Customer Reviews

The Once and Future Prince (Silhouette Desire)

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The Once and Future Prince is a story for those who can appreciate and admire writing and story-telling talent.

Olivia Gates uses words beautifully to paint pictures and to bring to the mind's eye so many wonderful metaphors, that at times it seemed poetic. The imagery that she's created has been woven through the entire book, and is captivating and sensual.

At the start, we were introduced to a young Leandro and Phoebe. Their relationship began with an all consuming desire. But, they were both so insecure: he for the crown, and she for her standing in his world, that they allowed those insecurities to tear them apart. Their growth could have ended there, and they could have remained static characters, but then this book wouldn't have been nearly as fantastic as it is.

There is a scene in the when they were flying over Castaldini after Leandro's eight years of exile. It was so apparent that he loved his country, and coming back was emotional for him. The depth of his pain was so subtly written that it took me by surprise when I wept while visualizing him looking out of the plane window. This was brilliantly done, especially since I never expected that benign scene to touch me as it did.

Olivia Gates exercised patience and restraint in getting them back together in a fully physical way. This book is rare in the sense that she allowed us to live in their world while they nurtured their relationship. So often in romance, the real relationship doesn't begin until the book is almost over. In this book, she allowed us to savor the build-up of their love for a great portion, giving us large doses of Leandro and Phoebe. That was wonderful and satisfying.

Another thing I noticed and really enjoyed about this relationship was the laughter, and the light-hearted banter that she incorporated into their dynamic. Often times, especially in 'Royal' literature, the interactions are formal, almost stuffy. In this case she's infused a breath of fresh air into their otherwise ancient world. That made it much easier to believe their love and gave us a reprieve from the intensity of their desire.

When they finally do consummate their desire, you won't be disappointed. In true Gates fashion, their love is expressed physically, passionately, and repeatedly.

This was beautifully written. I can't recommend enough that your read about the world that Olivia Gates has created in The Castaldini Crown Trilogy.

The Once and Future Prince is part of The Castadini Crown series and the first book in the series. This is one incredible sensual and erotic journey; all I can say is that it's magnificent. Olivia Gates is an extraordinary storyteller and this series promises to be every bit as great as her Throne of Judar.

At the beginning of the book there's an explanation of the trilogy.
It's set on a lush Mediterranean island drenched in sun and history, a kingdom that has refused to follow the rules of the world. For in Castaldini the crown is won, not inherited.

One learns early in the book that Prince Leandro D'Agostino has been stripped of his throne and is now residing in the USA, Before this happened, for months he had been having a secret affair with the beautiful Phoebe Alexander. Their passion was so intense it literally took my breath away. So one can only imagine when Leandro asks Phoebe to stay with him in the US and she refuses, it becomes nasty and their parting was intense.

Now eight years later the King of Castaldini has asked Phoebe to return to the US to request Leandro come back home, have his title restored and take over as ruler of the country. You would be able to ignore the tension both emotion and sensual between these two when their are reunited. Of course, Phoebe experiences roadblocks so when Leandro tells her he will only return if she resides with him.

Phoebe agrees to return with him and comes to terms her attraction attraction and her love for this incredible man. She agrees to reside with him at his lovely home and they finally fall into each others arms. All I can say is this is more than a sensual journey, it's incredibly romantic. The are scenes in the book like no other and when I now see a swing, I'll be sure to blush!

Of course no romance would be worth reading without secrets and misunderstandings and The Once and Future Prince have their share. For Phoebe she believes she will only have Leandro for awhile because of she's not good enough to be his queen. For Leandro she is the only queen he wants and when the council tells him is is to marry another, he is furious. Of course he over hears and misunderstands a conversation and strikes out and hurts Phoebe. So you can imagine when she realizes she's pregnant and now he tells her he's marrying another, Phoebe disappears again from his life.

I love reading about second chances and Olivia Gates has frustrated me with this splendid and wonderful book because I have to wait to read her next book in the series.

The first book in the Castaldini Crown trilogy is brimming with conflicting emotions and palpable sexual tension between two dynamically determined characters. Olivia Gates has her own unique way of portraying her main characters and any situations which arise, and her talent shines in this powerfully depicted story. THE ONCE AND FUTURE PRINCE has a two-fold plot, but the focus on numerous emotional issues is what truly draws the reader into this intensely passionate romance.

Since the current king of Castaldini is very ill, his successor must be selected soon. According to the strict laws of this Mediterranean island, the new king must be chosen by merit, not because of bloodline. However, for the first time in 800 years, there is no clear-cut favorite to be the next ruler. There are three men who could possibly be asked, but each one has at least one major criterion which makes them ineligible according to Castaldini law. Of these three, a former prince and ambassador for the country seems to be the best choice, although his viewpoints lead to him being banished from his homeland plus losing all his titles. Now it is up to Phoebe Alexander to convince Leandro D'Agostino of how much his country needs him once again and persuade him to become the crown prince.

After Leandro was forced to leave Castaldini eight years ago, he became a successful businessman yet never forgot the woman with whom he was having an undisclosed affair and left behind. Even though they met once afterward, Phoebe declined his offer to stay with him and they never spoke again, leaving only hurtful feelings and a constant pining. When they meet again after years apart, they are both secretly stunned by how their desire for the other is even more potent than before. After Phoebe pleads the case for him returning to Castaldini and becoming the next king, Leandro states she must agree to his terms if he is to go back with her, stipulations which will have them working very closely together.

Stories by Olivia Gates always include stirring emotions and superbly described details, all entwining to create compellingly told romances. Ms. Gates begins a new series for the Silhouette Desire line, and the premise behind the books is brought to life in a striking way in the initial installment. There are several concerns which must be sorted out, and the author takes the hero and heroine through many challenging circumstances before they can ever find true happiness in their lives. From the instant Leandro and Phoebe are met, one realizes they will be facing countless obstacles, many personal and some more professional, yet each dilemma will touch them profoundly and often cause much soul-searching before they can respond with an honest answer. Both of them are quick-witted plus spirited, and this sometimes causes them to let their emotions dictate any reactions instead of their minds. These scenes are powerful in both dialogue and responses, as their sincere inner and often unspoken feelings come through loud and clear. The fiery and almost overwhelming desire between these two is exceedingly apparent, sometimes through an action or word, and other times only a look or touch will convey their actual thoughts. When they let themselves fully express their longing for each other, the moment is explosive yet also filled with genuineness. Ms. Gates also has a way of describing any setting in the story with factual realness, and this lets the reader get an accurate sense of what the characters are experiencing. I am highly anticipating the next book in the series after this engrossing start. A moving and complex love story, THE ONCE AND FUTURE PRINCE will keep your attention on every enthralling page.

The Mediterranean kingdom of Castaldini has a unique flavor, not only in the mixing of Italian and Moorish culture but even more so for the stringent rules governing the line of succession. Each king must satisfy the royal council of the reigning king and prove himself worthy in virtue, health, parentage, character and the success he has earned of his own merit. Although these rules all sound noble to the outsider, the founding ruler created a hotbed of competition within the men vying to become king. All his life, Prince Leandro D'Agostino fought to prove himself worthy but when his thoughts and actions scandalized the kingdom, the ruling party had no choice but to banish this renegade. Now, King Benedetto faces the same dilemma as the founder of the empire. He can no longer delay choosing a successor. He sends Phoebe Alexander on a mission to bring Leandro back. Once Leandro's lover, Phoebe refused to leave with him when he left the kingdom. Now, she must find a way to seduce him into returning to the kingdom that exiled him. Leandro decides to turn the tables on Phoebe and the king, refusing to return unless Phoebe herself bows to his command. Phoebe knows she can never be his queen. Leandro certainly made that evident years before. With the passions reignited between Phoebe and Leandro, can love find a way of breaking through the past betayals?

As the first book in the Castaldini Crown trilogy, THE ONCE AND FUTURE PRINCE sets the stage for the series with the creation of a fascinating legendary country that struggles between the ancient customs and the increased pressures of modernity. Olivia Gates makes the country an integral part of the romance, not only in the beautiful sensuous landscape but also the country and its legendary history reveals the depth within her characters. The hero Leandro is just as intense and wonderful as the readers encountered in her previous Throne of Judar series and yet, in her new series, Olivia Gates gives readers a hero with a unique flair. Powerful, emotional, successful, Leandro is the rebel of the family. He is not about to surrender for the sake of making peace when he knows he is right. Although guided by his values, Leandro is not moderate in his passion, not for the woman or the country he loves. Just how far will he go to win back the love of Phoebe? Amid the intensity of the hero, Olivia Gates gives amazing insights into the heroine's character, particularly the changes within her. At first, Leandro seems to be the focus of this romance, but Phoebe's story motivates the key moments in this romance. She is the force within the romance. Sometimes one mere sentence marks the transformation within her but that one sentence, that one step, reveals so much about her character. Phoebe's development is the jewel within the main narrative.

Part fairy tale, part archetypal, the notion of a good king creates the backdrop against which Leandro must struggle as the rebellious prince, particularly as politics, family and love create a conflict deep within the hero. In the creation of the Castaldini kingdom, Olivia Gates creates a unique flavor by integrating some of the best aspects of historical romance genre in the creation of her kingdom and yet she adds an exciting contemporary twist to her romances as the kingdom and its royal family struggle to combine tradition with modern life. As a relatively new but distinct romance voice, Olivia Gates has a powerful vision to bring together readers from various subgenres with her passionate characters and fascinating exotic landscapes.

