The Rancher's Runaway Princess (Harlequin Romance) [Mass Market Paperback]

Donna Alward (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 13, 2009 | Series: Harlequin Romance (Book 4074)

Brooding ranch owner Brody Hamilton keeps his heart out of reach. But there's something about vivacious stable manager Lucy that brings joy to his hardened soul.

Lucy Farnsworth has just discovered she's of royal blood. She should be glad, but it has blown her world apart, and she finds herself just wanting to be the old Lucy again. At Prairie Rose Ranch, Lucy's found the man who makes her feel she belongs. Only, she hasn't told him she's a princess....

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Donna Alward has the best job in the world: a combination of stay-at-home mom and romance novelist. In 2001 she penned her first novel, and found herself hooked on writing romance. In 2006 she sold her first manuscript, and now writes for Harlequin’s Romance line from her home in Nova Scotia, Canada. Donna loves to hear from readers; you can contact her through her website at www.donnaalward.com, visit her myspace page at www.myspace.com/dalward or through her publisher.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Harlequin (January 13, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373175647
• ISBN-13: 978-0373175642
• Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 4.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #610,659 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #18 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Romance > Series > Harlequin Romance

More About the Author

A busy wife and mother of three (2 daughters and the family dog), Donna Alward believes hers is the best job in the world; a combination of stay-at-home mom and romance novelist.

An avid reader since childhood, Donna always made up her own stories. She completed her Arts Degree in English Literature in 1994, but it wasn't until 2001 that she penned her first full-length novel, and found herself hooked on writing romance. In 2006 she sold her first manuscript, and now writes warm, emotional stories for Harlequin's Romance line.

From her new home office in Nova Scotia, Donna loves being back on the East Coast of Canada after nearly 12 years in Alberta where her Harlequin career began, writing about cowboys and the west. Donna's debut Romance, Hired by the Cowboy, was awarded the Booksellers Best Award in 2008 for Best Traditional Romance.

With the Atlantic Ocean only minutes from her doorstep, Donna has found a fresh take on life and promises even more great romances in the near future!

Donna loves to hear from readers; you can contact her through her website at www.donnaalward.com, visit her myspace page at www.myspace.com/dalward or through her publisher.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful weekend read, February 14, 2009

By 

Nancy Cassidy "Lilly Cain" (Lr Sackville, Nova Scotia Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Rancher's Runaway Princess (Harlequin Romance) (Mass Market Paperback)

The Rancher's Runaway Princess by Donna Alward

Lucy Farnsworth has lost her balance. Her roots have been heaved up with the loss of her mother and the discovery that her father is actually alive and the monarch of a far away country. Joining him as Princess is a promise she made to her mother, but her heart yearns for something simpler, something pure. Only in the company of horses does she find some solace. In desperation to prove herself to her father, she embarks on a journey to enrich her father's royal stables by making an agreement with a successful ranch owner in Canada. The difficulty lies in working with Brody Hamilton, the ranch's owner. He's sexy, moody, and confusing.

Brody's life has been anything but easy and he resents the people that play "princess" - his ex wife taught him that lesson all too well, abandoning him in the darkest time of his life. With the loss of his family, Brody took on the ranch by himself. Now he has an opportunity to really put it on the map - an agreement with a Royal stable. But the negotiation isn't easy when the beautiful woman sent by the King is clearly hiding something. He can't bring himself to trust another princess.

In keeping her identity secret, Lucy engages Brody's suspicions. In turn he hides his difficulties from her. As the two work out their differences, they also find a sense of belonging, a bond that blooms with sensuality and finally love.

This book has a lovely flow to it - it pulls you along with the evolution of the characters in a way that leaves you with a smile on your face. Well written and descriptive, this book is a wonderful weekend read.

5.0 out of 5 stars The Rancher's Runaway Prince, February 20, 2009

By 

M. Nix - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Rancher's Runaway Princess (Harlequin Romance) (Mass Market Paperback)

Brody Hamilton is the owner of a ranch and is looking to make an alliance with the royal family of Marazur and their world-renowned horse stables. Lucy Farnsworth is representing the royal family as she heads to Hamilton's ranch to broker a deal. What she isn't telling them is she is the princess, something she only found out a few months ago.

Brody has been hurt before by a woman who lied to him and he has no patience or trust for anyone hiding secrets. He knows Lucy isn't telling him something, but even so, he can't help but be intrigued by her. Lucy is emotionally fragile and the comfort she finds at the ranch, and in Brody, is something she has been missing. But they come from different worlds and love may not be enough to bridge the gap.

The Rancher's Runaway Princess has all the elements of what many women dream of - love, dark, handsome men, royalty. Brody is that wounded kind of man most women want to wrap their arms around and make everything better. Lucy is very fragile, but when she's not crying, she's a fun, competent woman. With a fairy tale ending, this is a classic romantic adventure.

Niki Lee

Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

5.0 out of 5 stars The Rancher's Runaway Princess, February 1, 2009

By 

Anita Draper "wreader (writer/reader)" (Saskatchewan, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Rancher's Runaway Princess (Harlequin Romance) (Mass Market Paperback)

This is another excellent book from Donna Alward and it's going on my 2009 Top 10 list! Using the majestic Rockies as a backdrop, Donna Alward weaves lonely despair and heartbreak together into an emotion-packed story that had me crying on pg 46 no less.

In the past few months, Lucy Farnsworth's world has been ripped apart upon the death of her mother and she's been expected to settle half a world away with strangers. The only thing that Lucy finds familiar are the palace horses where she shines in her knowledge. Not knowing what to do with his newfound daughter, the king sends her on a business trip to an Alberta ranch. Lucy wants to hide out and doesn't tell anyone she's really a princess. And there, in the stable, Lucy finds the daughter of a familiar horse from when her mother was alive and it threatens to be her undoing.

And who happens to witness the scene but the ranch owner, Brody Hamilton who believes Lucy is not who she seems. He thinks she's out to sabotage his current set-up although he can't figure out why. There's just something...shady...about Ms Farnsworth. Not only that, Brody is physically drawn to the woman even though she reminds him too much of his ex-wife.

It's just as well Lucy and Brody are trying to act nonchalant towards each other because if they ever did step up to a physical as well as emotional relationship, what would Brody do when he finds out her royal status?

Heat Level: Sensual

My Rating: Excellent - 5 stars (Top 10 list)

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