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The Kings of California #2
Stealing the Promised Princess
“I am here to collect payment.
And that payment is you.”
Prince Javier de la Cruz’s goal was simple. Tell heiress Violet King she’s promised in marriage to his brother. His first problem? She refuses. His second problem? Their instant, unwelcome and completely forbidden chemistry!
Makeup entrepreneur Violet prides herself on being thoroughly modern. Devastatingly handsome Javier is everything but! So when he steals her back to his kingdom, why does she decide to go willingly? And when this warrior prince could be innocent Violet’s biggest undoing, why can’t this unexpected princess resist playing with fire?
And that payment is you.”
Prince Javier de la Cruz’s goal was simple. Tell heiress Violet King she’s promised in marriage to his brother. His first problem? She refuses. His second problem? Their instant, unwelcome and completely forbidden chemistry!
Makeup entrepreneur Violet prides herself on being thoroughly modern. Devastatingly handsome Javier is everything but! So when he steals her back to his kingdom, why does she decide to go willingly? And when this warrior prince could be innocent Violet’s biggest undoing, why can’t this unexpected princess resist playing with fire?
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 16, 2020
43 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 26, 2020
ARC provided by NetGalley and Harlequin in exchange for an honest review.
Rating 3.25
This is a new author to me and I believe fairly new to HP.
Violet is a social media queen promoting her makeup/skin care line. She comes from a family of achievers who are all wealthy and are all well known in upper social circles. She does have some daddy issues in wanting to be recognized for her achievement of success in the business world by her father, which he hasn't given her any accolades for.
The storyline is basically about how she's kidnapped by a prince to fulfill a debit by her father (he lost money to him I believe years back). That debit is to marry a king, the princes brother. So she's taken to their country to introduce her to the king and prepare for marriage. But the prince isn't who she's drawn too.
Javier pretty much takes care of and oversees all military issues with his country. Javier has given his life to his country, he feels a strong responsibility for the people after his fathers terrible reign as king. Javier also has issues of guilt because he followed his father orders and idolized him till one day he learned the truth of who his father really was. He and his brother have sworn to each other to right their fathers wrongs together, their bond is strong. The king believes calling in this debt and marrying Violet will spotlight his country and bring much needed media attention, money and jobs to the people.
His brother the king has given him the responsibility of fetching (kidnapping) Violet and then watching over her while he unexpectedly is called away from his country. But he's not met his future bride before he's called away. So Javier, who is very attracted and drawn to Violet, is to "baby sit her" during the kings time away.
Javier fights his desire for Violet as well as the guilt he feels being attracted to his brothers future wife. Violet is very upset when she learns what her father has done and that the debt of all things is/was marriage. She has no plans to marry the king, plus there is this strong desire Javier awakens in her. She is very fascinated by him and would like to find out who he really is. During this time of "baby sitting" Violet is being trained (by Javier) for her new roll, but she is also plotting a media blitz to help the country that Javier loves so much. A plan that will bring all the media attention without the need of marriage to the king.
The two have some major chemistry and their sexual tension is high. I loved that Javier was the more silent alpha type. Violet was intrigued and drawn not only physically to Javier but also to his character. Violet at first came across as somewhat superficial and kinda vain (her makeup and Instagram and such) but as the story progressed her character grew and became much more likable. I appreciated the honesty that was communicated between the two characters .I also appreicated Javier taking a stand with his brother that Violet was his and that he couldn't marry her. And let me also say that the sex scenes between these two was..... ya, a little more than I was use to for an HP. 😬
A couple issues that I found with the writing. A little too much time and explanation was devoted to Violets media and makeup. The beginning of the story was choppy and a little confusing as well a few parts towards the end of the story.
All in all I think that this author is someone I would definitely try again and think she has good potentially.
Rating 3.25
This is a new author to me and I believe fairly new to HP.
Violet is a social media queen promoting her makeup/skin care line. She comes from a family of achievers who are all wealthy and are all well known in upper social circles. She does have some daddy issues in wanting to be recognized for her achievement of success in the business world by her father, which he hasn't given her any accolades for.
The storyline is basically about how she's kidnapped by a prince to fulfill a debit by her father (he lost money to him I believe years back). That debit is to marry a king, the princes brother. So she's taken to their country to introduce her to the king and prepare for marriage. But the prince isn't who she's drawn too.
Javier pretty much takes care of and oversees all military issues with his country. Javier has given his life to his country, he feels a strong responsibility for the people after his fathers terrible reign as king. Javier also has issues of guilt because he followed his father orders and idolized him till one day he learned the truth of who his father really was. He and his brother have sworn to each other to right their fathers wrongs together, their bond is strong. The king believes calling in this debt and marrying Violet will spotlight his country and bring much needed media attention, money and jobs to the people.
His brother the king has given him the responsibility of fetching (kidnapping) Violet and then watching over her while he unexpectedly is called away from his country. But he's not met his future bride before he's called away. So Javier, who is very attracted and drawn to Violet, is to "baby sit her" during the kings time away.
