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Cordina's Royal Family #3-4
Cordina's Royal Family: Bennett & Camilla
Two classic tales of royal love and palace intrigue by New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts.
The Playboy Prince
When it came to women, Prince Bennett could never refuse a challenge -- and after meeting quiet, lovely Lady Hannah Rothchild, the dashing playboy couldn't rest until he broke through her careful reserve. Love had always been a game to Bennett, but with this elusive, mysterious woman he found his heart was on the line, and he was playing for keeps....
Cordina's Crown Jewel
For a few blessed weeks, Her Royal Highness Camilla de Cordina could be just plain Camilla MacGee. And working in rural Vermont for archaeologist Delaney Caine -- devastatingly handsome, utterly cantankerous -- offered the perfect refuge. But as her irritation became fascination, then desire, the royal runaway knew she'd have to confess. Would Del see her as a woman to be loved, or dismiss her as a royal pain?
The Playboy Prince
When it came to women, Prince Bennett could never refuse a challenge -- and after meeting quiet, lovely Lady Hannah Rothchild, the dashing playboy couldn't rest until he broke through her careful reserve. Love had always been a game to Bennett, but with this elusive, mysterious woman he found his heart was on the line, and he was playing for keeps....
Cordina's Crown Jewel
For a few blessed weeks, Her Royal Highness Camilla de Cordina could be just plain Camilla MacGee. And working in rural Vermont for archaeologist Delaney Caine -- devastatingly handsome, utterly cantankerous -- offered the perfect refuge. But as her irritation became fascination, then desire, the royal runaway knew she'd have to confess. Would Del see her as a woman to be loved, or dismiss her as a royal pain?
480 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
About the author
Nora Roberts
1,786 books55k followersNora Roberts is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 200 novels, including Hideaway, Under Currents, Come Sundown, The Awakening, Legacy, and coming in November 2021 -- The Becoming -- the second book in The Dragon Heart Legacy. She is also the author of the futuristic suspense In Death series written under the pen name J.D. Robb. There are more than 500 million copies of her books in print.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
January 24, 2012
Typical Nora Roberts read. As I'm a sucker for anything related to the royal family, I like it. The thing with Nora Roberts reads is that it is very very easy to read. The second story revolves around Princess Camilla who is on a journey to find some space for herself and during this quest ends up meeting a dashing archaeologist, who she eventually falls in love with. Could finish this book in 4 hours straight. But the flip side of reading books like these is that you become impatient with the details. It spoils you for the classics which provide a rich detail of both the characters and their surroundings.
If you are looking for a break from your serious reading or if you are just another die-hard romantic like me, this book will get you through.
If you are looking for a break from your serious reading or if you are just another die-hard romantic like me, this book will get you through.
July 26, 2017
Bennet/Hannah's book: I've read a fair number of Robert's books that i disliked forvarious personal taste reasons, but it's rare that I dislike a Robert's romantic couple this much. This was especially disappointing because Bennett has been my favorite character of this whole series. I like Brie and found reeve broody and hunky. I adored Eve's spunk and got swept up in Alex's passion. But Bennett held a sspecial place in my heart. Despite him being made out to be the playboy prince I always sensed underneath that he had a very kind heart and could be very protective, the bonus being his utterly adorable sense of humor. This book took him from favorite to least and it seriously bummed me out. Now granted Hannah was a thoroughly unlikable heroine, not because she was bad or mean or shallow but because her job require prickly and standoffish and she was very good at her job. Roberts makes a big to do telling us about her other side but we very rarely get to actually see it in action so her spy persona is more real to the reader than her real personality. Also her spy persona was BORING! Despite all that she deserved better than Bennett's treatment of her once he found out the truth. He acted like a spoiled brat stomping his feet, angry at her for doing her job rather than the people her made her job a secret from him. That was annoying, it became unacceptable when he reached out and touched her in anger. A couple's first sex scene should come from a place of anger and hate in a romance book esp not from the queen of romance. He didn't rape or hurt her, but it was so contrary to the Bennett i came to know and love that it was even worse than if it had come from another character. There was never an apology and she took it as her due for keeping her secret spy mission...a secret. The romance never really recovered for me I was left saddened by the ruination of my favorite of the Bisset's, bored by Hannah, and annoyed that the entirety of the relationship was angry sex and him saving her life at the very end. The plot was interesting and the writing as ever was lovely, but the most important part of a Robert's book was just bad in this one. Hopefully the next is better because I'd hate to end the series on such a low note.
Camilla/Del's story: This book was definitely not what I'd hoped to get after the disappointment of Bennett's book. Del came off as a crusty OLD old man, Camilla came off as impossibly young. Because of that despite their actual ages it felt like there was a creepy age gap between them. Camilla acted like a girl with her first crush the whole book. deciding she loved him for no real reason and planning marriage before even bothering to find out his feelings. Del was just a douche. He got pissed off and threw her out of his house for keeping the very same secret he was, he was impossibly rude at every possible turn, and calling her sister was incredibly creepy. Unlike the other books with the added Deboque plot, the romance was the only plot in this book so since that faceplanted there was nothing ese to prop the book up. The only part of this I actually liked was the parental units scheming to get the two back together, esp Del's mom, they were a riot. Other than that this book was a total wash.
Bottom line: huge disappointment for me. definitely not one i'll keep or reread
Camilla/Del's story: This book was definitely not what I'd hoped to get after the disappointment of Bennett's book. Del came off as a crusty OLD old man, Camilla came off as impossibly young. Because of that despite their actual ages it felt like there was a creepy age gap between them. Camilla acted like a girl with her first crush the whole book. deciding she loved him for no real reason and planning marriage before even bothering to find out his feelings. Del was just a douche. He got pissed off and threw her out of his house for keeping the very same secret he was, he was impossibly rude at every possible turn, and calling her sister was incredibly creepy. Unlike the other books with the added Deboque plot, the romance was the only plot in this book so since that faceplanted there was nothing ese to prop the book up. The only part of this I actually liked was the parental units scheming to get the two back together, esp Del's mom, they were a riot. Other than that this book was a total wash.
Bottom line: huge disappointment for me. definitely not one i'll keep or reread
September 9, 2018
Loved this except for the rapey bits in the first one.
Shit be problematic.
Shit be problematic.
December 19, 2020
3.5 stars.
I had read the second story in this 2-fer but I did read the whole book. I may have slacked a bit because I had read the second one. It is nice to catch up on all the stories of the Royal family of Cordina. I am not sure I liked the jump in the years. The first story is about Prince Bennett (and his story with spy Hannah) then the second story is about his niece Camilla (and Professor Delaney). They were both good stories and quick reads. What you would expect and cute little romance stories. One of the things that was nice is each lady had her own career (and was kinda her own person). Yes each one changed after they fell in love and met the men but they were well developed. If you like romance fluff check it out. A scandal warning (I mean Nora Roberts).
Quotes:
“’Men sometimes look at pregnancy and childbirth as a traumatic disease rather than a fact of life’”(p. 30).
“He half opened his eyes, but Hannah noted that they focused quickly. Reaching up, he grabbed her earlobe. ‘Haven’t you any respect for a dead man?’
‘Ow!’ She grabbed his wrist in defense, but she was already several inches closer. ‘If it’s respect you want, I’ll call a couple of the servants and have them carry you out, in state. Meanwhile, let go or I’ll have to show you how easy it is to cause unconsciousness by applying pressure to certain nerves.’
‘Hannah, you’ve got to learn not to be so flighty and romantic.’
‘It’s in the blood.’ She sat back on her heels to massage her ear”(p. 215).
I had read the second story in this 2-fer but I did read the whole book. I may have slacked a bit because I had read the second one. It is nice to catch up on all the stories of the Royal family of Cordina. I am not sure I liked the jump in the years. The first story is about Prince Bennett (and his story with spy Hannah) then the second story is about his niece Camilla (and Professor Delaney). They were both good stories and quick reads. What you would expect and cute little romance stories. One of the things that was nice is each lady had her own career (and was kinda her own person). Yes each one changed after they fell in love and met the men but they were well developed. If you like romance fluff check it out. A scandal warning (I mean Nora Roberts).
Quotes:
“’Men sometimes look at pregnancy and childbirth as a traumatic disease rather than a fact of life’”(p. 30).
“He half opened his eyes, but Hannah noted that they focused quickly. Reaching up, he grabbed her earlobe. ‘Haven’t you any respect for a dead man?’
‘Ow!’ She grabbed his wrist in defense, but she was already several inches closer. ‘If it’s respect you want, I’ll call a couple of the servants and have them carry you out, in state. Meanwhile, let go or I’ll have to show you how easy it is to cause unconsciousness by applying pressure to certain nerves.’
‘Hannah, you’ve got to learn not to be so flighty and romantic.’
‘It’s in the blood.’ She sat back on her heels to massage her ear”(p. 215).
July 21, 2023
It is hard to go back in time and read an old romance..... the cigarette smoking, the rip the bodice, the taking of a woman as she says no but with some well placed kissing changes her mind.
This is two story book.
Prince Bennett, a play boy prince can not understand why he is interested in Hannah, a friend who is spending the season at the palace to help his pregnant sister in law. Hannah does not dress fashionably and down plays her beauty. An assassin / terrorist is about to be released from prison who has made a few attempts on the royal family. Hannah is a spy... at first we don't know if she is working for the good guys or the bad guys. In a few days and a few conversations, Prince Bennett is very taken with the plain Hannah . It is a love story.
Camilla is the next generation of royalty. She is hounded by the press and she is tired. She chops off her hair and runs away from her family and duty. She does agree to call her family every few days to let them know she is ok. She drives from state to state. No One recognizes her. In a driving rain storm in Vermont she goes off the road. There is no cell service but a nice man, Delaney Caine, stops by and offers her a ride and a phone at his very secluded cabin in the woods. He is an archeologist and he is recovering from some broken bones. It will take a few days to get her car fixed and he offers her a job typing up his notes.
It is a love story
This is two story book.
Prince Bennett, a play boy prince can not understand why he is interested in Hannah, a friend who is spending the season at the palace to help his pregnant sister in law. Hannah does not dress fashionably and down plays her beauty. An assassin / terrorist is about to be released from prison who has made a few attempts on the royal family. Hannah is a spy... at first we don't know if she is working for the good guys or the bad guys. In a few days and a few conversations, Prince Bennett is very taken with the plain Hannah . It is a love story.
Camilla is the next generation of royalty. She is hounded by the press and she is tired. She chops off her hair and runs away from her family and duty. She does agree to call her family every few days to let them know she is ok. She drives from state to state. No One recognizes her. In a driving rain storm in Vermont she goes off the road. There is no cell service but a nice man, Delaney Caine, stops by and offers her a ride and a phone at his very secluded cabin in the woods. He is an archeologist and he is recovering from some broken bones. It will take a few days to get her car fixed and he offers her a job typing up his notes.
It is a love story
February 20, 2022
I love this book! I read it before long ago and the wonderful thing about rereading books is rediscovering stories and things you forgot.
One thing I have always loved about Nora Roberts is how powerful she writes her female characters. In these two stories, the women are main characters. One is a double agent helping protect the royal family by putting her life on the line. In the second story, the main character is a princess. She is also a very smart, well educated young lady who knows how to take care of herself. She knows how to cook, clean house, and is anything but a spoiled pampered empty head that some people think of when they hear the word princess. She went to a world-class cooking school, works with charities, and knows how to keep a house. I think this was written to give a nod to the current royal families and I love that. The other books in the series also had very strong female characters which I love as well.
One thing I have always loved about Nora Roberts is how powerful she writes her female characters. In these two stories, the women are main characters. One is a double agent helping protect the royal family by putting her life on the line. In the second story, the main character is a princess. She is also a very smart, well educated young lady who knows how to take care of herself. She knows how to cook, clean house, and is anything but a spoiled pampered empty head that some people think of when they hear the word princess. She went to a world-class cooking school, works with charities, and knows how to keep a house. I think this was written to give a nod to the current royal families and I love that. The other books in the series also had very strong female characters which I love as well.
February 11, 2018
Overall, a good book to while away a cold Sunday with. It contains 2 short books, The Playboy Prince & Cordina's Crown Jewel.
The Playboy Prince was my favorite of the series and I really enjoyed the characters in Cordina's Crown Jewel.
These books are pretty reflective of the type of romance novels written when they were written so they are somewhat predictable but still a good read overall.
The Playboy Prince was my favorite of the series and I really enjoyed the characters in Cordina's Crown Jewel.
These books are pretty reflective of the type of romance novels written when they were written so they are somewhat predictable but still a good read overall.
January 31, 2021
Woo-Hoo 10th book of the year and a great one at that! Love getting to know the family Cordina and the son's and daughters. Love we have two reads in one -
So much excitement dealing with family and power and privilege.
So much excitement dealing with family and power and privilege.
