Always the bridesmaid, never the bride. Egypt Starr took that saying one step further. She was about to be a bridesmaid for the fourteenth time. She had even provided the groom . . . for the fourteenth time. This time, it was for her sister. Every time she would get into a relationship, she would dream about the man with one of her friends. The dream always seemed to come true, leaving Egypt with only a broken heart and a rainbow of gowns in her closet. Since a mix up in the shipping of the gowns left her with her sister's wedding gown, she had no choice but to set out from Phoenix to Dragoon's Springs, her childhood home, to attend the wedding.

Cade Dugan, artist and sculptor, had a gift for creation. His Christmas Village figurines seemed to come to life. Not the actual figurines, but once he designed a mate for a character based on occupants of the town of Holly, that mate would show up and the match was made. The legend spread to the neighboring towns after it happened three times. In an attempt to disprove the legend, Cade created the ice skater, the mate to his own figurine. The town of Holly was soon filled with "Blue Coats," women who dressed in the style of the figurine with the hope of winning Cade's heart. The last thing he wanted was one of these crazy women who flocked to town seeking a husband.

After Egypt's car broke down on the outskirts of Holly, she was almost run down by a leather-clad man in a sleigh, drawn by two reindeer. Cade only saw the flash of a blue coat before nearly running over the woman. After a bumpy beginning, Cade figured out that Egypt was the woman he has been waiting for, not just another blue coat. By the time he learned this, he believed the chances of them getting together was "in the Land of the Not Flipping Likely." His father chose then to tell him of the "Dugan Curse." Could Egypt survive the curse to finally become the bride?

THE CHRISTMAS VILLAGE is a wonderfully entertaining story of the magic of Christmas time love. Egypt and Cade are both stubborn, resisting the strong pull they feel toward each other. Cade is a breathtaking character. Egypt is a unique lady, capturing Cade's heart when he least expects it. The descriptions offered by Ms. Andrews had me ready for fresh baked Christmas cookies and cinnamon rolls. But the pastries aren't the most satisfying part of THE CHRISTMAS VILLAGE. Don't wait until the holidays to warm up with this one.

Reviewed By: Marge Conrad
© September 2004