The Wedding Dress

The Wedding Dress by Rachel Hauck

Contemporary Romance

Charlotte Malone, owner of an upscale bridal boutique, has a gift for finding the perfect gown for her clients. But when she can’t seem to focus on her own fast approaching wedding, she wonders if Tim Rose, the handsome architect who swept her off her feet, is really “the one.”

When Charlotte impulsively buys an old, battered trunk at an auction, she discovers a stunning vintage wedding gown inside in that looks newly made. The strange man in purple from the estate sale insists the dress is “hers.”

Determined to know more about the dress, Charlotte learns about the brides who wore it and how they came into possession of the hundred-year-old gown: Emily in 1912, Mary Grace in 1939, and Hillary in 1968. As their powerful stories of love and courage are revealed, Charlotte also discovers new things about her heritage and her connection to the dress.

Writers can learn from the following:

1. Four stories are skillfully tied together. I was impressed by how different Charlotte, Emily, Mary Grace and Hillary experiences were during the hundred-year span . . . yet, the author found a way to connect them through relationships and the dress.

2. The supernatural is used in a unique way. The dress is beautiful and flawless, despite being a hundred years old and having been worn by three women prior to Charlotte finding it. The women also never found it necessary to alter the dress in any way. It fit each one as though designed for them individually. Then there is the man who wears purple. He seems to show up at the most opportune times with an important message about the dress.

3. This contemporary romance includes history, a bit of mystery, and unexpected twists.

4. The story provides a spiritual message. It shares the importance of being connected to not only other people, but to God and his plan for our lives.

Submitted by a Christian Editor Connection member.

RITA-finalist Rachel Hauck lives in Florida with her husband, Tony. She is the author of Dining with Joy; Sweet Caroline; Love Starts with Elle; and The Sweet By and By, co-authored with Sara Evans. Visit http://www.RachelHauck.com and http://www.SouthernBelleView.com.