From Escape’s fresh, exhilarating science fiction romance catalogue comes a story of corporate espionage, betrayal, sex, and bodyguards. Just another day in the colonies.
Cassandra Wiltmore is the heir to the throne of Rica, but it’s unlikely she’ll be stepping up any time soon. So she spends her days managing and building the Rican Balcite Mining Company. The company has made her family wealthy beyond imagination, but that kind of power needs careful control, and Cassandra is just the Wiltmore to control it.
When a new bid for the mining license is announced, Cassandra is determined to squash it. Then the thefts and threats begin, and every step she takes seems to be wrong. Taking on a new protector seems like an indulgence Cass can’t afford, but she equally cannot afford to be caught off-guard. If only the best man for the job wasn’t also the best-looking man she’s ever seen.
Kernan Radaton has ambition, and as protector to Cassandra Wiltmore, he’s well placed to reach all his long-held goals. If only his new all-business boss didn’t make him think of only pleasure. With the company, the heir and the family under attack, the last thing anyone needs is a distraction. But once everything is safe again, Kernan is developing new ambitions — ones that involve a lot of very personal time spent getting to know his boss on a very personal level.
The Review:
Cassandra is an ambitious business woman, as well as the heir to the throne of Rica. Despite that, she doesn't think she's anyone special, but Kernan would beg to differ. He's not interested in her title, but as soon as this protector meets his new charge, they have an instant connection - so much so that they are able to form a telepathic bond without the usual work involved. Unfortunately, they need to keep things platonic for work, not to mention the fact that Kernan is dating Cassandra’s cousin. And then there’s the planet-wide conspiracy they need to solve before anyone can even think about sexy times... well, maybe they might think about them a little bit.
Cassandra is all drive and determination. She wears a suit and the title ball-breaker like a badge of honor. She'd do anything for the company and her family - even if they drive her a little up the wall at times. Basically, she's awesome. She's the woman every woman wants to be, except that she has no personal life. ...til now.
‘My goodness, Cassandra,’ Grendon said as she walked into the dining room for breakfast. ‘You look like some sort of tough, ball-breaking businesswoman.’ He looked around the advisers gathered and they all laughed at his wit.
Cassandra looked down at her conservative pants suit. ‘I am a tough, ball-breaking businesswoman, Grendon.’
This is no opposites attract storyline, as Kernan is basically the male version of Cassandra - if a little more self-assured about his personal life. He's almost as well-known as she is, famous as a kick ass protector and the guy every woman fantasizes about. Even though he's ambitious, more than anything he dreams about having a family. He's that alpha sweetheart combo.
No wonder she’d found him attractive —in her mind she’d undressed that incredible body numerous times.
But she’d never been this close to him. Hadn’t realised how touchable his sculptured chest and wide shoulders were. Hadn’t known that his scent could wrap around her, intoxicating her more than any drink ever would.
^^Yum.
I think the thing I loved most about Cassandra and Kernan's relationship is that they become such good friends. Even though there’s that definite insta-love vibe, after that their relationship develops realistically, from colleagues to friends to lovers. And even once they are lovers with all that steam and passion and desire, there is still the definite respect of a true friendship. I also loved their sense of humor together, which adds such a nice touch of laughter throughout the action and romance.
The best thing for me about Loving the Prince, though, was the world building. I can’t get enough of Jorda! - The politics, the technology, the people, the whole world. I especially love how easily it flows into the storyline. There's no world-dumping in this novel, instead the reader is eased into the world without really realizing it. Far from patronizing her readers, Nicole Murphy simply expects they'll keep up and adapt to the world she feeds them through the story, and I think that's what makes this book such an engrossing experience.
There's an action-suspense-mystery plot that carries the story forward and it's a lot of fun - all intrigue and politics, kidnappings and rescues. But even while there's all this huge planet affecting stuff happening, there's also a story about familial relations and sister bonding, so outside of the romance you get a really vivid imagining of Cassandra’s life on Jorda.
Loving the Prince is an exciting, action-filled science fiction novel as well as a sexy romance, combined to make a very addictive read. This is the first in a trilogy of Jorda stories and I can't wait for more of this world.
Loving The Prince by Nicole Murphy is a science fiction romance released by Escape Publishing on August 1 2014.
Find this book at: Amazon | Goodreads | The Publisher
This book was given to Love Reading Romance in exchange for an honest review.
