The Prince of Frogs [Mass Market Paperback]

The Prince of Frogs by Annaliese Evans is the sequel to Night's Rose. Night's Rose is a type of book that can either be a historical urban fantasy or for some, an erotic historical fantasy because of the sexual tone of the story. The heroine is Rosemarie, a fey who fights orges. Annaliese takes the Sleeping Beauty myth and spins it. The Prince of Frogs picks up where Rosemarie and her newly married vampire husband, Lord Gareth are in the Kingdom of Myrdrean recovering from a ogre attack. Gareth is weak and Rosemarie is concerned because Gareth isn't as loving to her as she expects him to be. Rose is very stressed out due to the nightmares of blood, violence and death she has. The Mother, who is the creator of the Fey line, comes to Rose in these dreams and wants her to kill Gareth. Rose is very frightened because they seem so very real.

Rose is also trying to figure out her feelings for her old advisor and former betrothed, Ambrose Minuit. Ambrose and Gareth are also brothers and can't stand one another. Even though she loves Gareth deeply, she can't get Ambrose out of her mind. Gareth is also jealous because he doesn't think Rose is being truthful with him.

Rose, Gareth and Ambrose travel to Rose's grandfather at his court in order to protect Gareth and to get his approval for her marrying a vampire. When Rose arrives, she finds herself in more danger than ever before. Not only does she fear for her own life, but Gareth turns his back on her and Ambrose lurks around trying to take Rose as his own.

I was expecting a sexy, action packed magical tale where Rose and Gareth team up to defeat their enemies with Ambrose by their side. What was told instead was a fantasy tale that I just found too boring. The majority of the time we see Rose worrying about everything around her and her constant questioning on why Gareth isn't the lusty man she knew him to be before they were married. Her nightmares with the evil Mother were annoying and the constant attempts on Rose's life didn't bring any shock and awe as I thought it would.

Annaliese then does something with the Gareth, Rose and Ambrose relationship in such a way that really turned me off. There was a bit of foreshadowing in Night's Rose and at the beginning of The Prince of Frogs over Rose turning to both men to form a ménage to keep her strong and safe. I was such a fan of how Rose and Gareth fell in love and wished Annaliese would have kept their relationship between just the both of them. The sensuality in this book is very toned down until the end where out of the blue it transforms in to an erotic love fest that just didn't seem to fit the story.

The Prince of Frogs didn't work for me even though fans of her work may enjoy the new turn of events with Rose and her two men. I will have to say this a pass.

Katiebabs

Night's Rose

After reading Night's Rose (Book One) I wondered how the three main characters, Rose, Gareth and Ambrose, would fair. Rose being married to Gareth, yet magically bound to Ambrose, she's in love with both men, brothers actually, and they despise each other. She's torn between the desire her body craves for the touch of Ambrose, but doesn't want to betray the love she has for her husband, Gareth, by giving into temptation.

I was so very happy to finally read the continuing story of these three people. From the first chapter I was drawn into their lives once again as Rose dreams of a terrible and frightening creature known as the Mother, a myth, the creator of all things magical. She wants Rose. She wants Rose's husband dead. There is much more to Rose than what was revealed in Night's Rose, and I was drawn into this tale of deceit and lies and murderous plots, and court intrigue. And a terrible secret that threatens to destroy the love and marriage of Rose and Gareth.

The ending was everything that I hoped for after reading Night's Rose. I wanted so badly for Ambrose to find his place. He is dark and mysterious and he loves Rose as much as the handsome and ever charming Gareth. And after a near fatal attack on Rose, can the two brothers set aside their differences and do what they know in their hearts is best for Rose (and the reader!)? Is Rose finally going to get what she yearns for most, to be loved by the two men she has ever held dear to her heart?

The plot, the writing, all of it moved effortlessly forward. I cannot wait to read the third installment in Ms. Evans world of Faeries, vampires, ogres, harpies, and other known unknown magical creatures. There is much more to be learned of who Rose is and how this new relationship dynamic is going to play out for Rose, Gareth and Ambrose. What factors might arise that could falter the newly formed bond they have created. I'm intrigued and hooked and I want more!

In 1750 in the Kingdom of Myrdrean, after kicking the butt of an ogre mob (see NIGHT ROSE) Rosemarie is happily married to the vampire Lord Gareth. Still in spite of her marital bliss, she misses her dear friend and long time Fey de la Nuit partner and advisor for the past century fey Ambrose Minuit. Through her dreams however Mother demands she kill her spouse.

Recently, though she loves her mate and misses her best friend, Rosemarie still waits for the happily ever after while knowing she should have known better having been awakened from a century nap without the required kiss. She knows her spouse is hiding something from her and she wants to know what it is. Gareth wants to tell but cannot as he still hopes it will go away although he knows deep in his heart it will not leave unless he and all he loves especially his cherished Rosemarie are dead.

The continual adventures of Rosemarie is a charming historical romantic fantasy as Gareth tries to protect Rosemarie from his past, but like many males (vampire, human or otherwise) fails to understand the courage and obsessive need to get involved with his mate. He should have known better that Rosemarie by her nature (of being a female and not just a Fey de la Nuit) would get into the middle of the action; all he had to do was ask the ogre crowd. Fans will appreciate Annaliese Evans' lighthearted Georgian era frolic as Rose has to kick butt of his bloodline heritage if the newlyweds are to stay wedded (and alive) as it takes a woman to do the ancestral cleansing.

Harriet Klausner