Prince Charming (Time of Your Life) [Mass Market Paperback]

Josephine finds herself in hot water when she makes her way into the galley of Cole's towboat and admits to herself that she has made a terrible mistake. She can no more boil water and prepare food fit for a towboat captain than Cole can sing a Verdi opera. But her manners and etiquette are impeccable. And as such, Josephine attempts to bluff her way through the meals, explaining the poorly cooked disasters "gourmet". Cole, not fooled by Josephine's bluff orders her to prepare one fit meal in 24 hours or she is off the boat at the next stop.

Still desperate, she strikes a bargain with Cole that risks her heart. She will remain aboard the boat, not as the cook, but as an etiquette instructor. Her goal is to teach this band of rowdies how to behave in polite society if it kills her. But Cole has another, more vengeful purpose in keeping Josephine on board and taking her lessons.

But as the two spend more time together, Josephine finds herself shedding her straight-laced former self and falling in love with Cole, a man who has set his sights on vengeance. Can she make him see that her love is true and make him forget his need for vengeance before it destroys him?

Ms. Wells has written a riotous river romp full of humor and irresistible characters. When you sign on with "Prince Charming" you sign on for - the time of your life. This one is too good to pass up!

This book seems to have a lot of things I like in a romance. Normally, books would have just one or two of my favourite romance elements. I like romances on the high seas (although this is a river) especially those cabin scenes, where all the drama happens! I also like reading books of heroes to the rescue of damsels temporarily in distress, and this one fits that to the T. And I like my heroines to be mercilessly teased - Cole just delights in teasing the straight-laced Josephine.

Cole does seem to be a bit too wonderful (not that I mind) even though Robin Wells sees to it that he has flaws like being revengeful (which he has reason to be) and hurting Josephine's feelings (which all heroes do, so that doesn't count.) But he also offers Josephine a job when he found out she's broke and has no place to go, defends her when his shipmates are too forward, comforts her when she wakes up screaming from a nightmare and didn't go through with his revenge when he could have.

I don't know what makes some books better than others even when the authors use similar elements in the stories. I guess that's what they call talent and Robin Wells has loads of it. Prince Charming is definitely one book that's a keeper.