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Rating: 
Summary: Poignant and endearing -- Highly recommended
Review: Antony is the oldest San Riminian crown prince ever not to have married and produced heirs. With King Edurado's failing health adding pressure, Antony must either choose quickly or his father will do it for him. He doesn't, however, expect to find the woman of his dreams in an area plagued by overcrowding and poor sanitation. Despite her scruffy appearance, Antony easily imagines Jennifer Allen in a blue ball gown in his palace. He finds her relaxed attitude refreshing, and her genuine affection for his people captivating. Never mind her lack of royal blood; he finds himself incredibly attracted to this scruffy American who encourages him to follow his heart, and make his own choices rather than accepting the dictates of others.Jennifer follows in her parent's footstep, journeying into war torn lands to provide emergency relief for innocent civilians. When some of the refugees hear of Prince Antony's planned visit, she discounts the rumors since she's received no official notification. Consequently, she's digging a latrine when she learns the reputed Playboy Prince will arrive in a few hours. She assumes he's like most politicians who make relief workers feel as though he really cares about their work, but in reality only cares as much as his royal position requires. His concern over the lack of media attention only affirms her assumptions. Yet she can't help being impressed as he takes a seemingly genuine interest in one of the children in the refugee camp. Nicole Burnham's debut novel GOING TO THE CASTLE provides a delightful storyline especially appreciated in light of recent world events. The wretched conditions described could easily be torn from a news headline, making the background both believable and powerful. Indeed, this Cinderella story becomes effectively convincing in this talented storyteller's hands, with strong characterizations and careful attention to detail. Moreover, the striking contrast between Nicole and Antony's background becomes a pivotal element that unexpectedly draws them together. Poignant and endearing, GOING TO THE CASTLE comes highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: "An enchanting Cinderella story"
Review: As the Crown Prince of San Rimini, Antony diTalora has innumerable responsibilities - the newest requiring him to marry within the year, and provide the tiny nation of San Rimini with an assured future royal lineage. Dubbed the "Playboy Prince" by the media, Antony is in no hurry to walk down the aisle, especially as he has not found the one woman who will love him for himself, instead of his royal status. Jennifer Allen has her own problems as the head of a refugee camp in Rasovo, San Rimini's neighbor. She has little time for those people who only throw money at the world's problems, instead of pushing up their sleeves and lending a helping hand. After Antony tours her camp, Jennifer wants to believe he is motivated by more than media attention, yet small actions lead her to believe the worst. Yet when Antony's new San Rimini Scholarship Fund includes a service requirement - that scholarship recipients volunteer for the Rasovo Relief Society - Jennifer begins to see the man beneath the crown. Both Antony and Jennifer learn from each other's beliefs and actions to grow into better people, with Nicole Burnham's insightful writing style allowing the reader to come along for the journey. Antony has always done what was required of him, as the eldest prince in a noble royal family. Until he met Jennifer, he believed that choices were available for other people, but not for himself. After his father, the king of San Rimini, forbids him from seeing Jennifer again, Antony chooses his own course of action after hearing that the fighting in Rasovo has escalated and Jennifer's camp is in the line of fire. Can these two strong-willed people overcome society's restrictions to be together? Will Antony's father, King Eduardo, allow a marriage between his royal son and an American woman? Can love truly triumph over adversity? GOING TO THE CASTLE is a powerful debut for author Nicole Burnham. Antony and Jennifer are delightfully complex characters, able to appreciate each other's strengths and the reader can follow their growth throughout the novel. Such gems as Antony's difficulty with English euphemisms lend a dash of humor to the story. The budding romance between the Antony and Jennifer is mainly implied, with a few passionate kisses tossed into the mix. The complimentary cast of secondary characters adds to the story, and this reader is hoping there will be more stories about the charming diTalora family. This novel is delightful, and is sure to give readers a memorable reading experience. GOING TO THE CASTLE is an enchanting Cinderella story for the new millennium and Nicole Burnham is a refreshing new voice that perfectly complements the romance genre. -- Julie Shininger for Escape to Romance Reviews
Rating:
Summary: Nicole delivers!
Review: Hang on for a happy ending! Antony and Jennifer's story is a fun yet serious story that travels from a relief camp teetering from one disaster to another, and a palace with more rooms than anyone can count. The dialogue crackles, the attraction is immediate and the ending satisfying enough for everyone. I can't wait for her next!
Rating:
Summary: A breath of fresh air!
Review: Nicole Burnham is a new author to watch. Her debut title, GOING TO THE CASTLE, which alternates between the realistic (and oh, so relevant) setting of a dusty refugee camp in a war-torn impoverished country, to the sparkling ballrooms of a neighboring Monaco-esque royal palace, is a breath of fresh air for series romance. I was rooting for spunky, smart Jennifer Allen from page one, and the dashing Prince Antony charmed throughout this well-written, intelligent, and delightfully romantic book! GOING TO THE CASTLE is an enchanting Cinderella tale by one of the most promising new series authors I've seen in a long while. Read, and enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: A fantastic royal romance!
Review: This book is so timely. The heroine is a volunteer in a war-torn region at refugee camps, which really anchored the story in reality even though at heart it's a Cinderella tale. And what a Cinderella story! I thoroughly enjoyed both the hero and heroine--they seemed so real, and so did their love for each other. I've heard Ms. Burnham will be writing more stories about Anthony's brothers and sister in upcoming Silhouette Romances. I can't wait! Her new books will definitely be on my to-buy list.
Rating:
Summary: charming, well-written and a lot of fun!
Review: This is a wonderful story, with likable, complex characters and a fast-paced plot. Even though it has the fairy-tale princess element, which I love, it also manages to tell an interesting story of a war-torn country and its refugees. If this doesn't sound like your typical romance, that's because it isn't--Going to the Castle is definitely in a class all of its own! Please read this book.
Rating:
Summary: A breath of fresh air!
Review: This romance novel was one of the best I've read, especially for a debut author! I can't wait to read her next one.
Rating:
Summary: a great fast read
Review: This romance novel was one of the best I've read, especially for a debut author! I can't wait to read her next one.
Rating:
Summary: A fairy tale with a realistic edge.
Review: When the Crown Prince (i.e. heir to the royal throne) Antony diTalora makes a visit to a neighboring country's refuge camp he is simply doing what he considers his duty. Jennifer Allen, the woman running the camp, knows that the Prince is simply there for the routine charitable press photo and not because he has a true calling to help ease the suffering of those in need. But Jennifer soon discovers she has underestimated the Crown Prince, while Antony cherishes the effect Jennifer has had on his heart. Nicole Burnham's debut novel was a finalist for the Golden Heart Award. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: A fairy tale with a realistic edge.
Review: When the Crown Prince (i.e. heir to the royal throne) Antony diTalora makes a visit to a neighboring country's refuge camp he is simply doing what he considers his duty. Jennifer Allen, the woman running the camp, knows that the Prince is simply there for the routine charitable press photo and not because he has a true calling to help ease the suffering of those in need. But Jennifer soon discovers she has underestimated the Crown Prince, while Antony cherishes the effect Jennifer has had on his heart. Nicole Burnham's debut novel was a finalist for the Golden Heart Award. Highly recommended.
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