Buy: Amazon
First in a new series from RWA Golden Heart® Winner and RITA® Finalist, AE Jones.
Take one wedding. Add fangs, fur, and fairy dust…stir.
A wedding phobic in a family of wedding planners… Alex Bennett’s life is complicated enough, until she discovers their clients aren’t exactly human. Paranormals exist, and when weddings are sabotaged, Alex will stop at nothing to save the business—even partnering with a sexy investigator with secrets of his own.
A paranormal with no powers… Devin Cole is guilty until proven innocent. His powers have been placed in a supernatural time out until his upcoming trial. He doesn’t have time to investigate a runaway bride case. But the bride is a supermodel who also happens to be supernatural, so he has to handle damage control. His biggest concern—a tempting woman who insists on being part of the investigation.
Can a wedding phobic and a powerless paranormal work together to solve the case while finding their own fairy-tale…or faery-tale…happy ever after?
Reviews:
“I’m so glad that I saw In Sickness and In Elf because it was truly amazing and I absolutely, positively loved it. In fact, it is the best paranormal book that I’ve read outside of my favorite paranormal authors like Kresley Cole and Sherrilyn Kenyon!” A Hopeless Romantics Booklandia May 2, 2016
“Paranormal romance weddings and all get a riotous roll down the aisle in this must read hilarious encounter…I will be reading this one again. Especially when the next one comes out. I am eagerly anticipating it.” The Book Junkie Reads May 2, 2016
“What a wonderful book, and a great start to a new series, I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book. This was my first book from Author A.E. Jones, but will not be my last. This book was extremely engaging, I could not put it down. I had to know what was happening next. So much so before I knew it, it was 8am and I had finished the book.” Kimmie Sue’s Book Review May 2, 2015
EXCERPT:
Chapter 1
It was time. Alex peeked out the door of the inn and clutched the bouquet of orchids to her chest to hide her trembling hands. Hundreds of guests were perched on white wooden chairs in the grass. Many of them, celebrities included, turned frequently to glance back at the inn, hoping to catch the first glimpse of the wedding party. Excitement buzzed in the air as a small group of invited paparazzi circled the crowd like gnats, snapping pictures.
The inn was the spot in San Diego. The timeless stone and wood inn overlooked the steep cliff, while waves crashed below at the perfect volume—not so loud as to drown out the string quartet, but in the background as an important part of the ambiance.
Her grandmother made sure the wedding was all about ambiance.
Alex took a deep breath and tried to remember the relaxation techniques Dr. Jennings taught her. Nothing. Two years of counseling and she was drawing a blank. Her heartbeat sped up, the pounding so loud it pulsed in her ears. Alex switched the flowers to one hand and wiped her sweaty palm on her dress. The movement stirred the petals, perfuming the air with a hint of vanilla. She sucked in another deep breath and concentrated on the flowery fragrance.
She could do this. She owed it to her grandmother. Heck, she owed it to herself.
She checked the clock in the entryway. Three minutes and counting. Her friend Peggy walked toward her, smiling.
“Is everything ready?” Alex blurted.
“Of course. Your grandmother is in charge.”
The crowd let out a collective gasp when Bradley took center stage. His dark Armani suit fit his toned, fit body to perfection, and his blond hair was cut short and styled flawlessly. He looked like a movie star…which made perfect sense, since he was a movie star.
Alex giggled. Oh, no, there would be no uncontrollable giggling, laughing, or guffawing. Although inappropriate laughter would be a far better choice than projectile vomiting. Alex bit her lip to stifle another giggle from erupting.
Peggy leaned closer, nudging Alex’s shoulder with her own. “He’s downright edible.”
“Peggy!” Alex released the breath she’d been holding. Everything will be fine. It is all going as planned.
Only one thing was missing…
The bride.
As if on cue, supermodel Sydney Thompson descended the staircase of the inn with her entourage of three bridesmaids, a hairstylist, and a makeup artist in tow. Alex’s grandmother, Lorinda Bennett, wedding planner for the ridiculously rich and fabulously famous, completed the procession.
The group swarmed the lobby, making tiny adjustments here and there to assure Sydney looked her best. They didn’t need to worry. Statuesque and almost otherworldly, Sydney glowed. Her strapless mermaid gown hugged her curves, and her long, blond hair hung in loose waves around her shoulders.
Lorinda’s regal voice broke through the high-pitched chatter. “Alexandra, the bouquet.”
Alex maneuvered through Sydney’s anxious entourage and handed her the flowers. “You look amazing.”
Sydney flashed her gorgeous, insured-by-Lloyd’s-of-London smile. “Thanks.”
The music changed, signaling the bridal party’s entrance, and Lorinda took over, reminding Alex of a symphony conductor. Grandmother was in her glory, as well she should be. Landing the Bradley Prentice and Sydney Thompson wedding had been a coup of epic proportions.
Alex slipped outside with Peggy to watch the bridesmaids proceed down the grassy aisle.
Peggy patted her shoulder. “It’s good to have you here today, Alex.”
Alex nodded, since her voice had deserted her. She hadn’t been to a wedding in two years, not since her own almost-wedding. And she wouldn’t be here now if this wedding wasn’t so important to her grandmother and to Bennett Bridal, Incorporated. Working the ceremony today was her first step toward becoming the old Alex Bennett again. The one her grandmother would be proud of.
In the middle of her thought, irrational fear wrapped its icy fingers around her spinal column and squeezed, and she had to lock her knees to keep from sprinting for cover.
Peggy continued, “This is a huge day for the business. It’s icing on the cake to have you here to help us.”
Alex smiled, although she imagined it looked a tad maniacal. Peggy was Bennett Bridal’s office manager and she was always in control. These days Alex was never in control. It was quite annoying, really.
The Wedding March swelled, and Alex swallowed hard, as if each chord was a new lump joining the growing pile in her throat. For her, attending a wedding was as much fun as a root canal without Novocain. But she couldn’t bring herself to confess her phobia to Peggy or her grandmother, or tell either one about her panic attacks.
Rational human beings didn’t have wedding phobias.
AE Jones 