March 2016 Book of the Month & Giveaway
April 28, 2016 07:42 PM Posted by juliannadouglas
My only five-star read in March was an oldie but a goodie. It was the second book written by one of my favorite authors and equally as good as the first. It’s the story of a spoiled princess and the man she’s loved all her life. But despite his reciprocal affection for her and all his successes in life, he can’t shake the feeling that his origins as a street urchin make him unworthy of a woman of royal blood. It was a deeply emotional and romantic read that I could hardly put down.
Serafina is a princess who is somewhat spoiled and has her daddy wrapped around her little finger. She does on occasion try to get her own way, but IMHO, she wasn’t annoying. She’s loved the man who was her former bodyguard ever since she was a little girl. He’s everything she could want in a man and she’s fantasized for a long time about marrying him. But when she declared her love at her come-out ball on her seventeenth birthday, he ran the other way. Now she’s stubbornly determined to bring him to heel any way she can. Serafina is a free-spirited girl, who’s feisty and dogged when she needs to be, but she also has a kind, gentle side, especially when it comes to Darius. She sees the good in his heart and wants to take care of him, because she recognizes that he pushes himself too hard. She also senses the pain inside him and wants to help heal his wounded soul.
As a young boy, Darius lived on the streets, surviving as a pickpocket and enduring abuse. He was rescued at fourteen by Lazar di Fiore, who turned out to be the long lost King of Ascension. Darius was raised at court, treated like the king’s own son, and when he was grown and began his training as a soldier, he was entrusted with the safety of the king’s young daughter. It was a duty he initially disdained, but as Serafina grew, his affections for her did as well. Even since she blossomed into womanhood, he’s loved her from afar, but struggles with feelings of unworthiness. Instead, he is determined to be perfect at everything else. He’s the king’s trusted advisor, commander of Ascension’s army, a lauded assassin and spy, and a successful businessman. He’s also sought out by the ladies at court for his famed reputation as a skillful lover, but his sexual encounters leave him cold. In order to save the country from being attacked by Napoleon’s forces, Serafina was betrothed to a cruel Russian prince, who is a master manipulator, but he hasn’t pulled the wool over Darius’s eyes. Unfortunately, Darius believes the only way to save Serafina from a fate worse than death is to assassinate Napoleon himself. He knows it’s a suicide mission, but for his beloved Serafina he will do anything and death will also bring an end to his psychological torment.
Darius and Serafina’s love for one another is truly breathtaking, the stuff of fairy tales. Yet their interactions are deeply sensuous and incredibly beautiful. Their sexual tension is palpable from the opening pages, and their shared history and emotional connection shows in their every interaction. They share some wonderfully romantic moments, and their love scenes are equal parts sweet and sensual. When he’s with Serafina, Darius is a different man, able to be more playful and boyish, while basking in her love like a starving man. The ending couldn’t have been more perfect, showing Darius as a completely changed person, who’s much lighter and freer. It was a deeply emotional read that really kept me turning the pages. That’s why I'm naming Gaelen Foley's Princess as my March Book of the Month. If you enjoy historical romance with a fairy tale feel, a tortured hero, a kindhearted heroine who understands him, and steamy love scenes that will make you melt, then you should definitely give this book a try. Keep reading to learn how you can win a copy for your own library.
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Cover Blurb- Gaelen Foley is a captivating writer who will sweep you away with this unforgettable story of forbidden love and wondrous destiny. |
Read my complete review of Princess.
Giveaway
If you would like to win a copy of Princess to see how wonderful it is for yourself, just enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below. One lucky winner will receive their choice of an eBook or print copy of the book. If the winner chooses an eBook, I will gift it to them via the eBook retailer of their choice (Amazon, B & N, or AllRomance). If the winner chooses a print copy, I will have it mailed directly to them via Amazon. Good luck!
International Entrants: You are welcome to enter my contest, but please note that not all eBooks are available in all countries due to copyright restrictions. If this is the case, Amazon does offer an option to trade for a gift card (I'm not sure about B & N or AllRomance). If you choose print, I can mail it to you via the Amazon website that services your country, pending availability and cost. Otherwise I will mail it to you via Amazon's standard international shipping, but it may take up to 6-8 weeks to arrive, and I won't have the capability of tracking the package.
Categories: Book of the Month, Giveaways
Tags: Gaelen Foley
