Chess Series

Last week at her birthday party, her father announced he had arranged for her to marry. The king of a country across the ocean. Whom she's never met. Thanks, Dad.   Today, Princess Henrietta stepped off the dock onto the soil of her new home and met Lieutenant Anders of the King's Personal Guard. Devastatingly handsome, bold, and cocky, he gave her a sexy smirk, caught her gaze, and held it.    A proper princess would dismiss his smile as simple flirting. A proper princess wouldn't climb trees or be best friends with non-nobility either. She's a princess, and she can be proper if called for. But usually, all that pomp and circumstance makes her roll her eyes.   With an alliance between Frapane and Jador on the line, a war with the Elves raging, and no heir to the throne, her upcoming marriage is vital to Jador's future. Yet she's drawn to the charming soldier, not her husband-to-be. Her head says the right thing is to obey the law - Anders has treason written all over him. So why does her heart say treason may be worth the risk?   This fantasy romance features a strong heroine, a sexy hero, and stalwart friends. Knight is the first of six books, ending on a cliffhanger.

Retta wants to get married. Legally she can. Emotionally she's way more than ready. But the country is at war, she got divorced only a week ago, and her fiancé? There could be a lot of heat if they announced their nuptials right now.    So, the answer is obvious, right? All she has to do is win the war, and the people will love her. Probably even forgive any whispers of treason about Anders. Easier said than done, of course. She could negotiate if the Elves had any demands. But, nope. Oh, and did she mention that she and Anders just had a big fight? Things aren't particularly stable right now.     She knows she should care about the war more than she does about Anders leaving town, but she doesn't. How does she fight a national war when a personal one threatens her entire relationship?   Book three of the Chess Series brings new struggles for Retta, Anders, and the rest of The Gang. This is not a stand-alone novel and must be read after Knight and Queen.

There are those who say queens have a privileged life. They've never reviewed Queen Retta's. The king distrusts her. Rumors of treason hound her. The Duke of Petidar discovered her most dangerous secret. And all that was before she caught her husband with his mistress - the same woman who had framed Retta for treason the day before.   But Retta has a plan. Sure, it's crazy, dangerous, and probably suicidal. Yet she's headed to the Sacred Mountains with her friends to execute it. For the next month, she gets a respite from the madness she's left behind. Although when she returns, she'll have to betray the love of her life - an unfortunate reality that he hates but understands.   Even though she's not at the palace, she can't help asking the obvious and difficult questions. What happens when they return? Will Lucian buy her lie? And the biggest one of all - what happens if the plan fails?   This fantasy romance continues the tale of a strong heroine, a seductive hero, and loyal friends. The second of six books, Queen must be read after Knight.

The king is an excellent husband for a duke's daughter, so Lady Bethany believed the duke was finally doing something right as a father. Until she answered his summons to the palace and found there was no marriage. Instead, her father ordered her to pose as a servant. Worse than any scheme that came before, the directive emphasizes he doesn't care about her.   But now she's at the palace, and her roommate warned her away from a gorgeous man. A wild ride that could end in heartbreak? Surely not if you knew that going in. Yet a lady doesn't pursue libertine soldiers. Although, a lady shouldn't be shunned by her father either.    She knows what she should do - do as she's told and accept her situation. Yet, for twenty-one years, she's accepted her father's rejection time and time again. So for once in her life, would it be so bad to do what she wants? To be a woman and not a tool?   Antipositional Play is a stand-alone novel that parallels Knight and Queen. It's not necessary to the main Chess Series story arc, but it contains spoilers, and it should be read after them. 

My name is Alecks. My friends say I'm a great guy - smart, loyal, kind. But they don't know all my secrets, including that at thirty-five, I'm still a virgin. There's a story there, but it's easier to admit I used to be a drunk than to tell that story.    Then one night, Sedric came to Jador, and all I could see was the brilliant smile, sexy muscles, and brown eyes I wanted to stare into and determine their exact shade. When he licked his lip and winked at me, I was sure I misunderstood.    As it turns out, I didn't. And he's interested in me. But before the relationship can go beyond dinner, I'd have to tell him the story. I like him a lot, but what if he runs away when I trust him?     Bank Rank is a m/m romance with hunky heroes and steamy sex, suitable for 18+. Back Rank is a stand-alone novel that parallels Bishop from the Chess Series and tells the story of Alecks and Sedric. It's not necessary to the main Chess Series story arc, but it contains spoilers for Bishop.

So, you know that horse Anders stole? Yeah, turns out it's a show horse. And it's worth a lot of money. Oops.   But Retta and Anders can set it right if they return it. And they can finally have a honeymoon. Except Dart doesn't want Retta to go. Yet, she's the queen, she hates pomp and circumstance, and she can blend in as a woman traveling with her husband. Right?   Quiet Move is a novella that is set between Rook and Pawn. It's not necessary to the main Chess Series story arc but contains spoilers for the four previous books.

The morning after her wedding, Retta wakes from the sound of her son's screams. Quite jarring, and things only get worse from there. A new governess that she's never met holds a pistol on Anders; she gets reminded that even though the war is over, there's always possible danger; and she must figure out who the heck is now the Duke of Petidar.   But, life doesn't stop, even so queens can have a honeymoon. And since she refuses to be a queen who lets things happen around her, she has to be involved. Which means she's inviting the most important people from the provinces to join her at the palace. And she's warned they can act like children. Just great.   She's got a country ravaged by war with no real idea how to fix it, a weird woman watching her son who unsettles her, and a husband who can finally openly pay attention to his son. Except for the whole step in front of father thing. Cause, yeah, that's still a secret hovering in the background. And that's just today.   Rook is the fourth book in the Chess series, which must be read in order.

Retta won a war, set the country on a path to improvement, and married the love of her life. Things seem good at the moment. But she also promised a friend that she would get the marriage law changed.    The last time it was attempted, chaos came to Roi. There was even a murder over it. This time, she'll push to ensure that doesn't happen. She'll work behind the scenes and prepare on the legal side of things. First up? Overhauling the cabinet. Second up? Wipe the spit off her shoe when she fires one of the ministers.   She's faced worse, and she keeps her promises. Although, given the rocky history of her monarchy so far, what are the chances spit on her shoe will be the worst of it?   Pawn is the fifth book in the Chess series, which must be read in order.

Things are settled for the moment at the palace when Retta gets a letter from her brother, Charlie. He had fun at a birthday party playing a new drinking game - Never Have I Ever.   When she shows the letter to Anders, he explains the game - force your friends to drink and reveal their awkward experiences before they make you tell yours. The Gang agrees, and drinking commences. What embarrassing stories lurk in her friends' pasts?   A short interlude between Pawn and King, the Gang has a good time and learns a bit about each other. Once again, not necessary to the main Chess Series story arc, but fun nonetheless.

There were no kidnappings at Ronan's second birthday party. However, Retta did find out a piece of news during the party. It turns out that Tom Railan figured out the Ronan secret a long time ago. While she's reeling from that, the Goddess herself stops by to tell Retta there's trouble ahead. Good times too, but definitely trouble. Dang it - can't she get a break?    But life goes on. Maybe it's time to start baby number two, which is way more fun to focus on than the questions raised by Tom's revelation. And three weddings are coming up, which are also fun.   Thankfully, Anders and Retta are on good terms, and they'll face any trouble together. And her friends always help her when things get bad. So, if she does get pregnant, there's no reason to fear her confinement period, right? Except there's that divine warning still hovering out there...   The final book in the Chess Series brings even more trouble for Retta, Anders, and the rest of the Gang. The series must be read in order.