Midnight Champagne

April Liesgang and Caleb Shannon have known each other for just three short months, so their Valentine's Day wedding at a chapel near the shores of Lake Michigan has both families in an uproar. As the festivities unfold (and the cash bar opens), everyone has an opinion and a lively prediction about April and Caleb's union, each the reflection of a different marital experience.Meanwhile, at the nearby Hideaway Lodge, a domestic quarrel ends in tragedy. As April and Caleb's life together begins, death parts another man and woman in angry violence—and as the two stories gradually intersect, their juxtaposition explores the tangled roots of vulnerability and desire.By the time the last polka has been danced and the bouquet tossed, show more Midnight Champagne has cast an extraordinary spell. From the novel's opening epigraph from Chekhov—"If you fear loneliness, then marriage is not for you"—to its final moments in the honeymoon suite, A. Manette Ansay weaves tenderness and fury, passion and wonder into a startling tapestry of love in all its paradox and power. show less

This whole book takes place during one afternoon and evening - the wedding and reception of April and Caleb, a young American couple. There are vignettes of their family - rather disapproving, since the bride and groom have only known each other for three months - and friends, ncluding April's ex-fiancé. Meanwhile, at the connected lodge, a different couple are having a serious argument which has rather drastic results.

Surprisingly, I quite liked this book - there was mild humour and some clever observation, and the supposed suspense wasn't really chilling in the slightest. But it was rather an odd sort of book. It was actually billed as a horror story but I didn't find anything horrific in it, and I'm no fan of horror in general.

It is Valentine's Day at Wisconsin's Great Lakes Chapel and Hideaway Lodge and a blizzard is fiercely blowing outside the tacky wedding venue. April Liesgang and Caleb Shannon, who have known one another for only 3 months, are having a ceremony (instead of eloping which they preferred) because Elmer Liesgang, April's father, insists on a big party for his oldest child. Throughout the evening festivities the institute of marriage is dissected by others in the room, not always with affection. April's ex-fiancee is attendance (mistakenly invited) and the secret of their break-up weighs heavily on his mind. An uncle brings his new, heavily-pregnant, half-his-age, wife even though his ex-wife is in attendance and still fuming over their show more divorce. In room 33, reputed to be haunted as well as the room of ill-repute, a man and his wife have an argument that quickly turns physical and ends in tragedy. Secrets and emotions are just below the surface and the blizzard and cash bar just may loosen everyone's tongues and inhibitions.

There are some great characters in this book and there is, surprisingly, quite a bit of humor as well. It is quite an easy read with a lot of kitschy details of an unbelievably awful chapel and lodge. Fun stuff. show less

Less grim than some of the author's work, it nonetheless retains a gritty feel. The story is of a wedding, beginning as the bride dresses and ending at the midnight toast at the reception. Along the way we explore the families and closest acquaintances of the couple as well as the hearts and histories of the bride and groom, as the night with accompanying heavy snows goes on. Ansay is a master of imagery - I'll retain the image of the bride in her mother's too-hastily altereed gown with the pearls dropping off at every move for a long time.

Bookcrossing: http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/5616028/

The author A Manette Ansay writes beautiful prose, there is no question. Most of her stories take place in small towns in Wisconsin. This particular story happens entirely during the course of one day. The wedding of April and Caleb on Valentine's Day at the "Hideaway Lodge" during a furious winter storm takes place simutaniously as a violent.domestic arguement in room 33 ends in tragedy. How are these two events tied together? Are they? The young couple has only known each other for three months and both families, from Wisconsin and Tennesee, are prone to speculate privately on why they are in such hurry. Eveyone from Wisconsin knows that April had been in love with Barney since high school. Both of their families were looking forward show more to their wedding with great anticipation, when April suddenly broke it off with no explaination. Even Barney claims not to know, but decides to attend the wedding himself as an extension of his parents invitation. Also, a mystery guest attends that many observe, but none recognize. The storm holds them all captive as the snow deepens, and when the power goes out, many secrets are revealed. Love in all it's many forms woven in to a story that is hard to put down! show less

In a 12 hour period, in a midwest motel that's seen better days, a couple are married & they & the wedding guests (both invited & just passing thru) are trapped by a blizzard. As the electricity flickers on & off they try to make merry but old passions & regrets linger in the shadows. A short but intense story of a wedding night that will haunt all the participants.

I just read this book in one sitting. I didn't know it was set for Valentine's Day when I chose it, but the timing is close...as is the heavy snow storm in the story coinciding with record-setting snows here this winter.

A. Manette Ansay is one of my favorite writers and she does not disappoint. This story is one of new love, old love, insecurities and wounds given in what some would call love; disappointment and hope and family. HIghly recommended.