Once a Princess (Cardinia's Royal Family, #1)

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Once a Princess (Cardinia's Royal Family #1)

4.01 of 5 stars 4.01 · rating details · 4,771 ratings · 142 reviews

Once Upon A Time...In a rustic Mississippi tavern, a beautiful exiled princess was forced to dance for the pleasure of othersunaware of her regal birthright...and infuriated by a magnificent golden-eyed devil who crossed an ocean to possess her.From A Far Off Land...

A bold and brazen prince came to America to claim his promised bride. But the spirited vixen spurned his af

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Paperback, 432 pages

Published June 1st 1991 by Avon

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20th out of 187 books — 583 voters

Prisoner of My Desire by Johanna Lindsey

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15th out of 240 books — 325 voters

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Jan 04, 2013 Mermarie rated it 2 of 5 stars

I was sixteen when I read this. My aunt gave me some hardback romances, and this one was one of them. Memory is sketchy, but I filled it in with LOLzy bits and comic relief.

I remember something about a tavern wench with a birthmark being a long lost princess(lol, I wonder if that would hold up in court. I need to collect my long, lost inheritance!), and her being rather lovely, if it weren't for those pesky men harassing her, so she ashes up her face to look like a leper and men are teh scarez o...more I was sixteen when I read this. My aunt gave me some hardback romances, and this one was one of them. Memory is sketchy, but I filled it in with LOLzy bits and comic relief.

I remember something about a tavern wench with a birthmark being a long lost princess(lol, I wonder if that would hold up in court. I need to collect my long, lost inheritance!), and her being rather lovely, if it weren't for those pesky men harassing her, so she ashes up her face to look like a leper and men are teh scarez of her deathmask, so that keeps them at bay. The hero sails from an unknown kingdom to collect the princess for marrying. Heheheheh. It likely pre-dates Shrek's Far, Far Away. He readily starts the ridiculing and kickin' her down for her lack of jawdropping attributes, but later, after a surprise dip in a stream/lake(?) he sees what an utter jackass rat bastard he's been, but doesn't hesitant to continue with the beatdown.

Now, in my head. ...I was all, oh god girl, don't do it. Make him feel your hairy legs for months, and skip deodorant a few days to test his lovin's....(I was sixteen, get off my ballz), but in all actuality -- the freakin' HERO was the one really scarred and shit. He reminded me of the Mummy, with the sinewy bits of muscles & cartilage stretched over skull. Or a really gaunt Willem Dafoe...who I have everlasting love for, but still. Why you callin' people fugly when you're obviously pushing the average number, you bastage. Threatened by beauty, make woman feel inferior for it, check.

Eventually he's overcome with the ruts and does the heroine in the veil of the night, but insists she's some trollop, from her showcasing at the tavern she served at, so he doesn't believe her when she says she was a bleedin' virgin. It seems as though his valet had to confirm it. Yes, as I recall the hero didn't even have the courtesy of REMOVING his breeches during the deed, and the evidence was there.

First of all... what guy does that? Iono, maybe his balls are scarred, too. Maybe he has a flat tire sack goin' on or some telltale parasitic twin growth, I'm not sure, but that was ultimately pathetic, by any human standards. Unless this Prince has Foehammer tucked away for the sexors, my best bet is that a good part of it is gonna STILL be hidden inside his breeches. And don't get me started on zippers---thank goodness there weren't any during that time period, I'm assuming, or else she would have had a few ripped stitches. And needless to say--- a virgin + pants soaking up your trope heroine's natural, endless spring, during the whole gawd-awful dressed for EVERY affair nightmare, I'm terrified to think of a repeat.

Secondly...why is your valet acting as a woman's reputation courier, and lastly...was he not disrobed because his valet generally does that for him? Lol When your valet is more familiar with your clothing than you are, it's time to put down the crown of prissy pussness.

