Sandy M’s review of Princess Charming (Legendary Lovers, Book 1) by Nicole Jordan
Historical Romance published by Ballantine 31 Jan 12
Nicole Jordan has come up with a new way to look at old fairy tales. In this first book of her new series, it’s Cinderella, the evil stepmother and stepsisters, and Prince Charming, all with a few changes to give readers a lighthearted historical romance.
The Wilde cousins are as feisty and untamed as their name implies. Orphaned when they were all young, it was Ashton, as the oldest, who kept them all together and relatively happy, in spite of the loss and grief they all suffered. As they grew older, they retained their wildness, only directing it in more adult ways as they have navigated through society; thus, their notoriety and the gossip that follows them now.
Ash’s sister, Katharine, has decided to play matchmaker for everyone in her family, including herself, by choosing legendary lovers of the past, real and fictional. For Ash she believes he’s Prince Charming to her friend Maura’s Cinderella. He’s watched Maura grow into a beautiful young woman but never really thought of her more than that. Until now. With Katharine’s ridiculous idea in his head, he gets caught up in Maura’s life, aiding and abetting her crime when she refuses his offered help.
Growing up, Maura learned from her father everything she now knows about horses and since his death has made her breeding stables quite successful, all due to her prize stallion, Emperor. But it all comes crashing down when she learns her stepmother has sold the horse to that pesky Viscount Deering. The man has been after Emperor for years and Maura has always refused him, especially knowing he had a hand in her father’s death. She’s determined to talk some sense into the viscount, but her pleas fall on deaf ears. The idiot won’t part with his new acquisition anytime soon. So Maura is going to have to take desperate measures to retrieve the animal, all the while trying to keep Ash at bay. The less he knows, the less trouble he’ll be in if she’s caught.
Thus begins a dual journey for Ash and Maura. They’re successful in freeing Emperor from his current imprisonment and begin the trek to Scotland where Maura has made arrangements to keep him safe. Ash goes along for the ride for the time being, knowing he’d be able to deal with Deering if only she’d agree. Biding his time, he learns more about the woman, and he likes what he discovers. The same is true for Maura. Knowing Ash really can’t begin a relationship with her because their lives are worlds apart, she tries not to fall headlong into his charm and sensuality, but she fails miserably.
I thoroughly enjoyed these two characters together. Ash is just wild enough to go along with Maura’s scheme, and then when he turns the tables on both her and Deering, that wildness takes the situation to even more dangerous heights. But the man is not lacking in confidence and arrogance, all signs of his station. Maura is the perfect heroine for him – as his sister knows! – with her independence and intelligence. She learns to trust him to do what needs to be done to right the wrongs done to her and her family. Her stepmother is one of those characters who has to grow on you somewhat, but she does make it difficult as well as interesting. I would like to slap the woman silly here and there, but she hopefully learns her lesson. And Deering, of course, gets what’s coming to him once Ash is in the picture.
The concept of the series might be a bit much for hard-core historical readers, but it’s fun and lighthearted with characters you can’t help but like. Katharine is going to be working her matchmaking magic throughout the series, and I have to say I’m curious as to what she’ll come up with.
Grade: B
Summary:
Thanks to the mischievous meddling of his matchmaking sister, Ashton Wilde meets a damsel in distress during the midnight magic of a lavish ball. But Maura Collyer isn’t looking for a prince—or an intimate pairing with any member of the scandalous noble Wilde family.
Intrigued by Maura’s beauty and daring, Ash is determined to aid in the rescue of her beloved stallion, gambled away by her wicked stepmother to an evil viscount. As their adventure becomes rife with peril and passion, Ash suspects he’s found his heart’s desire.
Even though her dearest friend may be her self-proclaimed fairy godmother, Maura is mortified at being pushed into a romance with a notorious rake such as Ash. Dashing and charming, he comes to Maura’s rescue just in time to help her steal back her precious horse. As they flee across the countryside, she can’t resist his sweet seduction. But is her prince playing a role in a fairy tale to test an improbable theory, or is the love awakening in her heart proof of her own happily ever after?
Read an excerpt.
