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Kinkaid Shifters #7
The Reluctant King
One white lion plus one powerful mage equals an unexpected mate bond that changes everything.
Sam Kinkaid never wanted to be king. As the last white lion shifter on Earth and reluctant Alpha of all lions, he's built a billion-dollar empire while keeping the supernatural world hidden from human eyes. But when a dangerous arms dealer with dark magic connections threatens everything he's sworn to protect, Sam needs more than his lion's strength. He needs a mage of his own, and fate sends him Claudia.
Claudia is a powerful young magic user, trained by one of the most formidable witches in the magical community. Hired to strengthen the wards around Kinkaid properties, she never expected to feel the pull of an undeniable attraction to the impossibly gorgeous billionaire shifter. As their professional relationship grows into something neither can deny, an ancient evil surfaces—the Venifucus, a secret society of dark mages who will stop at nothing to claim ultimate power.
From Houston boardrooms to a glamorous Monaco gala, Sam and Claudia must navigate deadly enemies, forbidden attraction, and supernatural threats that could destroy them both. When Claudia's magic tangles with Sam's protective instincts, the bond between them becomes their greatest weapon, and their most dangerous vulnerability. Can a reluctant king and a powerful mage defeat an ancient darkness, or will choosing love cost them everything?
Sam Kinkaid never wanted to be king. As the last white lion shifter on Earth and reluctant Alpha of all lions, he's built a billion-dollar empire while keeping the supernatural world hidden from human eyes. But when a dangerous arms dealer with dark magic connections threatens everything he's sworn to protect, Sam needs more than his lion's strength. He needs a mage of his own, and fate sends him Claudia.
Claudia is a powerful young magic user, trained by one of the most formidable witches in the magical community. Hired to strengthen the wards around Kinkaid properties, she never expected to feel the pull of an undeniable attraction to the impossibly gorgeous billionaire shifter. As their professional relationship grows into something neither can deny, an ancient evil surfaces—the Venifucus, a secret society of dark mages who will stop at nothing to claim ultimate power.
From Houston boardrooms to a glamorous Monaco gala, Sam and Claudia must navigate deadly enemies, forbidden attraction, and supernatural threats that could destroy them both. When Claudia's magic tangles with Sam's protective instincts, the bond between them becomes their greatest weapon, and their most dangerous vulnerability. Can a reluctant king and a powerful mage defeat an ancient darkness, or will choosing love cost them everything?
267 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 24, 2026
About the author
Bianca D'Arc
273 books1,368 followersBianca D'Arc is the USA Today bestselling author of over 100 romance titles. She has been published traditionally, by a few notable small presses, and indie. Before becoming a full-time writer, she ran a laboratory, a legal department, and jetted around the country on business while working for a Fortune 500 engineering firm.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 21, 2026
While I enjoyed this story, it took too long for me to get into the book. That's why only 3 stars.
June 4, 2026
Sam Kinkaid finally gets his story…
While somewhat reluctant…he did step into the role of Alpha of all lions…as he’s the last white lion shifter in the world.
While he may ‘rule’ over all…he’s building the future & working to help keep the supernatural world safe…especially from a certain arms dealer that has more than one questionable connection.
Claudia is a mage, trained by one of the most powerful witches, & hired to help strengthen the wards around the vast Kinkaid holdings in Houston.
Sam steps back into the ‘billionaire’ world…the one where you’re rubbing shoulders & such with people that you probably don’t like…but need to have business dealing with…and he scores an coveted invitation to an gala in Monaco.
Claudia joins as his ‘plus one’…
What happens when two stubborn magical individuals finally admit they have feelings for each other?
What happens when they come face to face with not only the arms dealer, but some of his magical ‘companions’?
To get the answers—grab a copy of The Reluctant King, available now across all site.
I loved this book…I loved the characters & I throughly enjoyed the magical showdowns. I may also now be going back & reading the ‘Tales of the Were: Jaguar Island’ series.
Five out of five stars for this paranormal romance. While it is the seventh in the series, it can be read as a standalone. So either grab this one, or one can start at the beginning of this particular series with Lionheart.
While somewhat reluctant…he did step into the role of Alpha of all lions…as he’s the last white lion shifter in the world.
While he may ‘rule’ over all…he’s building the future & working to help keep the supernatural world safe…especially from a certain arms dealer that has more than one questionable connection.
Claudia is a mage, trained by one of the most powerful witches, & hired to help strengthen the wards around the vast Kinkaid holdings in Houston.
Sam steps back into the ‘billionaire’ world…the one where you’re rubbing shoulders & such with people that you probably don’t like…but need to have business dealing with…and he scores an coveted invitation to an gala in Monaco.
Claudia joins as his ‘plus one’…
What happens when two stubborn magical individuals finally admit they have feelings for each other?
What happens when they come face to face with not only the arms dealer, but some of his magical ‘companions’?
To get the answers—grab a copy of The Reluctant King, available now across all site.
I loved this book…I loved the characters & I throughly enjoyed the magical showdowns. I may also now be going back & reading the ‘Tales of the Were: Jaguar Island’ series.
Five out of five stars for this paranormal romance. While it is the seventh in the series, it can be read as a standalone. So either grab this one, or one can start at the beginning of this particular series with Lionheart.
April 21, 2026
OMG I loved Sam and Claudia's book. It was amazing. Sam fought his attraction to Claudia so hard but it was so cute. When he asked her to accompany him to Monaco I just knew things were going to change. There were so many scenes that were my favorite. One being when Claudia was being fitted for her wardrobe to take with her. Sam happened to walk in and seriously I thought he was going to swallow his tongue. EVERYONE and I mean EVERYONE knew there was something between them. No matter how hard they tried to keep a professional persona. My other favorite scent that kind of blew the lid off everything was their dance lesson when Claudia's magic got away from her control while they were dancing sending sparkles everywhere. It even made the dance instructor tear up by the beauty of it. Oh and the other was when Claudia let her secret weapons out and destroyed a very high ranking Venifucus who was century's old by using black magic and draining mage's of their magic and their souls. What can I say. I just loved this read.
March 25, 2026
Tales of the Were- Kincaid
Another great instalment in a wonderful and multilayered series. So many linked characters appearing in different series to make each book memorable and intriguing so you wonder what menace will come next and who might pop up from another series to add their expertise. Definitely no dull moments
Another great instalment in a wonderful and multilayered series. So many linked characters appearing in different series to make each book memorable and intriguing so you wonder what menace will come next and who might pop up from another series to add their expertise. Definitely no dull moments
April 13, 2026
I loved this story!
I have been eagerly waiting for Bianca D’Arc to bring us Sam’s story! Claudia was perfect for him. She fulfilled all my expectations and more with their story. I can't wait for the next one! Thank you Bianca!!
I have been eagerly waiting for Bianca D’Arc to bring us Sam’s story! Claudia was perfect for him. She fulfilled all my expectations and more with their story. I can't wait for the next one! Thank you Bianca!!
March 28, 2026
Wow. I loved Sam and Claudia’s book.
April 4, 2026
★★★★☆
May 17, 2026
Sam has been working for his clan, indeed as the white lion, he has worked to lead all lion shifters for years. Recently, Granny Tucker sent a metal mage, Claudia, to help improve the magical protections after repeated attacks on his people and on those fighting for the Light. The pacing is great, the descriptions are vivid and the love that is acknowledged is spectacular. I really enjoyed this as an avid reader of Bianca D'Arc and think a first time reader would enjoy it as well, right before starting their reading if all the books. I also enjoyed learning more of Barbara, who proves that personal assistants really know all!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews