Book Review - IN THE SERVICE OF THE KING by Laura Kaye

IN THE SERVICE OF THE KING
by Laura Kaye

Format: eBook Only

File Size: 252 KB

Publisher: Harlequin Nocturne Cravings (February 1, 2012)

ASIN: B006IIX0N2

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Kindle / Nook

Book Synopsis:

Kael, Warrior King of the Vampires, loathes the Night of the Proffering. He needs the blood of either his mate or a human virgin to maintain his strength, but hasn't enjoyed the ritual since he lost his mate centuries ago. Kael doesn't want a new companion, yet his resolve is tested when he lays eyes on his new offering, Shayla McKinnon. He is drawn to Shayla's beauty and poise...and the submission she offers. She is eager to give him anything he wishes, including her innocence, to please him. Will Kael give in to their overwhelming desire--even if it means risking Shayla's life?

Carla's Review:

When I read the synopsis of the book, I was a little skeptical of how Shayla is eager to give Kael, Warrior King of the Vampires anything he wants to please him.  I thought the story was going to be farfetched.  Why would a woman be willing to give this Vampire King, someone she never met, anything he wishes, including her virginity?  But damn! Laura Kaye blew me away with this wonderful story!!

Kael can only have the blood of a human virgin or his mate. He lost his mate 300 years ago to the Soul Eaters and he is determined to never take a mate again.  Every few months he goes through the Night of the Proffering ritual, which the Proffered (a human female virgin who has trained many years for this one night with the King) is brought to him so he can feed.  Kael dreads this night but knows he must feed, because his warriors will not feed until he does.  Kael and his warriors need their strength in order to fight against the Soul Eaters, so even though he hates it, Kael will feed from the Proffered.  This time he finds Shayla waiting for him and Kael's life will be forever changed.

Shayla (also known as the Proffered) has dedicated her life to the cause of defeating the Soul Eaters.  Soul Eaters are evil vampires that drain the blood from humans and consume their souls by drinking through the last stutters of their heart.  Then they rip out the heart and eat it.  Kayla's sister was brutally raped and murdered by Soul Eaters, and since that day, Kayla has decided she would do whatever she could to aid Kael and the Vampire Warriors in their fight against the Soul Eaters.  Since Shayla knows she could never fight and kill them, she decides to become a Proffered and aid the Warrior King of the Vampires in any other way she can.

I LOVED this story.  Once I started it, I could not stop reading it until I was finished.  Even though it was a short story, I felt that it was not rushed.  I loved the chemistry between Kael and Shayla.  I also loved Liam, Kael's right hand warrior and the only person close to Kael.  I hope that he will get a story of his own.  My only complaint is that I wish this was not a short story because I would have loved to read a full length novel of Kael and Shayla.

I give "In The Service Of The King" 5 out of 5 stars.