Pleasuring the Prince

Pleasuring the Prince by Patricia Grasso is the first book in the Flambeau series, but it is also in the Kazanov series as well (fourth or fifth book?). Confusing, I know, but the stories overlap. I read the second book in the Flambeau story first, and then went back and purchased this one because I liked the second one so much. I enjoyed this book as well and would highly recommend it to lovers of historical romance. This story is about Fancy Flambeau, an opera singer and the oldest Flambeau sister, and Russian prince Stepan Kazanov. Stepan is instantly captivated by Fancy when he hears her sing at the opera house. Fancy though won't be swayed by a prince because she has seen how her mother loved her (already married) father until she died. Fancy does not want to be anyone's mistress, not even a prince's mistress. With a serial murderer on the loose though and threatening Fancy, Stepan makes it his business in keeping her safe whether she likes it or not. We also get introduced to Fancy's real father, who she hates with a passion for leaving her mother. I love Fancy and Stepan, but I also love the secondary characters, like Fancy's sisters and close friend, Alexander. Each sister possesses a small psychic ability that drew me more into the story. Fancy can see and sense things such as spirits. I can't wait to read each of the sister's story and hope that Ms. Grasso will hurry up with them. I especially can't wait to read Raven, the youngest sister, and Alex's story. This book lays the foundation for other Flambeau sister books so there are several subplots going, plus readers get introduced to each Flambeau sister and their talent. We also get to visit with some of the other Kazanov brothers from previous stories. Some readers may not like the book for having that many subplots and secondary characters, but I did not feel like it took away from the romance between hero and heroine. Pleasuring the Prince is just a great fast and easy historical romantic read that you can just enjoy without having to think too much about. Kudos to Ms. Grasso for another winner. 5 stars!

Fancy Flambeau is the girl next door, a caring and loving sister and promises her heart belongs to the stage. Not to any man, especially the aristocratic man who abandoned her and her sisters and left her mother to die of a broken heart. Prince Stepan Kazanov seems to be the Playboy everyone thinks he is, but there's a whole side to this very complex gentleman that makes even my jaded heart ache. Prince Stepan tempts Fancy at every turn. Their fractious and sensual courtship takes a turn toward danger. The Rose Petal Murderer who has been preying upon opera singers and dancers has struck close to home and upon the heart of the Flambeau family. (Reader, I will not give up any point of this wonderful plot.) The wayward father of the Flambeau sisters offers his home to the girls. Fancy Flambeau is unable to forgive this man and refuses his home, but agrees that her sisters should seek shelter there. Prince Stepan is desperate to keep Fancy Flambeau safe and launches an elaborate plan to kidnap her. These two head-strong characters finally give into temptation. Fancy fights till the end unwilling to give up her hard earn independence, but learns that with love with the right Prince, she can have it all. Reader be prepared to take a journey with wonderful characters and a plot woven with intrigue, love and the promise of more stories in the future.

Ms. Grasso's latest Kazanov series romance is a charming addition to this entertaining family. Stepan and Fancy's romance is romantic, humorous, and above all engaging. Fancy is not going to repeat her mother's mistake. She refuses to fall in love and especially with an aristocrat. Prince Stepan Kazanov is rich, aristocratic, and doesn't know the meaning of the word no. Fancy tries hard but no matter how many walls she puts up around her heart Stepan manages to worm his way into her heart. Will she be able to trust him with her heart or will her mother's past color her future? Stepan is entranced with Fancy Flambeau and it's not long before he realizes he loves her and will do what he can to make her his. But her father a Duke of the Realm has left deep and lasting scars on her heart. There is also a serial killer killing women and he fears that Fancy might be his next victim. He needs to keep her safe while proving he won't hurt her like her father did. Will he be able to do this or will he loose her? This was a very entertaining read. Ms. Grasso has introduced some more entertaining characters that I hope will be featured in upcoming stories. Fancy and Stepan's romance is romantic and it was grand fun to revisit with old friends. This is a read I recommend you not miss and I look forward to the next grand adventure Ms. Grasso has planned.

In 1821 Fancy Flambeau debuts at London's Royal Opera House when Prince Stepan Kasanov asks to see her afterward. She wants to decline because she hates the aristocracy having been deserted by her upper crust sire, but they meet anyway. He also meets her six younger sisters and escorts them home as it is dangerous with the Rose Petal killer preying on performers for women to walk unescorted. Stepan begins seeing Fancy while also being kind to her sisters. At a ball hosted by Stepan's relatives the Duke and Duchess of Inverary, Fancy sings, but is nasty to the Duke who is her father. She tells him she waited by the window anytime it rained for years hoping he would visit, but he never did. He regrets his actions and invites her and his other daughters to live safely with him. Fancy agrees to allow her siblings to stay with the duke, but not her. As Stepan and Fancy fall in love, he worries that the Rose Petal killer targets her so he risks all to keep his beloved safe, but the serial killer proves quite clever. Readers will enjoy the strong likable lead characters and find fascinating the unique paranormal skills of each of the Flambeau sisters though Fancy's constant shrill about the aristocracy can become tiresome. The Rose Petal serial killer provides an interesting subplot that will have the audience wondering who he is. Fans of Regency paranormal romantic suspense will gain immense pleasure from Patricia Grasso's fine work and look forward to future tale starring the siblings. Harriet Klausner

Fancy Flambeau is determined to take her place as a great actress on the London stage and she is just as determined to never become an aristocrat's mistress. Her mother had been the mistress to an English lord and bore him seven daughters; only to find herself discarded. Fancy has sworn to never trod the path that broke her mother's heart but when Prince Stepan Kazanov begins to pursue her, she finds resisting his seduction more and more difficult. Stepan intends for Fancy to be his wife, not his mistress. But in order to win her hand, Stepan must first convince Fancy that all aristocrats are not the same. And, he has to help her face the father that so hurt her in the past. If that isn't enough, there is a killer who is targeting the women of the city and Fancy finds herself directly involved with the investigation. When it comes to historical romance, Patricia Grasso is at the top of my list! I can't get enough of her Kazanov brothers and have eagerly awaited Pleasuring the Prince. I was not disappointed; Stepan and Fancy heat up the pages! I also become so involved in Fancy's struggle to find forgiveness for her father and the emotional depth of that conflict. I literally hated to turn the last page. But Ms. Grasso's true gift is in her excellent character development. Throughout the book you meet and fall in love with her secondary characters; characters so well written, you know they are going to be featured in future stories. Lovers of historical romance take my advice; pick up a copy of Pleasuring the Prince. You'll be glad you did! After reading this delightful book, you'll add Patricia Grasso to your auto-buy list too! Melissa Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed