Book Review-The Prince's Bride

The Prince's Bride
The Royal Trilogy (3)
Julianne MacLean
St. Martins
Paperback
Published May 2013
308 Pages
Regency Historical Romance
ISBN: 978-0-312-55281-7
Authors Website

Synopsis 
Marriage is more than she ever bargained for.

Bestselling author Julianne MacLean's Regency-era trilogy of royal romance comes to a breathless conclusion…

Handsome Prince Nicholas of Petersbourg is an infamous ladies' man, but even he doesn't expect a flirtation at a masquerade ball to turn into abduction. Especially with a jailor as temptingly beautiful as the young woman on the other side of the locked door…

Veronique Montagne was desperate when she agreed to kidnap a prince to settle her profligate father's gambling debts, and certainly didn't imagine that her prisoner might sweet-talk her into helping him escape. Saving her home is now the least of her troubles, especially when the attraction simmering between her and the angry prince blazes into true passion. To save them both from scandal, Nicholas proposes a convenient marriage—but when a vengeful plot threatens to tear them apart, he discovers that Veronique's love is what he desires most of all…

My Review
Veronique Montagne is desperate to save her families land, even if she has no choice but to kidnap the Prince of Petersbourg to do it. Veronique's father lost their land in a gambling card game, and she is being forced to kidnap Prince Nicholas. So at a masked ball, she entices the prince into a carriage with her, and she puts a sleeping drought in his drink, and soon he is as helpless as a babe in her carriage. She has no idea why the Marquess wants the prince, but she knows if she has any chance to save her family, she must stay firm, even though she feels a attraction to Nicholas and the last thing she wants is to put him in danger. After a couple of days of Nicholas throwing furniture and threatening her harm, he starts to cajole her, and seduce her with his voice and his warm promises of safety and protection. So she decides that she will risk everything to set him free, but when she does he is furious. Nicholas can hardly believe that he has been kidnapped, and by a beautiful woman no less, a woman he would eagerly bed. Nicholas has a reputation with the women that would rival any mans, however when he sets his eyes on Veronique he is mystified. He can't keep her out of his thoughts or keep his body from responding to her. When a truth of his past comes to light, Veronique is his lifeline and he realizes he would do anything to keep this woman in his life, even marry the woman. But life is about to become more rocky, and only with their love and trust in each other, will they be able to overcome the challenge that could risk everything...

The Prince's Bride is the third in the Royal Trilogy. I just love royal love stories, and I found that Julianne Maclean did a fair job with it. The Prince's Bride I would say is the most carefree of the three. It does contain a more serious note to it, but I love the lightness to the story, it wasn't too heavy or smothering at all. In fact I can't believe how fast I breezed through this book, before I knew it the story was over and I felt a little sad since I am pretty sure this is the last installment. I have read quite a bit of Julianne Maclean and this trilogy is my favorite of her works so far. I have been looking forward to Nicholas' story for quite some time, so I couldn't wait to read about how Nicholas surrenders to loves kiss, he is a rake and scoundrel and very wicked. Nicholas is the type of hero that you know you will right away from the first page. I love his nonchalant manner that he portrays, but when you delve deeper into the story, you see a side of him that is far different. Nicholas has suffered from verbal abuse from his father and struggles with his own worth and has for many years. When he meets Veronique, she changes everything including making him believe that there is something redeemable in himself. I loved these two characters together, their relationship a bit rocky, but overall playful and strong and had a hint of sensuality that casts a spell over the reader. Veronique was the type of heroine you just melted into. She is strong, courageous, and has a will of iron and even though she has a passionate nature, but because of the scandal attached to her families name due to her father, she refuses to give into her yearning for Nicholas, wanting to show her family that she won't shame them. It was fun seeing her kidnap the prince, and see them fall pretty quickly in love with each other. It may have been quick, but I didn't feel like it was too rushed, the author coaxes them gently into it, its not all of a sudden, you see it gradually happening, so its not so much of a shock.

Overall I couldn't help but fall madly in love with with The Prince's Bride. It contained all the characteristics of a solid romance to appeal to me from page one. A Sparkling romance that delivers...GUARANTEED TO ROMANCE YOU!!!

First Line 
This was wrong, so very, very wrong....

Favorite Quote 
"There is something else we agreed upon," he said "and I believe I will claim it now." In a smooth, swift wave of motion, his mouth found hers. The kiss was firm and demanding, and before she could comprehend what might happen next, she wrapped her arms around his neck and began kissing him passionately in the last of the afternoon light. 
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He angled his body on the seat to face her. "I suppose I don't enjoy endless coach rides over bumpy roads, but you are mad if you think I could have any regrets. How many times do I have to tell you? You are my obsession." He pressed his lips to hers, and she was immediately pulled into the intoxicating fire of his allure. 

My Grade 
5 Blossoms

Heat Rating 
Steamy

Other Books  In Series 
Be My Prince
Princess in Love