Royal Target

The Crown Affair #1

by Susan Kearney

THEIR FATE HAD BEEN SEALED YEARS AGO

Nothing would stop Nicholas Zared from taking his rightful place as King of Vashmira. Not a bloodthirsty assassin—nor American spitfire Ericka Allen. Without the fiery beauty's acceptance of their long-arranged marriage, Nicholas would be denied the crown. But it wasn't duty alone that bound him to Ericka, not with desire blazing between them and the discovery that she might be the killer's real target….

Ericka tried to resist the handsome prince's skilled seduction, but their close brushes with death only intensified the passion flaring between them. Would her consent to be his queen cost her her heart—and her life…?

Genres: Romance, Royalty

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 1, 2002

About the author

Susan 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.

Reviews

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

ok this is a love affair between 2 strangers whom their fathers made a contract to marry when they were young..so now Prince Nicholas and Ericka need to come to terms on this arranged marriage because thanks to an assassin Prince Nicholas father is dead and he is now king..of course once Erika comes to Vashmira to meet Kin Nicholas Zared and his family there is danger and intrigue and a story for her to write since she is a journalist..book 1 done lets see what happens will she or won't she marry him etc

[OvercommuniKate · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too far fetched and unbelievable.

[TINNGG · Rating 1 out of 5]

I cannot take it any more. First off, the book takes place over the course of a week, yet the author spends the first *half* of the book in the first few hours of meeting.

Second off, the h is blinded by ambition to common sense. Really. She knows she's on the marriage contract, knows it's invalid as long as she's in the US. Tells her boss. He gives her an ultimatum of either go or be fired and she...goes because she doesn't want to have to start over in her career. I could be wrong but I think a well-known reporter would NOT be starting over if she changed jobs. In any case...

The "H" has essentially pulled strings to get her over there - he has every intention of pulling out the contract. The h wants to feel him out to see if he knows. OF course he does you idiot. Why else do you think YOU were invited over? Then he threatens her, telling her that, among other things, her passport has been confiscated, and...she kisses him.

I'd also add that there's a couple of spoiled palace brats in the form of the "H"s 3 and 5 year old half brothers - they come into the bathroom while the h is bathing. Just walk right on in. And then everyone else in the family shows up - "H", step mother, brother, sister...

So no; no way can I really envision a true HEA here unless the h is really TSTL (and believe me I wonder). So... I quit. And the new me also purges the two follow-ups and decides that this author is more miss than hit with me so no more.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is awesome, its a bit naughty, but i don't mind naughty, i actually like it. This is the sort of book that you start reading and you can't put it down, its big time naughty, i recommend it to people who like to have some "fun" reading. I really can't wait to get the second book.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable suspense romance

Enjoyable suspense romance

Very good first book of a trilogy. Contemporary royal romance with a dash of danger. American reporter goes to cover a royal coronation, and ends up involved in a romance with the King.

[Twyla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Far-fetched. I can understand the send a reporter to cover an event; but the rest ... not so much. The border hopping incident for example. Or the whole death of the bad guy scene.

[Shirley Owl]

This was with another story "Rafe Sinclair's revenge" by Gayle Wilson.