The Perfect Princess (Mass Market Paperback)

by Elizabeth Thornton (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
This satisfying Regency-era romance, the third in a series about fast friends who fought for England during the Napoleonic war (Whisper His Name; Princess Charming), finds Richard Maitland, the fiercely independent head of the Special Branch of British intelligence, facing a death sentence for a murder he didn't commit. Richard's carefully laid plans to escape from Newgate prison are hampered by the arrival of Lady Rosamund Devere, the genteel daughter of the Duke of Romsey, and her childhood friend, Callie. Rosamund, dubbed the "perfect princess" after receiving an offer of marriage from Prince Michael of Kolnbourg, has decided to spice up her proper life by bringing Richard his final meal. When Richard and his trusty friend, Harper, take Rosamund hostage, she finds herself embroiled in a life-threatening adventure. Passion flares between the mismatched couple as they dodge her family and attempt to clear Richard's name. Thornton deftly makes use of two romantic conventions Rosamund spends a lot of time dressed as a boy to evade Richard's enemies, and Richard, wounded for the first part of the novel, must shuck his clothes so that Rosamund can tend to his injury. Steamy sex scenes, fiery repartee and strong characters set this romantic intrigue apart from the usual Regency fare. (Nov. 6)Forecast: Thornton has signed another two-book deal with Bantam, but this shouldn't surprise her many fans. Although print advertising in First for Women and generous praise from Linda Howard and Mary Balogh will boost sales, this title will sell on the strength of Thornton's good name.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
When Lady Rosamunde Devere reluctantly joins her friends on a visit to Newgate Prison, condemned convict Richard Maitland escapes, taking her with him. Richard, former chief of His Majesty's Secret Service, has been framed for murder, and his behavior during their flight convinces Rosamunde that the wounded man is indeed innocent. Now a willing hostage, Rosamunde vows that no matter how dangerous it is, she'll help Richard clear his name. A strong, stubborn woman meets her match in a most unlikely place in this Regency suspense. Lots of action and a very neat twist at the end make this, the sequel to Princess Charming (2000), a winning choice for libraries of all sizes. Shelley Mosley
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Bantam (October 30, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553581236
• ISBN-13: 978-0553581232
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #446,488 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Contrived and inconsistent, December 8, 2004

By	Margaret P. "mhp2027" (Boulder, CO USA) - See all my reviews

Sorry, but I cannot support the general "how great this is" sentiment. Elizabeth Thornton is a talented author, but this particular book is inconsistent and very contrived. All goes well up to our hero's escape from jail, which is interestingly executed and deserves 4 stars. However, from there ... the "who did it" aspect is non-existent (we find out from alternate point-of-view chapters quite early on); her body guards letting her go into a jail without escort is absurd; the author states clearly in the opening that lady is extremely polite and likable, but she doesn't act that way after entering the jail (she immediately transforms into bold adventure woman); the hero keeping her captive for so long feels contrived; everyone you can shake a stick at decides that he is innocent and must be helped; she falls in love with him without him once making her feel desired or desirable; and so on. What this book really needs is a technical reviewer to go through & tighten up all of the loose ends & inconsistencies. The first few chapters promised an lady concerned that she is too nice, too accomodating, too sheltered, and yet unable to change her basic personality. Had that personality been maintained, this would have been a better book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A different kind of story, November 27, 2001

By	vhvn (Los Angeles, California United States) - See all my reviews

In a genre that has become rife with hackneyed and monotonous storylines, Elizabeth Thornton bestows upon us the gift of an extraordinarily unique love story. Though the storyline follows an overused formula, that of the abductor who falls in love with his victim and vice versa, it is one of the few books in which such a situation is able to enhance the romance of the story instead of appearing ridiculously contrived and entirely manufactured for the benefit of allowing the hero and heroine an unlimited amount of time alone together (purely for the sake of trashy love scenes). Instead, the abduction becomes an integral part of the novel because a truly desperate and futile love between the hero and heroine surfaces during this chase through England, a love borne not just from a superficial physical attraction but from grudging respect, reciprocated sacrifice, and a profound trust developed in harrowing moments of life or death.

Of course this still sounds like every other kidnapping story, (or at least what every other kidnapping story is meant to sound like) but what makes this story so uniquely compelling is Thornton's ability to convincingly relay to us the shadow of desperation that enshrouds both the hero and the heroine. The hopelessness of their circumstances is compounded by the wide social chasm that separates them. In a literary genre where social restrictions are spouted but never adhered to, creating worlds in which it is common for serving girls to runoff with lords of the manor, Thornton somehow establishes a believable barrier that is incapable of being so easily brushed aside. Here, consequences are real, life threatening and not easily settled by the whim of one man, however forceful or powerful he may be. Thornton is successful in this because she is able to express the limitations and flaws of both her hero and heroine without casting doubt upon their strength of character. Indeed, the book's overall allure is due largely to these two powerful characters. Neither is young nor naïve, irresponsible, flighty nor governed by emotion. Rather they are two reserved, almost cold people, mature and experienced in the ways of the world with deep values and viewpoints of their own, concealed by traditional social conventions. By sheer strength of character, these two lovers carry the reader through the same gamut of emotions they are forced to undergo during their ordeal, and drive the reader to believe in their circumstances, to believe in their love, and to believe in them.

Therein lies the book's brilliance. Though admittedly, there are imperfections in the storyline, what makes this novel stand separate from the rest is Thornton's is ability to create two such real characters that you are drawn into their desperation, their heartbreak and finally their joy as they surmount all the very real odds against them and ultimately find love.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A TOUCH OF HUMOR, November 25, 2001

By A Customer

This story of stoic Richard Maitland (introduced in "Whisper His Name" and "Princess Charming") will not disappoint. What I really liked, and found a bit surprising for an ET book, was the humor. Since Maitland was always so serious in the books mentioned above, it was a delight to see him in a situation infused with humor and an unconventional heroine. A good plot, with a twist you won't see coming, make this a keeper. Another recommendation I have to make is LAUREN BACH's "LONE RIDER". I like to switch between "historicals" and modern day stories. "Lone Rider" is a sexy thriller. Check it out!