The Awakened Prince is Book 2 in Royals of Cardenas, a historical romance series set in the fictional kingdoms of Cardenas and Barony, following the lives of the royal Rothchester family.When a devious plot against the royal family results in her husband’s death, Princess Isabelle Rothchester is left with a broken heart and an uncertain future. Only one year after his brutal murder, she has no … murder, she has no choice but to choose a new husband and return to her own kingdom, taking her place as queen and repairing the war-torn land.
After a deadly scheme against his family leaves Prince Serge hovering on the edge of death, he awakens from a coma to find that his elder brother has died and his youngest brother has taken the throne in his stead. When it is suggested that Princess Isabelle take him as her husband, Serge begins to hope that all his secret dreams will now come true. He has secretly loved Isabelle his entire life, and the fact that she was promised to his brother has brought him no end of pain. Now, he has the chance to claim her for his own, hopefully earning her heart in the process.
Despite the unexpected spark of desire between them, Isabelle resists the new path her heart is taking as she clings to her first husband’s memory. Can she let go of her past and learn to love Serge in return, or is she destined to a life tied to one man as she mourns the other?
And in the midst of it all, the rebellion washing over Barony comes to a boiling point. Together, they must fight to save their kingdom … and in the process, each will unlock the hidden potential they never imagined they possessed, learning that they truly are stronger together.
Previous published as The Second Son. Re-released in 2019 with all-new edits, content, cover, and title.
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She knew she needs to have a new husband but she still grieves her first. His oldest brother has died and his younger brother took the the one while he had been in a coma. Now he learns she needs to marry and he is the choice. He had always loved her. Can he won her over? Can he help her win the war which is coming? See how it will go
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The Awakened Prince, by Elise Marion is another wonderful written book that deserves a standing ovation. In my opinion this is a master piece, to her prequel book, The Rogue Prince. Elise writing had me on the emotional roller coaster of highs and lows again. Her writing easily reaches out to you the reader and pulls you into the drama of the Rothchester family.
Elise writing skills sets helps her to choose the right words to make her books stand out more.
The impact of these words connects you with the characters. Elise provides a story plot that most readers could relate to. The introduction of old and new characters did not confuse me or have me lost within the story. Elise ability to tap into the readers imagination is astonishing. As a reader I quickly drew to the story from the emotional drama that plays out at the beginning of the book.
This love story gave me what I was craving. It gave me the romance that I was anticipating. The action that helps certain scenes of the book move with an exciting pace. The drama that has you connecting with the characters through tough emotional moments. The suspense shakes the conspiracy traps, therefore unleashing hero’s and legends to rise up and stand for what they born to do.
And the oh so sweet steamy romance scenes have you depleted up to those climatic ends. Serge and Isabella really stood out during these pointe scenes. Their love for one another really shines. The power and the passion Isabella and Serge shares carried me along on their journey as the royal couple of the land of Barony. While reading this book, not only was the romance pleasing, but the drama was powerful.
It’s impact intensified the steps the characters take on their missions to save their people in Barony. Elise background story of the main characters had me as the reader rooting for them from beginning to end. The transitional pace of the writing was fluent. Not once did I lose the vision of where the book was taking me. I was impressed by minimum usage of big words to describe a certain event, person, place or thing. After, the first few pages my reading takes off. The details of each scene helped me to focus more on the points being established in the story at that time. Not only did the drama have me excited to read the book, but the action and suspense had me turning the page, desperate to find out what would happen next. During the action scene’s, I was hoping that Serge would defeat his evil so called cousin/ half brother Lucious. Damien and Isabellas story transitions to Isabella and Serge’s story.
The story left off with Serge waking up from his coma after being dragged by a team of horses, attached to a carriage. Serge wakens only to find out that his close family has endeared a lot and suffered so much. After allowing his body to heal, Serge was approached by Damien who request Serge to transport Isabella back to Baron. Cardenas and Barony still needs to stand together as one unit. After Rochester’s have suffered a brutal attack against their kingdom by Lucious.
The family decides that it’s imperative Isabella returns back to Barony to take her place as Queen. However, every Queen needs her King. This request opens the sealed box of emotions and feelings that Serge tucked away in the depths of his heart, thought never to resurface again. After the journey to Barony, our timid close friends Serge and Isabella become increasingly close and wed.This doesn’t sit well with a number of people, but Serge and Isabella could care less. Once after this union, the couple looks deep into themselves and find that they are struggling with issues that they both feel they must face alone. Therefore, this decision closes the couple off from one another. Serge has to prove and show to the people that he is the peoples King of Baron. He will do what he must, to protect and bring piece and prosperity to the their land.
At the same time, Isabella suffers dreams that she interprets wrongly. Having these dreams impacts her marriage and her kingdom in a major way. Isabella fights with herself and her emotions. She struggles with the truth and her ability to be a wife and a Queen. Can she carry on the legacy that her parents built?
Isabella decides that she will not stand behind and let others protect her land and her people. She looks into herself. She convinces herself to improve her abilities as a swordswoman and a warrior. She works along side of a group of women, whose talents help cultivate the skills and abilities Isabella didn’t think that she had. While at the same time, Serge struggles with Isabella about her feelings towards him and his deceased brother Lioness.
Can this powerful couple defeat all odds that tries to cripple their marriage and their kingdom? Can Isabella understand the dreams that so plainly give her the answers that she seeks on her journey? My fellow readers I recommend this book. Until next time… read on! I voluntary reviewed this ARC after receiving a free gifted copy.
The Awakened Prince by Elise Marion is a Historical, Action & Adventure Romance. A well-written read, a good storyline, great characters with action & adventure and Romance. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review
Talk about a woozy! This book is more involved then I anticipated, but it was an incredible story. I loved it and cannot recommend it enough.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A riveting second book in the ‘Royals of Cardenas’ series! It is well written with a well-developed consistent engaging plot that will grip you from beginning to end. An on the edge of your seat read with an intriguing storyline that is emotionally deep with ups and downs, drama, danger, suspense, betrayal, and so much more. The characters are likeable, strong, and deep; the chemistry between them is intense and potent. It is a very exciting read and comes highly recommended. I look forward to the next book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The Awakened Prince is Book two in Royals of Cardenas series.The story mainly is about Princess Isabelle Rothchester and Prince Serge but you also get to read more of Damien and Esmeralda. The book has suspense, drama, danger, female warriors, betrayal, a villain, attacks, and romance. I recommend this book. I bought this book under another name The Second Son (Kings of Cardenas Series Book 2) back in 2015. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Prince Serge, the second son and prince of his land, awakens after a one-year coma to find that his younger brother has become king after the battle that placed Serge in a coma killed their elder brother, Lionus. Damien, the new king, feel guilty about taking what he sees as his brother’s position and offers Serge a new option: Marry their dead brother’s wife, Isabelle, and rule with her in her land of Barony. Serge has loved Isabelle for a long time but feels guilt about his feelings and doesn’t want to wed her, knowing that she had loved and still loves his brother.
Because of an old woman’s predictions about dire consequences and her own dreams, Isabelle after some waffling decides to marry Serge even though her heart belongs to Lionus. For a very brief time, the two are happy until Serge confesses his love for her. Isabelle does not react well to this and confesses her emotional quandary to her lady’s maid, which Serge accidentally overhears. Relations between them become strained for a long while they continue to have sexual chemistry.
But much more is going on in this book besides their personal problems. War threatens. When Serge goes off, Isabelle decides to join and train with a band of female warriors.
Will Serge and Isabelle resolve their differences? Can she–and he–move past feelings of guilt about their relationship? Will this queen of Barony fight alongside her warriors in the looming battle?
This was a page-turning read. The only part I didn’t like was that Serge and Isabelle were at odds for so long.
There were several things I loved about this book. I enjoyed the first part when Serge comes back from his coma. The author did a good job showing his disorientation and his struggles. He is haunted by the images of watching his brother be killed in battle as well as the mistreatment he had at the hands of the enemies. He struggles physically and mentally with his battle wounds, as well as mentally with the guilt for what he feels for Isabelle. Once they marry, he is blissful but just a little guilty until it all crashes around him when he overhears her. You could sense his despair at that moment. The author does an excellent job in the sections about the women warriors. It is so unusual to have female warriors in a romance in general, but I’ve rarely seen a whole regiment of them. It was lovely to see this band of strong women work together and fight with their queen beside them.
If you enjoy fantasy romance with strong female characters, you might enjoy this book.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review
I loved this book. It’s a story about Serge the second born son of a Royal Rothchester family. Serge grew up knowing that he could never have the one person he has loved his whole life, his best friend Isabelle. Isabelle was promised since infancy to his older brother Lionus who was to be the future king. Then tragedy stepped in and changed everything killing Lionus and putting Serge in a coma for a year. Isabelle stays by Serge’s side through that year while mourning her husbands death. After a year in a coma Serge awakens to find his whole world had been turned upside down and for Isabelle the time has come for her to return to her home and to take her throne as Queen of Barony. Serge know that Isabelle will need to marry for her safety and he dares to believe he can be with the one he loves. He asks Isabelle to pick him as he husband. Will Isabelle pick Serge for her husband? Will she be able to let go of her love for Lionus and allow herself to love Serge?
Elise brings these characters to life with her writing. She makes you feel what Serge and Isabelle are going through. I fell in love with Serge, his love and devotion to Isabelle. His heartache and happiness that he goes through on this journey to be with the only person he has ever loved.
King Damien Rothchester raced through the corridors to his brother’s bedroom. A servant had just breathlessly delivered news that he had to see for himself before he could believe! After a year in a coma, Prince Serge Rochester had allegedly awakened, life as he knew it completely in a shambles. Damien wondered if he would have regained his memory? Would he be angry that Damien, the youngest, had taken over the throne when Lionus died and Serge was severely injured almost to the point of death?
