What do you think?
Rate this book
Bad Luck Wedding #1
The Bad Luck Wedding Dress
IT WOULD TAKE MORE THAN A LITTLE LUCK TO BRING THEIR TEXAS HEARTS TOGETHER....
They were calling it the Bad Luck Wedding Dress, and Jenny Fortune knew that spelled trouble for her Fort Worth dressmaking shop. Just because the Bailey girls had met with one mishap or another after wearing Jenny's loveliest creation, her clientele had begun to stay away in droves. Yet Jenny was still betting she could turn her luck around--by wearing the gown herself at her very own wedding. There's just one hitch: first she has to find a groom...
Trace McBride seemed as likely a candidate as any. An attractive widower raising three little girls who were fast becoming three little outlaws, Trace badly needed a woman's loving touch. Jenny wasn't altogether sure she knew how to get a man to propose marriage, but she was willing to take off her spectacles, let down her honey-blond hair, and even give flirtation a try. But when seduction turns into red-hot passion, Jenny will find herself risking everything--even her life--on the chance that she'll be lucky in love.
They were calling it the Bad Luck Wedding Dress, and Jenny Fortune knew that spelled trouble for her Fort Worth dressmaking shop. Just because the Bailey girls had met with one mishap or another after wearing Jenny's loveliest creation, her clientele had begun to stay away in droves. Yet Jenny was still betting she could turn her luck around--by wearing the gown herself at her very own wedding. There's just one hitch: first she has to find a groom...
Trace McBride seemed as likely a candidate as any. An attractive widower raising three little girls who were fast becoming three little outlaws, Trace badly needed a woman's loving touch. Jenny wasn't altogether sure she knew how to get a man to propose marriage, but she was willing to take off her spectacles, let down her honey-blond hair, and even give flirtation a try. But when seduction turns into red-hot passion, Jenny will find herself risking everything--even her life--on the chance that she'll be lucky in love.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
874 people are currently reading
1576 people want to read
About the author
Geralyn Dawson
27 books219 followersGeralyn Dawson is the USA Today bestselling author of over twenty novels. She is a three-time finalist for the prestigious Romance Writers' of America's RITA award and a recipient of their Top Ten Favorite Books of the Year award. She received Romantic Times magazine's Career Achievement award and its Reviewer's Choice award. In 2009, the American Library Association named her romantic suspense novel, ALWAYS LOOK TWICE, as one of the top ten romances of the year.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 162 reviews
Read
November 20, 2016The Hook - The path to a book can be a winding, bramble filled journey to its pages. Last winter’s refuge from cold and snow found me in Texas, a state I had passed through but had never sampled its fine offerings in its many historic cities and towns. Take Fort Worth for instance. Home to over 800,000 people today, Fort Worth’s beginnings were minimal, just 500 in 1873 with a large quantity of Longhorns driven in from Kansas on the Chisholm Trail. Visiting the area known as ”Hell’s Half Acre” you stand in a significant piece of Texas history, one where your body imagines the rumble of thunderous hoofs of cattle driven by cowboys through the unpaved streets bordered by saloons and its red-light district. Taking a trip back in time I stepped into The North Fort Worth Historical Society-Stockyards Museum and its impressive exhibits and collections. Little did I know that this visit in which I planned perhaps 30 minutes would occupy a good part of a morning. There were many things that fascinated me, the history of the livestock industry, cowboys, Texas Rangers, photographs and lore. These I expected but there was more. One display, that of a wedding dress with a placard that boldly described it as The Bad Luck Wedding Dress caught my attention and curiosity. Finding no explanation other than what was in the display itself, I took pictures of the dress and the accompanying news article. I hoped to research the story further on arriving home. Somehow I lost those photos but the curiosity remained. I wanted to read something more about that unlucky dress and those that wore it but all I could find was a bit of genealogy and a book entitled The Bad Luck Wedding Dress, a historic romance by Geralyn Dawson. Availability of this book first published in 1996 was sparse but I finally was able to arrange a swap through paperbackbookswap.
Visit this page to see a photograph
The Bad Luck Wedding Dress and other exhibits found at the museum.
My sincere thanks to Teresa Burleson, Stockyards Museum Director who provided The Story of The Badluck Wedding Dress reprinted below.
THE BAD LUCK WEDDING DRESS
This dress has brought personal misery or disaster
to everyone to has worn it or planned to wear it
This dress of ottoman silk and rare lace was designed and made for the wedding of Marie V. N. Greene and David P. VanHorne, who were married in Bainbridge, New York on January 14, 1886.
David left Marie in 1889 to seek gold in Oregon. They were never reunited, although he declared his love for her until his death many years later, The dress was passed on to their daughter, Evelyn Henrietta VanHorne to wear for her wedding. Her fiancé, who was in France during World War I, was killed in a mine field just a few days before the wedding. The war was already over and he was on his way home to her. She never married and died at the age of 79, an “old maid.”
