He wants to make me his queen. The problem? I’m an heiress. And he’s…a beast. I mean he is really a beast, a werewolf to be precise. I’m the first to admit that I’m born to be royalty, but this wasn’t exactly how I’d pictured it!
Rhys is about to be crowned king of the Realm, and he wants me to rule by his side. He said if I refuse, he’ll have the prince “gift” me to him. The nerve! One thing the new king needs to learn? I don’t take orders—not from him, not from anyone. But when Rhys makes it a contest and invites other women to audition to be his bride, he gets my ire up. I don’t know if I’m meant to marry a werewolf, but I do know that I was born to win. I’ll show that beast what I’m made of—I’ll make him sit, beg and heel. So may the best woman win.
And since I’m already certain that’s me, I’m all for it… Let the games begin!
*This is a brand-new series that is part of the Vampire Royals world. You do not need to read Vampire Royals in order to read this book.
Leigh Walker lives on the gorgeous coast of Maine with her awesome husband, their beautiful kids, and her BFF, Choco the chocolate lab. Her smash-hit series Vampire Royals was previously optioned by Netflix. Leigh also writes Billionaire Romance as USA Today and Amazon Top-Ten Bestselling Author Leigh James. Her books have been translated into German, Italian, French, and Portuguese.
Outside of writing and family, her interests include maintaining a sense of humor, reading, sucking at golf, and lifting weights.
I was so sucked into this book I read for 3 and a half hours straight. I can't remember the last time I did that without looking at my phone! Now onto book #2!
The Realm is sixth novel in The Vampire Royals series by Leigh Walker and kicks off Tamara’s branch of the series---Shifter Royals---as we finally see the composed and sophisticated Tamara come face to face with the unlikely male set to steal her heart; a werewolf king unlike anyone Tamara has ever known.
Tamara Layne always knew she was meant for big things. Since being on The Pageant, Tamara has embraced her role as Goodwill Ambassador and is happy within herself. All she needs is someone to share her life with…..and that certain someone is definitely not the feral werewolf King who has just asked her to marry him only moments after meeting. Quickly rebuffing Rhys initial attentions, Tamara is reluctant to participate in another show like the one she was previously a contestant on, but with Rhys wanting to find a Queen to rule beside him, it is decided that he will partake in another show to find his bride. Backed into a corner, Tamara becomes a contestant alongside four other young women. Yet as the contest progresses, Tamara finds herself beginning to fall for the surprisingly dashing King, but with her competition determine to win his affections as well, Tamara will need to decide how far she’s prepared to go and whether she will fight for Rhys heart even at the risk of her own……
Readers who are familiar with the previous novels such as myself will remember Tamara from The Pageant where she was a contestant to win the heart of vampire Prince Dallas Black. We all know that Dallas only ever had eyes for Gwyneth, so Tamara’s heart was never in danger, but in The Realm she is faced with a man---or werewolf I should say---who challenges her thoughts and ideals like no one before. Rhys is uncivilized and almost feral in nature; untamed and unrestrained---a far cry from the poised, and refined Tamara. They are complete opposites but Tamara finds herself drawn to him reluctantly throughout the novel while she bewitches him straight away with not just her beauty but her sharp tongue and intelligent words.
I went into The Realm with certain preconceived notions about Tamara. In The Pageant, she was the mean girl; the trouble maker who seemed to be all for herself. As time progressed Leigh Walker has developed her as a character and after six novels it has become clear that Tamara actually has a heart. She has developed genuine friendships with Gwyn, Blake, Shaye and Eve who were contestants alongside her in the pageant and she has forged a home for herself in the North. She’s not perfect and seems prone to jealousy---as anyone seeing the person she is coming to care about with other women would experience---but I think she is actually kind at her base. Tamara has just spent a lot of time guarding her heart that her shields have become a part of who she was.
Part of what I really loved about Rhys in the beginning was that he wasn’t like the poised male leads of the past novels---he was virile, wild and uncontained. Barefoot and shirtless he seemed the kind of man to run through the forest rather than dance and make nice. I think he lost some of this edge as The Realm progressed which made me a little sad as I would hate to see him become too refined. I’m hoping he retains his base nature during the next two novels as I think I prefer the savage werewolf over the composed king.
Leigh Walker has always satisfied me with her Vampire Royals novels and I believe that Shifter Royals will be the same. The Realm can be read on its own without the previous novels but I definitely think readers will have a better understanding of the characters if they have read The Vampire Royals series. The Realm ends on a cliffhanger and I can’t wait to begin the next novel to see what will happen to Tamara and Rhys next.
The first book of Leigh's I'm reading and I'm impressed. Laugh out funny in some places this is the PNR version of the Bachelor reality show. I thought it might span the whole book but it includes a couple more lending to a more developed storyline. The world building is something I believe has been done in previous books so if you're reading this like me first there are some blanks to fill in. Having said that I was still able to enjoy the book irregardless. The author introduces shifters in this book alongside the vampires already present. Im looking forward to the next book to see where the storyline heads
I loved the Vampire Royals world ans was excited to start this new series set in that world. As I expected from Leigh Walker, I wasn't disappointed. I really enjoy Tamara's character and how she is with Rhys. She won't let him own her, but she'll make him hers winning in the competition. Can't wait to read the next book.
Another book related to the pageant series. Tamara was definitely not my favorite character in the series, but I liked her more in her spin off. Her confidence was great. I also really enjoyed Rhys and the pack (the little you saw of them). They felt more realistic than other depictions of werewolves (if they can even be realistic. Thoroughly fun, quick read.
I have read all 6 of the Royals books & can honestly say they are all wonderful. It’s been a great 2 weeks and I only have praise for Ms Leigh’s books. I will look forward to more.
This book opened us up to more details in the Realm and also the girls fighting for love. There were trust issues and problems, but the wolves handled these head on and together. The unity in this group is unlike any other and the willingness to change is a struggle that will need to be overcome.
Great series. Great characters. Interesting story line. And I love how the series is innocent love . And I love how the Vampire Royals friends are in here too.
I don't know what it is about LW, but somehow she always manages to remind me of my hopeless romantic heart. Yes, deep down I wish I could be a princess that gets the chance to wear stunning ball gowns with the man of my dreams. LW allows me the chance to live out that fantasy in a world that she has orchestrated to perfection. I was quite taken with Tamara and her unshakable desire to be true to herself. Of course those lines get a little blurry towards the end but somehow she finds her way. The cliffhanger ending scares me but I am thankful that book two has been released! I get to dive right in and see what happens with my latest favorite heroine!
There can only be praise for Leigh Walker’s books! They keep me avidly turning pages, every single book has always had me hooked from page one! You find yourself flipping though the pages enthralled in the world that you have been thrust into and when it's over you'll be begging for more!
This story focuses on Tamara, one of the original girls from The Pageant who is now a Goodwill Ambassador for the Crown. She is swept up into a new reality show to win the affections of Rhys, the new werewolf king of the Realm.Tamara soon finds out that this contest is nothing like the past and she finds herself torn between what she wants and what she thought she always wanted.
I find that the world we are put into is absolutely thrilling. The details are all there and you can really imagine yourself at the castle with the girls and swooning over Rhys. Tamara has kept her amazing wit and delivers a fantastic performance in this book. I love seeing all the royals getting together and giving us a peak into there lives as well. And Rhys, well he is so much fun to imagine and read about. He is unashamed by how non royal and clumsy he is but as the book goes on he does morph into another man that encompasses not only the rebel but the royal that he actually is. It truly is an exciting book and the ending! What a fantastic cliffhanger- though I want to know what happens now-I can't even begin to guess what will transpire!
This is a new series from Leigh Walker which could also be considered a spin-off from her previous, Vampire Royals, series. There are a number of appearances from past characters so you do feel a genuine camaraderie and belonging in this book. There is no need to have read the previous series to follow along though as there is plenty of background info included-but I highly recommend it as its a fantastic read as well!
Love this story and LOVE Tamara! She is so strong and self confident until she meets Rhys. Her reactions to things happening kn the story is so entertaining. I love how Rhys was upfront with his feelings and expectations from the start. The cliffhanger ...... I cant wait for book two!
While you don't need to have read her other series, it might help given the references to all the linked characters and the history leading up to this story. Rhys is a handsome and wild werewolf looking for his mate and queen. Tamara is a bit of a spoiled human who competed in the pageant and opens this story coordinating the royal wedding. She is asked to accompany Rhys to the wedding and help him 'behave' and he is so charmed by her that he asked her to marry him right away. She said no and a new competition is born, one she is forced by the vampire king to participate in... But then her feelings start to change and she realizes there is more to Rhys than she thought. Fair warning, we end on a cliffhanger so you might want to wait until you can read all three books to spare yourself the anguish of wondering if Tamara will be able to prove she is worthy of being by his side to the rest of the pack. It took me a while to like Tamara, she was a little frustrating at first, but then I realized that she acted out of fear and who among us hasn't felt that way before.
This is my first book by Leigh Walker, and boy will it not be the last! Leigh is a fantastic writer, able to weave an imaginative story with beautiful characters and wonderfully descriptive places.
Tamara is stubborn, well-spoken and diplomatic, and she'll do anything to further her political influence, even join another 'contest' for the sake of the King. I will say that Tamara can be a bit too stubborn, especially when she's thinking or talking to Rhys, but we allllll know why! Rhys is a sexy as all-get-out Werewolf who just wants someone to love him... specifically, Tamara. He's kind, if a little rough around the edges, and just wants his people to have a home and leaders to navigate the political intrigue that's bound to follow becoming a King.
I hate cliffhangers, and that's my only complaint when this story ended, but man does it hook you in! Cannot wait for book two!
I really did enjoy the start to this story especially the ending which has hooked me, in just a few sentences. The selection is honestly one of my favorite series and I also love paranormal anything, and this book has perfectly combined my two loves. My only complaint is it did feel rushed and I wish it could have spent more time developing the background of the land, and the scenes. I also wish it could have painted a better light on who the characters really are. I do highly recommend this for any lovers of the bachelor, the selection and paranormal romance.
This book was great. The FMC is kind of stuck up in the beginning but I grew to like her snark and wittiness. The plot is well developed, and left me wanting more. I enjoyed the banter and drama between the characters, and the love story itself is quite refreshing. A nice change of pace to my usual reads. I was not disappointed. Well done!
Oh my goodness what can I say? I love the chemistry between the main characters Tamara & Rhys. The story itself is so good. I enjoyed reading the other serie so it’s no surprise that this new one is just as awesome. I love the whole competition going on. But hands down I am shipping Tamara & Rhys for sure. That ending is just wow. I need to know what happens next please. Highly recommend this as a must read.
I read this book so quickly, and I just couldn’t put it down. I always wanted to know what was coming next. I really hope I can read more of Leigh Walker’s works because this was just fantastic!
I didn’t mean to finish this in one day, but whoops! I couldn’t help myself. Leigh Walker’s books keep me turning the pages, every single time. This story focuses on Tamara, one of the original girls from The Pageant who is now a Goodwill Ambassador for the Crown. She is swept up into a new reality show to win the affections of Rhys, the new werewolf king of the Realm. She is torn, though, because she can’t decide between what she wants and what she thought she always wanted.
There are new girls Tamara has to compete with, but there are less this time, which makes the competition more fierce right from the start. Tamara gets a taste of her own medicine, since there is a girl who is reminiscent of how Tamara acted during the Pageant, but it seems Tamara has changed for the most part. I’m interested to see where her new-found feelings lead her, and how Rhys handles what is to come in the competition, as well as outside forces that seem to be conspiring!
I wasn't really sure if I would enjoy Tamara and Rhys together but I quickly became a fan! I enjoy the reality TV show aspect of this series so I'm happy to see it return. Plus I loved that we got just enough of the world politics to keep things moving at a great pace. These two have this opposites attract / hate to love you thing going on that makes their scenes together fire!
This book was so good! I have not read the Vampire Royals series before this and had no problem following along. This book is a mixture between a behind-the-scenes of The Bachelor meets Twilight! The main character can be infuriating and snobby at times, but I was really rooting for her in the end. I loved this book so much I’ve already pre-ordered books 2 and 3 of this series!!