Queen Mothers were supposed to be boring, staid, and old.Her family’s head of security knew she was anything but.Crowns & Courtships 7Royals of EyjaniaEliana Quatremaine, widow of King Alfred II and mother of King Benjamin I, had the boring part down, at least publicly.Widowed in her early-30s, she believed nearly fifteen years was long enough to mourn her beloved husband.It was time to move … to mourn her beloved husband.
It was time to move on.
But, even if Queen Mothers could fall in love again, the head of security was off-limits.
He’d told her so.
When he walked away after an almost kiss.
Thor Sørenson had long known he could easily fall for his former boss’s widow – who was also his current boss’s mother and a member of the royal family he was sworn to protect.
When she moves on in a decidedly public way, he knows he needs to put his own feelings aside and watch her be happy without him.
But an unexpected chance at romance shows them there could be more.
With her ten children, including a monarch, and his three – with a total of six still living at home – combining households isn’t an easy thing to contemplate.
A trip to the States, television documentaries, and a security scare have them both wonder if they can have a future – Beyond Titles & Tiaras.
Crowns & Courtships Novellas are companions to the main Crowns & Courtships series. It is not necessary to have read the novellas to enjoy the main series, but they add details and depth to some of the secondary and minor characters. The first novellas can be read in any order, but are listed chronologically below.
Love for the Ages (novella 3)
A Kaerasti for Clari (novella 2)
Dare You (novella 1)
Heart of a Prince
The Inadvertent Princess
A Royally Beautiful Mess
The Indentured Queen
Her Undercover Prince
The Spare and the Heir
Beyond Titles & Tiaras
more
Thor and Eliana have a great deal of respect for each other and more, but Thor is head of security and fights with himself over there being anything else but friendship between them. Lots of fun and some tense moments in this story as well as seeing a bit more of some of Eliana’s children’s personalities. I enjoyed their excursion to a theme park. I’m looking forward to whenever the heir presumptive gets her own book. Loved seeing some names from the Serenity series that are familiar as well.
I have not read a Moncado book that hasn’t been top notch, uplifting, emotionally charged, and inspiring.
Beyond Titles and Tiaras is the seventh book in Carol Moncado’s Crowns and Courtship series. I was more apprehensive to read this book, but I really liked it. I loved Thor from the previous books and I grew to like Eliana. Eliana is the widowed, Queen mother of the Eyjania royal family, while Thor is the head of security, someone who should be off limits.
I was so happy that Thor finally got his own book, he was a great character. I loved how he took the royal children under his wing and tried to help them out. He was a father figure to many of the Enjania royal family. Thor was the head of security for the Eyjania royal family, he loved his job and he was devoted to the royal family. However it wasn’t in the plan to fall for the Queen Mother, someone, he has watched over for many years.
Thor was someone who lived life by the rules. So it was really nice to see him relax as he spent time with Eliana. It was also cool to see him with his kids, he tried to be a good father even as he tried his best at work. Although I really liked Thor, there were points in the book where I really wanted to shake him. Thor had to learn to look past titles and learn to love.
Eliana was nice, but I had a harder time getting to know her because she wasn’t as prominent in other books. However, as I started to read more, I began to like her and even cheer her on as she and Thor got to know each other. I felt so bad for her, her life has been a whirlwind. But she learned to overcome much.
Thor and Eliana had to figure out how to merge two families. It would take a trip to an amusement park, security scares, and television interviews to bring them together. I really enjoyed Beyond Titles and Tiaras and I was so glad to finally see Thor and Eliana get their happy ending. It was a long journey, but God was kind and they had to learn to look past the things that held them back.
So so so good!! Not gonna lie… when I first started this book I did not think I was going to enjoy it as much as her other books… not really sure why but that was my mindset going in… but boy was I wrong!!! This book got me hook line and sinker! I didn’t want to put it down! I always love how interconnected her books are and I loved reading Eliana and Thor’s story! Definitely a must read!! I was given a copy of this book for my review… but the words and thoughts are all mine 🙂
Her expectations and his expectations didn’t necessarily match everyone else’s expectations for them. Would fear hold her back? Would they wait 15 years or more? Would they take the chance to find out if they loved each other – or just think it could never work. Well worth reading. A definite change from the 20 somethings you usually read about in romantic fiction.
Queen Mothers were supposed to be boring, staid, and old. Her family’s head of security knew she was anything but.
Carol Moncado has created such an intricate world through her books! She doesn’t hesitate to have people from one series pop up in others. From Serenity Landing, Missouri to kingdoms in the Caribbean, the Pacific, and Europe, her novels encompass a large portion of the globe. Her characters from one series (and country!) are bound to show up, oftentimes in surprising ways, in others.
Thor and Queen Eliana have now been in a number of the Crowns and Courtships series stories, with his niece starring in one and her sons the main characters in others. And there was always the hint that their feelings for one another went beyond friendship or, shall I say, co-workers. So I was glad to see them get their own story.
It was so interesting to see Thor’s concerns about a relationship between him and the Queen Mother. Aside from feeling it would be inappropriate because he had no title, he was concerned that having a relationship with her would distract him from his job – protecting the King. I guess it is similar to doctors who won’t treat their own family.
I really appreciated Thor’s integrity. It showed up in so many ways and was part of the reason he was so hard on himself when things went wrong. Harder than he needed to be.
Poor Eliana had so many feelings of insignificance. And so many of the events of this story reinforced that sense of not being important. You would think a queen would be exempt from that, but they are still people with the same flaws we have, right?
If you have been following along in the books, you will be surprised (or not!) at the changes that have taken place in King Benjamin’s personality now that he is out from under Isaac’s thumb. I really enjoyed seeing the leader, husband, and son that he has become.
