What do you think?
Rate this book
The Royal House of Niroli #4
The Tycoon's Princess Bride
Tall, dark and dangerous--the man from Mont Avellana...
Black-hearted billionaire Domenic Vincini wants the lush riches of rival island Niroli, including the jewel in Niroli's crown--Princess Isabella Fierezza. She's forbidden, but to Domenic, a man scarred inside and out, that makes her innocence all the more appealing. If Isabella gives in to temptation she'll tie herself--and her kingdom--to its sworn enemy...
Black-hearted billionaire Domenic Vincini wants the lush riches of rival island Niroli, including the jewel in Niroli's crown--Princess Isabella Fierezza. She's forbidden, but to Domenic, a man scarred inside and out, that makes her innocence all the more appealing. If Isabella gives in to temptation she'll tie herself--and her kingdom--to its sworn enemy...
192 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
8 people are currently reading
187 people want to read
About the author
Natasha Oakley
102 books15 followersI was born in an 'old' English county called Middlesex. You won't find it on any modern map - it's been swallowed up by Greater London and at the swish of a bureaucratic pen it disappeared. Nevertheless, I had a perfectly happy childhood there with two parents who love me and a younger brother I still like! Painfully shy, books were my passion and my first career ambition was to be an author -- mainly, I think, because I didn't fancy leaving home.
Everyone seems to have one teacher who's inspired them more than any other. I met mine when I was thirteen and his name was Frank Richards, our drama teacher. He introduced me to theatre and at fourteen I walked on stage for the first time in a play he'd written. It was the beginning of a new passion.
After a three-year classical theatre training at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London, I started my career in professional theatre under my Equity name of Jessica Dean.
In 1991 I married my husband and we decided to start our family. I must have harboured some kind of daft idea that I would have a baby, put it in a papoose and carry on pretty much as before. Not surprisingly it didn't quite work out that way. I hadn't realised quite how powerful mother-love is. I had five children in six years, working only very briefly during this time.
I'm blessed with an easy, happy marriage and five great children, but when illness touched our lives I started to reassess my future. It was the start of my writing career. My second submission to Mills & Boon was accepted in December 2003.
I now live in Bedfordshire with my husband and my children. I love antique fairs, collect kitchenalia, paint in watercolour, and am a signer for the deaf (BSL). My house is in a constant state of disarray but I make great cakes, write books and no one seems to mind.
Everyone seems to have one teacher who's inspired them more than any other. I met mine when I was thirteen and his name was Frank Richards, our drama teacher. He introduced me to theatre and at fourteen I walked on stage for the first time in a play he'd written. It was the beginning of a new passion.
After a three-year classical theatre training at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London, I started my career in professional theatre under my Equity name of Jessica Dean.
In 1991 I married my husband and we decided to start our family. I must have harboured some kind of daft idea that I would have a baby, put it in a papoose and carry on pretty much as before. Not surprisingly it didn't quite work out that way. I hadn't realised quite how powerful mother-love is. I had five children in six years, working only very briefly during this time.
I'm blessed with an easy, happy marriage and five great children, but when illness touched our lives I started to reassess my future. It was the start of my writing career. My second submission to Mills & Boon was accepted in December 2003.
I now live in Bedfordshire with my husband and my children. I love antique fairs, collect kitchenalia, paint in watercolour, and am a signer for the deaf (BSL). My house is in a constant state of disarray but I make great cakes, write books and no one seems to mind.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 31, 2013
I read the preceding books in this continuity series some time ago and felt a little lost going into this one. (It didn't help that the Kindle edition is missing the family tree.) After deciding to ignore everything but the romance, I enjoyed this unusually understated Harlequin Presents.
Domenic, a man who's suffered both emotionally and physically from a fire that took his wife and child, finds that he's the only one who seems able to see beneath Princess Isabella's perfect facade to the actual person underneath. But he feels too damaged to be be able to give her the life she deserves.
I haven't seen one blurb for this book that wasn't nonsense. Both characters are principled, conscientious people and Domenic is about as far from a rake as you can get. Although their family circumstances are a little difficult, the story is far more Beauty and the Beast than Romeo and Juliet, and the real conflicts are internal.
This author doesn't write much for the Presents line and the story doesn't really fit it, but the closed bedroom door and quiet sadness of the characters all suited the overall tone.
Domenic, a man who's suffered both emotionally and physically from a fire that took his wife and child, finds that he's the only one who seems able to see beneath Princess Isabella's perfect facade to the actual person underneath. But he feels too damaged to be be able to give her the life she deserves.
