Royal Brides

Royal #3

by Traci Hunter Abramson

In this eagerly anticipated companion novel to Royal Target and Royal Secrets, readers are invited back to the shimmering Mediterranean paradise of Meridia, where two royal weddings in a year are more than stressful—they’re deadly . . .

Lovely Meridian native Noelle Saldera yearns for adventure, but as the daughter of palace servants, working at Prince Stefano’s royal wedding may be as exciting as her life will get. But her options change drastically when she finds herself in the unlikely position of diffusing a bomb at the ceremony and being enlisted as the newest member of Meridian Intelligence—another wedding is in the works, and there can be no more close calls when Prince Stefano’s brother, Garrett, walks down the aisle.

The bombing attempt at the first royal wedding leaves few clues as to the assailant’s identity. Desperate for answers, Meridian officials enlist CIA agent Jeremy Rogers to prevent a repeat occurrence at the upcoming nuptials. The beauty of the plan: the bride is Jeremy’s sister, so his cover is foolproof. What no one could anticipate is the instant connection between Jeremy and Noelle. Now, with their hearts on the line, the pair must work together to stop a seemingly unstoppable enemy before time runs out.

Genres: Romance, Suspense, Lds Fiction, Mystery, Fiction, Lds, Clean Romance

304 pages, Paperback

Published April 1, 2016

About the author

Traci Hunter Abramson was born in Arizona, where she lived until moving to Venezuela for a study-abroad program. After graduating from Brigham Young University, she worked for the Central Intelligence Agency for several years, eventually resigning in order to raise her family. She credits the CIA with giving her a wealth of ideas as well as the skills needed to survive her children's teenage years. She is a eight-time Whitney Award winner and has written more than forty bestselling novels. For more information about Traci, click here: https://linktr.ee/traciabramson

Reviews

[Mara · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up

I borrowed the audiobook of this one from Deseret bookshelf, although I own the paperback. It's easier to get things done while listening to audiobooks, and I can read more books which is always a good thing. I read this one to get caught up on the series before reading the author's next book Royal Heir.

It was fun being back with the royals. Who doesn't like a royal story? Some of us still have a little girl inside of us who loves the idea of being a princess and living in a castle. In this story there's not just one royal wedding, there's two. Despite tight security at Prince Stefano's wedding, someone with a bomb somehow gets through, but thanks to Noelle Saldera's eagle eye and security's quick action no one is injured and the wedding guests don't know anything was amiss. This means even tighter security for Prince Garrett and Janessa's wedding in a few months.

Janessa's brother Jeremy arrives early for her wedding with a cover story as to why he's there. He's there to help figure out who was behind the attempted bombing of the royal family and why. Jeremy and Noelle hit it off right away, but each has a secret they aren't telling.

I liked Noelle and Jeremy and wished that those in charge of the royal family's security would've just let them tell each other what they were actually there for, but then there wouldn't have been any tension to work through in the relationship. There were many possibilities as to who the bad guy(s) was, but of course I didn't figure it out (I rarely do), and I was shocked who the big bad behind the whole scheme was. What a twist that was!!

I discovered Traci Hunter Abramson when I first got an e-reader and she's one of my favorite suspense authors. This is a clean contemporary romantic suspense.

[Katie (hiding in the pages) · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are several different character stories that are followed in Royal Brides. Janessa, whom we met in Book 1, is finally ready to marry her prince, but a security scare at her brother-in-law's wedding puts everyone on edge and security is tighter than ever. Her brother, Jeremy, is called in to help, and love might be in the cards for him, too. Noelle is an employee of the castle and has a unique position between both worlds, but there's a lot at stake.

I have an obsession with royalty and would love to be a princess myself...I think. There are definitely aspects that would be hard to deal with, especially for someone who is a commoner, such as Janessa. I love how down-to-earth this royal family is. I loved the connections between the different characters, but the relationships lacked a little emotion--I wanted more.

I've followed this series from the beginning and have enjoyed it so much. This author does a great job in creating a suspense with villains who are very hard to discover. I love guessing throughout the book and being fed bits of clues along the way. The pacing is a little slower in this story, but the way things all come together is very fulfilling.

Content: some violence (nothing too graphic); moments of peril; mild romance (kissing); references to religion, specific to the LDS church (not preachy). Clean!

*I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

[Aimee · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
This is the third book in this series although each book can stand alone. Because it is part of a series, we see familiar characters from previous books and the story means more, I think, when you have read what comes first.

Royal Brides is a romantic suspense in the mildest of forms. I was interested in the story and the characters the whole time. I didn't have the "bad guys" completely figured out so that was awesome. It meant I was guessing the whole time.

For me, this book lacked a bit of passion and intensity. I didn't feel as much emotion or connection to the characters as I would have liked but this was still a good story and I enjoyed reading it.

Content: Clean, some mild violence. This is an LDS fiction book and there is some mention of things specific to the LDS religion although nothing preachy.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

[Lisa Swinton · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can read this one as a standalone novel, but as the previous two books in this trilogy are highly enjoyable, why would you want to miss out on such satisfying romance?

Being royalty always seems to put the characters one step away from death and a sinister plot.

There’s conspiracy, intrigue, spies, weddings, romance, and all the elements and trappings of a thoroughly delicious read. The division of loyalties between Noelle and Jeremy keep the romantic tension zipping, while the kisses are heart thumping.

Ms. Abramson is likely to put down her pen after this trio of romantic thrillers, but I fervently hope there will be more as I thoroughly enjoy escaping to Meridia.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meridia is going to have two royal weddings within a few months of each other. Noelle is brought in to help with wedding plans and is able to help prevent a bombing during the middle of the first ceremony. She is asked to stay on to help with the next wedding. Janessa is the bride in the second wedding. Her brother Jeremy is CIA so is asked to go over early to help as well. He has a cover job since only a few people can know what his true purpose is. He hits it off with Noelle but they are both keeping secrets from each other that can end up coming between them.

I enjoyed getting to know Jeremy and Noelle, as well as Janessa. Noelle is the daughter of palace servants. She's refined and intelligent and very easy to like. Jeremy is a gentleman and falls for Noelle right away. He's not shy in letting her know how he feels and they have some sweet scenes together. Janessa is down to earth and likable. Planning her wedding is stressful but she conducts herself well and doesn't take her frustrations out on other people. There are side characters that add to the story as well. Some of them were easier to like than others. I especially loved the plan they concocted to get rid of their unwelcome guests.

I read the first book in this series many years ago and loved it so was excited to read more! I did enjoy it and thought the author did a great job hiding the villains so it was hard to figure out. I think it works well as a stand alone so if you haven't read the other books, you'll still understand what's going on. This is an author that I expect to not be able to put her books down once I start. I was able to do that a few times with this one. However, it's still a great book and you will especially want to read it if you've read the other two books in the series. This is a book I would recommend to those who enjoy clean, contemporary, romantic suspense, with talk of religion (nothing preachy) and royalty!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review. My opinion is 100% my own.

Mel's Shelves

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Traci Hunter Abramson is one of my very favorite clean suspense authors! I love the way she's able to suck me into the story so well that I find myself a little disoriented when I finish reading.

I loved this book! I loved Noelle, I almost felt as though I knew her and she just lives down the street or something. I loved the way she's a strong young woman trying to do her best and help her country in any way she's asked.

I liked Jeremy too. I thought that it was fun that Jeremy and Noelle met each other before they moved (or moved back in Noelle's case) to Meridia and I really loved watching them fall in love with each other.

The plot of this book sucked me in from the very beginning. I loved the way that I thought the bad guy was one person and it ended up being so far from the truth that it was almost comical.

This book is a companion book to Royal Target and Royal Secrets, but don't worry if you haven't read those, you won't have any problem getting into the story.

This great book has it all, adventure, love, suspense, kissing, mystery and did I mention that it's completely clean?! Make sure to pick up this great book!

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Happy Reading Watching · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely clean series about royalty, relationship and some spy work :)

Best one of the series! Is this book perfect ? No. Is it corny? Sometimes, but I enjoyed it and I really liked the romantic relationship in this one not so Insta love. The best part of all is this Traci Hunter Abramson is a clean writer. So you never have to worry about swearing, steamy scenes or anything like that.
Looking forward to reading more by this athour. ;)

July -31-2019
This was a reread and it is still my favorite from the series!!! This is such a corny but fun series! :) when ever I need a break from heavy books or just want a quick read this is where I turn to! :)

Chapter 35 😂

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the book. Liked the characters.

[Skyler Pérez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how this book is a change from the others, noting that even though you're not royalty, you can still find love.