Olivia Gates just has some of the best one-liners. And some wonderful insults! Sometimes I wish I could memorize them to pull out in times of dealing with some of the occasional jerks one encounters in life! Throughout the romance in dialogue and otherwise, the language is at once very classic and innovative, poetic and delightfully descriptive. My main feeling after reading this was...how many more days until I can read the next one? In ONCE AND THE FUTURE PRINCE, Olivia Gates writes a romance that will jolt a romance reader out of a reading slump. Passionate, poetic, and packed full of tension, THE ONCE AND FUTURE PRINCE is one powerful romance.

COURTESY OF BOOK ILLUMIINATIONS

Her once-upon-a-time lover, Prince Leandro D'Agostino, has destroyed Phoebe in the past. She is gutted by the request to fetch him back to his homeland, but she is not allowed to beg out of doing the job. She is sure she will not survive another angry separation should it happen again. When it does will she survive?

Olivia Gates writes another heart-stopping book. She is a brilliant wordsmith and uses words to paint bold, sweeping impressions. She also uses words to finesse nuances, or as scalpels that slice through layers of flesh, searing through both healthy and unhealthy parts of the body. Her `voice' is distinctive, emotive and passionate. Despite loving much about this story, I found myself wanting to clunk the hero and heroine's heads together. They needed to sit down and talk about their relationship, instead they tried reading minds and failing miserably which eventually lead to the black moment. Did I love this story? Yes--sometimes the stories I love the most are the ones that annoy me the most.

The Once and Future King by Olivia Gates
(Leandro D'Agostino & Phoebe Alexander)

This was the first book in the trilogy. Leandro & Phoebe are two people hurting from the anguish and deception of the past. Leandro comes across in the beginning of the book as an unforgiving man who doesn't need anyone in his life. Phoebe is the one person that can help Leandro if he'll let her. Phoebe is his past, a past that he wants to forget. The real star of this series will not be uncovered until you read the epilogue of The Illegitimate King.
Read this series in the correct order, each marvelous story will tear your heart. Each couple will make you cry and rejoice.

This book is a five star read. A MUST read.

FYI:
Prelude to the Castaldini Crown
Blackmailed into the Prince's Bed by Olivia Gates
(Eduardo "Eddie" D'Agostino & Jade Mitchell)
This is the Prelude to The Castaldini Crown
I loved this online read at [...]
I loved the story of Eduardo "Eddie" & Jade. In this story some of the characters from The Castaldini Crown are introduced. This story is very fast-paced but a great read. I wish this could have been a complete book. I loved Eddie and he seems to be a vengeful hero until he meets the right woman. You get a glimpse of what the trilogy is and what will happen. Make sure and pay attention because one character controls all these marvelous couples and you will fall in love with Eddie & Jade.
As in the other stories this couple will make you cry and rejoice.
This story is a five star read. A MUST read.

STORY BRIEF:
In the Mediterranean Moorish country of Castaldini the royal council selects the king from descendants of the royal family, based on merit. Leandro is one of the candidates and has spent his life planning and proving himself capable. He fell in love with an American, Phoebe, but kept their relationship a secret, because it might have hurt his chances for being selected as crown prince. Due to differing philosophies, King Benedetto declares Leandro unfit and has him exiled from the country. Leandro and Phoebe have a fight. Each one assumes incorrect things about the other, and they break up and stay apart for eight years. Eight years later, the King realized he made a mistake and wants Leandro to return home and become crown prince. Leandro refuses, so the King sends Phoebe to convince him. She had become a diplomatic negotiator for the government. She goes to Leandro, to try to convince him to return home.

REVIEWER'S OPINION:
Almost all of the conflicts in the story were in the minds of the characters. Phoebe is assuming and strategizing and thinking all the wrong things and then acting accordingly which causes Leandro to believe the wrong things. Leandro does the same thing back. Too much of the book is pondering in the mind, poor communication and inaccurate assumptions. When they start realizing they love each other, they still deny the attraction. For example Phoebe "feared that if she changed their status quo, all would be consumed in the conflagration. She couldn't go back, couldn't risk it." In other words this was "don't follow your heart because you might get hurt." I do not enjoy this type of storyline. I need plot and conflict that I can believe, not this imaginary stuff. I was frustrated.

DATA:
Story length: 173 pages. Swearing language: moderate. Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: 4. Total number of sex scene pages: 9. Setting: current day Castaldini and New York City. Copyright: 2009. Genre: contemporary royalty romance.

OTHER BOOKS:
To date, I've read one other book by Olivia Gates. My 2 star review of "The Desert Lord's Baby" Copyright 2008 was posted 6/20/09.