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A Prince's Hostage
This thief has only one chance to steal the prince's heart...
Elliyan was never anything more than a thief. A good one. So how can he pass up the chance to steal the priceless signet necklace worn by Rayne Baalor, the crown prince, when he first lays eyes on the stunningly handsome man? Unfortunately, he misjudges the prince as simply another clueless royal and suddenly finds himself locked in a prison cell. But instead of having Elliyan hauled to the nearest gallows, Prince Rayne intends to make use of his special talent for breaking through the magic of blood wards. Rayne wants Elliyan to break through his father's wards, kill the brutal king, and save their kingdom from ruin. Elliyan can either agree to be Rayne's body slave until Rayne can get him close enough to the king...or he can hang. Although he's held hostage by the threat of a noose around his neck, Elliyan soon finds the prince as intriguing as he is attractive. There are worse fates than serving—and seducing—a man of Rayne's power and wealth, or at least until Elliyan can finally escape. Only the more time he spends with the prince, the less he wants to escape...
Rayne knows his father has turned into a dangerous, unpredictable tyrant whose paranoia has dragged the kingdom into an unwinnable war. He would set things right himself, but his father's ward magic is fueled by the blood of Rayne's sister and nephews and will redirect any harm meant for the king toward them. But Elliyan’s unique immunity to wards gives Rayne the perfect chance to save the rest of the royal family and the kingdom. Only the prince didn't foresee coming to like the charming rogue as a friend...and something more. The man is mischievous, smart, and more than eager in bed. Soon the prince fears he's turning into a love-struck fool for his hostage, the man he bound to his side by the threat of a noose. If the prince risks his heart, he risks the kingdom. But keeping his desire to himself is no longer an option once Elliyan is past the wards Rayne has set around his heart.
Elliyan was never anything more than a thief. A good one. So how can he pass up the chance to steal the priceless signet necklace worn by Rayne Baalor, the crown prince, when he first lays eyes on the stunningly handsome man? Unfortunately, he misjudges the prince as simply another clueless royal and suddenly finds himself locked in a prison cell. But instead of having Elliyan hauled to the nearest gallows, Prince Rayne intends to make use of his special talent for breaking through the magic of blood wards. Rayne wants Elliyan to break through his father's wards, kill the brutal king, and save their kingdom from ruin. Elliyan can either agree to be Rayne's body slave until Rayne can get him close enough to the king...or he can hang. Although he's held hostage by the threat of a noose around his neck, Elliyan soon finds the prince as intriguing as he is attractive. There are worse fates than serving—and seducing—a man of Rayne's power and wealth, or at least until Elliyan can finally escape. Only the more time he spends with the prince, the less he wants to escape...
Rayne knows his father has turned into a dangerous, unpredictable tyrant whose paranoia has dragged the kingdom into an unwinnable war. He would set things right himself, but his father's ward magic is fueled by the blood of Rayne's sister and nephews and will redirect any harm meant for the king toward them. But Elliyan’s unique immunity to wards gives Rayne the perfect chance to save the rest of the royal family and the kingdom. Only the prince didn't foresee coming to like the charming rogue as a friend...and something more. The man is mischievous, smart, and more than eager in bed. Soon the prince fears he's turning into a love-struck fool for his hostage, the man he bound to his side by the threat of a noose. If the prince risks his heart, he risks the kingdom. But keeping his desire to himself is no longer an option once Elliyan is past the wards Rayne has set around his heart.
162 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 25, 2018
33 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
About the author
Xander Tracy
7 books19 followersA King's Rival was Xander Tracy's first book, followed by A King's Vow, A Prince's Hostage, A Knight's Exile, An Outlaw's Captive, and A Warrior's Choice. Xander lives in Florida and loves the sun and warm winters. Look for more M/M Fantasy Romance novels to come!
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 12, 2018
The writing and storytelling is getting progressively better with this author. This is by far the better book of the three so far. However, the pacing is still not quite right. I know it's a struggle to avoid instalove but still manage to convey enough chemistry that the attraction is intense and believable while they work their way to stronger feelings/love/loyalty, etc. I feel like, although the story was the most well plotted and thought out, (although this author loves the "mad king" trope) the chemistry between the MC's was lacking and the sex came around much too late in the story.
However, I did enjoy that the author didn't drag out the ethical conundrum for Illyian nor did they drag out the fight scenes. I appreciated that. It was unexpected.
However, I did enjoy that the author didn't drag out the ethical conundrum for Illyian nor did they drag out the fight scenes. I appreciated that. It was unexpected.
December 5, 2021
**grm**
These books are always too short, and is a pity because the author writes well. The missing pages, make the story go way too fast and the rating hardly can go to 5 stars. I liked Elliyan and Rayne, they were both interesting characters, but the book missed a real finale. I wanted to see the incoronation, Rayne talk with his sister and nephews, and other questions get an answer. For these reasons 4 stars.
These books are always too short, and is a pity because the author writes well. The missing pages, make the story go way too fast and the rating hardly can go to 5 stars. I liked Elliyan and Rayne, they were both interesting characters, but the book missed a real finale. I wanted to see the incoronation, Rayne talk with his sister and nephews, and other questions get an answer. For these reasons 4 stars.
June 3, 2018
Fun, fast paced story
This book surprised me for being more plot driven than character driven. Prince Rayne caught Elliyan trying to steal from him because Elliyan used his unique powers at the wrong moment. Then, the rest of the book is really the development of learning about the horrors that the king has perpetrated and convincing Elliyan that Rayne is honorable.
I enjoyed the action in this story and the development of Elliyan's trust in Rayne. I was a bit surprised in the low heat level of the story when compared to what I've read from this author before.
This book surprised me for being more plot driven than character driven. Prince Rayne caught Elliyan trying to steal from him because Elliyan used his unique powers at the wrong moment. Then, the rest of the book is really the development of learning about the horrors that the king has perpetrated and convincing Elliyan that Rayne is honorable.
I enjoyed the action in this story and the development of Elliyan's trust in Rayne. I was a bit surprised in the low heat level of the story when compared to what I've read from this author before.
September 20, 2020
The beginning is quite strong but I think the book was too short to accomplish what it set out to do. It's so short and there is little room for character development so they felt fairly flat. The plot moves pretty easily from A to B and it's very imaginative. The romance itself is okay, but it's not overly engaging.
April 28, 2018
3.5 stars.
October 10, 2018
You can find my review of “A Prince's Hostage” at my web site.
February 2, 2025
3.75 stars
Much better than I thought it'd be!
Much better than I thought it'd be!
July 23, 2021
Definitely a guilty pleasure read. Took me only 2-3 hours to rip through this thing. I enjoyed it immensely! I just wish it was longer.
It is a MLM romance, so if that's not your cup of tea, then you probably won't like it that much... But I thought the plot and pacing were well done, and the characters were well rounded and endearing. Again, I would have loved for it to be longer, but it made for a good afternoon read.
It is a MLM romance, so if that's not your cup of tea, then you probably won't like it that much... But I thought the plot and pacing were well done, and the characters were well rounded and endearing. Again, I would have loved for it to be longer, but it made for a good afternoon read.
July 2, 2018
I felt for the characters but this book could have been so much more. It felt chopped off and short to me, rushed in a way. The set up was good, the premise good. The pacing a bit of, but the set pieces were so large and then it just ended. I've had two books like that this week, so perhaps I'm getting a little sensitive but I really want to spend time with characters once I get to know them, not get dropped into an ending without really exploring what's there.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews