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Summary: The Princess and The Gypsy - A Tale Of Forbidden Love!
Review: Serafina is the Royal Princess and "Jewel of Ascencion" - Ascencion being a mythical island off the Italian coast, resembling Sicily and Corsica in nature. She is a 20 year old beauty; a willful, fairy-like creature. Every prince in Europe wants to marry her, as do many wealthy commoners. Her heart is taken, however. Since her earliest childhood she has adored her bodyguard and adopted older brother, Darius Santiago.Twenty years earlier, when Darius was just 14, the King and Queen rescued him from his destitute life on the streets. He was wild and starving - but he managed, at his young age, to save the Queen's life. Since that time, he has been raised, educated and trusted as one of their own. Santiago is a dark hero, who keeps to himself, trusting no one - understandable, considering his past. He had risen in the ranks to Captain of the Royal Guard by age 20, and now, at 34, is Commander of an elite armed force and a spy for the King. He is the bastard son of a Spanish Count and a gypsy mother. His mother cared nothing for Darius and abandoned him; his father, a cruel and brutal man, cared nothing for him. Although he has noble half-brothers, they are not worthy of their rank or their inheritance. So, the Count, recognized his illegitimate son before he died, and Darius is now a wealthy man. His adopted family does not know this, however, because to Darius, his wealth and official position in society makes no difference. In his mind, he is still the abandoned offspring of a gypsy and a Spanish Grandee. He constantly tries to prove himself worthy of the Royal family's trust and affection. The most difficult thing he has ever had to do is ignore Serafina's love and pretend indifference to her. How could he betray her parents by declaring his love for their only daughter? The Emperor Napoleon is ruling and conquering Europe as the novel begins. He needs the Ascencion Navy if he is to defeat the British. All the unmarried Bonaparte brothers and Napoleon's stepson have been offered as marriage choices for Serafina, in return for a political alliance. Neither Serafina nor her parents want such an alliance with France. So, the Princess becomes betrothed, out of duty, to a Russian general and nobleman - who murdered his first wife and is planning to overthrow the Tzar. The man is a ruthless brute. Darius has discovered this information while in Russia, doing a background check on the prospective groom, at the request of Ascencion's King. He returns home with the information in time to rescue Serafina from an attempted kidnapping by Napoleon's henchmen. Thus begin a series of events and adventures that will put lives in danger and risk the island kingdom...as well as the love between Serafina and Darius. I really liked much of the plot, especially the historical detail. However, there were quite a few incidents that were totally unbelievable, including Santiago's plot against France's Emperor. I don't want to disclose more detail and ruin the story for those who have yet to read it. The pace of the novel is slow at first because of repetitious information and unnecessary dialogue. Much of the dialogue between Serafina and Santiago, especially in the novel's early stages, is totally fatuous. She sounds much too juvenile, as a woman, to have earned the love of a man 14 years her senior. Mature young women of that age do exist...but she does not come off as one of them. I would have rated the book 5 stars except for the annoying flaws mentioned above. I do look forward to reading the first book in the series, "The Pirate Prince."
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Summary: Another winner from Foley!
Review: This was a wonderful love story between Darius and Serafina! He was a truly magnificent hero. That he was, in essence, one of her servants made it that much more fun! The only problem I had with the book is that, if I remember right from Pirate Prince, Darius had been a slave to Malik in the first book and had suffered horribly at his hands, though that was never mentioned in Princess, instead his 'hell' had come from his parents. I have to admit, I liked Lazar better in Pirate Prince and I didn't care for Allegra's attitude when she found the two of them together, especially after reading about her indiscretions in Pirate Prince, she should have been a bit more sympathetic to Serafina. But when the guitar was found on Serafina's bed, it brought tears to my eyes, and when he came back to her, the scene was so poignant and touching, you couldn't help but fall in love with the dark warrior. I also loved what he told Pauline Bonaparte! All in all, I loved the story and can't wait to read Prince Charming!
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Summary: It's not Pirate Prince, but it's still a 5-star romance
Review: Pirate Prince was perfect, and this book has a few flaws, but it's a shame to undervalue such a great book just because it can't live up to it's predecessor. Very few books can. Perhaps people are annoyed by the fact that the hero and heroine of Pirate Prince became rather cold-hearted and insufficient parents to Serafina. Also, Ascencion, which seemed to be a charmingly provincial Italian island in Pirate Prince, begins to look and sound more and more like Regency England. These things can be off-putting to Pirate Prince fans. There is also some occasional overdoing of the mushy declarations of love, but overall the author is a good enough writer to pull it off. This story deserves all five stars for fantastic writing, a great heroine and wonderfully tortured hero, and most amazingly, a subplot that is as good as any adventure novel. There is actually more to a Galeen Foley book than just romance (not that it's lacking). She is the only romance writer I know of whose plot could stand on its own even if you took the romance out. This is what I most love about these three books (Pirate Prince, Princess, and Prince Charming): you get more than just a love story. You also get more than just a hero and heroine in this book. Pirate Prince and Princess both contain strong characterizations of upcoming heros. You meet (and really get to know) Darius in Pirate Prince, and Rafael (of Prince Charming) in Princess. In fact, their stories are so interesting, I would suggest actually reading these books in order so as not to miss out. And that's another thing I love about Galeen Foley's novels: they are unique. The plots are fresh and so original that these books are an absolute relief from the typically predictable romance novel genre. And you don't miss out on a thing, because they are still highly erotic love stories full of longing, fear, and overwhelming emotion.
Rating: 
Summary: Hate to be in the minority
Review: ...but this book is flawed. While it is a carefully plotted book the characterizations are weak. I don't know why anyone would want this princess; she is almost cartoonish in her attributes and personality traits. Darius isn't much better. I think the "big" revelation of why he thinks he's unloveable was pathetic. The dialogue between the two was inconsistent, sometimes very romantic and true and other times forced and trite. It does bother me how this author uses present day slang in her novels. While most probably wouldn't mind, it breaks the believability of the story for me. Ms. Foley does it in all her books. I wasn't bored in this book; I finished it, which I can't say about all her books. In the end, I think I will like this author better when she matures and better understands the dynamics in compelling and believeable relationships.
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Summary: Darius and Serafina's story
Review: This is the second book in the Ascension series. In this story the Princess Serifina is going to be married to a Prince from Russia who is not what he seems. But, Napoleon wants her to marry his stepson mostly to get her fathers Navy. But none of this really matters to Serifina, as the only man she has ever loved does not love her back (Darius). In fact he made that clear 3 years ago when she told him she loved him and he walked away. Darius is the boy that came home with Lazar in the last book after saving Allegra. I wonder how it is that they were such strong characters in the last story but play a much smaller part in this one.. The story starts out with Serafina being stalked and trying to be kidnapped by the French only to have Darius save the day. See how Serafina tries to make Darius realize that is all she really needs. I liked this one better than the first book!
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Summary: princess is a pageturner
Review: This was, in my opinion, the most compelling of Gaelen Foley's novels so far. The heat between Darius and Serafina just leaps off the page to keep the reader enthralled. While the plot is a bit predictable at times, it is never boring. Foley's books just keep on getting better.
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Summary: Doesn't begin to compete with the other 2 in this trilogy
Review: I loved The Pirate Prince (#1) and really, really loved Prince Charming (#3). However, I was sorely disappointed in this novel, the 2nd in the series. Most of what I disliked about it stemmed from the heroine. There just wasn't much to like about her and, besides her breathtaking beauty, I couldn't figure out why Darius was so in love with her. She was really unworthy of him. She was ultra naive and more than a little spoiled. There just wasn't that much depth to her character. Secondly, the plot wasn't as complex or interesting as the others in this series. It seemed kind of thrown together at the last minute. I guess if you want to read the entire series, go ahead and read this one too. However, I'd recommend getting it from the library if you can rather than buying it because it's certainly not a keeper.
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Summary: My favorite of the trilogy! Oh, Darius, Darius, Darius!
Review: Though I'm only halfway through Prince Charming, I think I can safely say that Princess is my favorite of this wonderful trilogy. I've said it before - I don't think Gaelen Foley can write a bad book! I absolutely, positively, unequivocally adored Darius! He's the ultimate outsider looking in - if this book took place in the 50's he'd ride a motorcycle, carry a switchblade, wear a leather jacket and have his smokes rolled up in the sleeve of his white t-shirt! God, he was sexy! And tortured. And, sadly, seriously lacking in self-esteem. His gritty, do anything to survive street urchin past life will not let go of him and he feels unworthy to act on his feelings for the Princesa he adores. So he does the only thing he can and does his best to protect her from the evils of the world. He is, afterall, King Lazar's most trusted man (sadly even more so than his own son and heir, Prince Rafael). Though he was taken in by the royal family at the age of 14, he insisted on working his way through the ranks - ever loyal to the royal family, yet apart from them. He adores Serafina quietly from afar, never acting on his attraction to her, though he knows how she feels about him. Serafina has been in love with Darius all her life. She threw herself at him and declared her love at her debut and he ran. Though humiliated, she still adores him years later. She is a spoiled princess and she knows it (though I swear, she is still very likeable!). She also knows that most of the people around her only attend her because she is a princess. They do not really care about her. Only Darius is always there for her when it really matters. He is always there to save her. Is there any way that these two can live happily ever after? Serafina does her best to make it so! I must say, this book contains one of THE most romantic moments I have ever read: the note and gift that Darius leaves for Serafina when he goes off on his "mission" is so sweet and so poignant that I must confess, I sobbed out loud reading it. What a sweet gesture of love and devotion! Once I finish Prince Charming, I will have read all of Ms. Foley's books to-date (up through Lord of Ice) and I think I have given all of these books 5 stars. She is an author with a proven track record and her books are a great read!
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Summary: LOOOOOVED THIS BOOK!!
Review: After reading The Pirate Prince, I did not think that I could possibly find a book that I adored more...well, I was wrong!! Princess is wonderful!! I can't even tell you how taken I was with Serafina and Darius....I definitely reccommend this book..the tension is unbelievably hot..and Darius is to die for...My only complaint is that Lazar and Allegra were but mere shadows of their former selves, but it was forgivable with such a rich plot and outstanding main characters....girls, get this book!!
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Summary: a brilliant follow up to the pirate prince
Review: Finding a new author whose books are brilliant enough to place on my keeper's shelf fills me with happiness. Gaelen Foley is such an author! Princess is my second book by this author, The Pirate Prince having been the first, and after I finished it I was convinced Foley belonged up there with Putney, Hunter, Mcnaught and Roberts. She along with these other authors never fail to breathe new life into a genre that's being beaten to death with the same insipid heroines and eye rolling cliches. Princess is the story of Serafina di Fiore, Lazar and Allegra's first born child. She has been in love since she was a child with Darius Santiago, a professional assassin and the king's most trusted subject. Darius is also secretly in love with Serafina but because of his past and his heritage he believes himself unworthy of her.Their love is further complicated by the fact that Serafina has agreed to marry a Russian prince in order to save her beloved country from Napoleon and his mighty army. This seemingly impossible love explodes when both of them are brought together in a secluded villa unchaperoned. The story will clutch right from the start and will not let you go.
If you love a good story along with a heart stopping romance then this book is for you. :)
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