Prince Rin of the Kari Kingdom expected nothing more than a business arrangement when he signed the marriage contract with King Merinej of the Jeda Kingdom. Instead he found a supporting and caring husband willing to die for him. Where he only saw a bleak and lonely future, he received a loving one filled with his children’s mischiefs.
From one war to the next, the rulers stand together as they face their trials, trying to lift their Kingdom from its blood-spattered knees, heal the old wound while withstanding the new and survive both the enemies at their borders as well as those from within.
Owner of my Heart by Valentina Heart
Book Two in the Mending the Rift series
Can King Merin face his loss, save his husband and protect his kingdom, or have his enemies finally found a way to defeat him?
When an enemy Merin thought defeated takes his unborn children away from him, he’s at the end of his rope and still has to find enough strength to save his husband Rin from the clutches of sorrow. Unable to find peace, they must deal with an aggressor who plots to ruin any chance of happiness they might have. To make things worse, the newly united countries must prepare for a war against a vicious invading army that’s using the weakened state of the kingdom for its benefit.
How will Merin and Rin recover from their terrible loss and give their people heirs? Will the newly united countries work together as one to save Merin’s kingdom—and his family—from the ongoing dangerous challenges? Can love truly push through all obstacles, or will their enemies discover their weaknesses and finally achieve victory?
Valentina Heart About the Author: Valentina Heart lives in different locations in Split, at the coast of the Adriatic Sea. Like the directions of her stories, her life takes a new twist with every passing year, and she welcomes every single one.
As an avid reader for many years, she had a habit of mixing fiction with reality, until she realised she could simply breathe life to her characters and make them as real as they could get. From forever romantic to deeply troubled, they bring joy to their creator, just as they sometimes bring frustration with their naughty behaviour.
Kinky imagination aside, she enjoys music and movies just as much as reading, but give her summer all year round and she'll be ready to free-climb, swim, or stretch in all those mind-stirring yoga positions.
I would say that I am first a reader and then a writer. My fascination with books goes way back into the past when I didn't even know I could read something that wasn't given to me in school. Writing came later. First when I tried writing down the plots of the movies I found overwhelming and later in the form of a very dark blog that connected me with people I still consider very good friends.
When in reading I always reached for happy ending romances that helped me deal with the bad side of the world, while in my short stories characters died and their life usually reflected the reality that surrounded mine.
In time, vampires and shifters took the place of knights in shiny armors and I still searched for that happy ending . But with the years also came that wish for something edgier. My current reading habits take me daily into the world of men, where kink is preferable and angst the realistic side of life in my dose of fiction. It was only natural that my fingers followed my thoughts and I came to a point where men only ogled men and women became side characters.
Somehow out of love for reading a writer was born. I won't say that the handsome men walking through my imagination have everything a reader might want. They are usually troubled, lost and insecure, but as they slowly stroll through my worlds, they eventually find their happy ending.
I really, really loved this one. The parts that disappointed me in the first book were all explained and then put to rest in this one. I am soooo glad I kept with it and read on. I was completely engrossed from page one, had my heart ripped out & cried at the beginning, and then slowly all was put back to right before, finally, ending the story with a smile on my face and in my heart. Love it!
The sequel to ‘King's Conquest’ begins right where the first book ended- and starts with a truly heart-wrenching bang. I was certainly glad the blurb warned me about the children's fate, but reading the details was very emotional and touched me deeply. This whole second book was a lot deeper than the first, truly building on what the first volume had started. The characters grew and changed, but so did the circumstances and this world gained some depth. The emerging new enemy added a nice touch of tension, and added to the continuing struggle of Rin and Merin's growing relationship, the whole story just took off for me.
Merin is the one telling the story this time, and I really loved hearing from him. The depth of his feelings for Rin, his loving attempts to help his husband over the loss, and his desperate attempts to stop Rin from wanting to become pregnant again had me fascinated. Add the threat of an invading army, and the sense of adventure is complete.
Rin is more determined than ever to do the right thing for both their kingdoms. He knows the only way to ensure permanent peace is to provide heirs for the newly united country, even if that means risking his life. His love for Merin continues to grow, but he also realizes he can be a partner in more than name. Despite the fact that he was never meant to rule his own kingdom, he turns out to be a pretty good leader. I loved how he discovers this and doesn’t quote know how to deal with this newfound ability.
