Royal Seduction

By: Jennifer Blake

Narrated by: Melissa Reizian Frank

Length: 15 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

A golden prince, a ruthless captor, an unrelenting lover....

Poised, calculating, and ruthlessly charming, Prince Rolfe of Ruthenia takes beautiful Angeline Fortin captive, mistaking her for her cousin and compromising her beyond redemption. Escape from the prince is impossible, and Rolfe begins to torment her senses at every turn.

At last, captured and captivated, Angeline can't resist Rolfe's masterful seduction, and the prince discovers the only woman he's ever encountered who can meet him passion for passion.

But Rolfe is on a mission to find his brother's killer, and in a critical moment of mortal danger, it's Angeline herself who holds his life - and heart - in her delicate hands.

©1983 Patricia Maxwell (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

beautiful story

beautiful story with a sense of humor. will recommend.excellent narrative that make the story even better.

Performance kind of ruined it for me

Would you consider the audio edition of Royal Seduction to be better than the print version?

I really loved this book from the time it was released in 1989. But I didn't care for the way this reader made the Prince sound. I kept switching it off on my kindle to read and not listen. The story is terrific. I loved how the heroine knew Jim Bowie and that historical Alamo hero was in the story. Normally I don't care for books about Princes or Princesses. But this story will have you riveted from the beginning. Jennifer Blake is an amazing wordsmith. You will love this book! If you can get past the performance.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved the time period, and the careful way she handled the characters.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Very much so! I hated the accent she was trying for and would have been better off without it.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes!

Any additional comments?

I love the way Jennifer Blake writes! She is so talented.

Wonderful story and great narration.

Would you listen to Royal Seduction again? Why?

This is one of my favorite books and have read it countless times. I was thrilled to see it offered on audible. I have to say it was a comfortable listen , I liked listening to the book and will do so many more times. The narrator was great.
I get bored with books easy and don't finish half do what I start but this book is non stop action and so it keeps me engaged in the story. If you are like me and like Johanna Lindsey and Julie Garwood you should like this book also.

What other book might you compare Royal Seduction to and why?

Royal Passion. This it the h/h son's story and is even better than Royal Seduction. The H/h show up a lot in Royal Passion and you find out what happened to everyone in Royal Seduction.
I would also recommend Dream of Me by Josie Litton.

What about Melissa Reizian Frank’s performance did you like?

I loved Melissa Frank's performance. She is a great narrator and is now one of my favorites. I just relaxed and let her lead me though the story. That is unusual for me but one I loved.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There was a death in the book that really made me sad to see.

Any additional comments?

I really don't do reviews because I am lousy at them. I figure the book already has a description so I don't like to repeat that. But if I really like a book and like the narrator like this book I want to recommend it. The narrator really made this book for me, and it was already one of my favorites.

My prince

I loved the prince he was so steadfast never wavering, yes there is some unexceptable parts in this book rape, and murder but the prince did it for me. And I agree Melissa isn't very good with the Scottish accent at all but I love that Prince....R

Classic Bodice Ripper

Originally published in 1983, Royal Seduction is an authentic bodice ripper. Until I read one of these old school historical romances, I mistakenly believed the term bodice ripper was just a derogatory term for any romance. Bodice Rippers are typically historical romances published during the 70's 80's or early 90's and almost always include themes like rape, kidnap, abuse and/or forced seduction.

Having said all that, let me now reiterate Royal Seduction is an authentic Bodice Ripper. The hero, at least at first, is not at all nice to the heroine. The heroine is raped and suffers appalling treatment throughout the book. Personally, I find the whole 'days of our lives' atmosphere in these books hilarious. They're so over the top, so packed with eye rolling cliches and corny euphemisms, it becomes really hard to take even the more disturbing scenes seriously. To judge this book badly because of its themes of rape and violence is a little like judging an erotic novel poorly because of its explicit sex scenes. If you enjoy a good bodice ripper, you'll love this book. However, if your unfamiliar with old school historical romances you might not enjoy this one.

Smart heroine

Good story and pretty good narration. The narrator needs to practice her Scottish accent - hers sounded Jamaican and was often hard to understand.

royal seduction

it is good to read the book. i like listening to book,tooo. so mANY

MYSTERY. ..

What did I come across-Exhilarating & Sensational!

This is one crazy read/listen. Definitely not the predictable rake reformation story or gentleman meets hellcat who is transformed into sweet vixen. This is very different.... This is a "throw all of your notions of a romance out the door" & "fasten your seatbelt for the ride." The story takes place in the 1800's in Louisiana in a time where the country had many pockets of danger. This book details the unbreakable, insatiable and compelling love story of Prince Rolfe of Ruthenia and Angline.

Difficult parts of the book
1) The concept of rape in this book has been very controversial. More so, it's the treatment of women in an era where a woman was vulnerable among both men and women that I found really tough. There are some very, very sad trajectories of women in this book. It was heart-wrenching to read those parts. For a woman who found herself in a life-altering tragedy (i.e. rape, being kidnapped by men etc.), not only was she personally tormented, but there was very little sympathy from society. Therefore, there were very little choices for a woman found in this terrible predicament with minimal chances of a "happily ever after."

2) It was so sad how some great characters in the book died. I would have liked or preferred less death of people who had so much potential. Thankfully, the evil people die as well.

3) Unrequited love is a difficult thing. I was sad about a suitor's love who did not receive affection in return from his intended. I think those wounds just don't heal easy.

Redeeming parts of the book
1) It's hard to tell when this book redeems itself, but it most certainly does. From the beginning this book will make your heart race. Every moment, scene & travel in the book is unpredictable and well...exciting.

Even though the Hero, Rolfe starts off really bad (after all he violates the heroine), it's odd because Angline faces her situation with courage, some level of resignation and well, almost nonchalance. It was hard to gauge her emotions during the first parts of her relationship with the Hero. I'm not sure if she was psychologically protecting herself or if she really was quite taken & charmed by this man...I don't know...but, ultimately the Captive falls in LOVE with the Captor... and vice versa. I understand that message is not healthy, but perhaps it's the skill of Jennifer Blake & her nuances in Rolfe & Angline's unique situation that makes their unfolding, steamy romance become something strong, lasting and quite irresistible.

There is no question that the Hero and Heroine fall hard for one another. They put each other's needs above their own and sacrifice much to keep one another safe. I think the author did a good job in writing about their backgrounds, presses and one can get a good sense of where each is coming from.

2) There are so many twists and great plot events in this book! I did not see the end and resolution coming! Jennifer Blake did a fabulous job in writing about very intriguing characters & their relationship to one another that makes this story credible and quite fascinating. I did not suspect the traitor until he/she was revealed...wow! So, crazy!

Things I loved about the book:
1) It's obvious that Rolfe, from the beginning, wants and desires Angline, but there is a part where you know that this man grows to simply adore her. She becomes as necessary to him as breathing...this man can not leave her alone...He NEEDS HER.

2) The chemistry between Rolfe & Angline is on fire! It's not just physical, it's mental and intellectual. Angline is sharp, intelligent, kind-hearted and fierce. And, of course Rolfe is attracted to her person. That is, her complete being. But, in particular, I like how Rolfe's defenses are put to the side and he showers her with a poetic dialogue that really showcases the charmer he is. Their banter is charged with witty quips and intellectual challenges that I think leave both...um, intellectually stimulated, shall we say?...LOL

3) I just can't wait to read/listen to the 2nd book. I can't wait to hear about how Rolfe and Angline live their life and how the story continues with the next generation....

Narrator:
In the audiobook, the narrator was good. I know her Scottish accent needs some help, but overall, she was very good.

Good and different

This is different from most other romance which kept my interest. At times it seemed a little long. Love the prince. Narrator at times made it difficult to distinguish characters.

Mixed feelings...

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD

This book has a lot of violence toward women. If you have any triggers of that nature this probably isn't the book for you. The heroine, who is mistaken for her cousin, is kidnapped and raped by the "hero" of the story. First, I don't understand how the heroine could fall in love with her rapist. Second, as he is raping her the "hero" realizes she was telling the truth about her identity and the fact that she was a virgin. He immediately regrets his actions but still does not release her. By the end of the book, they are supposedly in love but I suspect she suffered from Stockholm syndrome rather than true love.

That being said, the story had good pacing and was well narrated/performed. I will listen to the next book in the series which hopefully will not be as controversial.