Customer Reviews

Charming the Prince

5 star:		(81)
4 star:		(25)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I loved this book. I am a fan of the author of this book. I previously read only her time travel books and enjoyed those thoroughly. This was the first actual period piece that I read by her and I was not disappointing. This book was absolutely hilarious. I still can't remember what made me laugh more, the devilish antics of the brood of kids or the interesting relationship between the hero and heroine. My favorite scene in the book is when the heroine first meets the hero and the kids. This book is a great read. It's sexy, intellectual, and probably shows exactly how some stepmothers feel. It was a great book and I highly recommend it to all.

In 1360 England, Lord Bannor the Bold returns to his home after years at war. Bot h his wives have died, leaving him with a dozen children to raise. With no mother, the children have become royal monsters. Bannor, afraid that he'll get another woman with child, sends his steward to find him an ugly wife who will be mother to his children. What he gets instead is Lady Willow, a beautiful young woman whose dreams are of a prince charming.

At first Bannor is horrified! Lady Willow would surely be too tempting for him. He ignores her and sets his children out to terrorize her. He is surprised when she joins forces with the children to make HIS life miserable. Eventually the two find a truce and find that true love always wins.

This was my first book by Teresa Mediros, and I found it to be very charming and sometimes extremely funny! Highly recommended.

I admit, when I first read the cover, I was a little skeptical about this book. I didn't like the fact that a guy can father a dozen children when many of those years, he was off at war. Well, was I wrong! As the story progresses, it is so engrossing. I didn't want to eat or sleep until I finished reading this book.

Lord Bannor has spent many years off fighting in the wars. Now, he was returned home, and suddenly, has twelve children who he knows absolutely nothing about. They chase him around and torment him. He decides he'd better get a wife so she can handle this problem, so he sends his steward out.

Willow is basically living as a servant under her evil stepmother's care. She overhears the steward offering for her, and she jumps in to escape her purgatory. When she arrives, she is attacted to Bannor, yet he doesn't want to get involved for he doesn't want any more children. The children torment her as they have done countless other maids and governesses. I couldn't help but feel "Way to go, girl!" when Willow finally decides to fight back, against the children and husband.

The main story between Willow and Bannor is not the only aspect to this novel. There is the battle between the children and Willow against Lord Bannor and his soldiers. It was hilarious all the things the children did to the seasoned soldiers! Also, Willow's stepsister stows away with Willow to the castle and she has a thing for Desmond, the oldest son of Lord Bannor. Then there is the question of all the children.....who are not all Bannor's....but I wont' tell you more. You simply have to read this book to find out. You won't regret it! I didn't.

Generally I have enjoyed this author's work, but this one was a little different. It was more like a sitcom set in medieval times than a historical romance. It's easy to imagine on network TV: "What happens when England's fiercest warrior confronts his most dangerous enemies yet - ten unruly children and a whacky new bride? Watch the hilarious adventures of Bannor the Bold, coming next week!" In short, it's full of madcap adventures and hilarious mishaps and whacky fun with Bannor the Bold and his whacky, hilarious, madcap family. Anyway, it wasn't my idea of a romance, and although it was funny in places, I don't even like to watch sitcoms, much less read them.

It's not that I have a problem with a little humor in a romance novel. I like Moning, Barnett, Garwood, and many other authors who include humor in their novels. But in order for a romance to work for me, I still need a hero I can take seriously. I need to believe he's a fierce alpha male, no matter how tender he is with the heroine. Bannor is nothing but a bumbling, two-dimensional comic strip hero and there is no serious characterization in the novel to show otherwise. Other characters keep talking about how he can twist an enemy's head off with one hand, but it's always said as he cowers in fear of his bratty toddlers. We never *see* anything of the warrior he's supposed to be. In fact, we see very little of his character at all, as most of the book is taken up by the neverending buffoonery of the hero's ten children, who do and say all the sorts of cutesy, funny things that children in a sitcom do (they fight with each other, they wear out their father with "pony" rides, they demand fig pudding for breakfast, they throw tantrums and wear kettles on their heads, and so and so on and so on). It's impossible to take Bannor seriously as a person or a romantic hero - he's just an oafish straight man for the comic antics of the children and the heroine.

I'll give the book three stars for some nice love scenes, although I had to really press my imagination to enjoy these, as I could do so only by forgetting the rest of the book and pretending Bannor was someone I actually cared about. Also, I like the herioine. She was well-drawn and convincing. If only she'd had a real hero to love.

I wouldn't reccomend this book to those who want a hardcore romance with a hero you can fall in love with. On the other hand, if you're happy reading a light farce, as the reviews for this book would suggest many people are, you might enjoy it.

I enjoyed this book because although it stayed within the confines of the romance genre, it still managed to be very orignal. A happy ending was a sure bet, but watching them get there was a real treat.

Instead of tucking children away out of sight, the author brings the kids actively into the plot. They manage to be interesting without being too cute, too.

A good read.

In 1360 England, Lord Bannor the Bold returns to his home after years at war. Bot h his wives have died, leaving him with a dozen children to raise. With no mother, the children have become royal monsters. Bannor, afraid that he'll get another woman with child, sends his steward to find him an ugly wife who will be mother to his children. What he gets instead is Lady Willow, a beautiful young woman whose dreams are of a prince charming.

At first Bannor is horrified! Lady Willow would surely be too tempting for him. He ignores her and sets his children out to terrorize her. He is surprised when she joins forces with the children to make HIS life miserable. Eventually the two find a truce and find that true love always wins.

This was my first book by Teresa Mediros, and I found it to be very charming and sometimes extremely funny! Highly recommended.

I loved this one out of all her books. I have bought everyone of them, the first being "Fairest of the All". I love romances with humor, and I was just hooked on her books after that. "Charming the Prince" is her best one of all, and it's great reading it over and over again. It just pulls you in, and makes you feel you are there and experiencing what they are feeling. I hope she has more books with them in it. I would like to know how many kids they will have.

This is my first book of Teresa Medeiros. I stumbled across it in one of our local bookstores. The castled cover and the intriguing book description peaked my interest, however, I didn't buy it that instant. T.M. is unknown to me therefore I was a bit skeptical. Being an Amazon book reviewer myself, I rely on other reviewers to help me decide in picking a book to read. So naturally, I checked out the reviews and despite a few negative comments, I decided to go back the next day, bought the book with crossed fingers & hoped I won't regret it. I am happy to say that it was all worth the risk. Now, i can't wait to read more of her books.

Once again, The Amazon Editorial Reviews and the book description itself (as well as the reader reviewers) pretty much covered the details of this story. I'd just like to add that this book is definitely full of love and humor... I know there were couple of people here who complained that there was too much children stories and too little romance in this book. I don't agree with the lack of romance. In fact, I think it's all realistic and well balanced considering the plot and the circumstances. Perhaps there is too many children stories - oh but how I enjoyed it all. I also know that Bannor's (the hero) participation in his children's life is somehow a bit inaccurate considering the time plot. I know that in those medieval times, children are cared by wet nurses and is somewhat ignored until they are in their youths. However, I considered the book description. In the first place, those unruly children are initially the main concern... they were mentioned as the main reason for finding a bride and/or a mother for them so it won't be practical to just fade them away. It is significant for them to be part of this book, not just mentioned passingly... Since they are Bannor's concern, naturally, it is also appropriate for us to read Willow's (the heroine) involvement & relationship towards them. I don't think I'd enjoy this book as much if they weren't as involved. Teresa Medeiros also created each child with their own identity, each with character and role who contributed not only a lot of humor but spunk as well. I don't think the children stories overshadowed Bannor & Willows romance at all, instead, I believed they have actually added warmth and special meaning to their relationship. The children and their antics are the spices to this delectable couple. Bannor & Willow, both different yet perfect for each other. I admire both their patience (to the children & even to each other).

NOTE: IF you don't like children, then this book is probably not for you.

Love is everywhere in this book, from the children to the H/H and even to the secondary characters. To name a few of my favorite: Hollis (Banner's Steward), Bea (Willow's younger stepsis), Fiona (nursemaid) and even Netta ... have their short side stories that is linked to the H/H. This book is thoroughly well designed. Totally Unique. I guarantee hours of entertainment while reading this book. Sigh, cry, smirk, chuckle and LAUGH OUT LOUD or simple BE AWED.

Usually, when I don't like a book, I just cast it aside, but this one managed to annoy me so much, that I felt the urge to warn other readers.
The premise sounds charming enough, if you like that kind of romance - and I usually do.
Lord Bannor the Bold, twice widowed, marries Willow of Bedlington to gain a mother for his twelve children, some legitimate some not. (The illegitimate children turn out to not be his, but children he accepts out of the kindness of his heart, by the way.) Willow had been mistreated in her father's home since he got remarried to the cliched mean widow, who added many stepchildren to the Bedlington family. Lots of predictable and supposedly charming mayhem ensues, when Willow and Bannor don't want more children, but want each other, and the children, that are already there, perform their pranks. On page 102 Ms Medeiros had managed to make me be disgusted with every single character in that book sofar. The children are obnoxious brats, the pranks are disgusting and sometimes dangerous (especially considering the times, it is supposedly 1360, where a small wound could lead to a deathly infection). The tolerance of the adults for the children's infuriating antics are explained very late in the book, where Bannor the Bold claims, he doesn't punish his children for their misbehaviour out of fear of killing them with his unbelievable strength. Oh, yeah, that explained that! At the end of the book Willow's oldest stepbrother, who had long ranging plans to rape her, abducts her, ties her up and leaves her in the snow to die there. In the epilogue we learn, that this "folly" is punished by submitting said stepbrother to more pranks of the children. I'm almost too choked with rage to comment on such disgustingly shallow treatment of sexual harrassment and attempted murder. Everybody in this book behaves irresponsibly, stupidly and disgustingly at some time, if not all the time. The characters aren't even twodimensional, the historical setting is non-existant. Oh, and Lord Bannor's steward ends up marrying the village [prostitute].
This book is ridiculous and annyoing to an amazing degree. Let yourself be warned and stay away from this [book].

This is the first Teresa Medeiros book I'd ever read. I was unsure what to expect, and found myself pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it! Medeiros doesn't spend too much time developing lurid sex scenes, but instead they're rather tastefully done. And the writing is funny and delightful.

Medeiros does lean a bit on fairy tales, I've noticed, but she plays with them, and mixes them around a little bit. This story starts exactly like any Cinderella story you might read, but moves far beyond that into a charming world of Teresa Medeiros's own making. I found myself laughing and crying -- sometimes simultaneously. Medeiros has certainly found an avid fan in THIS reader! Her writing is too delightfully charming -- excuse the pun -- to even attempt resistance.