The Prince's Bride

The Royal Trilogy #3

by Julianne MacLean

Marriage is more than she ever bargained for.

Bestselling author Julianne MacLean's Regency-era trilogy of royal romance comes to a breathless conclusion…

Handsome Prince Nicholas of Petersbourg is an infamous ladies' man, but even he doesn't expect a flirtation at a masquerade ball to turn into abduction. Especially with a jailor as temptingly beautiful as the young woman on the other side of the locked door…

Veronique Montagne was desperate when she agreed to kidnap a prince to settle her profligate father's gambling debts, and certainly didn't imagine that her prisoner might sweet-talk her into helping him escape. Saving her home is now the least of her troubles, especially when the attraction simmering between her and the angry prince blazes into true passion. To save them both from scandal, Nicholas proposes a convenient marriage—but when a vengeful plot threatens to tear them apart, he discovers that Veronique's love is what he desires most of all…

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Historical Fiction, France, Fiction, Regency Romance

308 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published April 30, 2013

About the author

Julianne MacLean is a USA Today bestselling author of more than thirty novels, including the contemporary women’s fiction Color of Heaven Series. Readers have described her books as “breathtaking,” “soulful” and “uplifting.” MacLean is a four-time RITA finalist and has won numerous awards, including the Booksellers’ Best Award and a Reviewers’ Choice Award from Romantic Times. Her novels have sold millions of copies worldwide and have been published in over a dozen languages.

MacLean has a degree in English literature from the University of King’s College in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and a degree in business administration from Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. She loves to travel and has lived in New Zealand, Canada, and England. MacLean currently resides on the east coast of Canada in a lakeside home with her husband and daughter.

For more information about Julianne and her writing life, please visit her website at www.juliannemaclean.com. Be sure to follow her on Bookbub to be notified whenever her ebooks are offered for FREE or 99 cents. (www.bookbub.com/authors/julianne-maclean) and chat with her on Facebook (www.facebook.com/JulianneMacLeanRoman...), Twitter (@JulianneMacLean), and Instagram (@JulianneMaclean).

Reviews

[Monique Takens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ik heb de Nederlands talige uitgave gelezen : Passie in Petersbourg - Candlelight Historische roman 1126
Dit boek had een veel belovend begin maar helaas was na 1 kwart van het verhaal de inspiratie van de auteur totaal verdwenen .
Deze serie is niet haar beste werk , ik heb alle boeken van haar gelezen die door Candlelight zijn uitgegeven en heb van de meeste veel meer genoten .

[Lover of Romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

"There is something else we agreed upon," he said "and I believe I will claim it now." In a smooth, swift wave of motion, his mouth found hers. The kiss was firm and demanding, and before she could comprehend what might happen next, she wrapped her arms around his neck and began kissing him passionately in the last of the afternoon light.


Veronique Montagne is desperate to save her families land, even if she has no choice but to kidnap the Prince of Petersbourg to do it. Veronique's father lost their land in a gambling card game, and she is being forced to kidnap Prince Nicholas. So at a masked ball, she entices the prince into a carriage with her, and she puts a sleeping drought in his drink, and soon he is as helpless as a babe in her carriage. She has no idea why the Marquess wants the prince, but she knows if she has any chance to save her family, she must stay firm, even though she feels a attraction to Nicholas and the last thing she wants is to put him in danger. After a couple of days of Nicholas throwing furniture and threatening her harm, he starts to cajole her, and seduce her with his voice and his warm promises of safety and protection. So she decides that she will risk everything to set him free, but when she does he is furious. Nicholas can hardly believe that he has been kidnapped, and by a beautiful woman no less, a woman he would eagerly bed. Nicholas has a reputation with the women that would rival any mans, however when he sets his eyes on Veronique he is mystified. He can't keep her out of his thoughts or keep his body from responding to her. When a truth of his past comes to light, Veronique is his lifeline and he realizes he would do anything to keep this woman in his life, even marry the woman. But life is about to become more rocky, and only with their love and trust in each other, will they be able to overcome the challenge that could risk everything...

The Prince's Bride is the third in the Royal Trilogy. I just love royal love stories, and I found that Julianne Maclean did a fair job with it. The Prince's Bride I would say is the most carefree of the three. It does contain a more serious note to it, but I love the lightness to the story, it wasn't too heavy or smothering at all. In fact I can't believe how fast I breezed through this book, before I knew it the story was over and I felt a little sad since I am pretty sure this is the last installment. I have read quite a bit of Julianne Maclean and this trilogy is my favorite of her works so far. I have been looking forward to Nicholas' story for quite some time, so I couldn't wait to read about how Nicholas surrenders to loves kiss, he is a rake and scoundrel and very wicked. Nicholas is the type of hero that you know you will right away from the first page. I love his nonchalant manner that he portrays, but when you delve deeper into the story, you see a side of him that is far different. Nicholas has suffered from verbal abuse from his father and struggles with his own worth and has for many years. When he meets Veronique, she changes everything including making him believe that there is something redeemable in himself. I loved these two characters together, their relationship a bit rocky, but overall playful and strong and had a hint of sensuality that casts a spell over the reader. Veronique was the type of heroine you just melted into. She is strong, courageous, and has a will of iron and even though she has a passionate nature, but because of the scandal attached to her families name due to her father, she refuses to give into her yearning for Nicholas, wanting to show her family that she won't shame them. It was fun seeing her kidnap the prince, and see them fall pretty quickly in love with each other. It may have been quick, but I didn't feel like it was too rushed, the author coaxes them gently into it, its not all of a sudden, you see it gradually happening, so its not so much of a shock.

Overall I couldn't help but fall madly in love with with The Prince's Bride. It contained all the characteristics of a solid romance to appeal to me from page one. A Sparkling romance that delivers...GUARANTEED TO ROMANCE YOU!!!

[Sofia Lazaridou · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the previous 2 books I expected something more. Something that would make my mind explode. In the end the only thing that happened and usually is not made my stomach turn. It's a good book more like the ones you will find in Historical romance rather than anything close to the level of the other two books of the trilogy. Things went too smoothly for them. And the abduction isn't a good one. The year the events in this book happen in 1815 which I found stupid because Rose at that time didn't have her HEA.

[roe · Rating 3 out of 5]

This author does a good job of creating complex dramas for her characters. This book concludes the trilogy.

In reading the whole series, luckily, this book takes place separately from the other two so there is no reiteration of events that we already know how they resolve.

I enjoyed Nicholas' character throughout the series. He had many facets throughout that made it enjoyable to see how he would be taken down in the romance department.

Veronique's character didn't draw me in too much. While she believed that her actions would help her family, she had an unfounded hatred for Lord d'Entremont. The audience only sees him in his final days which makes it hard to see the villainy that she focused on in telling her story. Her immediate attraction to Nicholas was a bit hard to swallow. For her it is not just instant physical attraction but she believes that there is more to him immediately despite his reputation and his actions.

I like the idea of her making him want to be a better man and that he is given tests once he gets back home to stay faithful and he does despite seemingly trying/waiting for himself to fail. The proposal itself seemed like he just needed a way to get her into bed, even later on all he was certain of, and all that the audience was given, was the idea that he was lusting after her.

I wish that there had been more danger presented by Pierre. The danger and villainy of Pierre and d'Entremont that we are introduced to initially, there is little to no follow through on that which made the hype seem meaningless.

[Asya · Rating 2 out of 5]

To get back her family home that her father lost in a card game, Veronique agrees to kidnap a prince and bring him to the man who holds the title to her family estate. She falls in love with the prince and they eventually marry and go back to his country where they weather multiple women propositioning the prince and scandal about his legitimacy but their love wins over it all.

I thought this was a very light and airy book and and so quite superficial. It didn't seem like either character had any imperfections except for the prince having women throw themselves at him which was due to his perfect handsomeness. Overall, I didn't find any depth and growth that the hero and heroine went through so it was not a completely satisfying read.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok

This was definitely better then book 1 but didn't have what book 2 did strong characters.. It had a Prince who finds himself to be illegitimate feeling sorry for himself and the characters didn't seem to have any sort of spark with each other even though they were supposed to be in love with each other.. Overall yes it was a great story but it lacked in the usual enthusiasm til the end..

