Antonia Aquilante

This is the fourth book in the ‘Chronicles of Tournai’ series, set in a fantasy world where almost everyone has some level of magical Talent and the royal family has a whole lot but keep it a secret. After the excitement of the mighty empire of Ardunn attempting to overpower the much smaller but resilient country of Tournai in the previous book, the storyline focuses on the mysterious defenses that have protected Tournai so far, but seem to be weakening. None other than Savarin, the show more powerful sorcerer who discovered the problem, is now tasked with fixing it- except he doesn’t even know what spell was used or why it has lasted so many centuries already. Needless to say, I’ve been on pins and needles ever since all of these issues were revealed at the end of book three. And yes, I think you should read this series in order because you’ll be missing not just lots of background information needed to understand what’s going on, but you’d also deprive yourself of some very entertaining and suspenseful stories with great characters.

Savarin is a very powerful sorcerer, and I was curious to find out more about him. He has occasionally appeared in previous stories and always seemed very withdrawn, intensely private, and arrogant. Not that any of that changes – he is still arrogant and tends to get lost in his work, much like most “professor types” I have come across. But it becomes apparent why he is that way as some of his background is revealed, and he definitely turns more human through his increased contact with Royal Guard Captain Loriot. Savarin’s basic personality doesn’t change, but he becomes a little softer around the edges, allows himself to relax more. While figuring out the protection spell and what makes them tick is by no means easy, Savarin can’t resist a good puzzle like that.

Loriot has also appeared previously, and I have always admired his dedication to protecting the royal family of Tournai. He is loyal and one of the few people who know about the royals’ secret Talent. When he is told to protect Savarin on his trip to Tournai’s border so he can study the protective barriers up-close, Loriot is less than enthusiastic. He has no Talent whatsoever, so he doesn’t think he can help Savarin. Loriot also believes his place is in the palace, not traipsing around the countryside. But since he has been given an order, he has to go…

Savarin and Loriot are not an easy match. They don’t exactly hate each other, but they think they have nothing in common. Pure coincidence leads to their first physical encounter, and it is surprisingly enjoyable – which is all they will admit to. Both try to be ridiculously “logical” about their affair. They’re passionate and almost without control while making love, but as soon as they leave the bedchamber, their responsibilities become more important than the feelings they won’t admit they have – not even to themselves. Once they have returned from their trip, it takes Savarin’s surprise encounter with the son he didn’t know Loriot has for them to realize they don’t want the “affair” to end. Rather, they want more... except it takes them quite a while to figure out how to go about it.

If you like fantasy that includes magic, shifters, and men dedicated to their jobs to the exclusion of almost everything else, if you want to find out more about the secrets of Tournai, and if you’re looking for a read full of action, adventure, great feats of magic, and a slow-burn romance that might have you wanting to tear your hair out because the characters don’t seem to get it, then you will probably like this novel as much as I did. It’s fantastic, surprising, and very entertaining!


NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews. show less

‘The Chronicles of Tournai’ series is set in a fantasy world that I find increasingly fascinating. There is magic, with almost everyone having some level of Talent and the royal family of Tournai having a whole lot but keeping it a secret that some of them can turn into cats. There is secrecy and intrigue, as the mighty empire of Ardunn is trying to overpower the much smaller but resilient country of Tournai. And there is a group of characters who are beginning to feel like family. Crown show more Prince Philip and his husband Amory starred in the first book, followed by Philip’s cousin Cathal and his husband Flavian, a fugitive from Ardunn, in the second volume. And yes, I think you should read both of them first so that you can get maximum enjoyment out of ‘The Scholar’s Heart’. This third novel is about Cathal’s younger brother, Etan, and his unrequited love for Tristan, Amory’s best friend. Their story is not an easy one, filled with sadness and tragedy, but it is also entertaining, full of revelations, and new questions around not just the big cats who are rumored to protect Tournai, but also around legendary dragons.

Etan is former Duke Umber’s youngest son, but since he was never supposed to inherit the dukedom – that is Cathal’s new job - Etan was able to pursue his own interests. He is a capable scholar, loves books, and finding out what’s behind the legends of the big cats of Tournai is his passion. Of course, he can turn into one himself, but Etan is looking for the bigger picture and the history behind it all. Etan has carried a torch for Tristan since the first book and had high hopes for their friendship to become more. But Tristan is not one to settle down, preferring dalliances without emotional entanglements. Etan wants more, but has lost all hope when Tristan suddenly got married.

Tristan is the oldest son of a wealthy shipping merchant, and when his father gets sick and dies, he has to marry, or so he is told, to continue the family line. The pressure is too much for him to resist, so he does as he is told, only to find himself widowed a year later when his wife dies in childbirth. Suddenly faced with fatherhood – alone – he decides to raise his daughter without the benefit of another wife. It is the first of many decisions that show he is beginning to grow up and take responsibility for his life. It’s not an easy journey – his mother keeps interfering by throwing eligible young ladies of her choice at him, she wants him to move back home so she can raise the little girl “properly”, and Tristan misses Etan’s friendship and can’t explain his withdrawal.

Etan and Tristan have a lot to work through before they can even think about having a relationship. Etan is hurt about Tristan’s betrayal and doesn’t know if he can ever trust him again. Tristan has to learn that playing around is less satisfying than admitting he has deeper feelings for Etan. And when they have just begun to come to grips with what they mean to each other, Tristan’s daughter is kidnapped and both their worlds are turned upside down. What an emotional roller coaster!

If you like fantasy that includes shifters, magic, and possibly dragons, if you want to find out more about two men who used to be friends, then become estranged, only to consider being friends again – maybe more, and if you’re looking for a read full of meddling relatives, disappointment, passion, danger, and royal parties, then you will probably like this novel as much as I did. I am already looking forward to the next one in this series!


NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews. show less

There are various reasons for taking and ways to obtain a royal consort, should one be desired. In Tournai, a small country in a richly developed fantasy world, it used to be more common than it is in the period of this story but it is by no means unheard of. What horrifies Prince Philip when the opportunity is offered to him is the way it happens. Amory, the young man who is to become a “bribe” so his merchant father has more time to finish a chandelier the prince commissioned, is show more shocked when he figures out why his father took him to the palace. Philip is extremely interested in Amory, but he will not force him to stay, so he pulls him out of the business meeting and discusses the situation with him. Their first interaction sets the tone for the remainder of the novel – their entire relationship is built on mutual respect, an exchange of opinions, and support for each other no matter what fate throws at them. The result is a sweet, romantic story that is not without conflict and suspense, but, after the initial get-to-know-you period, the issues are all external.

Prince Philip is incredibly lonely. His parents died when he was still very young, but he has learned to rule his country with a minimum of help. Others, especially his overbearing uncle, continually offer (mostly unwanted) advice because they think they know better, but Philip knows what he wants and will fight for what he believes in. Marrying to produce an heir is not the top item on his agenda even though his family sees that as his main purpose in life. When he meets Amory he feels the need to get to know him better, and once the awkwardness of the initial situation is dealt with, Philip dedicates a lot of his time to do exactly that. Deeper feelings follow quickly, and despite all the negativity from his family, a few protests about him taking a male lover, and more than one assassination attempt on Amory, Philip perseveres with what he knows is essential if he wants to find any balance in his stressful life. And that is Amory at his side.

Amory is the second son of a wealthy merchant, rejected by his father for reasons that are less than clear, and a talented artist. He also has a minor magic Talent and a kind heart. He has never been allowed near his father’s business – despite the fact the chandelier to be produced for the prince is his design. When he and his best friend are caught kissing, Amory fears the punishment, but instead his father takes him to a business meeting at the palace and pretty much whores him out to the prince. Amory is angry at his father but likes the prince immediately, so he decides to stay at the palace. He is not in love with his friend, and he does not want to go back home with a man who sees him as a commodity, so what has he got to lose? Amory has a lot of change to deal with, but he takes it all in stride. He falls for Philip quite quickly and is determined to stay with him even if he has to marry a woman at some point. What happens instead is not at all what Amory expected, and it turns his life upside down in more than one way.

