The Prince and I (The Oxenburg Princes #2)
by Karen Hawkins
Blurb:
Gregori Romanovin, Oxenburg’s warrior prince,
is escorting his grandmother to a house party deep in the Highlands when he and
his entourage are robbed at sword point by a group of
ruffians led by a man the locals have dubbed “The Scottish Robin Hood.” The
battle-savvy prince instantly realizes there’s something different about this
thief, and it’s not just the Scottish accent—it’s the fact that “he” is really
a “she.”
Lady
Murian, a young widow out for revenge against the powerful earl who killed her
husband and stole his birthright, is now living in the woods with her family’s
banished retainers. To stay alive, she and her band of men rob rich nobles
coming to visit the evil earl. But when she ambushes the Prince of Oxenburg’s
golden coach, she gets far more than she expected. For when the prince uncovers
her true identity, she’s afraid that he might be the real thief…of her heart.
Themes: historical,
Scotland!
Rating: 4.25 stars
Heat Rating:
Review:
Another prince has found his princess, in
probably the most unexpected of places, as he travels through Scotland with his
eccentric grandmother. I have been a fan
of Karen’s since the first story I read by her, and this new series revolving
around the Princes of the fictional country of Oxenburg keep me coming back for
more and wondering what outrageous events these men will find themselves
wrapped up in next. If you have missed
the previous stories about these brothers, you are greatly missing out IMHO,
but you will be fine with this story because Karen truly writes them as
standalones, with all the details you need to follow along. Max and Murian’s story is full of drama,
danger, laughter, and love and it was interesting to see her school him in what
it really takes to be a hero for her.
The Robin Hood themed story has some funny twists though as Max finds a
way to help Murian and the ways they deal with the attraction between
them. I am looking forward to seeing
what happens in the coming stories and what types of mates the rest of the
princes find for themselves.
Max
is beyond disgruntled at having to transport and protect his borderline crazy
grandmother as she travels to the country home of a man that neither of them
can really stand, especially when she won’t tell him why they have to make the
journey. When they are set-upon by a
group of thieves, Max finds himself facing the dilemma of hungry villagers in
need and giving up a few of their goods is within his capability. However things go awry when he finds himself challenged
by the leader of the troupe, someone that almost bests him, but that turns out
to be a most unexpected vision. Lady
Murian has done her best by her people since the death of her husband, their
Laird, and the subsequent ousting of her people from their homes. Determined to give everything to her people
she captures Max’s attention and he is willing to help her reach her goals, but
the attraction between them is just to irresistible and soon they find
themselves falling for one another, an impossible situation when neither is
willing to compromise their futures. Can
they find a way to be together and still do what’s right by both of their
people?
Max
was the quintessential man of his time and station—arrogant and all-knowing—but
his sweetness and willingness to embrace his people as equals is not to be
neglected. I really liked him, even if
at times his overbearing nature was enough to drive Murian insane, he always
has the best interests of others at heart.
While I could see that he had issues giving up control, he often listens
closely to Murian and was able to embrace an equal partnership with her. The love that develops between them is at
turns intense with sensuality and light with laughter, but once they realize
the love they share, they both try to find a way to come together for
life. Lady Murian is a woman totally out of time; following the paths of her male counterparts and willing to give her
all for her people, she would have been an awesome warrior princess in the
medieval past or a kick ass military woman in this age. She was sweet when she was able to let down
her guard with Max and show her softer side, but when she steps up to be in
charge of her people and their needs, her inner strength shines brightly. I think so far that Murian is my favorite new
princess of Oxenburg and I cannot wait to see how she shakes up the royal
family in coming novels.
This
story might have seemed like the classic retelling of the Robin Hood story, but
though there are some similarities, the differences are enough to keep you
interested and wondering what will happen next.
Max and Murian are a perfectly matched couple, butting heads and bruising
egos, even while tenderly caring for each other’s hearts and souls as they fall
in love. Max is a strong and dedicated
warrior, but at the same time he is a man of the people, working alongside his
men on everyday tasks, while taking their opinions into account just as much as
his own. Lady Murian has had a challenging
life, with a lot of loss and sadness, but she doesn’t let that keep her from doing
what she thinks is best for her friends and people. I really enjoyed seeing her battling and
strategizing right alongside Max, and then coming home to take him into her
arms as her lover. There was plenty of
wit, laughter, and surprise that you never know what will be said or done
next. I cannot wait to see whose story
is next and find out what they will go through to find their Princess and turn
her into their queen. Keep the magic coming Karen, and I will keep thinking of
you as the queen of Scottish Romance.
*eARC provided by publisher (via
netgalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review. No
compensation was provided.
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