Daughter of a renowned Akoran warrior and an English-born beauty, Clio is content with her lot as a pretty, warmhearted girl among a family of compelling and exquisitely attractive people. Yet it is precisely her immensely soothing nature that is to bring her unexpected power -- and passion. For a distressed young Queen Victoria has requested that Clio become her lady-in-waiting. During a time of political unrest, it is a position of inherent danger. But Clio is determined to be of service....
Charged with safeguarding the queen from a suspected assassination plot, William, earl of Holyhood, is delighted to have the company of Clio. Not only is her sweetness a balm to the soul, but she is also, curiously, an Akoran princess. Long fascinated by the tantalizing island, William soon finds his interest superseded by an enchantment with Clio herself.
Surprised by their deep mutual attraction, the couple have only to agree on how best to protect the queen -- and themselves -- from those who would steal their futures. But it is a task more easily said than done, and one that may hold the fate of an empire -- and a blossoming love -- in the balance.
Strong-willed, beautiful Persephone chooses to live alonge on the island of Deimatos, in the legendary kingdom of Akora. There she bears a secret so burdensome, she risks sharing it with no one, including the English nobleman who has stumbled upon her isolated home...
Gavin Hawkforte, son of an English earl and an Akoran princess, has discovered an unsettling secret of his own: the volcano that originally formed his beloved island nation is stirring once again, threatening them all - including Persephone.
As the two of them work to save Akora, their burning attraction becomes impossible to deny. But will destiny allow the couple to satisfy their duties to their homelands - and their desire for each other? When the sins of the past collide with the dangers of the present, only love can fulfill the promise of an ancient legacy...
This trio was not as good as her first trio of Akoran rulers. I noticed a lot of things tha tbothered e. I know it's a small thing, but you can't just swap last names around. Gavin HAWKFORTE is the son of Royce Hawkforte and Princess Kassandra of Atreides. So why sometimes does he introduce himself as Gavin Atreides? The same with his aunt, Joanna HAWKFORTE who married Alex DARCOURT, who is the son of another Atreides princess that married Andrew DARCOURT. So why is Joanna, too, called Joanna Atreides? I don't like it. The first trio (Dream Island, Castles in the Mist, Kingdom of Moonlight) was also a lot more in depth than this one,and the stories revolved around MONTHS, not just a week like this one did. The first book in this trio (Fountain of Dreams) also only lasted a couple weeks. And the titles aren't well matched. The last book to come, is called Fountain of Fire. Well it was THIS book that had volcanoes and fire in it. But this one is called F. of Secrets. The same with her first trio, I think the titles could have been switched around a bit. Oh and one more thing... (SPOILER)... every Vanax that ever came through the trials of selection had burn marks on his arms or hands. We learn that in Atreus' story. How is it, tehn, all teh times Gavin touched the stone face in te temple, those marks never appeared on him, yet all knew him to be the next Vanax?
