Sixteen years ago, Princess Halla of Yshrem saved the life of an eight-year-old barbarian boy and watched her kingdom fall to ruin, all on the same day. Now, she is a forgotten spinster in a quiet temple, living her days out in solitude. The last of her line, she exists in the hope that she has been forgotten, for to be remembered by the enemy is to be certain death.One person has not forgotten … forgotten her. Mathior, now twenty-four, is the fierce warrior king of the Cyclopae. Yshrem is in turmoil and his advisors have a suggestion – kill the last remaining member of the royal line, and there will be no rivals for the throne.
Mathior has a different idea. He’s loved Halla for sixteen long years, and it’s time he claimed her as his wife. But a barbarian’s wedding customs are unlike any other…
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I listened to the audible version of this story and enjoyed it from beginning to end. This story was short and steamy, and had everything I expected from this author. She does not disappoint and I was left wanting more, more of this story and more of her books. I enjoyed both Princess Halla and King Mathior a lot. Mathior was sweet, caring and knew exactly what he wanted. Halla was sweet, inexperienced and too concerned about her age. It became a bit repetitive when it came to her worries about her age but eventually things worked out well. The ending was sweet and wrapped up nicely. I’m definitely looking forward to more books from this author.
Princess Halla and her Cyclopes worrier King were amazing. I so enjoyed reading this story. I loved that they met when Mathior was just a child and he never forgot about what she did for him. After sixteen years Mathior gets his princess. You can fell the love Mathior has for Halla. Halla doesn’t know how to feel at first but slowly falls for Mathior. They are so sweet and sexy as hell. I loved the Cyclopae traditions. I loved that Halla took the time to think and didn’t just jump straight into the marriage. Mathior had to show Halla what he wants and I loved seeing it all happen. This was a fun and sexy read. I highly recommend this fantasy romance. It makes me smile. It was so good!!
I loved how Halla protects Mathior at the beginning and he never forgets that. Halla was in hiding for 16 years but Mathior didn’t forget her and went back for her. I liked how Halla was worried about the Cyclopae wedding traditions but was strong enough to go through with them and even asked for Mathior to bare himself also. I also loved that Mathior had waited for Halla also. Their chemistry was great and I will definitely be reading this story again.
I’ve read most of Ruby Dixon’s books, and, yeah, I bought this because I have read all her others.
Was it worth the read? Well, if you want to interesting brain candy to while the time away, then, yes, it was worth it. A lovely novella to read if it’s raining outside. Guaranteed HEA. Strangely, I’m not necessarily into cougar romances, but this one was intriguing in that we’re in a fantasy universe which, to me, is very interesting. I have not see this ethnic group called “Cyclopae”, a brutal warrior nomadic nation who welcomes the occasional mutant cyclops to join their ranks. Those born with two eyes, when they become blooded warriors, sacrifice one of their eyes to their war god, becoming the much-feared Cyclopae.
This is a three-days-in-the-life of Princess Halla and her whirlwind courtship with the now King Mathior, something he had been secretly planning since he was eight years old, and she had saved his life. (It’s complicated. You go and read it rather than me tell you all about it!)
I do highly recommend this novella if you wish for light fantasy-ready. Truly an original thought, and here I thought I had read them all.
The Cyclops warriors are not what you expect! This is a straight-up romance with a medieval flare, not the fantasy tome that I was expecting. Still a very good read though. The relationship that develops between Halla and Mathior is darling to watch.
I really loved that the heroine is thirty-three. I wasn’t a big fan that the hero is nine years her junior but alas it’s something I can ignore. Or I wish I could have if the damn woman would stop asking him if he wants a younger bride. No he wants you and your cougarness now shut up and be with him!
Anywho loved the story. I’m moving on to the King’s Horrible Bride and getting me a pop tart.
Ms. Dixon writing always hit the spot for me and this book is no exception. It’s a quick read to keep you entertained in between some of her other well loved series but it holds its own.
I really enjoy the cougar factor in this book. Ms. Dixon doesn’t make it sound creepy or cheesy. An old spinster like me can only dream, right? Sadly I’m not as heroic as Princess Halla, LOL.
Royal match made in heaven
Leave it to Ruby Dixon! Inspird by the upcoming British royal nuptials, she’s written a fantastic older-woman/younger-man love story with as much heart as heat. Her diffident but courageous heroine, Halla, is a jewel, quietly standing her ground and acting for the welfare of the people she once ruled – for an hour, before her father the king was killed and the kingdom conquered. Mathior, the young hostage she once rescued, is the son of her father’s killer, and now rules her lands and people. He’s never forgotten her, and now that he’s king, and needs a bride, he has only one desire – that beautiful brave Halla will have him, love him, marry him, and be his queen. Can she love the usurper to her throne? Can she bear him children? And can she trust his love? Or is he going to kill her and quell her people’s protests of his rule? Wonderful and sexy as only Ruby Dixon writes ’em, this is a standalone with everything a reader could want, HEA included.