Country of Liechtenstein, Palace of Vaduz; Africa - Present Day

Every little girl dreams of becoming a princess, living in a castle, wearing a crown of jewels, but of course that is just a fairy tale. Christianna, born into that life, truly is a princess. Small, delicate, with beautiful long blonde hair, at twenty-five she still looks like a small child who deserves to be pampered and protected, but that is the last thing she wants. The Princess lives in the small country of Liechtenstein, bordered by Austria on one side and Switzerland on the other side. The country is entirely independent and has held a neutral status since WWII. Being neutral has allowed Prince Hans Josef, Christianna’s father, to pursue his humanitarian efforts to provide aid where it is needed. He also is a loving father. Christianna was allowed to go to Berkeley for four years. In that time, she reveled in her personal freedom. Returning home, her life mapped out according to the custom and laws of Liechtenstein, Christianna feels stifled. That is, until there is a terrorist strike in Vladikavkaz, where a school is taken over by a group of terrorists who are demanding the release of political prisoners. As Christianna and her father watch the news, she makes the decision to go to Vladikavkaz and informs her father she must go to help with the relief efforts, but she goes as Cricky and not as Princess Christianna. Once there, Christianna knows this is the type of work she wants to do. She meets Marque, a French woman who has dedicated her life to working in harsh disaster zones providing relief support as needed. Christianna discovers that Marque has also worked in Africa, and has established a small hospital to help AIDS patients. Before Cricky leaves, Marque tells her about the dire need for more relief workers in Africa. When Christianna returns home, she talks her father into letting her go to Africa for one year. She agrees that when she returns home she will accept her role as the Princess of Liechtenstein.

Christianna’s life is changed as she starts her work in the relief camp. She finds her calling in helping those in need. One day she looks up and meets the handsome Parker Williams, a doctor who is working with Doctors Without Borders. Will she and Parker light the spark between them? Can the relief camp survive the violence that invades the surrounding areas? How will Christianna cope with her life when she returns home as Princess of Liechtenstein?

H.R.H. is story of love and passion. But the passion is Christianna’s desire to make a difference in the world. The author has blended the storyline with today’s social issues, and with Christianna’s journey, her joy, heartbreak, falling in love, and learning to deal with the personal tragedies of life. The secondary characters are written in seamlessly: Prince Hans Josef, an amazing leader and father; Christianna’s two bodyguards, Max and Sam, who protect her and, over the years, have become her closest friends; and Parker Williams, who just wants to love Christianna for herself.

The reader will feel Christianna’s pain and joy, so get on your favorite pajamas, and get comfortable, this is a read not to be rushed. Don’t forget your hankies, you will need them. I recommend you read H.R.H.

Deborah C Jackson