Nicole Burnham is sure to delight readers with THE PRINCE'S TUTOR. Her portrayal of modern
day conflicts that plague the royals mixed with the traditions that will never die is a
combination that is sure to make sparks fly for our hero and heroine. Amanda Hutton is a tutor of
etiquette to the rich and famous, teaching the children of Ambassador's, Aristocrats and
the like, how to behave in any given situation. She's very good at her job; she's had a
lot of practice, being the daughter of a very influential politician herself. But she's in
San Rimini for a different reason. Her friend Jennifer is marrying the country's Crown
Prince, Antony diTalora, but if someone doesn't find his irresponsible playboy brother,
and incidentally, the best man, His Serene Highness Stefano, the wedding will be delayed,
and the family cannot afford a scandal.
So there she was,
looking for Stefano, and where else would he be but a gambling casino!? When she first
spots him, Amanda's attraction is instant, but her annoyance and feelings of urgency are
stronger. After getting him out of there, and whizzing past the paparazzi at the gate, she
finally gets him to the church on time.
Stefano is very
debonair, handsome, and what he lacks in manners, he makes up for in charm. She's seen his
type before, but she can't help her growing attraction. And he IS a prince after all.
Being in that place, surrounded by its luxury, only a prince could make the fairy tale
complete.
That all changes
when Stefano's father, The King, exasperated with his son's carefree attitudes and
absenteeism at social events, save his close companions, enlists Amanda to teach Stefano
how to behave when placed in an otherwise uncomfortable setting, be it dinner or a Grand
Ball. Stefano lost his mother at an early age, and never developed the skills that his
siblings display with such grace.
Amanda is reluctant
at first; she's never tutored anyone older than a young teen, but her lack of funds, and
the King's very persuasive request leads her to accept the job.
Will Amanda be able
to old off Stefano when he at first seems Hell Bent on getting her to quit? And when she
does decide to stay, will she be able to put her powerful feelings of attraction aside to
get the job done? Stefano needs to learn how to function in a crowd of people who may not
be his choice of friends, but his diplomacy could help relations with his country's allies
and neighbors.
Amanda knows she
cannot fail, but does she have what it takes? Especially when Stefano's advances aren't
aimed at driving her away anymore, but rather for endearing her to him? He may lack social
grace with diplomats and dignitaries, but when he's with her, she feels special and
important, just as he has become to her. But will it matter when the assignment is over,
and she goes back to her life in DC? And will she leave her heart behind in San Rimini in
the process?
I loved this story
in that it IS a Fairy Tale with a present day setting. What Prince Stefano faces as a
Royal is a valid depiction of what we hear the aristocracy deals with today. I loved
seeing Stefano opened his heart, little by little to Amanda, and she, putting her rigid
rules aside to show the Prince how easy it was to trust a woman again. I thoroughly
enjoyed THE PRINCE'S TUTOR, and will look for other stories by Ms. Burnham in the future.
A delightful storybook romance!
Reviewed by Morgan Arce for The Road to Romance
February 24, 2003
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