I haven't seen one blurb for this book that wasn't nonsense. Both characters are principled, conscientious people and Domenic is about as far from a rake as you can get. Although their family circumstances are a little difficult, the story is far more Beauty and the Beast than Romeo and Juliet, and the real conflicts are internal.
This author doesn't write much for the Presents line and the story doesn't really fit it, but the closed bedroom door and quiet sadness of the characters all suited the overall tone.
September 14, 2019
Princess Isabella Fierrezza wants to do her country proud by teaming up with Domenic Vincini, from the neighboring rival island, Mount Avellana, to create a beach resort that will beat out all others. She not only wants to make a name for herself, but she wants to bridge the schism between the two nations after the bitter war between them so many years ago. At first, Domenic is reluctant, but he's soon enchanted by Isabella and her ideas and agrees to participate on the condition that she spends a week on Mount Avellana, in the public eye to show the world that Mount Avellana is worthy of her attention...to bring them publicity. Isabella is happy to do it, but being in such close proximity to Domenic leads to her falling in love with the tortured and enigmatic soul. For his part, he shares the feelings, but knows that there is no future for them. Not only would she alienate her family by tying herself to their enemy, but HE isn't ready to risk his heart again and he's terrified of losing more of those he loves.
So, the blurb is a bit misleading in calling Domenic "black-hearted." In truth, Domenic is a tragic, tortured soul who lost his beloved wife and baby in a fire and received numerous burns and scars in his attempt to save them. He's made strides to move on, but ultimately he's still affected by the loss of them. He never once has mean or hurtful feelings for the heroine. In fact, he's completely charmed by her but believes she'd never be attracted to someone with his scarring. And even once he knows that she is, he's more concerned for how a relationship between them would affect her chances to be queen (or to work for the benefit of her country). He's also thinking of his own fears and insecurities, pretty sure that he couldn't follow her into the public eye or take the comments and criticisms about his appearance. Not to mention, he's sure she'd realize what a mistake she'd made and end up leaving him and he doesn't think he could stand to risk his heart like that ever again. So, he's really quite sympathetic and a pretty great hero overall.
Isabella falls for him pretty quickly, but recognizes that she has her work cut out for her. She has to show that his scars don't get in the way of her attraction and she knows that he's still very much in love with his wife. It takes her a while to realize that his issue there isn't about betraying his wife's love, but more about losing someone else that he loves. I liked Isabella as a heroine as well - she's pretty strong and accepting and never gets whiny or guilt-trippy with the hero when he rejects her for her own good. She's got a history of putting on a front for the public and she does the same with the hero. The angst for this story is in the heroine thinking she might finally have won his love and his agreement to a relationship, but then realizing that it was just a temporary victory. He ends up walking anyway. In the end, he realizes what he's lost and goes back to her, but I think I was looking for a bit more emotional punch in that reunion. It was quite satisfactory though. I think I also would have preferred that this not be a fade to black love scene, but it didn't detract that much.
The secondary characters were interesting. I enjoyed Domenic's relationship with his sister and even his father was interesting. His stepmother was so not my favorite character - I think we were supposed to see her as the nice realist who was trying to keep her stepson from pain, but she came across as someone who was trying to keep him from finding any happiness. Overall, while not the most angsty story and definitely short on the drama factor (no train wreckiness here), this was a very enjoyable story. It's just a different type of story than I'm used to seeing in these series...without the OTT emotional yo-yo stuff. It was refreshing to read this in the middle of this series.
So, the blurb is a bit misleading in calling Domenic "black-hearted." In truth, Domenic is a tragic, tortured soul who lost his beloved wife and baby in a fire and received numerous burns and scars in his attempt to save them. He's made strides to move on, but ultimately he's still affected by the loss of them. He never once has mean or hurtful feelings for the heroine. In fact, he's completely charmed by her but believes she'd never be attracted to someone with his scarring. And even once he knows that she is, he's more concerned for how a relationship between them would affect her chances to be queen (or to work for the benefit of her country). He's also thinking of his own fears and insecurities, pretty sure that he couldn't follow her into the public eye or take the comments and criticisms about his appearance. Not to mention, he's sure she'd realize what a mistake she'd made and end up leaving him and he doesn't think he could stand to risk his heart like that ever again. So, he's really quite sympathetic and a pretty great hero overall.
Isabella falls for him pretty quickly, but recognizes that she has her work cut out for her. She has to show that his scars don't get in the way of her attraction and she knows that he's still very much in love with his wife. It takes her a while to realize that his issue there isn't about betraying his wife's love, but more about losing someone else that he loves. I liked Isabella as a heroine as well - she's pretty strong and accepting and never gets whiny or guilt-trippy with the hero when he rejects her for her own good. She's got a history of putting on a front for the public and she does the same with the hero. The angst for this story is in the heroine thinking she might finally have won his love and his agreement to a relationship, but then realizing that it was just a temporary victory. He ends up walking anyway. In the end, he realizes what he's lost and goes back to her, but I think I was looking for a bit more emotional punch in that reunion. It was quite satisfactory though. I think I also would have preferred that this not be a fade to black love scene, but it didn't detract that much.
The secondary characters were interesting. I enjoyed Domenic's relationship with his sister and even his father was interesting. His stepmother was so not my favorite character - I think we were supposed to see her as the nice realist who was trying to keep her stepson from pain, but she came across as someone who was trying to keep him from finding any happiness. Overall, while not the most angsty story and definitely short on the drama factor (no train wreckiness here), this was a very enjoyable story. It's just a different type of story than I'm used to seeing in these series...without the OTT emotional yo-yo stuff. It was refreshing to read this in the middle of this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 28, 2019
I absolutely loved the writing style and the heroine.
I didn’t particularly like that hero’s late wife got that much space in the book. Heroine wasn’t even once jealous of her and she wasn’t second best. But I dont like to read about hero’s previous love and all. The obstacles in their path was very much solid and real.
The setting and imaginary islands she created was bbbeautiiifull!!!
Recommended.
I didn’t particularly like that hero’s late wife got that much space in the book. Heroine wasn’t even once jealous of her and she wasn’t second best. But I dont like to read about hero’s previous love and all. The obstacles in their path was very much solid and real.
The setting and imaginary islands she created was bbbeautiiifull!!!
Recommended.
January 26, 2017
Nice romantic story
Very interesting and emotional story. I really enjoyed it. The only reason I decked it a star is because there's absolutely no sex scenes. The hotness factor gone. You're treated to swoon worthy romantic scenes and left wondering if the actual act was hot or somewhat awkward.
Very interesting and emotional story. I really enjoyed it. The only reason I decked it a star is because there's absolutely no sex scenes. The hotness factor gone. You're treated to swoon worthy romantic scenes and left wondering if the actual act was hot or somewhat awkward.
August 31, 2008
Quoted from my review @ http://misscz.wordpress.com
Last year, I read Natasha’s book, Crowned: An Ordinary Girl and enjoyed it very much. I picked up The Tycoon’s Princess Bride, but I was worried that I would have problems following a story that was part of a multi-authored series. I needn’t have worried. The only thing that puzzled me concerned Isabella’s brother, Alex — which wasn’t important to Isabella’s story. Reading the blurb for his book answered my question. The book has a family tree and a list of rules of the Royal House of Niroli.
Princess Isabella of Niroli is determined to close a deal with hotelier Domenic Vincini of Mount Avellana. Isabella’s goal is to create the most fabulous resort in the Mediterranean. But years of animosity between the two islands — Mount Avellana broke away to become a republic — hinders the project. Domenic may not agree to the plan, even with the possibility of making millions off the deal.
Isabella may be a princess, but she’s so well-trained to be diplomatic at all times that she is afraid to give offense even when she has the opportunity to have something her way. At the moment, even her self-worth is suffering. Denied the opportunity to make her own life off-island by her grandfather, she devoted herself to the promotion of all things Niroli — being the perfect, well-behaved princess and ambassador, adored across Europe. Thanks to the rules and her old-fashioned grandfather, there is no possibility of her becoming queen. This is a slap in the face, as several of her male relatives have made lives for themselves off-island and have — one by one — given up their claim to the throne to marry the women they love. Score points for true love, but I hated them for putting Isabella in such an awkward situation. Irrational, I know, but I really felt for her. Isabella is sure one of her cousins will accept the role of crown prince and marry to please the king. Once this happens, Isabella is certain she’ll be out of a job. The hotel project and her plans for Mount Avellana, she feels, will give her life some purpose. Isabella would also like a family, but all anyone ever sees is the wealthy princess, not the person.
Domenic is a reclusive man. He’s lost family in a fire and was left physically and emotionally scarred. At first, he sees Isabella as nothing more than a fashion plate and can’t understand why the deal was left in her hands after her cousin Luca — who was originally handling the project — suddenly turned his attentions to other off-island interests. Domenic’s intrigued with her plans to make the resort mutually beneficial to both Niroli and Mount Avellana, and agrees to sign the deal — if she agrees to a good-will tour of Mount Avellana first. As he spend time with her, he begins to appreciate her more as a person — reassessing his original opinion — and he begins to fall in love.
