Tempting the Prince [Mass Market Paperback]

Patricia Grasso (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2007

Beautiful Belle Flambeau relishes her independence even as she dreams of a family of her own. When a vicious attack leaves her with an ugly scar, Belle retreats from society, her hopes of love and courtship dashed. Yet the darkly handsome, wounded stranger who seeks shelter on her property seems intent on proving otherwise, beginning a seduction that is slow, delicious, and utterly scandalous...Prince Mikhail Kazanov wants - nay, needs - a loving, nurturing wife, not one of the shallow, empty-headed fortune hunters vying for his attentions. Drawn to Belle, Mikhail uses subterfuge to woo her. But though their heated attraction explodes into sensual bliss, the truth drives Belle away - and into danger's path. Now, as an enemy makes his violent intentions known, Mikhail must find a way to win Belle's trust again. For with their love - and her life - at stake, he cannot afford to fail...

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

An illegitimate aristocrat faces a determined serial killer and an even more determined suitor in Grasso's latest, a charming but ultimately empty Regency romance. Belle Flambeau is one of seven sisters, the daughters of artistocrats who never married: a French countess, deceased, and an English duke they haven't seen for 15 years. As if her dubious parentage weren't barrier enough to wedded bliss, she's attacked by a serial killer, the Society Slasher, on the way home from her fiancé's and left with a scar across her face. Soon after her betrothed rejects her, Belle meets Mikhail Kazanov, a wealthy prince, who falls instantly in love. But because Belle refuses to go out into society for fear of being seen, Kazanov must contrive an elaborate scheme to court her while feigning blindness. Just when things seem to be going right, Belle is targeted both by the jealous women of the ton and the Slasher, who's determined to finish her off. Alternately entertaining and tedious, this romance features a delightful heroine in Belle, a solid counterpart in Mikhail and a witty supporting cast, but the Slasher mystery proves frustrating; not only is the killer's identity obvious, he never feels like a real threat. Though her characters are a joy, a lack of real conflict hobbles the promising setup. (May)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Zebra Books (May 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0821780727
• ISBN-13: 978-0821780725
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #684,641 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars An Easy Read, May 8, 2007

By 

appifany (Saskatoon) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tempting the Prince (Mass Market Paperback)

I recently bought and read this book and thought the book was alright. It was easy to read and did not require any deep thought. I found that it WAS quite predictable. You were able to guess exactly what was going to happen and you KNEW that there was going to be a happy ending no matter what.

I think that a little more conflict or more to the plot would have made this book a bit more of a challenge and a little bit more entertaining. I enjoy books where the main characters have more spunk. However, it was a fairly decent book that managed to keep my attention.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars delightful Regency romance, May 5, 2007

By 

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

This review is from: Tempting the Prince (Mass Market Paperback)

In 1821 the seven Flambeau sisters each possess a different "gift". Belle, for instance, is blessed with the ability to heal people by touching them. She is contented with her lot as she loves gardening, enjoys helping people and looks forward to her upcoming marriage. Everything changes when Belle is the victim of an ugly assault most likely by the serial killing Society Slasher that though she survives leaves her face scarred and her fiancé dumping her.

Unable to cope the once happy healer hides in her garden, her last place she has any enjoyment. Meanwhile Prince Mikhail "Mick" Kazanov and his daughter Bess want a wife and mother. She suggests he try shopping at the "mummy stores" for a spouse who can tell her fairy tales and loves gardening. Mike knows he found a wife that he and his daughter could love, but Belle rejects his efforts to court her so he works a deal with her father the duke, her siblings, and his daughter to assist his plan to marry the woman he loves.

The latest Flambeau sister and Kazanov brother Regency romance (see PLEASURING THE PRINCE and SEDUCING THE PRINCE) is a delightful tale. The story line is action-packed from the onset with the Slasher doing his horrific deeds while Mick and Bess court Belle. Fans of this princely series will enjoy this fine entry as Belle is one of the most fascinating characters amongst a horde of interesting players especially the Flambeau felines.

Harriet Klausner

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tempting the Prince, May 1, 2007

By 

Storm1234 (Bridgewater, Massachusetts) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tempting the Prince (Mass Market Paperback)

You must buy this book! Ms. Grasso writes another spell binding Flambeau Sister Story mixed in with another tantalizing Kazanov Brother.

You are immediately drawn into Belle's gentle world when tragedy strikes. You feel Belle's soul deep courage and her ache to overcome all the challenges life has thrown in her path and the despair she faces believing no one will love her scarred imperfection. Enter Prince Mikhail who believes, as all arrogant males, he can make her love him. But in the end it is he, Prince Mikhail Kazanov, who is humbled by true love.

The Prince learns that love isn't his to command. In that risking love he must trust that love will return to him. Not an easy challenge while dealing with "The Society Slasher" who threatens the very thing he loves. Ms. Grasso has so artfully crafted an intriguing plot around the strength of her characters that you find yourself turning the pages faster and faster to visit all the charming and intriguing characters from her previous books.

Pleasantly surprising are several subplots that are as intriguing as the main plot. I cannot wait to read the story of Raven Flambeau and Alexander Blake, but first there is the teaser for "Enticing the Prince."