“A matter of chance…” Avalon’s soul is whole once again, but the curse still remains. He must learn to control newfound powers in order to protect Alexandria from Mordred. But how can he protect her from a man set on destroying him completely?
“A matter of choice …”
Alexandria York has to make a choice—to forgive Avalon’s lies or walk away. Their bond not only flows through blood but now runs soul deep. The choice to stay with the man she loves could cost them both dearly.
The Legend Series
Avalon and Alexandria vow to stand together to face Mordred. When news of Lancer’s corruption reaches Caliburn Estate, they have to move swiftly to protect Alexandria before it’s too late.
The Knights of the Round Table begin to assemble as they prepare for war. They soon discover the war isn’t just coming for them, but the entire world.
The story of King Arthur and The Knights of the Round Table takes a modern turn, filled with adventure, love, and betrayal.
Legend: The Duke’s Curse #2 Alexandria knows the truth behind the lies. Avalon is not human, nor is he immortal. He is neither angel nor demon. He is the once and future king. Now, more than ever, Alexandria’s artistic skills could grant them their first victory in battle. It is she who holds the key to end a curse born over a thousand years ago. Will she walk away from Avalon or stay? The choice is up to her, but more than one fate hangs in the balance now.
Avalon’s deepest fears lurk in every shadow. His past haunts him even in the light of day. Unable to protect Alexandria, he turns to Lancer for help. Debilitated under his newly arisen weakness, his only hope lies in Alexandria. Bound by chains of sin and shame, Avalon must fight to the death with who he once was to inherit his future. If he loses, it is Alexandria who pays the price. Can he trust her to save him from eternal darkness? Or will he lose her forever?
My review:
I was so excited when Kylie emailed the ARC for The Duke’s Curse in the Legend series. With the way book 1 ended, I didn’t think I could have waited. I am that into this series. Like I said in my review of Set in Stone, I am intrigued by the legend of King Arthur. Everything about it just captures my attention and I honestly can’t get enough of it.
What was great about The Duke’s Curse is that the author went into the relationships between Avalon/Arthur, Lancer, Vivian, Merlin, Morgan and Alexandria….past and present. The relationships between all the main characters are not what they seem, though. There were a few times where a character did something totally out of what I expected of them and it shocked me. It shocked me because it wasn’t what I expected out of that character and it went against what I thought of them. Kinda messed with my head….lol.
I did like that storyline where Avalon needs to get the missing part of his soul to heal himself. His illness (kind of like epileptic fits where he would go into himself and converse with his missing half….if that makes sense) brought him and Alexandria closer and you could see her opinion of him changing as his illness went on. Put it this way, I am Team Avalandria (hehe). Not Team Alexancer (I am killing myself over here).
Speaking of Lancer, he got on my nerves. He was obsessed with Alexandria (maybe too strong of a word but it went beyond being in love) and would do anything to keep her away from Avalon. Not that it worked. If anything, he pushed them even more together. There were points in the book where I just wished he went away. That’s how annoyed with him I got. But, he’s a major part of the King Arthur legend and a major part of this story. I just hope that he deals with whatever happens in later books.
The sex scenes between Avalon and Alexandria were beyond hot. I think because Alexandria finally realized that she loved and was in love with Avalon. That’s what made the sex scenes very hot.
The end of the book was awesome and I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out. I can’t wait to read book 3!!!
How many stars will I give The Duke’s Curse: 4
Why: The storyline was great and the sex hot. The only thing that drove me nuts was Lancer. I kinda wanted to smack him at times….lol.
Will I reread: Yes
Will I recommend to family and friends: Yes
Age range: Adult
Why: Sex and language
**I chose to leave this review after reading an advance reader copy**
When Alexandria York fatefully met the Duke of Avalon in the woods she never imagined she’d be working for him. A rising star of the art scene in London, Alexandria agrees to commission a piece for the infamous noble. His intentions quickly become confusing as chemistry grows between the two. As she dreams of the man she can’t have, the one she can lure her deeper into his lair. Will the man she once loved be her Knight in shining armor and slay the Dragon? Or will the Dragon consume her before it’s too late?
In this life, his heart was the stone and her love was the sword…
The Duke of Avalon has lived a long and lonely life. He has chased his love through the centuries and every time she has jilted him, but not this time. Tormented by inner demons, Avalon seeks to keep his secret safe while vowing to win Alexandria York. When his former charge, Lancer Rivers comes back into both their lives, he finds him more than one challenger for her hand. Can he protect Alexandria not only from the man after her very life but also himself?
Kylie C. Stewart joins the myth of King Arthur and his Knights of the ‘Round to modern-day. Join Avalon and Alexandria on an adventure full of magic, adventure, and romance. For once is in the past, and the future is now.
My review:
Set in Stone is a newer, darker take on King Arthur. Told from Arthur/Avalon’s point of view and Alexandria point of view, you are taken on a dark journey with a man who has nothing to lose and woman who has the ability to bring him to his knees and possibly destroy him if she chooses wrong.
When Kylie approached me to review Set In Stone, I did an internal “Squeee” of delight. I am a sucker for anything about Camelot/King Arthur/Knights of the Round Table. Seriously, if I see a book that even mentions it’s about that, I snatch it right up and devour it. Which was the same with this book. And I have to say, this was a great and different take on the King Arthur myth.
I wasn’t expecting Arthur/Avalon to be a dark as he was. He came across as a man who would do anything to keep his love this time around. Anything and that included making a move on her and claim her as his own. He was so passionate when he was alone, with M or with Alexandria in her dreams. But when he was with Alexandria in real life, he was so cold….so possessive. It actually confused me at times and made me wonder why? But then I remembered the triangle of Guinevere/Lancelot/Arthur and a light bulb went off over my head. He was jealous and afraid of getting hurt.
Alexandria kinda rubbed me the wrong way at first. She gave such mixed signals about Arthur/Avalon that even I was confused. I mean, she created a statue of him (Legend) after first meeting him but they proceeded to try and put him in the friend zone when he told her that he was starting to have feelings for her. She was also hung up on a guy that seemed to move on and it drove me nuts. I did feel for her when Arthur started getting all possessive. I mean, she had no clue.
Mordred and Morgan Le Fey were mentioned a bit in the book. I figure out what her agenda was other than to drive Arthur/Avalon nuts and Mordred was only mentioned a couple of times. I can’t wait to see how they come into play in the next book.
Merlin was mentioned in the book and I wish that there was more of him. He was so wise and had such great council for Arthur/Avalon. Again, I hope he is in Book 2 more.
The end of the book was great. No twists or anything but I did like how certain events came to pan out!!
How many stars will I give Set in Stone: 4
Why: Like I said above, I love the King Arthur myth and I enjoyed this story. The story was fast paced and I was totally engrossed in the story. I couldn’t read it fast enough.
Will I reread: Yes
Will I recommend to family and friends: Yes
Age range: Adult
Why: Language, some violence, and sex
**I received a free copy of this book and volunteered to review it**