Javier fights his desire for Violet as well as the guilt he feels being attracted to his brothers future wife. Violet is very upset when she learns what her father has done and that the debt of all things is/was marriage. She has no plans to marry the king, plus there is this strong desire Javier awakens in her. She is very fascinated by him and would like to find out who he really is. During this time of "baby sitting" Violet is being trained (by Javier) for her new roll, but she is also plotting a media blitz to help the country that Javier loves so much. A plan that will bring all the media attention without the need of marriage to the king.
The two have some major chemistry and their sexual tension is high. I loved that Javier was the more silent alpha type. Violet was intrigued and drawn not only physically to Javier but also to his character. Violet at first came across as somewhat superficial and kinda vain (her makeup and Instagram and such) but as the story progressed her character grew and became much more likable. I appreciated the honesty that was communicated between the two characters .I also appreicated Javier taking a stand with his brother that Violet was his and that he couldn't marry her. And let me also say that the sex scenes between these two was..... ya, a little more than I was use to for an HP. 😬
A couple issues that I found with the writing. A little too much time and explanation was devoted to Violets media and makeup. The beginning of the story was choppy and a little confusing as well a few parts towards the end of the story.
All in all I think that this author is someone I would definitely try again and think she has good potentially.
September 11, 2020
3.5 stars
What I loved in this book is the MC'S they were so cute together, he is a silent kind of guy and she is a bubbly person the sexual tension was so high , and the sex scenes were simply HOT, a good read with cute epilogue 👍
What I loved in this book is the MC'S they were so cute together, he is a silent kind of guy and she is a bubbly person the sexual tension was so high , and the sex scenes were simply HOT, a good read with cute epilogue 👍
October 1, 2020
3,5 stars and I want to read the King and his mouse. I hope she'll make him crawling on broken glass. Lol
August 9, 2020
There were aspects in this story that I enjoyed such as the sizzling chemistry these two had and a heroine not willing to sit back and accept her fate while waiting for Hero to rescue her as most HP heroines are written that way these days.. But there were also a lot of things that bugged me that ruined it a bit for me, however, that will not stop me from reading future books from this author.
February 10, 2021
I enjoyed this a lot! Javier and Violet were a great pairing and I found this a much better read than the one about Minerva and Dante (Violet’s sister’s story is Book 1). The story focuses very much on Javier and Violet and the other characters of interest (the King and his ‘mouse’) are only there as they are the subject of the next book and really add nothing to the story itself. The writer has created strong characters who maintain one’s interest throughout. Excellent.
This writer has a strong voice and I liked the way she took traditional tropes and gave them a new spin. I thought in many places her writing style was very similar to Caitlin Crews, whose mastery of operatic prose and use of fairy tale themes is unparalleled. I will follow this writer and see what else she produces.
This writer has a strong voice and I liked the way she took traditional tropes and gave them a new spin. I thought in many places her writing style was very similar to Caitlin Crews, whose mastery of operatic prose and use of fairy tale themes is unparalleled. I will follow this writer and see what else she produces.
March 1, 2021
Now this one is more like it.
After hating the first offering in this series this one upped the game and it was the billionaire make up guru sister of the h from book 1 to find her twu wuv. The h is a Kardashian with an easier surname!
Turns out daddy dearest suddenly became a bad guy in book 2 and sold his daughter to a king in a card game and his brother has come to collect.
This guy has some serious daddy issues, his was a dictator of some made up country the seems to be based on Monaco but with evil rulers. He did bad things in the army and is now trying to make up for it (other than the kidnapping). h is a breath of fresh air and these 2 are lovely together she lightens him up and brings out the best in him. They like to play with traditional handcuffs which form part of the marriage ceremony lol.
King/brother really doesn't care even about the fiancee he never met getting stolen by his brother even though the H fretted for ages so its a win for this one.
I enjoyed this one way more than no 1!
After hating the first offering in this series this one upped the game and it was the billionaire make up guru sister of the h from book 1 to find her twu wuv. The h is a Kardashian with an easier surname!
Turns out daddy dearest suddenly became a bad guy in book 2 and sold his daughter to a king in a card game and his brother has come to collect.
This guy has some serious daddy issues, his was a dictator of some made up country the seems to be based on Monaco but with evil rulers. He did bad things in the army and is now trying to make up for it (other than the kidnapping). h is a breath of fresh air and these 2 are lovely together she lightens him up and brings out the best in him. They like to play with traditional handcuffs which form part of the marriage ceremony lol.
King/brother really doesn't care even about the fiancee he never met getting stolen by his brother even though the H fretted for ages so its a win for this one.
I enjoyed this one way more than no 1!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2022
We've got ourselves a beauty and the beast/royalty story that refers to beauty and the beast constantly. Well, at least the author knows she waving around this trope and shoving it in the readers' faces. You know what, though? This was not the best story. There wasn't anything to write home about or any lasting elements I would remember. However, I had fun reading it. It's one of those turn off your mind type of books that go well with vacations and illnesses. You just need something light and fun--something you can turn off your brain to. This fit the bill.
I'm not going to go in-depth with this one, but I will say that it follows the sister of the main gal from the first book of this series. You do not have to have read that book to enjoy this one. In fact, that book and story is pretty much irrelevant to this one. There's mention of the relationship, and you get to meet the couple. But that's it. The sister, Violet, is the "pretty one" with the cosmetics empire, and her father is an a$$. He trades her to the king of some tiny, fictional country, and she gets kidnapped to be the queen. Except she starts a relationship with the prince (the one who kidnapped her) instead while the king decides to stay away and do...king stuff. They develop feelings. Stuff. Romance. But Javier had a gruesome history of following his father's ghastly orders before he and his brother ousted him. Javier feels like he's a "beast" and is incapable of love...You get the picture.
The story goes about how you would expect. Nothing crazy. Very predictable. But again, that's why I liked it. It was relaxing. I could just read it and not be stressed. Yes, I know the book is just "okay," but I had fun so :-P
The Kings of California Series
-Review of The Scandal Behind the Italian's Wedding (The Kings of California #1)
-Review of Stealing the Promised Princess (The Kings of California #2)
-Review of Crowning His Innocent Assistant (The Kings of California #3)
I'm not going to go in-depth with this one, but I will say that it follows the sister of the main gal from the first book of this series. You do not have to have read that book to enjoy this one. In fact, that book and story is pretty much irrelevant to this one. There's mention of the relationship, and you get to meet the couple. But that's it. The sister, Violet, is the "pretty one" with the cosmetics empire, and her father is an a$$. He trades her to the king of some tiny, fictional country, and she gets kidnapped to be the queen. Except she starts a relationship with the prince (the one who kidnapped her) instead while the king decides to stay away and do...king stuff. They develop feelings. Stuff. Romance. But Javier had a gruesome history of following his father's ghastly orders before he and his brother ousted him. Javier feels like he's a "beast" and is incapable of love...You get the picture.
The story goes about how you would expect. Nothing crazy. Very predictable. But again, that's why I liked it. It was relaxing. I could just read it and not be stressed. Yes, I know the book is just "okay," but I had fun so :-P
The Kings of California Series
-Review of The Scandal Behind the Italian's Wedding (The Kings of California #1)
-Review of Stealing the Promised Princess (The Kings of California #2)
-Review of Crowning His Innocent Assistant (The Kings of California #3)
hq-to-read
September 12, 2020“I am here to collect payment. And that payment is you.”
Prince Javier de la Cruz’s goal was simple. Tell heiress Violet King she’s promised in marriage to his brother. His first problem? She refuses. His second problem? Their instant, unwelcome and completely forbidden chemistry!
Makeup entrepreneur Violet prides herself on being thoroughly modern. Devastatingly handsome Javier is everything but! So when he steals her back to his kingdom, why does she decide to go willingly? And when this warrior prince could be innocent Violet’s biggest undoing, why can’t this unexpected princess resist playing with fire?
Prince Javier de la Cruz’s goal was simple. Tell heiress Violet King she’s promised in marriage to his brother. His first problem? She refuses. His second problem? Their instant, unwelcome and completely forbidden chemistry!
Makeup entrepreneur Violet prides herself on being thoroughly modern. Devastatingly handsome Javier is everything but! So when he steals her back to his kingdom, why does she decide to go willingly? And when this warrior prince could be innocent Violet’s biggest undoing, why can’t this unexpected princess resist playing with fire?
September 28, 2020
It is fine I guess. The heroine was a successful woman, the youngest woman billionaire, and no, it's not Kylie Jenner. And the hero was a prince, he's kind of dark and all that. She was supposed to marry his brother, the King. But they slept together and the heroine never really accepted that she was marrying the King, she was already attracted to the hero. Then they got married cause the hero himself never wanted to let her go.
March 7, 2021
From the very first words, this book pissed me off, and I stayed pissed off to the end. How very archaic these characters are. I really didn't like this one. If I say any more, I'll end up doing a spoiler, and I refuse to that. All I will say is, some may like this, some may not. I, for one, did not enjoy this story...and I'm not certain I'll like the third installment if it follows along these same archaic lines.
February 28, 2024
Very good... mostly
Complaint first. Too much thought life.. repetitive. Almost stopped reading...however, when their was dialogue it was great. I loved how the author had them laying things out to each other. There was no drawn out secret that yo yos the couple a million times. The frankness was refreshing. Over all recommended.
Complaint first. Too much thought life.. repetitive. Almost stopped reading...however, when their was dialogue it was great. I loved how the author had them laying things out to each other. There was no drawn out secret that yo yos the couple a million times. The frankness was refreshing. Over all recommended.
Read
October 2, 2020Categories
Contemporary Romance, Romance
Miniseries
The Kings of California (Book #2)
Contemporary Romance, Romance
Miniseries
The Kings of California (Book #2)
Read
October 2, 2020Categories
Contemporary Romance, Romance
Miniseries
The Kings of California (Book #2)
Contemporary Romance, Romance
Miniseries
The Kings of California (Book #2)
November 24, 2020
Good book
December 26, 2023
I really enjoyed this book, nice addition to the series.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews