A Throne for the Taking

Royal and Ruthless #5

by Kate Walker

A kingdom's safety

Betrayed by those she loves, Honoria Escalona must now face the only man capable of bringing stability to the Mediterranean kingdom of Mecjoria. A cold, hard man who once called her his friend... Alexei Sarova—the true King of Mecjoria.

In exchange for her happiness

But Alexei's tortuous past has changed him into someone she hardly knows. He blames Ria's family for his bitterness, and his help—when he offers it—comes with a price: he'll take his rightful place as King with Ria as his wife, until she produces a true-blood heir....

Genres: Harlequin, Harlequin Presents, Romance, Contemporary Romance, Royalty, Fiction, Contemporary

189 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 1, 2013

About the author

I was born in Nottinghamshire, England, but I didn't live there for very long. The family moved to West Yorkshire when I was just eighteen months old and so I have always regarded Yorkshire as my home. I grew up there as the middle child in a family of five—all girls—in a home where books were vitally important and I read anything I could get my hands on.

Even before I could write I was making up stories. My mother tells the story of me recounting the tale of the Three Little Raindrops — Drippy, Droppy and Droopy to my two younger sisters when I was four. I can't remember a time when I wasn't scribbling away at something, and I wrote my first 'book' when I was eleven, an adventure story, most of it in secret in lessons at school—particularly maths lessons, which I hated.

But everyone, particularly teachers and my parents, told me that I would never make a living as a writer, and I should work towards a more secure career. So I decided instead that if I couldn't write books, I could at least work with them and so I settled for becoming a librarian. On leaving school, I went to the University College of Wales Aberystwyth where I studied English and Librarianship for my degree.

More importantly, university was also where I met my husband who was also studying English there. We married and moved back north, eventually settling in Lincolnshire. Here I worked as a children's librarian until I left work when my son was born.

After three years of being a full-time housewife and mother, I was ready for a new challenge, but needed something I could do at home, and so I turned to my old love of writing. My first attempts at novels were written on the kitchen table, often late into the night when my son was asleep or during a few snatched hours when he was out at nursery school.

The first two novels sent off to Harlequin Mills & Boon were rejected, but the third attempt was successful. I can still remember the moment that a letter arrived instead of the rejection slip I had been dreading. I think I must have read it over and over at least a hundred times before the reality of what it said sank in, and for days I kept checking it just to make sure I wasn't dreaming. In 1984, THE CHALK LINE was published just in time to be one of my best Christmas presents ever.

Fitting in hobbies around working and being a wife and mother can be difficult, but I always find time to read. I love all sorts of fiction, especially Romance, obviously. I also enjoy historical novels, detective fiction and long, absorbing biographies about fascinating people and I can spend hours in bookshops just browsing. I enjoy knitting and embroidery, but I rarely get time to do either now that I'm a full-time writer. I also love looking round antique fairs or junk shops, hoping to add to my collection of Victorian embroidery. During my working hours my four cats, all adopted from the RSPCA, usually keep me company in my study, though they have to be dissuaded from sitting on the piles of papers that they are convinced are there just for them.

I love to travel and visit new places, especially places with an interesting history, and I always enjoy visiting old castles or stately homes and imagining how the people who used to live there spent their days.

I'm often asked if I'm a romantic sort of person because I specialise in writing Romances. Well, if being romantic means caring about other people enough to make that extra special effort, then yes, I am. Romance is about making the important people in your life feel valued and letting them know that you care. But I also write about relationships and the difficulties people sometimes have in understanding each other, or expressing affection, or overcoming problems.

Sometimes—when the right words won't come, or an idea hasn't worked out as I'd thought, I wonder why I don't have some regular nine to five job, but when the story's flowing and the characters come alive, I really can't imagine a

Reviews

[Mou: Fae of Heartfelt ARC · Rating 2 out of 5]

It didn't work for me.

#Boring
#NoCommunication
#NoChemistry
#FlatEnding.

[Desere · Rating 5 out of 5]

We have all heard and seen the royal families of the world, the high standards set by their parents, the pure perfectness of the images they need to uphold.

And I have often thought how awful it must be to know that your every move is controlled, you do not have the honour to make any of your own decisions without thinking about the implications or scandal it can bring to the royal household.

And that is just one of the( and most likely the only one for now) reasons I can think of that I would not want to be royalty , nope I am more than happy to be a average everyday normal woman!

In the case of Honoria ( btw Kate I love that name it is so royally perfect) she has the chance to save her father and her country Mecjoria.

And the one to help her do it is I am-a-broken-man-but-I am-all-yours-if you-want-me-and-I-know-you-want-me Alexei.

He has been betrayed, cast aside, heartbroken and has loved and lost, the perfect tormented hero ladies. You will instantly fall in love with him and all his ruthless ways!

The characters of Ria and Alexei were both very well written. I could see in vivid detail the manner in which Ria is always making sure to fall back on her upbringing in order to stay in control and not let her emotions show. I totally adored the manner in which of course Alexei takes that control and shatters it into a million royal diamond pieces!

Alexei, was as I said the tormented hero, I felt sorry for him that he needed to face so much heartache and be the victim of so many secrets before his life starts to fall into place. But at the same time I loved the idea of the secrets, it gave the book that perfect royal scandal feeling, and made for some very interesting reading.

The backdrop settings were exquisite it was all very posh and the whole time it felt as if I could see the grandeur of royal life. Very vivid descriptions and attention to little details that yes does not make a book, as characters and the actual plot brings it all together, but for me as reader I like to know 'where I am and what am I seeing".

The dialogue was just perfect, the author made sure to use words that a person of high stature would use, if your thinking that you might not understand what the characters are saying you would be wrong, as the intensity and clarity of this read will blow away any words you think you might not be understanding.

The author lets her characters truly speak , as reader I was very glad to see that the author let me in on just what each one of the characters were thinking, as I often find that I want to know what she or he is thinking and not knowing drives me insane, and in the case of Ria and Alexei it would have infuriated me, so thank you Kate!

I particularly liked the message this read gave me, not all secrets are as deadly as one may think, sometimes revealing the truth can save you, opening up the road to recovery.

I highly recommend this read for lovers of royal romances with intense secrets and all Kate Walker fans!

5/5 star review
" Shattering her royal composure is a challenge he plans on wining"

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's nothing quite like a royal romance for fairtytale quality, is there? The recent royal wedding proved that. Royal romances tend to capture our imagination and lift us out of the everyday grind. Of course we all know deep down that the reality is often totally opposite to glamour and happiness, but it doesn't seem to deter our eagerness to learn more about them.

For Ria, her romance with Alexei, the future king of Mecjoria, was all about duty and what was best for their country. Never mind the fact that she'd been in love with him forever. But deep down, Ria needs so much more than just the assurance that she's saving her country from possible turmoil. She's a real woman and not just a duchess and she yearns for love, passion, romance. Just like any other woman. So will Alexei be able to give her what she's yearning for? Or will theirs be just another cold, loveless union?

Kate Walker has been missing from the romance novel scene for over a year and she has been missed. Her thoughtful, deep romantic stories strike a chord with women worldwide, with her vulnerable yet strong heroines and alpha male heroes. When you pick up one of her stories, you get a couple of hours of sheer escape from the everyday grind and get swept off into another reality. For a while at least.

Kate Walker's many fans are going to love this. This is a great introduction for new readers too, to the author who writes 'emotionally rich and passionately intense' romance.

[Nas Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

A THRONE FOR THE TAKING by author Kate Walker is a June 2013 release by Harlequin Presents.

Honoria Escalona went to seek help from Alexei Sarova, a man no longer interested in the kingdom of Mecjoria. Ria wanted Alexei to come back and take the throne of the kingdom. But will Alexei come back? After all he was thrown out from there with his mother after the death of his father. Could her forgive and forget?

Ria had faith in her friend. But this man she confronted now was no longer her friend. Could she persuade him to come back and be the King of Mecjoria? But she was also hiding information from him and Alexei was determined to get to the bottom of it. Would he be able to unearth what Ria was hiding from him?

A THRONE FOR THE TAKING is a very different, intriguing and thrilling story. It is full of conspiracy, scheming and plotting against the kingdom amidst the mesmerizing romance between Ria and Alexei. Author Kate Walker has yet again stunned her readers with a unique twist to her romance. She skillfully penned another gripping and compelling tale that would hook a reader in until the very last page.

[Adric Rangel · Rating 3 out of 5]

***Valoración 3/5 a 3.5/5 estrellas***

Es el primer libro que leo de Kate Walker. Es un libro que nos cuenta el motivo de por qué Ria (Honoria Escalona) va en busca de Alexei Sarova, su antiguo amor de la infancia y a quien su padre corrió de Macjoria tras una mentira y ella no hizo nada para evitarlo, al creerle a su padre. El punto es que ahora Macjoria se ve próxima a una guerra civil y Ria quiere evitar ello, sabiendo que Alexei es el único que puede conseguirlo si acepta su lugar como el nuevo rey. No niego que me gustó un poquito la trama, aunque lo que nunca vi en el libro fue la descripción de un pueblo a punto de estallar, pensé que leería más o vería más acción en eso, después que llegaron a Macjoria. Allí me quedé: ¿Y qué pasó con lo que se planteaba al principio? ¿Y ese primo Ivan se quedará así, sin aparecer, después que lo describieron como un ser malvado?... Pues, veo que sí.

Lo que más me conmovió fue leer y saber sobre la hija difunta de Alexei y cómo le afecta la verdad de lo sucedido. Lo que más odié, la intensidad sexual y la escena de sexo...

[Asterope · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know, I didn't really like this one so much 🤷🏻‍♀️
Like I swear the first 3rd of the book was their first meeting, drawn out over pages. I just wanted her to spit it out already, but instead of being clear and telling him why she was there and the facts, she doesn't and nearly leaves - even though the consequences of failure for not only for herself, but her whole country would have been dire. It reminded me of those scenes in movies/TV where it's like 1 min until the bomb might go off, and the MCs are having long drawn out convos and 15 mins have pasted. 😒Chapters and chapters of their first meeting. Anyway, the rest didn't win me over either.

[Andrea Lujano · Rating 3 out of 5]

Protagonistas: Honoria & Alexei

Profesiones: Condesa & Empresario/Rey

Pais: Londres/Inventado

[LaFleurBleue · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was among those with the lowest ratings I ever read. I have to admit it's not fully deserved, as I read much worse so-called books. This one at least had proper grammar, spelling, editing. However its content was still far from satisfying from my point of view.
I did not have very high expectations for this book, as I am usually not a huge fan of fake royalties from fake kingdom. Add to that some fake mineral discovered in that fake country, more powerful and possibly lethal than uranium. And my cringing factor is up to the max.
The characters did not have any substance. The heroine was bred to be an obedient hostess, with doll acceptance of any instructions given to her. I never was convinced she could be anything more, except at times she behaved like a rebelling brat who soon came back to the folds. Outside basic clichéd outlines, the hero did not look like a real person - none of his personal accomplishments certainly did look realistic too me. Expelled penniless at 16 or 17, with a sick and soon dying mother, he however managed to survive in London, most probably got an education, managed to pay their living expenses and the health bill, and then turned into a major tycoon by 26-27, so rich that he was even able to afford his own private jet - nothing every justified or even barely explained. Oh and I forgot to mention, half of that happened while he regularly appeared in the jet set magazines carousing, drinking, etc.. I simply did not buy any of it.
Most of the interactions between hero and heroine involved small misunderstandings, as each tried to protect their secrets and not divulge who they really were. However despite that, they fell in love with each other in a matter of days.
The whole story was full of small inconsistencies, mistakes, shortcuts that irritated me time and again one example, the hero was expelled from the country when his mother's marriage was wrongly called invalid; when he came back to the country, he was immediately recognized as the new lawful King, even though the proof had not been shown to anyone .
Only at one moment in the last third of the book, did the book start being more interesting, when both hero and heroine started to really express their feelings, mostly to themselves, but at least they appeared to feel some emotions which I doubted. Unfortunately this short moment de grâce did not last - less than 10 or 15 pages later, it was over by a completely idiotic and totally unrealistic move from the hero. And my interest ran definitely away.
I will probably avoid this author, except if I am given extremely good reasons to give her another chance.

[TashNz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read Kate Walker’s A Throne for the Taking twice since I've owned it.

I was asked by a good friend how it was going when I started reading it and my answer was “It’s a cracker of an opening”. Upon finishing it I have to say, I can’t think of a better description for this book than “It’s a cracker of a story!!!”

I absolutely love it when I’m thrown straight into the drama and that certainly happens when we meet Honoria; long lost childhood friend of Alexei Sarova; she's sitting, heart pounding, waiting nervously for him to come through the door so she can give him important documents. Important documents that prove he is the rightful King of Mecjoria. They haven’t seen each other for 10 years. Alexei was exiled from his country along with his mother, with nothing more than a shirt on their backs. And the second he recognises her???

