King and Kingdom (Latvala Royals Book 2)

In my last review, I indicated that I was torn and the review of this book is no different; however, I have realized the source of my vacillation. Let's start with the Pros of this book and author:Pros* I fundamentally like the heroine. She is refreshing in that she genuinely cares about Sander regardless of his title, and frankly, would prefer if he were just the cabin-living, head of security guy that she thought she met. Though, if he were that, would she consider giving up her life in Seattle to stay in Latvala to be with him? We will never know because he is the crown prince.* I like Sander, as he reminds me of a princely version of MacGyver. He goes from being prince, to outdoorsman, to protector, to man on the street, to rock star, with just the change of clothes. I also like the way his alpha male persona, that's not overpowering, but used when needed.* I like the supporting cast including Mattias and Wynn. We did not get to see much of Mattias in the second book, more is the pity there, but we were treated to a new character in the form of Chey's best friend Wynn. This is a no nonsense kind of girl who added a fresh perspective to the novels. I actually want to gush more on Wynn, but this is Chey's story, so I won't go there. However, I would not mind seeing a series about Wynn finding love in Latvala.* I like the flow of the book, in that you want to keep reading despite some of the flaws. The author does a good job of not dragging the book down with "filler" material to meet a page count.* Finally, I just like the story. Two people who are trying for love at all costs, and in the case of Chey, it could mean her life.Above, I have listed the good, and it reflects why I would recommend reading the second book. However, below I will list the Cons, to serve as caution for someone to consider if they even want to start this series or even consider going forward.Cons* While I like the heroine, she is irritating in that she lacks ambition and drive. While this is not necessarily a bad thing, in her case, she comes off as what in the past has been the stereotypical "American" abroad. By my calculation, this book has covered about two months in Chey's life, for which Chey has spent 8 weeks in Latvala. She has not made any attempt to learn a single word or even study the customers of the country. In the first book, Chey discovers a massive library in the castle, yet, she did not attempt to ever go back and peruse the shelves. She is in love, not only with a man from Latvala, but with one who is a prince, yet she had not made an attempt to learn his ways. In the first book, a housekeeper tried to kill her, so this is all the more reason to learn the language to see if she can pick up any other attempts on her life. Sander, on the other hand, has spent time learning about her. It took Wynn coming into the story for Chey to even look at a newspaper or map regarding the country. This I find completely unbelievable. It is almost as if the author had to make Chey a photographer in order to get her to Latvala to meet royalty, else she would have been the stereotypical cocktail waitress or comparable profession. Chey's character has not grown from book one to book two and I can see her moving from loveable to irritating if this were to persist in book three.* Why hasn't Mattias or Sander made some recommendations to Chey about learning more about the country and language? Sander did say that if their relationship were to work out, Chey would need to learn things like language and protocol, but why hasn't he spent some time doing so? For the amount of time they spend in bed, surely he could have taught her a few words, if nothing else, how to say the words for the food that she is eating? Instead, when he brings her back to Latvala, he tells her to feel free to rearrange the closets, which she proceeds to do. Howe about, here are some books to read to become familiar with my life? It's as if he wants to keep her naïve forever.* Because of the flaws I mention, I can't see how the world from Chey's perspective can continue in the later books. There was a scene after intimacy between Chey and Sander, where Chey couldn't sleep so she summarizes some things in a diary. Just unexpectedly, she starts to write in a diary again. This seemed like filler to me, and if the story gave us insight into others, we could have had a scene with the king talking to his wife about how he can further control his sons. Instead, we got some ridiculous diary writing. I truly would love to see into the minds of the other wonderful characters (both good and bad) the author has created.* I guess there are some Seattle colloquialisms that I am not aware of that the author keeps using that are irritating. What is a low tail? Is this the standard type of ponytail typically seen on a man? Also, with all of the hair being scraped back, it's a wonder the main characters aren't bald. Just once, I would like to see the phrase, "she pulled her hair back in her favorite ponytail."* Furthermore, another challenge in telling the story solely from Chey's perspective is that it is starting to come off as somewhat shallow. How many different times can you say, "he took his shirt off and there was a golden expanse of chest." Yes, Sander is ridiculously hot and swoon worthy, but coming up with other phrases, "once again, she delighted in looking at his sexy chest" or something, would be so much better. We get great detail on clothing, the castle, and Chey's makeup routine, but we lack details in other areas (culture, etc.) to provide real depth to the story. After two books, I don't know much about Latvala except that it is a monarchy somewhere in Europe. How was it settled and why are some of the siblings blonde and blue-eyed, but the other have dark haired? Is the queen the king's second wife?* Finally, this is a romance novel and the intimacy scenes leave a lot to be desired. I think the author needs to research how to approach these scenes to provide satisfactory detail without delving into the erotica level.Well, this is a rather long review and I hope it is helpful to others. The author has a good voice and creates some wonderful characters, she just needs to grow and do a bit more research to better bring out her talents. However, the book is easy to read and lighthearted and based on the selling rank, people love it. Finally, for $4, I am entertained sufficiently, despite my laundry list of issues. Happy reading if you decide to continue! The good news is that ending is quite satisfactory.