Royal secrets, old magic and spells, jealous ex-lovers and political enemies alike kept me entertained and glued to the pages of this very imaginative story. It is a fairy tale in more ways than one, and I loved the world building, the characters, and the various surprises sprinkled across the pages. I am glad this is a series – one visit to Tournai just wouldn’t be enough for me.

If you like fantasy of the varied kind – shifters and magic included, if two men from different worlds learning to make a new life together sounds interesting, and if you’re looking for a read full of sweetness, charm, and royal intrigue, then you will probably like this novel as much as I did.


NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews. show less

This second visit to the fantasy world of which Tournai is a part was as fantastic, amazing, and full of surprises as the first. While ‘The Prince’s Consort’ focused on royal couple Philip and Amory, who play an essential role again, this second volume is cousin Cathal’s story. Now, if you have read the first book (and you should before attempting this one), you may remember that Cathal was not exactly the nicest person around. I thought it was fascinating how that changed with a show more little more information, and how Cathal gradually emerged from the shadow of his overbearing father, Philip’s uncle, Umber. With some great new characters as well as old favorites who return for more royal intrigue, this sequel made me laugh, frown at some of the characters’ stupidity, and delight in the special magic that pervades Tournai.

Cathal has a much tougher life than I suspected. He is Prince Philips cousin and had a job as his personal assistant until he left when Philip took Amory as a lover, then married him. Cathal seemed flighty, with a new female lover every few weeks, and very rigid in his adherence to protocol. Duty is everything for him, and that includes not just “proper court protocol”, but the way he lives his life as the firstborn son of the Duke of Tournai – Umber, brother of the previous ruler and the man who makes Prince Philip’s life as impossible as he can. Well, what I found out in this book is that “Uncle Umber” makes his family’s life impossible as well. Cathal has lived with his edicts and orders all his life, and when Umber decides to present him with a future wife, Velia from the empire of Ardunn, without even consulting Cathal, he has had enough. His rebellion doesn’t start right away, oh no. Cathal spends most of the book trying to do as his father wants – which drove me up the wall. Cathal only very gradually begins to think for himself, and that is mostly due to Flavia, Velia’s companion. When Cathal finds out that Flavia is really Flavian, and his continued attraction questions Cathal’s sexuality as well as his ability to do his familial duty, Cathal comes close to a mental breakdown.

Flavian is an artist with a hidden magical Talent who is desperate to escape from the homophobic policies of Ardunn and the power-hungry emperor who is out to conquer everyone and everything he can get is hands on. So when his friend Velia offers her help to get him away, he is enthusiastic even though he has to pretend to be a woman so he can masquerade as Velia’s maid. But nothing goes the way they planned. Upon arrival at Tournai, Velia is invited to stay at court, from where it is impossible for Flavian to escape. Cathal, who is betrothed to Velia, shows a much higher interest in Flavian. And even when supposedly heterosexual Cathal finds out that Flavia is really Flavian, he does not give up. Flavian can’t believe Cathal’s interest is real – as much as he is quickly falling for the man’s charms, how can he trust that playboy Cathal will still want him a few weeks later? And anyway, Cathal keeps saying it’s his duty to marry Velia, so Flavian has very little hope for a happy ending.

Royal and other secrets, a magic Talent that shows the truth about a person when painted, political enemies, and foreign spies alike kept me interested and turning the pages of this very imaginative story. It is a fairy tale in some ways, and a political thriller in others, and I loved the deepening world building, old and new characters, and the inner struggle of both Cathal and Flavian held me spellbound. I am so glad there is at least one more book to come – Tournai is fast becoming a favorite place to visit for me.

If you like fantasy of the interesting kind – shifters, magic, and powerful enemies included, if two men from different worlds learning to stand up for what they believe sounds interesting, and if you’re looking for a read full of political power plays, danger, charm, and royal parties, then you will probably like this novel as much as I did.


NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews. show less