Lololol @ Johanna Lindsey. ;D You make me sniggle giggle.(less)

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Dec 04, 2011 Judy rated it 5 of 5 stars

1/14/2011
Book 1: Once A Princess
Stefan Barany is to become King and must go and retrieve his future queen from America, where she was hidden as a baby to keep her alive. Her father, the King at that time, had put to death the son of a Baron for murder, in turn the Baron promised to kill off all of the Janacek's, and the feud and deaths continued. All but Tatiana survived because she was sent away.

Tanya had a terrible life. The people who took her in as a baby owned a tavern and treated her like...more

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May 26, 2012 Natalie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Okay, first of all, I found the synopsis for this book incredibly deceiving. It says that a princess is forced to dance for the pleasure of other men.

True? Yes, it is true. It’s not a lie. However, to me, the synopsis is worded in such a way that to me it indicated that she is a dancer. In other words, present tense. This is not so. Perhaps someone can say this is my own fault, because the synopsis didn’t lie, it was merely my own interpretation of it. Thus, how can I be upset.

In any event, the...more

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Apr 03, 2012 Nova rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

4,5 stars

Serial Cardinia Family salah satu serial favorit saya..

Once a Princess ceritanya tentang Princess Tatiana yang sejak bayi diungsikan ke Amerika karna hidupnya terancam pembunuhan oleh musuh kerajaan, bahkan dia merupakan satu2nya keturunan keluarga Janacek yang tersisa. Sayangnya pengungsiannya itu tidak berjalan seperti yang direncanakan, pengasuhnya terserang penyakit dan meninggal sesaat setelah sampai di Amerika. Jadilah Tatiana hidup susah dibawah asuhan suami istri pemilik bar dan...more

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Nov 02, 2011 Maria rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance, series-cardinian, author-johanna-lindsey

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Apr 16, 2011 Darlyn rated it 3 of 5 stars

A story of Tanya, a girl who never knows that she's a princess or her true name, Tatiana until a barbaric guy came to rescue her from an abusive tavern-owner, whom she believed her father and her family. As the King Sandor's men came to take Tanya, is finally able to gain control of her life where she was barely better than a slave will soon be hers. Tanya learned that she is betrothed to the King's son, Vasili as told by Stefan without knowing that Stefan is actually the king's son. He has no d...more

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Feb 26, 2012 Kristy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: hott-spots, historical-love, loved-it, 2012, royalty, widget-shelf

Due to his fathers failing health Prince Stefan is to become King. His fathers last wish is to see Stefan married to Princess Tatiana, who he was betrothed to the day she was born. Shortly after her birth the princess was sent into hiding because she was the last left in her royal family. Stefan goes to America expecting to find a gently raised princess, what he finds is his princess dancing on a stage in the bar she was raised in and now manages.

I really enjoyed this book right from the start....more Due to his fathers failing health Prince Stefan is to become King. His fathers last wish is to see Stefan married to Princess Tatiana, who he was betrothed to the day she was born. Shortly after her birth the princess was sent into hiding because she was the last left in her royal family. Stefan goes to America expecting to find a gently raised princess, what he finds is his princess dancing on a stage in the bar she was raised in and now manages.

I really enjoyed this book right from the start. I loved Tatiana's spirit, and the fight she had in her. But I also loved Stefan because even though he exuded all the confidence and arrogance of a King, he was also had insecurities. It did get annoying how they continually misunderstood each other. They misunderstood the things they said to each other and the motives for which they did things. It got annoying. But it felt so good to read the resolution, when it all finally came out, and they finally understood each other, that I was able to overlook the constant misunderstandings. I loved the times when they were getting along and on the same page. It never lasted long though and they technically weren't completely on the same page until the end of the book, I would have liked to read a little more of them getting along. But I wouldn't say that there wasn't closure at the end because of that. Johanna Lindsey took her time telling this story. Despite the immediate attraction they both felt for each other. They had plenty of time to develop feelings for each other. So by the time I got to the end of the book, I felt very fulfilled, even though I would have liked to read more with them getting along.