*Written By Mary Knobbe*Chey and her Prince Charming are back!!! I love this couple and this series. I started the second book about 10 minutes after I finished the first in the series. What can I say? I’m a sucker for a fairy tale romance.King and Kingdom picks up a few days after Heir Untamed leaves off. Chey has officially decided to stay in Latvala and be courted by the gorgeous and incredibly cunning Prince Dare. Guess who’s not happy? Every other royal (except Mattias, always except Mattias). After a last minute romantic getaway goes terribly wrong, Chey finds herself back in Seattle with no way to contact Sander. She and her best friend quickly come up with a scheme to win Sander back, but it seems someone more devious is just as determined to keep the lovers apart. Chey must decide if Sander is worth risking her life for one more time.Like I said, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this book. I didn’t think the last book wrapped up the mystery well enough, and I was totally right. There are some dark forces at play in the Latvala palace, and I’m still not sure I can pin them all down. Sander is super dreamy throughout the book. Chey is off her game but with good reason. She has to watch the love of her life do the unthinkable. The scene (you’ll know it when you read it) is killer. I had to stop myself from throwing my Kindle across the room. Don’t worry though. You can always count on Sander (and Mattias) to come through in the end. I can’t wait to read the next book.Plot: 4 StarsThis series has more twists and turns than a roller coaster. I’m always guessing until the end with these books, and that doesn’t happen often.Writing: 3 starsI really only take this down one star because of the sudden introduction of Chey’s best friend. Her omission from the first book seemingly calm reaction about Chey’s sudden disappearance to Latvala and mysterious return don’t ring true. However, once you get past the initial weirdness, it’s fine. She’s total best friend material.Characters: 4 starsI heart Sander and Chey. They are great together. They’re great apart. The villains are fabulous to hate. I only wish I got to see more Prince Mattias in this book.Cover: 3 starsThe cover is cute. That’s about all I can say. Not bad, but the story is much better.

This book picks up immediately where the last one left off. The royal family being has been informed that Sander and Chey are now dating and they are not happy about it. Queen Helena warned Chey that there will be no future in Chey's fling with her son who is a prince and future heir of the kingdom of Latvala. She warned her of the repercussions if it becomes more serious. While at a high class function in Monte Carlo an unsuspecting Chey was placed in a uncompromising situation that immediately gets her kicked out of Sanders life and sent home packing without so much as a by your leave.Once home Chey is devastated and started to put the pieces of the puzzle together that she was drugged and set up. After licking her wounds and with newfound determination, she makes a plan with her best friend to return to Latvala in hopes of finding Sander. They come up with an elaborate plan to find him and just when they thought their plan succeeded they are captured by the King. The King has plans for Sander that include Chey being out of the picture at all cost.Another unexpected twist that you won't see coming will leave Chey distraught and will put an end to all hope that she will ever be with Sander again. Can love survived? Will blind faith and trust make her a fool or even worst dead?When I read this I said to myself many times there just no way this romance will have a chance to work. At the same time I was cheering in my seat hoping that it would. I had to ask myself is the situation worth it? Could I, if I was in Chey situation, endure everything it took to say in this relationship? The answer for me is no but I am so glad that Chey did her own thing and endured all of the trials and tribulations of this romance. It is so worth the read you won't be disappointed and you will look forward to the next book in the series.

Read this in a day, Okay it's a Sunday, so I have the time!!Well the story picks up immediately after the ending of book 1.By now I'm rooting for Chey and Sander to work.They've resolutely decided to give their burning passion a go and see if it ignites into anything or just flickers and dies.But like all fairy-tales, the course of true love NEVER runs smoothly! Lots of twists and turns and frustrating moments, which are done fairly well. Still completely unbelievable but such good fun to read!This is turning into my 50 shades trilogy for 2013! Not because of the explicit sex, quite the reverse, there aren't that many scenes, but purely for a HAE story and my guilty pleasure!Don't want to start book 3 'til I have time to give it justice but I'm itching to get my hands on it! Have a transatlantic flight planned v shortly so might save it for that :)

Being with a prince, total fairy tail, right? not so much for Chey!The Ahtissari Royal family are a brutal nasty bunch, apart from Mattias that is.This story will have you mesmerised from page 1, it follows directly from book 1 which is a great plus as you jump right back into Chey and Sanders story. Danielle Bourdon is the queen of plot twist and turns, just fantastic.I finished the first book at 8pm last night downloaded King and Kingdom straight away and stayed up until 2am to finish it, i just had to know what happened to Sander and Chey.At the end of this book you get a warm snugly feeling for about 30 seconds, then your screaming in your head `whats going to happen now!'. Fast paced and thrilling story.Heir in exile is next and im chomping at the bit to read the next stage in the story, im so totally ignoring my family for a few hoursfrom niccis book blog.

Second instalment of the series, I must confess that I stopped ready during Monte Carlo because it was becoming too predictable. I went off and read a few other books and came back. If only I had read two more pages I would have realised that it was all going to kick off! Great book, kept you guessing as to the next bombshell. I do find that for a couple who are described as passionate and she comments that she will have bruises on her hips, that the love scenes are not written about, even the kisses are not really described. Maybe it is just me but to truly believe that they have this connection describing some of it would have made this a 5/5.Roll on book three!

I could not wait to start the second book in this series and then could not put it down. There is something so intriguing in this saga that made me want to know the outcome. I loved every single page and found myself routing for Chey so much and feeling her pain. I could not believe I had finished the book when I came to the last page I have to now download the next book. If you like a romance with a twist then read the first book and I promise you will feel the same as I do. I cannot wait for the baddies to get what is coming to them and to see a happy ending to this storyline. I adored it

Superb dialogue, terrific intrigue and a nice touch of genuine romance, what else can you ask for in a series?The characters are strong but also vulnerable at times making them real.I loved the first so bought the next one before I had even finished it!This author has a superb way of drawing you into the peoples lives and making you like them which is quite a feat.I would recommend this series and the author highly.