GtPGKogPYT4p61R1biicqBXsUzo" /> Google+ Book Series Review: His Royal Secret (book #1) and His Royal Favorite (book #2) by Lilah Pace | I Smell Sheep

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Book Series Review: His Royal Secret (book #1) and His Royal Favorite (book #2) by Lilah Pace

The first in an enchanting new male/male romantic duology from Lilah Pace, author of Asking for More and Begging for It.

by Lilah Pace 
July 19, 2016
185 pages
James, the handsome, cosmopolitan Prince of Wales, is used to being in the public eye. But he's keeping a king-sized secret...James, next in line for the throne, is gay.

He’s been able to hide his sexual orientation with the help of his best friend and beard, Lady Cassandra. Sometimes he feels like a coward for not coming out, but he daren’t risk losing the crown. If he did, the succession would fall on his deeply troubled younger sister, Princess Amelia. To protect her, James is willing to live a lie.

While on holiday, he meets Benjamin Dahan—a rugged international reporter with a globe-trotting, unattached life—who catches far more than James's eye. And when Ben is transferred to London, it seems fate may finally be smiling on James.

But what began as a torrid fling grows into something far more intimate and powerful. Soon James will have to decide who he is, what he wants from life and love, and what he’s willing to sacrifice for the truth...

“I'm absolutely desperate to read the next book. This is the kind of male/male romance I hunt down and devour. Hats off to Ms. Pace.”--Anna Zabo, author of Due Diligence

"His Royal Secret is delightful and romantic, with a wonderfully fresh take on a modern-day handsome prince." --C.S. Pacat, author of Captive Prince


His Royal Favorite (His Royal Secret #2)
by Lilah Pace
August 16th 2016 by InterMix
The conclusion of Lilah Pace’s racy, romantic male/male duology following His Royal Secret...

James, Prince of Wales, is making history. He's decided to come out to his subjects—and the world. However, telling the truth means exposing his relationship with lone-wolf reporter Benjamin Dahan. Although Ben never wanted commitment, the unexpected depth of his feelings leads him to join James in the media's harsh spotlight.

When the news story explodes across the globe, Ben can endure the mockery and dirty jokes. But after his tragic past is cruelly revealed, his life begins to implode. Can even his love for James be worth this?

James has it no easier. His revelation divides the country and sparks turmoil within the royal family. He must struggle to defend not only himself and Ben, but also his younger sister, who hovers on the brink of a breakdown that could endanger her life.

Is Ben strong enough to survive the onslaught and stand by James' side? And will James have to make a choice between Ben and the crown?

Review
Everyone knows I like to ride the dark urban fantasy/horror carousel with a hint of forbidden love. But...I have an embarrassingly weak spot for sickly sweet contemporary gay romance. Combine that with the Prince falling in love with a regular person troupe and EMREGERD SQUEE! Told you, embarrassing.

This plot is as cliche as any fairy tale prince story: Prince (future King of England) who appears to have everything, but is deeply lonely and miserable on the inside, has a chance meeting with an ordinary guy. They have lots of great "secret" sex with no strings—we all know how that turns out—they start falling for each other and...issues and feels happen. Lots and lots of feels, which is where the squees come in.

I was lucky (and you are too) that both books in the duology are out, so you can binge read the whole story like I did. It is well written and the characters are complex and easy to connect to. Prince James puts his family duty before his own happiness, like a good son. Even helping hide his sister's mental illness. He has accepted his fate—till he meets Ben. Ben is an American economics reporter who gets roped into covering a royal event. A rainstorm forces James to take refuge in Ben's bungalow...and what happens there is the inspiration for the covers *snicker*. A one night-stand slowly becomes more. The author sets a realistic pace for their relationship. And unlike some, the ending of book one is actually happy. The painful feels start in book two. But don't worry, this is a fairy tale romance with a happy ever after.

If you haven't read a m/m romance, this might be a good one to try. It is a love story first; the sex isn't too explicit, but still sexy.

4.5 "Checkmate" Sheep




SharonS

About the Author:
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Lilah Pace is a pseudonym for a New York Times bestselling author, so she can’t give away too much about herself here, but she has lived everywhere from Italy to the United Kingdom before putting down roots in the American South.

She’s addicted to Diet Coke, loves her dog, and daydreams about several British movie stars (though usually no more than two at a time).
And while it took her a long while to get up the courage to write books, now she hopes she’ll never stop.

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