Prince Charming

Ascension Trilogy #3

by Gaelen Foley

"There is star quality in this writer!" raves the Romantic Times about gifted author Gaelen Foley. Her love stories are filled with glorious settings, stunning characters, and unforgettable passion.

Destiny casts its hand one perfect moonlit night when Ascencion's most elusive highwayman, the Masked Rider, chooses the wrong coach to rob.  For inside is Rafael, the prince of the kingdom, renowned for his hot-blooded pursuits of women and other decadent pleasures. The failed raid leaves the equally notorious Masked Rider wounded and facing a hangman's noose. Then Rafe realizes his captive criminal is Lady Daniela Chiaramonte, a defiant beauty who torments him, awakening his senses and his heart as no woman has before.

Dani can only wonder if she's been delivered to heaven or hell once she agrees to marry the most desirable man in the Mediterranean--until forces of treachery threaten to destroy their tenuous alliance and bring down the throne itself. . . .

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Historical Fiction, Regency, Royalty, Adult

404 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published February 1, 2000

About the author

Gaelen Foley is the New York Times, USA Today, and Publisher's Weekly bestselling author of twenty historical romances set in the glittering world of Regency England. Her books are available in sixteen languages and have won numerous genre awards, such as the Bookseller's Best, the NJRW Golden Leaf (three times), the CRW Award of Excellence, the National Reader's Choice Award, the Beacon, and the Holt Medallion.

A Pennsylvania native, Gaelen holds a B.A. in English literature with a minor in Philosophy from the State University of New York, College at Fredonia, a quaint lakeside village where Mark Twain once owned a home. It was here, while studying the Romantic poets, such as Wordsworth, Byron, and Keats that she first fell in love with the Regency period in which her novels are set. Gaelen lives in western Pennsylvania with her college-sweetheart husband, Eric, a schoolteacher, with whom she co-writes middle grade fantasy adventure novels under the pen-name, E.G. Foley. (See www.EGFoley.com.) She is hard at work on her next book.

Reviews

[Missy · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75

Warnings: forced seduction/near-rape, hero kisses and almost sleeps with his mistress before and after his wedding to the heroine

"The Debacle" that caused Prince Rafael to not trust women completely occurred in book 2 (Princess) of this series. I think the author provided enough background that you don't have to read book 2 before this one.

I liked the first couple of chapters because it had a bit of action with the prince attempting to capture the Masked Rider (who is really the heroine in disguise).

I like that Prince Rafael (Rafe) is attracted to Daniela (Dani) and is determined to please her. One of my favorite chapters is chapter 8, because I thought it was romantic. However, he's kind of a weak hero. He's not a strong leader compared to his father (hero from book 1, The Pirate Prince). He currently acts as the Prince Regent while his parents are on vacation in Spain, visiting their daughter and grandchildren. I wish we were shown more of his responsibilities as a Prince Regent instead of him trying to seduce his wife into his bed. Based on the warnings at the beginning of this review, one might conclude that he is a total jerk and not a romance hero at all.

I liked that Dani had a secret identity as the Masked Rider, because I thought she was going to be a strong, independent heroine but she wasn't really both of those things. I thought she gave in to the prince way too soon and couldn't believe that she trusted the word of the villain over Rafe's, which caused some problems between the H/h.

The conspiracy, murders, and plot twists kept me reading, so I liked the book.

[♡Karlyn P♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The entire series was great, and I highly recommend reading all of them in order. (They can be read out of order, but the conclusion of this third book felt more like a conclusion to the entire series, not just the book, so that is why I recommend reading the books in order.) I think this book was my favorite of the three.

The story is pure fun and fantasy, and takes place on the make believe isle of Asencion. It's fast paced and very sexy. Before Prince Rafe finds himself in charge of the kingdom when the King leaves the island for a few months, he apprehends the notorious and well loved Masked Rider. A Robin Hood type hero, the MR steals from the pompous rich and gives to the deserving poor.

After realizing the Masked Rider is a feisty woman who stirs his blood like no other, Rafe uses his new found authority to save her from the gallows and demand she becomes his wife. Rafe soon learns that things are easier said than done, and leading a kingdom proves to be full of challenges for our dear hero.

There are murder plots, power struggles, and humorous exploits abound. Rafe's character evolves into a true hero, one any princess-to-be would be proud to call husband. A great series.

[Bona Caballero · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Raffaele di Fiore, el príncipe heredero de Ascensión, le llaman el libertino por razones obvias. Cuando el Jinete Enmascarado lo asalta, tras diversas escaramuzas, logra pillar a parte de la banda. No al líder que, a diferencia de lo que todos piensan, no es un chico joven, sino una aristócrata, Daniela Chiaramonte, de esas que lucha contra las injusticias. Por un razonamiento un poco retorcido, Raffaele decide que casarse con esta muchacha le podría ayudar a mejorar su imagen entre el pueblo. Y se pone a ello, ante la perplejidad de la propia Daniela y del resto del personal.
Un libro entretenido, de esos de amor y aventuras de toda la vida. Con añadidos más modernos: es un poco más sexi en las escenas sensuales y menos tocho en las descripciones.
Es un buen final de la serie. No para tirar cohetes, pero bien.
Crítica amplia, en mi blog.

[Pilar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bonito final de la trilogía (digo yo, porque me he saltado los otros dos, que me entero yo muy bien del orden jaja) La historia me gustó, y la he leído con ganas. La relación de los protas es bonita, y me gusta mucho que ella no sea una damisela en apuros, y aún más is cabe, que a él sea esa fuerza y esa independencia lo que más le atrae de ella, la ve como compañera y no como una tontina sin ás atractivo que el físico.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gaelen Foley has fast become one of my favorite authors. I admit that I haven't read a paperback version of her works, but I sure have enjoyed the audible version. I waited to finish this series and I'm glad that I did. The three books in the Ascension Trilogy did have a certain familiarity and I wanted to really enjoy this last one. It lived up to the series, I'm delighted to say.

