My Dark Prince

The best thing about My Dark Prince? It's an emotionally mature love story. Julia Ross described love like I believe it should be: intense, wise, selfless; love as its own reward. This is a book about two adults who are in control of their own actions; the hero and heroine are not the victims of their own uncontrollable emotions. This is not a relationship composed entirely of panting and smoldering looks where intense lust substitutes for love. Nicholas and Penny talk to one another a lot - they actually communicate - and the dialogue is excellent. Penny in particular - every time she opened her mouth I thought: Exactly! As a result, the circumstances keeping them apart are very nearly insurmountable. For once, I couldn't think of a solution before anyone else in the novel. As for the rest? It's pretty steamy and Nicholas is an excellent alpha male. Characters are fully-rounded and compelling, from the hero and heroine to every last member of the supporting cast. The writing is excellent - my only complaint there would be that sometimes the dialogue is too 'composed' and the characters cram ten classical references into a single perfect sentence.

OK, I've read the reviews and they are definitely mixed. Here's the thing: Julia Ross's books should not be considered "romance" novels in the 20th or 21st century sense. They are much more in the tradition of 19th century romantic novels. Much more akin to the Bronte sisters and others of their ilk - stories like "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall", "Jane Eyre" (my favorite book of all time) or maybe Trollope's "The Way we Live Now" or Richardson's "Clarissa Harlow". If you are looking for an easy read, a typical or lighthearted romance ala Lindsey, Coulter, Laurens, etc., Ms Ross's books may not be for you. It can be difficult to adjust to the cadence and language the author uses (I usually struggle a bit with the first chapter or two), but once you do, it is definitely worth it!The Dark Prince, Grand Duke Nicholas is truly quite dark. There were times I hated him; then there were times I adored him. Was he Machiavellian manipulator or tortured, but sweet soul trying to do the right thing? This book was an emotional rollercoaster for me wondering when Nicholas was being sincere and when he was being calculating.Penny was the stalwart, straightforward English girl who dared to talk to this prince as no one ever had. She even dared to touch the "sacred person"! She is bound and determined to bring out the goodness and light in him - to salvage the small, kind, happy boy he had been before he was ripped from his home in the English countryside and taken to the Alpine kingdom of Glarien where he learned about royalty, cruelty, deviancy, manipulation and survival.His cousin Carl Zanich is the evil presence in the book. And he is evil. He revels in humiliation, domination and mind games and he wants the crown. Nicholas must do what ever it takes to ensure that that does not happen - Glarien would be lost in Carl's hands. That's where Penny comes in. Her resemblance to Nicholas's fiance the Princess Sophia has brought her into the royal sphere. She must impersonate the Princess (who has been kidnapped by Carl) at the wedding, speaking Sophia's vows in order to ensure Nicholas' crown and that Glarien is not swallowed up by the other European powers after Napoleon's defeat.Penny and Nicholas play their parts, but what happens when feelings get mixed up in the fantasy they are acting out? Will they be the same once the pretense is ended or irrevocably changed?I loved this book. A classic.

I've enjoyed the author's other books written as Jean R. Ewing, but this was really terrific, almost written like a fairy tale, but without the schmaltz. A zippy heroine (but not TOO zippy) who has a brain and a very imperfect hero (he was almost too imperfect, but ended up okay). The villain was just as evil as he should have been. I devoured this book on a rainy Sunday afternoon and wish I had more books like it lined up to read, but fear I face a stack of less imaginative Regency novels. Oh well--Jean--can you get Mary Balogh or MJ Putney to hurry up with another book until your next one comes out??

This Scottish author must have been weaned on the great Dorothy Dunnett, as her highly dramatic dialogue entertains in the same enthralling way....but her story is more readable, NOT weighted down with tons of politics and history. As in all good romances, the focus is strongly on the developing relationship, but the plot and supporting characters are complex and finely drawn. The imaginary country and language were a little odd. Couldn't we just have been in Austria? But her lyrical prose illuminates her scenes like the best impressionist art, and the English countryside and fairytale castle in the Alps were vividly portrayed. If you loved Laura Kinsale's "The Prince of Midnight", or are a fan of Diana Gabaldon, you will like this book. Her other 2 books (Julia Ross Ewing) are also dramatic, highly emotional reading. This is the best book I've read so far this year...bumping off Crusie, and Evanovich easily!

This was a superb find for a jaded romance reader like myself. An excellent, well written and intelligent book. A refreshingly different story with a surprising array of twists. In Julia Ross' hands, even a fictional country like Glarien is credible. (I certainly hope we get the chance to return!) Nicholas and Penny are wonderfully developed by way of their thoughts and interactions. This romance novel doesn't need a plot device to produce the requisite "sexual tension". You only need these two to stay in a room long enough and....whosh! What impressed me even more was the incredible fullness of her secondary characters. Carl, the darkest character of the novel, was more complex than the traditional "evil" character. I can't recall when have I seen such an ensemble of compelling characters ~ All in one book! Last but not least is the richness of historical content; skillfully interwoven between fiction and fact.This is a book that must be savored without distractions. I still can't believe my good fortune in finding this book. Thank You Julia Ross!