A Royal Romance - Annie West

I don't know why, but there's something about a royal romance that holds a secret appeal for me. Not enough to follow the latest royal gossip in the magazines, but definitely enough to use as the basis for a story.

This months sees my book PROTECTED BY THE PRINCE on sale in North America. Readers elsewhere might already be familiar with it as 'Passion, Purity and the Prince'.

It came about because I had an urge to write a fairy tale romance. Take one handsome royal "Like Prince Charming's far more experienced and infinitely more dangerous older brother". Place him in a picturesque alpine kingdom with a castle straight from a fairy tale. Given him a troubled past that still shadows him, a strongly heroic nature plus a single-minded determination to pursue the woman he wants. Add one independent, clever heroine who buries herself in her work with old books rather than trust her heart again. Add a big question mark over who the rightful heir is to the kingdom. Spice with the fact that both prince and bookworm heroine are torn between an attraction that hits them out of the blue, their need to do the right thing and their own hearts. Stir in a royal ball, a makeover and a romantic sleigh ride and watch the temperature rise as love clashes with duty!

Seriously, I found writing this book a real treat. It was the emotional journey Tamsin and Alaric embark on that hooked me from the start and kept me enjoying the writing till I'd finished. But sprinkled in with that was the pleasure I got from those fairy tale elements of the royal world that we like to enjoy. My hero, Alaric, didn't particularly likey the restrictions of his royal duty at a formal ball but I loved the glamour of it.

Living in a castle? Sounds wonderful to me. Owning a treasury of royal gems? Having staff to do the housework? Well, I wouldn't say no. Perhaps it's shallow of me. I know money doesn't bring happiness, and this story is a case in point. It's not Alaric's royal status that brings my couple happiness, but their honesty and loyalty and above all, love. At the same time I confess I revelled in the chance to explore some of those elements of the royal life that most of us only dream about.

How about you? Would you like to experience a day in the life of a royal? What would you enjoy most?

To celebrate the release of PROTECTED BY THE PRINCE this month Annie will send a signed copy of her book to one person drawn at random from those who comment. Just leave a comment and keep your eye open for the winner (which may be posted a little late as Annie is away part of today).

To read an excerpt of PROTECTED BY THE PRINCE or find read some 'behind the scenes' information on it, visit Annie's website. To buy the book try Amazon or The Book Depository. Annie's thrilled about this release, especially the little tag on the cover that says she's a USA Today Bestselling Author!