Book Review:The Crown Prince's Bride (The Prince Duology #2) by Donna Alward

The Crown Prince's Bride

 (Royal Duology #2)

by Donna Alward

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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.

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

My Russian and German are more of a danger than an asset. I could ruin diplomatic relations in two sentences.

…she was thirty-two, for heaven’s sake. The proverbial clock had started ticking and she couldn’t get it to shut up.

I need to do things at my own pace. On my own timeline. Everyone pushing doesn’t actually speed up the process.

My Review:

As one of the main characters was mired in the grieving process while the other was secretly pining nearby, this story was quite angsty yet observant and insightfully written.  Stephani was a sweet, underappreciated, and thoughtful character and I adored her; although I wanted to give Raoul a few chops to the back of his head with my Kindle.  I greatly enjoyed the amusing wry humor as well as the continuation of Diego and Rose’s story with their wedding and sister drama, what special day is complete without someone tossing in a monkey wrench?  

Empress DJ

DONNA ALWARD 

While bestselling author Donna Alward was busy studying Austen, Eliot and Shakespeare, she was also losing herself in the breathtaking stories created by romance novelists like LaVyrle Spencer, Judith McNaught, and Nora Roberts. Several years after completing her degree she decided to write a romance of her own and it was true love! Five years and ten manuscripts later she sold her first book and launched a new career. While her heartwarming stories of love, hope, and homecoming have been translated into several languages, hit bestseller lists and won awards, her very favorite thing is when she hears from happy readers!

Donna lives on Canada’s east coast with her family which includes a husband, a couple of kids, a senior dog and two crazy cats. When she’s not writing she enjoys reading (of course!), knitting, gardening, cooking…and is a Masterpiece Theater addict.

SOCIAL LINKS
Twitter- @DonnaAlward
Author Website
Facebook- @DonnaAlwardAuthor
Author Blog

 Goodreads

Book Review: The Playboy Prince and the Nanny (Royal Duology #1) by Donna Alward

The Playboy Prince and the Nanny
 (Royal Duology #1)
by Donna Alward

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Prince Diego Navarro is the “spare” to his brother's “heir”. While Raoul performs his crown prince duties with the appropriate sense of nobility and poise, Diego’s garnered a bit of a reputation as a playboy - despite the good he does behind the scenes with his favorite charities.

But when tragedy strikes and his sister-in-law is killed in a car accident, Diego knows it's time for the playboy to step up. If not for his brother, then for his niece and nephew, who now find themselves without a mother.

Which is where Rose Walters comes in.

Rose isn't intimidated by money or glitz. The veteran nanny has worked for the rich and minimally famous, but a manor house is no comparison to a castle… or the handsome princes who live there. However, the worst thing she could possibly do is fall for the gorgeous playboy with a surprising heart of gold. He’s a prince; she’s the help. He lives in the tabloids; she loves her privacy. But when her two darling charges start to play matchmaker, Diego and Rose don’t stand a chance.

The Playboy Prince and the Nanny is the first book in Donna Alward's royal duology. 

My Rating:

Favorite Quote:

I gave my heart away quite a while ago. It hasn’t come back to me yet.

My Review:

I almost passed this one by for fear it might be a cheesy princess tale, but my admiration for the author had me take a second look.  Lucky me, it was not cheesy at all and was a rather sweet and heart-squeezing read with endearing and lovable characters.  It was a quick, entertaining, and satisfying read.  I enjoyed it so much I’m ready to dive into the next book, pronto.

Empress DJ

About DONNA ALWARD 

While bestselling author Donna Alward was busy studying Austen, Eliot and Shakespeare, she was also losing herself in the breathtaking stories created by romance novelists like LaVyrle Spencer, Judith McNaught, and Nora Roberts. Several years after completing her degree she decided to write a romance of her own and it was true love! Five years and ten manuscripts later she sold her first book and launched a new career. While her heartwarming stories of love, hope, and homecoming have been translated into several languages, hit bestseller lists and won awards, her very favorite thing is when she hears from happy readers!

Donna lives on Canada’s east coast with her family which includes a husband, a couple of kids, a senior dog and two crazy cats. When she’s not writing she enjoys reading (of course!), knitting, gardening, cooking…and is a Masterpiece Theater addict.

SOCIAL LINKS
Twitter- @DonnaAlward
Author Website
Facebook- @DonnaAlwardAuthor
Author Blog

 Goodreads

Book Review: In the Line of Duty (First Responders #2) by Donna Alward

In the Line of Duty 

(First Responders #2)

by Donna Alward

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Constable Kendra Givens isn’t impressed when she’s called to Jake Symonds’s pub for a break-and-enter. It’s the end of a long shift, and he’s been a pain in her neck since the night they met, when she arrested him for drunk and disorderly. But Jake’s a different guy than she remembers—he’s shed the bad-boy act but kept the good looks and charm. And when he offers to cook her breakfast, she’s a goner.

Jake knows he and Kendra got off on the wrong foot two years ago, but he’s not the same guy. As an ex-soldier, he’s dealt with a lot of his issues and is on the straight and narrow…for the most part. The sexy RCMP officer really rings his bell, and after a couple of dates it’s clear the attraction’s mutual. But can they move past their emotional baggage to make this more than a summer fling?

My Rating:

My Review:

In the Line of Duty was a quick and easy to follow read featuring a returned vet from Afghanistan who experienced nightmares from his of war experience and had landed in the drunk tank after being arrested by an attractive female Constable, an experience remembered several years later by both.   Assumptions had been made on both sides that were incorrect, which is usually the case with assumptions.  An interesting premise that was a bit out of the norm as the policewoman turned out to have the more damaged psyche of the pair.  I enjoyed their bantering, blossoming romance, and sizzling chemistry although, due to the subject matter the storyline was rather angsty.

Empress DJ

 DONNA ALWARD BIO:

While bestselling author Donna Alward was busy studying Austen, Eliot and Shakespeare, she was also losing herself in the breathtaking stories created by romance novelists like LaVyrle Spencer, Judith McNaught, and Nora Roberts. Several years after completing her degree she decided to write a romance of her own and it was true love! Five years and ten manuscripts later she sold her first book and launched a new career. While her heartwarming stories of love, hope, and homecoming have been translated into several languages, hit bestseller lists and won awards, her very favorite thing is when she hears from happy readers! 

Donna lives on Canada’s east coast with her family which includes a husband, a couple of kids, a senior dog and two crazy cats. When she’s not writing she enjoys reading (of course!), knitting, gardening, cooking…and is a Masterpiece Theater addict. 

SOCIAL LINKS
Twitter- @DonnaAlward
Author Website 
Facebook- @DonnaAlwardAuthor 
Author Blog