Prince Charming (The Ascension Trilogy)

I applaud Gaelen Foley for writing this stunning novel. No way could I put this one down! For the past two nights I've been reading up into the wee hours, unable to stop (even for sleep), to see what would happen to Rafael and his lovely 'ginger cat', Dani. Readers know from the moment they meet that these two are destined for one another. They are so well-matched--in wits, intelligence, and cunning. Rafe is irresistible as Dani is adorable; and as the sophisticated rake takes in the virginal country bumpkin, readers can only expect sparks to fly--which they do! Granted, there aren't enough love scenes, but the romance is certainly there. My only complaint is when Rafe returns to his mistress. Although Foley keeps the encounter brief--and knowing that it plays a critical role in Rafe's reformation as an incorrigible rake--it still was disturbingly graphic! PRINCE CHARMING is my second Foley novel--with PRINCESS being the first. I have to say that out of the two, the former is far better than the latter. Perhaps my preference falls for Rafael's story, because I too find him so irresistible. Actually, that's half the truth; but really, it's the transformation that Rafe undergoes in this novel. He finally grows up and learns to take responsibility. Furthermore, he finally opens his heart again to take a chance on real love. Rafe and Dani's relationship is really what drives this story and what makes it so poignant and compelling. I rate PRINCE CHARMING as one of the best romances that I've ever read. It's one of those stories that you never want to end. I wish I could give it 10 stars! It's a KEEPER.

Having now read all of the books in the Ascencion trilogy, you come away with the feeling that being royal kinda sucks! You get told what to do, when to do it, how to do it, forced into marriages you don't want and on top of all that there are the abduction and assasination attempts. Sheesh! Are the perks worth it? That's what Rafe might wonder as he struggles to assert himself as Prince in the shadow of his larger than life father, the god-like King Lazar. Rafe made a serious and careless mistake when he was 19 that haunts him to this day and makes him feel inadequate to succeed his father. As a tender young lad, he made the mistake of falling for an older, treacherous woman who wound up betraying Ascencion to the French based on information she stole from Rafe. Ascencion survived (thanks to the scrumptious Darius!) but Rafe has never lived it down or forgiven himself 10 years later. Now no one takes him seriously, so why even try? Poor baby - though a spoiled, self indulgent pleasure seeker, you just can't help but love Rafe! He's sweet, good natured, easy going, funny and a lot smarter than people give him credit for. You really root for him to finally grow up and get over himself and take control of his life. Lady Daniela Chiaramonte has lived a completely different kind of life. The life of former aristocrats who have lost everything. Her father ruined the family with drink and gambling after losing his wife in childbirth. Now Dani must find some way to make ends meet, take care of Grandfather and pay the taxes. So she becomes a highwayman robbing the rich carriages of the prince's idle, useless friends and sets about redistributing the wealth. But one night, she robs the wrong coach - the Prince's - and narrowly escapes with her life. But her friends are caught and she must try to rescue them. She is caught in the attempt and is brought before the Prince who had met and attempted to seduce Lady Daniela before discovering that she is the infamous (and popular) Masked Rider. He offers her a deal - marry him and she saves herself and her friends and helps the prince to improve his standing with the people of Ascencion. Dani is stunned by the offer but has no choice but to accept. Secretly, though, she is attracted to this golden prince who could have any woman in the world. How can she, an unsophisticated tomboy hold onto a man like that?From there, we deal with trust issues, court intrigue, blossoming romance, possible poisoning and Machiavellian plotting. Can the fragile feelings building between Rafe and Dani survive it all?I just adore all of Gaelen Foley's books. Her characters are realistic, flawed, interesting and lovable. I know some took issue with the parenting of Allegra and Lazar, but I think it was all the more realistic that they were not the perfect parents. Royal parents rarely are as demonstrated regularly by the royal families of England, Monaco, etc!

I'm exhausted because I stayed up until three a.m. to finish this magical book! PRINCE CHARMING is that good. If you like fast-paced books with well-developed characters and conflicts that are fun yet heart-tugging, you'll love PRINCE CHARMING by Gaelen Foley. The villain is very, very bad as well, not to mention facinating. I've read all three books in the Ascencion Trilogy and cannot imagine how this author is going to top herself. Rafael (Rafe the Rake) and Daniela Chiaramonte were meant for each other from the first moment of their exciting meeting to the last page. What's great about PC is that while Rafe and Dani have their differences, they also talk. And the big misunderstanding that's often problematic with romance novels is non-existent here. A truly exciting, magnifique read from rising romance star, Gaelen Foley! Don't walk, RUN out and buy all three books in this trilogy before they are gone: THE PIRATE PRINCE; PRINCESS; AND PRINCE CHARMING. You'll love them.

Gaelen Foley's Ascension trilogy (The Pirate Prince, Princess, and Prince Charming) is one of the best historical romance series I've ever read. Foley's characters are vivid, compelling, and human. Their relationships are complex, believable, and HOT. The setting is a Mediterranean fantasy land; after reading the books, I felt as if I had been on a tropical cruise! The plots are breathtakingly exciting. I kept thinking, "What on earth will happen next?" and couldn't wait to turn the page and find out. I read the three books as fast as I could, but was sad when my vicarious adventures in Ascension came to a close. Absolutely delightful!