The Prince's Bride [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Victoria Alexander (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 2002

Once upon a time there was a young debutante of means who dreamed of marrying a prince. So she traveled to London to become . . .

The Prince's Bride

As a poor but proud young lady, Jocelyn Shelton had but one dream: to marry a prince and bring comfort to herself and her family. Now circumstances bring her to London, where her charms could make her wish come true. But her rendezvous with royalty is dangerously interrupted, and she finds herself rescued—and thoroughly kissed—by Rand, Viscount Beaumont . . . a daring man in the service of the king.

To protect her life, Rand whisks her away to the countryside, and to defend her reputation, he agrees to marry the willful beauty. Lady Jocelyn is hardly his first choice as a bride, but beneath her fiery nature he uncovers a tender vulnerability and a sizzling passion. But Rand is keeping a shocking secret-one that, when revealed, could either shake her belief in him or make herrealize that it takes more than blue blood to be a true prince.

--This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Lacking the sympathetic heroine that made her previous Shelton family adventure so charming, Alexander's latest Regency-era romance (after The Marriage Lesson) focuses on Jocelyn, the self-described "pretty one" who's dreamed since she was 10 of marrying a prince. Now the belle of London, Jocelyn captures the attention of Prince Alexei of Avalonia, but her accidental eavesdropping on a conspiracy against Alexei endangers her life, forcing her to marry hastily and flee London. Unfortunately for Jocelyn, her new husband is Rand Beaumont, a "mere" viscount; unfortunately for Rand, Jocelyn doesn't take well the dashing of her princess dreams. Enforced seclusion in the countryside opens the couple's eyes to each other's merits, creating a respect that blooms into love. When the plot against Alexei snares Jocelyn and Rand again, however, Jocelyn is forced to choose between her new love and her longing to see her princess dreams come true. Though Alexander struggles to transform Jocelyn from a title-hungry mercenary into a loving, humorous wife, the change doesn't take, perhaps due in part to Jocelyn's misguided focus on the problems in Avalonia instead of in her own marriage. Readers will rush through this romance with their sights set on the youngest Shelton sister, the irrepressible Becky. (Dec. 4)Forecast: Avon is pushing Alexander, its romance Superleader for December, in an impressive way, and it's no wonder, considering that the author's previous titles have achieved over a 70% sell-through. Although this isn't Alexander's best effort, readers who were hooked by her earlier books will undoubtedly pluck this one off the shelf.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

About the Author

Victoria Alexander was an award-winning television reporter until she discovered fiction was much more fun than real life. She turned to writing full time and has never looked back. Victoria grew up traveling the country as an Air Force brat and is now settled in Omaha, Nebraska, with her husband, two teenaged children, and a bearded collie named Sam. She firmly believes housework is a four-letter word, there are no calories in anything eaten standing up, procrastination is an art form, and it's never too soon to panic.

--This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 467 pages
• Publisher: Wheeler Publishing (August 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1587242672
• ISBN-13: 978-1587242670
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,051,970 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

New York Times bestselling author Victoria Alexander was an award winning television reporter until she discovered fiction was much more fun than real life. She turned to writing full time and is still shocked it worked out.

Since the publication of her first book in 1995, she has written twenty-four full length novels and six novellas. The Perfect Wife--originally published in 1996 and reissued in March 2008--hit #1 on the New York Times list. Sixteen of her books are bestsellers hitting the New York Times, USA Today and/or Publishers Weekly bestseller lists. With books translated into a dozen different languages she has readers around the world and has twice been nominated for Romance's Writers of America prestigious RITA award. In 2009 she was given a Career Achievement Award from RT Bookclub and was named Historical Storyteller of the year in 2003. In 2008 she was the keynote speaker for the Romance Writers of American annual conference in San Francisco. Victoria credits much of her writing success to her experiences as a reporter.

Her years as a broadcast journalist were spent in two radically different areas of the country: Nebraska and West Virginia. In West Virginia, she covered both natural and manmade disasters. She was on the scene when a power plant construction accident in a small town left 52 men dead. She once spent the night on a mountain waiting to learn of the fate of coal miners trapped in a mine collapse. Victoria was producing a newscast when her husband (who worked at the same television station) and several other journalists were held hostage by a disturbed Vietnam veteran. In Nebraska, she reported on the farm crisis and watched people lose land that had been in their families for generations. She covered the story that was the basis of the movie BOYS DON'T CRY and once acted as the link between police and a gunman who had barricaded himself in his home. Her investigative work exposed the trucking of New York City garbage to a small town dump in rural Nebraska.

During her journalism career, Victoria covered every president from Ford to Clinton. She knows firsthand what it feels like to be surrounded by rising floodwaters and inside a burning building. She's interviewed movie stars including Kevin Costner, ridden an elephant and flown in a governor's helicopter. She's covered a national political convention and Pope John Paul II's historic visit to Denver as well as small town festivals celebrating everything from walnuts to Glen Miller. Her work was honored by numerous organizations including the Associated Press who called a feature about a firefighter's school "story telling genius". It was the encouragement she needed to turn from news to fiction. She's never looked back.

Victoria is a former president of the Omaha Press Club and in 2009 was named an OPC Face on the Barroom Floor. A caricature portrait of her joined previous faces including presidents, sports figures and politicians in a tradition that began in 1971.

