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Blood Royal
Her Royal Highness, the Princess of Wales, was an ordinary young woman who was picked to be the future queen. Her wedding was a worldwide sensation. But she was deceived and betrayed before the honeymoon was over. Five months after a fairy tale wedding, she threw herself down a flight of stairs when she was pregnant with a future heir to the throne. Suicide attempts, illicit affairs, and paranoia that there were plots by the Royals to kill her became the norm as the fairy tale turned into a horror story.
After suffering degradation and humiliation at the hands of her husband, the heir to the British throne, she shot him with one of his own antique pistols.
Paranoid that her own attorneys would deceive her, the princess reaches across the Atlantic to hire someone she knows for certain has no ties to the Crown. Marlowe James is an American trial lawyer. Running away from an abusive home, she supported herself by working as a waitress, rising to become a famous trial lawyer.
Marlowe James has been dubbed the "burning bed lawyer" by the news media because of her successful defense of women who killed their abusive husbands. And to top that, she was the accused in her first murder trial. Now she not only has to do battle in the Old Bailey with barristers loyal to the Crown, she has to come to grips with her own feelings about a woman who has been handed everything any woman would desire---and throws it all away.
The explosive tale that will be exposed in the courtroom is one of jealous rage and unfulfilled desires, of sexual deceit by one of the most powerful men on earth---and the bloody revenge enacted by a woman scorned.
After suffering degradation and humiliation at the hands of her husband, the heir to the British throne, she shot him with one of his own antique pistols.
Paranoid that her own attorneys would deceive her, the princess reaches across the Atlantic to hire someone she knows for certain has no ties to the Crown. Marlowe James is an American trial lawyer. Running away from an abusive home, she supported herself by working as a waitress, rising to become a famous trial lawyer.
Marlowe James has been dubbed the "burning bed lawyer" by the news media because of her successful defense of women who killed their abusive husbands. And to top that, she was the accused in her first murder trial. Now she not only has to do battle in the Old Bailey with barristers loyal to the Crown, she has to come to grips with her own feelings about a woman who has been handed everything any woman would desire---and throws it all away.
The explosive tale that will be exposed in the courtroom is one of jealous rage and unfulfilled desires, of sexual deceit by one of the most powerful men on earth---and the bloody revenge enacted by a woman scorned.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 1, 2005
About the author
Harold Robbins
330 books451 followersBorn as Harold Rubin in New York City, he later claimed to be a Jewish orphan who had been raised in a Catholic boys home. In reality he was the son of well-educated Russian and Polish immigrants. He was reared by his pharmacist father and stepmother in Brooklyn.
His first book, Never Love a Stranger (1948), caused controversy with its graphic sexuality. Publisher Pat Knopf reportedly bought Never Love a Stranger because "it was the first time he had ever read a book where on one page you'd have tears and on the next page you'd have a hard-on".
His 1952 novel, A Stone for Danny Fisher, was adapted into a 1958 motion picture King Creole, which starred Elvis Presley.
He would become arguably the world's bestselling author, publishing over 20 books which were translated into 32 languages and sold over 750 million copies. Among his best-known books is The Carpetbaggers, loosely based on the life of Howard Hughes, taking the reader from New York to California, from the prosperity of the aeronautical industry to the glamour of Hollywood.
His first book, Never Love a Stranger (1948), caused controversy with its graphic sexuality. Publisher Pat Knopf reportedly bought Never Love a Stranger because "it was the first time he had ever read a book where on one page you'd have tears and on the next page you'd have a hard-on".
His 1952 novel, A Stone for Danny Fisher, was adapted into a 1958 motion picture King Creole, which starred Elvis Presley.
He would become arguably the world's bestselling author, publishing over 20 books which were translated into 32 languages and sold over 750 million copies. Among his best-known books is The Carpetbaggers, loosely based on the life of Howard Hughes, taking the reader from New York to California, from the prosperity of the aeronautical industry to the glamour of Hollywood.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 23, 2013
Quite an interesting narrative, although the end is fast and an expected conclusion that does not pull the whole story together.
November 12, 2018
Harold Robbins was already dead,when this was published.Still,his name was used.
The Princess of Wales is being tortured non stop by the British royals.So,she gets sick and tired of it and shoots her husband,the heir to the British throne.
Horribly written,if ever a book deserved zero stars,this one does.
The Princess of Wales is being tortured non stop by the British royals.So,she gets sick and tired of it and shoots her husband,the heir to the British throne.
Horribly written,if ever a book deserved zero stars,this one does.
June 10, 2016
3/5 STARS!
