Prince Charming (Ascension Trilogy) [Mass Market Paperback]

Gaelen Foley (Author)

Book Description

Series: Ascension Trilogy | Publication Date: February 1, 2000

"There is star quality in this writer!" raves the Romantic Times about gifted author Gaelen Foley. Her love stories are filled with glorious settings, stunning characters, and unforgettable passion.

Destiny casts its hand one perfect moonlit night when Ascencion's most elusive highwayman, the Masked Rider, chooses the wrong coach to rob.  For inside is Rafael, the prince of the kingdom, renowned for his hot-blooded pursuits of women and other decadent pleasures. The failed raid leaves the equally notorious Masked Rider wounded and facing a hangman's noose. Then Rafe realizes his captive criminal is Lady Daniela Chiaramonte, a defiant beauty who torments him, awakening his senses and his heart as no woman has before.

Dani can only wonder if she's been delivered to heaven or hell once she agrees to marry the most desirable man in the Mediterranean--until forces of treachery threaten to destroy their tenuous alliance and bring down the throne itself. . . .

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Setting: Isle of Ascencion, 1816
Sensuality Rating: 8

On the eve of his 30th birthday, Crown Prince Raffaele Giancarlo Ettore di Fiore feels more like a prisoner than a prince. With his every wish granted and no real work required of him, Rafe is bored. Fate intervenes when his coach is set upon by The Masked Rider, a mysterious highwayman adored by the common folk for his Robin Hood ways. Rafe foils the bandit's attack only to later discover that he's unmasked a lovely young noblewoman. Lady Daniela Chiaramonte is as strong-willed and brave as she is beautiful and when she's drawn into Rafe's world of luxury and power, she becomes an invaluable ally in the storm of events that threaten his once predictable life. With an unknown assassin plotting against the royal family, Rafe's wit, courage, and endurance is tested beyond reason. Perhaps no one but Rafe and Daniela believe that he can save the kingdom; in the end, even the powerful prince might not be able to save the woman he loves.

Convoluted political intrigue, an evil villain, trusty companions, and a fascinating hero and heroine make this action-filled romance an entertaining finish for the trilogy that began with The Pirate Prince and continued with Princess. --Lois Faye Dyer

From Publishers Weekly

Foley's final installment in her historical romance trilogy (following The Pirate Prince and The Princess) is set on the fictional island nation of Ascencion in the early 1800s. When the Masked Rider robs crown prince Rafael de Fiore, he vows revenge. Prince Rafe and his coterie track the thief to an estate, where Rafe meets and becomes interested in the lovely mistress--Lady Daniela Chiaramonte. Prince Rafe is a man with many problems. Although he was raised to rule, he has not been given the opportunities to do so, and for too long he has lived only for his pleasures--until he meets Dani, who does not know if she can believe his sweet words and exotic touch. Soon he discovers that his country's answer to Robin Hood is the lady Dani. The prince is torn between arresting or marrying the spirited young woman whom his countrymen have taken to heart. Foley brings historical accuracy and richly drawn characters, particularly the complex prince, to her romance. (Feb.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Ivy Books (February 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0449006352
• ISBN-13: 978-0449006351
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 0.9 x 6.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (59 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #483,452 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Noted for her 'complex, subtly shaded characters, richly sensual love scenes, and elegantly fluid prose' (Booklist), New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Gaelen Foley has written seventeen rich, bold historical romances set in Regency England and Napoleonic Europe. Her books are available in fifteen languages and have won numerous awards, including the National Readers' Choice Award, the Booksellers' Best, the Golden Leaf, the Award of Excellence, and the HOLT Medallion. To learn more about Gaelen, her novels, and the romantic Regency period in which her novels are set, visit her website at www.gaelenfoley.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Un-put-down-able!, December 12, 2004

By 

RJRo20 - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Prince Charming (Ascension Trilogy) (Mass Market Paperback)

I applaud Gaelen Foley for writing this stunning novel. No way could I put this one down! For the past two nights I've been reading up into the wee hours, unable to stop (even for sleep), to see what would happen to Rafael and his lovely 'ginger cat', Dani. Readers know from the moment they meet that these two are destined for one another. They are so well-matched--in wits, intelligence, and cunning. Rafe is irresistible as Dani is adorable; and as the sophisticated rake takes in the virginal country bumpkin, readers can only expect sparks to fly--which they do! Granted, there aren't enough love scenes, but the romance is certainly there. My only complaint is when Rafe returns to his mistress. Although Foley keeps the encounter brief--and knowing that it plays a critical role in Rafe's reformation as an incorrigible rake--it still was disturbingly graphic!

PRINCE CHARMING is my second Foley novel--with PRINCESS being the first. I have to say that out of the two, the former is far better than the latter. Perhaps my preference falls for Rafael's story, because I too find him so irresistible. Actually, that's half the truth; but really, it's the transformation that Rafe undergoes in this novel. He finally grows up and learns to take responsibility. Furthermore, he finally opens his heart again to take a chance on real love. Rafe and Dani's relationship is really what drives this story and what makes it so poignant and compelling. I rate PRINCE CHARMING as one of the best romances that I've ever read. It's one of those stories that you never want to end. I wish I could give it 10 stars! It's a KEEPER.

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bravo! A wonderful end to a great series., February 1, 2000

By 

Bonnie Gilbert - See all my reviews

This review is from: Prince Charming (Ascension Trilogy) (Mass Market Paperback)

Once again Gaelen Foley has brought us back to Ascencion to revisit the royal family. The crown Prince Rafael is bored. His days are spent playing and his nights womanizing. He is known as Rafe the Rake, until one night he is robbed by a highwayman, the Masked Rider.

Lady Daniela Chiaramonte rides as the Masked Rider in order to pay her taxes and help the people who rely upon her. After a failed attempt to rob the crown prince, her life is forever changed.

When King Lazar and Queen Allegra leave Ascencion to visit their daughter and son-in-law in Spain Rafe is made prince regent and put in charge. The only condition is that he marry and produce an heir to the throne. Rafe reluctantly agrees, but when he captures the Masked Rider and realizes how much his kingdom loves her, he saves her from being hanged and marries her instead.

At first the marriage is just to win the people over, but soon the two fall in love. Their newfound love is constantly put to the test when a jealous cousin plants suspicions in Dani's mind and tries to overthrow Rafe.

If you loved The Pirate Prince and Princess, then Prince Charming is exactly what you've been looking for. Ms. Foley completes this wonderful series and leaves us all wanting more. Can we only hope and cross our fingers that Prince Leo will have a story?

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE JEWEL IN THE CROWN!, April 3, 2000

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Prince Charming (Ascension Trilogy) (Mass Market Paperback)

I'm exhausted because I stayed up until three a.m. to finish this magical book! PRINCE CHARMING is that good. If you like fast-paced books with well-developed characters and conflicts that are fun yet heart-tugging, you'll love PRINCE CHARMING by Gaelen Foley. The villain is very, very bad as well, not to mention facinating. I've read all three books in the Ascencion Trilogy and cannot imagine how this author is going to top herself. Rafael (Rafe the Rake) and Daniela Chiaramonte were meant for each other from the first moment of their exciting meeting to the last page. What's great about PC is that while Rafe and Dani have their differences, they also talk. And the big misunderstanding that's often problematic with romance novels is non-existent here. A truly exciting, magnifique read from rising romance star, Gaelen Foley! Don't walk, RUN out and buy all three books in this trilogy before they are gone: THE PIRATE PRINCE; PRINCESS; AND PRINCE CHARMING. You'll love them.