Prince Rafael is the next in line for King of Ascension and he finds a bride in the unlikely masked marauder who steals from the rich and gives to the poor. Of course he doesn't know she's a woman, not at first, and we get a wonderful display of this hellcat who refuses to let him get the best of her. It's rare to read about a true rakehell who has no problem living up to his reputation even as far as capturing his future love interest and locking her in his room. Not to worry though, he soon finds the gentleman buried deep inside, and let's just say she helps him along with a nicely aimed kick.

I fell in love with this family as a whole. I'm not sure I could pick a favorite...perhaps the second in the series because the hero was such a hard sell and I ended up loving him.

No one writes scenery and builds a world quite like Gaelen Foley.

[Crista · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I will admit that I have a love/hate relationship with Gaelen Foley's novels. Those that I love go on my keeper shelf among my favorites and those that I hate...I tend to really hate.

Unfortunately this one ends up in the latter category. Minor spoilers ahead*******

Here are some of my complaints:
1. I loved loved loved Pirate Prince, and I don't like couples that I love messed with. I don't like how Foley portrays either Allegra or Lazar in this book. They were such great people in Pirate Prince, and I would like to think that they were better parents than Prince Charming suggests. I also would like to think they were still "madly in love" which I didn't get a sense of.
2. I didn't really care for Rafe. He seemed spoiled and very unprepared for the throne....another knock on Lazar.
3. I liked Dani as the Masked Rider, but liked her less as a princess....she seemed childish especially in the chapters following her marriage to Rafe.
4. I didn't care for the twist on Rafe and Adriano's relationship.
5. I didn't care for the twist on Orlando's origin

I liked this trilogy and of course would recommend finishing it by reading Prince Charming...I only wish that it could've been as strong and engaging as Pirate Prince and Princess were.

[daemyra, the realm's delight · Rating 2 out of 5]

In Princess, Rafe is introduced as the playboy prince who is a bit of a sweetheart. He is so cute when he takes a chance on Julia. Julia, a normally confident woman wily to the ways of court, is down on her luck when Rafe decides to be her champion. Unfortunately, Julia betrays his trust.

The Julia incident still haunts him in Prince Charming. Not that he's burning a torch for Julia or has a vendetta against women. Actually, he is loved by women, and is very much in his element when he is surrounded by them. No, the Julia incident really makes him question his abilities as a leader, as a judge of character. He's still very green. He doesn't know what to do and he lacks quick thinking skills.

What can be frustrating about Rafe is that though he has a desire to be a proper monarch that Ascension deserves, he doesn't do anything about it when he is challenged by his father or the council members. It makes him childish and unable to go after his goals. And you see this time and time again when he doesn't break things off with his mistress the day before his wedding, when he has Dani on his knee during council meetings like she's his damn pet, or when he fires all the council members for his friends.

Dani may think Rafe is a monarch waiting in the wings with his flashes of regal bearing, but I fail to see it. Sure, he can steeple his fingers all he wants but he chooses to play at being the playboy prince sailing around the islands instead of talking to his dad about his desire to be useful and learn how to be a good steward of Ascension.

He never says any of his thoughts to Lazar who remains oblivious, and Rafe continues to feel like a victim. Far from Rafe being "stifled" or "controlled", I honestly felt like everyone was cheering Rafe on but he didn't want to put in the work to prove himself to be taken seriously.

And some reviewers note this is a sad mark on Lazar's parenting skills, but I also think that Lazar is oblivious because he didn't grow up with a silver spoon. His obliviousness is not malicious. I interpreted Lazar's attitude to his prodigal son as that of blind trust that his son will turn out just fine and in the meantime he can sow his wild oats and run free for a little while longer, enjoying his life.

It's depressing to think about the epic Lazar and Allegra popping out trust fund babies. To be fair, in Princess, the microscopic focus worked for the couple Darius and Serafina. I truly believed they were obsessed with each other and they were both capable beings in an interesting political plot. In Prince Charming? The romance was not believable and the political plot was ok.

Rafe's major character flaw does humanize him and it sometimes works to make him sympathetic to the reader. When Rafe doesn't break things off with his mistress, Chloe, the day before his wedding to Dani, because of Chloe's fake and dramatic tears, this was a great and unexpected scene since typically the hero burns bridges without regret.

However, his inability to take a stand and acknowledge what is going on is incredibly frustrating. I wish the Adriano thing was properly handled. I'm simply baffled why Rafe thinks it's a good idea to pretend Adriano was straight. Did he believe pretending everything is status quo would be better for Adriano or himself?

If anyone thinks Adriano was happier inside the closet - it's clear he wasn't because he had multiple suicide attempts that Orlando, the villain of the story, believes is due to Rafe and Adriano's romantic love for him. The Adriano death is what causes Rafe to grow up but even this is spoiled by the fact that Adriano was a total dick to Dani!

Even Dani notes that Rafe's friends, although dead, were never nice to her. And oh Dani. What happened to the Masked Rider? The impoverished duke's daughter who was proud and fiery?

Because after Dani marries Rafe, she becomes like a little growling terrier at anyone who dares to be mean to Rafe. She is just lifeless until anyone is rude to her master. It's a very jarring transition. Poor Dani, a promising heroine whose personality got cut short for the sake of Rafe's development.

Overall, I found Rafe childish and Dani a Stepford wife and the story tiring before we even get to the third act.

[Julianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed for THC Reviews
Prince Charming was an excellent conclusion to Gaelen Foley’s Ascension Trilogy. There were a few moments when I wondered if it was going to get tops marks from me, and I have to admit that it was ever so slightly my least favorite of the series, but in the end, it definitely won me over. I loved it almost as much as the other two, giving the series a perfect 5.0 record for me. In this one, Rafael, Lazar and Allegra’s (The Pirate Prince) son and heir to the throne of Ascension is left in charge of the fictional island nation as Prince Regent while his parents travel abroad to visit his sister, brother-in-law, and their family. Lazar has been suffering from a mysterious stomach ailment, which the doctors believe is some form of cancer, but only the Prime Minister and Rafe know about it. Rafe wonders if someone might be trying to poison his father, but if so, no evidence of it has been found yet. His heroine, Daniela, lives a double-life as both the daughter of a duke and the Masked Rider, a hero of the people who robs from the rich to give to the poor. When she tries to rob the Prince, she finds she’s met her match when she ends up in jail. But knowing he needs to find a bride in order to fulfill his parents’ wishes and carry on the regal line and also knowing that Dani is respected by the people of Ascension, Rafe bargains with her, offering her and her cohorts their freedom in exchange for her hand in marriage. He just didn’t expect to fall in love with his new bride or for her to prove to be such a worthy match. The two must then stand up to a villainous kinsman, who is trying to usurp the throne.

Rafael is known throughout Ascension as Rafe the Rake. Despite being the heir to the throne, no one takes him seriously because of his reputation as a ladies man and his seeming disinterest in anything other than the pleasures of the flesh. But underneath his devil-may-care facade beats a loyal and tender heart. He loves his country and longs to be a good leader, but he fears he can never live up to his beloved father’s legacy. He also feels that his father has been too hard on him throughout the years and that the King doesn’t believe in him any more than his advisers or the people of Ascension do. When Lazar leaves Rafe in charge of Ascension during his absence, it’s a responsibility that he’s been itching to be given, but at the same time, he’s uncertain if he can pull it off. Years ago, as a callow youth, in his sister’s book Princess, Rafe was taken in by a devious woman who played upon his sympathies to get him to rescue her and become her lover, then she cruelly betrayed both him and the entire country. Needless to say, it left him with a bad taste in his mouth where women are concerned and he doesn’t trust easily. When he’s robbed by the Masked Rider and tracks the miscreant to Dani’s estate, he’s instantly smitten with her, but when he later discovers her hidden identity, he isn’t sure he can trust her. However, he sees marrying her as no hardship and believes it will raise his worth in the eyes of the people if not the royal advisers.

Rafe may be a rakish playboy who can charm the stockings off most women, but he’s a young man whose emotions run deep and who can be hurt easily. That’s why I think he’s at least partly a beta hero. He wears his heart on his sleeve when it comes to Dani, even though he doesn’t realize at first that he’s in love with her. But once he does, he wants no other woman. Despite seeming a tad immature, he does take his responsibilities as Prince Regent seriously, which I found admirable, and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to save the country, as well as both her life and the lives of his family members. The only two things that gave me pause were his inability to make up his mind regarding whether to keep his mistress after marrying Dani and his charm skating a little too close to forced seduction for me. In regards to the mistress, at first, he’s a bit too easily swayed by her manipulations and doesn’t immediately give her the boot like I felt he should have. This was another reason for me saying he’s part beta, because he can’t stand her tears and doesn’t want to rock the boat. But in his defense, he does come to his senses before things go too far and doesn’t technically cheat on Dani (although other readers may disagree on this point). In regards to the second issue, in one scene, he brings Dani to his room while he’s drunk, fully intending to seduce her despite her protestations and probably would have if he hadn’t discovered her secret. His saving grace here was that he gave her an opportunity to leave, but she didn’t take it. Then on their wedding night, something similar happened, where she was fighting him and telling him no, but he continues trying to make love to her for a while anyway because he thinks it’s just maidenly fears that he can overcome. Again, this incident made me a teensy bit uncomfortable, but he does eventually stop. Otherwise, Rafe was a great hero, and his later gallantry pretty much erased these early slight missteps for me.

Daniela may be a noblewoman, but she’s been living in genteel poverty, trying her best to provide for an ailing grandfather, the only family she has left, and her tenants. She’s always been a tomboy and knows about things that most women don’t, such as how to shoot and make bombs, so when finances became too tight, she took up the persona of the Masked Rider. She may occasionally humiliate a rich man, but she never harms anyone when stealing from them. Unfortunately she picks the wrong man to tangle with when she and her cohorts, who’ve been her friends since childhood, accidentally try to rob the Crown Prince. It doesn’t happen right away, but eventually she and her friends are arrested for their misdeeds and threatened with hanging, until Rafe makes his offer of marriage in exchange for their lives. She’s had a fairytale crush on the prince since she was a girl and finds it hard to resist him, but she’s been an independent woman for so long, she can’t imagine being under a man’s thumb. However, the prince can be very persuasive.

Dani loves Ascension and her people every bit as much as Rafe does, so when Rafe’s cousin comes to her saying that Rafe could be in danger of being disinherited for marrying her if she doesn’t resist consummating the marriage so that it can be annulled when the King and Queen return, she’s willing to go along with it at first. She’s also afraid of getting pregnant, because her own mother died in childbirth, which also played into her decision. I liked that she was smart enough to not entirely trust Rafe’s cousin, though, and asked one of her friends to investigate him. When she begins to put the pieces of the puzzle together with regards to what’s happening politically and when she realizes how much she loves Rafe, she doesn’t hesitate to give him all of herself and her love. I loved that Dani is loyal to a fault and would never betray Rafe or Ascension. She’s the perfect mix of sweetness and spice, a gentle, giving woman by nature but a strong, feisty one when she has to be and the perfect match for Rafe.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Prince Charming. Rafe and Dani complemented each other in every way. Their love for each other gave them strength to stand up to the villain when he tried to tear them and their country apart, and it gave them faith and trust in one another. They share some very romantic moments, as well as some super-sexy ones. The villain was very compelling with strong characterization and motives, and his manipulations made perfect sense. Rafe’s friends helped him out a lot and were generally loyal to him if a bit too outspoken at times. Since Darius and Serafina (Princess) live in Spain and Lazar and Allegra are off visiting them for most of the story, Rafe’s family don’t play much of a part, but we do get to see Lazar at the very beginning, as well as him and Allegra at the end. Darius and Serafina come back to Ascension to make a brief appearance at the end as well. The story is well-plotted with plenty of suspense, and although we know who the villain is from very early on, his motives are much more of a surprise. I didn’t guess those until it was revealed. Everything came together to make this a wonderful story and a clean sweep for the series.

[Val · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was my least favorite in the series. A lot of it probably has to do with it being the last one. So by now and looking back all the heroes seem a lot alike, especially in their humour and personality (having a naughty humour but suffering in silence). Also, all of them are presented as the island's casanova, even if they coexist in time (with the exception of Lazar). I brushed it off as that being the heroine's POV, like that is how she perceived them but still I couldn't help making comparisons.

Also, where the hell are the pirates? I have to say, I read the Spanish version and the series title is a bit misleading -its not Ascension but "Princes of the sea", which makes complete sense in the first book but by the second one there's not even a boat in it.

The second book was probably my favorite not because of the story was better, but because the characters were the most fun. In Prince Charming, Daniela looked really promising being a robber and all, but the character completely fell apart giving way to a quite boring personality from then on. The tomboy disappeared immediately (which I regret cause that would've been a fun dynamic) I get that the author was probably trying to make her the opposite of Serafina, but that comparison only made her look weak.

Yet, I have to admit I fell in love with the island and the stories told in it. I love that the characters keep popping up. I'm sorry that the author only wrote three novels about Ascension, but luckily I have many other series to delve into!

[Shaebay · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was not charmed by Prince Charming. I could not find it within myself to actually like the jerk. I was just waiting for the book to end.

[Kimberley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Completing the Ascension trilogy 💕..I think Rafe is my favorite.His and Dani’s love story and journey to find happiness is one of trust and seeing your true self. Plus add some danger and some misdirection…such fun..and good friends too..wish there were more tales of the Royal Family..maybe little Prince Leo…🥰

[Becca · Rating 1 out of 5]

This one was too dark. The hero did some things I could not forgive and I just didn't like the story.

[Sarah Soueidan · Rating 5 out of 5]

“My heart is in your keeping.”

This is the third and last book of the Ascension Trilogy and it tackles both the aspiring love story between Prince Rafael, as known as Rafe The Rake, and Daniela, Ascension's people's Robin Hood or Masked Rider who robs the rich to feed the poor.

What I absolutely loved was the fact that this book, similarly to The Pirate Prince, combined both elements of suspense and romance. The story is mostly on the conspiracy against King Lazar from one of his own royal senates. Rafe, being responsible and loyal, instantly suspects something and together with Daniella, he uncovers the truth.. and with that comes the romance which evolves quickly as Rafael suggests a solution for both of him and Daniela, and they get along quite well.. no banters thankfully.

“How is it a provincial little girl like you can understand an international scoundrel like me?”


Though I absolutely loved this story, yet if I were to rate the books in this trilogy, I'd say The Pirate Prince ranks number one as it is actually one of my favorite books in general, then Prince Charming and the 3rd would be Princess, as Serafina's story was more focused on the push/pull between her and Darius instead of outer plots.


“Please do not fear it anymore, because there is nothing I treasure more than you and this trust of yours that I’ve finally won. I would sooner lose my kingdom, my life. I learned my lesson tonight, Dani. You are the only one.”

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

YES I finally finished this series. I love GF which is why I wanted to see this through but all three of these books are going in the donation pile.
Now about this particular book. Why are we suppose to like Rafe? I understand why he has trust issues, but the cheating thing was not ok. And when Dani finds out he might of cheated. SHE BLAMES HERSELF. For not having sex with him and just not fulfilling her marital duty *puking in the corner*
So they're entire love story didn't translate to me. And I wanted to see a better relationship between Rafe and his father. But whatever it's done and I can move on with my life.

[Kaity ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so thrilling!! When I picked it up, I didn’t realize SHE was the Highwayman!! I loved Dani and Rafe. Rafe (He was described exactly like Alucard from Castlevania, loved that) was such a fun posh prince and Dani was amazing and kicked butt. Their dynamic was so fun; I loved the witty banter and the super romantic moments hade blushing. :’) They were so sweet. There was so much drama, many secrets, and lots of political intrigue. That ending stressed me out!! It was so good though. An exciting story with amazing characters and a beautiful romance. 4.5 stars! ⚔️

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love this series. I wasn't sure how this book would hold up to the first two, but GF delivers. I love how the tropes are varied across the books while maintaining the continuity of the series.

[Rose May · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note: This review, and all of my reviews, comes from my blog: Romantic Rose's Bookshelf (http://romantic-rosesblog.blogspot.com)

Book 3 in the Ascension Series

This was the first Foley book I read outside the Knight series, and I was glad to see her masterful character development did not disappear.

Can I just say - Lady Daniela Chiaramonte is probably one of my favorite heroines ever, in my reading history to date. She is moronically brave and noble, a real spitfire... she has balls of steel. She knees the Prince of Ascension in the balls after robbing his carriage and then, when her friends get captured, she bombs the jail and sneaks into the palace to rescue them single-handedly. I usually dislike idiotically ballsy heroines - but Dani always seemed to know what she was doing. She had a plan, knew the risks, and wasn't afraid of death getting in her way. I was charmed, instantly.

And perhaps that was why I was willing to forgive the giant piece of unrealistic bull that came about 50 pages in - where the Prince of Ascension goes to the jail where Dani is being held before being hanged for thieving (her escape plans didn't quite go as expected) and tells her if she wants to live, she's going to marry him. At first I was like - no way in hell would a prince (who has been kneed in the precious jewels) propose to marry a world-class thief after meeting her once. That's not how royalty, or love, works. It's just too quick.

But then, I was charmed quickly by Dani - and I could see the incredibly bored Prince Rafael being charmed by her immediately as well. Adding in her sway over the people as a 'Robin Hood' figure, and Rafe's desire to be in control of his own destiny, I actually came to respect this inconceivable plot device, and enjoy it. Unfortunately, after this point, things went downhill. The development of true love was weak - it just exploded upon us, and then Dani and Rafe began acting super weird and lusty and there was a ton of PDA and I was like 'ugh, I'm so out'. So the romance ceased to amuse me because it lacked the proper build up - Foley rushed into things and then had nowhere to go. So they just kept pawing at each other, and occasionally getting into little tiffs that made me roll my eyes. This part dropped the book a full letter grade for me - because Dani was an A+ heroine until Rafe came along. And if you say that about a romantic couple, better off alone than together, you know something went wrong.

Still, the plot was intriguing - our villain was a masterful and unassuming Iago type, complete with long monologues to the reader about his evil plans. I gave huge props to Foley for actually killing real characters that we came to care about to (yes, you read that right - in a romance, no less). Foley's not afraid to take us for all the emotion we're willing to spend. The writing was Foley's typical smooth flow, with nice descriptions, and only a few stagnant scenes that the editor should have cut (that first scene in Rafe's bedroom... WTF was even happening? What were all those rape-y feels we got from Rafe's 'friends'). The book occasionally felt like Foley had meant to go in one direction and then forgot, leaving us with more loose ends than I would have liked. I was willing to forgive the few inconsistencies of character from Rafe just because he was such an overgrown child at the beginning, and children are fickle. Towards the end he became much more steady.

Final positive - this book was funny as all get out. A lot of good, dry humor coming from one of my new favs - Dani Chiaramonte.

"Sexy"ness rating: Why do I even bother with this part? The books are always hot, hot, hot!

Overall Rating: C+

Bottom Line: An amazing, amazing heroine - the epitome of true strength and courage (if a little big pigheaded) and a hero with so much room to grow at the beginning, who becomes a leader and a fabulous lover by the end. Unfortunately, the first 150 pages are better than the last 250, leaving me with a sad feeling as I closed on the HEA.

[Jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://thebeautifullittlefools.blogsp...

I downloaded this book from my library's online e-book library a few nights ago because I couldn't fall asleep and was in the mood for a cute romance story. When I found one that was called Prince Charming I knew I couldn't pass it up. Five hours later it was 5:00 am and I was almost done and I knew the even though I wanted to know the ending, I should probably go to sleep. After a long slumber I spent the next day trying to find any time I could to finish the book.

I personally love a good romantic story that includes royalty and has a little bit of humor, so this book ended up being a very good decision for me to make at midnight those few nights ago. The story begins with our new favorite man Rafe (trust me you are going to quickly wish he actually existed in real life so you could accidentally bump into him on the street and fall in love and live happily ever after), who is our prince charming of the book, at the opera. After the show he heads back stage for a little rendezvous with his mistress and just as he is heading into her room, a page comes to tell Rafe that his father requests that he comes home. On his way home Dani, as the Masked Rider, with the help of her guy friends attempt to rob Rafe's carriage. I don't want to tell you too much about this part because it is definitely something you want to experience as you read. Even though I knew from the synopsis that at some point Dani would be faced with the noose, I still found myself engrossed in the book waiting to see what would happen as they raced on horseback through the woods in this scene. From here the book takes it's reader on a journey through the relationship of Dani and Rafe, as well as having a subplot having to do with

My favorite part of the book was the character of Dani. Usually what determines if I like a book or not is how I feel about the main character. I find that if the main character isn't fully developed or doesn't seem like a person that I would want to be friends with I have a hard time getting invested in the book. Dani was one of those main characters who I would love to have as my best friend. She knew exactly what she valued and never lost sight of it. She was strong, but she also had fears. She was caring towards her grandfather and was willing to do anything for those she loved. Basically she was just a girl who wasn't perfect (perfect characters bother me), but someone who was also always true to who she was which I admire.

One of my only issues with this book is that it would change perspective abruptly in a paragraph and so it would take a few sentences to figure out which character it was in the perspective of in that moment. Besides that I thought it was really fun and light read. It also had a perfect ending, even though I wanted it to keep going it was really well done. All of the question that you have through the book are answered and all of the characters are given an ending, even the minor ones who were only really in one part of the book.

I also quickly want to point out that this book is the third in a series. I had no clue about that until after I was almost done so you definitely don't need to read the first two books to enjoy this one. I looked at the synopses for the first two books and the characters they focus on are minor characters in this book, so I feel like it would be fun to see them talked about in this book, but I don't think it would add that much to your enjoyment of the story.

[Maureen Feeney · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot has been done so I wont add to it.
The good points are it is very well written with an intriqing plot, and GF has slightly redeemed Lazar and Allegra at the end (whom I thought had a total change of personality in book 2 "Princess").

There was something missing and the story as a whole never really grabbed me. Some subplots didn't ring true, like that twist at the end about the baddie Orlando .

I expect the H/H to have a problem in a book, but with Dani and Rafe every page brought them a different trial.
While Rafe had some good points, he whined a lot. A woman cheated him 10 years earlier and we are supposed to believe him tortured and dark because of it? sorry but I didn't see it.
Dani our heroine I liked at first but then she was brave one moment,cowardly the next, then she was childish, then determined .She was all over the place.

I found I wanted to know more about the secondary characters (like Carmen the hooker and Mateo and his brothers,even Rafe's friends) and less about the main characters.

GF wrote this so overall it is a better than average book and a must read if you have already started the "Ascention Trilogy".I personally preferred the Knight Miscellany series.

[Sasha · Rating 1 out of 5]

*SPOILERS*

Oh my Jesus. Purple prose + rapey hero = nope nope nope. I'm all for the Robin Hood alter-ego of Daniela de Chiaramonte, but when she swoons consistently for a man who 1) pressures her into sex, 2) almost has sex with his former mistress WHILE MARRIED TO DANIELA, 3) lies to Daniela about almost having sex with former mistress, 4) forces Daniela into marriage, and 5) LOCKS DANIELA IN HIS ROOM AND MAKES INEBRIATED PASSES AT HER, I just can't. It isn't even a bodice-ripper, because he's never really dedicated to the heroine, just a total waste of space. But it's okay, because of his "gold-tipped lashes" and "damn he's hot" vibes. NOT. #nothanks

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lady Daniela is the Masked Rider, a Robin Hood who steals from the rich and gives to the poor. One night she picks the wrong man to rob, Prince Rafael, the crown prince of Ascension. Captured and wounded, she is shocked at Rafael's indecent proposal: become his wife...

This is a very uneven book, going between sweet and distrustful, with plenty of scheming and evil villains thrown in. Dani is an interesting heroine with a lot of spunk, but there are parts where I just didn't like her as much. Rafe is the rakish prince who has trust issues, and can't seem to get himself taken seriously.