*SPOILER FREE*
Plot:
Blood Royal is a book about the queen of Wales who got married quite young to the prince of Wales.The book begins with queen talking about her wedding and her suffering.The book shows us the reality of the ''glamorous'' life,the pain and heartbreak that come with deceit and at the same time dedication and true love.I don't want to give too much information because if I keep talking I'll spoil everything.I can't talk a lot about plot,I'll give it away.
Characters:
I feel like the characters in this book are shown in a good way.Especially the queen and the lawyer.I really like the parts about the queen because everything is written so honestly and it is so easy to read.I got really attached to the queen,there were moments where I could totally relate to her and her feelings.She loved,hated,hoped...like every human.Other characters were interesting but nothing that exciting to be completely honest.
Good things: There were moments where I didn't want to continue with reading,especially when I was halfway through,but I just needed to know the end.The mystery in this book will leave you wanting to know more.I really like the idea of this book and I'm still thinking about it which is a sign that you should give this book a go.Give it a chance!
Things I didn't really like/enjoy: The book began with the queen ''talking'' about her life and I thought the whole book would be like that,where the queen goes through her past.I got quite dissapointed when I found out that it wasn't like that.After the first pages,every character had his parts.I don't usually mind that but this time I really just wanted to know the queen's perspective.So that was a one star less.Another thing that I didn't really like were the sexual parts.I usually don't enjoy them,especially when they are so explicit.So,one more star less.
Overall:
Blood Royal is a book that will leave you without words.I finished this book in 3 days which is not bad at all.And it is a huge book.The ending will leave you speechless,I felt like someone tricked me really bad.But I liked it and I really didn't expect it at all.You will feel like your whole life is a lie haha.
ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE THIS BOOK:
Different.
I recommend this book to everyone who likes mistery and a little bit of romance.It's not the best book I've read and I wasn't like ''Oh my God,this is the best book in the whole world'', but as I said give it a chance,I hope you enjoy it and....happy reading!!
*SPOILER FREE*
Plot:
Blood Royal is a book about the queen of Wales who got married quite young to the prince of Wales.The book begins with queen talking about her wedding and her suffering.The book shows us the reality of the ''glamorous'' life,the pain and heartbreak that come with deceit and at the same time dedication and true love.I don't want to give too much information because if I keep talking I'll spoil everything.I can't talk a lot about plot,I'll give it away.
Characters:
I feel like the characters in this book are shown in a good way.Especially the queen and the lawyer.I really like the parts about the queen because everything is written so honestly and it is so easy to read.I got really attached to the queen,there were moments where I could totally relate to her and her feelings.She loved,hated,hoped...like every human.Other characters were interesting but nothing that exciting to be completely honest.
Good things: There were moments where I didn't want to continue with reading,especially when I was halfway through,but I just needed to know the end.The mystery in this book will leave you wanting to know more.I really like the idea of this book and I'm still thinking about it which is a sign that you should give this book a go.Give it a chance!
Things I didn't really like/enjoy: The book began with the queen ''talking'' about her life and I thought the whole book would be like that,where the queen goes through her past.I got quite dissapointed when I found out that it wasn't like that.After the first pages,every character had his parts.I don't usually mind that but this time I really just wanted to know the queen's perspective.So that was a one star less.Another thing that I didn't really like were the sexual parts.I usually don't enjoy them,especially when they are so explicit.So,one more star less.
Overall:
Blood Royal is a book that will leave you without words.I finished this book in 3 days which is not bad at all.And it is a huge book.The ending will leave you speechless,I felt like someone tricked me really bad.But I liked it and I really didn't expect it at all.You will feel like your whole life is a lie haha.
ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE THIS BOOK:
Different.
I recommend this book to everyone who likes mistery and a little bit of romance.It's not the best book I've read and I wasn't like ''Oh my God,this is the best book in the whole world'', but as I said give it a chance,I hope you enjoy it and....happy reading!!
March 29, 2011
Okay so been off for a while and honestly because I was dredging through this book..I stopped for like a full week and didnt even miss it, but finished nonetheless because the premise of a great book was there but was just over the top...Okay so an intriguing find (or so I thought) by a librarian that sees me so often he thinks he knows what I read..the nerve LOL..but took the recommendation and initally was impressed, the story of the Princess of Wales who murdered her husband the Prince in cold blood on national television was enough to make me read it but....Okay so the book jacket promises insight into why the Princess was driven to not only attempt suicide several times but also as to why she killed her husband however seriously they never get into any of that!! I read through pages and pages of introductions to British law and the American female lawyer she found to represent her, a foolish murder mystery with frozen bodies staged out in the Westminister Abbey and a sleazy tabloid reporter who wants to help..oh yeah add in some silly gratuitous sex scenes and that was the book without any background into the most interesting part, the marriage and buildup to the murder of the Prince. I admit there were some good descriptive portions, I actually now feel I can go to England and understand their legal system,the barristers, solicitors and all that history and legal precedence I didnt expect out of this book in addition to a bit of a disappointment that the trial and leading events werent the focal points as I was into them... I also did not care one bit for the "mystery" portion with the crazy brilliant Howler and all that blah blah... it seemed unneccessary and clumsily written with a hasty ending that didnt make much sense. I dont think anyone is missing much by not reading this book but hmm maybe someone will find something I didn't..
