The first book introduces the reader to Colin… he’s young, stubborn, exploring his sexuality and he’s also Prince Colin of Sendorra. His parents, Prince Sebastian and Duke Errol of Maitland have raised him to be the Heir. The problem is that Colin knows his twin, Andrew should have been the heir. Had Andrew survived their birth, Colin’s life would have been very different.

Colin is a wonderful character. As much as he is fighting against his destiny… he’s also trying to embrace change. He has recently split from his fiance and misses her. But, he’s pondering his sexuality and runs into Alain at a nightclub. He’s rescued from an embarrassing drunk encounter by his security detail but finds his thoughts lingering on Alain. What Colin doesn’t know about Alain is that he’s a powerful grey witch. What Alain doesn’t know about Colin is that he too has magic in his blood. I’m sure you can see how this will be delightfully tricky.

I loved the way Colin and Alain’s relationship progressed. There’s a thirteen year age gap between them, but it many ways it’s irrelevant. They find commonality in their backgrounds, both born into a potential role they have conflicted feelings about. They become lovers quickly, and the speed didn’t bother me. The characterization of Colin read truthfully to me as though he was raised in a type of isolation. His expectations of life were influenced by the way he was raised. He’s been sheltered by his two fathers and hasn’t lived the life of an average young man.

Alain is intriguing. He’s a skilled witch and his many talents are slowly revealed throughout the first book in this series. I have a feeling more will be revealed in the new installment.

When a cousin of Colin’s is engaged to begin tutoring him in magic, things get much more complicated. Drake resembles Colin and agrees to take his place so Colin and Alain can slip away undetected for a holiday. While Colin is away Drake gets up to all kinds of foul deeds AS Colin!

I loved the twisty intrigue in the first book – not all of which I’m willing to give away! The mystery of it all unrolls slowly and I enjoyed the pacing! There’s longstanding bad blood between the two families and it makes for some interesting plot twists! ( )