In the Prince's Bed (Royal Brotherhood Series #1) »

By the time Sabrina Jeffries was eighteen, she'd eaten chicken heads and jellyfish, been chased by a baby elephant, seen countless cobras and pythons, had the entire series of rabies shots, and visited rain forests and rubber plantations. But that wasn't enough excitement for her; to escape her mundane life as a missionary's daughter, she read romance novels.

Miss Katherine Merivale is desperate to make a respectable match — if only her childhood sweetheart would propose! Until he does, she can't touch the fortune she's inherited. So the last thing she needs is notorious rogue Alec Black putting her proposed marriage at risk with his distracting, smoldering gaze and moonlit kisses.

Alec, the Earl of Iversley — and one of three bastard sons of the Prince of Wales — is secretly searching for an heiress bride to pay his debts. Fiery Katherine seems the answer to his prayers, and her passionate response to his practiced seduction soon assures him that she is his. But Alec knows Katherine is looking for a love-match, and he wonders...what will happen when she discovers his deception?

Publishers Weekly

This first novel in Jeffries's (Married to the Viscount) new Royal Brotherhood series demonstrates that there's still room in the flooded romance market for a traditional Regency told with sparkle and energy. At heart, this is simply a good girl-tames-rake romance, but the chemistry among all the characters-not just the hero and heroine-ensures that there's never a dull moment in this merry romp. Determined to make something more of themselves, three of Prince Regent's illegitimate sons come together to pool their resources: Lord Draker's money, Gavin Byrne's connections and Alec, Lord Iversley's, new title. Alec needs a wealthy bride so that he can restore his estate, and beautiful Katherine Merivale may just fit the bill. Katherine has an unspoken "understanding" with her childhood friend Sydney, but she's grown impatient waiting for him to ask for her hand. Seizing the opportunity to get close to Katherine, Alec proposes a plan to make Sydney jealous. Naturally, the two find that they're well-suited, but can Alec hide his scheme from Katherine until they're wed? The attraction between the protagonists is electric, and it's consistently entertaining to watch them juggle their various secrets. Fans of historical romances will find the simple pleasures of this novel irresistible. Agent, Pamela Ahearn. (Aug.) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.