[Lisarenee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lady Daniela Chiaramonte is a Duke's granddaughter. She's also got a secret identity, that of the Masked Rider, who steals from the rich and gives to the poor. All that is about to change when she and her band of merry men rob the Prince, also known as Rafe the Rake. When the chase for her or rather the Masked Rider lead the Prince to her home she catches his eye. He doesn't suspect her, but her men have been captured and will be hanged if she can't free them. Very fun read.

[Shelvy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this book in 1 day between activities here and there, and made me still woke up till 1 AM
VERY RECOMMENDED friends, and I will reread this book someday..

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another winner!!! I loved reading about the prince. He was hurt deeply in the last book and he needed the right woman to heal him. I am totally smitten with these books.

[Tasha · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book started off good, but I didn't like the hero at all.

[Marek Zákopčan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ďalšia séria obľúbenej autorky Gaelen Foley je na konci. I keď, aby som vec uviedol na správnu mieru, bola celkovo prvá, ktorú napísala, azda aj preto jej stačili tri časti, nie ako v prípade početného Klubu Inferno a jeho voľných pokračovaní. Každý román je však exemplárnym príkladom historickej romance s moderným nádychom. Sú plné romantiky (prirodzene), ale tiež silných postáv a najmä dobrodružných prvkov a nevšedných zápletiek. Gaelen už dávno prekonala fámy o tom, že romance sa rozplývajú ako med na jazyku. Séria Ostrov Ascencion dokazuje, že aj tento žáner poskytuje autorom priestor na všemožné motívy a vytvorenie pútavého príbehu.

"Danielu Chiaramonteovú musia bez milosti obesiť. Bezpochyby. Už aj predtým cítil ničivú potrebu zachrániť dámu v núdzi. Rozhodol sa, že si to nebude všímať, vedel, že nemôže dôverovať svojmu hlúpemu gavalierstvu. Daniela nebola žena, akú sa človek odváži zachrániť. Keby jej podal pomocnú ruku, pravdepodobne by mu ju odsekla. Nie. Musí dovoliť, aby odvisla na šibenici, tak ako mal dovoliť, aby sa pred rokmi Julia dostala do väzenia pre dlžníkov. Sama si za to môže. Adriano má pravdu. Obe sú zlodejky." (str. 111)

Každá časť trilógie sa dá čítať aj samostatne, ale vždy je lepšie poznať aj predošlé príbehy, najmä preto, že Čarovný princ uzatvára celú sériu a čitateľ chtiac-nechtiac podľahne nostalgii. Či už išlo o príbeh rodičov alebo osudy ich detí, Ostrov Ascencion znamenal v tvorbe Gaelen Foley poriadny nášup. Záverečný diel predstavuje Rafaela di Fiore, následníka niekdajšieho pirátskeho princa, ktorý má v krvi vášeň, ale aj priťahovanie dramatických udalostí. To sa prejaví už počas jeho detstva, ale no v rámci deja vo chvíli, keď pod maskou tajomného zbojníka odhalí šľachtičnú Danielu, ktorá bohatým berie a chudobným dáva. Rafael vie, čo je jeho povinnosťou, nemôže sa však zbaviť silných pocitov, ktoré v ňom vzbudzuje. A tak namiesto toho, aby skončila na šibenici, si ju chce vziať za manželku... Zachrániť Danielu pred slučkou napokon nestačí, pretože obaja sa ocitnú v omnoho väčšom nebezpečenstve kvôli atentátnikovi, čo si vzal na mušku kráľovskú rodinu. Na hlavných postavách sa mi páčila ich dvojtvárnosť. Rafael je považovaný za darebáka, ktorého nikto neberie vážne a vladárske povinnosti mu nestoja za námahu tak ako potešenie so ženami. Daniela je zas naoko vznešená šľachtičná, ale v skutočnosti bojuje za ideály presahujúce jej nalinkovaný život. Aj preto je lepšie poznať aspoň predošlú knihu Princezná, kde sa Rafael dostal do pazúrov zradnej ženy, ktorá mu pošramotila vnímanie celého pokolenia. Síce je všetko ako-tak vysvetlené, no vlastná čitateľská skúsenosť je nenahraditeľná.

"Rafael predniesol na pódiu krátky príhovor, Dani stála po jeho boku, hrdo sa usmievala a pozorne počúvala manžela - fascinoval ľudí hlbokým zamatovým hlasom a privádzal ich do vytrženia zlatou charizmou. Boli to muky stáť po jeho boku, keď ich súkromný život bol v troskách. Ale aspoň v tomto smere sa odhodlala dodržať dohodu. Urobí, čo bude v jej silách, aby mu pomohla získať si lásku jeho ľudu." (str. 207-208)

Komplexne možno povedať, že hrdinovia Gaelen Foley sú dokonalí, no Rafael tento obraz trochu narúša, a preto sa radí k mojim obľúbencom. Keď ho porovnám s jeho "predchodcami" Lazarom a Dariusom, nejaví sa spočiatku veľmi heroicky, svoj skutočný charakter ukrýva pred okolitým svetom a je to práve Daniela, ktorá ho v ňom prebudí. Ich láska im pomôže prekonať všetky prekážky, popritom si, samozrejme, nájdu čas aj pre seba. Ako je zvykom, v knihe natrafíte aj na viaceré romantické i horúcejšie scénky. Dobre vykreslený je aj záporák, nejde o postavičku vytvorenú len pre potreby deja, jeho motivácia je pochopiteľná a uveriteľná. Čarovný princ je dôstojným uzavretím osudov kráľovskej rodiny, čo vo vás vyvolá pocit uspokojenia, ale aj smútku, ktorí pochopia len knihomoli. Dúfam preto, že sa od Gaelen Foley dočkáme i ďalšej vydarenej série, aby bol čím skôr zažehnaný.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Rafe's book and it takes place 10 years after Serafina and Darius's book. Rafe is about to turn 30 and he is on his way home in a borrowed coach when he gets robbed by a notorious thief who has a pretty good Robin Hood routine. The thief does not realize it's the Prince, because of the coach, until it's too late; Rafe shoots the thief in the arm, they fight and the thief gets away, but the crew does not. The thief makes it back home and is able to quickly change and that's when we find out that the thief is really Lady Daniela. Her crew gets arrested an she makes a plan to break them out of jail. But, the youngest brother has been taken from the jail to Prince Rafe's home so she has to go to his birthday party, even though she turned down his invitation. She finds the young boy, breaks him out, and is about to leave when Rafe sees her and has her escorted to his bedroom. There he discovers the gunshot wound on her arm, just as the jail break is happening. She is able to flee and changes into her thief costume to try to stop the riots. But her crew try to save her and they all get arrested. When Rafe's friends discover that she has been caught they want her to hang but he comes up with a different idea; he wants her to marry him. The people love her and they only think of him a Rafe the Rake. His parents have gone to Spain to visit his sister so he is in charge and he needs to start changing how people view him, and he thinks a wedding to the Masked Rider is just the thing. She agrees as long as he doesn't kill her crew; they get banished instead. Meanwhile his cousin Orlando is being a super creep and Dani doesn't like him; he tries to tell her that the King and Queen will disinherit Rafe over their marriage unless they can guarantee that it can be annulled so she is trying to resist him, which is hard. He is having trouble breaking up with his mistress and almost goes back to her after the wedding, but he does not want to be unfaithful so he returns home and Dani finally gets over her fears and the marriage becomes real. They are both head over heals in love with each other and she is handling it much better than he is; she gets over hear fears and jealously much faster than he does. But Orlando is still scheming. In fact, Orlando has been poisoning the King, and has been plotting against Rafe so that Leo, who is 10, can be put on the throne and he can rule through him because Orlando is not actually a cousin, no he is King Lazar's bastard from before he married Allegra. Orlando kidnaps Leo, kills a bishop and blames it on Rafe, who gets arrested. Rafe signs a full confession on the condition that he be released to go save his pregnant wife, who just provided documentation that Orlando has been lying about his parentage, so what else has he been lying about? Dani saves Leo and then Rafe saves her and hills Orlando, but not before Orlando beats her savagely. She is in and out of consciousness for two days from the beating, but she does not lose the baby. During that time Lazar and Allegra, along with Serafina and Darius and their children return home. Leo tells them what really happen. Rafe is pardoned. The prime minister resigns. The rest of the cabinet are trying to apologize to Rafe but he won't hear it because they wouldn't take him seriously and his wife may be dying. But then she wakes up to Serafina and Allegra. Allegra was initially upset because Dani was not one of the 5 people Rafe was told were his options for a wife, but after hearing Leo's tale and seeing Rafe she doesn't care. The book ends with the announcement of a son and Dani's friends no longer in exile. This was great. There was romance and action; it was fast paced and kept me on the edge of my seat.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buku 3 dari Trilogy Ascencion
Bintang 4

Sama seperti buku 1 dan 2, buku 3 ini masih menghadirkan karakter kurang percaya diri (buku terdahulu diwakili oleh Lazar dan Darius) yang diwakili oleh Daniela Chiaramonte. Tapi untunglah karakter heroine satu ini memiliki kelebihan yang lain yaitu patriotisme dan kesetiaan. Dan lagi ditengah tengah cerita rasa percaya diri Dani dapat diatasinya karena tidak mau kehilangan Rafael.

Konflik dimulai saat kereta yang ditumpangi Putra Mahkota Ascencion, Rafael yang dilanda kebosanan akut dihadang oleh sekelompok perampok yang dikenal dengan julukan penunggang bertopeng. Penunggang bertopeng ini dikenal rakyat Ascencion sebagai maling budiman yang suka menolong rakyat jelata. Dan sangat disayangkan kalau si penunggang bertopeng ini tidak mengenali korbannya sampai detik detik terakhir.

Gagal dalam aksinya, dengan pundak yang terluka kena tembakan Rafael, Lady Daniella berhasil melarikan diri dan kembali kerumah dengan selamat. Berharap teman temannya pun selamat dari pengejaran pasukan pengawal pangeran Rafael. Tidak seperti harapan Dani, Gabbino bersaudara tertangkap di muka rumahnya. Merasa bersalah Dani melakukan pembelaan terhadap teman temannya. Pangeran Rafael tidak mencurigai kalau Dani adalah Si penunggang bertopeng, malah pada pertemuan pertamanya ini sangat pangeran sangat tertarik dengan Dani dan ingin menjadikannya simpanan, walau tau kalau Dani inicucu seorang Duke. Dan sempat mengundang Dani untuk hadir dipesta perayaan hari ultah sang pangeran. Tentu saja dengan tegas Dani menolaknya, walau dengan iming iming meringankan hukuman Gianni bungsu Gabbiano bersaudara.

Intrik pun dimulai saat Rafael kembali ke istana. Ternyata ada "situasi" yang harus menyebabkan raja beristirahat bersama ratu dan pangeran muda (Leo adik Rafael) sehingga Rafael diserahi kekuasaan tertinggi menggantikan raja untuk sementara dengan syarat Rafael memilih salah satu dari lima calon istri yang dipilihkan untuknya. Tentu saja Rafael menolak dengan keras dan raja pun sempat memaklumi Rafael akan keengganannya mengingat skandal yang pernah Rafael 10 tahun yang lalu (baca buku 2). Rafael akhinya diberi waktu untuk memilih mempelainya. Dengan perasaan separuh senang akhirnya Rafael mempunyai kesempatan bahwa ia memiliki kesempatan untuk menunjukkan kwalitas dirinya sebagai seorang raja (Rafael Juga mengkhawatirkan ayahnya yang kemungkinanbesar diracuni seseorang).

Pagi harinya bersama Mrs. Gabbiano, Dani melakukan misi penyelamatan untuk Gabbiano bersaudara. Di tempat penahanan Dani menyerahkan bom untuk dipergunakan Gabbiano bersaudara untuk mengeluarkan mereka dari sana. Dani pun mengetahui kalau Gianni dibawa ke kediaman Rafael dan bertekad kesana untuk menyelamatkan Gianni.

