The Gypsy Prince: A Historical Fantasy Romance

Sons of Cardenas, Book 1

By: Elise Marion

Narrated by: Will de Renzy-Martin

Prince Damien Alexander II is next in line to the throne of the kingdom of Cardenas — a fact his parents never let him forget. Because in order to be a suitable ruler, he must settle down with a wife of his choosing, produce an heir, and become serious about matters of crown and country.

There’s just one problem. Alex enjoys being a bachelor and is in no rush to give up his lifestyle of freedom and debauchery. When his parents urge him to consider the eligible women attending an upcoming house party, he can think of nothing worse. That is, until he lays eyes on Lady Lucille Wakefield.

It’s been 15 years since Alex last saw Lucille, and the annoying little girl he used to torment is now a woman…an infuriatingly high-handed shrew of a woman. Lucky for him, when his friends decide the lady is in need of a good debauching, he’s chosen as the man for the job.

Determined to win his bet by seducing her straight into bed, Alex pursues Lucille relentlessly. Too bad she’s not the least bit interested in him or his charms. Her family’s good name has been tarnished before, and she has no intention of risking it again for one night with a prince. However, when a sinister plot against the royal family puts her in harm’s way, she finds herself thrust right into Alex’s arms…and under his protection.

With both her reputation and heart on the line, can the roguish prince grow into the sort of man the reluctant lady deserves, or will Lucille keep her walls up, locking Alex out forever?

©2019 Elise Marion (P)2020 Elise Marion

A throwback to the days of wild romance

Remember Kathleen Woodiwiss? Rosemary Rogers? No? Well, neither should this author--she's WAY too young. Yet she seems to be channeling those wild-west days of crazy-sauce romance. This book has it all: a rakish and irresponsible hero, a disapproving heroine, bodice ripping, pirates, canon fire, palace intrigue, and oh yes, true love. I spent the first few chapters wondering what in the world I had gotten myself into and then just gave up and enjoyed the ride. I requested and received a complimentary copy of this audiobook from the author and am voluntarily leaving this review. I look forward to seeing what else Ms. Marion has in store, particularly as this is listed as Book 1 (there's no cliffhanger), but I sincerely hope the author can get over her fear of using the word "me" where it belongs.

Are boys always mean to the girls they like...? :)

Alex and Lucille met as children; she, a proper little lady and he, a spoilt prince and a typical 10-year-old brat who likes to play tricks on little girls... This first meeting was not the best one, as you can imagine :) When they meet again as adults... well, he still is a spoilt brat and she still is the only woman who tells him right in the face what she thinks of him disregarding his high status... But to his surprise that's exactly what makes him unable to stop thinking about her. So he accepts a wager - he's to seduce and ruin her within a fortnight... Will his rakish charm persuade her to forget all she thinks proper? Will he win his wager and walk away after breaking her heart or will she make him into a man everyone hopes him capable of being, wise, honorable, a good future king?

Well, it's a romance, so we probably know right from the start what the outcome will be, but on the way to the happily ever after there's so much happening that we go on listening biting our nails... well, most of the time:)
There are three definite parts of the story: Alex's attempts at seducing Lucille - and this is the part when I really thought I'd never like him:) - then all that happens after Lucille finds out about the wager, and then the shortest part in which the whole devious plot (that I can't talk about much to avoid spoilers:)) comes into light... I loved the first and last parts a lot, the middle one, being the longest, had me once or twice thinking "Oh, my, what now? Can it get even worse...? Just hurry up, please..." Why? Well, they got from a frying pan into the fire more than once and while all their adventures were greatly described, there was a feeling that too much was too much - you know what I mean? But as all of those served its purpose - to show the change in Alex's character and the mutual trust and love growing between him and Lucille, I can overlook it and not deduct anything from my rating - also because it did keep me listen till 2 a.m. :) (I did listen to it in one day, you know, just couldn't stop...:))

Narration by Mr de Renzy-Martin is fantastic. It's difficult for male narrators to read female parts, but he did a great job here. Well, he doesn't really changes his voice so much for individual characters, but the way he reads them makes them definitely easy to distinguish, we never doubt who is speaking. It's a wonderful interpretation of the book.

DISCLAIMER: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.