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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Once and Future King, September 20, 2009
This review is from: The Once And Future Prince (Silhouette Desire) (Mass Market Paperback)
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.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"At Her Royal Ex-Lover's Command", June 19, 2009
This review is from: The Once And Future Prince (Silhouette Desire) (Mass Market Paperback)
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.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Emotionally charged and totally captivating, May 4, 2009
This review is from: The Once And Future Prince (Silhouette Desire) (Mass Market Paperback)
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.
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