The Wicked Prince

By: Nicole Burnham

Narrated by: Hollis McCarthy

Length: 9 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

Prince Alessandro Barrali is known for his wild ways. After he's compelled to stand in for his staid identical twin, all Alessandro wants is to escape the fishbowl of palace life and indulge himself. When he awakens aboard the royal yacht awash in hedonism, yet bored out of his mind, he decides a new quest is in order.

Francesca "Frannie" Lawrence needs capable volunteers at the children's shelter she's opened on the tsunami-devastated South Pacific island of Kilakuru. When Prince Alessandro Barrali appears on her doorstep, she's sure she has a nightmare on her hands. Since the royal family provide the shelter's financial backing, she can't turn him away. Nor can she deny that the children adore him. Can she find a way to protect the children in her care - and the walls around her heart - against a challenge from a wicked prince?

©2016 NIcole Burnham (P)2016 Nicole Burnham

I absolutely cannot wait for more

It's so hard to choose a favorite with this series, but I think this one comes closest. Nicole Burnham writes wonderfully with great storylines. I enjoy "the world" she has created. I cried at the end of this one. I absolutely cannot wait for more.

Hollis McCarthy's voice is perfection while reading these stories. She has made these books a delight to listen to while I'm on longer trips. The story plays out like a movie in my head which makes the monotonous drive less tiring.

The Wicked Prince, Wicked Indeed

Prince Alessandro's character has come full circle in this book. He started out in the earlier Royal Scandal Books as the party prince. But in his Alessandro's story, we get to see the party prince mature, find his purpose in life and fall in love. Beautifully written and read, another great addition to the Royal Scandal Series.

Wild and Wicked.

Would you consider the audio edition of The Wicked Prince to be better than the print version?

I have not had the pleasure of reading The Wicked Prince in print, but Ms. McCarthy's tempting delivery has me looking forward to doing so.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Alessandro was a gift worth unwrapping. He was seductive, sweet and frustrating all at once. He was so much more than the playboy image he displayed. A caring brother, loving son and a lost soul searching for direction.

What does Hollis McCarthy bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Imagery. She paints a bountiful picture of colorful characters, while giving a voice to the author's creativity.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

From Wicked Prince to Royal Presence.

Any additional comments?

Ms. Burnham's beautiful settings and creative dialogue provides the perfect means for Ms. McCarthy to leave listeners in awe. Burnham and McCarthy are a dream combination.

What to do when you are the spare heir?

What made the experience of listening to The Wicked Prince the most enjoyable?
I've enjoyed all these stories by the same narrator. I enjoy catching up on the family and seeing what is currently happening

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Wicked Prince?
The kid sandwich - on the trip from the church to the shelter after the storm came through

Which character – as performed by Hollis McCarthy – was your favorite?
Prince Alessandro Barrali - I enjoy listening to the narrator

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
Prince Alessandro Barrali figuring out what to do with his life when he is the spare heir and cannot do what he found he enjoyed

Any additional comments?
This story follows Prince Alessandro Barrali as he transitions from a playboy to a valuable contributing citizen of the world. It was also interesting to watch Frannie learn that there is more to life than following all the rules.

#GlobeTrotting #HappyEnding #Celebrity #FemaleProtagonist #tagsgiving #sweepstakes

Great Addition

The Wicked Prince: Royal Scandals Book 5 by Nicole Burnham. Prince Alessandro has always been the wild Barrali. He loves adventure and going his own way. He meets Francesca Lawrence when he is impersonating his brother, Crown Prince Vittorio. Once his impersonation duties are complete Alessando returns to his “wild ways”. However, he is dissatisfied with his life and is looking for a new escape. Frannie left a lucrative job to open a shelter on the tsunami ravaged island of Kilakuru. She travels to Sarcaccia to meet with the Queen to request additional funding for the shelter and in is in hopes of recruiting some volunteers. When Prince Alessandro appears at the shelter in the South Pacific, she’s sure he has no idea what he is getting into and is just whiling away his time. As he spends time at the shelter she comes to realize that the children love him and enjoy spending time with him. She is beginning to feel the same but is afraid to trust her heart to the heartbreaker Prince Alessandro. Alessandro feels that his past indiscretions make him an unsuitable partner for Frannie.

Hollis McCarthy has narrated all the books in this series. She again does an excellent job with the accents and characters voices, including the children. She appears to have an affinity for the Barrali family and their accented speech. Ms. McCarthy’s ability to make the come alive, is a great asset to the narration of the book. Her telling of the story has you feeling the emotions that the characters experience. The narration flowed nicely with no stops or stammers. There don’t appear to be any miscues in the reading.

a sweet love story

What made the experience of listening to The Wicked Prince the most enjoyable?

Another sweet love story in the royal scandals series. This one is a bit more credible in the story line, and of course has a happy ending. Hollis McCarthy again excels as the narrator, making this a total listening enjoyment...looking forward to the next book!!