If you like a good fairy tale that masquerades as a fantasy in foreign lands, if stories that deal with deep emotions and serious loss are your thing, and if you enjoy seeing two men deepen their relationship despite the odds, you will probably like this novella.
NOTE: This book was provided by Pride Publishing for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
This one was better than the first one but holy shit was it sad in the beginning. I cried big fat ugly tears. It should have come with a warning because it broke my heart. I'm going to spoiler it because I think people should know beforehand... And I mean it is very, very sad so beware if that's a trigger for you.
I remember how mad I was at the ending of the first book - when I didn't realize that it was the first of a series. This story begins right after the events of the first book and both Rin and Merin are looking forward to the birth of their children. However, once again, tragedy strikes and the children are lost. Rin barely survives the ordeal and Merin thinks that he will lose Rin as well from grief and heartbreak. Then just when things are starting to settle down, there are more assassination attempts and then yet another war! While things are still not clear and peaceful, I definitely liked this ending better and look forward to the final book in this series.
This is another fast-paced read that kept me glued to the pages until the end. The roller-coaster ride of emotions and events and the romantic and playful nature of the relationship between Rin and Merin kept things interesting.
With as much antipathy as I felt towards the first book, King’s Conquest, I feel an equal amount of enthusiasm for this little gem. The difference in the writing between the two is so great it almost seems as though they were written by two separate authors. The words flowed with an eloquence that reflected the maturity of not only the main character Merin, whose point of view we get firsthand, but that of the author as well.
For those of you that quit this series after reading the first book I say give this one a try. You may be pleasantly surprised at what you find.
We finally find out who the assassin from book 1 is and that person gets it good! Yes the twin babies die but Rin gets pregnant again and gives birth before the book ends. It is listed as a HFN ending because they are still at war with the Riki and Rin and the babies are in the camp with their soldiers so they are at risk.
I was expecting tragedy and angst but this is an overall easy read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Owner of My Heart by Valentina Heart Mending the Rift, Book 2 4.5 Stars Reviewed for www.heartsonfirereviews.com
I loved this sequel to King’s Conquest. The book has so much to offer, there is mystery and intrigue, deception, death, courage, heartbreak, war, and above all else, there is love. I am anxiously awaiting the next book in this series.
Aside from being among the Bestsellers in Gay Romance for last year, I was drawn by this series for the m-preg theme. I think someone suggested this to me, and being the first one a novella, I thought, why not? The commitment is not too much if I don’t like it, and if I like, there is always book 2. I read it in one night and bought the second novella the same night.
Valentina Heart doesn’t shy away from the chosen theme, and actually, it’s the main reason why Prince Rinin is able to barter a marriage instead of being a sex slave to King Merinej. Rin is now alone, his kingdom lost the war against Merin’s one, and now the council has decided for him: he will be the pawn to beg mercy. Since he was born, Rin wasn’t fated to be a warrior, too fragile and precious; he was special, a man able to give birth, but that is also coming with the almost certainty of death if he tries. And now he is supposed to be a sex slave to Merin, him that doesn’t have any idea of what sex or even the simple contact with a man means. But for once Rin decides to rebel, and proposes to Merin a marriage: he will bear Merin’s child, a child of two kings, someone destined to be powerful and of perfect lineage. If death will come, for Rin it will be better than a life as a slave.
This is for sure a story that appeals to many, but at the same that is not suitable to all. This is a gay version of the Savage Romance, with many of the clichés of that genre, but also with all its attractiveness. It’s not realistic, it’s not about equality in a relationship, it’s about a strong character in relationship with a more fragile one, but fragility doesn’t mean stupidity. Rin is not stupid, he is naïve; he is the first to admit he was not raised to be a leader, and he doesn’t want to be. But at the same time, he is proud of his ancestry, and wants the respect he deserves.
I strongly suggest to approach these two novellas as a whole, and to read both of them close to each other.
Loved that this was from Merin's POV this time. It showed us the depth of his love and despair over not being able to keep Rin safe and then when the babies died? Definitely a sniffle or two on my end. It was understandable why he was reluctant and afraid of Rin ever being pregnant again, especially with the continuing attempts on Rin's life and the looming threat of war. But I thought Rin really grew a lot in this book too and stepped up to help make some of the tough decisions concerning their kingdoms. There was no doubt that the King and his Prince were united in every way and I have a feeling they're going to need that combined strength to get through any turbulent times ahead for their kingdoms. I'm definitely looking forward to the next book:)
Oh god, This was such a wonderful sequel!! I LOVED it so, so very much!! It was so heartbreaking in the beginning... (But don't stop reading, even if you're fain of heart. It gets better! So much so!)
Ah~~ And then this story just expanded like a lungful of fresh air. Absolutely wonderful. I REALLY look forward to the next (last?) book!! I hope It comes soon!
I loved reading the book from the King's prospective this time around. It was a heartbreaking read in the beginning, but the strength of Rin and the king came thru at the end. I must say for what Rin accomplished at the end of the book, he is a beast. Loved this book, can't wait for the other's in the series.
This is a sequel. Hopefully there will be another book... because this story was to rushed and ended very abruptly. The villain is back, but now he/she has changed their target. Merlin and Rin need to have an heir/s. Rin needs to come up and take his seat with Merlin and start being a face and ruling next to Merlin. Even when the first threat is taken care of, there is another that is on front. Merlin's people and Rin's people need to come together and be able to work together as one.
Towards the end of the story, though some issues are resolved the rest are not resolved. It seemed that the author seemed to rush the ending and tried to wrap it up quickly. I think if there is at least one more book, my perspective on this story would change. But I was a bit disappointed by this 'wrap up'. It had so much potential. i really liked Rin and Merlin. The birthing process was pretty fast past,
I cried my way through the beginning of the book. How awful to lose the children, especially when there is such a strong bond between them already.
I understand Rin closing up and needing time to heal, but I was so happy Merin was able to shake him out of it. Merin needed Rin so much.
Together they are so much stronger and hopefully this time they have gotten rid of the assassin in their midst. That seems weird to say since they are now at war with the Riki, but it seems so much more awful to have a traitor at your back than a known enemy in front of you.
Now they have their heirs, their family and I hope they are able to keep these youngs ones safe.
Now another wait for the next story. Luckily I have a ton of books set to read or the suspense would be driving me nuts right now :)
Again this could have been a 4 star if only more detail was used.
Personally I think too much was squished into this one and the ending has left me feeling a bit like I shouldn't of bothered.
The first part of this had me griped. Waiting to see who was behind the attacks and maybe a little more insight into why, not to mention who the mysterious assassin was from book one. But for me it all seemed to suddenly feel rushed to make way for the war story.
For me the war would of made a better book 3 and then maybe it would be finished rather than leaving us mid battle.
In fact I'm only giving this 2.5 stars because it really was a poor place to end the book, especially as its been 2 years and still no book 3.
From that review: "Owner of My Heart (Mending the Rift #2) is told from Merin's POV and picks up almost immediately after the first book has ended, with Rin pregnant with their children. This is a far more difficult book emotionally as it starts off immediately with an attack on Rin and the death of the children he was carrying. This is not a spoiler as it is mentioned in the blurb for the book. Even while I was expecting it, the descriptions are still heartrending as both Rin and Merin feel their children die under their hands and they are unable to save them"
This continues where the first book ended. This is a much better half of the story and more entertaining.
As I mentioned in my review of the first book, this should have just been one book. It made more sense and this part of the story is where the action really picks up and we get to see more of the relationship.
In the first book, I didn't get the relationship. The second book is where I can appreciate it more.
I really enjoyed the MPREG aspect of this book. Written in such a way that I have not read book1 but never felt lost. The deep love that Merlin and Rin have for each other is so well written. The last part of the book was a little rushed for me but a great epilogue!
This series has potential story and relatively decent writing (minus some typos), it's biggest flaw however is how rush the story felt. I guess it's because of the pages limit the author had to stick with, but it sacrifice any build up and sentimental attachment witht he reader.