David and Marie’s granddaughter, Alta Marguerite VanHorne, wore the dress at her wedding, but six months after the wedding her husband, Daniel Patrick, took multiple sclerosis and died within the year.
The dress was put away and not worn for many years.
In 1949, Alta VanHorne Patrick Buker wore the dress for an historical tour she was giving through her home. The next day she became ill and was bedridden for more than a month. She recovered, but her illness remained a mystery to the doctors. The dress has never been worn again.
The dress was the inspiration for a series of novels
by Geralyn Dawson.
The Line(s) - ”Once you learn the scales, it’s not difficult to play a fish, Maribeth. Just don’t ask me to tune a fish.”
The Sinker - It’s 1879 in Fort Worth and Jenny Fortune’s dressmaking business is thriving until a series of bad luck involving a wedding dress turns clients away in droves. Trace McBride, a widower and father of three daughters nicknamed “the menaces” is in need of a woman’s touch, though he’s seeking more of a housekeeper/babysitter than wife or mother. Jenny Fortune just might fit the bill. This charming romance with its satisfying ending would not normally be my genre choice but due to its inspiration by the original story found in North Fort Worth Historical Society-Stockyards Museum, I couldn’t resist. If Trace McBride annoyed the heck out of me, Jenny Fortune and the menaces kept me reading. Early Fort Worth life is depicted well with its shops and early western growth along side the rowdiness of the cowboys and the constant odor of huge cattle herds. Not exactly what I was looking for but the book delivered what it promised.
Visit this page to see a photograph
The Bad Luck Wedding Dress and other exhibits found at the museum.
My sincere thanks to Teresa Burleson, Stockyards Museum Director who provided The Story of The Badluck Wedding Dress reprinted below.
THE BAD LUCK WEDDING DRESS
This dress has brought personal misery or disaster
to everyone to has worn it or planned to wear it
This dress of ottoman silk and rare lace was designed and made for the wedding of Marie V. N. Greene and David P. VanHorne, who were married in Bainbridge, New York on January 14, 1886.
David left Marie in 1889 to seek gold in Oregon. They were never reunited, although he declared his love for her until his death many years later, The dress was passed on to their daughter, Evelyn Henrietta VanHorne to wear for her wedding. Her fiancé, who was in France during World War I, was killed in a mine field just a few days before the wedding. The war was already over and he was on his way home to her. She never married and died at the age of 79, an “old maid.”
David and Marie’s granddaughter, Alta Marguerite VanHorne, wore the dress at her wedding, but six months after the wedding her husband, Daniel Patrick, took multiple sclerosis and died within the year.
The dress was put away and not worn for many years.
In 1949, Alta VanHorne Patrick Buker wore the dress for an historical tour she was giving through her home. The next day she became ill and was bedridden for more than a month. She recovered, but her illness remained a mystery to the doctors. The dress has never been worn again.
The dress was the inspiration for a series of novels
by Geralyn Dawson.
The Line(s) - ”Once you learn the scales, it’s not difficult to play a fish, Maribeth. Just don’t ask me to tune a fish.”
The Sinker - It’s 1879 in Fort Worth and Jenny Fortune’s dressmaking business is thriving until a series of bad luck involving a wedding dress turns clients away in droves. Trace McBride, a widower and father of three daughters nicknamed “the menaces” is in need of a woman’s touch, though he’s seeking more of a housekeeper/babysitter than wife or mother. Jenny Fortune just might fit the bill. This charming romance with its satisfying ending would not normally be my genre choice but due to its inspiration by the original story found in North Fort Worth Historical Society-Stockyards Museum, I couldn’t resist. If Trace McBride annoyed the heck out of me, Jenny Fortune and the menaces kept me reading. Early Fort Worth life is depicted well with its shops and early western growth along side the rowdiness of the cowboys and the constant odor of huge cattle herds. Not exactly what I was looking for but the book delivered what it promised.
September 3, 2019
My first book of this author!
The most enjoyable part of the book was the three little Mac Bride menaces. I loved them.
The hero was not bad but can’t say I liked him. He was an ass and his one of the major issues is trust because of his adulterous first wife. The first wife of the hero cheated him with his twin brother. So even after hero-heroine's marriage, the hero was doubting the heroine because of his trust issues.
I liked the heroine, she was independent, kind, strong and loveable but… she was kissing the hero before the day of her wedding (She was engaged with some guy for a very short time like three weeks) and it was the hero who stopped the kiss.
Otherwise, the heroine was a virgin and the hero was celibate for six years.
The most enjoyable part of the book was the three little Mac Bride menaces. I loved them.
The hero was not bad but can’t say I liked him. He was an ass and his one of the major issues is trust because of his adulterous first wife. The first wife of the hero cheated him with his twin brother. So even after hero-heroine's marriage, the hero was doubting the heroine because of his trust issues.
I liked the heroine, she was independent, kind, strong and loveable but… she was kissing the hero before the day of her wedding (She was engaged with some guy for a very short time like three weeks) and it was the hero who stopped the kiss.
Otherwise, the heroine was a virgin and the hero was celibate for six years.
April 4, 2020
The Bad Luck Wedding Dress is a sweet historical (western) romance about Trace McBride, a single father of three rebellious young daughters who love to act out, and the young and independent dressmaker Jenny Fortune. The three daughters have set their mind on having Jenny as their mother, and will do anything to make it happen. Trace's previous marriage was a disaster, and he doesn't want to marry again. Jenny doesn't want to marry either, but she is attracted to Trace.
It was fun seeing Trace struggle with his attraction to Jenny, and I loved seeing how Jenny tempted him. Trace had a hard time containing his jealousy. I was invested in the characters and was looking forward to seeing what would happen next. This book was a fun read, but there were also a couple of suspenseful scenes that fit the story perfectly. I loved seeing the relationship between Trace and Jenny develop. I can't wait to read the three daughters' books.
October 1, 2019
****4.25 Menacing Stars****
This was such a cute story with a twist of mystery and a budding romance. I had such a good time reading this especially about all of the trouble the 3 little menaces got into!
This was such a cute story with a twist of mystery and a budding romance. I had such a good time reading this especially about all of the trouble the 3 little menaces got into!
November 13, 2017
Exciting story with great characters.
Thee back of the book drew me in and the story kept me reading and thoroughly enjoying. The characters were all stubborn a d headstrong while the children were astoundingly funny. The McBride menaces were just hilarious.
This book truly has heart. The pain and joy were evenly distributed. I found the writing to be so intense in every situation. Love and passion were written as well as the dramatic and tension filled dangerous scenes.
There was a complexity about the story that I connected with. I wanted to just keep reading about this family.
Thee back of the book drew me in and the story kept me reading and thoroughly enjoying. The characters were all stubborn a d headstrong while the children were astoundingly funny. The McBride menaces were just hilarious.
This book truly has heart. The pain and joy were evenly distributed. I found the writing to be so intense in every situation. Love and passion were written as well as the dramatic and tension filled dangerous scenes.
There was a complexity about the story that I connected with. I wanted to just keep reading about this family.
November 11, 2017
There seems to be absolutely no sense of 'structure' to this story. It rambles interminably and has no real 'point' as far as I can tell. At first it's about a bad-luck wedding dress and then it seems to bring in several plots that are not 'sub-plots' so much as equally major plots and right now I am sick to death of it.
June 3, 2015
Overall rating: 4 "Treasure" stars!
Triggers:
Cheating:
Love triangle:
Sex with om/ow:
Intimate pasts:
OW drama:
HEA:
My review:
I was lent this book from a fellow safety gang member!! Thanks so much Cecily! :D
This is the story of Jenny Fortune and her bad luck wedding dress. Jenny is the top seamstress in town. She lives in a shop just downstairs from her landlord (Trace - that hunk of a man hehe) and his three lovely young daughters that ages range from 6ish-13ish? Well these little girls are known as McBride's Menaces as they always get themselves into trouble. And let me tell you, they are too cute! So when Jenny's luck turns sour due to a very evil superstitious man, these girls use this hard time in Jenny's life to make their move and attempt to make Jenny their new mommy.
This book was a cute and sweet read. It was very low drama and angst IMO. It had a little bit of everything - laughter, fun, heartbreak, love. The reason I have to rate this lower than 5 stars is for a few reasons. The hero definitely put up a hell of a fight concerning his feelings for Jenny. Since being burned years ago from his deceased wife, he trusts no one and sweet Jenny was no exception. I felt like she had to do most of the fighting, even though Trace never treated her wrongly by any means. And I also felt like it took too long for Trace to finally admit to himself and Jenny that he did, in fact, love her.
Overall this was an enjoyable read. I enjoyed the writing style and the children were so super cute. I will definitely consider reading more in this series :)
Triggers:
Cheating:
Love triangle:
Sex with om/ow:
Intimate pasts:
OW drama:
HEA:
My review:
I was lent this book from a fellow safety gang member!! Thanks so much Cecily! :D
This is the story of Jenny Fortune and her bad luck wedding dress. Jenny is the top seamstress in town. She lives in a shop just downstairs from her landlord (Trace - that hunk of a man hehe) and his three lovely young daughters that ages range from 6ish-13ish? Well these little girls are known as McBride's Menaces as they always get themselves into trouble. And let me tell you, they are too cute! So when Jenny's luck turns sour due to a very evil superstitious man, these girls use this hard time in Jenny's life to make their move and attempt to make Jenny their new mommy.
