Enticing the Prince

Set in London, 1821. Katerina Pavlova Garibaldi, the Contessa de Salerno, creates priceless jewelry. This is how she supports her family. Five years ago her sister, Alina, died while giving birth to a baby girl. Alina died with the name of Prince Drako Kazanov on her lips. Katerina and her brother, Hektor, do not know if Alina was trying to point an accusing finger at Drako or wanted his help. Their father and another sister, Ilya, died around the same time. Within a scant day, Katerina's family had been destroyed and she was determined to have vengeance. When several members of the Kazanov royal family come to London, Katerina has her chance. Prince Drako Kazanov is enticed by Katerina upon sight. The lady is giving him the cold shoulder even though he can tell she is attracted to him. The arrogant aristocrat wants her in his bed and is sure the chase will be a delight; however, Drako never thought he may become smitten with Katerina. As the two circle each other warily, Society watches in amusement. But the Blonde Brigade is seething with jealousy and have plans of their own. Soon there are attempts on the lives of Katerina and Drako. Alexander Blake, the Marquis of Basildon, and Raven Flambeau, an amateur sleuth with the ability to receive impressions from objects, begin investigating the murder attempts. Raven entices her way into the Blonde Brigade in order to ferret out any possible clues. By doing so, her sisters consider her to be a traitor and Raven must wonder how long she can hold onto her charade. ***** This is part of the author's Prince titles series. Alexander and Raven have an ongoing Slasher investigation. There are even some secondary characters in this tale that were main characters in previous ones. Though each title is a stand-alone story, they also seem to over-lap each other. So if you read the other books by Patricia Grasso, you cannot help but feel as if you are part of the "In" crowd. The best part of this particular story is, in my humble opinion, the spectacular ending. No peeking! ***** Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

In 1821 London, Contessa Katerina Garibaldi informs her younger teenage brother Hektor that she plans to soon kill Russian Prince Drako Kazenov who she believes murdered her half-sister Alina and half-brother Ilya leading to the death of their father. Hektor tries to reason with her, but fails. Two months earlier renowned jeweler Katerina provides a special brooch gift to her best patron Duchess Roxanne Campbell to celebrate the weddings of two of her step-daughters to Russian princes. Roxanne thanks Katrina by inviting her to attend the Beltane Ball she is hosting; the jeweler accepts as she can meet new clients so that her younger sisters, Hektor and her daughter Viveka can continue to live a quality life. At a ball she meets Drako who she wants dead, but is attracted to him; he desires her too. Russian prince Yuri also wants Katerina although she puts him off. Drako hates Yuri whose seduction of his fiancé Raisa led to her suicide. Roxanne's husband the Duke warns Drako to beware of the Blond Brigade as the snobbish trio wants royalty as their spouse. Yuri warns Katerina to avoid Drako whose fiancé took her life; Drako warns Katerina to avoid Yuri who ruins women. Roxanne names Katerina queen of the ball and she names Drako her king. They dance and he kisses her; she slaps him and leaves. Thus the players are in place for Katerina to follow her heart battling between the new love and a hate she has carried for five years. The latest "Prince" Regency romance is an excellent entry due to the strong characterizations. The support cast is solid and includes returning lead characters from the well written previous novels to include the Flambeau sisters while the romance is fun to follow as the heroine is confused about her feelings unlike Drako. The mysteries enhance a fine tale although some might quibble about Katerina's reactions to Drako. Harriet Klausner