While the plot was interesting and I really liked the characters, I felt as though I was waiting for something to happen throughout the book. There were hints that things were going to go wrong, and with Thor being the head of security, it needed to be a part of this story. Perhaps it is because I read a suspense story before this, but when the crisis finally did arise, it seemed a bit underwhelming.
If you are a fan of sweet romance featuring royalty, this could be a good choice for your next read.
Read my review of Beyond Titles & Tiaras by Carol Moncado at AmongTheReads.net
I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.
Carol continues the tradition of fun, romantic, complex, and authentic storylines in a world where royals and “commoners” mix. I loved that the main characters were not young, but “young at heart”. Eliana and Thor are drawn to each other and must figure out how their relationship could ever work. Their positions, family, and responsiblites could make it impossible to follow their hearts. This story can be read alone, but following the series is so much fun, and gives insight to the challenges they face.
AWESOME !!!!
I have been waiting for this book since the last one came out (Which seems like for ever ago, but in reality was only a couple months).
Thor finally gets the girl, Or in this case a Queen Mother. Instead of the Queen Mother playing matchmaker this time, her kids decide to push her out side of her shell and set up a series of dates; really publicity stunts to gauge the public’s response to the Queen Mother moving on and the possibility of new love for her. But the Queen Mother already has someone in mind, if she can get him to go along…
One of my favorite books by Carol Moncado so far, although I think I say that about ever book she writes. I would Highly recommend putting this book on your TBR Pile.Carol Moncado
What a beautiful love story.
Carol Moncado again brings us into the world of royals,with an impressive cast of characters,plenty of suspense to peak your interest. and an appealing storyline.
Thanks for another glimpse.
I highly recommend this book for those who love Christian romance.
Can life really start over after so many years of being alone? Queen Mother Eliana feels lonely and as if her life will always be that way. Thor, being the head of security, has been by her side for a long time protecting her and caring for her. They both have lost their first loves, and believe they can never move from their societal positions to change that.
Can Eliana get beyond her title and tiara to find love again? Can two families really come together and work, when one is so big, with royal blood and the other, small with common blood?
In this story, Carol Moncado brings out issues many people struggle with. The issues of self-worth, past failures, acceptance, and longing to be loved. There’s also struggles many of us might not have to deal with, like, being part of a royal family and all the pressures which come with that.
I love reading any book by Carol Moncado. Each one is so full of sweet relationships and wonderful imageries. She also includes some mentions of one of my favorite authors and her stories.
There were fun moments with all the, “A day with a Queen” dates and events, and it wouldn’t be a Carol Moncado book if it didn’t have a bit of suspense in it.
I truly enjoyed reading this book.
Once again I just need to say, If you LOVE reading stories regarding royalty and all that life can bring, then you really need to pick this book up and read it!
You won’t be disappointed.
I received this book from the author and all opinions are my own.
In this latest romantic book in the Crowns and Courtship Series, Queen Mother Eliana is quite lonely and discontent with her life. She still loves her husband even though it has been so long since he passed away, but she misses companionship and love. In this latest release, readers will discover who Eliana wants to become romantically involved with. Thor is the head of security for King Benjamin and his family. He is widowed with three young sons. Even though Thor would like to pursue a romantic relationship with Eliana, he feels as if he cannot do his job properly if he did. They also worry about the family dynamics between his three children and her ten children. Once Eliana determines she wants to date and move on, she begins to seek if there is someone special she would like to get to know better. There are many surprises throughout the book and if you read Ms. Moncado’s books, you will be updated on previous characters. I highly recommend this book and series (even though I really like all of her books)! You will not be disappointed in this book! In fact, after reading this book, I eagerly await the next book in this series.
***I was given a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review. This is my honest opinion. Even though I received this copy free, I have purchased her books before.
If you haven’t read any Carol Moncado before, you should probably start at the beginning of the Crowns & Courtships series (with Love for the Ages and on from there) so that you know who all the characters are and what has gone before.
This book is not as much a cliff-hanger with heart-stopping plots twists as some of Moncado’s books are, but it’s got plenty of emotional cliff-hanging as Thor and Eliana try to figure out if they can somehow make their relationship work.
I really enjoy keeping up with characters from previous books, and am always amazed as Moncado’s royal people continue to be believable.
This is another great addition to this series. I always love getting an update on previous main characters and also how Carol weaves stories together. Thorliana makes a wonderful couple and I love that they got their happily ever after!
This is another good book from Carol Moncado. It could be read without background,but as others have mentioned, one gets far more out of it if the previous books in the series have been read. I’m glad to finally see Eliana and Thor together. Benjamin has changed a lot for the better which is also fun to see. I don’t want to give away spoilers so I will simply say I highly recommend this book as well as the others.
I really enjoyed this book. This was an excellent culmination of what we all hoped would happen with Eliana. I will say that if you haven’t read at least The Indentured Queen, you really should before reading this one. You will enjoy everything so much more if you have had the back-story. You would probably be fine story-wise, but the journey will be so much more enjoyable if you have read The Indentured Queen. I loved that we got to see a happier, more “normal” Benjamin. I’ve always had a soft spot for him (and Katrin!). I don’t think I’ve heard a story quite like this before. The plot was unique and well done, as I have come to expect from this author. My only complaint, as ever, is that I have to wait for the next one!
Once again another fantastic book. Loved seeing the dynamic with slightly older couple. Great story with some twists and turns. Well worth a read!
Another winner from Carol Moncado. I’m sure I will re- read it many times. This is a continuation of previous stories and they just keep getting better and better. It’s tricky to keep all the threads consistent and Carol does it well. Read it!