Two Grooms and a Wedding

The Kappa Psi Kappa Men #1

by Adrianne Byrd

Daughter of a prominent senator, Washington D.C. attorney Isabella Kane has big dreams that include marriage to equally ambitious Randall Jarrett. But a funny thing happened on the way to the altar. She met a luscious hunk, and for just one night she followed her heart and indulged her deepest passions. But now she can't forget.

Genres: Romance, African American Romance

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published March 1, 2008

About the author

National Best-selling author Adrianne Byrd has always preferred to live within the realms of her imagination where all the men are gorgeous and the women are worth whatever trouble they manage to get into. As an army brat, she traveled throughout Europe and learned to appreciate and value different cultures. Now she calls Georgia home.

Looking back, Adrianne believes her passion for writing began at the ripe old age of thirteen. It was also the age when she was introduced to romance novels by a most unlikely source: her fifteen-year old brother. The book was probably given to keep her out her brother’s hair, but it was a gift that changed her life.

In books, Adrianne found a way out of her awkward teenage years and into a world of fictional friends that would stay with her for a lifetime. It wasn’t long before her imagination took flight and she was writing her own love stories. Within a year, she completed her first book, which she vowed would never see the light of day.

Writing remained a hobby until 1994 when a co-worker approached her with an article on Romance Writers of America. Who knew there was an organization of women just like her? By 1996 she sold her first novel, Defenseless, to Kensington Publishing.

Her first release received rave reviews by Romantic Times and fans. Her other novels were consistently selected as the Magazine’s Top Pick. In 2001 Slam Jam nominated, Say You Love Me, for best romance. Her 2003 release Comfort of a Man won Romantic Times Best Multicultural Romance, Romance in Color’s Readers Choice Awards for Favorite Book, Favorite Hero, and Favorite Heroine; Shades of Romance’s Best/Arabesque Romance Book; Slam Jams Emma Award for Favorite Traditional Romance; Romance in Color’s Reviewer’s Choice Award for Author of the Year, Book of the Year and Best BET/Arabesque Book. And lastly Comfort of a Man was a 2003 Georgia Romance Writers Maggie finalist for best Contemporary. In 2004 she released her first romantic suspense novel, If You Dare, with HarperCollins. In 2006 her novel Measure of a Man was nominated for Best Multicultural Romance while her Harper Torch novel Deadly Double was nominated for an Emma. In 2007 she won an eharlequin.com Joey Award.

In 2006 Adrianne along with fellow writer Niobia Bryant penned her first Urban Novel, DESPERATE HOODWIVES, writing as De'nesha Diamond. The book is set for release February 2008 from Simon and Schuster. For more information, visit http://www.deneshadiamond.com.

Ms. Byrd has been featured in many national publications, including Today’s Black Woman, Upscale, and Heart and Soul. She has also won local awards for screenwriting. For the future, she looks forward to continue creating characters that make people smile, laugh, and fall in love.

Reviews

[SassyMama · Rating 5 out of 5]

May The Best Man Win

"Two Grooms and A Wedding” will capture you from the first page until the very last. The storyline flows across the pages. I TOTALLY enjoyed this romantic, yet often SIDE-SPLITTING adventure. The characters main and secondary are well developed and unforgettable.~~~~~~~ Isabella Kane is a soft-spoken, shy, klutzy, plain-jane who also happens to be a 27 year old virgin. Randall Jarrett is the next want-to-be President of the United States, who just wants to marry Isabella to boost his political career. And Derrick Knight is a brother who’s ready to give up his playa card. He’s tired of not being able to make a serious commitment; he has yet to find true love with any of the many women he’s dated. Then an ACCIDENTAL meeting between Derrick and Isabella; and one look in her eyes stirs something deep in his soul and he instantly knows she’s “THE ONE”. Bella was too funny and will keep you in stitches throughout. Derrick definitely rocked her world, and showed her that love is definitely not overrated, as her father so often tries to tell her! But can Isabella FINALLY stand up for herself?!! Or will Derrick loose the one woman he’s EVER fell head-over-heels in love with?!!~~~~~~~I hope to read more about Bella’s sorority sisters and the Kappa Psi Kappa men. Ms. Adriane Byrd is an amazing storyteller! She brings just the right combination of romance and humor to her novels. There’s NEVER A DULL MOMENT! Keep up the good work!

[Amanda · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was going to rate this as two stars but as I kept reading, the main character Isabella became more annoying. All her crying, fainting, and her "what, huh?"s just irritated me. But I kept going because I thought the author would redeem herself with some good steamy scenes-yeah well there was none. At least not for me, there was very little details and too many of the same "peppered kisses" lol The author did have a few good lines in there that made me laugh but overall was not impressed with my first Adrianne Byrd book, maybe someone at goodwill will like it >.<

[Ranie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so sexy, hilarious, exciting and suspectful....

I really love reading it and it was a laugh out loud funny...the author did a great job of keeping the readers passionately wanting more for the characters, Derrick and Isabella....

Highly recommended

[Rebecca Gatzlaff · Rating 2 out of 5]

Things I liked: The Main character Isabella was easy to relate to. I like the way Isabella and Derrick met. I also liked the comedy in the beginning of the book.
Things I didn't like: The sex was unrealistic. Randall character was an ass and he was cheating on his fiancée with 2 different girls. The ending was bad. Derrick get in an impossible situation and then he gets easily out of it. I hate this trope in romances.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, I loved all of the characters, and it was funny! Derrick and his Bella. Keri shocked me in the end I was thinking it was someone else.. I absolutely could not stand her controlling father, he was ridiculous, he was only concerned with himself, truly selfish. I am happy that in the end she listened to her heart...Good Read

[Toni N · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an okay, quick, funny read. But, it was in no way the best romance I've ever read. I felt like the book ended way too quickly and neatly. I mean, it only took one page to wrap up everything that happened throughout the entire book. I will admit to being shocked at which sorority sister was Randall's "main girlfriend." But, the best part of this book for me would be the totally unexpected kidnapping scene!

In some ways, the book reminded me of the tv show Scandal.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved Isabella and Derrick's story. Bella let her father boss her around too long but when she met Derrick it was all over for being directed by what was politically correct! Randall was a mess and Keri wasn't a true friend! In the end it all worked out! A great quick read!

[clinton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Right man won

Choose this rating because if the story line and twist. The build to the end results was good. Everyone got what they deserved.

[Diamond Drake · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two Grooms And A Wedding wasn't my favorite by this author but overall it was okay. What kept me from really enjoying the story was Isabella Kane! She got on my nerves with all of her whining, back pedaling, and fainting. At one point I yelled out, "Get your ass up, Isabella!" Who faints every time something scares or surprises her? And it's not that I couldn't understand or empathize with Isabella, I just wanted her to change. I wanted her to stand up to her parents and other people on her own and not with someone else holding her hand.

The storyline was also very predictable. Derrick; Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome himself, was instantly in love with Isabella for no plausible reason whatsoever. And, of course, she was a twenty-seven-year-old virgin who ached for him like she'd ached for no other and gave Derrick her virginity after knowing him for a little over five minutes . . . and, naturally, it was the BEST experience of her life. I guess it was all those peppered kisses. hahaha

It also wasn't shocking that Keri was Randall's girlfriend. The fact that suspicion was cast on Sylvia only to go back to having his "lady friend" described in such anonymous terms made me think there was something more to Keri's attitude where Randall was concerned. And I didn't really buy Isabella's response to Keri telling her the truth. True, Isabella didn't want to be with Randall but Keri was still supposed to be her best friend and had betrayed her the whole time. And it didn't make sense to me that Keri wouldn't have told Randall that Isabella was sleeping with Derrick. Keri didn't want Randall to marry Isabella in the first place so that seemed like the easiest way to keep that from happening. However, those were just thoughts that occurred to me as I read.

Overall, I thought Two Grooms And A Wedding had enjoyable, funny moments and I'd rate it 2.5 stars.

[Mrs Tupac · Rating 5 out of 5]

I usually do not read cliche books like this but one day I had nothing to read so I decided to read this because it was a gift. It was a slow read after first (like all other Harlequin romance books) ; then it picked up I do not care what the situation is marrying someone because your father wants to is never acceptable.From the start of the book I knew Randall was not the one for Isabella by how she acted when he Isabella doesn't have feelings for Randall Jarrett, but agrees to marry him to please her overbearing father. She tries to convince herself that she can grow to love him.
While on vacation with her friends, in Atlanta, she meets Derrick Knight. Derrick is a playa, but after one night with Isabella(Bella)he is in love. A misunderstanding causes Bella to disappear. Derrick and Randall were friends in college, but it ended because Randall accused Derrick of sleeping with his girlfriend. Derrick and Randall find themselves fighting (literally) over a woman again. Isabella's father goes to desperate measures to keep her and Derrick apart. Will she finally stand up for what she really wants or is she destine to marry the wrong man? This was a cute story.

[Ariana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the book but I felt that it was cut short. Plus they didn't even do the scene from the first time they had sex. I also hate how many of women in the book are observed as being spineless.

[Ajoke · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first I thought this was going to be a silly little novel, but it turned out quiet good. I enjoyed reading about an insecure yet successful heroine for once, instead of the usual overconfident and immensely successful woman. Of course Isabella's insecurities pissed me off here and there but that is what made her so real.

The chemistry between Isabella and Derrick was a bit lacking but I love their moments together. It was realistic, touching and often at times hilarious! Her relationship with her parents leaves a lot to be desired but unfortunately it's a fact of life.

I really enjoyed this book and would have given it 4 stars but the way everything was jumbled up at the end deducts 1/2 a star. And in the midst of the rushed ending was a scene that dealt with betrayal and forgiveness which was under rug swept and (in my opinion) very unrealistic. So this book gets 3.5 stars (goodreads rating system stinks).

[Brenda]

Two Grooms and A Wedding

TRZ Challenge.
This was an amazing book. It shows that no matter how much you think you know or love someone you can never put your happiness on hold. Isabella confused on one she has a man who was willing to propose to her but he doesn't have her heart, while on the other hand she falls head over heels in love with someone else. With a political race going on, her heart on the line, and her sorority sisters in her ear who will Isabella choose? The ending will leave you speechless, and wanting more. This is a must read.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Randall was such a little twerp, and Derrick was just the opposite. It was pretty hard to believe that these to were actually friends at one time. Bella was just so naive but turned out to be an under cover vixen. At times this book really had me laughing, and other time I couldn't believe what these characters were up to. Can't wait to read the next Kappa man's book.

[Erika · Rating 1 out of 5]

this was awful!!!!! Where do I start???? The main charcter I never connected with. There was zero chemistry between her and either leading man. One minute Derrick is this hard to get ladies man and suddenly he sees this plain Jane lady and is instinly in love with her?? Isabella had no confidence and no personality. Angry that I paid for this.

[D.lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Isabella doesn't have feelings for Randall Jarrett, but agrees to marry him to please her overbearing father. She tries to convince herself that she can grow to love him. Along comes Derrick Knight to throw a wrench in things, now Isbella has a change of heart. The road to love is bumpy.
This was a cute story.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read!

I really enjoyed this book . It had a lot of twist and turns which made it very interesting all the way through. I loved Derrick's character, I was not very impressed with Isabella character, she came off as being very uptight and timid. I didn't care for the running back-and-forth that Isabella doing between the two man,

[Pierrette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read. Not what expected but it helped pass the time

Interesting book but very predictable ending. The prologue helps give the story away and by chapter 2/3 you already know who she'll end up with. It's really just like a typical romantic comedy with comic relief here and there. But all in all would read again, but not anytime in the near future

[Kendra Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

TWO GROOMS AND A WEDDING

I SEE WHY ADRIANNE WROTE ABOUT THESE KAPPA MEN BECAUSE THEY ALWAYS GET THE WOMEN THEY LOVE. ISABELLA AND DERRICK'S STORY IS NO DIFFERENT, SO IF YOU LOVE A KAPPA MAN THEN READ THIS BOOK.

[Toniette · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMG! I got this book thinking how the hell could you have 2 freaking grooms. Then, i read the book and was like okay now that's a twist. Isabella's dad, friend and original fiancee are all trifling and out for themselves. The friend at least redeemed herself at the end. I mean kidnapping really!?!

[Danyelle Scroggins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good little book. Because I deal with relationships this was a good book about relationships.

[Tyria Snow · Rating 3 out of 5]

have to choose what's best for you not anyone else, even though you love them

[Kimberly · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok. This book was far far from the best romance that I have ever read. I would be ok not to have read it.

[Shannon Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprising good.I read this novel in under three hours.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful start to a series. Classic Adrianne that takes a traditional storyline and puts her own twist to it. I read this enjoyable book in one evening.

[Regina taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love it

[Kyra Gates · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it! how can a father live with himself though.

[Caletha · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this book fun funny loving. i loved this book what can i say. loved it so much i need a need copy

[Lashawna]

A+

[Vondetta Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it..