A Royal Marriage by Rachelle McCalla

4 STARS
Protecting the Crown series

The history part I really did not know much about it at all. I liked the plot. The characters and that it is a clean read.
I take for granted that if you want to read the bible it is easy to do. I have many copies in out house and even on my kindle.
Only the very rich would have a book of scripture like Acts not the whole bible.

Princess Gisela is going to be married as part of a contract to keep the peace and the Christian church together and not split apart. Her ship is attacked and she is wounded. The Captain was killed. The now acting captain had heard of the healer King John and sailed to his island than continue on to her intended.

King John sees that the Princess will die if she does not get a certain herb on her eye before evening. There is no time to ride to where the herb is and bring it back to her. Also the lands were taken away from his kingdom and could cause a war if they are discovered.

King John also realizes that if he does not try and the Princess Gisela who's father is Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne dies will also cause a war maybe on two fronts. So King John takes just the Princess into the danger area and puts the herbs on her eyes. She is burning up and both eyes swollen badly.

They make it safely out but they are seen. Princess Gisela finds out that the King's father death was by her intended groom's family and refuses to carry on the marriage till it is settled. She sends her ship back to her father and lets him know of the deciet that is going on.

King John lost his wife in childbirth and does not intend to remarry. He plans his brother Luke to be his heir. Prince
Luke is watching the border. He wants to advenge his fathers death. He is taken hostage.

Gisela has developed feelings for King John but she knows that she has to continue the marriage her father made for lasting peace.
Gisela owes her life to King John and feels like the coming war is her fault.

There is lots of action,drama,history,romance,spies that make it a fun read. I look forward to reading more from Rachelle McCalla in the future.

I was given this ebook to read and asked to give honest review of it by Netgalley.
Published November 27th 2012 by Love Inspired Harlequin 288 pages ISBN:0373829442

Discription below taken off of Goodreads

Despite her protests, Princess Gisela, headstrong daughter of the Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne, must enter into a diplomatic marriage. Yet en route to her wedding, her ship is attacked and she's gravely injured. Rescued by a renowned healer, King John of Lydia, Gisela recuperates at his Mediterranean castle. The handsome, widowed ruler soon has her reevaluating her beliefs on love and marriage…but only if King John could be her groom. Their love is forbidden, and duty requires him to deliver her to her betrothed. Unless they can find a way to join their hearts—and kingdoms—with love, faith and honor.