RANSOM MY HEART
Princess of Genovia Mia Thermopolis, with help from Meg Cabot
Avon A
Historical Romance
ISBN: 9780061700071
FOREVER PRINCESS, the final installment in Meg Cabot’s popular young adult series, Princess Diaries, concluded with Princess Mia Thermopolis’s senior project, an adult romance novel, being accepted by Avon for publication. The finished product is now a reality, and all proceeds from RANSOM MY HEART are being donated to Greenpeace. The book is set up as if written by Mia, with author information, a website (www.miathermopolis.com) and interviews with the Princess of Genovia.
There are no princesses in this sophisticated historical romance, though there is lots of humor, two believable and likable protagonists, and plenty of action of all kinds. In 1291, Finnula Crais is the youngest sibling of a large family of many sisters and one older brother. She is the town oddity in that she was widowed after only hours of marriage and loves to wear braies while hunting game for villagers. No one can handle a bow and arrow like she can.
Finn adores her family. Her next oldest sister, Mellana, is pregnant by a traveling troubadour. Mel is known for the beer she brews, but she spent all her money on dresses and has nothing left for the supplies to make it. She needs the cash even more now that the singer has gone on to the next town and asks Finn’s help with a scheme to make money, which is popular in their area --- kidnapping a man for ransom.
Cabot’s humor comes through on this as she mentions how Finn had to choose carefully who to kidnap, because several men had been abducted a few times and their families would not pay up anymore. Finn inadvertently takes Hugh Fitzstephen, the village lord who is back from the Crusades after many years. He is willing enough to be kidnapped by the beautiful Finn and plays along.
But Hugh is returning to many surprises, including a treacherous uncle who has abused his power and taken money from his villagers until everyone is poor and hungry. Except for Finn’s illegal hunting, many families would starve.
Finn is confused about her feelings for Hugh, who is fun to talk to and stands up to her. Soon they realize that someone is trying to kill them, and they must keep each other safe as they draw closer. The mystery may not have many surprises, but the action moves along quickly.
In FOREVER PRINCESS, Mia makes it clear that the book is about a girl’s sexual awakening, so sensual scenes move this one into the adult realm, though they are a small part of this fun story. Romance fans will enjoy the research into the times and the feisty Finn. Meg Cabot wrote historical romances under the pen name “Patricia Cabot” years ago, and it is clear that she has a flair for the genre. We can only hope that Mia’s writing career will continue.
--- Reviewed by Amy Alessio
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