December 11, 2011
At the beginning, I thought, this is a story about princess Diana. While in real life, the princess divorced, in this story, she murdered the prince.
There are three stories in this book.
The first one is about princess of Wales,her childhood, her duties, her feelings.
The second story is for her female american lawyer. Her life is similar to the one of the princess, with one big difference, this woman was born poor. She also murdered her husband.
The third story is for a serial killer. A tabloid journalist working on story discovered a body in a church. The head was from a different body, and the ears were from a third body.
I didn't feel strong connection between all these stories. Of course, they are all connected at the end, but it didn't turn me upside-down.
I read that when Harold Robbins died, this book wasn't finished, so other authors did the job. Maybe, that's why this book isn't good enough like others from this author.
http://chicklibrarycat.blogspot.com/2...
There are three stories in this book.
The first one is about princess of Wales,her childhood, her duties, her feelings.
The second story is for her female american lawyer. Her life is similar to the one of the princess, with one big difference, this woman was born poor. She also murdered her husband.
The third story is for a serial killer. A tabloid journalist working on story discovered a body in a church. The head was from a different body, and the ears were from a third body.
I didn't feel strong connection between all these stories. Of course, they are all connected at the end, but it didn't turn me upside-down.
I read that when Harold Robbins died, this book wasn't finished, so other authors did the job. Maybe, that's why this book isn't good enough like others from this author.
http://chicklibrarycat.blogspot.com/2...
April 16, 2016
Radnja podsjeca na princa Carlsa i lady Di, ali se odvija u drugom smjeru, iscenirano ubistvo princa i farsa od sudjenja za isto, dovodi na kraju do bjega princa i princeze u obican svjet smrtnika...
Want to Read
August 25, 2009this was recommended by my mother-in-law....i am trying to stop being so hard on books and authors and open up a bit and try new things.
July 29, 2011
Completely disappointing and when I got to the end, I felt robbed of my time that I wasted reading it.
January 22, 2012
I didn't really think I would like this book but it proved to be interesting and surprising. I think most conspiracy theorist would find this appealing.
August 2, 2014
An interesting read, the ending was a bit abrupt and there wasn't a whole lot of closure but all in all a good book
July 15, 2015
A good who done it based on possibilities with the Diana/Charles characters.
October 22, 2018
I've loved every Robbins book I've read - this one was a bit more into the details and technicalities of law - since it was focused on the lawyer and trial.
I noticed this "posthumous" book had a vibe different from his other books without the co-author.
Seemed more inhibited-& less vulgar than his other books like Never Enough -
maybe just because of the focus on British culture.
It was still a fun book. Two Interesting twists at the end.
I noticed this "posthumous" book had a vibe different from his other books without the co-author.
Seemed more inhibited-& less vulgar than his other books like Never Enough -
maybe just because of the focus on British culture.
It was still a fun book. Two Interesting twists at the end.
November 23, 2022
dnf, I don't really like it when the estate of an author continues to publish books using the name when it's really someone else that's writing the story... I didn't realize that was the case with this book before I started reading. I thought it was weird how at the beginning it seems to make out like this is Princess Diana
May 1, 2019
Very weird book. Should not have Harold Robbins name on it he did not write the book. Especially since he died in 1997 and this book wasn't published until 2005. Now if he had actually written it then the book would have been around a lot sooner.
As for the story.
Hire an American lawyer to help defend you, yet when the time comes and truth starts coming out you fire her. Why? So the real truth doesn't come out. The end is to quick and not satisfactorily done.
As for the story.
Hire an American lawyer to help defend you, yet when the time comes and truth starts coming out you fire her. Why? So the real truth doesn't come out. The end is to quick and not satisfactorily done.
September 30, 2008
Based on the Royal Family, murder, and some sex.
It was a good murder mystery with a good ending.
It was a good murder mystery with a good ending.
August 25, 2016
What a strange tale! Def not in my regular genre but it was what available to me atm. Far too moody for my taste, def don't recommend it to anyone unless you like that sort of thing.
Did Not Finish
May 27, 2018I gave this book one hundred and sixteen pages, fourteen chapters, and I really couldn't get into it. I was lured and seduced into it thinking it would feature the Princess of Wales quite heavily but it took until page ninety-one for her to be introduced. This book was a dud for me.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews