Myla By Moonlight by Inez Kelley

7/10

Created at Prince Taric's birth, Myla is a spell, an enchantment designed to appear and protect him when he needs it most. She has always been content to do her duty…until one night of forbidden passion leaves her longing to experience life—and love—as a mortal woman. Yet the risk is too great. Even if her blood runs as red as his, she can never give him the one thing he needs: a child.

Taric's blessing—and his curse—is knowing the kingdom's future depends on his producing an heir to continue the bloodline. His bond with Myla has always been that of protector and protected. When it suddenly becomes something much more, he unwittingly sentences his people to certain death.

An old enemy is plotting to destroy all he holds dear: his lands, his people, his father, and his lover. And this time, even if they fight tooth and blade, their shared magic may not be enough to save them…

I have a confession to make. I like romance in my fantasy. Shocking isn't it? I can hear the inward hiss of disbelief from die hard fantasy fans :D But I do, oh yes. And this is romance with a capital R. It is also fantasy, so there.

That said, on the pendulum of genre, this probably swings more to romance than fantasy, particularly in the language, so if the thought of those yucky things us women call 'feelings' make you ill, this isn't the book for you. If you have a dual love of fantasy and romance, then this will be right up your street. It also has some rather sizzling *fans self* sex scenes, so it most definitely is not for younger readers!

With that out of the way…

Taric is Crown Prince, a charming man that has duty weigh heavy upon him, especially considering he's the prime target for his father's enemies. Luckily he's got a guardian, one who's even better with a sword than he is and has the added advantage of being able to turn into a jaguar. So when his father's foremost enemy starts attacking, Myla is right there with Taric at the forefront of the action. And with that action, comes the romance….

Ms Kelley does a nice job with her characters. Taric comes across as just the sort of man you'd want for your future king, Myla, as she becomes used to being in this world, is sweetly innocent but playful, and the supporting characters are just as likeable. I particularly like Bryton, Taric's more real guard whose irreverence really lightened the tone. While the world or plot aren't as complex as I usually like, and the romance is more prominent than I prefer, for the book it is – and it doesn't try to be anything other than this, aimed squarely at romance readers who love fantasy -  it's all engagingly done in a light way, making this a fun (and quick) read. Perfect for whiling away an afternoon on the beach while you make your husband occupy the kids and have some well deserved 'me' time. Your husband may thank Ms Kelley for the sex scenes later…