Victoria claims her love of romance and journalism is to due to the influence of her favorite comic book character: Lois Lane, a terrific reporter and a great heroine who pursued Superman with an unwavering determination. And why not? He was extremely well drawn.

Victoria grew up traveling the world as an Air Force brat. Today, she lives in Omaha, Nebraska with her husband, a son in college and a daughter working in film.

Victoria had two bearded collies, Sam and Louie (named from characters in one of her books). Sam, the best dog in the world for 13 ½ years, passed away in September 2010. Louie has now taken on the position of loyal companion and is doing a fine job even though he doesn't understand that kitchen counter surfing is not allowed!

They live in a house under constant renovation and the accompanying parade of men in tool belts. And never ending chaos. Victoria laughs a great deal--she has to.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An entertaining historical romance, December 4, 2001

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Prince's Bride (Mass Market Paperback)

Even as a little girl, the vain Lady Jocelyn Shelton expected to marry a prince. Now in 1819 as a debutante, anyone of a lesser rank is just not good enough for the conceited Jocelyn. As the diamond of the current season, Jocelyn sets her sights on Crown Prince Alexei Pruzinksy of Greater Avalonia. She is so cocksure of her abilities, she expects Alexei to propose and thus accepts an unchaperoned rendezvous with him. However, Alexei fails to meet her, but instead two assassins believe she has seen and overheard their plot to murder the Prince.

The two killers want Jocelyn dead, but Viscount Rand Beaumont, assigned to keep Alexei safe, vows to protect her. To do that, he needs her out of London and entrenched in a safe house until the thugs are stopped. However, he cannot escort a single young woman by himself unless he marries her. To Jocelyn, life is meaningless with a mere viscount even if she reacts to his regal kisses.

THE PRINCE'S BRIDE is an entertaining historical romance once the readers moves past Jocelyn's princely requirement. Rand is a hunk of a hero and surprisingly readers will ultimately find the lead female protagonist smart and charming. The support cast provides humor or tension depending on their role, but all enhance the relationship between Jocelyn and Rand. Sub-genre fans will relish Victoria Alexander's warm tale.

Harriet Klausner

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars FLAWED HEROINE BUT A PERFECT LOVE STORY, June 20, 2004

By 

V. Seaton "romance4me" (Southeast) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Prince's Bride (Mass Market Paperback)

In the beginning, we see Jocelyn, the heroine as a self-centered and materialistic fortune hunter. However, after overhearing a plot to kill Prince Alexei, Joceyln is forced to run away w/ and marry her protector (who she thinks is next to poor).

This is when the story really becomes interesting. At first, I hated Joceylyn, I'd seen her in The Husband List and The Marriage Lesson. She was so spoiled and mercenary. However, in The Prince's Bride, she really does change for the better--slowly but surely. This is the first time, I've seen such growth in a heroine. By the end of the story, Jocelyn shows just how little fortune and material possessions mean to her (in comparison to love).

The Prince's Bride is packed with suspense, humor, and mystery. Rand is the perfect hero. He will sweep you away! Unlike many romances that only give you a glimpse at the end of the novel, this read allows us to enjoy Rand and Jocelyn as a happy couple at different points throughout the book. There are a few irritating occurences. But, I have to give this book a five because the hero is wonderful and the couple doesn't get caught up in that whole "miscommunication" thing so prevalent in many books.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful "Prince Charming" story..., December 10, 2001

By 

Freelance Reviewer "Carla" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Prince's Bride (Mass Market Paperback)

From the age of ten, Lady Jocelyn Shelton dreamed of becoming a princess. Now, nine years later, it seems her dream may be realized when the visiting, and unmarried, crown prince of the Kingdom of Greater Avalonia takes a definite interest in her at a party given to him by the ton. Agreeing to meet privately with Prince Alexei, confident of a forthcoming marriage proposal, Jocelyn is privy to a conversation between an apparently nefarious scheming couple. They aren't aware that she can't see them without her spectacles, therefore unable to identify them, and one of the dastards throws a knife at her, barely missing her head. Enter Randall, Viscount Beaumont, who promptly kisses Jocelyn to prevent her from screaming, unfortunately allowing the villains to escape.

Rand Beaumont is on a reluctant mission to protect the prince of Avalonia. When a dangerous plot to usurp the prince's position is uncovered and Lady Jocelyn appears to unwittingly be involved, Rand vows to protect her, her reputation and her family. Marriage to the unwilling lady seems the only course of action. Rand has his own secrets that just might turn Lady Jocelyn's dreams into reality, however he prefers to have her fall in love with him for his own merits, not his title or wealth.

THE PRINCE'S BRIDE is a dark and dangerous tale of betrayal, surprising identities and the power of love to overcome all. Victoria Alexander shines in developing characters that leap off the pages with witty and compelling dialogue and storyline to match. One of her more serious novels, Ms. Alexander still adds a dash of humor to this truly romantic fairy-tale story. The banter between Jocelyn and Rand is in turns funny and heartwarming. Prince Alexei is full of surprises that keep the newlyweds on their toes and on the move. Rand's elderly uncle Nigel endears readers with his crusty, yet lovable disposition and propensity for doling out advice, wanted or not.

THE PRINCE'S BRIDE is a lovely tapestry woven around Regency England and the small country of Avalonia, rich in descriptive and narrative prose. Victoria Alexander never fails to enthrall this reader with her incredible imagination and writing skills. I highly recommend this as one of Ms. Alexander's best books to date.