This book was a cute and sweet read. It was very low drama and angst IMO. It had a little bit of everything - laughter, fun, heartbreak, love. The reason I have to rate this lower than 5 stars is for a few reasons. The hero definitely put up a hell of a fight concerning his feelings for Jenny. Since being burned years ago from his deceased wife, he trusts no one and sweet Jenny was no exception. I felt like she had to do most of the fighting, even though Trace never treated her wrongly by any means. And I also felt like it took too long for Trace to finally admit to himself and Jenny that he did, in fact, love her.
Overall this was an enjoyable read. I enjoyed the writing style and the children were so super cute. I will definitely consider reading more in this series :)
He breathed a ragged pair of words that sounded like music in her soul. "My treasure."
October 28, 2010
Jenny Fortune is struggling to keep her seamstress business afloat. It seems that all three of Big Jack Bailey's daughters have met up with a streak of bad luck after wearing her masterpiece wedding dress. Being a suspicious fool, Big Jack Bailey determines MissFortune (as he dubs her) has placed a curse on the dress and sets out to destroy Jenny and her business.
Trace McBride, local saloon owner, widower and father of three wild girls also known as the "McBride Menaces", rents out the space Jenny uses for her business. Because Trace is extremely busy trying to earn money so he can build his girls' a dream house and gain back his respectability as an Architect the girls begin to spend a lot of time with Jenny and decide she is going to be their new Momma. Continually placing their women weary Father and Jenny in constant contact by their antics the Menaces are determined to force this stubborn pair to fall in love.
Jenny figures the only way to turn her luck around is by getting married in her own "Bad Luck Wedding Dress" and proving to her clientele that the dress and her creations aren't cursed. Trace seems like the most likely candidate, unfortunately, he has been seriously burned by his former wife and is dead set against remarrying. But his daughters, who are even more stubborn than he is, have other plans . . .
This story is filled with endearing characters. There's a wounded hero crying out for love to heal his tortured heart, a charming, understanding and unpredictable heroine and three adorable little girls who add touches of humor and warmth to this terrific love story. If you're like me and like your books brimming over with emotion, sensuality, tenderness and laughter you will cherish this book.
Trace McBride, local saloon owner, widower and father of three wild girls also known as the "McBride Menaces", rents out the space Jenny uses for her business. Because Trace is extremely busy trying to earn money so he can build his girls' a dream house and gain back his respectability as an Architect the girls begin to spend a lot of time with Jenny and decide she is going to be their new Momma. Continually placing their women weary Father and Jenny in constant contact by their antics the Menaces are determined to force this stubborn pair to fall in love.
Jenny figures the only way to turn her luck around is by getting married in her own "Bad Luck Wedding Dress" and proving to her clientele that the dress and her creations aren't cursed. Trace seems like the most likely candidate, unfortunately, he has been seriously burned by his former wife and is dead set against remarrying. But his daughters, who are even more stubborn than he is, have other plans . . .
This story is filled with endearing characters. There's a wounded hero crying out for love to heal his tortured heart, a charming, understanding and unpredictable heroine and three adorable little girls who add touches of humor and warmth to this terrific love story. If you're like me and like your books brimming over with emotion, sensuality, tenderness and laughter you will cherish this book.
March 6, 2025
The Bad Luck Wedding Dress is a well thought out, well written book with characters who are three-dimensional and who the reader will enjoying getting to know.
Jenny Fortune is a single woman and a dressmaker in Fort Worth, Texas. Her dressmaking shop was doing quite a steady business. At least until all of the Bailey daughters had major accidents after each of them wore Jenny's Wedding Gown.
Trace McBride is a widower with 3 girls, 12 years of age and younger who have been nickname the "McBride Menaces" by the denizens of Fort Worth due to all the pranks they pull.
Trace, who happens to not only live above the dressmaking shop but also owns the building the shop's in, sees that Jenny's customers are cancelling their dress orders with Jenny faster than someone can blink their eyes. So Trace decides to make Jenny an offer he thinks she can't refuse....
Interesting plot, well developed characters, great scenes, hilarious scenes courtesy of the McBride Menaces ... What's not to love about this book?? It's Great!!! I thoroughly enjoyed it!
An added bonus, there were no typos, grammar or punctuation errors!
Jenny Fortune is a single woman and a dressmaker in Fort Worth, Texas. Her dressmaking shop was doing quite a steady business. At least until all of the Bailey daughters had major accidents after each of them wore Jenny's Wedding Gown.
Trace McBride is a widower with 3 girls, 12 years of age and younger who have been nickname the "McBride Menaces" by the denizens of Fort Worth due to all the pranks they pull.
Trace, who happens to not only live above the dressmaking shop but also owns the building the shop's in, sees that Jenny's customers are cancelling their dress orders with Jenny faster than someone can blink their eyes. So Trace decides to make Jenny an offer he thinks she can't refuse....
Interesting plot, well developed characters, great scenes, hilarious scenes courtesy of the McBride Menaces ... What's not to love about this book?? It's Great!!! I thoroughly enjoyed it!
An added bonus, there were no typos, grammar or punctuation errors!