Malamnya Dani menyusup ke istana Rafael dengan menjadi salah satu tamu undangan dan berhasil mengeluarkan Gianni dari istana. Dengan pengetahuan bahwa tak kan ada lagi kelompok si penunggang bertopeng maka Dani beraksi dalam pesta dan mulai memilih korban. Sungguh sayang keberadaannya disadari Rafael dan memerintahkan teman temannya untuk membawa Dani ke kamar Rafael. Dikamar Rafael inilah identitas Dani sebagai si penunggang bertopeng terbongkar (luka dibahu sebelah kanan akibat tembakan Rafael). Kehebohan pun bertambah dengan ledakan dari tempat sel penahanan. Dani sempat melarikan diri. Tapi bunyi ledakan menjadi pemicu tindakan anarkis dari rakyat bergejolak karena tidak percaya dengan kepemimpinan Rafael. Disinilah Dani mulai beraksi secara patriot, menanggung resiko dengan menjadi si penunggang bertopeng untuk meredam keributan dan aksi pemberontakan. Malangnya Dani dan Gabbiano bersaudara minus Gianni, tertangkap.

Dihadapkan pada situasi sulit, Rafael akhirnya memutuskan untuk menikahi Dani dengan syarat tak ada lagi aksi si penunggang bertopepeng dan kebohongan. Menurut Rafael dengan menikahi Dani, akan menarik simpati rakyat terhadap dirinya (secara Rafael ini terkenal sebagai pangerang playboy dengan kelakuan bejat) padahal sih sebenarnya hati Rafael sudah terpikat pada Dani dan ingat nasehat raja sebelum pergi belibur. Selain itu Rafael menjanjikan hukuman pengasingan bagi Gabbiano bersaudara kepada Dani. Dani pun setuju menikahi Rafael, secara Rafael juga sudah memikat hatinya dan juga cinta masa kanak kanaknya. Resmilah Dani dibawa ke istana sebagai calon istri Rafael.

Heboh saat Rafael membawa Dani dalam rapat dewan kerajaan, lucu, bisa bisanya tanpa malu malu Rafael mengusap usap Dani dihadapan anggota dewan bikin gerah suasana. Dani juga sempat menunjukkan cakarnya kepada perdana menteri yang sepanjang rapat tidak menunjukkan rasa hormat terhadap Rafael. Dan kemarahan Dani ini membuat seluruh anggota dewan dipecat. Oya Dani ini menjanjikan kesetiaan kepada Rafael. Itu sebabnya dia marah.

Sebelum peresmian pernikahan, Duke Orlando, sepupu jauh Rafael mulai menjalankan siasat untuk memisahkan Dani dengan Rafael. Karena Orlando merasa bahwa Dani ini membawa akibat yang baik bagi Rafael. Orlanda menceritakan kenyataan yang sudah dibumbuinya agar Dani tidak terikat kepada Rafael dan kalaupun terjadi perkawinan Dani diminta untuk tidak melayani Rafael agar pembatalan perkawinan dapat dilakukan. Orlando ini jugalah yang meracuni raja dan berencana menimpakan kesalahan kepada Rafael.

Dani yang sempat temakan omongan Orlando pun jadi bimbang, ketakutannya yang selama ini dipendampun muncul kembali. Ternyata Dani ini takut melahirkan. Jadi pada malam pertama pernikahan mereka tidak terjadi apa apa, karena Dani menolak menjalani pernikahan sesungguhannya drngan alasan raja tidak akan merestui pernikahan Dani dan Rafael. Untuk menutupi keadaan yang sesungguhnya Rafael melukai jari hingga berdarah untuk digunakan sebagai tanda bukti keperawanan Dani.

Namun ketakutan Dani ini tidak lama karena Dani tidak ingin kehilangan Rafael dan mendorong Rafael menemui simpanannya jika Dani tetap tidak mau melakukan kewajibannya sebagai istri Rafael.

Cerita semakin seru ketika Rafael dicurigai mencelakai ayahnya sendiri dan berniat melakukan kudeta. Para dewan semakin tidak percaya kepada Rafael. Dan bertambah seru ketika Dani menyadari kemiripan Orlanda dengan raja dan terbongkarnya identitas asli Orlando yang aslinya anak haram sang raja sebelum beliau bertemu ratu (5 tahun sebelum aksinya dibuku 1). Kecurigaan Rafael terhadap hubunan Dani dan Mateo. Belum lagi pembunuhan atas uskup Justinian dan penculikan Leo yang dituduhkan kepada Rafael membuat tak ada satu anggota Dewan yang mempercayai Rafael sampai Dani membawa bukti identita asli Orlando. Tapi sang perdana menteri tetap tidak mempercayai Rafael, sehingga Danipun nekat mencari lokadi dimana pangeran Leo disembunyikan. Panik akan tindakan apa yang akan dilakukan Orlando terhadap istri, adik, bahkan bayi yang dikandung Dani, Rafael menandatangani surat penyerahan kekuasan kepada perdana menteri dan juga cincin kerajaannya.

Benar benar ujian yang berat bagi Rafael karena dalam pencarian Dani dan Leo, Rafael hars mengorbankan teman teman terbaiknya. Rafael harus menghadapi kenyataan tentang Adriano sahabatnya. Tapi Orlando yang jahat akhirnya dapat dikalahkan dan mati. Dani yang terluka parah. Raja yang syok akan masa lalunya.

Tapi akhir yang bahagia menanti.

[Debby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lady Daniela Chiaramonte is desperate to help the people on her estate who are suffering from drought and the taxes imposed on her due to her refusal to marry the local tax collector. Prince Rafael is known for his carousing and excesses. When Dani attempts to rob a coach, she picks the prince's and is nearly captures. Her friends are. In an attempt to help them, she becomes involved with the prince who is temporarily in charge while his parents go to Spain. Treachery abounds and Rafe decides to marry Dani. There are many who would like to see Rafe and Dani fail at everything, but their love overcomes all of their past failures to allow them a brighter future. Wraps up the series about the family. Lots of sex.