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A Rather Charming Invitation Audiobook
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(3.08) - 385 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
You’re invited! Bride’s or groom’s side? Dateline: London, Paris Antibes. It’s time to get down to nuptial nuts and bolts. But while heiress Penny’s distant relatives insist that the wedding be held in their native France, Jeremy’s kin won’t have it anywhere but England. And either choice might just reignite the Hundred Years’ War. Then, in a family chateau high above the perfume fields of Grasse, Penny’s French cousin offers her the loan of an ancient bridal tapestry. But Penny has barely begun to crack its perplexing imagery before a series of strange events unfolds, threatening to derail the wedding. From Lake Geneva, to a nostalgic stop at the opulent Train Bleu, to a winner-take-all gamble in Monte Carlo, Penny and Jeremy are off to another romp … while the clock is ticking down until they say “I do.”
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"This is the third book in the adventures of American millionaire heiress Penny Nichols and her British fiance, the equally rich Jeremy Laidley. I adore this series! The series is referred to as "a return to the Golden Age of suspense". I agree, although the books are set in a thoroughly modern time period. The book starts slow, but you don't mind reading about the mundane details of Penny and Jeremy's life. The author, C.A.Belmond carefully crafted the background of the story in these inauspicious beginnings. In this book Penny and Jeremy are planning their wedding but everyone wants a part in making the plans. The warring factions include Jeremy's oh-so-proper British high society grandmother, Margery, and Penny's French cousins, "Tante" Leonora and "Oncle" Philippe. When a priceless ancient family tapestry, loaned to Penny by the French relatives to be used as the backdrop when she takes her wedding vows, is stolen, the action heats up. Like the other previous books in the series, a mad romp between France and England constantly takes place as Penny follows the clues in the tapestry, hoping to find the answer to a long-ago mystery and perhaps find the rumored treasure. Luckily Penny had taken many pictures of the tapestry so that she could both match the colors in it to her wedding colors and also because she just loves antiques and her previous profession was in the research of authentic props for doculmetaries. The clues in an antique clock help unravel the mystery. And of course there is a villain! Loved it, loved it, loved it! I highly recommend it- but start with the first book "A Rather Lovely Inheritance"."
— Linda (5 out of 5 stars)
A Rather Charming Invitation Listener Reviews
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" Third in the Penny Nichols' series - the continuing characters are entertaining but the mysteries they involved are beginning to be stretched thin. "
— Nancy, 2/15/2014 -
" Wonderful narrator. I am enjoying listening to this series. "
— Teri, 2/8/2014 -
" This is the third in the series of Penny Nichols' adventures. The other two are A Rather Lovely Inheritance, and A Rather Curious Engagement. Each novel includes a mystery to be solved as well as some very old-fashioned romantic adventures. I enjoyed the story very much and look forward to the next installment. I hope that some of you are familiar with Penny and her family and friends. "
— Suzanne, 2/1/2014 -
" I was pretty bored during the first half because there was virtually no story...just wedding plans. The second half actually had some adventure and mystery and got exciting. I do like the characters though and so I'll read the last book. "
— Jennefer, 1/22/2014 -
" I really enjoyed the first couple books in this series of a young American woman who inherits a villa in France and becomes a heiress of great wealth falling in love with a distant English cousin. This is the book that covers her marriage and has some suspense surrounding a tapestry that is loaned to her for her wedding. It plods a bit and doesn't always hold my attention well, but it is a gentle story that has some quiet appeal. Not the best of the 3 books. "
— Ruth, 1/22/2014 -
" Sometimes the language and plot was a little lame and cliche. Towards the end, the climax dragged a bit too, but overall it was a fun little read." "
— Christine, 1/12/2014 -
" Very long. So much build up to the actual mystery part. It was still very good just that you had to read 350 pages of "background" to get to the 100 pages of adventure. "
— Amy, 1/4/2014 -
" love the third book and can't wait for more. "
— Lori, 12/28/2013 -
" A charming wedding for Jeremy and Penny - very sweet with enough twists and mysteries to keep you reading. Hopefully another book will be on its way soon! "
— Lynda, 12/20/2013 -
" Another "charming" story in this series! Loved that we got to see all the pieces come together for a rather lovely ending/beginning. It did contain some language again, which makes me sad, because it wasn't necessary at all. "
— Suzie, 12/15/2013 -
" Another nice book in the series with another adventure for Penny and Jeremy and a fabulous wedding. It's a nice light read. "
— Kimberly, 11/23/2013 -
" This series has quickly become a favorite of mine. I get easily drawn into their lives and really connect with the characters. The author makes you feel for the characters. Highly recommend! Can't wait to read the fourth book. "
— Amy, 11/22/2013 -
" The Penny Nickels series is like having a champagne cocktail for breakfast: delightful and effervescent. "Invitation" starts slowly, but soon weaves a lovely old-world tapestry (if you'll pardon the pun...) "
— Heather, 10/10/2013 -
" I'm not proud to say I read this. It's like cotton candy for the brain. "
— Lisamarie, 8/21/2013 -
" Just as charming as the prior books in this series. "
— Sally, 7/11/2013 -
" Really fun. Billed as "romantic suspense" but nothing like Mary Stewart or the like. A good fun read for the exhausting end of the school year. "
— Anne, 6/6/2013 -
" Her first two were kinda cute, easy reads. This one took way too long to get into and was too "sweet." I have a tooth ache from the goody goody of it all. "
— Em, 4/25/2013 -
" Another great installment in the series. Just what I wanted on this horrible hot day! A fun trip to England and France, wedding planning and a mystery! What more could I ask for?! "
— Linda, 4/8/2013 -
" Incredibly lighthearted and plain fun. Not realistic at all, but just super fun to read. Made me smile the entire way, even if everything just seemed incredibly improbable. "
— Irene, 3/8/2013 -
" Ms. Belmond has a very fun writing style. Her characters are likable and the stories just flow along. I'm looking forward to the fourth. "
— Christina, 1/7/2013 -
" Although this was book three in a series, I had no problem understanding the story line. The author gave just the right amount of background at the appropriate times. It was easy to read and the story got started right at the beginning, which I like. I would like to read the next book in the series. "
— Leah, 7/11/2012 -
" The third (maybe my favorite) of this series with Penny and Jeremy. "
— Kimberly, 5/15/2012 -
" Fun read. Love Penny Nichols! "
— Marygrace, 4/17/2012 -
" Third of a series. Fun and relaxing beach reads. "
— Marianne, 2/4/2012 -
" I wish I had known this a series before I started it, but I really enjoyed it and want to go back and read the other books too. "
— Iris, 9/2/2011 -
" A light, enjoyable read, as are all the books in this series. "
— Katie, 7/13/2011 -
" There was a tad bit a language in this book, but again, I highly enjoyed this book. Just enough mystery and just enough romance. A cute story. One more to go. Highly recommended for women who like "charming" books. "
— Erin, 6/27/2011 -
" I have finished the series and really enjoyed this last book. So much fun! Love all the funny family members and the adventure. Penny is a fabulous character and book was great!!!! "
— Leesa, 4/28/2011 -
" I wish I had known this a series before I started it, but I really enjoyed it and want to go back and read the other books too. "
— Iris, 2/3/2011 -
" I thought that the beginning was kinda slow, and the middle was more interesting. I did really like the end but would have liked more action in the beginning and middle parts! "
— Mandi, 12/26/2010 -
" Very long. So much build up to the actual mystery part. It was still very good just that you had to read 350 pages of "background" to get to the 100 pages of adventure. "
— Amy, 11/24/2010 -
" Incredibly lighthearted and plain fun. Not realistic at all, but just super fun to read. Made me smile the entire way, even if everything just seemed incredibly improbable. "
— Irene, 11/14/2010 -
" Wonderful ending to this trilogy ... "
— Karmen, 10/1/2010 -
" A charming wedding for Jeremy and Penny - very sweet with enough twists and mysteries to keep you reading. Hopefully another book will be on its way soon! "
— Lynda, 9/21/2010 -
" A cute mystery with romance thrown in. "
— Amy, 8/25/2010 -
" Altogether delightful escapism, a book to give you daydreams. The mystery of the tapestry is fascinating, & the gorgeous & opulent locations & settings are endlessly enjoyable. "
— Brett, 6/24/2010 -
" I think this is the best of the Penny Nichols series. It's a quick, light, easy read. "
— Avriens, 6/9/2010 -
" Our hero and heroine actually make it to marriage, although the twists and turns are fun, as are their apprehensions. But they are amazingly tender of each other. <br/> <br/>And more wish fulfillment (I want their yacht!) "
— Lynn, 5/30/2010 -
" Her first two were kinda cute, easy reads. This one took way too long to get into and was too "sweet." I have a tooth ache from the goody goody of it all. "
— Em, 5/30/2010 -
" Ms. Belmond has a very fun writing style. Her characters are likable and the stories just flow along. I'm looking forward to the fourth. "
— Christina, 5/22/2010
About C. A. Belmond
C. A. Belmond is an Edward F. Albee Foundation Fellowship winner. A writer-in-residence at the Karolyi Foundation in the South of France, she was a finalist for the Pushcart Press Editors’ Book Award and the Eugene O’Neill National Playwrights Conference. She studied writing at the University of London with David Hare, Tom Stoppard, and Fay Weldon, as well as with her mentor Margaret Atwood at Humber College School for Writers Workshop in Toronto. She has been a staff writer for the daytime dramas One Life to Live and Capitol, has taught writing at New York University, and has written and produced for ABC News, PBS, and A&E.
About Katherine Kellgren
Katherine Kellgren (1969–2018), narrator and actress, appeared onstage in London, New York, and Frankfurt, including in the role of Laura in a regional production of The Glass Menagerie and appearances on Comedy Central. In recognition of her mastery of audiobook narration, she received many honors, including the prestigious Audie Awards, with four for best female narrator; the Odyssey Award; Publishers Weekly Listen Up Award; dozens of AudioFile magazine Earphones Awards; an AudioFile Golden Voice Award; Booklist Voice of Choice award; and acclaim from press and listener reviews.