‘You!’ he said the single word thick and dark with hostility…

And so begins a wonderfully thrilling crafted tale which was full of scandalous secrets, gripping scenes and fabulous dialogue between 'Ria and Alexei , not to mention the rich descriptions of far away lands that sparked my imagination. I sat in the park reading this and the world melted away, I didn't want to come back. What a fabulous journey I was taken on.

Ria has been raised by royalty and feels her country and people's fate as well as her own rests on her shoulders. It's nice that for once it's not the Hero that feels like this. So Ria goes in search of the only person that can save her country and her.

Past wrongs have helped shape Alexei into the hard man he is today. His walls are built so far up you'd need a rocket ship to go over them. The journey Ria and Alexei took me on clearly showed me that the author is a master at her craft. A tale was weaved that held me from the first chapter right through to the suspenseful and heart-melting conclusion.

A Throne for the Taking is exactly why Kate Walker is in my top 5 list of fave authors.

[Dalia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Usually I like KW's book. But this one is just an ok read, an average royal romance. The characters were well written and the attraction was strong but I felt no connection to them.

[Maura · Rating 3 out of 5]

As teens, Ria and Alexei lived in the palace together, until Ria's father played a part in having Alexei deemed illegitimate and exiled along with his mother. Ria supported her father despite Alexei coming to her for help. Now, years later, Alexei has loved and lost and approaches life much more cynically than before, and it is a new, harder and darker man that Ria encounters when she seeks him out again. Alexei is stunned that Ria comes to him with proof of his legitimacy and asking him to assume his place on the throne, nor can he believe she has the gall to expect anything from him. He soon sees an opportunity though, to take back what is his, put Ria in her place and get vengeance upon her father by simply insisting that she marry him before he'll do whats he asks. Ria, accepting her duty and trying to see in Alexei the boy she once loved, agrees.

This was fairly mediocre. I didn't realize how unexciting it was until I read the one following it, which has quite a bit more drama and angst. Nevertheless, it was still a good story. Alexei for one, grows himself a conscience and it is downright believable. It doesn't feel like a last minute realization of love or anything, but a gradual understanding that his actions, in demanding Ria marry him are tyrannical (as he puts it) and no better than the monster she was trying to thwart by seeking him out. That was a positive, and it's not like Alexei didn't have a right to his anger and bitterness, especially given Ria's refusal to support Alexei when he was exiled. It also seemed like not discussing that and letting Ria air out her jealousy as a childish reason for her actions nor letting Alexei forgive her for them was like a loop that never got tied off. I wish that had been addressed. Overall though, this was a good story, just not one I'd probably want to read again.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked how strong the heroine was throughout this book. She was forced to make a lot of hard decisions, always being caught between a rock and a hard place. But her heart and mind were always in the right place. The hero was bitter and angsty, with good reason, beyond just having a misunderstanding with the heroine. He has a really good journey that was enjoyable. However, there was something lacking in the story overall, which is why I gave it only three stars. Ultimately, it was an average read from Harlequin/Mills & Boon.

[Islenia Jáquez · Rating 1 out of 5]

Media estrella!!!

[Mattie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't like it. The characters and plot were so boring, the pace of the book was extremely slow, her trying to convince him to save her country and become king took half the book. Np.

[Virginia Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

"A Throne for the Taking" is a royal treat for readers, served up with sizzling style by author Kate Walker. A story line full of passion, poignancy, and intrigue is given life by two compelling characters, both driven by their own sense of duty. Honoria Escalona, Grand Duchess of Mecjorica, daughter of the High Chancellor, now at risk of losing everything she has ever known due to the misdeeds of her father. Forced to contact the one man she thought never to see again, Alexei Sarova, Honoria must somehow put aside her trepidation and convince Alexei to return to the land of his birth. The son of a royal father and a commoner mother, Alexei has every right to deny her request. At a young age, Alexei learned just how cruel court manipulations can be when his parents' marriage was declared invalid, making him illegitimate and ineligible to inherit the throne. He and his mother settled in England, and while Alexei became a successful international entrepreneur, he remained haunted by the injustice his family had suffered. Ten years have passed since Ria and Alexei have spoken, and now she has suddenly appeared, bearing proof of the legitimacy of Alexei's heritage. Friends in their youth, their relationship was strained by scandal. Now, Ria desperately needs his help, not just to restore order to the kingdom, but to save her from an unbearable arranged marriage. Stunned to find Ria at his business headquarters in England, Alexei has no intention of granting her wish. However, the more she pleads with him, the more he realizes that he has a longing to return home, a longing that has much to do with his intense attraction to the beautifully grown-up Ria. He will agree to her proposition, with one contingency--she will become his royal bride--for as long as he wants and needs her by his side. He respects her intelligence and regal persona, and he desires her beauty and vulnerability. When the time comes, will he be able to let her go? Ria can't help falling for the handsome, commanding Alexei, who underneath his imposing exterior, still has a tender heart. Can she trust him? Once you start reading "A Throne for the Taking", you will be caught in the spell of the drama and romance of author Kate Walker's storytelling.

