The Principality of Zindaria, Dorset, England and London, 1816

Her Serene Highness, Princess Caroline of Zindaria knew she didn't match up to her tall, golden prince of a husband, but her innocent sixteen year old heart fell instantly in love anyway. By the time Prince Rupert was killed a year ago, he had almost totally crushed that tender heart. But whatever they say about a tigress whose cub is threatened could be said about Callie. For someone is trying to kill her son Nicky, seven, the Crown Prince. Callie is sure it's Count Anton, the next in line to inherit, but no one will believe Nicky is in danger. So Callie and Nicky flee Europe for England, Callie's birthplace. On a dark night with a storm brewing, the captain of the boat she hired to take her across the channel to the port at Lulworth orders his crew to land her short of that destination.

Former Captain Gabriel Renfrew is still adjusting to peacetime after eight years of war. His restlessness has him galloping home along the cliff path when . . .

I'm not going to try to describe how our hero meets our heroine; not when the author does it so thrillingly. I'll just say that Gabe falls fast and hard. To him, Callie, a small brunette just ever-so-slightly plump is the most beautiful woman he's ever seen. She gives him her name as Prin...Mrs. Prynne. Gabe takes command as one might expect from an officer, but Callie spent too many years under a man's thumb -- first her father's and then her husband's. She has been savoring her recent freedom too much to meekly obey. So, right away, a squabbling relationship is set up between Callie and Gabe. Gabe takes Callie and Nicky to his home. He flirts and teases, calling upon all his self-control when all he wants to do is grab Callie and kiss the daylights out of her. Who knew malleable Callie could be so feisty? Yet, she feels safe with Gabe and will eventually trust him. He's a whole new kind of man in her experience, gentle with Nicky and careful of his feelings. Callie needs to guard against developing any feelings toward Gabe; she's her own woman now and plans to stay that way.

Callie's a bad liar, and Gabe soon suspects there is more to her and Nicky than a mere widow and son. Events will show him to be right.

THE STOLEN PRINCESS is filled with important, lifelike characters: the Barrows, a devoted couple who care for Gabe, his home and his horses; Tibby, Miss Tibthorpe, Callie's former governess; ex-Sergeant Ethan Delaney, an Irishman wanting to better himself; and Jim, the orphaned son of a local fisherman, who becomes Nicky's first friend.

Once Gabe realizes the full extent of the danger to Callie and Nicky -- a boy he's come to like and admire, and readers will, too -- he sends for three men with whom he served in the war, men who are closer than brothers. In fact, one of them is his half brother Harry. (There is a whole moving sub-plot about Gabe's childhood -- he was a prisoner of war in the battle between his parents -- and his current strained relationship with his two elder brothers, one of them an earl.)

THE STOLEN PRINCESS is the first of a quartet to feature four soldiers, Gabe Renfrew, Harry Morant, Luke Ripton, and Rafe Ramsey, who survived years of war and are adjusting to civilian life.

I've had the pleasure of reading and reviewing other books by Anne Gracie, one of my favorite writers, and that includes her recent Perfect trilogy, a terrific set of books. So the bar is set high with every new work. I've never been disappointed and certainly am not with THE STOLEN PRINCESS. It is as filled with warmth, humor, and lovable characters as any other of her titles. Though excellent characterization is a hallmark of Ms. Gracie's books, her plots superbly showcase the humanity of her creations. Anne Gracie's talent is as consistent as it is huge. I highly recommend THE STOLEN PRINCESS and look forward to the rest of the series.

Jane Bowers