Princess in Exile

Queenmakers Saga #3

by Bernadette Rowley

…a princess of the people in self-imposed exile. Nothing could prepare Alecia for what she faces as she leaves all she has known behind and embraces a future with her rescuer.
…a tormented shapeshifter, desperate to defend the woman he loves. Vard Anton fights both external forces and the least controllable of his forms – the bear.
The lovers travel to a lost city, hoping a sorcerer there may help Vard master his transformations. They soon discover this mentor has his own devious agenda. Will Vard and Alecia escape? Can their love survive Alecia’s fear of Vard’s animal forms? What secret does the princess hold with the power to destroy Vard’s trust?
The answers to all this and more are contained in the pages of Princess in Exile, the dark sequel to Princess Avenger.
Princess in Exile is the third book in the epic Queenmakers Saga, combining the sweeping high fantasy world of Thorius with sizzling romance. If you like magic, political intrigue and mythical creatures, wrapped up in a ‘beauty and the beast’ love story, then you’ll adore Princess in Exile.
This book contains sex scenes and is intended for mature readers.

281 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 19, 2019

About the author

Bernadette Rowley is an Australian epic fantasy romance author who is also a veterinarian. After flirting with picture books, junior fiction and space opera, Bernadette was challenged to write a romance in 2011 and she hasn’t looked back.
First published by Penguin Australia and then Pan Macmillan Australia, Bernadette is now an independently published author. The Queenmakers Saga contains twelve books spanning the genres of fantasy romance and romantic fantasy.
Her favorite tropes are enemies to lovers, forced proximity and forbidden romance. Strong themes include the horse/human bond and healing.
When not at her desk, Bernadette can be found absorbed in a good romance or romantic suspense, swimming, walking or having coffee with friends.

Reviews

[Larry Napier · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fitting continuation to a beautifully written saga of love, life, loss, romance, deception. I have thoroughly rnjoyed this series, what a remarkable addition to the continuing storyline. This is quickly becoming my favorite author you surely won’t be disappointed.

[Shivani McFarland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ms. Rowley knows how to spin an interesting tale of romance, evil deeds, misunderstood feelings and angst then hand it to you all wrapped up in this three book sage. Reality hits Alecia and her relationship with Vard as he struggles to control the animals within him. I was a little disappointed with how Alecia handled herself with Vard by not having faith in him and withholding important information from him. But when I look at the fact that she is a princess, has lived a pretty sheltered life and was so badly mistreated by her fiancee in book two, I'd have a few trust issues myself. I have also made mistakes by withholding information from someone I didn't want to hurt but hopefully we all grow up and see our mistakes and start over, which is what I got from the conclusion of their story. We will see them again but not to the extent that we have here. Ms. Rowley created a lovely forested world with castles, dark elves and shifters. I love the interaction each character has with others in the realm, they have emotional depth and richness. I'm looking forward to the continuation of Bernadette Rowley's Queenmakers Saga. Where will she go with her characters and the realm of Brightcastle?

[Sahar's Honest Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steamy, Romantic Fantasy

We met Alecia and Vard in Princess Avenger. They fell in love and escaped the castle of her father, a cruel prince. Now, they must navigate the world on their own.

Vard is a shifter who has trouble controlling his beasts, especially his bear. He and Alecia seek a sorcerer to help them, but he has his own agenda. Will Alecia and Vard survive the treachery? In addition to outside enemies, there are the misunderstandings that plague Alecia and Vard’s relationship. Can their love survive? Alecia is keeping a secret from the man she loves, too. Will they have their happy ending? I recommend this story to those who like steamy, fantasy romance. Alecia and Vard’s tale is full of angst and steam. I recommend reading “Princess Avenger” before this book. You might also want to read “The Lady’s Choice.” Although it is not about Alecia and Vard, it is about Ramón, who is connected to their story.

[Jaime · Rating 2 out of 5]

So the second book devoted to these two and another cliffhanger... I can't believe nothing was resolved with Vard. What was the point of this book? Alecia got on my nerves too. She kept a huge secret the entire book. Even when it was revealed at the end she still didn't tell the whole truth. I also understand conflict needed to happen to separate them, but that issue was weird. Was he aggressive? Was she enjoying it and just embarrassed? Was it a spell? But the annoying thing is regardless he apologized profusely, clearly there was no bad intent. And she was unsure if she was bothered. So why the attitude?

Also, wtf is the deal with Ramon. He's still a jerk and giving orders. That reveal. Are you kidding me? He is really going to try to leave his child as the heir to the throne? Can he die too?

[Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

ONE NAILBITING ADVENTURE!!!
OMG! Wow! Talk about one spine tingling ride. If you're looking for a fast paced, action packed, hard hitting, page flipping, adrenaline rush that keeps you riveted and on a razors edge. Congrats my friends, you've found it. All the drama, angst, danger and suspense make for one thrilling experience. A rollercoaster of unexpected events and surprising mishaps that launch all of your spinning emotions blazing to life in this gripping storyline and nerve racking plot. Twists and turns, ups and downs, along with a few bumps and bruises bring this baby together flawlessly. The characters and scenes are written with such realism it brings this bad boy bursting to life spectacularly. Amazing job Bernadette, thanks for sharing this bad boy with us.

[Chris Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah! The tension grows in this fast-paced sequel to The Princess Avenger. Princess Alecia and her protector Vard (with whom she is in love) travel towards a realm ruled by a sorcerer. There they hope to find a way for Vard to control his shapeshifting which can affect his ability in a tight position. You see, he can't control which of several forms to take.

But Alecia holds a secret, something terrible that can break the trust between her and Vard. Worse! It's a growing secret. (No more said for spoilers)

Princess in Exile is fast, tight, and full of action and drama. It kept me turning pages until the end in a short period of time. I enjoyed it.

[Deb Barringer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Princess in Exile is another good book in the exciting Queenmakers Saga by Bernadette Rowley. I enjoyed that this was a follow-up to book 1. I like the relationship between Alicia and Vard, although I felt that it was a little forced at times. They continue to grow together as they forge on in their quest for a mentor for Vard. Until Vard can learn to control his transformations, their relationship will forever be doomed as forbidden lest he harm Alicia. I hope to come back to Vard and Alicia soon within this saga.

[M.G. Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A worthy sequel to the Princess Avenger

This book took a slightly darker tone compared to the first book in the series. While I did enjoy reading 'Princess In Exile', I enjoyed 'Princess Avenger' more, as it was slightly more engaging. I am intrigued as to where Bernadette Rowley will take the third book of the series and am highly anticipating reading it.

An enjoyable read. Recommended for lovers of Romantic Fantasies.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anton Vard continues the search for a mentor to teach him control of his shifting. He needs to protect Alecia from being harmed by him when he has shifted into animal form. Their search will bring them moments of intimacy, joy, danger, capture, sorcery, betrayal and pain. I don’t want to spoil the plot, so you will have to read their adventures for yourself.

[UNLIMTED · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can’t get enough of this couple

So glad to get back to Vard and Alecia. These two definitely don’t have an easy relationship or an easy life. Lots of drama, many many secrets and deep emotions. It’ll be interesting to see where this goes from here, I don’t think we’ve seen the last of the dark elves or Leth, so many things still left to tell.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Princess Alecia and Vard have to flee as they are persued by mercenaries. Will Vlad get the help to control his gift. Wonderful fantasy story.

[KStar · Rating 4 out of 5]

While not as romantic as the first book, it was still a great read, the characters you know and love are back and their backstories and current ones fill out in this beautiful sequel. A compelling book I loved it.