Alicia’s review of The Stolen Princess by Anne Gracie
Historical romance released 2 Jan 08 by Berkley Sensation

After eight years fighting in the war, Gabriel Fitzpaine is unable to settle into civilian life. He’s restless, feeling guilty and useless. All of a sudden he finds just what he needs, a damsel in distress! Oh, yes! And a ruthless, vile, dangerous villain! He has purpose, again.

Princess Caroline (Callie) has had a horrible time of it. She struggled all her life to please, first her exacting father then her critical husband. A year ago her husband was killed and someone started trying to kill her son. She’s been raised to have proper manners and an impeccable public face. Now she has to run and hide, doing for her son and herself with no help. Or so she intends.

She had loved, before, and had it tossed back in her face. She had tried in vain to please men all her life. She is finally free of men and their demands and she intends to stay that way. Boyish charm will not sway her. Really. It won’t. Neither will kindness toward her son who has known little kindness.

But Gabriel has no idea she doesn’t trust a man’s kindness. He loves Callie from the beginning and is somewhat confused by her behavior. I love books where the hero is just in love with the heroine and Gabriel is besotted. He’s so happy to be around her he jokes and plays like a boy. But he’s a man and a warrior, too, who is ready to do what it takes to protect her and her son.

This story has a prominent suspense plot but it just isn’t the focus. The book is about the characters. I believed the characters. They were consistent and their actions made sense for them. They change as they learn more, too. Gabriel, as he learns the danger Callie is actually facing and Callie as she sees the man Gabriel really is. And, of course, the dialogue is wonderful!

I can count on Anne Gracie to make me laugh. She doesn’t cram humor in where it doesn’t fit. She has witty characters who use humor naturally. She creates situations that are just funny. This book was no exception. I giggled over several pages and sniffled over others.

If you like sweet stories with witty dialogue and just a little spice get this book. It’s not to be missed.

Grade: B+

From the back cover:

     The estranged youngest son of an earl, Gabriel Renfrew earned glory and honor on the battlefield, but now, without purpose, he finds himself deliberately courting danger. One night he races his horse along a death-defying moonlit cliff-and stumbles upon a beautiful woman obviously in need of saving.

     A princess on the run, Callie has disguised herself and her son, the Crown Prince, as commoners, hoping to protect him from those intent on stealing the throne. She has no choice but to trust the handsome ex-officer who’s come to her rescue, even when he insists that only a marriage of convenience will provide her the ultimate protection. Can her new husband keep Callie and her son safe from assassins? And what will he do to her heart?

     Read an excerpt.