Another thing I liked was that Tatiana's personality, despite being raised by poor people, reflected her royal roots. She was a very strong in character and didn't back down from a fight no matter how out numbered she was. I thought she acted very much like a strong queen would, even though she had no idea she was royalty.(less)

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Nov 16, 2011 Reesha Khan Khattak rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: one-day-read, historical-romance

okay, so I finished this book real fast. Well I always do when the story line starts with an arranged betrothal and the kings and queens and kingdoms and all eighteenth century stuff.
I hated the idea of spanking in the book. I mean, what the hell people? If the girl did something wrong, why go ahead and spank her for it? She was an adult and what they were doing was against her will , so then she should be spanked for that. And even before the wedding, they joked about spanking. Tanya too. How...more

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Apr 14, 2012 Funzee Shu rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Setelah berkutat dengan noveL2 HR’nya Julia Quinn & Lisa Kleypas, akhirnya gw mutusin untuk nyoba baca karyanya Johanna Lindsey.

Dan, pilihan pertama jatuh pada buku ini (itu juga atas rekomendasi & repiu dari beberapa teman yang sudah lebih ‘senior’ dalam melahap noveL2 HR, gw kan newbe dalam dunia per-HR-an)

Well, dari awal gw sudah suka sama jalinan ceritanya, esmosi gw sempet ikutan naik-turun baca ni noveL, meski yah…..rada mangkeL juga sebenernya sama si Stefan. But sudahLah…..yang p...more

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Nov 23, 2008 Jaimey rated it 2 of 5 stars Recommends it for: anyone who likes really trashy romance

Shelves: romance-historical, no-longer-mine, reviewed

Honestly, I was prepared to love this book. No such luck. It was entertaining at times but some of the language struck me as highly unlikely for 1835. And one line that stuck in my head was uttered by Tanya, the long-lost princess turned barmaid, something about being unable to understand why they kept thinking she was a whore. I'm thinking it was because they found her in a tavern in Mississippi where even the ugliest female tavern workers were propositioned by anything male. For some reason, t...more

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Feb 18, 2012 Indah Threez Lestari rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance, indonesian

132 - 2012

Waktu beberapa penerbit di Indonesia mulai rajin menerbitkan novel-novel Johanna Lindsey, aku sama sekali tak tergerak untuk beli, karena hampir semua novelnya sudah kubaca, baik berupa buku fisik maupun buku elektronik. Lagipula,lebih asyik baca dalam bahasa aslinya, dan jelas tidak ada acara sensor-menyensor :)

Tapi memang daya tarik buku obral susah dilawan. Melihat Dastan buka obralan di Gramedia Plangi, tahu-tahu beberapa novel sudah masuk kantong belanjaan dan salah satunya novel...more

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Mar 16, 2013 Marie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: johanna-lindsey, historical-romance

Bintang 5.
Buku ke1 seri Cardinia's Royal Family.

Love the story... Love Tanya and Stefan...
Highly recomended. You must read by your self...

Alkisah disebuah kerajaan bernama Cardinia, bertahta seorang raja Janacek. Satu hari raja Janacek menghukum mati putra seorang bangsawan yg berpengaruh yg terbukti membunuh istrinya sendiri dihadapan 5 orang saksi yg memberatkan. Stambolof sang ayah tidak menerima keputusan raja, malah balik memfitnah putra mahkota yg telah membunuh menantunya karena masa lalu...more

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Sep 29, 2011 Sue Lyndon rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: bodice-ripping-goodness, historical-romance, arranged-marriage

I finally got around to reading this last week...and yet again Johanna Lindsey blew me away. If you like romance stories that begin with a betrothal/arranged marriage and the hero and heroine start out at odds with one another, you'll probably like this book. The hero is very dominant and determined to bring the heroine back to his country, even if it means chasing the heroine and dragging her back kicking and screaming. Don't worry, they fall in love along the way. The only thing that might bot...more

