Amber Malloy – Royally Screwed

Today, I’m hosting author Amber Malloy’s latest release Royally Screwed, book one in The Royal Series, a contemporary romance. Be sure to read my review. And don’t forget to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway.

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Title: Royally Screwed
Series: The Royal Series, book one
Author: Amber Malloy
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publication Date: June 14, 2023
Length: 206 pages
Publisher: Evernight Publishing

Blurb: Prince Ford Beaumont, who taught at one of the most prestigious institutions in the world, loved his career … until his ex-wife got him fired. On very thin ice with the monarchy, the prince is forced to participate in a reality dating show. However, an unintentional ponytail tug to a very sexy princess permanently changes his plans for the worse. Now, Ford only has two choices available: he can either stay on The Establishment’s planned out course or risk his title for the wild child princess.

Third in line to the throne, Princess Belle Deschamps ran from Emerald Isle years ago. She only returns to her birthright out of contractual obligation. Unfortunately, one very public fight with a handsome prince forces her into a one-sided deal that could destroy everything she built for herself.

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Following her farther into the building, he admired the way her curly, black hair cascaded down the back of her sweater, complementing her silky, chocolate coloring. More than once he averted his eyes from that amazing face to concentrate on the conversation at hand. While this easygoing, funny princess belonged to the Windy City, the stuck-up version must have been reserved strictly for their homeland.

Ford didn’t know what he would find once he touched down in Chicago. He’d planned to give her a heads-up, but that idea got nixed somewhere between JFK and O’Hare.

The last time they were in each other’s presence it didn’t go well. Basically, he’d wound her up, finally getting under her skin, and she took the bait. The consequences for the princess had far outreached a little ponytail tugging on his part.

Still, what he absolutely hadn’t expected this morning before his second cup of coffee was the urge to kill one of the best centerfields in the league.

They continued their trek down a corridor. Once they reached the end of the hall, they were greeted by brick walls with wood inlay and sliding glass doors. A few desks intermingled with a foosball table putting the finishing touches on Belle’s cool kids’ club.

“Is it usually this quiet?” he whispered, hoping Belle didn’t beat her employees. The room full of twenty wide-eyed, staring people reminded Ford of a doomsday cult.

“No, they’re just bedazzled.”

“By?”

“You… He won’t bite,” Belle announced to the room.

“Are you sure? Because that would be fun.”

Her employees laughed, which helped cut the weird tension, as a very cheery woman broke away from the pack.

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This is the first book in the series and it gets off to a great start with solid world-building about Emerald Isle and the two royal families. Prince Ford Beaumont thinks he’s managed to escape the horrible Establishment that oversees the royal families by teaching in England at a prestigious university, but that all backfires, thanks to his ex-wife. Now he’s back, wearing invisible handcuffs, forced to participate in a reality dating game.

Princess Belle Deschamps crawled out from under The Establishment’s thumb years ago and has a great life in Chicago. But just like Ford, she finds herself back at the prison-like island, forced to live under the thumb of The Establishment once again.

It’s a great plot line with the dating show and politics impacting the budding romance between Ford and Belle who have history, but not in the way that you’re thinking LOL. They grew up together, and even crushed on each other, but went their separate ways. Now they are face to face. Sparks fly from their first meeting.

There is also a big cast of characters that includes the brothers, sisters, assistants, contestants, etc., so I found myself getting a bit lost here and there. With the romance, though, I never got lost. It leaps off the pages with plenty of scenes between Ford and Belle and has a nice dose of erotic scenes.

Eve (next in line to the throne) intrigued me and I hope there is a story with her for the series.

Madge, the ruler of The Establishment, and overseer of the royals, is an excellent villain. Is this the last we’ll see of her? I hardly think so. I have a hunch she’ll find a way to get her way. She’s crafty and believable since she protects Emerald Isle with an iron fist.

It’s a great start to the series. If you enjoy royal romances, you’ll enjoy this book. The writing is excellent, the characters fresh and alive, and the plot has plenty of twists and turns. Do yourself a favour and get a copy.

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Amber Malloy dreamed of being a double agent but couldn’t pass the psyche evaluation. Crushed by despair that she couldn’t legally shoot things, Amber pursued her second career choice as pastry chef. When she’s not writing or whipping up a mean Snickers Cheesecake, she occasionally spies on her sommelier. Amber is convinced he’s faking his French accent.

Follow Amber: Facebook | Twitter

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