Review: BE MY PRINCE by Julianne MacLean

The Royal Trilogy #1

Lady Alexandra Monroe is determined to marry Prince Randolph, heir to the throne of the tiny country of Petersbourg. Yet she finds herself drawn to the Prince's roguish younger brother, Prince Nicholas, who seems to return her affections.

Who will Alex choose?

Shocking secrets are revealed, leading to intrigue and danger.

* * *

Julianne MacLean has begun a dynamic new series opening up with Be My Prince. I loved the fairy tale feel of the story. While there were no evil witches nor fairy godmothers, it does feature as lost princess.

I loved that this book wasn't completely set in England, but it took place in a small European country. And I absolutely loved that it took place over a longer period of time, where we could see the struggles of the relationship, and how Alex and Randolph had to find their way to true love, it was not an easy discovery. I even liked their separation, as it allowed them time to grow, and the letters between were a nice added touch.

While I felt that most of the characters and scenery was brilliantly described, there were a one dimensional that didn't add anything to the plot or characters and that was Alex's 3 adopted sisters, I'm not even sure what the point was in mentioning that they existed. They were mentioned that they were in the country in the beginning of the story and then when Alex left England, she couldn't wait for them join her in Petersbourg, but after that they just seemed to disappear, even their step-mother Lucille seemed to forget about them once she set sail with Alex.

I am looking forward to the next book in the series, as I can't wait to see what happens next in the Royal Trilogy.

Rating: 4 out of 5

New Review: SEDUCED BY THE HIGHLANDER by Julianne MacLean

Highlanders #3

Historical Romance (Scottish 1721)

St. Martins

Cursed by the oracle, Raonaid, Lachlan MacDonald is determined to find the witch and make her remove the hex or suffer his revenge.

Lady Catherine has no recollection of her past. She knows only what her grandmother and cousin have told her, with 5 years of her life missing. When the dangerous highlander accuses her of being Raonaid, she is open to the possibility, and requests that he take her to the one person who knows Raonaid better than anyone else, before he takes his revenge.

*****

Julianne MacLean's highlanders keep getting better and better. SEDUCED BY THE HIGLANDER brought us the dashing Lord of War, Lachlan MacDonlad, a man well used to having any woman he wants. But since the curse he has kept to himself to keep any woman he may touch safe. When he first meets Catherine he is angry and ready to do anything to remove the curse. What he didn't plan on was the deep attraction he suddenly felt for the witch. 

 

Lachlan and Catherine reached out to grasp my imagination, as I was quickly swept into their tale. They didn't fall into an easy relationship, as they first had to learn how to trust one another. It was refreshing that Catherine didn't fight the possibility that she could be Raonaid, but she knew that it didn't feel like her. She just wanted to discover the truth.

Lachland had lots of anger to deal with, and while he nearly stepped across the line, he was able to hold himself in check. Their desire was a tingly all consuming fire that reached out through them to sizzle and zing along, as they sorted their lives out, not sure where the future was going to take them.

I loved how the twist of how Raonaid played out, and how I could see Raonaid's motivations and find sympathy for some of her actions. Of course some of her actions were just despicable, but I could concede to learn to brush them to the past. I also liked that we got to see Angus and Gwendolen again, and had a brief glimpse of how their relationship was going on.

I can't wait to see what Ms. MacLean has in store for us in her next book, as she is an author that rarely disappoints me.

Rating: 4.5

Author's website

Review: CLAIMED BY THE HIGHLANDER by Julianne MacLean

Highlander #2
Historical Romance (Scottish)
St. Martins Press

336 pages
Available March 29, 2011

Launching a surprise attack on those inhabiting his home, Angus “The Lion” MacDonald is determined to take back what is rightfully his. To secure his conquered castle, he insists on marring Gwendolen to unite the battling clans.

Forced to wed the fearsome warrior, Gwendolen is unwilling to give up without a fight. Can she keep her heart closed, when he ignites her passions?

There is an enemy lurking in the shadows, on whose side will Gwendolen choose?

*****
CLAIMED BY THE HIGHLANDER was an engrossing tale that pulled me in from the first page and kept me engaged until the last. Angus was delicious in his ferocious warrior self. While he was the man in charge, he wasn't a complete ass about it. His past experiences enhanced his character and gave him certain ethics, which I felt made it easy to believe his enemies would respect him, agreeing to stay and combine the clans. Gwendolen was a likeable character who had a few “duh” moments, but she mostly kept her head about her. I enjoyed watching Angus and her struggle to deal with their new feelings.
 
The one person that I really couldn't stand in this story, ok there were a few others...BUT Gwendolen's mother, Onora was the most irritating of them all. I just wanted to lock her in a dungeon. I could understand some of her actions, but I just didn't like her, and would have preferred to have seen less of her.

The character I want to see more of is Lachlan. I really hope his story is the next! There is a man that needs to find someone to give him a run for his money. It seems that the women just fall to easily for him, I hope to see him brought down a bit. :-)
 

Rating 4/5

 

Author's Website

 

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