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Defending the Crown #1
Saved by the Monarch
For Prince Miklos, a royal wedding was a royal duty, one more step toward saving his beloved, beleaguered country. Unfortunately, his chosen bride-to-be—beautiful, brainy Judi Marezzi—didn't realize that her vacation included an arranged marriage. In fact, from the moment they met, nothing went as planned. A dangerous conspiracy threw him and his princess together and dragged the ill-matched pair off to an Alpine prison. With his military training, Miklos took charge and made plans to bring them to safety. Danger surrounded them, but so did a shared passion—for his kingdom, for the honor of a free land and for a love that had been foretold since birth.
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
About the author
Dana Marton
145 books841 followers Dana Marton writes fast-paced action-adventure romances that take her readers all over the globe. She is a Rita Award finalist and the winner of the Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence. She loves writing stories of intrigue, filled with dangerous plots that try her tough-as-nails heroes and the special women they fall in love with. Her books have been published in seven languages in eleven countries around the world.
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Sign up for Dana's newsletter and never miss a new release, sale or giveaway. You’ll receive a free copy of her #1 Amazon bestselling book DEATHSCAPE (Broslin Creek #2) for signing up, and you can unsubscribe at any time. Your email will never be used for any other purpose.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 17, 2010
When death falls in the line honor, duty, and unexpected love...
Prince Miklos has always put royal honor and duty to his country first and foremost. So when it's time for him to enter into the arranged marriage that has been set up decades earlier, he has no qualms about stepping up to accept his bride and make a go at this alliance.
Judi Marezzi ignores all about the arranged marriage she was entered into years earlier. On a trip to Miklos' country, the land of her parents, she has no idea that she will set foot there as princess-to-be and future bride of a royal prince. All Judi wants is a vacation, but seems like this is not meant to happen.
But Judi and Miklos have more than this little marriage disclosure to deal with. Miklos' country is one that is on the brink of civil unrest and international conflict, but what the royals hadn't counted on was people from their own country rising against them.
Almost as soon as they meet, Judi and Miklos are kidnapped and brutally whisked to an Alpine prison where the direness and desperation of the situation catches upon them both. Danger lies at every turn, and though Miklos knows he has to escape and take Judi with him, neither he nor Judi had bargained on the passionate love that flares up between them.
Will this love have a chance to evolve? Will the two of them survive this ordeal? Will Miklos fulfil his destiny, save his country, and win the woman Fate has pre-ordained for him since her birth?
I read this book almost cover to cover! Ms. Marton sure knows how to weave her plot! Laced with intrigue, secrets and political maneuvering, the tale nevertheless captures the reader in its web of passion and the unsuspected love that blooms between the main protagonists.
Judi and Miklos are well-sketched characters and it is a joy to watch Judi hold on to her wits and reason in even the most dire of circumstances. The woman in her calls to all the women out there - one who wants love but never expected to have an arranged partner, let alone a prince, thrust upon her!
SAVED BY THE MONARCH is a tension-filled, gripping, and suspenseful read that nevertheless brings a modern prince with his intended princess. So what if the fairytale setting involves military strategy to escape a prison - Ms. Marton just goes on to prove that there is much more to modern princes - and princesses in waiting - than traditional tales suggested. And for that, I give a big round of applause!
(Review courtesy of Romance Junkies)
Prince Miklos has always put royal honor and duty to his country first and foremost. So when it's time for him to enter into the arranged marriage that has been set up decades earlier, he has no qualms about stepping up to accept his bride and make a go at this alliance.
Judi Marezzi ignores all about the arranged marriage she was entered into years earlier. On a trip to Miklos' country, the land of her parents, she has no idea that she will set foot there as princess-to-be and future bride of a royal prince. All Judi wants is a vacation, but seems like this is not meant to happen.
But Judi and Miklos have more than this little marriage disclosure to deal with. Miklos' country is one that is on the brink of civil unrest and international conflict, but what the royals hadn't counted on was people from their own country rising against them.
Almost as soon as they meet, Judi and Miklos are kidnapped and brutally whisked to an Alpine prison where the direness and desperation of the situation catches upon them both. Danger lies at every turn, and though Miklos knows he has to escape and take Judi with him, neither he nor Judi had bargained on the passionate love that flares up between them.
Will this love have a chance to evolve? Will the two of them survive this ordeal? Will Miklos fulfil his destiny, save his country, and win the woman Fate has pre-ordained for him since her birth?
I read this book almost cover to cover! Ms. Marton sure knows how to weave her plot! Laced with intrigue, secrets and political maneuvering, the tale nevertheless captures the reader in its web of passion and the unsuspected love that blooms between the main protagonists.
Judi and Miklos are well-sketched characters and it is a joy to watch Judi hold on to her wits and reason in even the most dire of circumstances. The woman in her calls to all the women out there - one who wants love but never expected to have an arranged partner, let alone a prince, thrust upon her!
SAVED BY THE MONARCH is a tension-filled, gripping, and suspenseful read that nevertheless brings a modern prince with his intended princess. So what if the fairytale setting involves military strategy to escape a prison - Ms. Marton just goes on to prove that there is much more to modern princes - and princesses in waiting - than traditional tales suggested. And for that, I give a big round of applause!
(Review courtesy of Romance Junkies)
May 11, 2021
I love the Intrigue line of books by Harlequin. This one fits the bill. It was a fast paced page turner. There was danger and villians and even an avalanche. American Judi Marezzi is surprised to be met at the Valtrian airport by Prince Miklos Kerkay and even more so when he announced that they were engaged to be married in an arrangement made years earlier by her parents. On the way to the palace, they are kidnapped and in a whirlwind of danger.
June 3, 2020
Could be confused with an average rated fan fiction. I believe that’s the best way to describe it.
Got to admit that the way it was written was pretty funny though. I like to think that that was intentional.
Overall, meh.
Two stars instead of one because Miklos’ character is interesting and somewhat complex.
Got to admit that the way it was written was pretty funny though. I like to think that that was intentional.
Overall, meh.
Two stars instead of one because Miklos’ character is interesting and somewhat complex.
July 4, 2018
Fast paced romance.
June 30, 2019
HI #1136
July 30, 2011
I like a good Harlequin Intrigue every now and again. Dana Marton is an author who is new to me, and she has given me one terrific Intrigue in Saved by the Monarch. There is, of course, plenty of intrigue, and the action is nearly nonstop, the hero and heroine are strong characters, and the storyline is, well, intriguing.
On top of all of that, this is the first book in her new series Defending the Crown, and hopefully all of the Kerkay brothers will get their own book over time, making that a total of six. If you become of a fan of this series, you’re going to have some great reading right up to the very last book. To start the series off is Prince Miklos. He’s the military man in the family, and it’s come time for him to honor the agreement made nearly thirty years ago to marry the daughter of a local nobleman. But things changed before too long and his prospective bride to be has lived in the United States most all of her life.
Returning to Valtria for a vacation to find her roots, Judi is stunned to learn she’d been expected — Prince Miklos is her intended groom and he’s determined to marry her to carry out his duty. Judi is having none of it — she has her own life, thank you very much — and before she can argue her case any further, they are swept up in a rebellion to take over Valtria which is intent on destroying the family royalty that has ruled for years.
Separated from his family and his army, Prince Miklos fights for both their lives, as well as the lives of his family. During the various battles he comes to respect Judi for her courage and swift thinking with danger all about. He goes from being a man who would wed for the sake of his country to a man who is proud of his bride and who is falling for her with every jut of her stubborn chin. He vows to get them both through the rebellion, but when it comes to light who has betrayed him, it seems all might be lost after all.
Once the action starts in this book, it never lets up. Just when you think things are turning for the good, something unforeseen hits Miklos and Judi for another setback, which makes it all the sweeter for them when the tide does eventually turn. They are an engaging couple, and though they fall in love quickly, it’s all due to the circumstances that show each other and us what kind of people they truly are. The interaction between Miklos and his brothers is a lot of fun, and it will be interesting to see what their relationships are like outside the context of fighting.
Saved by the Monarch is a great start to this series and I’m intrigued to see what comes next, which is Royal Protocol, to be released June 2009.
See my complete review at http://www.goodbadandunread.com
On top of all of that, this is the first book in her new series Defending the Crown, and hopefully all of the Kerkay brothers will get their own book over time, making that a total of six. If you become of a fan of this series, you’re going to have some great reading right up to the very last book. To start the series off is Prince Miklos. He’s the military man in the family, and it’s come time for him to honor the agreement made nearly thirty years ago to marry the daughter of a local nobleman. But things changed before too long and his prospective bride to be has lived in the United States most all of her life.
Returning to Valtria for a vacation to find her roots, Judi is stunned to learn she’d been expected — Prince Miklos is her intended groom and he’s determined to marry her to carry out his duty. Judi is having none of it — she has her own life, thank you very much — and before she can argue her case any further, they are swept up in a rebellion to take over Valtria which is intent on destroying the family royalty that has ruled for years.
Separated from his family and his army, Prince Miklos fights for both their lives, as well as the lives of his family. During the various battles he comes to respect Judi for her courage and swift thinking with danger all about. He goes from being a man who would wed for the sake of his country to a man who is proud of his bride and who is falling for her with every jut of her stubborn chin. He vows to get them both through the rebellion, but when it comes to light who has betrayed him, it seems all might be lost after all.
Once the action starts in this book, it never lets up. Just when you think things are turning for the good, something unforeseen hits Miklos and Judi for another setback, which makes it all the sweeter for them when the tide does eventually turn. They are an engaging couple, and though they fall in love quickly, it’s all due to the circumstances that show each other and us what kind of people they truly are. The interaction between Miklos and his brothers is a lot of fun, and it will be interesting to see what their relationships are like outside the context of fighting.
Saved by the Monarch is a great start to this series and I’m intrigued to see what comes next, which is Royal Protocol, to be released June 2009.
See my complete review at http://www.goodbadandunread.com
July 13, 2013
Corações Soberanos
Casamento Real, Paixão Real
Dana Marton
H. Special 29
2010
Quem me conhece sabe que tenho pavor de romances que contenham homens italianos e príncipes e seus derivados (realeza no geral). Porque esses tipos são insuportáveis e pavorosos. E normalmente me deixam com vontade de exterminá-los.
Por milagre...ou não. Até que o príncipe Miklos não é de todo ruim. O que mais gostei foi de suas reflexões durante as passagens da estória. Achei o máximo a autora nos permitir saber exatamente o que ele está pensando, mesmo que ele não diga em palavras.
Judit é aquela mocinha que não nasceu pra ser princesa, não consegue seguir os protocolos estabelecidos pela realeza. Na realidade ela odeia as regras no geral. Mas o príncipe gostosão vai tentar mudar essa situação, não que ele queira mudar a personalidade de Judit, pelo contrário, tá apaixonado exatamente por ela ser diferente, não quer mudá-la, apenas que ela o aceite como homem, seu futuro marido, seu amor verdadeiro.
Bom!!!
Recomendo para aqueles que gostam de estórias com a realeza.
Casamento Real, Paixão Real
Dana Marton
H. Special 29
2010
Quem me conhece sabe que tenho pavor de romances que contenham homens italianos e príncipes e seus derivados (realeza no geral). Porque esses tipos são insuportáveis e pavorosos. E normalmente me deixam com vontade de exterminá-los.
Por milagre...ou não. Até que o príncipe Miklos não é de todo ruim. O que mais gostei foi de suas reflexões durante as passagens da estória. Achei o máximo a autora nos permitir saber exatamente o que ele está pensando, mesmo que ele não diga em palavras.
Judit é aquela mocinha que não nasceu pra ser princesa, não consegue seguir os protocolos estabelecidos pela realeza. Na realidade ela odeia as regras no geral. Mas o príncipe gostosão vai tentar mudar essa situação, não que ele queira mudar a personalidade de Judit, pelo contrário, tá apaixonado exatamente por ela ser diferente, não quer mudá-la, apenas que ela o aceite como homem, seu futuro marido, seu amor verdadeiro.
Bom!!!
Recomendo para aqueles que gostam de estórias com a realeza.
April 9, 2014
Very interesting kind of a story especially when a man have to prove something not just for his partner in life, family, or followers but for the rest of the people who needs a dignified and relentless man like Prince Miklos Kerkay. Let me say, I loved how the story had ended with some good transition before the royal partner came to the stage where they lived happily ever after.
A must read for the romance genre fans out there!
A must read for the romance genre fans out there!
December 5, 2010
This is my 2nd Dana Marton book and pleased to say it was just as good as the last one i read. Lots of action and suspense. It moves along and a pretty good clip with no chance to get bored. Poor Judi has a lot to deal with the moment she gets off the plane until the end of the book. I can't wait to see what other books Ms. Marton has to read.
April 7, 2012
Good series I will have to check out the other books!
August 30, 2015
Book 1 in the Defending the Crown series.
March 30, 2016
Makkelijk boekje, wel wat langdradig, weinig avontuur deze keer,...........
August 2, 2015
3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews