by Harlequin Presents author Susan Stephens, The Prince’s Arranged Bride
In the opening of this book my heroine, Emily, a lawyer, takes over last minute from her identical twin sister as the singer in a band at a charity event. My dark eyed prince, Alessandro of Ferara, is guest of honour.
Brooding and cynical, Alessandro of Ferara is fiercely loyal to his father and to his country, and up to this point has been wedded to duty.
Alessandro’s ailing father is eager to abdicate the throne of Ferara in favour of Alessandro, but the constitution forbids this unless Alessandro is married. A parade of suitable brides has been submitted for Alessandro’s approval, but until tonight Alessandro has remained unmoved.
Emily dearest wish is to buy her twin sister Miranda a priceless violin. She believes this will allow Miranda to achieve her dream of becoming a world-class violinist. Alessandro suggests a plan that will satisfy them both, but it is strictly a business relationship and neither Alessandro nor Emily plan to fall in love.
But as the confident and independent Emily falls deeply in love with Alessandro the goal posts move. Believing Alessandro feels the same way about her, Emily must face betrayal and heartbreak, for though she is pregnant with Alessandro’s baby Emily learns she has only ever been Alessandro’s bride of convenience.
***
I love fairytales. I have never grown out of them or stopped reading them. One of the best days of my life was discovering my chair was propped up on a volume the Brothers Grimm’s fairy tales, and one of the worst, the day I was told it was time to stop reading fairy tales. Why should we ever stop reading fairy tales? And for me that wonderful indulgence continues with Harlequin Presents. I adore my rugged hero, Prince Alessandro of Ferara- and if he happens to live in a castle- Well, so much the better!
The principality of Ferara was inspired by a tour of Umbria and Tuscany. We were driving along when suddenly a medieval city appeared around a bend in the road. Thanks to the unusual weather conditions this magical fortress city on a hill appeared to be floating on a cloud. I have never forgotten that image and in fact I began to write The Prince’s Arranged Bride on the balcony of our hotel as soon as we returned.
The Prince’s Arranged Bride is most definitely a classic Presents novel with a fabulous international setting, a very strong hero just waiting for a woman like Emily to melt his heart, and a determined heroine who can bounce back however many times it takes.
Wishing you all a never-ending supply of fairytales and happy endings in your life!
All my very best,
Susan
Susan the book sounds fab, can’t wait to read it! And now I want to go to Italy…
Sounds Interesting. I have to say, I don’t remember reading books by Susan Stephens. But I will get this one.
I’m new to the blog and one of the reasons I have joined is that, I’m looking for a book I have read years and I’m Desperate to read it again.
So I thought sense Presents author are very much part of this blog, If I can describe the book, one of them might say “hey, that’s my book”.
First I wanted to check if its the right place to ask about such thing.
Hi, Abby!
Did you see the wonderful writing course run by the fantastic Sharon Kendrick in Tuscany on TV? I think we should all go and bask in that fabulous scenery and Sharon’s insprirational teaching(and later we could bask in gelato) (a bath in ice cream could be quite refreshing after a hot day toiling over a virgin sheet of paper, no?)
Mona, please do describe your book and I know we’ll all try to help you
All Best
Susan
Susan, The TV show was brilliant, Sharon’s course in Tuscany (which I believe is on every year?) looked amazing. It truly is the idyllic way to learn how to write a presents. And Jennie Lucas was great as well, looking fabulous.
I would love to be there eating gelato and dreaming up stories by a babbling brook…well you know what I mean!
Mona do describe the book, one of us might know it…and you should check out Susan’s books…
x Abby
p.s. for all of you living in the US I’m so jealous of all the excitement you must be feeling right now as the election is here – best of luck and may the best man win!
Hi Susan
Your book sounds gorgeous, I’ve already got it in my basket at Amazon. Ooh, a Prince, aren’t they delicious?
Can’t wait to devour him!
I second Abby’s comment, re election, good luck all of our friends in the US, hope it all works out for you, the whole of UK is thinking of you.
And hi Mona, please give us a description, with us readers here and all these fab Modern/Presents authors as well, we’re sure to identify it for you. Or, at least investigate it and find out what it’s called for you.
xx Karen
Susan, the book sounds great and has gone to the top of my TBR pile! Or better yet, direct to my my eBook reader (I love the digital experience!). Sharon’s class in Tuscany is a close second!
Hey Susan! Great to see you! The book sounds awesome and I want to go to Italy too! It’s on my list!
Hugs!
MARIAN STEVENS
Hi Susan – I loved your description of the way that the idea for The Prince’s Arranged Bride came to you. That sounds like such a magical moment. And isn’t it wonderful when something happens that sparks off an idea that we just can’t wait to write down. We never know whne it’s going to strike – it just happens.
I hope TPAB sells wonderfully. I know I love marriage of convenience stories – and books set in Italy .. so it has to be a winner!
Kate
Hi Susan,
How dare anyone tell you to give up reading fairytales? What’s the world coming to? The fairytale element is one of the things I love in our stories – with a hook into reality but with that extra special something that takes it out of the mundane.
I love the sound of your book and your floating castle. How magnificent that must have been.
Abby, I keep hearing about these courses in Italy and would love to attend. Wouldn’t that be a treat? Maybe the year after next?
Annie
Susan,
The books sounds fabulous! I am going to pick up a copy and add it to my ever growing TBR pile.
I have not been in Italy but that is definitely someplace that I want to go. Everyone that has been there tells me that it is one one their favorite places.
Lidia