I haven't read the first book in the Pale Queen series, and neither any of the other trilogies by A.R. Kahler, but besides some minor confusion during Cold Dream Dawning this didn't bother me, and it could also be read as a standalone.

The beginning was rather slow, and it was a bit harder to keep focused on the book but once the pace picked up it was an entertaining read. The characters were quite nice and I'm considering reading the next instalment in the series to see where it is going.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

For full,list, visit the Fictfact.com Book Release Calendar and click the date.  (If unfamiliar with FictFact, it's for tracking/viewing book series.)

Simon and Aimee are pretty much set to spy on each other and before they knew it, they are married. I am a super fan of the marriage of convenience and forced marriage genre so I was happy that I had the chance to read this story. Sadly it was not what I expected, not in the romance sense anyway. 

The romance between Aimee and Simon was too forced. I get that they had to marry because it was an order by the queen but their relationship was only beginning to simmer when the story was over. Clearly, there was a mutual attraction at the start of their marriage and what supposedly was a fondness for each other but where was that fondness even coming from as they were strangers? Simon sounded like a real character with personal commitments and frustrations. Aimee in comparison sounded like a lost puppy looking for a new owner. 

There are lost of intrigue since the story takes place at court so there is suspense and drama. If anything that intrigue was the most engrossing aspect of the story. When one of the characters at court is murdered, Simon and Aimee had to learn to trust each other in order to survive the rebellion that takes place at the castle. All of this happens in a relative short period of time and while interesting it still lacked that WOW effect that I would have loved to find in a novel about spies. It wasn’t a terrible read but it definitely needed more, specially in the romantic department.

** I received this book at no cost to me and I volunteered to read it; this is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher.*** 

Once again I don't know who to trust. 

'The King & His Queen' by Donna Fletcher is book Three in the "Pict King" Series. This is the story of Talon and Hemera. We do meet Talon in the first book and Hemera in the second book. Talon and Hemera do meet in the second book and have a little story line. I have loved this series and Ms. Fletcher's books so I would hate to see you miss any of her books but this can be a standalone book.
Talon is the King of the Pict but his command has been coming into question due to the fact he has been married twice but has not produced in any heirs. Both wives were let go so that he can move forward in finding a wife that can produce a son/child. His former wives did remarry and have children. So Talon's people are starting to question his future as king. Hemera is the sister in-law to Talon's trusted guard/friend. Talon is under the impression that she is slow minded from the way she acts and talks. But the more he gets to know her the more he realizes that might not be the case. Either way he is having a hard time staying away from her. Hemera likes to be by herself allot to think. The other thing she loves is to be in the woods and work on her garden. Talon works to keep her safe by trying to keep her confined to inside and not go beyond the gates. But Talon is finding that Hemera lives by her own rules.
I truly wish I could put into words how much I enjoyed this book. From reading the other books I had slowly and painfully waited for this book to come out. Talon is the strong Alpha male who is trying to understand his growing feelings for Hemera. Talon has to struggle with finding a wife that will produce strong children and help him rule over his people. At first, he didn't even think that Hemera would even be someone to consider for that position. Hemera was used to always trying to protect her sister and deal with the hardships that came with that. In addition, she likes to stay to herself and she doesn't see things as others do. But she does start to have and attraction to Talon. Hemera knows that she will never be his Queen and not just because he wouldn't consider it but because she wouldn't want to give up her freedom that she has now.
I highly recommend this whole series and wish that there was a higher rating that 5 Stars for this book and the series.
"My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."
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