Once Upon a Time there was a Stolen Kiss From a Prince...

Amazon    Barnes and Noble   Harlequin 

When royal duty calls…

Charged with the care of the newly orphaned heir to the Kardana throne, nanny Katrina Vicente finds herself faced with an even more formidable task—working alongside the boy's uncle, the devastatingly handsome Prince Julian, the prince regent. 

Desperate to keep the secrets of her past under lock and key, getting involved with a prince is the last thing Katrina needs, particularly with the world watching. But it's hard to ignore their instant chemistry—especially after one stolen kiss! Could her royal assignment be about to transform into the most magical of fairy tales?

An excerpt from A Stolen Kiss from A Prince:

“Shall we go?” She moved forward, swaying slightly.

He ground his teeth, half tempted to send her back to bed. More than tempted to join her there. He dismissed the inappropriate thought, disgusted with his libido for rising up when his full attention should be on his brother’s family.

Samson’s needs came first.

“Where are your shoes?” he demanded, focusing on the practical.

She stopped and frowned, as if it took an effort to think. He was reminded she, too, had taken a knock to the head.

“I’ll fetch them.” The maid disappeared into the bedroom and returned a moment later with a pair of fuzzy slippers. Katrina slipped them on; her pink-tipped toes peeked through the end.

A fine example of Pasadonia real estate.

She rubbed her forehead. “Would you prefer I take the time to dress?”

Yes. There was something entirely too intimate about her in nightgown and robe.

    “No.” Again he thought of Samson, saw tear trails on pale cheeks. “Let’s go.”

He followed her from the room.

“Mademoiselle—” Damn. What was her name? He quickly closed the distance between them. “I wish to make myself clear. Your assistance with Samson is appreciated. That does not mean I will abide interference with my decisions regarding his care.”

“Of course,” she responded as she pressed the button to call the elevator.

“Are you mocking me?” he challenged, crowding her.

She blinked those big violet eyes at him as she shrank back, making him feel as if he’d chastised an innocent.

“No,” she said, and entered the elevator. She moved into the corner, her toes curling into her slippers. She pulled the edges of her robe together and tightened the sash. “I know you want what is best for him.” A wan smile lifted the corner of her mouth. “Otherwise I would not be here right now.”

He searched her features for any hint of guile but saw only the ashen evidence of her exhaustion. She looked so fragile he thought of sending her back to her bed. Only the thought of Samson’s suffering kept him resolute.

“Excellent.” The elevator doors opened and he waved her forward. “As long as you understand.”

Teresa Carpenter is the author of thirteen romance novels for Harlequin Books, and a novella for Boroughs Publishing Group. Her books have rated Top Picks by Romantic Times and have been nominated for Best Romance of the Year by a couple of review sites. Teresa lives in Southern California surrounded by her large family. If she's not at a family event, you'll usually find her at home reading or writing her next grand romance.

Interview with the Nanny and the Prince.

Jillian: Katrina, can you tell GLIAS readers how you landed the royal nanny gig?

Katrina: Well, let us just say there are perks to being the Prince’s god daughter. I practically grew up in the palace. When I was young, I always dreamed of working in the palace nursery. I thought it was the happiest place in the world. I may have out grown the notion, except when my world fell apart, it was the safest place I could think of.

        

Jillian: Prince Julian, let’s play first impressions. What were yours about Katrina?

Prince Julian: The first time I saw her I thought she was a child. She slept curled up in a daybed in the Pasadonia palace nursery. A few minutes later she was in my face challenging me. My impression changed quickly. No child this. She was fiery in her defense of my nephew. A luscious armful of woman, daring, brave, and a bothersome complication.  

Katrina look alike.

Jillian: And Katrina, what did you think about Prince Julian?

 Katrina: He struck me as cold and stoic, and less than sympathetic for the young child thrust into his care. Not that I would have challenged him if I had known who he was. Mortified would describe that moment. You simply did not threaten to have a Prince’s head without severe consequences. I suppose he considered a conk on the head punishment enough.

Jillian: Prince Julian, I can’t imagine that it’s easy to romance a young woman with the world watching...or is it?

Prince Julian: The world is always watching. But as a Prince I have social duties. I choose to escort a variety of appropriate companions, but never one more than the others. Best if no one, including the press, gets the wrong impression. When I met Katrina, I knew there would be no romancing. As my closest friend’s god daughter and an employee albeit a guest of the crown, Katrina was firmly off limits.  

Jillian: Katrina, did you steal that first kiss, or did he?

Katrina: Oh my. Well, I remember falling asleep on the couch with Sammy in my arms. The next thing I knew I woke up surrounded by a warm body and strong arms. I get overheated just thinking about his mouth on mine. His fingers threaded through my hair, my hand on his cheek. The kiss going deeper… Oh my. What was the question again?

 Mega sexy inspiration for Julian

Jillian: I have to say this all sounds pretty magical, was it?

Katrina: Magical? Hmm, yes, that describes it perfectly. Not quite a fairy tale, Julian is too analytical to be prince charming material. And I would have it no other way.

Julian: I am a royal prince. I believe in numbers and strategic planning. I make decisions that affect world economics. Magic has no place in my life. Except when it comes to Katrina, holding her in my arms is truly magical.

Ha ha! Teresa has two questions. One for me and one for readers!

I’m a big Jillian Stone fan, when can we expect to see a new book? LOL! Thanks for asking. Let's see...I have two finished erotic romance manuscripts over at Ellora's Cave waiting for editor's notes. It's hard to say when they will get a release date.  I'm currently writing a new spin off to the Gentlemen of Scotland Yard series, titled CODENAME: DRAGON, which will publish in Fall, 2014. And for fans of the Phaeton Black series, there will be a new release in 2015. 

And for the readers: Who is your favorite movie/tv prince/king hero?

Mine is Clive Owen as King Arthur. Brave, loyal, and yummy.

Teresa is giving away a copy of The Making of a Princess. It’s the third book in her Princess Camp series and has characters that appear in Stolen Kiss From a Prince. Please remember to leave contact information along with your comment to qualify for the raffle. Good luck! 

For more on Teresa and her novels, contact her here:  Facebook   Amazon

***Note: Offer void where prohibited. Prizes will be mailed to North America  addresses only. If an Advanced Reading Copy (ARC) is available, the author may utilize that option for International participants. Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants.