HFVBT Review: A Prince to Be Feared by Mary Lancaster

Vlad Dracula has been imprisoned for 12 years by the King of Hungary. Needing a menacing threat to detour an Ottoman invasion, Vlad is being released. As part of his release, he is to be married to Matthias' cousin, Ilonia Szilagyi. But Ilonia refuses to marry Vlad. Not because she doesn't love him, but because she loves him too much. Vlad refuses to give up Ilonia, and is determined to fight for her. 

Vlad Dracula and Love Story may not seem to go together, but Mary Lancaster gives readers a new view on Dracula. Vlad is not only a prince to be feared, but a patient, calculating and sarcastic man. Ilonia, his beloved, was once a beautiful and smart woman who grew weak when their betrothal was broken. Together, they tell their love story through their eyes. Mary does a wonderful job of detailing Vlad's life, never glossing over the gory details, but explaining them through a lover's eyes. Their love story revolves around political events, battles and alliances. I really enjoyed this book. In the end, Vlad is neither moster nor saint, but simply Vlad. 

About the Author
Mary Lancaster’s first love was historical fiction. Since then she has grown to love coffee, chocolate, red wine and black and white films – simultaneously where possible. She hates housework.
As a direct consequence of the first love, she studied history at St. Andrews University, after which she worked variously as editorial assistant, researcher and librarian. Although she has always written stories for her own entertainment, she began to make serious efforts toward publication in order to distract herself from a job she disliked. She now writes full time at her seaside home in Scotland, which she shares with her husband and three children.
Mary is the author of three historical novels: An Endless Exile – the story of Hereward, 11th century outlaw hero, A World to Win – a Scottish governess finds love in revolutionary Hungary and A Prince to be Feared: the love story of Vlad Dracula.

You can find more information on Mary Lancaster and her novels at her website. You can also connect with her on Facebook.

I reviewed this book for Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours. Thank you Amy and Mary!