shangri-La). Handsome, intelligent, witty-and "matrimonially un-catchable,"-Doug is a successful 40-year-old Philadelphia architect dreading the tireless matchmaking efforts of Lili-beth's mother. Ditto for sassy, independent web-site designer Rosie Kilgannon. With no graceful way out, Rosie and Doug figure "us victims have to stick together," and proceed to undo Bettie's best-laid plans. Meanwhile, disaster rules at the pre-nuptial festivities: the groom is showing a dark side, Bettie is methodically bedding each of the band members, the wedding planner drinks more than she pours, and Lili-beth isn't sure she wants to get married after all. Lots of flirting, slap-stick antics and eccentric characters, including light-fingered 85-year-old Aunt Susanna and Lili-beth's secretive childhood friend Delbert, make this a cheerful, lighthearted read.

Copyright 2006 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2006
Doug Llewellyn is melancholy over turning 40, even though he is a rich, handsome, and successful Philadelphia architect. To top off his blue mood, he has to attend a weeklong family wedding extravaganza. This is not how one of Philly's top bachelors wants to spend his time off--until a voluptuous guest runs up to him and gives him one incredible kiss. Rosie Kilgannon is trying to escape a guest picked out for her by the mother of the bride when she sees Doug and decides to use him as a foil. The two agree to be each other's arm candy for the affair and candidly discuss their preferences. Doug likes his women young and without expectations; Rosie just wants to have fun. And the two of them certainly do have a grand time during the topsy-turvy wedding week. Michaels mines the lighthearted vein she worked in " Stuck in Shangri-la" (2005) in this hilarious spoof of society wedding rituals wrapped around a sensual romance filled with crackling dialogue reminiscent of " The Philadelphia Story" . (Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2006, American Library Association.)