Gilding the Lily-pad

by Elle Lothlorien

Alternate cover edition for B00F9AO81S

***NOTE TO READERS: Gilding the Lily-pad is NOT a sequel to The Frog Prince; rather, it is a "companion novel." What does that mean? It means that Gilding the Lily-pad follows the same story as The Frog Prince--but it is told from Roman Habsburg von Lorraine's point-of-view (rather than Leigh Fromm's). Although Gilding the Lily-pad is a standalone novel, it is highly recommended that you read The Frog Prince first.***



BOOK DESCRIPTION: It was her quirkiness that did it. Five minutes after being assaulted with her shoe at the wake of a total stranger, Roman Habsburg von Lorraine decides it's worth crashing the funeral the next day to pursue the beautiful but odd Leigh Fromm.



But when his passing interest very quickly turns into infatuation, Roman isn't sure how to court her--or if he even should. Despite the fact that his great-grandfather was Emperor Karl I of Austria and his grandfather and father Crown Princes, the family was forced into exile after Karl I abdicated in 1918--leaving his family in royal limbo. Born and raised in the U.S., his "almost royal" status makes him an oddity in the States, an object of media hysteria in Austria, and more than eligible to marry into any royal family in Europe who will have him.



Despite knowing the difficulties that a relationship with a commoner would present, there's something about Leigh that makes Roman resolved to have her--the opinions of the public, his mother, and his ex-girlfriend, Princess Isabella of Denmark, be damned. But when a parliamentary motion in Austria throws him head-first into a role he never anticipated or asked for, he finds that his relationship with Leigh has suddenly become a matter of state. Worse, his desire to protect Leigh and his uncertainty about his new position leaves him turning more and more to Princess Isabella, who has taken up residence with them (along with his mother). Will Leigh and Roman's relationship survive what's quickly becoming a royal mess?



A beautiful commoner, gut-busting laughs, love, cereal fetishes, fun funerals, oddities in the treetops, random hilarity-and scarcely a lily-pad anywhere. Because your princess is out there. (Or not.)

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy, Ebooks, Chick Lit

416 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 17, 2013

About the author

A “military brat,” Elle Lothlorien was born in Germany and spent her childhood in such far-flung places as Puerto Rico, Charleston, S.C., Italy, and Washington D.C. Sadly, the only language she ever became semi-fluent in is English. She writes romantic comedies that are loose riffs on the popular fairy tales she read as a child–stories she still loves as an adult. Elle’s first self-published romantic comedy, The Frog Prince, became an Amazon bestseller in 2010–a distinction it kept through the summer of 2012 when it peaked at #1 on Amazon’s Top 100 List for Humor. Her female characters are known for their snarky attitude, intelligence, quick wit, and a near-universal lack of interest in designer shoes and haute couture.

Before writing rom-com full-time, Elle worked as an administrator overseeing clinical research studies at the University of Colorado. Her scattershot work history also includes everything from running fire and rescue calls as an EMT to managing movie theaters to locating underground utilities to stay-at-home mom, although she readily admits that getting paid to sit around in her PJs all day dreaming up hot, amazing men who are good enough for her novel’s heroines is, hands-down, the most rewarding job she’s ever had. Elle lives in the Rocky Mountain Foothills, mostly because she’s deathly afraid of man-eating sharks and understands that, while they’ve successfully infiltrated every ocean on the globe, they’ve never quite managed to adapt to mountain living. She keeps a teenage boy and a miniature dachshund named Bacon Bourgeois of Legend around the house to provide comic relief.

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Reviews

[Tonya Sadowsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author takes fairy tales and reworks them into a comedic romp of a modern romance, without all the graphic blushing details that you'd be embarrassed to let anyone know you read, let alone write a review advertising the fact. "Gilding the Lily Pad" is not at all a sequel, but rather the other side of the story as told by Roman. "The Frog Prince" is Leigh's story and every bit as good. I'd recommend reading it first, but in truth it probably doesn't matter; neither will ruin the other. What I love about Elle Lothlorian's books is the bantering dialogue. It's fresh, entertaining, snappy and witty - real. What I love about this particular book is Roman. Who doesn't love a hero who is so enamored by the heroine that he gets a bit jealous at times and wants to slay dragons - or misogynistic royals? The heroine isn't a simpering, insecure, blushing fool either. She's smart, holds degrees and her own with royals she meets for the first time.

The story begins at the same moment as "The Frog Prince," but I don't recommend missing either to read only one of these. It's well worth getting to know both characters individually, since this author took the time to give us the opportunity.

(Highly recommend her take on Alice in Wonderland, which is another incredibly well-written revision on Carroll's classic.)

[SandyL · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun and entertaining read! Roman Habsburg von Lorraine is a sort-of prince/king of Austria, although they no longer recognize the monarchy, so he's not really. He's lived in the US for most of his life, and works building tree-houses (really cool ones!) He meets Leigh Fromm at a wake and immediately falls for her. Leigh is a sex researcher with a somewhat quirky personality. At first it seems like Roman's forceful personality is taking advantage of her, but it's quickly apparent Leigh can hold her own. She's smart and strong and sassy. While Roman is getting to know Leigh, there are machinations behind the scene to reinstate the monarchy, which would make Roman king. He doesn't really want this, and doesn't tell Leigh about it, until the unexpected happens. Ballroom dancing, palace intrigue, commoner vs royalty, things are what they seem.....there is a lot of fun and adventure in this book!

[Theresa Atha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Best book I have ever read in such a long long long time since the beginning of this current year

[Liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I gave Frog Prince three stars and was hoping that GtLP would be similar, or better, filling in blanks about Roman, but I think it was worse. I ended up disliking Roman so much. He's clearly in love with her, but most of the time is lying or a jackass or jealous or all three.

I still don't understand why Leigh is in love with this dude. In both books there's a 2 1/2 month gap where they fell in love with each other, but he was lying the entire time to her. This dude was definitely a frog and a whiny one at that.. oh I don't want to be a king, but I'll lie to my girlfriend and take monarchy lessons for 4 months leading up to a vote that he doesn't think will pass?? Gimme a break.

And, only about 33% of this book is actually new information, the rest is just the same story, same dialogue as in Frog Prince. If I hadn't borrowed this through Kindle Unlimited, I'd be pissed.

I ended up enjoying Christine, a lot and the Fromm family is quirky enough to enjoy, but the rest of the characters just got on my nerves.

[lynx · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was first introduced to Elle Lothlorien when I read Alice in Wonderland. I had no idea what to expect but the moment I finished it, I immediately searched for more books by her.

My mom lent me The Frog Prince and within a few days I found out about Gilding the Lily-pad. I read the first few chapters before it came out and was glad be able to finish it when it did.

I love reading books from 2 different perspectives and can only imagine the time it takes to be able to write them (let alone just a single book!) To say Elle has nailed it is an understatement.

Great book, can not wait for more!

[Courtney Cogswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I enjoyed the Frog Prince and Leigh was definitely one of my favorite female characters but reading the book from Roman's perspective answered some questions I had from the first book and really helped me to get a better feel for his character. I really liked him in the first book but by the end of Gilding the Lily-pad, he was at the top of my book boyfriend list :) As usual, while reading one of Elle Lothlorien's books, there were many snort laugh worthy moments but an engaging romance as well. She is one of my "safety" authors in that I don't even have to read a book description to know that I will love anything she writes.

[Marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the same exact tale as The Frog Prince - it's just told from Roman's point of view. I felt like I had a lot better understanding of the events from his perspective. I did get upset with him though. He doesn't always think before he acts or speaks. It is a cute Cinderella story and I liked it. I wish I wouldn't have read this back to back with The Frog Prince - since it is the same story it would have been a good review of the other book and I probably would have liked it even more if I had a little distance between the two stories.

[Lyndsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. A great companion book to "The Frog Prince". This is the first companion book I have ever read and was worried I wouldn't like it since I know how the story ends but it was great to see the other side of the story. Now I have to locate the rest of the books by this author. If they are half as good as these two then she is very very talented. Plus I just found out now there is going to be a sequel to these two books. Yay!!!

[Elene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an AWESOME companion to The Frog Prince. It truly gave you the story from Roman's point of view. This added to my overall enjoyment of the story as a whole - and made me want to go back and re-read The Frog Prince. It also made me want a tree house even more than I did before. A definite must read for the romance/comedy lovers!

[Lavonne Doljac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slow reading only because it is a companion to The Frog Prince, which I have already read. Since it is the companion, I already know what happens and so I keep getting distracted(I have a short attention span at times), for other things to read. I am enjoying it though. I think I am enjoying the story through Roman's eyes even better than Leigh's.

[Trinity · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just as fun as the original

This isn't the sequel to The Frog Prince, but rather the same story told from Roman's point of view. Such a fun, funny and adorable romance. It makes me want to go back and read the original again and I can't wait for the sequel! I'm a huge Elle Lothlorien fan. She never disappoints!

[Paula Bothwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

PG13 -
Language: including deity, and a few F-bombs
Sex: fade to black sex scenes.
I just barely finished Elle Lothlorien's *The Frog Prince* (which I LOVED), and was pretty excited to read this companion book and get the H's POV. I am so happy I did! I'm looking for more Elle Lothlorien's books - I have been so pleased with the two I have read!

[Cajya Darling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book! I was looking forward to reading this book and was not disappointed. This author is one of the few that can make me laugh out loud while reading. I love The Frog Prince and I love this book as well.

[Debbie Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. I read the Frog Prince and this book was like reading a new story. It was fresh and totally different from Roman's perspective. Like all Belle's novels, I couldn't put it down. Can't wait for the Frog King.

[Cajya Darling · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing book. I LOVED The Frog Prince and this book was excellent. I loved seeing or reading the other side of the story. So many times I wondered what Roman was thinking and this takes you into his world. Amazing!

[Michelle "Champ" · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun fun fun! I love every one of Elle's books. They are fun and original. Read this one but also the frog prince.

[Shelby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! The Frog Prince was so funny I was excited to read about Leigh and Roman's love story for Roman's point of view. And Elle Lothlorien did not disappoint. Great read.

[Cora · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really...really enjoy these characters. Love the different POV and all the new info :)

[Emily Shoop · Rating 5 out of 5]

great love story.

[kellyplowman · Rating 2 out of 5]

cute story from the mans perspective, but had little bit too much of a history/german lesson.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this story from the prince's point of view. lots more insight to what was going on politically while he was wooing Leigh