PLEASE NOTE: This book may have an alternate cover. The following description is provided as a guide only and may contain text that doesn't specifically relate to this item. From Publishers Weekly . . Lacking the sympathetic heroine that made her previous Shelton family adventure so charming, Alexander's latest Regency-era romance (after The Marriage Lesson) focuses on Jocelyn, the self-described ‘pretty one’ who's dreamed since she was 10 of marrying a prince. Now the belle of London, Jocelyn captures the attention of Prince Alexei of Avalonia, but her accidental eavesdropping on a conspiracy against Alexei endangers her life, forcing her to marry hastily and flee London. Unfortunately for Jocelyn, her new husband is Rand Beaumont, a ‘mere’ viscount; unfortunately for Rand, Jocelyn doesn't take well the dashing of her princess dreams. Enforced seclusion in the countryside opens the couple's eyes to each other's merits, creating a respect that blooms into love. When the plot against Alexei snares Jocelyn and Rand again, however, Jocelyn is forced to choose between her new love and her longing to see her princess dreams come true. Though Alexander struggles to transform Jocelyn from a title-hungry mercenary into a loving, humorous wife, the change doesn't take, perhaps due in part to Jocelyn's misguided focus on the problems in Avalonia instead of in her own marriage. Readers will rush through this romance with their sights set on the youngest Shelton sister, the irrepressible Becky. (Dec. 4)Forecast: Avon is pushing Alexander, its romance Superleader for December, in an impressive way, and it's no wonder, considering that the author's previous titles have achieved over a 70% sell-through. Although this isn't Alexander's best effort, readers who were hooked by her earlier books will undoubtedly pluck this one off the shelf. . . . . Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc. . . . . Product Description . . Once upon a time there was a young debutante of means who dreamed of marrying a prince. So she traveled to London to become . . . . . . . The Prince's Bride . . . . As a poor but proud young lady, Jocelyn Shelton had but one dream: to marry a prince and bring comfort to herself and her family. Now circumstances bring her to London, where her charms could make her wish come true. But her rendezvous with royalty is dangerously interrupted, and she finds herself rescued-and thoroughly kissed-by Rand, Viscount Beaumont . . . a daring man in the service of the king. . . . . To protect her life, Rand whisks her away to the countryside, and to defend her reputation, he agrees to marry the willful beauty. Lady Jocelyn is hardly his first choice as a bride, but beneath her fiery nature he uncovers a tender vulnerability and a sizzling passion. But Rand is keeping a shocking secret-one that, when revealed, could either shake her belief in him or make herrealize that it takes more than blue blood to be a true prince.Victoria Alexander