Review Copy Gratis Author

[Ree · Rating 3 out of 5]

After being betrayed by her father, Honoria Escalona decides that she needs to take serious affirmative action to prevent her country from being ruled by a greedy monster, while at the same time, rescue herself from what she is sure to be a dreadful marriage. She seeks out her former childhood friend, Alexei Sarova, to be her knight in shining armor. Now carrying a grudge against everyone from his past life, Alexei is reluctant to help, but after consideration decides to do so, but with his own set of rules & conditions.

A bit on the ridiculous side, as both MC seemed to seesaw a lot.

[RomLibrary · Rating 1 out of 5]

A kingdom's safety

Betrayed by those she loves, Honoria Escalona must now face the only man capable of bringing stability to the Mediterranean kingdom of Mecjoria. A cold, hard man who once called her his friend… Alexei Sarova—the true King of Mecjoria.

In exchange for her happiness

But Alexei's tortuous past has changed him into someone she hardly knows. He blames Ria's family for his bitterness, and his help—when he offers it—comes with a price: he'll take his rightful place as King with Ria as his wife, until she produces a true-blood heir…

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review Posted on HarlequinJunkie.com

In A Throne for the Taking by Kate Walker, the Country of Mecjoria is nearing the prospect of a civil war. Honoria’s father, a high-ranking member of state, is taken into custody for unspecified crimes. Ria knows she must find a way to restore peace, and in her efforts to do so, she comes across …Read More

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read for any who enjoy royal romances. A heroine who wants to save her country and willing sacrifices her own happiness because of the country she loves. The hero lives we past hurts and losses which has caused him to build a wall emotionally. Together they are able to realize that love can help heal wounds and that together they are strong. Recommended read!

[Gemma G. Gegargas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ni fu ni fa, ese sería un buen resumen para esta novela, a pesar de que podía haberle sacado un buen jugo a esta trama que no me atrapó. Quizás los personajes carentes de fuerza fueron los responsables de la debilidad de la historia.

Lo que más me gustó, no hay nada que me gustó en extremo.

Lo que menos me gustó, Honoria, la protagonista femenina.

[Sheryl C. Nash · Rating 2 out of 5]

I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop... for there to be some big outpouring of emotion... love... SOMETHING... ANYTHING at the end, but in my opinion it fell REALLY FLAT. And Ria... *BLECH*... It was all about DUTY with her... it never felt like LOVE... VERY DISSAPOINTED :(

[Harlequin Books]

"The majesty of Walker's fictional principality shines, and her frenemies-to-love story is perfectly passionate." RT Book Reviews, rated 4 1/2 stars

Miniseries: Royal & Ruthless
Category: Passion

[Harlequin Books]

Miniseries: Royal & Ruthless
Category: Passion

[Keri · Rating 2 out of 5]

A quick and easy read where I felt there could have been more to the story.

[Donna Alward · Rating 4 out of 5]

A romantic tale full of glamour and passion!

[Tonya Warner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alexei Sarova has been exiled from his homeland. He has moved on and does not want to be reminded of all he has lost. But, then Ria breaks the news that HE is next in line to be king.

[Bonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Throne For the Taking by Kate Walker, wasn't one of my favorite books. Too much dialogue at the beginning. Then got better. Romance.

[Pravana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hero -Alexi's had a very sad and tragic past. Heroine - Ria's the perfect martyr.

[Kobie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got to the last chapter and almost quit. terribly anticlimactic ending.

[Betzacosta Betzacosta · Rating 1 out of 5]

este en verdad no me gusto para nada.