~ Review: Bliss Inc. ~

BLISS INC. - Chamein Canton Genesis Press/Indigo 1-58571-325-2 March 2008

SYNOPSIS:  Having given up on dating, wedding planner Paige indulges in a passionate one-night stand with Matthew and then throws herself into her career. Soon afterwards she lands a major venture--planning the wedding of Matthew's brother. Original.

CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE |4+|  Marguerite Lemons

REVIEW:  Paige Baldwin is a Harvard educated attorney who, after her divorce, walked away from her job to live out her dream of being a wedding planner.  One faithful night night, she goes to a bar to have a drink and unwind after ditching her blind date.  On that same night, Matthew Smythe ducks into the bar to get away from all the desperate socialites vying for his attention at his brother’s engagement party.  Matthew Smythe is the eldest son, and “black sheep” of the Smythe family, blue-blooded Manhattan socialites.  He spots the full-figured Paige sitting at the bar and is immediately attracted.  When he asks to join her, the sparks fly; they throw caution to the wind, and engage in a steamy one night stand that neither of them will soon forget.  But as fate would have it, they meet again when Paige is offered the job as wedding planner for the Klein-Smythe wedding.  Paige is left speechless when she meets the groom’s family, and her nameless one night stand, during a lunch meeting.  Matthew can’t believe his good fortune, and he has no intentions of letting Paige get away.  Matt has never played by society’s rules, and he doesn’t intend to start. 

BLISS, INC. is a true romance.  It explores the “love at first sight” theory without the constant in your face.  The author takes you through the rather complicated maze that is known as “high society” in a humorous way.  She even uses a little humor and a lot of empathy on a touchy subject; marriage to “down low” men.

Michael impresses Paige with his wit, charm, love and caring ways.  These two wind their way through-out Harlem, Manhattan, Amityville and other areas of New York, while getting to know each other.  Paige’s dedication to work, staff, client’s, son, and extended family is heart warming.  The people she came in contact with were always left in a better place because of her.  The supporting characters are interesting, loving and supportive.  I did have a problem with the fact that neither Paige, nor Matt are willing to openly discuss the issue of having children even after they become engaged; but they face the WASP’s of Manhattan without batting an eyelash when it comes to their interracial romance.

Ms. Canton has written a highly entertaining, completely engaging, and memorable story.  I read it in one day.

reviewer@romanceincolor.com | 1st June 2008