Domenic understands her loneliness, and he even regrets insisting on a high-profile, event-filled tour. Even as he’s falling in love, he is rebelling against it. His scars have made him reluctant to appear in public, and he’s convinced that someone like Isabella — beautiful and always in the limelight — couldn’t possibly love, or desire, him. And even if she did, initially, the whispers and the constant reminders of his injuries would eventually become wearisome to her and she’d leave him. Domenic, heart shattered once before, doesn’t want to go through it again.
I thought that this book was very romantic. If you’ve never read a Harlequin Presents before, I would recommend this one especially if you liked tortured heroes. Domenic’s a nice guy, really — just a wounded soul. Isabella is lonely, but surprisingly well-adjusted for a princess in the spotlight.
Last year, I read Natasha’s book, Crowned: An Ordinary Girl and enjoyed it very much. I picked up The Tycoon’s Princess Bride, but I was worried that I would have problems following a story that was part of a multi-authored series. I needn’t have worried. The only thing that puzzled me concerned Isabella’s brother, Alex — which wasn’t important to Isabella’s story. Reading the blurb for his book answered my question. The book has a family tree and a list of rules of the Royal House of Niroli.
Princess Isabella of Niroli is determined to close a deal with hotelier Domenic Vincini of Mount Avellana. Isabella’s goal is to create the most fabulous resort in the Mediterranean. But years of animosity between the two islands — Mount Avellana broke away to become a republic — hinders the project. Domenic may not agree to the plan, even with the possibility of making millions off the deal.
Isabella may be a princess, but she’s so well-trained to be diplomatic at all times that she is afraid to give offense even when she has the opportunity to have something her way. At the moment, even her self-worth is suffering. Denied the opportunity to make her own life off-island by her grandfather, she devoted herself to the promotion of all things Niroli — being the perfect, well-behaved princess and ambassador, adored across Europe. Thanks to the rules and her old-fashioned grandfather, there is no possibility of her becoming queen. This is a slap in the face, as several of her male relatives have made lives for themselves off-island and have — one by one — given up their claim to the throne to marry the women they love. Score points for true love, but I hated them for putting Isabella in such an awkward situation. Irrational, I know, but I really felt for her. Isabella is sure one of her cousins will accept the role of crown prince and marry to please the king. Once this happens, Isabella is certain she’ll be out of a job. The hotel project and her plans for Mount Avellana, she feels, will give her life some purpose. Isabella would also like a family, but all anyone ever sees is the wealthy princess, not the person.
Domenic is a reclusive man. He’s lost family in a fire and was left physically and emotionally scarred. At first, he sees Isabella as nothing more than a fashion plate and can’t understand why the deal was left in her hands after her cousin Luca — who was originally handling the project — suddenly turned his attentions to other off-island interests. Domenic’s intrigued with her plans to make the resort mutually beneficial to both Niroli and Mount Avellana, and agrees to sign the deal — if she agrees to a good-will tour of Mount Avellana first. As he spend time with her, he begins to appreciate her more as a person — reassessing his original opinion — and he begins to fall in love.
Domenic understands her loneliness, and he even regrets insisting on a high-profile, event-filled tour. Even as he’s falling in love, he is rebelling against it. His scars have made him reluctant to appear in public, and he’s convinced that someone like Isabella — beautiful and always in the limelight — couldn’t possibly love, or desire, him. And even if she did, initially, the whispers and the constant reminders of his injuries would eventually become wearisome to her and she’d leave him. Domenic, heart shattered once before, doesn’t want to go through it again.
I thought that this book was very romantic. If you’ve never read a Harlequin Presents before, I would recommend this one especially if you liked tortured heroes. Domenic’s a nice guy, really — just a wounded soul. Isabella is lonely, but surprisingly well-adjusted for a princess in the spotlight.
October 16, 2024
I DNF at about a half. Decent story, moody, but fake royalty and all that ruins books for me. Could not get into and characters turned me off.
February 5, 2023
Mais um mini livro da Harlequim que foi lido e neste temos sobre a Princesa Isabella, que tem de convencer o multimilionário Domenic a investir na vila, só que ele tem um passado que o magoa e que lhe custa abrir o coração, mas será que irá conseguir superar? Livro adorável, pequenino e que se lê bastante bem. Ansiosa para ler sobre os restantes livros desta saga Niroli.
https://aviciadadoslivros.blogspot.co...
https://aviciadadoslivros.blogspot.co...
