SECRET CHILD, ROYAL SCANDAL – Cat Schield
The Sherdana Royals , Book 3
Harlequin Desire #2442
ISBN: 978-0-373-73455-9
April 2016
Contemporary Series Romance

Sherdana – Present Day

Prince Christian Alessandro and designer Noelle Dubone were in a friends with benefits relationship five years ago, but after his car accident he broke it off and sent her away to Paris, where she has made a name for herself in the fashion industry. Noelle is back living in Sherdana and runs into Christian at his brother's wedding. He wants to pick things up where they left it off, but she resists. He soon discovers her reticence is due to a little secret she's been holding back all these years: she gave birth to his son, Marc.

Christian has been labeled the “Playboy Prince” and prefers it that way. As the youngest of the Sherdana male triplets, he has seen how royal responsibilities have weighed upon his brothers to produce an heir. Alas, it turns out his two older brothers won't be able to produce the required male heir according to royal rules, so now he's feeling the pressure. An easy way out would be to marry Noelle and have an instant heir. But Noelle doesn't want to enter into a loveless marriage to a party loving prince. Can Christian convince her that he's changed?

After Christian dumped her five years ago, it's no wonder Noelle doesn't trust him. She had also heard the rumors that he was being pressured to marry and produce the male heir to the crown, and doesn't want Marc to be a pawn in his plans. Noelle wants love and nothing else when she marries. Besides, she's still an up and coming fashion designer and doesn't want to be tied down to royal obligations. Christian is a charmer and he puts on a big show for her, which soon has her melting into his arms

Christian never forgot Noelle, and while he has a bit of a hard time adjusting to the news that she didn't tell him she was pregnant, he wants to make up for lost time. First up is getting to know his son, which hopefully will win over Noelle. She doesn't trust his motives, and he will have to be very convincing to win her hand. Love isn't in his plans right now, even though Noelle is the one woman who can fire his engines. Will Christian soon realize he's in love with Noelle? Can she trust him and fall in love with him…again?

The final tale in The Sherdana Royals trilogy by Cat Schield, SECRET CHILD, ROYAL SCANDAL could be read as a standalone without too much difficulty, but readers will get to revisit Christian's brothers and their wives as they pop in and out of scenes. Christian will be stunned by some family news late in this tale, and it could change everything for him and Noelle.

A sensual and intriguing tale, I highly recommend SECRET CHILD, ROYAL SCANDAL as Christian and Noelle are a couple worth investing your reading time in. Grab it before it's off the bookshelves.

Patti Fischer