King of Durabia (Knights of the Castle #1) by Naleighna Kai-a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 28, 2020

When the reward for a good deed results in a gracious offer of marriage, all Ellena Kiley wants to do is throw that “prize” back into that proverbial sea which has “plenty of fish.”
.
Kamran, the handsome and wealthy former Crown Prince of Durabia, realizes he has a secret weapon in a fiery, sultry American and is unwilling to let such a wonderful gift escape his grasp. Ellena is the sister of the Kings of the Castle and right-hand woman to Dro Reyes and their whirlwind courtship puts other forces in play, thrusting this unlikely couple into the center of a nefarious plot to ensure Kamran never regains his former position, or the favor of the Sheikh.
.
He has no choice but to bring in the Kings, knowing that when her nine American brothers storm into Durabia, nothing in Kamran’s kingdom will never be the same.

•••••••••

REVIEW:KING OF DURABIA by Naleighna Kai is the first instalment in the multi-authored, multi-cultural contemporary, adult KNIGHTS OF THE CASTLE romance series-a spin off from the Kings of the Castle series. This is Afircan-American Ellena Kiley, and former Durabian Crown Prince Kamran’s story line.

WARNING: Due to the story line content, there may be some triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from several third person perspectives including Ellena and Kamran KING OF DURABIA focuses on the quick building romance and forbidden relationship between African-American Ellena Kiley, and former Durabian Crown Prince Kamran. A trip to Durabia for her high school reunion found our heroine, Ellena Kiley, rescuing the young, errant child of the King of Durabia. When said king offered Ellena anything she wanted, Ellena said she wanted a husband, and in the ensuing melee, Ellena found herself with the King’s eldest son, Kamran, as her current consort. Several touristy type trips with her class-mates and Prince Kamran, would quickly culminate in a proclamation of love but a relationship forbidden by Islamic law. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Kamran and Ellena, and the potential fall-out as Ellena becomes of the target of jealousy, discrimination and hatred in a country where racism and misogyny are rampant and excepted.

Having never produced an heir with his two previous wives, Crown Prince Kamran has been removed from the line of succession but meeting Ellena Kiley meant a chance at love for our story line hero but all is not well in the within the confines of the Durabian castle as threats against Ellena force Kamran to reveal to truth about what was and what may never be. Ellena Kiley knew she would struggle within the confines of Islamic laws so living in the free zone was going to be her only option but living in the free zone did not keep our heroine safe, as she would soon discover.

The relationship between Kamran and Ellena is one of immediate attraction. Ellena is quick to come to Kamran’s defense when his father, all but, throws his son to the wolves. Never expecting a union, the King and his sons quickly discover that Kamran’s love for Ellena, now includes the Kings of the Castle-Ellena’s pseudo family. The $ex scenes are passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including several of Ellena’s former classmates: Kamran’s large extended family of brothers and sisters, their husbands and wives; and the Kings of the Castle we previously met in the aforementioned series.

KING OF DURABIA is a story of family, betrayal, discrimination and love; a story of racism, sexism, religion and faith; an emotional and intense story of perseverance and love. The premise is dramatic and impassioned; the romance is captivating and seductive; the characters are energetic and strong.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

reviewed by Sandy