March 13, 2013
Normalde baş rolünde acı dolu, yaralı erkekler olan hikayeleri severim ama bu pek hoşuma gitmedi.. Konuşmaları kim söylüyor, neler oluyor zor anladım bazen... Çiftin arasındaki duygular da nasıl gelişti göremedim... Bir anda seni seviyorum dediler birbirlerine... Her şey çok hızlı oldu...
September 15, 2018
the best so far
May 14, 2012
Decent romance, Harlequin, so a quick read.
I haven't read Harlequin in a long time, but hey, it was a free e-book from the library, so booya. It was also nice that this book was more focused on story rather then sex scenes.
Domenic Vincini is a hotel baron with a tragic past. His wife and baby were killed in a fire four years ago that left him with both extensive emotional and physical scars.
Isabella Fierezza is a princess from a neighboring island who is trying to broker a hotel dead with Domenic for her island. He doesn't want anything to do with her at first thinking she is a brainless bimbo only out for publicity for her family. But she ends up surprising him by being kind, smart and despite being followed by the paparazzi, not attention-seeking.
Isabella really starts falling for Domenic first, and Domenic fights his attraction. After finally spending the night together he breaks it off with her because he has sworn to never love again or have children, thinking it would be an affront to his dead wife and child.
The last part of the book fell apart a little for me (I mean, he came around because he saw a photograph of himself? But we all have different light bulb moments...), but the ending was sweet. I do love a happily-ever-after.
I haven't read Harlequin in a long time, but hey, it was a free e-book from the library, so booya. It was also nice that this book was more focused on story rather then sex scenes.
Domenic Vincini is a hotel baron with a tragic past. His wife and baby were killed in a fire four years ago that left him with both extensive emotional and physical scars.
Isabella Fierezza is a princess from a neighboring island who is trying to broker a hotel dead with Domenic for her island. He doesn't want anything to do with her at first thinking she is a brainless bimbo only out for publicity for her family. But she ends up surprising him by being kind, smart and despite being followed by the paparazzi, not attention-seeking.
Isabella really starts falling for Domenic first, and Domenic fights his attraction. After finally spending the night together he breaks it off with her because he has sworn to never love again or have children, thinking it would be an affront to his dead wife and child.
The last part of the book fell apart a little for me (I mean, he came around because he saw a photograph of himself? But we all have different light bulb moments...), but the ending was sweet. I do love a happily-ever-after.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 15, 2023
I really enjoyed reading this book which explores wonderfully the concept of the “wounded hero”. Using more showing than telling, the narrator gives life to a character (Domenic Vincini) who has physical and psychological scars. Through him and the heroine (Isabella of Niroli) – a princess who has suffered her own personal grief and who is under strict public and media attention - the author writes a well balanced and intense romance, with a subtle amount of sensuality in every detail.
The story is somehow a contained melodrama. Even if I’m not at all interested in the royalty fiction dimension I think that it’s skillfully integrated in the story.
I would also like to remember that the hero’s scars are not insignificant and that the author demonstrates a knowledge of its impact in Domenic’s daily life that goes beyond what is generally done in this kind of fiction.
Kudos to the author, Natasha Oakley!
The story is somehow a contained melodrama. Even if I’m not at all interested in the royalty fiction dimension I think that it’s skillfully integrated in the story.
I would also like to remember that the hero’s scars are not insignificant and that the author demonstrates a knowledge of its impact in Domenic’s daily life that goes beyond what is generally done in this kind of fiction.
Kudos to the author, Natasha Oakley!
April 24, 2011
Ok, I admit I'm not a fan of books set in fictional kingdoms. There are too many ways the stories can go wrong. But this story set around the royal family of the kingdom of Niroli wasn't too bad. This one is, I believe, 4th in the series and I hadn't read the previous ones. There were lots of references to events in the previous books that weren't fully explained. The overall background was mentioned only briefly which made it a little hard to see the big picture. Otherwise, I really have no complaints. An enjoyable read.
June 8, 2021
Black-hearted billionaire Domenic Vincini wants the lush riches of rival island Niroli, including the jewel in Niroli's crown--Princess Isabella Fierezza. She's forbidden, but to Domenic, a man scarred inside and out, that makes her innocence all the more appealing. If Isabella gives in to temptation she'll tie herself--and her kingdom--to its sworn enemy....
April 16, 2012
This story was heart ripping, the hero's pain and loneliness was palatable and the author did a bang up job of bringing it to 'life'. Really good story in and of itself, but the story arc between the books (Niroli) was weak.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 15, 2012
This series is really good -- very sweet.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews