Author: Mary Carter

ISBN:  0-7582-1539-8

Accidentally Engaged is about a Tarot Card Reader who gets delayed from her yearly pilgrimage, to return an expensive engagement ring as well as a message left by an unexpected customer.  The story is set at a large mansion on the grounds of Shawnee National Forest in present day Harrisburg. 

On Clair’s journey to return this precious ring and a disappointing message back to the unsuspecting groom, the reader finds the character has a strong intuition and a special gift befitting a woman in her profession.

In the hoopla of watching a wedding come together, although it isn’t hers, Clair relives her string of lost loves as she tries to repair the broken relationship before the wedding.  She finds it very difficult to relay the message given to her by his bride-to-be, and the longer she takes to confess, the funnier the story gets.  Although Clair wants to run like hell from the Heron family, she realizes she is linked more to them than she knows.

The novel makes you wonder how can this woman become engaged by accident but the story soon materializes before your eyes.  The author uses the special gift of the main character to mix with the crazy antics of the Heron family, to give you a piece of art that unfolds into a funny story.  Mary Carter makes each of Clair’s interaction with the other characters a memorable one.  Sometimes the reader gets the idea that she is just crazy and wants to cause herself grief and aggravation, other times you wonder what she is doing there and should have left a long time ago.  Either way, the reader knows Clair is drawn to some mystery in the house and she is desperately trying to unravel the strange readings emanating from the family.  

The main problem Clair faces in the story is due to her ability of falling in love too easily with many men she meets.  She is so desperate to be happy and in love.  She doesn’t realize the relationship isn’t going to last and she should walk away before she marries again!

Having the main character be a Tarot Reader makes it more enjoyable when each chapter starts with a clip from the horoscope.  This is a brilliant idea because it brings the reader closer to understanding Clair and the weird way she has of trying to solve her problems.  For example, chapter four states the zodiac sign of Pisces and the caption is “The light at the end of the tunnel just went out”. 

This humorous, easy-to-read piece of fiction should bring back memories to almost every woman at some point in time.  Fretting over a wedding or a love can be a devastating or most memorable occurrence that is not without its comical or dramatic experiences.

As you read on, you wonder when the pieces are going to fall into place because you’re coming to the end of the story but the issues and the outcome ends up to be pretty surprising.  Accidentally Engaged is for anyone who enjoys fiction that is intended on putting a smile on your face.  This book keeps you laughing from beginning to end.

The above review was contributed by: Jennifer Andrew -Freelance Writer and Reviewer. To read more of Jennifer's reviews CLICK HERE