18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Worth waiting for!!!, June 29, 2002
By A Customer
This review is from: Cordina's Royal Family (Paperback)
I was so excited to finally read this trilogy. I had been unable to get my hands on any of the individual stories for ... and was waiting excitedly for this re-release. Thankfully, it was completely worth the wait. Three great stories, three terrific Bissett royal sibs, three heart-melting romances, one terrible villain, and plenty of suspense. I especially liked the third story which was somewhat reminiscent of my favorite show, ALIAS. Also, I really enjoy these earlier Nora Roberts which don't have quite the horror/creepy edge of her current releases. All in all, this a super-duper page-turner that you won't be able to put down. Nora Roberts at her finest!!! Go Nora!!
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16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Three Wonderful Stories! Well Worth the Wait!, July 15, 2002
This review is from: Cordina's Royal Family (Paperback)
"Cordina's Royal Family" is an omnibus of three stories written by Nora Roberts in the mid-1980's. I have searched for these three out of print tales for years, so imagine my delight when I discovered that they were to be re-printed in a special 3-in-1 collector's edition. Well, I am happy to report that it was worth the wait. Nora's three tales of royal romance and palace intrigue are, in a word, fantastic!
First is "Affaire Royale", which introduces the reader to Her Serene Highness Princess Gabriella de Cordina. Gabriella has just lived through a terrifying ordeal - being kidnapped. But Brie can't remember anything. Not who kidnapped her or how she escaped, not who her father and brothers are, not even her own name. Concerned about the safety of his only daughter, Prince Armand hires bodyguard Reeve MacGee to protect Brie.
Lost in a sea of concerned, unfamiliar faces, Brie finds a lifeline in Reeve. Reeve sets about helping Gabriella regain her memories, and as time passes he falls hard for the classy, determined, and remarkable Brie. Though he tries to remind himself that letting his emotions get involved will only cloud his senses while trying to protect Gabriella, Reeve well and truly loses his heart. But Reeve also knows that a guy like him has no future with a princess, and so he keeps what is in his heart to himself.
Though she is confused and scared and trying to find herself, Brie knows that the one thing that's real in her life is the love she feels for Reeve. Trying to accept that he doesn't love her the way she loves him isn't easy, though Gabriella was never one to give up when she wanted something. The passion that burns between Reeve and Brie will thrill and entice readers. But the threat to Brie is closer to home than anyone realizes, and though Reeve believes he has to let her go, he would never recover if the kidnappers' violent plans for Brie succeed!
Next is "Command Performance", which is even better than the delightful first story. His Royal Highness Prince Alexander is the heir to the Cordinian throne, and as a result he must always keep his emotions, and his temper, on a tight rein. Regal and enticing Eve Hamilton, the one woman Alex truly desires, has always seemed just out of his reach. Seemingly in love with his younger brother Bennett, when Eve comes to Cordina at his request, Alex knows a frustration unlike anything he has ever known. Eve, the manager of her own theatre troupe, is commissioned by Alex to put on four plays to benefit a children's charity. Though Alex is forever rubbing Eve the wrong way, she knows her troupe's first international performance is an opportunity too great to pass up.
But all is not perfect in Cordina. The man behind Princess Gabriella's kidnapping several years earlier, Deboque, is terrorizing Cordina with bombings. Next, Deboque begins using Eve to threaten the Royal Family. Alex is terrified for Eve's safety, but Eve is resolute that she will remain in Cordina and do her job.
As the misunderstandings that were keeping them apart are worked out, Eve and Alex are finally able to admit their true feelings for one another. Alex knows he will never love another woman the way he loves Eve, and their romance is full of sensuality and tenderness and is highly satisfying.
But both Alex and Eve are in grave danger. When Deboque issues a serious threat, it has everyone on edge. But what everyone doesn't realize is that Eve herself has become a target and the happiness she has finally found with Alex may well be snatched away from her!
Last, but certainly not least is "The Playboy Prince", which tells the story of dashingly handsome ladies man Prince Bennett. When reserved and conservative Hannah Rothchild arrives at the palace, Bennett can't figure her out. She couldn't be less his type, and yet something about her intrigues him. Hannah wears no make-up and her clothes are unflattering, and yet she is irresistible to Bennett. So for once in his life, Bennett finds himself compelled to look beyond what is on the outside of a woman in order to find out who she is on the inside.
In truth, Hannah is on a secret and dangerous mission and the attention Bennett keeps giving her is not good for the job she has come to do. But her treacherous heart skips a beat each time Bennett is near, and the woman behind the boring and unattractive facade longs to feel Bennett's arms around her. However, Hannah has never failed on a job before and she's not about to let Bennett keep her from doing this one. Still, Hannah can't keep herself from falling for the "Royal Rake" and Bennett too falls in love with the sweet and shy Hannah he knows.
So when Bennett discovers the real reason Hannah is in the palace, he feels completely betrayed and is hurt beyond words. Hannah feels her heart break at the contempt Bennett now feels for her, and she is consumed by guilt. But the game Hannah is playing is incredibly dangerous, and now Bennett knows that. Despite all that has happened, the thought of anything happening to Hannah turns Bennetts blood to ice. Roberts builds this last tale to a thrilling climax that will have readers on the edge of their seats, and a most satisfying conclusion.
Once again Nora Roberts has created a family that readers will come to love and cherish as if it were their own. "Cordina's Royal Family" is a fun-filled and exciting read that you don't want to miss. So come visit the small Mediterranean country of Cordina today, where the ocean is so blue it hurts your eyes, the air is warm, and there is always romance in the air!
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9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great stories!, June 24, 2002
This review is from: Cordina's Royal Family (Paperback)
I had previously read all of the Cordina triliogy some years ago when I rented them from the library as part of Nora Robert's Language of Love series. I never bought them though, so I was escatic when they were rereleased in one trilogy. My favorite story is The Playboy Prince. I love the characters of Bennet and Hannah. Command Performance is also a great read. The only story I wasn't so fond of was the rirst one, starring Garbriella and Reeve, Affaire Royale. But, like all of Roberts stories, the characters and plot are wonderful, and she does a good job (in my opinion) of portraying what royal life would really be like. If you are a fan of Nora Roberts you are going to love these stories, and even if you aren't a fan, this trilogy will still amaze you.
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