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Royals of Valleria #2
Marcello & Grace
When fate made Lady Grace a widow, after years of a disastrous, abusive marriage, she felt a sense of relief and escape. Now, a year after her husband’s death, she’s just beginning to feel like her old self again, though she still carries the scars, both visible and hidden, of her past. Having been separated from friends and family for too long, she’s only too happy to see her old friend, Princess Catharine, on a visit to England. What she didn’t expect was a visit from her brother, Prince Marcello. When she begins to feel the first stirrings of love within her, can she overcome the horrors of her past to make a future with him?
Prince Marcello, head of Valleria's national security and defense, is still dealing with the fallout from security breaches under his watch. After long days and nights of political maneuvering in London to reclaim Valleria’s and his reputation, he takes a needed break by joining his sister on a visit to her friend, Lady Grace. What he thought would be a relaxing week becomes anything but when he begins to fall in love with her.
In the midst of blooming love, Marcello is asked to lead a secret, dangerous mission to thwart an international threat. Marcello knows he must go, both for his country’s honor and for his own. Will he survive? And, if he does, will Grace be waiting for him upon his return?
***
Meet the Royals of Valleria, a country as old as the fall of the Roman Empire. The reigning king and patriarch rules with his beloved queen. Nine children, ranging from the eldest twins to the youngest son, watch over the country they love and care for. Bound by honor, duty, and each other, follow their lives as they fall in love, face tragedies, and triumph against the evils facing them.
Prince Marcello, head of Valleria's national security and defense, is still dealing with the fallout from security breaches under his watch. After long days and nights of political maneuvering in London to reclaim Valleria’s and his reputation, he takes a needed break by joining his sister on a visit to her friend, Lady Grace. What he thought would be a relaxing week becomes anything but when he begins to fall in love with her.
In the midst of blooming love, Marcello is asked to lead a secret, dangerous mission to thwart an international threat. Marcello knows he must go, both for his country’s honor and for his own. Will he survive? And, if he does, will Grace be waiting for him upon his return?
***
Meet the Royals of Valleria, a country as old as the fall of the Roman Empire. The reigning king and patriarch rules with his beloved queen. Nine children, ranging from the eldest twins to the youngest son, watch over the country they love and care for. Bound by honor, duty, and each other, follow their lives as they fall in love, face tragedies, and triumph against the evils facing them.
296 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 22, 2015
About the author
Marianne Knightly
31 books149 followersMARIANNE KNIGHTLY is the pen name for the author of over twenty novels and novellas of sexy, soulful contemporary romance and romantic suspense. She is most well known for her Royals of Valleria series, a contemporary royal romance series with a hint of suspense set in her fictional country of Valleria.
To get a FREE Royals of Valleria short story, sign up for her newsletter here: www.marianneknightly.com/newsletter. You'll also get excerpts, author news, and news about sales and contests first.
You can follow her on Instagram (https://instagram.com/marianneknightly/), Facebook (www.facebook.com/MarianneKnightly), Twitter (https://twitter.com/mariknightly), and Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/mariannekni...). Marianne lives in the Washington, D.C., metro area and loves to hear from readers all over the world!
To get a FREE Royals of Valleria short story, sign up for her newsletter here: www.marianneknightly.com/newsletter. You'll also get excerpts, author news, and news about sales and contests first.
You can follow her on Instagram (https://instagram.com/marianneknightly/), Facebook (www.facebook.com/MarianneKnightly), Twitter (https://twitter.com/mariknightly), and Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/mariannekni...). Marianne lives in the Washington, D.C., metro area and loves to hear from readers all over the world!
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 8, 2022
All in all it was ok. I've felt a little bit rushed, with such background story. Grace's story was such a good one to be developed and with a little more time span I feel it would have been more solid. But as always, loved the characters, both new and old ones. Now with the setup for the next sibling, I'm definately excited to read the next one in the series.
October 17, 2017
Amazing. I love the family and their bond
July 6, 2018
Grace's story was just so moving. I felt her pain as if it were my own. And Marcelo is the sweetest hero I've ever read. He was just so caring and patient.
November 27, 2022
Delightful
A further romp into the Valleria royals. Full of love suspense and intrigue. A truly light but enjoyable 2nd the series.
A further romp into the Valleria royals. Full of love suspense and intrigue. A truly light but enjoyable 2nd the series.
June 8, 2015
Like the first book in this series, I enjoyed the concept but some parts fell a bit flat for me. Unlike book 1, this novel was a bit of insta-love which tends to annoy me. This story is set up at the end of book 1, and Marcello is fascinated by Grace before he even meets her. This didn't quite ring true to me, since the only thing Catherine really told him was that Grace's husband had died. I was also a bit surprised that the relationship progressed as quickly as it did given her history and overall distrust of men. The main suspense part of this book also seemed a bit anti-climactic to me.
All of that being said, I did enjoy the character development in this book. I felt that I really got to know more about Marcello and Catherine (who we both met in book 1) as well as Grace. I also felt the writing flowed a bit better than the previous book. The end of this book sets up book 3, but it didn't feel as contrived to me. I am genuinely interested to find out more about Arianna's history.
All of that being said, I did enjoy the character development in this book. I felt that I really got to know more about Marcello and Catherine (who we both met in book 1) as well as Grace. I also felt the writing flowed a bit better than the previous book. The end of this book sets up book 3, but it didn't feel as contrived to me. I am genuinely interested to find out more about Arianna's history.
February 25, 2016
This book is terrific. We follow up with Marcello and Cat as they go visit one of Cat's friends in England. Marcello starts to fall in love with her as soon as he meets her. However Grace is guarded especially after her abusive husband has caused her much distrust in men. He died in an accident that left Grace with his estate to run along with her family's estate. Marcello is working to regain his reputation after his security slip up with his future sister in law and Queen of Valleria. So he chooses to go on a secret mission. As he spends more time with Grace he can see she is starting to fall in love with him as well. This was a well written story and really pulls at your heart strings with these two young lovers and the struggles they go through in life. Highly recommended reading material.
November 26, 2021
What a wonderful couple. They compliment each other well. Grace needs someone she can feel safe and valued with. Maricello needs someone to love him and need him alone.
I appreciated Ms. Knightlys depiction of Grace. Life after abuse is not easy. In some ways it maybe be harder because it is internalized and while the abuse itself isn't happening, the nightmares and self-doubt continues.
Because of this difficult subject matter, I highly this story to only recommend 18+.
I appreciated Ms. Knightlys depiction of Grace. Life after abuse is not easy. In some ways it maybe be harder because it is internalized and while the abuse itself isn't happening, the nightmares and self-doubt continues.
Because of this difficult subject matter, I highly this story to only recommend 18+.
February 2, 2016
Lady Grace was abused by her husband. She has found relief after he died. Princess Catherine has come to England to visit her. Her brother Marcello has come to visit too.
Marcello has been drawn to her picture since his sister talked about going to see her.
Some drama, love scenes were x-rated, wanted more detail about secret mission. Nice plot.
Marcello has been drawn to her picture since his sister talked about going to see her.
Some drama, love scenes were x-rated, wanted more detail about secret mission. Nice plot.
May 27, 2015
For how traumatized the heroine was, it was unbelievable how quickly she got physical with the hero.
And then to refuse commitment but want to be together forever? Immature, selfish, and stupid. Let's shack up in the castle!
And then to refuse commitment but want to be together forever? Immature, selfish, and stupid. Let's shack up in the castle!
August 3, 2015
Sweet
I really liked it. It was easy to read and the characters have a lot of depth to them. Nice plot.
I really liked it. It was easy to read and the characters have a lot of depth to them. Nice plot.
January 23, 2017
Good book
It is well written and a joy to read. The story flows from the previous book in the series. Good use of characters.
It is well written and a joy to read. The story flows from the previous book in the series. Good use of characters.
April 22, 2016
a bit too much graphic sex
June 17, 2017
Involved
I enjoyed this book, because while Marcello believes he's in love with Grace, it's not love at first sight. Grace comes with baggage, Marcello comes with baggage, and while attraction is there, neither is interested in moving too fast. So it builds and invites you along for the trip.
I enjoyed this book, because while Marcello believes he's in love with Grace, it's not love at first sight. Grace comes with baggage, Marcello comes with baggage, and while attraction is there, neither is interested in moving too fast. So it builds and invites you along for the trip.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews