Hand-Me-Down Princess (The Brides of Belles Montagnes) (Volume 1)

My Review:
The day was set and arranged far before Jessabelle Keller knew about it. Her wedding was prepared and planned without her opinion. And her groom she had never met. On her wedding day she should be a happy joyous bride, but things are never what they seem. Her father only did this to make good on a deal, or so she believed.

Prince Malachi Van Renssalaer of Mevendia never had the choice in the matter. He was forced to marry a girl he never met, but the minute he laid eyes on her he wished he had. His vow to stay true and faithful to her was done in public, but still it should mean the same thing. With his days filled with work and Malachi wanting to learn more about his bride, how does he have time to cheat on her like his father wants? His plan is to honor Jessabelle in every way imaginable, even if everyone else has other plans.

With people going nuts over Jessabelle’s huge blunder of a speech and pictures going around of Malachi with another woman, will they ever find the truth behind it all? When Jessabelle learns of something that could scar her for life, she must decide if she can trust her husband or not.

Hand-Me-Down Princess is a beautiful novel full of love and adventure. I really enjoyed this book and found it to be a wonderful read. I truly can’t wait to see what this author has instore for us next.

**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from the author.

Wow. I totally adored this story. It reminded me a lot of some of Rachel Hauck’s princess stories.
The whole concept of this plot I found intriguing and was hooked from the beginning.
Malachi is wonderful and very patient. Honestly, I wondered when or if he would ever grow impatient with Jessabelle because I would have.
I felt bad for Jessabelle, but there were times I wanted to tell her to suck it up and make the best of her situation and embrace this wonderful man who is trying to help her. But she is shy person and that obviously has an effect on how she will handle everything that is taking place around her.
Also, you just knew something bad was going to happen to try to tear any trust away from these two and I cringed as I waited to see what would happen.
I was very pleasantly surprised by this book. Carol did a wonderful job ending every chapter with a bit of a cliff-hanger, which you don’t often see in romance novels, but she made me want to keep reading late into the night. I highly recommend this one.

A copy of this book was given to me through the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance in exchange for an honest review.

Prince Malachi and Princess Jessabelle are victims of a royally arranged marriage, one that leaves her feeling even more insecure than most. She's spent her entire life feeling "left out", unattractive, and unloved. Even the charm of her very handsome husband isn't going to melt away the years of insecurity that she brings with her to the palace...at least, not right away.

He's smart, dedicated, terribly handsome, and has a heart of gold. I was nearly in love with him by Chapter 3, myself! I did feel a bit of frustration with him, but my frustration is related to something I know nothing about, royal life. He isn't perfect, but he's definitely swoon-worthy!

She's kind, caring, and in desperate need of someone to see her for who she truly is. I just wanted to hug her, be her friend, encourage her every day. I didn't have to grow up under the same circumstances that she did, to completely understand her. Carol has done a wonderful job of making her a relatable character. My heart ached for her, and rejoiced with her- in her happier times!

Even though I'm an avid reader of fiction, and can often "see it coming", this story line had me a bit in suspense, and picking up crumbs the entire way. One aspect of the story was unresolved for me, but perhaps the answers will lie in future books. (One can only hope!) I loved every tear-filled, knowing smirk, and giggling moment of it. Looking forward to more!

This book has so many problems...Where to begin?

I can't force myself to the halfway point in the book. Feel like I need to take a shower to wash away slimy horrible feelings from almost all of the characters.

Author throws about 50 different characters at the reader with almost no information and back story. Then she flips perspective to that of various characters and back and forth. Then she switches perspective some more to ensure the most diligent reader is thoroughly confused.

The King is repeatedly pressuring his son, Prince Malachi, to cheat on his wife but counciling him to be discreet. Ugh!

I didn't intend to read a soap opera with a sprinkle of Christianity. Yuck on every level!

A marriage arranged before she was born, throws very shy and innocent Jessabelle into a marriage with Prince Malachi, even before they meet. Being thrust into the royal spotlight is hard enough, but sharing a room and a bed with her sudden husband has her terrified! Palace intrigue, plots, schemes and old secrets make this an irresistible read.

I just finished reading HAND ME DOWN PRINCESS by Carol Gammel Moncado. I love modern royalty novels and thought I knew what to expect in this one. Was I ever surprised! Not just a romance, but there is plenty of romance, this book has so many layers and sub-plots that kept me guessing almost to the very end. The characters are multi-dimensional with surprises coming often. The setting was fully developed so that I felt as if I were in the kingdom with them.

You won't want to miss this wonderful story, and the best part is that there are sequels. One has already been published.

Let me start by saying that I absolutely LOVE Carol Moncado. She is one of my favorite authors. I don't, by any means, write this review maliciously nor do I wish any of my comments to be taken as such. With that being said this book leaves much to be desired for me. I spent the majority of the book waiting for Jessabelle's character to develop/grow. I didn't feel like I got to know her and make that connection that makes me want to root for the hero/heroine. I didn't dislike her or anything, I just didn't feel like I knew her. All in all I think more could have been done with the story.

I enjoyed reading this Christian romance! I've read other books by Carol Moncado, but next to Falling for Mr. Write, this one is my favorite. I think it's the way that Gavin (in Falling for Mr. Write) cared for Bethany and now Malachi cares for Jessabelle. Jessabelle is awkward and shy, she's forced into an arranged marriage to someone she doesn't know and pushed into the spotlight. Prince Malachi is, also, forced to marry someone he doesn't know, but from the beginning shows a special care for her. Near the end of the book it gets a little weird, but it all works out. My favorite part is that no matter who our earthly parents are, we are truly children of the One true King!

