The Gypsy Prince (Sons of Cardenas, #1)

I’ve been enchanted with Cardenas and Barony, with all their colorful characters, since their conception and release. The Sons of Cardenas, specifically “The Gypsy Prince” certainly holds up to Elise Marion’s previous standards. From the second page of the book, I couldn’t help but fall in love with Prince Damien Alexander Rothchester II. I could literally picture the mischief dancing in his eyes. And what about Lady Lucille Wakefield, you ask? Such a strong, opinionated little female, I couldn’t help but admire her spirit every time she stands up for what she believes to be right. That was the initial introduction to these two dynamic characters. Fifteen years go by and we then see them as adults in a less than stellar situation and could immediately see where these two personalities have grown into themselves. The ensuing challenge, angst, challenge, chemistry, and love combine to give this another great read and one that will keep me on tenterhooks waiting on the next one. I was lucky enough to be given a copy of this book and this is my honest and voluntary review.

Prince Damien Alexander II is next in line to the throne of the kingdom of Cardenas 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 fifteen 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.

On reading the blurb I wondered if I’d enjoy the book as Alex didn’t appeal at all & I must confess I continued reading in the hope he would get his comeuppance. However the more I read the more I enjoyed the story & found myself engrossed. The pace of the story was very good with adventure, pirates, intrigue & angst. The characters were well portrayed & had depth of character & Alex if you want to find out what happens to him you’ll have to read the book!!
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

I had an ARC of this book, and then I purchased it because I admire the writing of Elise Marion. This late review in no way reflects on her or her Sons of Cardenas series…in fact, if anything, because I forgot to write this review, I just re-read the book to make sure I wasn’t missing anything. Nope, I didn’t.

This is another great example of the world-building that Elise Marion does in her Cardenas series of books. She has created a world so very real that it is hard to remember that these countries did not exist. And her characters? Oh my. Her characters are red blooded men and women who hold within them the kind of love and emotions we all want to see in our own lives.

In this book, Prince Damien Alexander is the Crown Prince of Cardenas, being the son of that luscious, yummy King Damien that we’d met in his own book. The apple did not fall far from the tree, although son is having difficulty slowing down his social life … until he meets a young lady he hasn’t seen in a number of years, and discovers that, rather than irritating him to the point that squiggly things are put down her dress, he finds that she has grown into a woman who is not at all interested in him. As he follows through with a bet, he finds that all is not what it appears to be with Lucille Wakefield.

I can’t say anything more here about the plot because any little hint will give parts of it away. And since part of the fun of reading Elise Marion are the surprises she can put into her books, I’ll stop there and say that yes! I highly recommend this book. And it isn’t just historical lovers who should be reading this. Anyone who likes a sensual love story, no matter where the hemlines fall, should look carefully at this book and pick up a copy. You’ll find very few story-tellers are better than Elise.

Prince Alex is bored and persuaded by his friends to make a bet. He is certain that he will get Lady Lucille in his bed at his parents house party. He has known Lady Lucille since they were children, but she has been away for 15 years. She has grown into a beautiful woman who seems to be immune to the prince’s charms and that annoys him. However, when he spends time with her, he discovers deeper feelings for her. When she discovers the truth, the bet, Lucy no longer trusts him and refuses to see him any longer.

This story is the first part in this book, but the book is only halfway and the story transforms from a romantic story to a conspiracy in which the prince is abducted. Because Lucy is with him at that moment, she is also taken. First captured by abductors who are attacked by pirates, they are dependent on each other to survive. Can Lucy trust the prince to protect her against both the pirates and her heart?

What a great book to read. Especially the switch in the second part of the book is unexpected. At the end of the house party, Prince Alex already informed his friends that the bet was canceled because he fell in love with Lucy and did not want to humiliate her. He fully understands that she no longer trusts him, but how difficult is it to be so close to the woman of your heart and not to be allowed to act on your feelings? Lucy is angry with what Alex did with her and never wants to see him again. But being locked up in a small room with no possibilities to leave forces her to be in contact with the prince. She must trust him to survive. But can she do that? And can she trust her heart to him?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

This time we are following the Gypsy Prince, Damien Alexander. He has been living up to his reputation as an unruly rake who is not behaving as a prince should. Enter Lady Lucille Wakefield. She is as straight laced as they come and is trying to overcome her mother’s dishonorable reputation. They played together as children, but she was shipped off to the country to avoid the family scandal.When Alex almost runs Lucille over while racing through the city streets, he finds his usual charms dismissed. This put-down leads to his bet with his friends that he can seduce and ruin her within two weeks. When the bet turns into something more, they find themselves entangled in a royal kidnapping. Will Alex be able to protect Lucille or will he lose her? What will become of them?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

I always let out a squeal of delight whenever a new book by Elise Marion is available:) I’m especially loving the Cardenas series and this time it’s the Sons of Cardenas who take the spotlight. This is Damian and Esmeralda’s son’s story and wow, what a story it is!

Alexander is 25 years old, having the time of his life being a bachelor, free to do as he pleases, a rake, a spoiled prince and reckless. Lucille is a lady who has spent her life watching every move she makes, to ensure no scandal ever touches her like it did her mother. Alex and Lucy meet as children and it doesn’t go well, to put it mildly! lol Now, 15 years later, they meet again and sparks fly but Alex has quite the hurdle before he can gain Lucy’s trust!!

There are many twists and turns in the story, some I didn’t see coming and I could barely stand to put the book down, I wanted to see what was going to happen next! Well written, fast paced and I also enjoyed seeing characters from previous books be part of this story.

I received an ARC of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

This story started off with a playboy Prince and an uptight women. It was your romance of two people that don’t like each other and one thinks he can woo the women and then leave her. Because of this is started off slow for me but then holy moly it took off. In this story you will see Damien and Lucy mature and open up. When put in a tough situation their whole lives are turned upside down.

Full of romance, steamy sexy scenes, angst and many twists and turns that I did not see coming.

When sweet Lucille first met spoiled Prince Alex, there was no friendship to be had for the 2 of them. He teased her and she stood her ground.
15 years later, Lady Lucille comes out of hiding from the country and comes back and becomes the target of a scandal with Prince Alex.
This is fast pace book filed with excitement and adventure. During this time Alex needs to find a way for Lucy to forgive him. I highly recommend this book.

This book is fantastic! It has romance and danger, while transporting you to another time. It was an extremely satisfying historical romance read and anyone who enjoys the genre will love this book!