[Lisa (Bookworm Lisa) · Rating 3 out of 5]

***3.5 stars***

This is the third book featuring the Royals of Meridian. This is also the first book I have read in the series. I have purchased the kindle edition of Royal Target, but have not had the opportunity to read it yet. While I understood what was happening in this story, it would have been better for me to read the other books.

Having gotten that out of the way. This book was full of suspense. Jeremy Rogers has been called to work on the attempted bombing of Prince Stefano's wedding. The attempt was thwarted by an alert by-stander. She becomes a central figure in spying on the staff to stop another attempt at Prince Garrett's wedding. At the beginning neither of them know that the other is working on the case, they know that they have chemistry together.

This book has some twists that kept me guessing. I really wanted to know who the bad guys are. I also enjoyed the way that Noelle and Jeremy got to know each other. There is an undeniable connection between them.

Traci Hunter Abramson does a wonderful job in the action/suspense genre. I have many of her books on my to-read list and I look forward to taking the time to read them.

This book has violence and kissing. It is also written with characters who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It has religious references but that was not one of the main points of the story.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Noelle was raised in the palace in Meridia. For the past year, she has lived in the United States where she joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When King Eduard calls, asking her to act as a courier on the royal family jet, she cannot refuse the assignment. Once she gets home to Meridia, she is asked to assist in planning a royal wedding for Prince Stefano. At the wedding, she sees suspicious activity and helps diffuse a bomb, saving hundreds of people!
Jeremy Rogers, a CIA operative, is assigned by CIA Director Palmer to travel to Meridia to help boost the security for the royal wedding of his sister Janessa and Prince Garrett. Although the wedding is over six months away, an attempt to murder the entire Royal family was made at Prince Stefanos’ wedding so Jeremy agrees to go undercover and try to keep his sister and the royal family safe.
This third book in the Royal series is just as delightful as the other two—Royal Target and Royal Secrets.

[Dlora · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finally in this third book in the series, the royal wedding happens! Actually two royal weddings happen, and again a CIA agent is brought in to foil any evil doers trying to bomb the event and kill the royal family of Meridia. No royals falling in love this time. It's a girl with a longtime family legacy of serving the royal household who helps find the bomb and defuse it before the first wedding and is then hired on by the CIA to help as an insider for the second wedding. She falls in love with the CIA agent who has come in to do deep background checks on the guests. Like the first two novels, we have a good squeaky-clean LDS romantic thriller. No marvelous writing, deep insights, or difficult conflict but it was a quick enjoyable story. The characters are everything you'd wish you could be: intelligent, good, kind, upright, moral, and good looking-- just not completely realistic.

[Cheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the last book in the Royal trilogy. It was a quick suspenseful read. It kept me guessing and wondering who the bad guys were.

[Katie Browning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this fluffy read: suspense, romance and some mystery are always a good distraction from the seriousness of life.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Hit!

Okay, so my life took over and I haven't read this until now-just the first two. I have re-read them, and this one, in just the last 5 days. Traci Hunter Abramson has been my favorite romantic suspense author for more than a decade, and her position is not in any danger! However, I suspect more of my sleep schedule may be!
Fast paced with new characters to complement the established ones, while those established ones love on to new adventures. I am thrilled to say I figured out one of the bad guys relatively soon, but the others eluded me almost until the moment they were announced in the story. And THAT is one of the many reasons she is one of my favorites. As a writer myself, I frequently find myself seeing through the plot somewhere, but she still manages to not only keep me hooked with her incredible worlds and characters, but keep me guessing as well.

[Kaye · Rating 3 out of 5]

Third in the series (I enjoyed the first two slightly more). It is time for the royal weddings of the Princes of Meridian (see first two books in series). But someone wants the all the royal family dead. Jeremy Rogers from the CIA gets assigned to help with secuirty after an attempted bombing. His sister is marrying Prince Garret so it is perfect cover. Noelle Saldera is a daughter of servant but her keen eye helped advert the first disaster so she too is asked to help in planning the wedding and with security. Romance and suspense follow. More LDS references then many of Abramson's books but not the focus of the story. This could almost stand alone (it has been a long time since I read the first two).

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was disappointed that the author did not put more references of Stefano and Alora and the boys in this book. Total surprise when the guy was discovered to be from Interpol and not the security threat they thought he would be. Definitely did not figure out who was the mastermind behind all the bombings and threats to the royal family until it revealed at the end of the story. But it was great how it all tied in together to be a great story. Great series. It was fun to dream about being a royal and living in the chatuea and having the life they lived.

[Tabitha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series, even though I'd read the first two I hadn't read this one or the next, it was on my want to read list forever.
You can tell the author's experience with government protection and spies and things that might happen. The books just have a sense of authenticity while still having suspense, romance, and a bit of make believe.
Latter Day Saint culture and beliefs are referenced but not the main focus of the book.
Definitely recommend. Clean romance, suspense throughout book with a small amount of violence. Definitely met my expectations.

[Elise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've loved this series. The plots were interesting and well written and there was always a good twist at the end that I didn't see coming, which is getting more rare. I enjoyed seeing Janessa and Garrett again, but missed Stefano and Alora.


Also, we never were told what was in the package that Jeremy dropped off for Noelle to deliver in the beginning. It's not a big deal, it just bugged me a little.

[Sara Cardon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Noelle assists in the security for two weddings - even though she's seen as a fill-in wedding assistant. Jeremy is an FBI operative and brother to one of the brides. They work side by side, even though they don't realize it. Each reports to the head of security. I like the way Jeremy learns another language with the help of Noelle's family. And I enjoyed watching how her family reacts to her new faith.

[Heather Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite authors! I love that her books are clean and action packed with some romance. Unfortunately, this one started to sound like the other two before it. The stories were similar with pretend dating and bomb scares. It was still a good read, but it was just more of the same. I probably wouldn't read it again, but it was good to get more of the story for the characters I've grown to love and think of as friends.

[Rachael · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I get FOMO with books. I have the hardest time not finishing a book (yes, I know I could google how it ends) and I’m not much better at stopping before I finish a series. So here I am, having read all three books…they were all fine, but nothing special. It was the same plot repeated in each book, featuring a different couple. Still, they were cute and clean romances, and a nice break from reality!

[Kate Lehenbauer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun way to introduce new characters, but with a title like "Royal Brides" I was really hoping to see more of the royal weddings. We hardly saw any of Stefano's wedding and I think that one would have been great to see. We also didn't get to see Alora or Stefano at all and that was disappointing. Overall I really wish the new characters were more side characters and we kept the royals as our main characters but that didn't happen. No language, no spice.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Expect the unexpected and you’ll find that everything is not always as it seems.”

Book 2 in the Royal series brings us Noelle and Jeremy's story! Noelle is the daughter of Patrice the chef and Enrico the chauffer. Jeremy is Janessa's brother. I love how the series expands with their found family and real family. And you get the bonus of seeing glimpses of Janessa and Garrett and Alora and Stefano! This is full of excitement and danger and mystery! I flew through it!!

[Kevin Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third of this series and it follows the same royal family as another marriage takes place and the threats that come with them. Another love affair is woven though out. The Royals are warming to the LDS members in their family but still want a civil marriage. There are plots among the other ruling classes and other of the royal extended family. Enough for now, you'll have to read it for yourself. Bye for now.

[Ranee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn't read the other two but enjoyed this book without being lost. Adventure, mystery & good, clean romance. I thought it was a little premature (spoiler alert) that he's buying a wedding ring before CIA permission for a relationship and before the couple establishing more to their relationship besides a few lingering kisses - a little rushing it.

[T.K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delight! This is easily my favorite in the series (I goofed and read it last). I'm honestly a little grateful I read them out of order or some of the events in this book would have been way more upsetting. Normally, I hate knowing the ending, but this book is so good that I was still anxious and completely wrapped up in the story. Bravo, Ms. Abramson! :)

[Anne · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me by a friend, and I wondered if we were on the same page after I had read the first two chapters. The references to religion and religious bigotry were a bit unrealistic for me, no matter what time period it was set in. The characters did not interest me enough to proceed after those two chapters.

[Kaela Batson · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were a lot of plot holes that really bugged me. But my biggest issue was that the narrator for the audio book kept making Levi (who I understood to be an American CIA agent) sound like he was meridian. I went back to the first book to listen and it sounded like the same narrator but she did not make Levi sound meridian.
dumb thing to hate but I do

[Nathalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

And you thought your wedding was stressful! As this is #3, I shall have the pleasure to hunt down #1 and #2. And it's always a pleasure to bask in the Mediterranean sun vicariously, especially in December. Kudos to reader Luone Ingram for inventing a Meridian accent!