The Princess and the Barbarian

Grade: B-

Summary: JEWEL OF THE REALM
Lovely, tempestuous and devoted to her subjects, Princess Thera must marry before she can be crowned Queen Of Mercia. But her reluctant search for a husband has plunged her into gravest peril - and into the arms of a handsome barbarian.
DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH
Powerful, hot-blooded, as cunning as he is untamed, Saxxe Rouen rescues Thera from a band of savage mercenaries - only to demand as his reward three nights of pleasure in the royal beauty's bed.
Even as all Mercia falls victim to Saxxe's raw, beguiling charm, the proud princess vows to resist the scoundrel who has breached the battlements of her sheltered world. But a passionate, irresistible yearning entreats Thera to surrender her heart and kingdom to this sun-bronzed warrior who would vanquish her enemies to win her steadfast love...

Review: Only a few chapters in and I have to give props to Ms. Krahn for her spectacular descriptive writing; great attention to detail. I really felt sucked into medieval France and England.
The main characters Thera and Saxxe play off of each other wonderfully. There were times when I was like "stop being a spoiled biatch Thera!" but the author describes Thera's background well enough to make her actions understandable, even if the reader doesn't always agree with them.
This book was definitely a character driven story. It's mostly about how different of worlds Thera and Saxxe come from and how they manage to grow into each other. ("grow into each other???" I know, there was probably a better way I could have said that but I'm sure you all know what I mean) Thera is young, incredibly naive, and stubborn without being (too) annoying while Saxxe is the world weary soldier. But a world weary solider who knows and teaches Thera seven things everyone should know and experience ;) Nice, just very nice. I loved how Saxxe made Thera into a Woman instead of her usual pampered princess self. It's always fun to read about characters who come together and through each other become true men and women.
The secondary characters of Gasquar (bff of Saxxe) and Lillith (bff of Thera) were quite complimentary to Thera and Saxxe. Gasquar was the funny, doesn't take life seriously side kick and Lillith was the stern and serious friend. I'll leave it up to your imagination if they get together ;)
There wasn't a lot to the story. Thera is trying to get home and leave Saxxe in the dust while the villain duc, who is pretty much in the background for most of the story, is chasing them. The story overall is pretty slow moving, but like I said before it's mainly character driven and you definitely get to see some great character development.
This book actually reminded me a lot of Iris Johansen's "The Magnificent Warrior". The main and secondary characters share all the same characteristics. The Magnificent Warrior was faster moving though and a better read in my opinion, so maybe give that one a go instead of this one.
I've been wanting to read a medieval book lately, slim pickens if you're looking for new one, and this book wasn't to shabby. Good characters, decent story, but just really slow moving.


Next to be read: "Butterfly Swords" by Jeannie Lin