Julie Garwood has made me laugh aloud and may me cry while reading the same page of her old historical romances. I have not ever been a big ‘romance’ fan. I mean, they are all so alike. Phrases like ‘he reached for the kernel of her pleasure’ make me roll my eyes. Garwood is guilty of this kind of fluff in her love scenes, but yet something about her writing in books like The Bride, Lion’s Lady, and Gentle Warrior make my heart go a pitter-patt. These novels contain stories about unlikely love between beautiful women and rugged, scary men who are secretly noble and gentle. Prince Charming is one of these wonderful tales of love. I thought it would be perfect for the Resurrecting the Oldies Write-Off 2006 hosted by Msmorvay.

The Story

Taylor Stapleton was devastated when her fiancé ran off with her cousin Jane. In late 19th century London, this type of situation called for Taylor to leave for Scotland while the horrible scandal blew over. When Taylor returned, her loving Grandmother ‘Lady Esther,’ considered extremely old and feeble at the ripe age of 60, was on her deathbed.

Taylor had much to think about. Her sister in America had died, leaving her twin nieces without proper guardianship. Her horrible uncle was waiting for Lady Esther to die so that he could inherit her tremendous fortune. However, a plan was formulated so that Taylor was to marry a rugged American man, Lucas, and she was to be taken to the Boston so that she could be mother to her nieces and heir to the fortune. This would give Lucas, the bad-boy Yankee, money to get back to Montana as well as give Taylor a chaparone to America. Once they were safely in the States, Lucas and Taylor were to go their separate ways.

Like the storyline in many of Garwood’s other historical romances, feminine Taylor and handsome Lucas become quite fond of one another. He becomes her hero as he protects she and a friend she’s met on her journey to America. He rescues her twin nieces from horrible men who’ve bought and sold them for cash. He makes certain that she is protected from all of the men who look at her with impure thoughts. They very slowly become physical, and Taylor loses her virginity (shock!) to him. Of course, we are left with the question of whether the two will go their separate ways or stay together as a married couple.

My Thoughts

As usual, the romance in this novel is completely consuming. I can’t speak for every woman, but I know I am a sucker for giant, beautiful men with attitudes. The way Garwood initially creates the relationship between Taylor and Lucas will keep the reader hooked. We keep waiting for the pair to ‘do it’ and when they finally do, it’s (for lack of a better word) magical. I mean, despite the fluffy sex words (like he planted his seed deep inside her), the sex scenes are pretty darn good.

We fall in love with Taylor and we develop an immediate crush on Lucas. We want them to be together, and we want to actually be Taylor. I believe that because we actually think about becoming one of her characters, Garwood outdoes herself!

This book is an easy and quick read. It is extremely romantic and probably has been written for those who really believe in true love. (*sigh*) Garwood mixes history and romance and she comes out a winner every time.

4 stars


Recommended: Yes