Review: Forbidden Desire..
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 1, 2013
Rating - 5 Stars!*Warning - May Contain Spoilers!*This was my first "Nulli Read" and I enjoyed it very much! As soon as I saw the cover with her beautiful peek-a-boo hood, determined eyes, and that extremely ornate castle in the background, it instantly went on my to read list!Set in a time where the Kingdom of Minra is protected by the duty of the Initiates ( townsfolk who willingly offer themselves for the chance of being the kings next companion for a ritual of keeping him...alive). They are chosen by the Ritual Trainers and then escorted from the only life they've ever known to their new home within the palace walls. There they will then begin their training, and only one will be a chosen companion.Ashland was the perfect heroine for this setting, not afraid to speak her mind since she absolutely wants nothing to do with this whole process. I couldn't blame her, I wouldn't want to be put out on display like cattle for the slaughter either! Having her parents behind her telling her it's of great privilege to serve the king this way even though they know it could be the last time they see their daughter. That had to be hard, I couldn't imagine standing outside my house with a proud look on my face and my flesh and blood standing out there on display!!While the Ritual Trainers were choosing the Initiates one of them was standing in the back keeping a low profile. Hooded face, dark, mysterious.. Cirian, their lead instructor and Ritual Master.. He stepped forward and chose Ashland at the last minute. Soon as all of their goodbyes were in order, they made their way to the palace.I love the bickering that Ash and Cirian have back and forth with each other at the palace once lessons/training began. You can tell he's a professional with his duties and has a lot of pride serving his King, but also that he's just about at his breaking point with trying to hold his growing feelings he is having towards her in check. After they have a few go arounds with each other, they both break and give in to what they're obviously feeling. Then the author makes you feel what they feel. I hated to think that she is still up for being named the kings next companion and the likeliness of her being taken away from Cirian is still very possible."How can you still function as Ritual Master? You come to my bed at night, and you dig my grave during the day." - AshlandCirian comes up with the idea to try and convince King Kendrick that this particular initiate doesn't want to fulfill her duty to try and prevent her being taken away from him, naturally the king takes a sudden interest in her. Especially since this would be the first time in history that someone would object  this way of life."A reminder that home doesn't always have to be a place. It can be a person too" - Cirian.Here's where I was saying to myself, "Uh-Oh, what have you done now C.. You've peaked the King's interest in this beautiful woman who's not afraid to speak her mind. Something that can be refreshing to the King since I'm sure he's all used to is everyone agreeing blindly to anything he says/wishes."All in all, I enjoyed this book! The ending had some good twists and turns, that I honestly wasn't expecting.