When We Meet Again

This was another terrific romance from an author who has the ability to break down her characters souls and feed their emotional struggles onto the pages. The reader will feel the despair, the heartbreak, passion and the joy of Alexei and Pamela in this very excellent character driven romance. Alexei is an alpha male and Pamela is the spirited woman who captures his heart. Alexei and Pamela love for each other builds slowly and deepens until you can almost feel it. I really enjoyed the characters, as they were very likeable. I love a book with lots of drama! The characters are colorful and unforgettable and make you want to yell at them one minute, next give them a shoulder to cry on , Next laugh out loud, and next feel their passion. The story and plot were entertaining and the heroine was spunky and fun. I laughed so hard at the dialogue and wit in between the characters. I was sad to have it end, but satisfied at the ending!

Victoria Alexander provides a delightful cast of characters, an intriguing plot and a touch of humor to this exciting historical romance with a sensual twist. Miss Pamela Effington visits Venice in 1818, accompanied by her aunt, Lady Millicent Smythe-Windom, and her cousin, Lady Clarissa Overton. The three traveling companions are inseparable, ever since Pamela fled London rather than face scandal after a cursory affair. Since that horrible mistake, Pamela has blossomed into a competent, independent woman. One determined to experience a little more of life. What harm could there possibly be in a simple affair with the prince she meets at a masked ball? A prince who has a reputation for bedding half the women of Europe? He would certainly never remember her, let alone recognize her in public. Not with her mask or the darkened room where they are intimate. Even though four years pass, she can't quite forget the prince who called her La Serenissima - the serene one. Or his sexy touch. Prince Alexei Pruzinsky had it all: Title, wealth and ultimately, a throne. Although his reputation is highly exaggerated, he has had his share of women. Yet only one remains in his memory. La Serenissima. Then Alexei's father dies and the Russian Empire assimilates his beloved country, Avalonia. Alexei is given an ultimatum: he can become the figurehead of Avalonia, a mere puppet to Russia's rule; or he could fight to keep Avalonia free. The latter would mean war - the ultimate slaughter of his people and the destruction of the country he loves. Both are unacceptable. When his younger brother, Prince Nikolai, insists on fighting Russia, Alexei sends him away. Then, resigned to his fate, Alexei reluctantly heads for London to be in the country where his sister and cousin reside. Since he has to establish residency to obtain the funds that will insure he will have an income upon which to live, he settles into a grand house, a rental more than large enough for himself and his loyal aides, Captain Dimitri Petrov, and his former chief advisor, Count Roman Stefanovich. Then his cousin, Princess Valentina, arrives. She tried to take the throne from Alexei in the past and is the last person he feels he can trust. She is also a woman without funds or country and, even though she's his nemesis, he doesn't have the heart to send her way. When Pamela, Millicent and Clarissa are informed that they have inherited funds and an estate in London, they have no desire to return to England. But they are given no choice. In order to inherit, they too must remain on the estate for six months. When they arrive at the estate a short time later, they discover that Prince Alexei and his entourage are already in residence - and that the Prince's lease is legal cannot be broken. Pamela is more than a little upset. She fears that the Prince will recognize her, and is inwardly disappointed when he doesn't. Even so, they have no choice but to share the vast living quarters, out of necessity.

Victoria Alexander has written another great story! I won't go into the plot because other reviewers already have and you could just read the excerpt and get a taste of the story for yourself, but I will say this is a funny, sexy and wonderfully romantic story. The hero, Prince Alexei and the heroine, Pamela Effington, are interesting, charming, intelligent, and very passionate, fully developed characters. As we watch their ardent romance unfold, the author gives them many scenes filled with touching, thoughtful, stimulating, clever and just plain terrific dialogue, that allows the reader to really get to `know' the characters and realize they're perfect for each other. The story also has a great cast of secondary characters that are lively, notable and laugh out loud funny. I thought it was great that the author allowed many of the secondary characters to achieve their `second chance' at love too. This was a very entertaining story, that drew me in from the very first page. Ms. Alexander's lighthearted, fast paced and humorous style is always a winner.

Prince Alexei Pruzinsky of Avalonia is arrogance personified, dangerously charming, and a master at the art of seduction. He meets a mysterious young woman at a masked ball and spends one night in bed with her. His heart is touched in ways he has never felt before. They both know that marriage is impossible due to their stations, however, Alexei is upset that she refuses to take off her mask or tell him her name. Miss Pamela Effington fled London six years ago rather than face scandal, thanks to George Fenton, son of Viscount Penwick, bragging to his buddies. She lives and travels with Aunt Millicent, who uses her widowhood and vast wealth to live as she pleases. It seems that Aunt Millicent is known world wide by all who matter. Pamela knows it is not safe to succumb to Alexei, yet she now has takes with her a glorious memory to cherish forever. Imagine Pamela's surprise when she finds Alexei and his staff occupying the London townhouse that she has recently inherited. Aunt Millicent suggests that Pamela and Alexei pretend to be engaged. This would help ease Pamela back into Society's good graces. After all, no one could think badly of her if a PRINCE wishes to wed her. When she breaks the engagement later, every eligible man will beg for her hand in marriage. However, Alexei finds himself drawn to Pamela without knowing why and Pamela is desperately keeping her secrets. ***** The author includes a character named Valentina. She is Alexei's traitorous cousin. She has spent her life trying to kill Alexei, for Avalonia's own good of course. Valentina resides in the townhouse as well, claiming to have changed. As much as I really wanted to hate Valentina, I simply could not! The author did such a fantastic job on this character that she actually steals the show often. I dearly hope that Valentina gets her own story. The very idea is tantalizing! Author Victoria Alexander has done an outstanding job in this tale. The heroine is someone that today's ladies can easily look up to. For best results, read this novel just before going to bed. Guaranteed to give you some memorable dreams. I tell that from experience. ***** Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.