March 25, 2021
Cute easy read - 2 stories in one - fortunately you do not need to read the previous books to understand... First book prince Bennett falls in love and 2nd book Princess Camilla falls in love - nice happy endings!
December 14, 2022
giving this 3 stars bc the first novel in this book was lowkey meh and the second novel was AMAZINGGG. as my first nora roberts read this was pretty good. very straightforward romance book with lil twists that are lowkey predictable while still keeping you interested
September 18, 2017
Fast paced and not really romantic
October 21, 2017
I loved the Royals of Cordina. This was Book 3 & 4, stories of Prince Bennett and Her Royal Highness Camilla (Gabriella and Reeve's daughter.
June 27, 2018
I preferred Camilla's story... it was much more amazing!
August 7, 2018
Nora Roberts book are the perfect read for vacation.
December 17, 2018
1st story- 4
2nd story- 5
2nd story- 5
April 20, 2019
Two romantic stories in this Royal Invitation, "The Playboy Prince" and "Cordina's Crown Jewel".
Nice to read of royalty and normal people, without any big differences.
Nice to read of royalty and normal people, without any big differences.
February 1, 2020
Good book. Typical Nota Roberts romance but I do love them
February 25, 2020
Great series great read.
May 12, 2021
Love, love, love this series and would love to see it made into a movie or movies!
Read
May 15, 2021Typical Nora Roberts.
July 9, 2021
Two books in one - I enjoyed these two stories as much as I enjoyed the first two! Nice, romantic stories that were easy to reach and very enjoyable.
Shelved as 'library'
July 30, 20210
October 2, 2021
I love Nora Roberts. Romance with an interesting plot.
November 17, 2021
I thought this Nora Roberts Novel was wondeful. I loved the two tales - one about Bennett (actually his wife, Lady Hannah) and the other about Camilla and her future husband (a suprise prince!).
March 16, 2022
While the writing was technically solid, these stories left me cold. They were almost too overtly constructed, and, on a personal level, I found the heroes unappealing.
September 29, 2021
This is another wonderful bind up edition of Nora Roberts containing books three and four of the Cordina quartet series. Focuses on Prince Bennett and Gabriella and Reeve’s daughter Camilla. Nora Roberts is a talented storyteller.
In The Playboy Prince, Prince Bennett has always enjoyed women and challenges. This book is set after two years of the previous book where Eve and Alexander are married and have a daughter Marissa and another baby on the way. Bennett’s first impression of Lady Hannah Rothschild is that she is full, boring, plain, bland. But as he gets to know her more and more he finds himself not only intrigued by two different sides of Hannah but finds himself falling in love with her. Hannah appears to be a quiet mannered lady with a connection to Deboque and appears to be working for him, but that isn’t true she’s an agent for the iSS assigned to bring down his organisation, getting emotionally involved with Bennett was never in the plan but it happened, in a moment of danger she’s forced to reveal the truth to him, making him feel betrayed that he fell in love with an illusion, but he can’t stop his feelings for her especially the personal risk she’s taking to protect his family. Deboque is released from prison because there isn’t any evidence to link him to Gabriella’s kidnapping nearly ten years ago or the Paris embassy bombing which was the attempted assassination of Prince Armand, or the attempted assassination of Alexander two years ago. Luckily Bennett and Hannah make up and she’s able to bring down Deboque’s organisation and Bennett kills him to protect her. Now with him gone the Cordina family have nothing to fear anymore. I absolutely loved reading this book especially young Dorian he was hilarious and made me laugh. I love a happy ending.
