Italian Groom, Princess Bride (Mills & Boon Historical Romance) [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Rebecca Winters (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 2009 | Series: Mills & Boon Historical Romance

Princess Regina Vittorio must soon leave her beloved kingdom of Castelmare and become queen of another realm. Gina has devoted her life to royal duty, but as the day of her arranged wedding approaches, she wants just one moment with the man she loves....

Royal gardener Dizo Fornese has watched Princess Regina blossom like the roses he tends at the palace. He knows she is untouchable, but he has one chance to risk all--and claim his princess bride!

Product Details

• Hardcover: 285 pages
• Publisher: Harlequin Mills & Boon; Lrg edition (July 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0263206068
• ISBN-13: 978-0263206067
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cinderella in Reverse, March 20, 2011

By 

C. J. Olsen (Puyallup, WA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Italian Groom, Princess Bride (Harlequin Romance) (Kindle Edition)

This book is the sequel to THE ROYAL MARRIAGE ARRANGEMENT. I recommend reading these books in sequence for a more meaningful reading experience. The protagonists are Dinozzo (Dizo) Fornese and Princess Regina (Gina) Vittorio who were both introduced in the prequel. The story might best be described as a reverse Cinderella because the heroine is royalty while the hero is the commoner. Dizo is the son of the Royal Gardener while Gina is the sister of the King. They have known each other for sixteen years, when Dizo was sixteen and Gina was ten. Gina fell in love with Dizo early on and pursued him with a passion. Although Dizo also fell in love with Gina, his father was very strict in adhering to the class system so Dizo knew there was no way they could ever have a relationship, let alone marry. As a result he never allowed Gina to know of his feelings. This, however, did not deter Gina's pursuit.

Gina's brother, Lucca, is King of Castelmare and their father has just passed away. Five years before, Gina was betrothed to Prince Nicholas of Pedrosa who has now been crowned King. Their marriage can no longer be delayed and Gina has despairingly agreed to prepare for their wedding. King Nicholas is a good and kind man, but she does not love him. During the funeral for Gina's father, Dizo returns to his homeland of Sardinia without saying good bye. When Gina seeks him out after the funeral and discovers he has gone home, she impetuously follows him to Sardinia. Dizo, who rarely takes more than a sip of alcohol, has been drowning his sorrows and is barely conscious when Gina finds him. She helps him to his home and into his bedroom. The next morning he awakes to his uncle's pounding on the bedroom door and discovers Gina entwined in his arms and legs. Recognizing the scandal that will erupt if she is found with him, he forces her to the window of his room where he lowers her to the ground and tells her to wait for him at a nearby shed. Later when he looks for her she has gone.

Dizo knows he must immediately begin damage control. He returns to Castelmare and arranges a meeting with Gina and her brother, King Lucca. The meeting results in Gina feeling so betrayed that she completely severs any ties she had felt toward Dizo. But, it also reveals the respect and admiration King Lucca holds for Dizo. Not long thereafter it is discovered that one of Gina's body guards took some photographs of Gina and Dizo in Sardinia. This creates a significant potential for a scandal involving both the Kingdoms of Castelmare and Pedrosa. King Lucca boldly moves on the offensive to ward off scandal. The betrothal between Gina and King Nicholas is dissolved. By Royal Decree he authorizes the marriage between his sister, the Princess, and Dizo and the wedding is performed immediately.

The stage is set for the magical journey from chaos, heartbreak, and lost dreams to happily ever after. Ms. Winters does a masterful job with character and plot development as she weaves story threads together to make a word tapestry both unique and beautiful. Although at times I felt my reality button tested, Ms. Winters pulled out a five star reading experience for me.

0 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars rebecca winters, April 9, 2009

By 

DONGQUAN NGUYEN (Hawthorne, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Italian Groom, Princess Bride (Harlequin Romance) (Mass Market Paperback)

I love the book. It's very emotional but not overly so and it's my favorite author.