The Book Magnet: Book Birthday Blog Tour

I read Bride Without a Groom in September 2015, after picking it up from Amazon. It is an absolutely hilarious laugh-out-loud romantic comedy that I remember with fond affection, almost as if Rebecca was an old friend. You can read my review here.

I am really excited to be part of the Book Birthday Blog Tour and I have an extract from Bride Without a Groom to share with you.

The Priest in the Living Room

Our conversation is cut short. There’s someone at the door. The bell rings again and Barry stands.

‘Whoever it is,’ I bark, ‘tell them to kindly shove off!’

‘Father Maguire!’ Barry cannot hide his surprise. The conversation at the front door is muffled, and I’m ear-wigging like my life depends on it.

‘Won’t you please come in?’

Oh no!

The miniature priest is standing in our living room. I’m feeling decidedly queasy.

‘Ah, Rebecca. Thank you for your email last week. I was just passing, so I thought I’d pop in quickly. Hope it’s not a bad time?

‘Eh…’

How’s your mother?’

‘I… eh… she’s… please have a seat.’ I scooch Jess from the couch and he hisses at me.

I’m staring at the priest blankly and Barry is making a puzzled face behind him. The penny drops. My email! Last week!

‘Thank you,’ the priest receives the tea that Barry has brought in on a tray.

‘Biscuit?’ Barry offers.

‘Yes, please. Well, now. First of all, congratulations.’

Sweet mothering divine Jesus H Christ our Lord and Saviour.

I pray that the ground will open up and swallow me. God declines my request. I have lied. To an actual priest! I’ve told porkies right into his sweet innocent Catholic face. I’ll surely burn for all eternity. Barry’s eyebrows are raised and his eyes are piercing mine, but I stay silent.

‘So. You were requesting dates for the church.’ Father Maguire flicks through his black pocket diary.

‘Well, I…we…’ I’m unable to form the words.

‘Aha. Yes. You’re in luck. Now, it’s usually booked well in advance. Especially the Saturdays. But we do have a cancellation for February. What date were you thinking?’

I’ve never seen that particular shade of purple on Barry’s face before. The power of speech has eluded me. I’ve been caught red handed, it seems. Lock me up and throw away the key.

‘Pencil us in for June,’ Barry’s face is like thunder.

‘Right. So, there’s Saturday the twentieth? Two o’clock?’ his pencil hovers over the date.

‘Fine.’ Barry refuses to look at me.

‘OK, then…’ the priest is unable to understand. He has missed the punch line of the sick joke.

‘Please excuse me, Father. I’m off on a business trip this evening, so I need to get packing. Thanks for stopping by.’

Barry shakes his hand and leaves the room without glancing in my direction.

‘Eh, more tea?’ There is a tremor in my voice and the teapot lid is rattling.

‘Thank you, Rebecca, but no.’

Father Maguire is on his feet and moving in the direction of the front door.

‘Must be off. I’m on my way to see another parishioner. Just recovering from a stroke, poor dear. God bless. I’ll be in touch.’

My hands are glued over my mouth and nose as Barry returns to the room.

‘Listen, I can explain…’

Happy Book Birthday!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Single, coupled-up or married, this laugh-out-loud summer read is the perfect anecdote for the wedding season!

Rebecca has chosen the most luscious, five tiered, wedding cake. The engagement ring that she has selected is celebrity inspired. The wedding singer is on speed dial. He doesn’t usually do Michael Bolton, but as it’s for a first dance he’ll make an exception. Father Maguire is checking dates for the parish church as we speak. The deposit on the white sand honeymoon is paid for in full on Barry’s card. She has fallen for an ivory lace couture gown that is to die for. The down payment may require her to sell a left kidney, but it will be worth it. Isn’t that why you have two?

There’s one teeny tiny problem. It’s nothing, really. No need to panic! It’s just that Barry has yet to propose. Says he’s not ready! He can be a bit of a kill joy that way. In fact, he's gone away on a business trip and says that he needs some space. Meanwhile, Barry's tie loosens, the Tiger beer is flowing, and his colleague Shelley is providing more than a shoulder to cry on. Back in Dublin, Rebecca worries, putting Operation Win Back Barry into action. But who is the mysterious dark haired woman that is so keen to talk to her, and what is it that Barry wants to get off his chest?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Amy Lynch is an Irish author of humorous romantic women’s fiction, but not always with fairy tale endings! She has been working in the charity sector for many years, is married and has two young children. When she is not writing, she can be found juggling school runs, packing lunch boxes, tackling the laundry mountain and walking two large rescue dogs who stare at her until she walks them. Talk about multi-tasking!

Her debut novel ‘Bride Without a Groom’ is a laugh out loud Bridezilla comedy, was published by Avon, Harper Collins in May 2015.