Reviewed by Heather C
Title: A Royal Affair
Author: John Wiltshire
Heroes: Nikolai and Aleksey
Genre: MM Historical Romance
Length: 103,965 words
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: September 8, 2014
Available at: Dreamspinner Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads
Blurb: Doctor Nikolai Hartmann represents himself as a learned man of science who believes wholly in the rational and scientific above all else. In reality, he is a man haunted by an unusual past and running from his own nature. While the Reformation transforms much of Europe, it has yet to touch Hesse-Davia; this is a land mired in superstition with cruel punishments for crimes such as witchcraft and sodomy.
While traveling to the dying king’s bedside to offer his medical expertise, Nikolai is set upon by a bandit. Reaching the king’s ancient stronghold, he discovers his mysterious brigand is the beautiful, arrogant Prince Aleksey. Aleksey is everything Nikolai is not: unguarded, passionate and willful. Despite their differences, Nikolai feels an irresistible desire for the young royal that keeps him in Aleksey’s thrall.
But Hesse-Davia is a dangerous world for a newly crowned king who wants to reform his country—and for the man who loves him.
Review:
Here I am writing a review for a book that I never had any intentions of reviewing. So why am I jumbling together some words in the hopes of expressing how I feel? Because this book was freakin’ AMAZING and people should know that I thought it was AMAZING!
I was looking to discover something new and found this book on a list. I thought after skimming the blurb: “hmm, this looks different” and “good, it’s long and should keep me busy for at least a few days”. HA! I finished it in one day and have been in a reading funk ever since! It’s hard to find a good book to follow something this awesome.
Okay, okay. I know this book won’t be for everyone. It’s historical and it’s long and it may even seem a bit slow to most people…but a lot happens and, dammit, I didn’t want it to end!! If you aren’t hooked by the end of the sample, then this probably isn’t a book for you.
So, why did I think it was so amazing? Well, I don’t even know how to put it into words, but I’m trying!
I immediately connected with Nikolai and his way of telling his tale. I knew from the prologue that his journey would not be easy, but I never expected it to be so intense! There’s a scene in the very beginning, a torture killing, that affected me so powerfully I wasn’t sure if I could continue reading. After a short break and a few deep breaths, I forged on…then I met Aleksey and was immediately ensnared by his personality.
Yes, in the beginning Aleksey came across as an immature, spoiled brat; and Nikolai the grumpy and lonely healer…but the sexual tension between them did all the right things to me! I just couldn’t get enough of all their verbal sparring and dancing around their feelings for each other. And then when they were finally together…gah! They both went through so much growth and change throughout the story…to the point that I couldn’t imagine one of them accepting life without the other.
I think the biggest thing about this story that makes it stand out from any other book is predictability. A Royal Affair is so far from predictable that it had me catching my breathe with all the surprising and intense moments. OhMyGod! There were so many times I was TRULY worried for Nikolai and Aleksey that I was afraid to turn the page! So much was happening and not all of good…but I HAD to know what would happen next as soon as possible.
I’m not going to spoil ending, but it looks like there will be a sequel!!!! I want it NOW!
Overall Impression: It Was Amazing
*I purchased my own, personal copy of this book for review.*
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