Kash Kamdar is the king of a peaceful but powerful island nation. As Loa Mali’s sovereign, he is always in control, the final authority. Until his mother uses an ancient law to force her son into marriage. His prospective queen is a buttoned-up intellectual, nothing like Kash’s usual party girl. Still, from the moment of their forced engagement, he can’t stop thinking about her.
Dayita Samar comes from one of Loa Mali’s most respected families. The Oxford-educated scientist has dedicated her life to her country’s future. But under her staid and calm exterior, Day hides a few sexy secrets of her own. She is willing to marry her king, but also agrees that they can circumvent the law. Just because they’re married doesn’t mean they have to change their lives. It certainly doesn’t mean they have to fall in love.
After one wild weekend in Dallas, Kash discovers his bride-to-be is more than she seems. Engulfed in a changing world, Kash finds exciting new possibilities for himself. Could Day help him find respite from the crushing responsibility he’s carried all his life? This fairy tale could have a happy ending, if only they can escape Kash’s past…
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Excerpt:
“Are we a happy couple?” “I don’t think we’ve had time enough to be sure of that yet, but I know we were once.” She’d thought it through in a way she never had before. She had a much different view of those months with Kash in England. “You were courting me back then, weren’t you? You wanted me to be your girlfriend.” He sat down in the plush chair that dominated the sitting area portion of his bedroom. Normally they stayed in the living room, but he’d wanted more privacy. This was the only place in his suite that wasn’t covered by CCTV, the only place where they could truly be alone. Everything about the space was masculine and decadent, including the man himself. With his hair disheveled and his chest on display, it wasn’t hard at all to see him as a primal male. One she’d dearly enjoy taming. “I don’t think you realized it at the time.” She was willing to admit her faults. “I didn’t. I had my nose in a book most of the time back then and I had little experience with men. No, I had no idea you were interested in me beyond copying my notes from class when you slept in.” “It would surprise you to know that I often thought about sleeping in with you.” His voice had gone low and gentle. “I was crazy about you back then, Day. I find myself in the same position today, but I don’t want to scare you. I know you think we should take this slow and I will honor your wishes, but I want this marriage to work. You see me as a playboy, but I don’t want to be some forty-plus player who trades on his money to keep young girls around him. I think it might be time for me to find out if I can be the king my father would have wanted me to be.” It was all she needed to hear. If he wanted to try, she was ready. Despite his reputation, she’d fallen right back into a peaceful friendship with him. He’d been the old Kash, supporting her when she needed it. He’d asked her questions about her work with the education department and then gave her ideas on how to handle the parliament. He hadn’t told her what she should do. He’d suggested, debated. “I think you’ll find me less averse to giving this marriage a real try than you think. I was planning on talking to you about using the Palm Ceremony to begin to explore what we could be as a couple.” He frowned. “I’m not sure what that means. You want to talk? Or have counseling? Because that sounds terrible.” “I was talking about sex, Kashmir. I thought we could use this time to see if we’re sexually compatible.” He popped up out of his chair like an eager puppy. “Yes. I think that is a brilliant idea. We should start now. Don’t worry. I intend to be gentle with you.” She didn’t move at all. “Like you are with your lovely flowers?” “Women deserve a man’s care,” he said quietly. “Day, I can’t erase my past.” “I don’t want you to.” He misunderstood her problems with his statement. “But I do need you to understand that I’m not one of those flowers. I’m not here to sit at your side and bat my eyelashes in the hopes that you’ll buy something for me. I don’t work like that. I don’t care about your money.” “That is easy for you to say. You’re about to have access to all of it, aren’t you?” He had a point. “Even if I wasn’t, that wouldn’t be why I would want you, Kash. Sit down. We have some things to talk about before we get started. Come here close to me.” He moved to the chaise she was sitting on, lowering himself down with a sullen frown. “I knew there would be talking.” She was fairly certain his lovely flowers did very little talking, but he would get used to it. “Why did you want me back then?” “I liked you. I liked talking to you. I liked being around you. I rather liked who I was when I was around you.” His expression softened. “I don’t think you knew how alluring you were to someone like me. You didn’t understand how beautiful you were, so you didn’t use it against me. Most women do.” “Well, that happens when you surround yourself with women who are mostly valued for their looks. I don’t blame them. They’ve been told their beauty is the only thing worthy about them. If you want to meet women who don’t feel that way, you should probably expand out of models and actresses.” “Well, you would be surprised how many gorgeous, sexy physicists turn me down because I’m not smart enough for them.”
My review:
3.25-3.5 stars.
***
This book was pretty good, but I didn't feel like it lived up to it's potential to be great. This is Dayita/Day and Kash's story. Kash was the second son of the King and Queen of Loa Mali. He was always more intellectual and dreamed of advancing sciences for the people of his country. He met and became good friends with Day at college. They both were developing feelings for each other when Kash's father and brother died in a car crash, thrusting him from a life of academia to becoming King unexpectedly. The pressures of becoming King changed Kash into a playboy douche, which only got worse after a national tragedy struck. After years of scandals and irresponsibility, his mother decides to invoke a clause in the constitution saying that if Kash didn't enter into a marriage she arranged, he would abdicate the thrown. Kash is angry at firs, but he is even more shocked to discover his arranged wife is Day. He had never forgotten Day over the years and he finds that she even tried to contact him and he, her, but that comminucation had been blocked by his mother. He is willing to give a marriage to Day a chance. But Day doesn't think playboy Kash can be faithful so she doesn't know if it will be a marriage of convenience or a real relationship. They have a lot to work out between them. Especially when Kash finds out that Day is a Domme. They go through a lot of conflict and hardship over that fact, only made worse when it becomes apparent that someone is trying to kill one of them. The security team, consisting of McKay-Taggart staff, takes them to Sanctum to keep them safe. Kash and Day end up working out their differences and make plans for a happy future together.
I really liked Day. She was a domme, but she was such a nurturing, loving and caring domme. She was warm, not cold and bitchy like most dommes I've read about. She was so strong and confident in who she was. Day was also extremely intelligent and hard working. She was willing to give up a lot for the sake of her country's future. Kash, on the other hand, started the book as a conceited jerk and only improved a little bit by the end. I never really grew to like him very much. He was a manwhore, having slept with hundreds of women, but he was a total hypocrite when he found out that Day was a domme. The idea of a King being a submissive was very clever. The pressure and stress from being an active King and head of a country really built up for Kash. He needed the release of giving over control to Day to help him relax. I really liked the idea. But Kash was so resistant and judgemental about the idea of being a sub (even though he liked it in the bedroom before he knew that he was being submissive). He said some very hurtful things to Day about her dominance, like calling her a whore, making her feel small, etc. I had a hard time and never really forgave him for his behavior.
This book was not what I was expecting. Most times novellas are short and sweet, but this one was pretty long for a novella and also very angsty. Kash and Day were fighting most of the book. I felt really bad for Day in the way that Kash treated her. It was heartbreaking. I definitely shed some tears and felt she deserved someone who cared for her more and treated her better. Kash never really apologized for his behavior either. He needed to grovel, but he didn't. When their big conflict
was being resolved, I felt it was too little, too late.
I did enjoy the storyline and catching up with the rest of the Sanctum gang. I especially liked Ian's part. He always gives great, frank relationship advice.
Overall, I liked parts of this book, but I didn't love it. I liked the way the book started out but liked it less and less as I read on. I still do love this series though and will continue to read more from Ms. Blake in the future.
I really liked Day. She was a domme, but she was such a nurturing, loving and caring domme. She was warm, not cold and bitchy like most dommes I've read about. She was so strong and confident in who she was. Day was also extremely intelligent and hard working. She was willing to give up a lot for the sake of her country's future. Kash, on the other hand, started the book as a conceited jerk and only improved a little bit by the end. I never really grew to like him very much. He was a manwhore, having slept with hundreds of women, but he was a total hypocrite when he found out that Day was a domme. The idea of a King being a submissive was very clever. The pressure and stress from being an active King and head of a country really built up for Kash. He needed the release of giving over control to Day to help him relax. I really liked the idea. But Kash was so resistant and judgemental about the idea of being a sub (even though he liked it in the bedroom before he knew that he was being submissive). He said some very hurtful things to Day about her dominance, like calling her a whore, making her feel small, etc. I had a hard time and never really forgave him for his behavior.
This book was not what I was expecting. Most times novellas are short and sweet, but this one was pretty long for a novella and also very angsty. Kash and Day were fighting most of the book. I felt really bad for Day in the way that Kash treated her. It was heartbreaking. I definitely shed some tears and felt she deserved someone who cared for her more and treated her better. Kash never really apologized for his behavior either. He needed to grovel, but he didn't. When their big conflict
was being resolved, I felt it was too little, too late.
I did enjoy the storyline and catching up with the rest of the Sanctum gang. I especially liked Ian's part. He always gives great, frank relationship advice.
Overall, I liked parts of this book, but I didn't love it. I liked the way the book started out but liked it less and less as I read on. I still do love this series though and will continue to read more from Ms. Blake in the future.
NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog int eh world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance and urban fantasy that she found the stories of her heart. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome, or foursome may seem.
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