Step into the enchanting world of Cordina’s Royal Family, where romance blooms amidst royal duties and danger lurks behind palace walls! Nora Roberts, the queen of romantic suspense, crafts a captivating series set in the fictional Mediterranean kingdom of Cordina. This quartet of novels follows the passionate love stories of the Bisset siblings and a runaway princess, blending heart-pounding intrigue with swoon-worthy romance that keeps readers hooked.
With its fairy-tale setting and relatable characters, Cordina’s Royal Family invites you to explore a world where love conquers all, even in the face of kidnappings, political plots, and hidden identities. Whether you’re a longtime Nora Roberts fan or new to her work, this series promises a delightful escape into a realm of royalty and romance.
How Cordina’s Royal Family Began
In the mid-1980s, Nora Roberts, already a rising star in romance fiction, created the Cordina’s Royal Family series for Silhouette Books. Inspired by her love for crafting strong characters and intricate plots, she envisioned a fictional kingdom where royal obligations collide with personal desires. The series debuted with Affaire Royale in 1986, introducing readers to the Bisset family and their Mediterranean haven. Roberts’ knack for blending romance with suspense set the stage for a series that feels both timeless and thrilling.
Originally published as category romances, the books were later reissued in anthologies, with a fourth novel, Cordina’s Crown Jewel, added in 2002 to explore a new generation. Roberts’ disciplined writing, honed during a 1979 blizzard that sparked her career, shines through in the series’ vivid settings and emotional depth.
The Heart of Cordina’s Royal Family
The series comprises four novels, each focusing on a member of Cordina’s royal family. Affaire Royale follows Princess Gabriella, who, after escaping kidnappers with amnesia, falls for her American bodyguard, Reeve MacGee. Their romance unfolds amid danger as they uncover her abductors’ identities. Command Performance centers on Prince Alexander, the duty-bound heir, whose heart is captured by independent theater director Eve Hamilton, despite their clashing worlds.
The Playboy Prince introduces Bennett, the charming youngest prince, whose playboy reputation hides a deeper desire for love with the mysterious Hannah Rothchild. Finally, Cordina’s Crown Jewel follows Princess Camilla, who poses as a commoner and finds love with grumpy archaeologist Delaney Caine in a purely romantic tale free of suspense. The series’ themes of duty versus desire, trust, and hidden identities resonate across all four books, set against Cordina’s lush Mediterranean backdrop.
Roberts’ signature style—quick pacing, vivid characters, and emotional connections—makes each story a standalone gem, yet together, they weave a cohesive family saga. Fans praise the series for its balance of light romance and gripping suspense, with Command Performance often cited as a standout for its emotional depth.
Why Cordina’s Royal Family Resonates
Cordina’s Royal Family has left a lasting mark on the romance genre, showcasing Nora Roberts’ ability to craft compelling characters within a fairy-tale framework. Its blend of royal glamour and relatable struggles appeals to readers who crave escapist yet grounded stories. The series’ enduring popularity is evident in its multiple reissues and devoted fanbase, who cherish the Bisset siblings’ journeys.
By pairing suspense with romance, Roberts paved the way for modern romantic suspense authors, proving that love stories can thrive amid danger. The series’ niche status as a royal romance saga adds to its charm, offering a unique escape for readers seeking something beyond typical contemporary romance.
- Publication Years: 1986–1987 (original trilogy), 2002 (fourth book)
- Number of Books: 4
- Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense
- Setting: Fictional Kingdom of Cordina
Grab Affaire Royale and dive into Cordina’s Royal Family’s world of romance, intrigue, and royal splendor! Whether you’re swept away by Gabriella’s daring escape or Bennett’s charming ways, this series is your ticket to a Mediterranean fairy tale.