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Sep 23, 2012 Zehan Ilyana rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favourites-english, english, 5-stars-english, historical-romance

this was my mom's favorite book all time.. dan ianya menular kepada aku.. aku suka cerita ini.. aku suka cerita ni lebih dari novel2 judith mcnaught.
i dont know how to review this book. but this book is awesome! first time baca ni, masa tahun 2006..and seriously, tak pernah jemu baca sampailah sekarang...
i love this book just like how my mama loved this book...:)

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Jun 07, 2012 Theresa Contreras rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 5-stars, alpha-male, betrayal, broken-heart, charmer, damaged-goods, dangerous, dark, family-drama, hate-to-love, forbidden, fan-worthy-sex-scene, hero, hidden-love, if-i-had-a-time-machine, hero-hero, in-love-with-heroine, favorites, jealous-male, in-love-with-hero, johanna-lindsey, i-wish-i-was-you-girl, kidnapped, im-not-who-i-say, laugh-out-loud, lies, lady-and-the-tramp, looks-can-be-deceiving, marriage-of-convenience, keeper, melt-my-heart, mistress, misunderstanding, murder, over-too-soon, poor-girl, possessive, power-house, prostitute, rags-to-riches, rake, re-read, recommend-to-others, reformed-rake, rich, rich-guy-poor-girl, romance, ruined, scandal, second-chance-at-love, secrets, seduction, series-but-stand-alone, sexy-as-sin, series, stud-muffin, super-sexy, swoon-worthy, tall-dark-and-hansom, temper-tantrums, travel, top-5-favs, virgin, we-both-have-money, young-heroine, wish-list, king, find-rest-of-series

This book had me ready to claw my eyes out at 430am, but at the same time had me ready to call my husband home early so he could, er, help me out! Damn it was good, hot, well written, sexy... I could go on forever! A must read, a must own and re-read also! The hero, even with all of his power is gentle, sweet, and super sexy, he's protective, loyal, honest, and courageous for any man let alone he is a KING! The heroine is young and lead a really rough life, she's so strong, and I really admired...more

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Apr 07, 2012 Missy LaRae rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Fans of HR

Shelves: books-so-good-i-cldn-t-put-em-down, books-i-read-more-than-once

I love this book. I mean, I really love this book. I have read this book seven times. I first got this from my aunt when I was fourteen years old, (I'm 32 now), and I loved it. It was my first introduction into Historical Romance, and I fell completely in love with it. I've read every single book that Johanna Lindsey has written, but Once A Princess will always have a special place in my heart. I was going through some difficult things in my life when I first read this book, and no matter what i...more

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Dec 24, 2011 April rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Reading this book in Kindle format was like taking a trip back in time. I'd read this book before close to 20 years ago, only I can't remember if at the time it was a book I borrowed from a high school friend or a book I borrowed from the library, but I remember always watching out for Johanna Lindsey's name because her books were always rollicking good fun to read. This second time around was no different, even as cliched as it now seems to me.

The hero is a prince from a fictional country, the...more Reading this book in Kindle format was like taking a trip back in time. I'd read this book before close to 20 years ago, only I can't remember if at the time it was a book I borrowed from a high school friend or a book I borrowed from the library, but I remember always watching out for Johanna Lindsey's name because her books were always rollicking good fun to read. This second time around was no different, even as cliched as it now seems to me.

The hero is a prince from a fictional country, the heroine a princess — but the princess was taken away as an infant to live in anonymity in America because her entire family was the target of assassins in a feud, and the only way to protect her was to whisk her away and hide her. By some twist of fate, though, her guardians died, so she grew up never knowing her true identity. The prince, in preparation of ascending the throne, needs to find the princess, bring her back, and marry her, mainly because she is the last of her line and their marriage would further legitimize and solidify his right to the throne. He's not thrilled about it because she's reputed to be a beauty and likely brought up to know her place in their kingdom, and he's badly scarred in the face — he's afraid she'd look down on him or look at him with revulsion. No one in his kingdom knows, least of all himself, that because her guardians died while she was still too young to be told anything, the princess has actually been brought up to be a barmaid.

How can a premise like that not intrigue a reader of romance?

It's all a highly unlikely set of circumstances, I know — this is not a realistic kind of story; it's just plain fun. It's got a little bit of that Shakespearean mistaken identity feel to it at times, especially since she uses face paint to hide her beauty. Also, he assumes that because she's been brought up to be a barmaid she couldn't possibly still be a virgin, and she assumes he and his men are all a pack of lying, conniving kidnappers set on forcing her to work in some brothel somewhere. Where else can they be taking her?

Plenty of action, lots of plot — possibly because it's also a road story; so much happens on their trip from America, back to the old country. The entire time, she keeps trying to escape them, and they're always having to get her back somehow. Nicely drawn characters, and though I remembered nearly everything I'd read before I truly enjoyed reading this a second time.(less)

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Aug 28, 2012 Krishawna Stewart rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: scarred-or-imperfect-heroes

Johanna Lindsey is in my top 3 favorite authors. I just LOVE her work. This book is no exception. The hero in this novel is scarred due to injuries sustained from trying to save somebody(his brother I think?) from a pack of wolves. He is very self conscious of this fact. To the point that he will only hit on and sleep with ugly women despite that he is a prince. He just doesn't think a beautiful woman could find him attractive. Plus he has a terrible temper and is always worried he will take it...more

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Sep 07, 2010 Brenda rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: johanna-lindsey, romance

ceritanya oke, gak berbelit-belit and gue langsung ngerti jalan-nya. Like banget Stefan and Tanya or Tatiana ini:) Liat si Stefan, Vasilli Lazar, and Serge repot2 bolak-balik gara2 si Tanya kabur mulu kerjaan-nya padahal dia adalah Princess Tatiana Janacek, masa sih Tanya gak percaya padahal dia dijemput sama cowok2 ganteng gitu wkwkwk.. klo gw jadi Tanya gak bakal nolak deh..hehe^^ Tapi akhirnya bener2 perfect Stefan and Tanya married^^ but aku kesel sama si Alicia, dia sampai menyuruh orang un...more

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Feb 10, 2012 Monique J. rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance

Lindsey’s Once a Princess is yet another take on Beauty and the Beast. Set in 1835, Stefan Barany is scarred—physically and emotionally. In an act of bravery, a young Stefan was disfigured when he stepped in front of an assassin’s rapier. Today most women are repulsed by his ruined face. So when Stefan’s told he must travel to America, retrieve a long-lost Princess, and then marry her in order to receive the kingdom, Stefan is not a happy puppy—I mean, Prince. Then things get complicated. Stefan...more

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Apr 20, 2010 Christy rated it 5 of 5 stars

I've had this book sitting in my garage since I was a toddler and just picked it up yesterday out of boredom. I actually found it quite a good book. Although all the hints are there at first to how the outcome is going to turn out, I didn't quite catch them as I was so consumed with the whole love story. Tanya shows to be not as naive as they picture her and proves to be a better woman from how she was raised. I was quite disappointed at how fast Stefan and his fellas were to judge the young Tan...more

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Oct 16, 2011 Cary rated it 3 of 5 stars

I almost gave this one 4 stars as it was so different from any other romance novel plot! I salute the author for that. Not over the top erotic but that was what kept it to 3 stars for me as I don't need that type of description to make the story "Better"! I appreciated the characters staying true to themselves and was not put off by the fact that the plot turned on lies as it seem to fit the circumstance. (Most times I am just turned off by what could be avoided if a bit of honesty was employed...more

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Dec 01, 2010 Booked rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-and-all, sprinkled-with-humor

description

ONCE UPON A TIME...
In a rustic Mississippi tavern, a beautiful exiled princess was forced to dance for the pleasure of others--unaware of her regal birthright ... and infuriated by a magnificent, golden-eyed devil who crossed an ocean to possess her.

FROM A FAR OFF LAND...
A bold and brazen prince came to America to claim his promised bride. But the spirited vixen spurned his affections while inflaming his royal blood with passion's fire... impelling virile Stefan Barany to take in sen...more

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May 07, 2013 Sugar rated it 4 of 5 stars

Review:

Awww, a Cinderella/rags to riches story, my favorite! Well this was a pleasant and fun romantic historical: Tanya just wants her years of hard work and pain to pay off and own the tavern belonging to her so called “stepfather.” The prize gets closer and closer till four men show up an claim that she is the long lost princess of a small European country and has to come with them so she can marry the king, well, this obviously crashes all her current goals and makes chaos of her former life...more Review:

Awww, a Cinderella/rags to riches story, my favorite! Well this was a pleasant and fun romantic historical: Tanya just wants her years of hard work and pain to pay off and own the tavern belonging to her so called “stepfather.” The prize gets closer and closer till four men show up an claim that she is the long lost princess of a small European country and has to come with them so she can marry the king, well, this obviously crashes all her current goals and makes chaos of her former life. Not that she actually believes them, but they are a stubborn lot. So begins her journey to her so called kingdom, while trying to ignore her growing feelings for the tortured and easy to irritate Stefan. Who wants to be a princess when you can be a tavern owner? Now that’s a real dream life! At least for Tanya it is, and that’s why I liked her.

Aside from the spunky and opinionated Tanya, the other characters were definitely likable as well, at least the ones that were supposed to be that way. Vasili – I’m not so sure about if we were meant to despise him or feel compelled, but to me he was definitely the comic relief, not to mention a hot hunk, whom I couldn’t completely take seriously. Need I say that he was my favorite character?

Other aspects I liked: Looking over the physical and seeing what is actually inside was very important. The dynamics of the four guys come to retrieve Tanya. Reluctant love-hate romance is always a win for me, the banter stemming from that was decent.

Didn’t like: There was too much emphasis on the whole whore-question and it was getting kind of annoying with the accusations and no final clarification on that topic for so long. Besides, I know it was a different time and age, but this really pushed my injustice and discrimination buttons. There was also too much miscommunication or simple withholding of information at times. The main clue on what made Tanya a princess was slightly far fetched.

Characters:

Tanya was such a punch-in-the-face heroine for any guy trying to bring her down. I totally respect her for that take-no-s*** from anyone attitude, but her constant defiance and hostility got slightly tiring in the end. There could have been a better balance, but then again I can’t blame her of showing who’s boss and you just couldn’t put her down without a fight even with all the prejudices against her. I also liked that she wasn’t gullible and didn’t fall for those highly improbable claims the four guys come to her with. She was quite daring in her ways to brush them off. I wasn’t, however, particularly fond of her extreme stubbornness, it did a disservice to her more times than one.

Stefan wasn’t really charming as much as captivating. He had big temper/anger control issues, but I didn’t find them that bad. He was honorable and tried to be a gentleman, but Tanya had the ability to make him, well, a total idiot. He was also quite blind to the glaringly obvious, especially in things concerning Tanya. It was slightly odd that everyone else was bothered by the scars, but Tanya didn’t even notice them that much. Well, love is blind I guess. A more than decent hero to the untamable Tanya.

Overall:

This was an enjoyable fairy tale historical that totally quenched my need to read something romantic, old-fashioned and so far from reality that it’s so bad it’s good. Recommend to all who like historicals and Cinderella.(less)

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Jul 15, 2012 Yuliana Permata Sari rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: my-little-library, favorites

http://yulianapermatasari.blogspot.co...

Sejak awal ayahnya menyuruhnya menjemput calon istrinya yang terkenal cantik karena memiliki orang tua yang cantik, Stefan memang tidak mau menurutinya. Namun karena itu adalah wasiat terakhir saat ayahnya sedang sekarat, akhirnya Stefan setuju untuk menjemput calon istrinya itu. Hal paling ditakuti Stefan adalah wanita itu akan merasa jijik padanya karena bekas luka yang dimilikinya.

Setelah bertemu dengan Tanya dan wanita itu tidak pernah mau meluruskan k...more

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Feb 09, 2013 Nazia rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: dont-try-it-ever

This book is the kind of book with the alpha hero in it who is abusive,harsh,cruel and in addition to all this qualities he happens to be pervert.Now here is a hero who is a prince and scarred(by wolves). And the heroine is a tavern dancer who is extremely beautiful but masks her face with ugly camouflage to escape rape and prostitution who also happens to be a lost princess. They both look at each other and Tatiana is attracted to Stefan Barany despite his grotesque scars and he to her despite...more

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Apr 18, 2012 Shannonreads rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: autobuy-author, all-time-favourites, historical-fiction, johanna-lindsey, romance-historical, re-read, delicious-heroes, crackbooks

Note, this was a Re-read:

Original ratings - 5 stars
Re-read - 4 stars

I have read this book multiple times starting in my teens and it's always been a favourite. It still is but reading it this time, a few things niggled at me which hadn't before. I guess I'm over the OMGILOVELOVELOVETHISBOOK stage. I still think it's cracktastic.

It's got all the WTF stuff I love - tavern wench whose a lost princess and is beeyoo-tiful but disguises her beauty to preserve teh virginity for the super duper dark her...more

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Mar 28, 2010 Nisha rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historicalromance, alpha-heros, courtesan-prostitute, marriage-of-convenience-or-arranged, to-buy

Normally, I would never have liked this book. I mean, abducted heroines and obtuse heroes are so not my thing. Yet, I liked this.

I read the 2nd book before I picked up this and only convinced myself that I want to read this today, this morning. It was like a Cinderella story with a transcontinental setting and a Prince (or King) UnCharming.

The hero, Stephen is one angry man. So, generally you don't find a HR hero who has anger management issues (to the point of being dangerous and borderline ab...more

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Mar 27, 2010 Slayermel rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: anyone who enjoys historical romance

Shelves: own, 2010, 20th-century, american, favorites, female-authors, fiction, historical-romance, pre-2008, re-read, romance, series

I really enjoy this book, and it does not matter how many times I read it there are always parts that make me laugh out loud.

This is the story of Tanya who grew up poor and working for a mean spirited man named Dobbs in his Tavern. When Dobbs becomes ill, Tanya’s luck seems to be on the rise as she is able to run the Tavern and finally have a taste of freedom. That is until Stefan walks into her life with his three friends.

They have come to collect Tanya home to Cardinia to get married to Stefa...more

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May 11, 2007 Rhapsody rated it 2 of 5 stars Recommends it for: readers of rags-to-riches romances

Shelves: romance, romance-contemporary, fiction

I'm not a big fan of Lindsey's, although I like her books enough to read whichever ones I get my hands on. In this one, you've got Tanya, a princess who was smuggled out of her country due to an ongoing blood feud that wiped out the rest of her family. Stefan, the son of the king who took over after her own father died, is her betrothed. He reluctantly comes to America looking for her, but her caretakers died when she was a baby and she got misplaced. He finds her running a tavern in Mississippi...more

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About Johanna Lindsey

Johanna Helen Howard was born on March 10, 1952 in Germany, where her father, Edwin Dennis Howard, a soldier in the U.S. Army was stationed. The family moved about a great deal when she was young. Her father always dreamed of retiring to Hawaii, and after he passed away in 1964 Johanna and her mother settled there to honor him.

In 1970, when she was still in school, she married Ralph Lindsey, becom...more

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Quotes from Once a Princess

“You aren't even angry with me anymore, Stefan, so let me up."
He didn't budge. "It would be a misconception on your part, little Tanya, if you are thinking I have to be angry to make love to you." His head bent, his lips grazing her cheek all the way to her ear. With his warm breath sending tingles all over her, he continued in a whisper, "I wanted you last night, today a dozen times, right now more than ever. Tell me to love you, Tanya. Demand it of me!” — 16 people liked it

“Id you're finished picking out my flaws,maybe you'd like to tell me what you want now.I have other customers--"
"You."
"What was that?"
"I Want You.” — 2 people liked it

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Once a Princess (Cardinia's Royal Family #1)

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