Royal Caleva: Luis by Nancy Herkness, book two in her Royal Caleva series, is a wonderful story containing a silver fox king with a sly sense of humor, unexpected family, love, intrigue, and a little bit of suspense.
Luis Dragón, king of Caleva, is an interesting man despite some stumbling in his past; his father died, his son was born, his wife experienced severe postpartum depression, then died when her car went over a cliff. As he struggled to cope with two deaths, a baby, and the responsibility of guiding a kingdom into the future, he had an affair for a few months with his sister-in-law’s friend, Odette Fontaine, who very much wanted to be queen. Luis had sensed something off about Odette and had broken off their relationship. Being a vindictive person, Odette in jail for her crimes against Luis’s nephew Gabriel, finally tells Luis about his daughter, who she gave up for adoption and lives in Ames, Iowa. He wants to meet her and goes and has his security officer set up a meeting with Eve Howard to talk to her first about meeting his daughter.
The last thing Eve Howard, a divorced Vet Tech in Iowa, expected is for a King to arrive and claim to be the father of her adopted daughter, Grace. Eve and Luis want a DNA test to ensure that she is Luis' daughter; and to validate the information given to Luis. As Luis sweeps Grace into his family and his world, Eve is swept along for the ride. She did not expect to be so very drawn to the King himself or for him to feel the same pull; but touches happen, torches are lit, and romance is in the air.
This story is so romantic and engaging you will feel like you are in the palace and in their shoes. There is however a darkness as well, from Odette and a treacherous subject who have vile, and possibly deadly plans for the royal house. I loved watching the dynamic between Luis and his children. The guidance Luis was providing to his son, Raul, guaranteed that Raul will become an exceptional ruler.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book prior to purchase.