"Court-Appointed Marriage"

The McCormacks and Randolphs' have been feuding in the small town of Serenity, Texas for over 70 years. Brice McCormick and Prudence Randolph are in court representing their relatives in the latest scuffle between the families. Judge Willis is sick and tired of the feuding and wants to retire and travel with his wife, but he feels he can't because of the feud. He orders the two of them to come up with two reasonable adults in their families to get together in a neutral place to talk and then they will find two more people and soon everyone will get along. Unfortunately Prudence and Brice find themselves back in court when the people they picked ended up having a food fight. The judge locks them in the room again and orders them to come up with some more names.

When the two of them can't come up with any, Judge Willis orders them to get married in three days time. If they don't get married their relatives could be seeing some jail time. Unable to come up with an alternative suggestion, Brice and Prudence find themselves soon locked in holy matrimony.

Dianne Castell is a new author and has created a believable, funny, sweet story about two feuding families. I had a hard time not laughing out loud. This book will grab you. From the opening scene in the courtroom, to the wedding, to the moment when Prudence sees her new house for the first time. I enjoyed this book immensely and think that you will too.

Barb Hicks

Reviewed by Barb Hicks
Posted September 9, 2001