But even from the doorway, he saw the clarity in his brother’s eyes and was relieved. Isabelle, their sister-in-law, was in tears, her arms around Serge’s neck at the fact that he was at last awake. He tried to move but was too weak. Serge sensed the tension in the room, so despite Damien’s dreading the pain this would cause, he told his brother all that had happened in the year he was trapped in the coma.
When Isabelle has to return to Byrony, choose a husband, and protect her lands from rebels, Damien suggests that she marry Serge. She has not gotten over her love for Lionus. Will she ever be able to let his memory go and learn to love Serge who has always been in love with her? It had been foretold by Akira, a gypsy with “the sight”, that a warrior king and queen would defend the kingdom. She urged Isabelle to accept the man Fate had chosen for her and not to let her heart be clouded by bitterness. Serge and Isabelle marry and become King and Queen of Barony. Isabelle, tired of letting others decide her fate, asks a group of skilled female warriors she meets with to train her as a warrior. If only she can love her new husband, all things would come together and everything would be set right again!
The Awakened Prince is Book 2 of the brothers of Cardenas. The story line is compelling and emotional. The characters are very worthy and easy for the reader to care for as they go through such difficult times. Grab your copy and enjoy this wonderful book!
Serge and Isabella’s story was one I anxiously awaited since their introduction to us in The Rogue Prince. They have been friends since they were children, but Serge has always loved Isabella despite her being betrothed to her brother and heir apparent to the throne of Cardenas, Lionus. Lionus’ tragic death brings about changes nobody expected to happen. I loved watching these two come together. You could feel Serge’s longing and Isabella’s guilt and reluctance to let love back into her life again. I felt for him so much and it was heartbreaking to watch Isabella spurn his love. Watching Isabella find her true calling, as well as her love, was a joy to watch. I loved this book even more than the first and I really am looking forward to the next in the series. Lady warriors??? Yes, please. I loved the glimpse that we already received from the ladies, now Isabella’s friends, and I can’t wait to read their stories.
This is a book about love that was lost, a new chance at love and a deadly scheme all in a well-written piece. Serge & Isabelle together, they must fight to save their kingdom. Will Isabelle be able to love Serge or will Lionus memory keep them apart? This book has a good mixture of romance, intrigue & adventure written by a very talented writer. I look forward to more from the author and it is so worth picking up. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
Absolutely amazing!! I started reading this book this morning and have not been able to put it down all day until I finished it just a few minutes ago. I even ate my meals with my Kindle propped up in front of me! lol Elise Marion has done it again, she’s written another heartfelt and amazing story. Prince Serge Rochester awakens after being in a coma for a year, to find life as he knew it has changed quite a bit. The woman he has always loved, his older brother’s widow, Isabelle, is now available to him but can she ever stop loving her dead husband? Quite the adventure follows when he marries her and they become King and Queen of Barony and must fight the rebels attacking the villages.
I love how Isabelle decides to train as a warrior with the group of 4 lady warriors that she meets!! No longer will she be a spoiled princess, she will now fight for her kingdom and its people. I also love the passion between Serge and Isabelle! As for the ending, well, I have to admit I cried, it was such a beautiful ending to this particular story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The romance engaged my emotions, and the action and plot kept me intrigued. I received an ARC of this book.
4.25 Stars
The book was previously published as The Second Son but is re-released new title, new edits & new cover
When a devious plot against the royal family results in her husband Lionus’ death, Princess Isabelle Rothchester is left with a broken heart. Only one year after his brutal murder, she has no choice but to choose a new husband and return to her own kingdom, taking her place as queen and repairing the war-torn land.
After a deadly scheme against his family leaves Prince Serge hovering on the edge of death, he awakens from a year long coma to find that his elder brother has died and his younger brother Damien has taken the throne in his stead. When it is suggested that Princess Isabelle take him as her husband, Serge begins to hope that all his secret dreams will now come true. Despite the unexpected spark of desire between them, Isabelle resists the new path her heart is taking as she clings to her first husband’s memory. The rebellion washing over Barony comes to a boiling point. Together, they must fight to save their kingdom
A page turning read that flows well. Serge & Isabelle have been best friends for years but Serge has also loved her, so it’s no hardship for him to marry her even if she’s still in love with his elder brother. The attraction between the pair sizzles but Isabelle feels she would be disloyal to Lionus if she loved Serge. I thoroughly enjoyed this second book in the series, which could easily be read on its own The kingdoms are fictional & I enjoyed this fact as it gave the author more leeway in how the countries were ruled. There was a good mix of romance, intrigue & adventure & I look forward to more from the author.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Serge has always loved Isabelle. Inspite of herself, Isabelle finds herself very attracted to Serge. Isabelle learns to grow personally and professionally. She let’s go of the past, and embraces true happiness.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.