This was my fourth Carol Moncado book. I fell into reading the CANDID series when I was captivated by Falling for Mr. Write in a collection of stories. I've really enjoyed the writing style and the love of God shown in characters lives as problems are worked through. Hand-Me-Down Princess was also very interesting and very enjoyable wondering if the two would fall in love.
One thing I didn't enjoy was rather complicated reference to many other royal characters that were from I guess the other books.
In the CANDID series, each book could stand alone even though there was overlapping of characters

Hand Me Down Princess
by
Carol Moncado

About the Book
Prince Malachi Van Renssalaer of Mevendia is getting married. The problem? He’s never even met his bride. His father arranged everything, right down to the marriage contract. Malachi swears to himself that he will be nothing like his father in the ways that count - including his fidelity to his wife. 
Jessabelle Keller would happily spend her entire life in obscurity, but her father once saved the life of a future king. Before he dies, her father is committed to seeing that king make good on his promise to have one of his sons marry her so she would be taken care of for life. 

No sooner than Prince Malachi and Jessabelle return from their honeymoon, they find themselves dealing with both private trauma and the very public drama of groundless accusations from the press. Just as they begin to weave their fragile trust back together, a ghost from the king’s past arrives and threatens everything they’ve ever held dear. 
Secrets have a funny way of coming out and this one could rip the faith of the country in their leaders to shreds. Malachi is determined to protect Jessabelle no matter what it takes, but will it ever be enough for her to not feel like a Hand-Me-Down Princess?

My Review
I really enjoyed this book but the ending...was left open to me it seems...really bummed...because I probably won't get the following books in this series unless they all come up for review !?! Page one you meet them both as they begin their lives together as a married couple. I do not know if I could have done that but have never been there. Prince Malachi is a wonderful Christian man with a much patience, compassion and empathy for his new bride. He was so gentle and loving toward her; he treated her as precious to him, but also reminded her that her identity came from God not man. I liked getting to know Jessabelle and see her grow into her place in the royal family. The relationship development between Jessabelle and Malachi was also very touching. But, it was missing something not sure what it is...maybe the other characters were not learned more about to get a real feel for the family...I really enjoyed the book!!!
I would recommend this book to those who enjoy a princess story!

About Author
When she's not writing about her imaginary friends, Carol Moncado is hanging out with her husband, four kids, and a dog who weighs less than most hard cover books. She prefers watching NCIS to just about anything, except maybe watching Castle. She believes peanut butter M&Ms are the perfect food and Dr. Pepper should come in an IV. When not watching her kids - and the dog - race around her big backyard in Southwest Missouri, she's teaching American Government at a local community college. She's a founding member and President of MozArks ACFW, category coordinator for First Impressions, blogger at InspyRomance, and represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of The Steve Laube Agency.

i revieved this book from Christian Fiction Blog Alliance in return for my review

Every new book by Carol Moncado honestly becomes my new favorite. She just keeps getting better and better! You will fall in love quickly with Jessabelle and Malachi and their story. Their tender love story unfolds slowly, allowing you to savor every bit of it. These characters are swoon-worthy to their very cores. I can not wait for more from this wonderful author. She has a wonderful gift of creating characters to adore, in wonderful, worldwide settings.

This author is AMAZING!!!! I cannot put her books down! As soon as I finish one I am so excited to start the next. I love how her characters flow throughout the different books so we can continue to see how main characters from past books are doing. These are a must read for anyone who is a fan of Christian Romance!

I really enjoyed this book. The main characters show so much growth from the beginning to the end. There were surprises that really caught me by surprise! It was romantic but suspenseful too. I have a feeling I will be sad when this series ends!

Jessabelle is the hand-me-down princess to Prince Malachi of Mevendia. His brother, William, crown prince, had already rejected her. So now she has been passed off to his younger brother in an arranged marriage neither of them wants. As their unhappy marriage begins, Jessabelle can’t help but feel bitter toward the lopsided vows she takes—to be true to her husband, but he only vows to be true to his country…not his wife. This story tugged my heart this way and that as I cheered for the unhappy couple to grow to know and love each other. But so many obstacles stand in their way—another woman, the King father who seems less than happy with the marriage he himself arranged, and other deterrents. Intrigue, action, heartbreak and romance unfold in this tale. It was quite enjoyable and had some great twists I didn’t see coming.

How would you feel if you were suddenly expected to get married to someone you’ve never met or spent anytime with? Then add to that - this family you’re marrying into is royalty and you are so NOT part of that class. This is what happens to Jessabelle.
Jessabelle is a shy, meek, and unassuming young girl and one day her life is turned upside down when she marries Prince Malachi, the young man who pledges to protect her and care for her. These two learn what it is to survive even when the odds are against you.
In this book, Carol Moncado has brought us into the royal life again. She continues to write books in which we get a glimpse of what it might be like to live in a world like Cinderella.
I loved how Carol constantly weaves Biblical truths and examples of how these characters struggle to live a life that is pleasing to God.
I highly recommend reading this book. It’s full of fun, emotions, and a bit of suspense. I can’t wait for the next one!

Value, worth, self esteem are all slippery concepts for most of us at one time or another. When combined with difficult circumstances that threaten our foundation? Things can become very difficult to attain. To move from doubt and fear to surrender with the sure knowledge of whom we really are in Christ is a step many of us never make. Bravo, Ms. Moncado, for taking these weighty concepts and wrapping them in a pleasing package of romantic suspense.