If you are expecting a traditional medieval tale or charming prince, you will not find it here. I am not like other men for I have a voracious appetite and will appease it no matter the cost. Do you doubt my confession? Then I invite you to step into my kingdom.
Women were created for pleasure, 'tis my obligation to see them fulfilled. When I whisper, they come to me. All save one...Lady Ruby. I can see the desire in her eyes even though her pure and noble heart fights against it. She may be an outlaw, but a rare gem such as she has never been found in Meradin. She is my challenge, my penance, and my weakness. Nothing short of Almighty God Himself can keep her from me. I shall possess her. Ruby is mine.
Dear reader, will you begrudge me your company when you learn of my past and how wicked I can truly be? Or will you come to me willingly, surrender yourself to my charms, and beg for more? Surely my tale of intrigue, murder, and treason will be enough to tempt you to sin with me if only for a short while. Come with me, and I will lay myself bare.
Jen Bradlee can get away with murder, metaphorically speaking of course. She is a sensual woman who enjoys people watching, belly dancing, and taking walks in the rain. Give her a man who isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty and plays hard. The ones with rough edges and a little scruff are the best. She finds cathartic release when she pours all her fantasies and desires into her writing. Comes with a warning label. “Too hot to handle.”
I had a feeling I’d love this book, and I was right. There was a lot to enjoy, ranging from the author’s nicely flowing style with an aptly historical touch over the authentic and special characters to the sensual scenes. The fact that the main character was modeled after a certain English actor I adore and whose roles are all fascinating didn’t hurt either…
Crispin is just amazing. Exactly the right amount of villain, scheming brat prince, charming alpha male and charismatic hero to draw you and make you fall head over heels for him. I loved his mood swings, the insights into his dark heart and soul, and his 'wicked whispers'. He’ll haunt my dreams for a long time… Unlike with many other heroes (or villains) fashioned in a similar way, we actually get to understand what makes him the way he is, and we see things from his POV too. Absolutely captivating!
Ruby is even more amazing because she is one of the lamentably few strong heroines. The historic background makes it all the more admirable how independent and determined she is. I loved her mix of wildness and insecurity, of beauty within and without. She’s the perfect match for Crispin, and even outside of the love story, she has an intriguing tale to tell. Brace yourselves for the revelation of her true identity, it had me whooping in delight.
Henry is the ideal sidekick. To me he felt somewhat like Crispin’s conscience or his guardian angel, and Ruby’s too. I’d love to have a friend like him – and he’s real hero material too. I couldn’t get enough of his interactions with the leading pair… and let me just say that he’s in for a huge surprise too!
This is one of the hottest historical romances I’ve read. And I mean hot as in melting-your-screen and making-you-fan-yourself hot. The scenes are sensual and loaded with undercurrents and a real treat to read. If you like it explicit but not vulgar, and if you don’t mind a heady mix of nice and naughty, then you’re in for a wonderful ride. Pardon the pun. ;-)
The language and style fitted the story perfectly. Just the right mix of historically apt and easily readable, and matching the different characters. The setting and detailed descriptions and the hints at real conflicts of the past are perfectly woven into the book. The story is fast-paced. Sometimes it may seem a little predictable – and you just KNOW the two will get their Happily Ever After – but the author throws in a few surprises too. All in all, I was so engrossed and so in love with all the characters that the book could have been twice as long and I’d still have had a great time. I’m craving a sequel, to be honest…
If you enjoy historical romances, lots of steam, tempting heroes and powerful heroines, then do pick up this novel. And if you’re the author reading this: Please, please hurry up with Book 2 and Book 3 of the Trilogy!
When Prince Crispin of Meradin is called by his father the King to his presence chamber, he was expecting the usual lecture on his hedonistic lifestyle and how he should be more like his late brother, Frances, but is shocked to learn that his father is casting him out! His father tells him that if he doesn’t shape up, he will be disowned and his cousin will inherit the throne, that said, his father tells him to leave with nothing but the clothes on his back until he has learned some humility and how to serve his people. Angry beyond belief, Crispin leaves and sets out to prove his father wrong, but instead is set upon by thieves, and if not for the quick-thinking action of a woman, he would be dead!
Crispin has been forbidden to tell anyone who he is, so he tells the woman he is a guard at the palace named Tristan and asks for her help. Ruby aka the Lady of the Forest, is a bit of Robin Hood and really wants nothing to do with him and after tending him, leaves him. But they reconnect and he helps her retrieve some items stolen from her friends. This leads to a steamy night of passion but in the morning, everything changes when soldiers from the palace come to find him and he learns that his father is dead. Upon learning who her lover really is and feeling betrayed, Ruby takes off and Crispin is forced to let her go – for now.
Crispin returns to the palace and brands Ruby as an outlaw, and sets a plan in motion to find her. He also sends for his best friend Henry who was banished to Wales by his father, to return and act as his right hand. When Ruby is brought in, he shocks her letting her choose her fate – marry him or be tried and convicted of being a thief!
This was a very well-written, intriguing read with lots of steamy love scenes and interesting characters. Ruby is a complex character, part innocent maiden and part badass, and she is perfect for Crispin. Crispin is not your typical hero, he is a bad boy and he unrepentantly wears that title with pride, so if you don’t like anti-heroes with strong sexual appetites, you might want to pass on this book – but if like me, you like a bad boy who doesn’t magically transform into Prince Charming once he falls in love, then you are going to love this story! This book is the first book in a trilogy and after reading this story, I can’t wait to see what happens next!
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*
Do you like a dirty Fairy tale? Well The Prince of Whispers is what every adult princess wants out of a grown up version of a fairy tale. There is treachery, loyalty, hate, love, suspense and of course seduction. I am looking forward to see how the fairy tale continues.
Bradley created two well met character's who were so right for each other it hurt at times. Her strengths lie in the dialogue between Crispin and Ruby.
The story is left a bit open and some of the plot has not been resolved but as a whole as a reader I am satisfied at the end with a happily for now ending.
Crispin is downright villainous and a clever leading male. His wit and charm really bring out parts of the book and endear him as a character.
Ruby is both strong and wild. And I couldn't have requested a better match for Crispin. The storytellers a great deal around their relationship and one of the things I enjoyed is the relationship was realistic with flaws, ups, downs, and fights. But then being with a wicked Prince such as Crispin Ruby had her hands full.
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical fiction with quite a bit of heat laced in.Crispin will leaving you begging for more...
Finally! A strong heroine! Romances with weak heroines are beginning to disgust me, but Jen Bradlee weaves a tale of seduction and intrigue with Prince of Whispers.
We start with the Prince himself, Crispin, and the Lady of the Forest, Ruby. The tale takes several interesting twists even while weaving in the complex character construction and mystery. And then it takes a well crafted dip into what romance is best for…
I expected something of a typical historical romance, but find myself beyond pleased with the fresh telling of a new tale of love and lust in the court. Fast paced, easy to read, and hot enough to make you sweat!
I strongly recommend this to anyone who loves historical romances, or and romance at all! I sit at the edge of my seat for the next book in the series!
I was surprised how good the story was based on the blurb. There was just enough sex to move the story along but there was a good plot going that surprised me at turns. Plus hints dropped throughout the story make me really need to see what happens in the next book. I really liked how Prince Crispin and Ruby drew me in and had banter not just sex 24/7. I read the book all in one setting because it caught my attention and had to see what happened next.
Prince of Whispers is a tale of Crispin, heir to the throne, and his mischievous ways. He wasn’t always the heir, but he became the next in line after his older brother’s death. Crispin prefers using women for playthings just as he feels he is used for political gains by so many. However, the King and Queen are tired of his womanizing ways and his multitude of fights and cast him out of the castle with only a few things in his pack. He is not allowed to return until he learns how to live as a commoner and not just as the entitled prince.
After getting into a fight at a brothel, Crispin is saved by a caped figure on the horse. His savior is Ruby of the Forest and she takes him back to her campsite for the night so that he can heal. It is revealed that she hates the reigning Prince, so he doesn’t reveal his true identity to her. She shows him to the road and then she goes off to do what she does best – help others. Their paths cross, again, and later on things become steamy between the pair.
Is this a bad book? No. Did I enjoy it? Yes…and no. The story was good. Ruby, the heroine, is strong and does not put up with Crispin’s ways. She does good for others and helps out however she can. But, she doesn’t always do it in the most honest of ways. Crispin, on the other hand, is a lothario, but he does learn as the story goes on, even though he doesn’t fully change his ways. However, I found it difficult to concentrate on the story while reading. That does not reflect on the writing or story – it was not the book for me. I do think that anyone that enjoys a fast paced historical romance, with some wit and humor, would really enjoy this story.
Oh holy moly...give me this hero ANY DAY. Deeply flawed and yet honorable (yeah, I know, it's not supposed to go together and work, but wow, it DOES) he's one that made me pant and wish I could crawl into my e reader. The heroine is no wall flower not weak. And Henry...OMG two FAB heroes!!! read this FAST!