First Comes Marriage

{{{{{{{Deep Sigh}}}}}}
Shira Anthony can write a romance like no other. It must be her musical background because the books (and I know I said something similar in another review of her Blue Note series) she writes have all the required highs and lows that classical music or Opera has. In truth I LOVED this book so much that I was entirely able to see the characters and action in my head and that is something I rarely have happen. My mind just doesn't work that way so when an author squeezes into my mind like this and I find myself sighing with pleasure of tearing up because of a particular scene the Author has done more than their job. They have taken me on a ride and I go along with the characters and it's wonderful to experience that, so much so I have a hard time choosing a book to follow with.
Ah such is life and Thank you Shira for making me sigh, quiver, smile and cry with all of your characters.
These characters all of them in the entire book I loved them, even the one not likeable i found a crack in the veneer so see into that person

I am really enjoying this new line from Dreamspinner. Jesse offers a business deal to Chris but we see both men struggle with the terms and the need to be honest with each other. Both are holding back to avoid hurt. Sometimes a deal just doesn't work out like you plan.

This is the first of Dreamspinner’s Dreamspun Desires books I’ve read! I LOVED IT! I’m such a sucker for a great love story. Two men come together, sign a contract to save a legacy, and in doing so fall in love *sigh* what’s not to just swoon over?
Chris and Jesse are so freaking adorable. Jesse broke my heart. His relationship with his step grandmother, that just tore me up. And Chris… he has a huge hang up and well, these guys are in a tangled mess and of course it takes the love of ONE man and one lovely woman to make them shape up.
Shira Anthony brings us a sweet and emotional love story that will have to taking deep breaths and wishing it never ends!

My first of Dreamspinner Press's new Dreamspun Desires novel is First Comes Marriage by Shira Anthony. Dreamspun Desires is explained as such:
Dreamspun Desires are contemporary category romance novels, complete with your favorite heartwarming heroes, captivating plots, and exotic settings. These titles are all about happily ever afters that leave you with a satisfied smile for days.
They are packaged to look like your mom's Harlequin romance novels from back-in-the-day.
And, oh, this has gotten off to a great start because First Comes Marriage was spectacular!
I have been a huge fan of gay romance with Forced/Arranged Marriage/Mating/Bonding themes since I first read Heart of Texas by R.J. Scott back in 2012. The soap-opera style drama swept me off my feet and it made me feel like I was watching Dallas with my mom and sisters back in the 80's. First Comes Marriage gave me very similar feelings, but the main difference between the two is that while Heart of Texas has peril of the villain sort with conspiracies and murder and back-stabbing at every turn, First Comes Marriage is a romance with no anticipation of bodily harm. Emotional harm? You betcha!
Chris is a struggling writer, working as a barista to make ends meet while he works on his novels. Jesse is a business man, working in the family business, Windview Enterprises, that his great-great grandfather started. It is now very successful and Jesse is a millionaire many times over.
For reasons initially unknown, Jesse's grandfather put a stipulation in his will that Jesse had to be married, for a least a year, before he can inherit Windview Enterprises. If he does not marry, the majority of the business shares will go to his grandfather's second wife, Wenda, Jesse's step-grandmother that he has a tumultuous relationship with.
Chris finally agrees, Jesse and Chris marry and begin the happily-married-couple charade by moving Chris into Jesse's sprawling mansion, Windmere, with a breathtaking ocean view and elaborate gardens. Despite Chris, who is gay, feeling a strong sexual attraction for a very straight Jesse, things start out pretty well for the couple.
But, all is not as it seems at Windmere and several of the occupants have dark, deeply hidden secrets they don't want seeing the light of day. Jesse is harboring one of the biggest, and when his secret is finally revealed at about 50%, the book goes from first person (Chris) POV to multiple POVs. Now we get a good look into Jesse's mind and life and what motivates him to do the things he does.
I am going to stop there with the summary because there are some delicious twists and turns and revelations that are best kept under wraps so you can enjoy them yourself as you read.
First Comes Marriage is romantic, emotional, sexy, heart warming, sad at times and a brilliant soap-opera style story. I absolutely ate-it-up and cannot WAIT to read the rest of the novels in the Dreamspun Desires collection.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Galley copy of First Comes Marriage provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange of an honest review.