In Cordina’s Crown Jewel Her highness Camilla de Cordina daughter of her serene highness Gabriella de Cordina and Reeve MacGee has reached breaking point with her life and the paparazzi hunting her down all the time, printing false stories constantly she feels lost in her life, and decides she needs some time to herself a few weeks just to be Camilla MacGee so she goes on a road trip of self discovery for herself. Until she gets her car bogged in a ditch during a storm and gets taken in by archaeologist Delaney Caine, with a broken clavicle, dislocated shoulder and bruised ribs in a sling. They end up in an arrangement for some money and board she’ll clean his home, and type his transcripts for him. They’re both attracted to each other she loved the fact that he looks at her like a woman and not a title which is why she doesn’t want to tell him who she is. Over the next several weeks they grow closer and end up falling for each other unbeknownst to the other, she loves him despite him being rude, bossy, demanding, impatient but she admires his intelligence and passion especially for archaeology where she begins to have a genuine interest in, unknown to him she uses her contacts to send his project much needed grants to prevent it from being closed down. She learns about his parents being Palentologists. Things are great between them just as he’s coming around to loving her, and accepting his need for her to be around he’s shocked to discover that she’s Princess Camilla of Cordina and doesn’t react well to being lied too and basically kicks her out but gets annoyed by the fact that she actually leaves. Both heartbroken and still in love their mothers Gabriella Cordina and Alice Caine decide to get involved and give love a helping hand. Luckily both put aside their pride and accept their love for each other. I will admit though I found it hypocritical of him to be so angry with her for keeping her Royal identity hidden when he did the exact same thing his parents are the earl and countess of Brigston and he is Lord Delaney Viscount of Brigston. They get their happy ending which I’m happy about it’s a lovely way to end their series although I wouldn’t mind a book about Dorian he was one of my favourite characters. I really enjoyed reading this book it was hilarious and entertaining and enjoyable book to read.
In The Playboy Prince, Prince Bennett has always enjoyed women and challenges. This book is set after two years of the previous book where Eve and Alexander are married and have a daughter Marissa and another baby on the way. Bennett’s first impression of Lady Hannah Rothschild is that she is full, boring, plain, bland. But as he gets to know her more and more he finds himself not only intrigued by two different sides of Hannah but finds himself falling in love with her. Hannah appears to be a quiet mannered lady with a connection to Deboque and appears to be working for him, but that isn’t true she’s an agent for the iSS assigned to bring down his organisation, getting emotionally involved with Bennett was never in the plan but it happened, in a moment of danger she’s forced to reveal the truth to him, making him feel betrayed that he fell in love with an illusion, but he can’t stop his feelings for her especially the personal risk she’s taking to protect his family. Deboque is released from prison because there isn’t any evidence to link him to Gabriella’s kidnapping nearly ten years ago or the Paris embassy bombing which was the attempted assassination of Prince Armand, or the attempted assassination of Alexander two years ago. Luckily Bennett and Hannah make up and she’s able to bring down Deboque’s organisation and Bennett kills him to protect her. Now with him gone the Cordina family have nothing to fear anymore. I absolutely loved reading this book especially young Dorian he was hilarious and made me laugh. I love a happy ending.
In Cordina’s Crown Jewel Her highness Camilla de Cordina daughter of her serene highness Gabriella de Cordina and Reeve MacGee has reached breaking point with her life and the paparazzi hunting her down all the time, printing false stories constantly she feels lost in her life, and decides she needs some time to herself a few weeks just to be Camilla MacGee so she goes on a road trip of self discovery for herself. Until she gets her car bogged in a ditch during a storm and gets taken in by archaeologist Delaney Caine, with a broken clavicle, dislocated shoulder and bruised ribs in a sling. They end up in an arrangement for some money and board she’ll clean his home, and type his transcripts for him. They’re both attracted to each other she loved the fact that he looks at her like a woman and not a title which is why she doesn’t want to tell him who she is. Over the next several weeks they grow closer and end up falling for each other unbeknownst to the other, she loves him despite him being rude, bossy, demanding, impatient but she admires his intelligence and passion especially for archaeology where she begins to have a genuine interest in, unknown to him she uses her contacts to send his project much needed grants to prevent it from being closed down. She learns about his parents being Palentologists. Things are great between them just as he’s coming around to loving her, and accepting his need for her to be around he’s shocked to discover that she’s Princess Camilla of Cordina and doesn’t react well to being lied too and basically kicks her out but gets annoyed by the fact that she actually leaves. Both heartbroken and still in love their mothers Gabriella Cordina and Alice Caine decide to get involved and give love a helping hand. Luckily both put aside their pride and accept their love for each other. I will admit though I found it hypocritical of him to be so angry with her for keeping her Royal identity hidden when he did the exact same thing his parents are the earl and countess of Brigston and he is Lord Delaney Viscount of Brigston. They get their happy ending which I’m happy about it’s a lovely way to end their series although I wouldn’t mind a book about Dorian he was one of my favourite characters. I really enjoyed reading this book it was hilarious and entertaining and enjoyable book to read.
March 14, 2017
Loved!
Read
September 29, 2016Great double story book continuing the Cordina's Royal Family series. Bennett's story has twists and turns with love story you want to happen. Camilla the runaway Princess....loved it... Recommend as a good read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews