Danielle Steel, HRH

HRH

Danielle Steel

Delacorte, November 2006, $27.00

ISBN: 0385338295

Following graduation from the University of California at Berkley, Princess Christianna returns to her home, the European monarchy of Liechtenstein, because her father Prince Hans Josef asked her. She loves her dad, and would do almost anything he asked of her, but after four years in California meeting people, Christianna feels alone, except for her sire, her dog, and the servants. She has no friends who can see beyond the Serene Highness the way they had in America, where no one had heard of her country.

On the news, she sees terrorist incidents in Russia and the plight of children in Africa. She persuades her dad she needs to go to help, though not necessarily in an official state capacity. He reluctantly agrees to let his beloved offspring join the Red Cross at an East African refugee camp. There she hides her HRH status and makes friends. Christianna begins to fall in love with Doctors Without Borders physician Parker Williams, who reciprocates, but she fears telling him the truth. However, a tragedy back in her hometown of Vaduz forces her to return home to confront her royalty.

A modern update of Roman Holiday is a well written royal romance starring two sincere caring individuals falling in love, though her station in life makes it seemingly impossible for anything permanent. The lead pair are wonderful people dedicated to helping others, so they serve as role models. However, neither seems to have a deep flaw, let alone a selfish bone (or even a cuticle), so only the crown keeps them apart. Still, Danielle Steel's fans will enjoy this regal contemporary romance.