This novella is nicely timed to match a royal engagement
in
Britain. But for the Crown Prince of Marazur, life is not
going so well. He tries to enjoy his first official party
since the death of his wife in a car accident. A widowed
father in his thirties, Raoul Navarro is suddenly eligible
again but has no need to marry.
THE CROWN PRINCE'S BRIDE takes a sympathetic look behind
the scenes of families who are always on show, always
meeting diplomats. We gather that Marazur is a
Mediterranean state. The party's hardworking organiser,
Stephani Savalas, is from a Greek fishing village, a less
wealthy cousin of Raoul's late wife. Unknown to him she
is
in love with him but never expects anything to come of it.
What's more, Stephani starts to realise that working
twelve
hours a day with diplomats, caterers and security is no
way
to make a family life of her own. She has no time to meet
anyone and is now in her thirties, so the old double
standard of a man continuing to work while his wife has
children is very much operating against her. Maybe it's
time to change job. Or at least take a vacation while she
considers change.
Raoul has taken the support of all his dedicated staff for
granted. He's needed help to get through the terrible
year.
Now he starts to see calm Stephani in a new light and
suggests they go on a business trip with some days for
relaxation. And maybe she should engage an assistant. He
was born to the Navarro family and has to take all the
responsibilities; that's not the case with Stephani. But
any time he talks to her she insists on not blurring the
lines between their roles.
I really like that the couple are shown to be longstanding
friends and not rushing into anything; on the other hand
they are mature people and it is to be expected that
romance will lead to the bedroom. As with others of Donna
Alward books, these characters do feel like real people
with pride, anxiety and tenderness. The side characters
are
pretty much stereotypical -- the other royals, the
faithful
retainers. A family is involved, having a wedding in the
course of the tale, which is promoted at the end for us to
buy their story -- overtly a commercial insertion of
characters who don't have an active subplot and who just
create scenery. THE CROWN PRINCE'S BRIDE shows us some of
the problems faced by those in the public eye and asks if
they deserve love just as much as anyone. Diehard
romantics
will enjoy this lively adult romance by reliable author
Canadian Donna Alward.
A Crown Prince gets a second chance at love with the
woman who’s always been there - in the next book in the
prince duology from Donna Alward!
The Crown Prince of
Marazur is suffering from a broken heart. After losing his
wife and future queen, he knows he’ll never find love again
with a partner as wonderful as her. He’s thrown himself into
his duties and is trying to be a better father to his two
children, but he’s lonely. Even though falling in love seems
impossible, so does spending the rest of his life alone.
Stephani has been Raoul’s assistant for years. Smart,
loyal, and discreet, Stephani is fantastic at her job.
Except for the fact that she’s been in love with her boss
since her first week of employment, not that she would ever
act on it. Besides, Raoul is first in line to the throne and
she’s his assistant. If Raoul ever marries again, it’ll be
with someone who can be a future queen. Not someone like
Stephani.
When Raoul’s date for a state dinner is
unable to attend, he invites Stephani. She’s well-versed on
the issues and castle protocol, and Raoul’s always been
comfortable with her. But when Stephani arrives, Raoul
hardly recognizes her. Is this stunning woman the same one
who’s run his office for years?
The Crown Prince’s
Bride is the ultimate fairy tale for readers looking for
Cinderella to get her prince—and be able to keep him past
midnight.
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