The Royal Mess by MaryJanice Davidson, a Book Review

The Royal Mess is the third title, and possibly the last, in a series by author MaryJanice Davidson about the royal Baranov family who are the ruling family of the country of Alaska.

In this fictional world, the author has created a charming though very eccentric royal family whose lives are fascinating and fun to read about.

In The Royal Mess, a previously unknown Baranov family member, Nicole Krenski makes an appearance. Nicole Krenski's mother is recently deceased and in her will, her last wish is for her daughter, Nicole to contact her father, the King of Alaska. But Nicole hadn't known that her father was the King of Alaska so the news was something of a shock to her but she sent the King a letter anyway, telling him about herself and sending along DNA results and then washing her hands of the entire affair. She considered her duty to her mother's final wish finished and over with.

But it turns out that even if you want nothing from the royal family, there are certain ramifications of being the oldest of the King's children. It means that you are next in line for the throne, whether you want to be or not.

No matter how Nicole tries to keep the royal family out of her life, it doesn't work. One of her biggest problems is the head royal bodyguard, Jeffrey Rodinov. Nicole and Jeffrey are seriously attracted to each other from the very beginning. Jeffrey, however, will not act upon his feelings because he considers it wrong for a bodyguard to go after the body he's guarding.

Once Nicole realizes that the life she knew is over, she moves into the royal palace to take her place as a member of the royal Baranov family. She starts to get to know her new family - her father, brothers and sister. She is a lot like the other members of the Baranov family in that they are a volatile and easily excited bunch. This makes for some very exciting and hilarious disagreements!

Nicole must learn how to rule a country. Now that it is common knowledge that she is the oldest child of the King, she must prepare to become Queen.

Unfortunately Nicole doesn't especially want to be Queen. What she wants is to get Jeffrey to overcome his misplaced scruples. So Nicole pursues Jeffrey and with a little help from her teenage brother, she finds ways to get to him.

Nicole eventually grows emotionally closer to her father and her brothers and even to Jeffrey himself. The stubborn fellow can't hold back his feelings for Nicole and eventually Nicole comes up with a plan so that they can be together the way they both want to be.

The Royal Mess is a quick fun read, perfect for a lazy afternoon during the hot summer months. Grab a big glass of iced tea to help keep you cool during several steamy scenes between Nicole and Jeffrey and enjoy!

You can buy your own copy of The Royal Mess from Amazon.com or pick up a used copy from one of the online used book websites through Bookfinder.com.

The Royal Mess
By MaryJanice Davidson
Softcover, Brava/Kensington Publishing Corp., 2007
ISBN - 13 : 978-0-7582-1208-5
ISBN - 10 : 0-7582-1208-9