A Heartfelt, Clean, Contemporary Romance with Secrets- Free on KU! > Likes and Comments
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Hi Everyone! I am thrilled to share my brand-new release, Destined To Be Royal, which is now officially available to read for free on Kindle Unlimited!
If you love secret-royal, friends-to-lovers, new adult, billionaire romance, this book was written for you.
Synopsis: Finding out you are a princess is one thing. Who knew falling for your best friend could be deadly?
Growing up, Zaria believed she was destined to stay in her hometown. Raised without a mother and with no clue about her father’s identity, she never expected the truth to walk through the door.
Discovering her father is a dream come true—until she learns he is a crown prince from a country she never knew existed. To prevent political fallout, Zaria is forbidden from revealing his identity. She can’t even tell her close friend and longtime crush, Xavier.
But Zaria isn’t the only one keeping secrets. Xavier has a secret of his own. In a world of crowns, secrets, love, and jealousy, Zaria’s life is about to change forever.
Either way, she’s destined to be royal.
You can read it on Kindle Unlimited or add it to your Goodreads shelf here:
Read on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Destined-Be-Ro...
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
I would absolutely love to hear what you think!
I hope you check it out, and happy reading!
Destined To Be Royal
A.K. Barr
Readers have been describing my book as "captivating" "page-turner" "A gripping romantic suspense including a complicated love triangle that will tug at your heart!". It's on KU on Amazon!
Here's an excerpt:
Prologue.
Present Day. The Island.
Emily.
As I stand in my favorite spot on this paradise island, surrounded
by clear blue ocean waters, the warmth of the sun on my face, and a
crisp sea breeze caressing my skin, the music of the palm trees' leaves
swinging back and forth, I rub my feet on the white sand, searching for that sense of peace and happiness I always associate with this place. Still, I can't seem to find it.
I wonder how your world can change suddenly, leaving you in an unexpected place, not because of a monster or big evil, but just a series of choices and circumstances that led to an impossible situation.
I was naive to believe in fairy-tale endings, convinced that I was the lucky
princess with her Prince Charming and the perfect life many dream about. I failed to see that I was living a fantasy, for only a fool would believe such
happiness could last forever.
I should've known that the fairy tale would take a turn, for things rarely stay the same. Life has its ups and downs.
Yet, I couldn't have imagined that the past I forgot and the memories I lost
would return to devastate me in inexplicable ways, silently forcing me to
make the hardest choice of my life. It is pure agony to know that whatever I choose, it will destroy me and the people I love.
But the longer I stay silent, the more I will harm those I once promised to
love, and that is unacceptable.
"If only..." is a phrase I have heard so many times, but it is so useless! There
is no point in considering what could have been. We waste so much time
thinking about it, believing that if things had been different, we could have
achieved a different outcome.
But for what? The fact remains that there are moments in life when you must face your lot and hope you make the right choices. Sadly, sometimes what is right for everyone else may not be right for you, and it may just kill you inside every day.
Since the night I awoke with no memory of my past, this dream island has
been my refuge. Beneath its constant summer sun and embraced by its
seclusion, I've found peace among its white sandy beaches and ancient,
whispering palm trees. It is a place that evokes happiness and security, with its warm ocean water and welcoming fisherman village. I guess that's why the children and I love it so much—because it is a place that shines.
Small footsteps run my way, telling me my solitude is over. I turn when I hear my son calling, "Mom, Mom, are you here?"
The way he looks into my brown eyes with so much love and trust is truly
humbling. He runs his fingers through my hair, rolling it between his fingers, enjoying playing with my golden locks. He says it reminds him of
Goldilocks, his favorite bedtime story.
“Of course I am. I will always be here,” I reply as usual.
He gazes at me with those beautiful, bright blue eyes that look so much like his father's, filled with a sadness no seven-year-old should feel.
"Don't promise me that, Mom, if you don't mean it," he says, his voice
quivering. "Lily says you may leave us forever; she says you may move out
for good."
He speaks to me with all the seriousness and worry a small child can muster.
I look at him, my heart bursting with love for my child, as any mother would. "Lily doesn't know everything. I know she is your big sister, but she is not always right," I try to reassure him. "I am taking a quick trip to sort out a few things and will be back before you know it. Please don't worry. I love you. You are my son, and Lily is my daughter, and that will never change."
He jumps into my arms, and I hold him tight, feeling an overwhelming need to cling to him, to this moment, never letting go. His contagious laugh, innocent yet smart questions, sweet smell, and vibrant energy are all things I wish I could hold onto now and forget about what I must do.
My family has been my anchor during all these years—my children my joy,
my husband my support. I can't fathom a life without them, but I can't continue living a lie, a life that was not meant to be mine, while others suffer because of it.
I am so immersed in my thoughts and feelings that I don't see the tall,
handsome man walking right behind me. His tan, muscular body, light brown hair, and deep blue eyes are so much like my son Alex's.
But, while my son brings out my purity and innocence, for the last decade,
this man has inspired only my desire and love. Even if I don’t hear his
footsteps, I can feel his presence encompassing me.
His energy surrounds me, his power drawing me in with his protective love. I used to cherish that power, that control, that order, and sense of certainty, but now? Now, it is a reminder of the snow globe he created for me and all that I have lost in just a matter of weeks.
His voice, thunderous like a mighty warrior's and accentuated by a deep,
commanding British accent, sends shivers down my spine. My heart races
traitorously in excitement as anticipation prickles the back of my neck.
"Go home with Lily, Champ. Martha baked chocolate chip cookies," he says, his voice softening. "If you don't hurry, you'll have to wait for the next batch."
As any seven-year-old would, Alex jumps out of my arms without a goodbye, running to the house so fast that I hardly notice his proximity by the time the man appears before my eyes.
He looks at me with his beautiful blue eyes that remind me of the ocean on a sunny day. I wish I could drown in them again, but I know it's impossible. I wish for nothing more than to run into his arms and continue living my life as if nothing has changed. For the last ten years, I have been safe and happy in his embrace, but if I give in, I may not have the strength to do what I need to do.
He comes closer to me, and I know I should leave and walk away from this
conversation, but there is no point in stalling. My feet remain rooted to the ground, for habits are hard to break, and his presence has always cast a spell on me.
He comes closer to me. "Darling, please," he whispers. I raise my hand to stop him from talking, knowing that nothing he says would change the reality we find ourselves in—the true reality I need to confront.
I want to push him away, to yell at him, even to demand he vanish from my sight. Yet, when our eyes meet, I see the love, kindness, and care he has always provided me. I feel weak, and for a moment, I just want him to hold me and make me feel safe again.
As if he can see the longing in my eyes, he grabs me by the arms, pulling me to him and kissing me with passion, need, and possession. He wants to prove that nobody else could love me like this. I want to believe it, finding it impossible to ignore his need, which mirrors my own. I am ready to
surrender as he says, "Lizzy, you're my wife."
Reality crashes down on me like a bulldozer. I see that it doesn't matter how much I want this because it is not real—it never has been. I need to have the strength to face my new life, my real life, and I must let go of the dream I have lived for the past ten years.
I try to walk away, but his sudden embrace stops me. His rich, masculine
scent fills my nostrils and mind, and I can't help but lean my head back
towards his hard chest. His lips brush my ear as he whispers,
"Lizzy, I am sorry. I love you; I love you and only you. Please don't leave us
my darling. I can't lose you."
I feel my heart breaking apart piece by piece, and I don't know if I'll ever be able to put it back together. His words draw me in like a siren's call, and I wish I could give in, but I can't.
I gather what’s remaining of my courage at that moment. “You can’t lose what was never yours. This is not real, your love is not real, this life that you built for me is not real.”
He tightens his embrace, trying to maintain our connection. I know it must
terrify him to realize that the fairytale has crumbled.
"It is real. We made it real," he insists, his seductive voice in my ear, so full
of emotion, penetrating my heart. "Can you feel how much I love you, how
much I desire you?"
Tears flow down my cheeks, and I wish more than anything to believe this is true, but I know it isn't—I know it can't be. And more than anything, I know that even if it were true, it doesn't matter, because this is not just about him and me.
I try to soothe him and help him see the truth he’s been denying. “Keith, your feelings are real, but they were never for me. We need to face reality. I need to confront my past, and forge a real future, not remain ensnared in the fantasy life you created for us.”
He tightens his embrace, willing me to stay as if we could freeze time and
remain like this forever. Any other woman might be afraid of being under the control of such a powerful man. In his forties, he personifies what it means to be strong and masculine, with his corpulent physique and thick arms complementing his gorgeous light brown hair. He has always reminded me of a Scottish warrior from the romance books I love.
He could easily break me in two if he wanted to. After all, I am petite, about half his size. Yet, I know without a doubt he will never harm me or the children. He is not a monster, just somebody who made a few poor choices and, in doing so, damned me to an impossible situation.
Nuzzling my neck, he speaks into my ear. “It is not a fantasy. It was never a
fantasy. I love you, only you, and I will fight until my dying breath for your
love. Just give me a chance, please.”
His words cut through my heart because I wish I could believe them, but I
can't. I wish his words had the power to make everything right again, but they don't, and it cannot be. I know I need to be strong right now, so I maintain my resolve.
With a decade's worth of love pouring from my heart, I gently hold his hands at my waist, caressing them in a tender yet sad farewell. “I know you think this now, but with time, you will see things for what they are. I will not abandon our children. Both are mine and yours, and we’ll have that connection forever. But you need to let me go.”
He exhales, like it is hard to breathe for him. “Darling please.”
I caress his hands again and say, "I think it's better if the children stay with
you now while everything is confusing, undecided, and upsetting. They will be better here on the island. This is their safe place, and I want them to always have happy memories here. I know you will love and protect them; you are a protector, after all. But when I come back, we will talk and make the decisions that are best for our children."
He turns me around, and I can see the frustration in his gaze at my words. He looks into my eyes with a mixture of entitlement and pleading. "Stop talking as if this is a business transaction we need to complete," he
says, his voice strained. "This is our lives. You are my wife, Emily! Please, I
can't lose you. Stay."
A humorless chuckle escapes my lips. "Isn't that the problem, darling? I am
not your wife. I never was. It's time to accept it, Keith—the fairytale
crumbled."
I walk past him and lift my hand, signaling for him not to follow because
there is nothing more to say now. In the real world, happily-ever-afters aren't eternal.
If you liked it, I hope you consider taking a chance on a new author who loves clean romances, with thought-provoking themes, and that will stay with you after you finish reading it.When the Fairytale Crumbled: A heartfelt, clean contemporary romance filled with secrets, twists, and a satisfying HEA!