Night Secrets

A Princess must fight to save her kingdom and her people…but she is a wanted criminal…

Witchcraft and magic arts have been outlawed in Avador ever since General Malachy defeated the evil wizards who had once seized control of the kingdom. Malachy’s descendant, King Tencien is the benevolent and much-loved current ruler. His daughter, Princess Keriam began to develop second-sight following the death of her mother. During astral travel one night she comes across some men from her father’s army plotting his assassination. Major Roric Gamal, one of the King’s most trusted men, is in the group. Keriam is incensed with the handsome traitor and decides to learn as much as she can about him to trap him. Because one of her abilities is a vision or feeling when she touches someone, Keriam cleverly bumps into Roric, as a planned accident. It is curious that she feels no ill-will coming from the traitor.

The head of the King’s army, General Balor has known the King since their childhood days. Keriam believes that Balor is behind the plot but cannot convince her father. She can easily read his evil nature. When the palace steward brings home a new bride, Aradia, Keriam is alarmed and frightened. All of her instincts and dreams tell her that Aradia and Balor are co-conspirators and must be kept apart if her father is to live. After Roric confides his suspicions of Balor’s betrayal to Keriam, she realizes that her father’s trust is not misplaced. Her attraction to Roric is quite strong and she appreciates and admires him greatly. Unfortunately, Roric has made her aware of his opinions against illegal sorcery practices, so Keriam must keep her new skills hidden. Roric dreams of marrying the Princess, but knows that his station in life is too lowly.

This romantic fantasy world has a strong medieval emphasis, with fairies, witches, spirits and forest giants adding a charming fairytale tone. The royal family are good and fair rulers but have no real defences against a threat of evil magic because white magic is no longer practiced. Roric, the hero tries to loyally safeguard the kingdom but has no idea what he is up against. Only Keriam understands the danger but her own laws could see her killed if she uses her unique talents. The kingdom and politics are explained clearly for the reader, maybe in a little too much detail at times. Erotic moments are quite brief and the main focus is on Keriam’s challenge to keep her kingdom. There are many clever, unexpected plot twists and this reader was taken by surprise many times. Some scenes are grizzly, but necessary to explain the evil personalities of the main villains. If you enjoy romances with a good versus evil theme and a fairytale touch you are sure to enjoy this as much ! as I have.

Reviewed by: Naomi