Read
January 27, 2019I read this book a long time ago. I remember laughing a lot. Trace has three girls, the Menaces, who want a mother. They decided on Jenny Fortune. Trace is attracted but resisting Miss Jenny is getting harder. Then the past shows up in form of his twin, Tye. Will Trace let the past go and reconcile with his brother? Will he trust Jenny? Read and find out.
August 11, 2013
Summary:
Dressmaker Jenny Fortune was going to put a stop to the rumors of the "Bad Luck Wedding Dress" by wearing it to her own wedding. But first she needs a groom and Trace McBride is jut the candidate!
First off. Jenny Fortune. Fortune is a cool name. That I want. Seriously.
*Cough Cough*
What was I talking about? Oh yeah, the book. It's in the past....I think. Think wild west without much cowboys. And everyone is superstitious. And kind of for good reason. After a series of unfortunate events regarding the Bailey girls and a certain wedding dress that they were all wearing for some reason...why do they wear the same dress? 'Cause they can I guess. The Book is kinda "fuck you" about it. But whatever, a small part in the book. The Bailey girls deaths are merely the fuel to the nut job known as Big Jack Bailey and his power to basically ruin Miss Fortunes reputation. Well, a lifetime to build, a second to take down I guess. Thus begins the dilemma for the first half or really, third of this book.
Jenny Fortune wants to make it as a dress maker and to do so she must overcome the reputation of her "Bad Luck Wedding Dress". Remember, when the title is named in the book, the writer is basically flashing a sign that says this is important. And yes, it is important...in a way. The bad luck wedding dress itself is what I like to call a Background conflict. When a conflict is there but then again not really. Which is good when done right. A background conflict literally stays in the background, being the main characters reasoning for doing some things and popping up every once in a while just to make itself known before the conclusion but not being what the book is really about.
What is this book about then is not the bad luck wedding dress? Well, it's back in the "wild west". Jenny is a young-ish woman that isn't married. She needs to get married. But to who?
...mmmh
To the slimy shark-like man introduced to Jenny by her mother? Nope
To some good guy that isn't introduced? Nope
To the guy with a broken past and is a jerk with a heart of gold and three daughters lovingly known as the McBride Menaces? Ding! Ding! Ding! And thus begins the first third of the book. Which pissed me off. Why? Because it should have been a single story, but I'll let that slide for a tick tock. The first half should be obvious:
Crazy daughters get in trouble, Jenny cares for them, hot single dad gets daughters from Jenny and meets said gal. Some hot cat and mouse action. The whorehouse scene NOTED. Some cool McBRide Menace shenanigans. Jenny wears the bad luck wedding dress to her wedding with shark guy, then, Surprise! Trace McBride steps in and becomes her husband instead! Cheering, laughter and champagne!
It should have ended right after they got their new house together with the girls. Why? Because it takes you after a happy moment and slaps you in the face with a smile and jokingly screeches "It's not over!"
Trace is in DENIAL! He didn't marry Jenny because he, god forbid, LOVES her. That would be CRAZY. He just wants a mother for the girls. What the actual fuck??? To be honest...I stopped really reading after this point. It ended after they got the house. Don't get me wrong, the book is good and I enjoyed some parts at the end and I eagerly await the SEQUELS!!!! But once I heard that, things hit the fan of the shit kind. Maybe I'm just bitter or maybe I'm a spoiled brat that is used to quick, happy endings. But that upset me. What does it deserve? Four out of Five stars. Really good book if you can get past that punch in the stomach (not to mention the twists in the end-ish) but my bitterness keeps me from giving it five out of five stars.
exoticness: Steamy enough to get that smile when reading in public.
Price: Free! On IBooks anyway. Worth it
I'll see you later, keep reading in by moonlight,
Shay D. Faye
Dressmaker Jenny Fortune was going to put a stop to the rumors of the "Bad Luck Wedding Dress" by wearing it to her own wedding. But first she needs a groom and Trace McBride is jut the candidate!
First off. Jenny Fortune. Fortune is a cool name. That I want. Seriously.
*Cough Cough*
What was I talking about? Oh yeah, the book. It's in the past....I think. Think wild west without much cowboys. And everyone is superstitious. And kind of for good reason. After a series of unfortunate events regarding the Bailey girls and a certain wedding dress that they were all wearing for some reason...why do they wear the same dress? 'Cause they can I guess. The Book is kinda "fuck you" about it. But whatever, a small part in the book. The Bailey girls deaths are merely the fuel to the nut job known as Big Jack Bailey and his power to basically ruin Miss Fortunes reputation. Well, a lifetime to build, a second to take down I guess. Thus begins the dilemma for the first half or really, third of this book.
Jenny Fortune wants to make it as a dress maker and to do so she must overcome the reputation of her "Bad Luck Wedding Dress". Remember, when the title is named in the book, the writer is basically flashing a sign that says this is important. And yes, it is important...in a way. The bad luck wedding dress itself is what I like to call a Background conflict. When a conflict is there but then again not really. Which is good when done right. A background conflict literally stays in the background, being the main characters reasoning for doing some things and popping up every once in a while just to make itself known before the conclusion but not being what the book is really about.
What is this book about then is not the bad luck wedding dress? Well, it's back in the "wild west". Jenny is a young-ish woman that isn't married. She needs to get married. But to who?
...mmmh
To the slimy shark-like man introduced to Jenny by her mother? Nope
To some good guy that isn't introduced? Nope
To the guy with a broken past and is a jerk with a heart of gold and three daughters lovingly known as the McBride Menaces? Ding! Ding! Ding! And thus begins the first third of the book. Which pissed me off. Why? Because it should have been a single story, but I'll let that slide for a tick tock. The first half should be obvious:
Crazy daughters get in trouble, Jenny cares for them, hot single dad gets daughters from Jenny and meets said gal. Some hot cat and mouse action. The whorehouse scene NOTED. Some cool McBRide Menace shenanigans. Jenny wears the bad luck wedding dress to her wedding with shark guy, then, Surprise! Trace McBride steps in and becomes her husband instead! Cheering, laughter and champagne!
It should have ended right after they got their new house together with the girls. Why? Because it takes you after a happy moment and slaps you in the face with a smile and jokingly screeches "It's not over!"
Trace is in DENIAL! He didn't marry Jenny because he, god forbid, LOVES her. That would be CRAZY. He just wants a mother for the girls. What the actual fuck??? To be honest...I stopped really reading after this point. It ended after they got the house. Don't get me wrong, the book is good and I enjoyed some parts at the end and I eagerly await the SEQUELS!!!! But once I heard that, things hit the fan of the shit kind. Maybe I'm just bitter or maybe I'm a spoiled brat that is used to quick, happy endings. But that upset me. What does it deserve? Four out of Five stars. Really good book if you can get past that punch in the stomach (not to mention the twists in the end-ish) but my bitterness keeps me from giving it five out of five stars.
exoticness: Steamy enough to get that smile when reading in public.
Price: Free! On IBooks anyway. Worth it
I'll see you later, keep reading in by moonlight,
Shay D. Faye
September 26, 2014
I'm not a huge fan of books set in the Old West, but I did like this one. The heroine was spunky as she just tried to keep her business going in the wake of a bunch of superstitious nonsense. The hero had a dark past and didn't want to get involved with anyone. The kids were adorable (even though they earned their horrible nickname).
Want to read
December 18, 2011This Book by Geralyn Dawson (a.k.a Emily March) is FREE on Kindle Amazon at the moment. It was a Writer's of America RITA Award Finalist and the book that made her career! Get it today!
http://www.amazon.com/Bad-Luck-Weddin...
http://www.amazon.com/Bad-Luck-Weddin...
December 4, 2017
I really enjoyed reading The Bad Luck Wedding Dress. It had lots of twists and turns in the plot and I really liked the characters. The seamstress, Jenny Fortune, or MissFortune as the Menaces like to call her, owns Fortune's Designs in Fort Worth, Texas. The year is 1879. She's renting the ground floor of the 3 story building where Trace McBride, single father of the Menaces, and his 3 daughters live. The daughters have grown very attached to Miss Fortune as she has to them. Trace owns a bar in Hell's Half Acre area in Fort Worth, and counts on multiple housekeepers to keep track of his girls, however they keep getting into trouble and the housekeepers don't last more than a few days. Miss Fortune's once thriving business is struggling due to superstition regarding a wedding dress she made for one of Jack Bailey's daughters who later suffered an accident. When his second daughter wore the same dress and also had an accident, the rumors began, and Jenny's business suffered. What follows is the tale of development of a family with all the trials and pitfalls along the way. It was a fun read. I highly recommend.
December 26, 2017
Ms. Dawson has written a charming romance starring Miss Fortune, a dressmaker, who made a beautiful wedding dress. Unfortunately (pun intended), she is being blamed for every disaster happening to the brides who wore it. (The dress was expensive so four sisters all wore the dress presumably at different times).
We also have the handsome widower with three unruly daughters who desperately want dear Miss Fortune to be their new mom. Unfortunately (pun continues to be intended), dad, like all romance widowers, has resolved NEVER TO MARRY AGAIN. In this book, he has some pretty good reasons.
Ms. Dawson has all the right ingredients for a typical love story but she has added a lot of serious issues which raises this novel out of the light romance class. The situation is acerbated by vicious and predatory gossip that has no consideration that she could easily end up homeless and starving.
The setting takes place in post Civil War Texas. Bad guys are violent. The hero has some incredibly painful baggage.
A thoughtful read.
We also have the handsome widower with three unruly daughters who desperately want dear Miss Fortune to be their new mom. Unfortunately (pun continues to be intended), dad, like all romance widowers, has resolved NEVER TO MARRY AGAIN. In this book, he has some pretty good reasons.
Ms. Dawson has all the right ingredients for a typical love story but she has added a lot of serious issues which raises this novel out of the light romance class. The situation is acerbated by vicious and predatory gossip that has no consideration that she could easily end up homeless and starving.
The setting takes place in post Civil War Texas. Bad guys are violent. The hero has some incredibly painful baggage.
A thoughtful read.
June 11, 2017
Read this as part of the on-going project to help a friend develop a booklist to offer members of her group, adult children of parents with PTSD.
I see there are more books in this series and I hope none of them have anything to do with possible PTSD because I don't want to read any more about silly, superstitious people with small minds who stick their noses into other people's business.
The only characters who seem particularly well-developed are the heroine and hero. Yeah, the kids are cute but they are just there to be plot monkeys with no particular personalities of their own.
Angst, distrust, betrayal, fear of being betrayed again, sabotage, <<>> plot infinitely predictable, the eccentrics introduce are one dimensional. Frankly, I was bored.
I see there are more books in this series and I hope none of them have anything to do with possible PTSD because I don't want to read any more about silly, superstitious people with small minds who stick their noses into other people's business.
The only characters who seem particularly well-developed are the heroine and hero. Yeah, the kids are cute but they are just there to be plot monkeys with no particular personalities of their own.
Angst, distrust, betrayal, fear of being betrayed again, sabotage, <<>> plot infinitely predictable, the eccentrics introduce are one dimensional. Frankly, I was bored.
June 16, 2017
When the wedding dress Jenny Fortune makes for Big Jack Bailey's daughters gets tagged the Bad Luck Wedding Dress after 2 of the 3 girls have accidents befall them, she fights to save her reputation. In addition highly superstitious Big Jack is physically threatening her. Jenny's mother thinks she should get married in the dress herself to dispel rumors. Trace McBride has vowed never to marry again but his three daughters, nicknamed the Menaces, think Jenny would make a perfect mother. Throw in a few secrets from the past and you have a humorous romance with a bit of intrigue and danger. Predictable but fun.
March 13, 2018
Lots of fun and mischief
I read the last three books of this series before reading this one. I prefer to read them in order, but I liked seeing how it all started. I am curious to read the remaining three books, cuz I don't know who all the main characters will be. One will undoubtedly be Trace's twin brother Tye. I really enjoyed getting to know all the characters in this story. Trace and Jenny's story was a long one, with lots of twists and turns. There was also fun and mischief from the McBride Menaces,too. This was a very enjoyable read. Even had some suspense, which is my favorite!!!
I read the last three books of this series before reading this one. I prefer to read them in order, but I liked seeing how it all started. I am curious to read the remaining three books, cuz I don't know who all the main characters will be. One will undoubtedly be Trace's twin brother Tye. I really enjoyed getting to know all the characters in this story. Trace and Jenny's story was a long one, with lots of twists and turns. There was also fun and mischief from the McBride Menaces,too. This was a very enjoyable read. Even had some suspense, which is my favorite!!!
January 26, 2024
Semi-Closed Door Romance. Single Father. Marriage of Convenience. Amazing little girls.
👩🏼❤️💋👨🏼👩🏼❤️💋👨��
1. I liked this book, it had amazing characters and storyline.
2. I loved the single parent trope, it's my favorite and I liked its execution here
3. I liked Jenny, she was resilient and I admired that about her
4. I also liked the family secret that unfolded
5. I liked Trace too, he was okay, but I was annoyed at his attitude towards Jenny sometimes
5. I didn't like the villain angle because I just don't believe someone can be as superstitious as that.
👩🏼❤️💋👨🏼👩🏼❤️💋👨🏼
Nevertheless, this book was very good and I had no problem reading it
👩🏼❤️💋👨🏼👩🏼❤️💋👨��
1. I liked this book, it had amazing characters and storyline.
2. I loved the single parent trope, it's my favorite and I liked its execution here
3. I liked Jenny, she was resilient and I admired that about her
4. I also liked the family secret that unfolded
5. I liked Trace too, he was okay, but I was annoyed at his attitude towards Jenny sometimes
5. I didn't like the villain angle because I just don't believe someone can be as superstitious as that.
👩🏼❤️💋👨🏼👩🏼❤️💋👨🏼
Nevertheless, this book was very good and I had no problem reading it
November 12, 2017
I really wanted to like this book as I have liked every other book that EM has written. Since I live close to Fort Worth, the setting was especially interesting to me; however, I was so glad that this book FINALLY ended. It just seemed to go on and on and on. To me, the characters were cardboard-like and I felt like I was reading 4 or 5 episodes in a sitcom.
The bedroom door is definitely open in this book which could have been handled differently.
I will be deleting this book and do not plan on reading another one in this series.
The bedroom door is definitely open in this book which could have been handled differently.
I will be deleting this book and do not plan on reading another one in this series.
June 10, 2020
Overall, I enjoyed this book. The characters were fun and the storyline was full. Unfortunately there was a bit too much packed into this book and it did feel long. Also it did have some R rated scenes in it. Most were relatively mild with a few being more descriptive. They were all in context with the storyline but there didn't need to be so many. Due to the length of the book and those scenes I probably would not read this author again but if that rating is ok with you definitely try this author, she did make me smile on a dreary day.
December 27, 2017
What a horrible book. I give it 1.5 stars because the concept of a wedding gown designers was interesting to me as a former bridal consultant. This story was so corny and stupid, I don't know why I continued to read it. The only saving grace was the fact that there really was a "Bad Luck wedding gown" in frontier Fort Worth. There was so much the author could have done with this idea, but didn't. Yuck.
January 6, 2018
I had to stay up reading this book. It was suspense filled, funny and captivating.
I liked Jenny’s character. She exuded intelligence and strength! More like a modern woman.
Trace was a fool most of the time. I felt sorry for Tye. And I really disliked Ethel and Wilhelmina.
The overall storyline of finding love and forgiveness put together in a family was well done.
The McBride Menaces were funny, cute and annoying all rolled into one.
I liked Jenny’s character. She exuded intelligence and strength! More like a modern woman.
Trace was a fool most of the time. I felt sorry for Tye. And I really disliked Ethel and Wilhelmina.
The overall storyline of finding love and forgiveness put together in a family was well done.
The McBride Menaces were funny, cute and annoying all rolled into one.
July 24, 2024
“The Bad Luck Wedding Dress” (The Bad Luck Wedding series, book 1 of 9) by Emily March, Geralyn Dawson
A Story that got lost in my TBR stash
This was an adventure while at the same time an American West Historical Romance. Every time I thought I knew where the story was going there was another surprise in store for me. I will miss spending time with Jenny and Trace and the other characters that inhabited this story. Happy Reading ! !
A Story that got lost in my TBR stash
This was an adventure while at the same time an American West Historical Romance. Every time I thought I knew where the story was going there was another surprise in store for me. I will miss spending time with Jenny and Trace and the other characters that inhabited this story. Happy Reading ! !
November 14, 2017
Entertaining
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The story was interesting and the characters were admirable. I especially liked the heroine, Jenny. I found her spunky and determined to succeed in business when it was not easy for a woman to make her own way. She knew what she wanted and went for it.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The story was interesting and the characters were admirable. I especially liked the heroine, Jenny. I found her spunky and determined to succeed in business when it was not easy for a woman to make her own way. She knew what she wanted and went for it.
November 16, 2017
Different
Definitely not your romance-by-the-template book. I enjoyed the menaces as well as the fickle parents. Very few typos - a good editor would have caught them though. Thank you for this enjoyable read and for not cutting it off before the end, like so many romance writers do.
Definitely not your romance-by-the-template book. I enjoyed the menaces as well as the fickle parents. Very few typos - a good editor would have caught them though. Thank you for this enjoyable read and for not cutting it off before the end, like so many romance writers do.
November 16, 2017
Nice plot
This book had a great deal of suspense and twists. I felt it could have gone better if the author had left the love scenes more to our own imagination's without being so explicit. I had to skip some pages as I didn't need those pictures in my mind. I liked her style so I finished the story and enjoyed the story line.
This book had a great deal of suspense and twists. I felt it could have gone better if the author had left the love scenes more to our own imagination's without being so explicit. I had to skip some pages as I didn't need those pictures in my mind. I liked her style so I finished the story and enjoyed the story line.
December 1, 2017
I really enjoyed The Bad Luck Wedding Dress. It's so nice to read a historical with several interesting plot twists. Between Miss (Jenny) Fortune and Bad Luck Bailey, Wilhelmina the nasty lady reporter, Trace (and later on Tye) the Menaces and Jenny's "unique" parents -- there was really a lot going on but all of it kept my interest and I recommend it.
January 6, 2018
Great!
Loved the children! It's always fun to read a good romance where children are involved - especially as they try to play matchmakers.
I love the independence of the female character - a strong businesswoman who is still caring towards all people.
I was impressed with the conflict idea and the way it played out and was resolved.
Loved the children! It's always fun to read a good romance where children are involved - especially as they try to play matchmakers.
I love the independence of the female character - a strong businesswoman who is still caring towards all people.
I was impressed with the conflict idea and the way it played out and was resolved.
April 11, 2018
Not my cuppa
I like historical romances, but of the regency not the American variety. I obviously didn't read this description well enough. I stopped just shy of 30% because this story moves VERY slowly. That being said, if you like American historical romances and favor an unabridged telling, you'll probably love this read.
I like historical romances, but of the regency not the American variety. I obviously didn't read this description well enough. I stopped just shy of 30% because this story moves VERY slowly. That being said, if you like American historical romances and favor an unabridged telling, you'll probably love this read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 162 reviews