Die Before "I Do"

Die Before "I Do"A Simone Simpson Mystery By Rita Smircich. Simone Deschamps is a young woman who leaves her home in Louisville, Kentucky to begin a new life in search of happiness in New York City. Leaving behind an abusive father, and a masochistic mother, Simone struggles to find love that is built on solid and enduring values. Heartbreak comes after the tragic death of her parents, leaving her alone and abandoned by her brother, Jean-Paul, who followed in his father's destructive footsteps. Eventually, Simone is taken in by the family of her NYU college roommate, Judy Smith, whose parents treat Simone as their own daughter, inviting her to move into their Virginia home. Using money from her parents' estate, Simone invites Judy to explore Paris with her. Simone is captivated by the food, culture, and architecture of the City of Lights. She also falls in love with Joe Simpson from New York, whom she meets on her last night in Paris. Suddenly, life for Simone turns around. She marries Joe and is soon to become a mother. But the night she is to tell Joe of her pregnancy, tragedy strikes. Once again, at twenty-five, she finds herself searching for a new life direction. Eventually, Simone meets the eclectic Jennifer Keys. The two women become fast friends. And, when Simone opens, "I Do" LLC in Connecticut, she invites Jennifer to become a partner. The duo plan weddings for the rich and famous, often having to tolerate outbursts from brides and their family members. But they work hard, persevere, and soon they become the most sought-after company in the tri-state area. As the story unfolds, the unexpected murder of the bride hours before her wedding brings Simone and her staff to a halt. Simone uses her keen instincts and determination to reach a successful outcome. But, something about the people involved in Casey Bouvier's wedding make Simone suspicious that there is a web of an ominous connection between the bride, the groom, and the venue staff at The Grand Hamilton Hotel. Her questions are answered when the killer attempts to kidnap Simone's partner, Jennifer. It is during this time of chaos that love finds Simone once again, but it is fraught with complications. Simone is forced to build a protective wall to prevent her heart from being broken again. Charlie Hamilton, in love with Simone, and heir to the Hamilton family fortune, can lose everything by divorcing his conniving and scheming wife. The subtext of Simone and Charlie's love affair, though genuine and passionate, is woven in a web of murder and deceit. Simone's life comes full circle when she receives a text message from her supposedly dead husband, Joe. This throws Simone back into a state of confusion against a backdrop filled with danger and intrigue at every turn.