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The Crown Affair #3
Royal Pursuit
HER UNDERCOVER PRINCE
Narrowly escaping an assassin, Prince Alexander fled the Vashmiran embassy in Washington, D.C., with only the clothes on his back. But the playboy bachelor was determined to take matters into his own hands. With the help of stunning private investigator Taylor Welles, he went undercover, with the icy American reluctantly posing as his adoring wife….
Taylor was cautious of every man she met, especially tall, dark and handsome ones like Alex. But something about him—his honest blue eyes, his confident grin—compelled her to believe his wild, royal story. His wicked seduction made Taylor helpless to deny him, but could she dare believe she'd finally found her Prince Charming, whose very life rested in her hands…?
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 1, 2002
2 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
About the author
Susan Kearney
119 books128 followersSusan Kearney used to set herself on fire four times a day, now a USA TODAY—BESTSELLING author, she does something really hot—she writes paranormal romance and romantic suspense for Tor. She can apply the old rule of "write what you know" and never run out of ideas for characters and plots. An All-American and professional diver, expert in martial arts, sailor, real estate broker and owner of a barter business as well as women's fitness and three hair salons, she has enough material for a lifetime.
Kearney, a native of New Jersey, writes full time and has sold books to the industries' top publishing houses — Grand Central, Tor, Simon & Schuster, Harlequin, Berkley, Leisure, Red Sage and Kensington. As an award winning author, Kearney earned a Business Degree from the University of Michigan. Kearney's knowledge and experience spans throughout the romance genre, and her fifty plus books include contemporary, romantic suspense, historical, futuristic, science fiction and paranormal novels. She resides in a suburb of Tampa—with her husband, kids and Boston terrier. Currently she's plotting her way through her 54th work of fiction.
Kearney, a native of New Jersey, writes full time and has sold books to the industries' top publishing houses — Grand Central, Tor, Simon & Schuster, Harlequin, Berkley, Leisure, Red Sage and Kensington. As an award winning author, Kearney earned a Business Degree from the University of Michigan. Kearney's knowledge and experience spans throughout the romance genre, and her fifty plus books include contemporary, romantic suspense, historical, futuristic, science fiction and paranormal novels. She resides in a suburb of Tampa—with her husband, kids and Boston terrier. Currently she's plotting her way through her 54th work of fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 26, 2025
**MINOR SPOILERS**
This book is third of The Crown Affair series. It can be read as a standalone but there are references to the characters from other books and the conspiracy resolved in this book ran through the other books as well.
In this book, Prince Alex, one of the main characters, survives an assassination attempt at his country’s embassy in Washington, D.C. He runs out the door and searches for a private investigator to help him figure out what happened. The original assassination attempt was with a garrote, but as he was running out the assassin shot at him. The difference between the two methods made no sense. Why wouldn’t the assassin shoot at him in the first place when he was caught completely off guard? In addition, the guards at the embassy were killed which seemed unnecessary. It might make sense that the assassin kill the guards on duty outside the prince’s room, but why kill the guards who were sleeping?
He ends up choosing a private investigator, Taylor, who is a one-person operation. I am not sure that would have been the best choice. He says he consulted the yellow pages. It seemed unlikely that he would have selected her firm.
Taylor has a history of abuse by her brother which makes her hyper-aware when around men. I think this would have been a severe detriment in her job. She later reveals she has a brown belt which should have given her some confidence. Further, she was cheated on by her ex-husband. When she is around Alex, she is very timid and her reactions seem more like those of someone who was raped. The author does say s*x with her ex-husband had been stressful, so presumably he was not careful. Regardless, her reactions seemed a little bit too much. Then, after a significant event, she completely changes and is not timid anymore. She even takes the lead. This change seemed too abrupt.
Alex has slept with many women and decides to seduce Taylor. This comes across as arrogant and I did not like it much, but he quickly comes to care for her. I do appreciate that he quickly realizes that she has issues and was very gentle with her.
There are several things that seem unlikely. Once Alex begins listing all of the events that had happened to the royal family, it seemed surprising that they had not suspected a connection between them. The security at the embassy is very lax. There is a reference to the Secret Service providing security to the royal family in their own country which I think would be outside their mission statement. It is unlikely that if the embassy were in DC that a two story Victorian would exist on the grounds much less be given to a repairman and gardener for their use (Alex and Taylor pose in these roles as part of their investigation). Alex has never been to the USA before but is able to drive directly to someone’s house because he had previously looked at some maps.
There was little relationship development between the characters. The book had a lot of action related to the events they were investigating, but not as much between them. The final resolution is sudden, and the ending seems a bit abrupt.
I had read several other books by this author in the past and had felt that her stories were good but not great. When I saw this early work by the author, I thought I would give it a try. The book was fair and confirmed by previous assessment. I do not plan to continue reading this author.
This book is third of The Crown Affair series. It can be read as a standalone but there are references to the characters from other books and the conspiracy resolved in this book ran through the other books as well.
In this book, Prince Alex, one of the main characters, survives an assassination attempt at his country’s embassy in Washington, D.C. He runs out the door and searches for a private investigator to help him figure out what happened. The original assassination attempt was with a garrote, but as he was running out the assassin shot at him. The difference between the two methods made no sense. Why wouldn’t the assassin shoot at him in the first place when he was caught completely off guard? In addition, the guards at the embassy were killed which seemed unnecessary. It might make sense that the assassin kill the guards on duty outside the prince’s room, but why kill the guards who were sleeping?
He ends up choosing a private investigator, Taylor, who is a one-person operation. I am not sure that would have been the best choice. He says he consulted the yellow pages. It seemed unlikely that he would have selected her firm.
Taylor has a history of abuse by her brother which makes her hyper-aware when around men. I think this would have been a severe detriment in her job. She later reveals she has a brown belt which should have given her some confidence. Further, she was cheated on by her ex-husband. When she is around Alex, she is very timid and her reactions seem more like those of someone who was raped. The author does say s*x with her ex-husband had been stressful, so presumably he was not careful. Regardless, her reactions seemed a little bit too much. Then, after a significant event, she completely changes and is not timid anymore. She even takes the lead. This change seemed too abrupt.
Alex has slept with many women and decides to seduce Taylor. This comes across as arrogant and I did not like it much, but he quickly comes to care for her. I do appreciate that he quickly realizes that she has issues and was very gentle with her.
There are several things that seem unlikely. Once Alex begins listing all of the events that had happened to the royal family, it seemed surprising that they had not suspected a connection between them. The security at the embassy is very lax. There is a reference to the Secret Service providing security to the royal family in their own country which I think would be outside their mission statement. It is unlikely that if the embassy were in DC that a two story Victorian would exist on the grounds much less be given to a repairman and gardener for their use (Alex and Taylor pose in these roles as part of their investigation). Alex has never been to the USA before but is able to drive directly to someone’s house because he had previously looked at some maps.
There was little relationship development between the characters. The book had a lot of action related to the events they were investigating, but not as much between them. The final resolution is sudden, and the ending seems a bit abrupt.
I had read several other books by this author in the past and had felt that her stories were good but not great. When I saw this early work by the author, I thought I would give it a try. The book was fair and confirmed by previous assessment. I do not plan to continue reading this author.
October 3, 2020
I'm only quite amused because I can imagine Deckerstar for the leads. Nothing much else here.
August 19, 2014
Great Series Concludes
The first book was good. The second one better. Then the trilogy concluded with a hit out of the ballpark! The story of Prince Alex the playboy and the developing relationship with the P.I. protecting him is perfect in feeling, depth and dangerous moments. The sensitivity of Alex to Taylor's fears and the growth demonstrated by both sides kept the book at a higher level throughout. Included was the tensions from the plot which kept the relationship from the mundane. Although this is readable as a standalone, I do recommend reading all three in order: 1- Royal Target (King), 2- Royal Ransom (Princess), and 3- Royal Pursuit (Prince Alex).
The first book was good. The second one better. Then the trilogy concluded with a hit out of the ballpark! The story of Prince Alex the playboy and the developing relationship with the P.I. protecting him is perfect in feeling, depth and dangerous moments. The sensitivity of Alex to Taylor's fears and the growth demonstrated by both sides kept the book at a higher level throughout. Included was the tensions from the plot which kept the relationship from the mundane. Although this is readable as a standalone, I do recommend reading all three in order: 1- Royal Target (King), 2- Royal Ransom (Princess), and 3- Royal Pursuit (Prince Alex).
August 5, 2013
There was drama amd intrigue. I had problems keeping the three suspects separate, but it was a good book.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews