Rating: 
Summary: Mixed emotions
Review: Prince Nicholas, Grand Duke of Glarien is on his way to be married when he discovers that his bride has been kidnapped. Napoleon is overtaking the countryside and Glarien has become important to other neighboring countries because of its location. Nicolas is to be married to the princess and heir of the neighboring county, Alvia, forming a strong alligience against Napoleon. There are some who want to prevent this union from taking place for political and personal reasons, and will do what it takes to keep the wedding from happening. Nicholas realizes that he is just a pawn. He has been taught that his responsibilities to his country come first, putting aside all personal desires for life. He never expects to find any real joy or love out of life. So he does what he has to to keep things on track. A country girl named Penny has been discovered that looks just like the missing princess. Nicholas must persuade her to put her life on hold while he outfits her for a princess and she learns all there is to know to be able to make others believe she is the princess, giving them time to locate the real princess. Working close together- real close together- causes Nicholas and Penny to discover things about each other that they would normally not learn and they both get a glimpse of the other's inner soul, which is something Nicholas never meant to happen. He has one month to teach Penny everything there is to know about the existing princess,while Penny has one month to learn enough to persuade others she is the real princess for the wedding to take place- and then one wedding night to teach Nicholas he can love someone and get love in return.From reading the other reviews, they are definitely mixed. The story is complex and a good one, though depressing in parts. It just wasn't one of my favorites. The language the author used was at times confusing and 0difficult to adjust to. It took a couple of chapters to get in the swing of the language, too. Read it and see what you think.
Rating:
Summary: A dark prince with a whole lot of problems
Review: The dark prince in the book The Dark Prince is certainly that. Prince Nicholas is Sovereign Prince and Grand Duke of Glarien, a small nation that has gained much notice among the European nations during the Napoleonic wars. It is a critical pawn because of its strategic location. Prince Nicholas is to marry the heir to their neighboring country, Alvia, to join forces and present a more powerful presence and thereby prevent takeover by a stronger nation. The prince has been raised to perform his duty for his country first and foremost - shunning all personal desire. He realizes he is a symbol, a necessary figurehead of a county that must use him as is necessary for political gain. Therefore, Prince Nicholas lives a dark life - never expecting to find any real joy or peace in his life. He has no personal desire to marry the princess of Alvia but that does not matter. Only the state of Glarien matters. Tortured by events of his past, his throne threatened by takeover by his cousin, Prince Nicholas has one mission that must be accomplished and that is marrying the princess immediately and creating the needed political union of the two countries. There is one big problem with his plan, however. The princess of Alvia has been kidnapped by the prince's cousin to prevent the wedding, which is to take place in England. Prince Nicholas also has an English heritage and an English title. He is also Earl of Evanlode, a title inherited from his father. When it is discovered that his bride has been secretly abducted, the prince delays his arrival in London and escapes to his English estate, Rascall Hall, to revise his plans and avoid a political catastrophe. Shortly after arriving at Rascall Hall, he meets Penelope Lindsey (Pennie), who possesses a bold and straightforward manner for a woman. Not only is she not impressed with his title of prince; she also dares to touch him! He is royalty and is used to being treated as such but it makes no difference to Pennie. But Prince Nicholas immediately determines that it is best to avoid reprimanding this outlandish woman and attempt to remain in her good graces. It seems that Pennie is the illegitimate cousin of the Princess of Alvia and is her exact likeness. The prince is shocked to discover this treasure at his England estate. He decides that Pennie must be taught to be "royal" and travel to London with him and impersonate the princess at the royal wedding. Pennie does not like this idea at all and refuses again and again. But the prince wins out or so it seems. Eventually she agrees to the charade and allows him to train her in the mannerisms and customs of nobility and Glarien. But Pennie really has no desire to lie and risk everything in her life for this cause and repeatedly changes her mind. Of course, she eventually does assist him but falls in love in the process and in doing so, dooms herself to immense misery. Knowing this extensive premise gives you solid ground when you begin reading The Dark Prince. Ross writes an unusual romance and it is sometimes work to really get into her novels. She is a superb author but The Dark Prince disappointed me. There were a lot of intriguing moments in the book but overall, there was just too much angst. There were always problems and Pennie's behavior drove me a little crazy. She was alternately loving Nicholas at one moment and hating him the next. She was kissing him one moment and then hurling horrible insults at him during the next. It happened again and again and again. And she cried and cried and she certainly at times had reason to cry. But she cried and cried even without reason. I have never read a heroine that cried this much. Her on again/off again feelings towards Nicholas grew very tiresome. Then we have Prince Nicholas and, being a typical man, he tells Pennie exactly as it is - he cannot ever have a relationship with her. He is most emphatic about this and is usually unkind in the process. But Pennie continues to hold out hope in this impossible situation with absolutely no encouragement from the prince. As the reader, you are unable to discern if the prince is a basically kind soul or a bloody manipulator. The enigma surrounding the prince's character is the finest part of this book. A true mystery enshrouds his genuine nature and he ends up holding more secrets than I expected. Yes, the hero and heroine eventually become involved and there is a sense of romance budding here and there but it is always, always suffocated by his duty to his country, which must forever be first. Since the prince is so secretive and closed and Pennie is continually bouncing here and there, the misunderstandings between the two do abound. But somehow, a relationship of sorts does develop. There are few sensual scenes and they rate about a 3.25 out of 5.0 (see More About Me for rating guidelines). On the whole, I cannot recommend this book as more than an average adventure. Although Ross's writing could fall into more categories than romance, it is still primarily a story that is structured around the romance. Therefore, it is most likely to be read by romance fans and will ultimately disappoint many in that realm. There were many things that mesmerized me during my reading of The Dark Prince. But there were also too many maddening scenes, essentially played over and over again, that reduced the book's overall appeal.
Rating:
Summary: A dark prince with a whole lot of problems
Review: The dark prince in the book The Dark Prince is certainly that. Prince Nicholas is Sovereign Prince and Grand Duke of Glarien, a small nation that has gained much notice among the European nations during the Napoleonic wars. It is a critical pawn because of its strategic location. Prince Nicholas is to marry the heir to their neighboring country, Alvia, to join forces and present a more powerful presence and thereby prevent takeover by a stronger nation. The prince has been raised to perform his duty for his country first and foremost - shunning all personal desire. He realizes he is a symbol, a necessary figurehead of a county that must use him as is necessary for political gain. Therefore, Prince Nicholas lives a dark life - never expecting to find any real joy or peace in his life. He has no personal desire to marry the princess of Alvia but that does not matter. Only the state of Glarien matters. Tortured by events of his past, his throne threatened by takeover by his cousin, Prince Nicholas has one mission that must be accomplished and that is marrying the princess immediately and creating the needed political union of the two countries. There is one big problem with his plan, however. The princess of Alvia has been kidnapped by the prince's cousin to prevent the wedding, which is to take place in England. Prince Nicholas also has an English heritage and an English title. He is also Earl of Evanlode, a title inherited from his father. When it is discovered that his bride has been secretly abducted, the prince delays his arrival in London and escapes to his English estate, Rascall Hall, to revise his plans and avoid a political catastrophe. Shortly after arriving at Rascall Hall, he meets Penelope Lindsey (Pennie), who possesses a bold and straightforward manner for a woman. Not only is she not impressed with his title of prince; she also dares to touch him! He is royalty and is used to being treated as such but it makes no difference to Pennie. But Prince Nicholas immediately determines that it is best to avoid reprimanding this outlandish woman and attempt to remain in her good graces. It seems that Pennie is the illegitimate cousin of the Princess of Alvia and is her exact likeness. The prince is shocked to discover this treasure at his England estate. He decides that Pennie must be taught to be "royal" and travel to London with him and impersonate the princess at the royal wedding. Pennie does not like this idea at all and refuses again and again. But the prince wins out or so it seems. Eventually she agrees to the charade and allows him to train her in the mannerisms and customs of nobility and Glarien. But Pennie really has no desire to lie and risk everything in her life for this cause and repeatedly changes her mind. Of course, she eventually does assist him but falls in love in the process and in doing so, dooms herself to immense misery. Knowing this extensive premise gives you solid ground when you begin reading The Dark Prince. Ross writes an unusual romance and it is sometimes work to really get into her novels. She is a superb author but The Dark Prince disappointed me. There were a lot of intriguing moments in the book but overall, there was just too much angst. There were always problems and Pennie's behavior drove me a little crazy. She was alternately loving Nicholas at one moment and hating him the next. She was kissing him one moment and then hurling horrible insults at him during the next. It happened again and again and again. And she cried and cried and she certainly at times had reason to cry. But she cried and cried even without reason. I have never read a heroine that cried this much. Her on again/off again feelings towards Nicholas grew very tiresome. Then we have Prince Nicholas and, being a typical man, he tells Pennie exactly as it is - he cannot ever have a relationship with her. He is most emphatic about this and is usually unkind in the process. But Pennie continues to hold out hope in this impossible situation with absolutely no encouragement from the prince. As the reader, you are unable to discern if the prince is a basically kind soul or a bloody manipulator. The enigma surrounding the prince's character is the finest part of this book. A true mystery enshrouds his genuine nature and he ends up holding more secrets than I expected. Yes, the hero and heroine eventually become involved and there is a sense of romance budding here and there but it is always, always suffocated by his duty to his country, which must forever be first. Since the prince is so secretive and closed and Pennie is continually bouncing here and there, the misunderstandings between the two do abound. But somehow, a relationship of sorts does develop. There are few sensual scenes and they rate about a 3.25 out of 5.0 (see More About Me for rating guidelines). On the whole, I cannot recommend this book as more than an average adventure. Although Ross's writing could fall into more categories than romance, it is still primarily a story that is structured around the romance. Therefore, it is most likely to be read by romance fans and will ultimately disappoint many in that realm. There were many things that mesmerized me during my reading of The Dark Prince. But there were also too many maddening scenes, essentially played over and over again, that reduced the book's overall appeal.
Rating: 
Summary: Enthralling!
Review: This book surpassed the promise of its gorgeous cover. It is strange but beautiful, full of lavish, sensual descriptions, of the characters, of the natural settings and some wonderful horses. Although to the best of my knowledge it is true to period, it also has a fairy-tale quality to it. Nevertheless the hero and heroine come alive, and the twists and turns of the plot are matched by the unfolding of their emotions. The Prince is the most tormented hero I've met since Mary Jo Putney's The Rake (and the Reformer), and the heroine matches him in courage and strength. I absolutely loved this book, and I look forward to more wonders from Julia Ross!
Rating: 
Summary: Purple Prose and the Fairy Prince
Review: This is absolutely the worst book I've ever read...ever! Publishers and editors should use it as a standard of everything that is wrong with a book to share with would-be authors. There is very little actual dialogue between the characters, there is no plot, the characters are utterly repulsive. Why didn't I listen to the reviewer who said this book never gets better! I bought in to Mary Balogh's "in awe" review. Don't believe it. Ms. Ross' overuse of prose is horrible! I want to save others from being a victim of this publishing crime!
Rating:
Summary: "Oh, my dear!" Francis Crawford and Philippa reinvented.
Review: 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!
Rating:
Summary: JULIA ROSS is going to the TOP!
Review: 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!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Reading!
Review: Unlike a lot of romance novels that have no plot, this book has a plot and it keeps you guessing the whole way through the book. I really enjoyed reading it.
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