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prince Nicholas has quite a reputation with the ladies. Veronique has been told to kidnap him from a masked ball in Paris. The whole thing is to get her family's estate back from the man who had her do it. When the man appears he has a strange story to tell about Nicholas and his mother. He falls for Veronique and marries her. This will not be easy as the women he has known think he will still be the same but Nicholas has changed for the better. Now he just needs to convince his wife.

[Tim Covell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fabulous meet, and the first section of this story sets up great obstacles. Then an early plot twist shows how all will be resolved, and sets up the rest of the story to be more conventional. Well written, good level of sensuality, but the later sections of the book don't match the pace and drama of the opening.

[Siti Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Like how the story grows and the adrenaline at last Chapter. Overall the book missing passion love making.

[Juliewheatcox.Net · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable story with a unique beginning.

[Hanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

[Brenda Culpepper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great trilogy

Enjoyed the drama and historical overview. Nicholas and Alexandra’s love story was refreshing. It’s always good when truth rules the day.

[Twila Leininger · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing. The conflict wasn’t dramatic enough. The love story lacked a chase. The tie in with the other two novels in this trilogy was minimal. There should have been more.

[Vanessa Amaral · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do recommend, but nothing compared 1st book, still in love with it.

[Morgan Herschberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars 🌟•

TW: suicide

Such a good book. The WOMEN kidnaps the MAN! Like what?!?!?

I will say the first half of the book was very strong and the second half was… decent but not my favorite. I found it annoying when the rakish hero kept getting himself into “predicaments” with women. So there was a lot of cheating accusations which contradicts the personality of our strong heroines. I wish we could have focused on there relationship and not the past.



📖Tropes: kidnapping, class difference, historical, rake hero, family secrets

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

http://allaboutromance.com/book-revie...

This book is the third in Julianne MacLean’s Royal Trilogy series. I have not read the first two books in the series, but I do not believe that it would have helped in increasing this book’s appeal for me. It started off with a hint of promise, but by the middle of the book my interest had waned. There was both too much and too little going on: Too much in terms of storyline and too little real character development. The whole thing just fell flat and made this book a bit of a chore to finish.

Prince Nicholas of Petersbourg is in France for the peace talks following Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo. While at a masked ball he meets a lady who intrigues him and he ends up leaving the ball with her, assured of a night of pleasure. Unbeknownst to Nicholas, his drink has been laced with laudanum and instead of a night of sexual pleasure, he has been kidnapped by Veronique Montagne and her sister Gabrielle and whisked away to a remote estate on the coast of France. When the prince awakes the following morning, he is not happy.

Veronique Montagne is a reluctant kidnapper. Her father lost their home in a card game with their neighbor Lord D’Etremont. He has agreed to deed their home back to them if Veronique is successful in kidnapping Prince Nicholas and bringing him to his estate. She does succeed in her kidnapping plot, but regrets it almost immediately, especially since she is drawn to Prince Nicholas from the very beginning. However, she feels the future of her family is at stake and that she had no choice but to obey D’Entremont’s demand. When Veronique arrives at the estate with Nicholas in tow, her sister and co-conspirator Gabrielle is there to meet her. Lord D’Etremont however, is not. She is told that he will return in three days and until then his bastard son Pierre will be his guard. Pierre is a slimy character and it is his behavior that precipitates Veronique changing sides in the kidnapping game. Within 24 hours, Veronique has gone from kidnapper to rescuer.

There were quite a few things wrong with this book. Prince Nicholas is characterized as a rake with a vast number of conquests to his name, but he is instantly drawn to the virginal Veronique. I am just not a fan of instant lust for no discernible reason. Nicholas goes from throwing furniture out the window in his anger at Veronique to falling in love with her voice through a closed door. It just did not pass the reality test for me. The side story of Gabrielle and Robert had the potential to be quite interesting, but it was never fleshed out and ended much too quickly. In fact everything in the first half of the book seems to be resolved too quickly while everything in the second half of the book when the couple arrives in Petersbourg seems to drag on forever. The villain is uninteresting to the point of near pity. The angst Nicholas feels seem almost self-indulgent and Veronique’s character seemed a little flat and underdeveloped. There was just not enough interest in the main characters for me to care if they had their HEA or not.

On a positive note, Ms. MacLean does a very good job with descriptions and giving the reader a sense of place and setting. The second half of the book gave a little more insight into Nicholas’ character which was good if she had edited it with more care and not drawn out his self-loathing. I have read a number of Julianne MacLean’s other books and have always enjoyed them. However, this book is definitely an anomaly in that regard. Very little in this book rang true to me and I believe that it was because the author tried to go in too many different directions. She wrapped up everything with a bright red bow in the beginning and it seemed that she had to create additional conflict in the second half of the book to keep it going. Unfortunately that conflict was uninteresting and not enough to rescue the main characters from obscurity.

[Ezrah (I Heart Romance) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book for free from Author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.This is the first book of The Royal Trilogy that I have read. I have Princess in Love, the second book of the series, on my TBR list but I haven't gotten around to reading it. However, I may have to change that and start reading it. Before anyone reads further, I'd like to give you a fair warning: this review contains spoilers.

THE STORY

This story is about the rake prince, Nicholas while on a trip to Paris. He is drugged and kidnapped by a lovely young woman, Veronique during a masquerade, who is under Lord D'Entremont's bidding in exchange for the deed to her family home that was lost due to her father's gambling. Once the Prince is held captive at the estate of Lord D'Entremont, he starts to smooth talk and seduce Veronique into letting him go. Veronique, on the other hand, tries not to fall for the handsome Prince but she ends up fantasizing about him. She finally plans to break him out of his prison with the help of her sister Gabrielle, but before they do, Lord D'Entremont arrives and asks to speak to the Prince. What happens next was something that I did not expect at all. As it turns out, D'Entremont is Nicholas' father and he is in fact, a bastard. Apparently, D'Entremont is dying and wanted to meet Nicholas so that he can tell him in person that he is leaving his properties to him. Nicholas obtains love letters between his mother and the aging lord and is certain of its truth. Pierre, D'Entremont's bastard nephew, who has served the lord for years only gets a property in Paris. Nicholas ends up marrying Veronique and they return to Petersbourg. Nicholas finally lets the country know about his illegitimacy and they return to D'Entremont's estate where they have their HEA.

MY THOUGHTS

I thought the start of the story was very interesting. I liked Veronique's spunk and I actually started to fall for prince charming, Nicholas! I loved the part where they were talking on either side of the door. Unfortunately, once the big secret was revealed, the story turned out to be very convenient and predictable. While Nicholas saved Veronique and her family, he didn't really show her his love. I thought their love turned out to be pretty superficial.

When they returned to Petersbourg, Veronique martyred herself out and was not even angry at Nicholas at all, even when Nicholas didn't come home at night and when he openly admitted that he was tempted by an ex! I did like the part where Nicholas was a bit tempted by the females. I thought that was pretty realistic.

The villain Pierre, was pretty tame. His motives for exposing Nicholas' secret to the press was not very believable. It would have been better had he been really evil and had kidnapped Veronique with Nicholas rescuing her. He did end up rescuing her but the impact was not as great as I hoped it would be.

The last part of the story fell a little flat for me. I will be reading Princess in Love and I hope that one would be better.This review first appread on I Heart Romance & YA

[Mary Gramlich · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a Prince is kidnapped one might think it would be by a dangerous group seeking wealth. For Prince Nicholas his abductor is Veronique Montagne, a gentle and loving woman trying to save what she values most – her family.

Nicholas is a noted romancer and tries every trick to seduce Veronique to open the door and set him free, she however is immune to his charms. Veronique is fighting for her family and the survival of their home while Nicholas is just irritated by his present situation. When the true reason for his abduction becomes known Veronique realizes the next choice she makes will help or ruin her forever. The question looms for Nicholas and Veronique of what is really going on, and where can we go from here.

The passion surrounds them as they travel to freedom but trust is a whole other part of the equation Veronique is not convinced she has where Nicholas is concerned. She must get past this if the relationship is to survive and perhaps Nicholas can transform into the man he was destined to be. Nicholas may have a heavy burden of knowledge he wishes to stay quiet but Veronique is hoping he wants her by his side regardless of which way everything turns out.

A book that takes your breath away with each new chapter is one a reader knows can never be parted with. Julianne MacLean has the magic touch of writing such a book every time she puts pen to paper

[Susan Ross · Rating 2 out of 5]

I forced myself to finish this book. Perhaps if I had read the first two books in the series I would have liked this one better.

Veronique kidnaps Prince Nicholas for Lord d’Entremont. The lord had taken advantage of her father’s drunken state. Her father then gambled away the family’s home and she agrees to the kidnapping to get it back. She has no idea what the lord’s motive is and since it could lead to murder, it doesn’t say much for Veronique. She also puts all blame on the loss of her home on Lord d’Entremont and none on her father.

Nicholas asks Veronique to help him escape his albeit luxurious “prison” in exchange for getting her home back. Veronique agrees but when she comes to discuss plans he attacks her. This made absolutely no sense and was totally out of character for the prince.

The reason Lord d’Entremont planned the kidnapping in such a nasty manner is bizarre in my opinion. Surely there were less aggressive means by which to get the prince in his home.

Veronique and Nicholas marry, of course, and the rest of the book deals with a villain and Nicholas’ feelings of not being a good enough man for Veronique.

Then there was a minor sub-plot with Veronique’s sister but who cared?

[My Book Addiction and More MBA · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE PRINCE'S BRIDE by Julianne MacLean is an exciting Regency Historical Romance. #3 in "The Royal" trilogy,but can be read as a stand alone. The final installment this interesting trilogy. See,"Be My Prince" and "Princess in Love". Fast paced and filled with secrets,passion,danger and love. Things are turned around when Veronique Montagne's kidnaps Prince Nicholas of Petersbourg to settle her father's gambling debts and save her family. "The Prince's Bride" will have you turning pages as you read this intriguing story. Passion,betrayal,sensual tension and a vengeful plot threatens to destroy both Prince Nicholas and Veronique. Well written with depth and descriptions. The characters are engaging,realistic,and will pull at your heart strings. I enjoyed this title and would highly recommend to any historical romance readers and those readers who enjoy a fast paced with twists and turns. A must read! Received for an honest reviewed from the publisher.

RATING: 4

HEAT RATING: MILD

REVIEWED BY: AprilR, Review courtesy of My Book Addiction and More

[Sarah Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an Advance Copy of this book from a Goodreads give-away. This was a quick 308 page read for me. A lovely story that grasp the aspects of True Love and Trust must come hand in Hand. Veronique is portrayed as a Brave, Strong, and Family loving Woman but I thought throughout the book her personality wavered, Something I did not like about the book. Prince Nicholas the Womanizer tantalized the senses, but seem more coy then a playboy from the start. Either way the story got 4.5 stars, Charterers and development would be a 3.5. I really wished this story was more filling, but a great way to spend the day anyways. Sooo 4/5 stars

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would rate it 3.5 stars. It doesn't compare with other books that I've rated at 4 stars.

The bones of the plot are trite, however the details are unique among the historical
romances I have read. It takes place in the mythical country of Petersbourg. It was an easy
read and had enough interest in the plot to keep me reading to discover what would
happen.

If you enjoy historical romances and are a patient reader you might enjoy this book.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

After I read the first two books in the series I searched Everywhere for this story once I finally found it I couldn't help but instantly start reading. I did not expect to finish it in the short amount of time that I did, but as I see I did. This was a great ending to a wonderful series I am disappointed that I did not get to learn the sex of the baby to be born between Nicholas and his wife

[Alex · Rating 2 out of 5]

One big yawn.

Follow me!

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the first two books in this series and was eagerly awaiting Nicholas' story. I was a little disappointed. This was not the same man as in the first two books, not from the start. It was good but I was expecting more.

[Mskychick · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF
I got 1/3 of the way in and has too stop. This book is to ridiculous for words. The characters and their actions are cartoonish. I was waiting for a villain to arrive and twirl his mustachios while leering. Yuck.

[Blender · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fitting end to this trilogy. I always liked Prince Nicolas and was so glad his lady love was such a great match. She truly made him a better man.

[Jenn Ayers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than the first two.

[Kimia Safavi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the first book I read by Julianne MacLean. It was not what I expected from the story , it was kind of boring.

[Judy Perry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book very much.