Dark Rulers Series by Rebecca F. Kenney

When her father surrenders to an invading kingdom, Amarylla doesn't realize she's part of the treaty until it's too late. Drugged to prevent resistance, she's swept away to the dark, tortured kingdom of Terelaus, where she is forced to marry the Fiend Prince. When Amarylla holds a dagger to his throat on their wedding night, she and the Prince come to a tenuous arrangement of their own. But he may not be the greatest danger lurking in the Cursed Palace... moreWhen her father surrenders to an invading kingdom, Amarylla doesn't realize she's part of the treaty until it's too late. Drugged to prevent resistance, she's swept away to the dark, tortured kingdom of Terelaus, where she is forced to marry the Fiend Prince. When Amarylla holds a dagger to his throat on their wedding night, she and the Prince come to a tenuous arrangement of their own. But he may not be the greatest danger lurking in the Cursed Palace. Trigger warnings are available on the author's website and in the front matter of the book. less

Veronica wants nothing more than to find her brother, who sailed away years ago. But when Veronica's ship is captured by pirates, she's determined to save her own skin, while keeping her magic and her gender a secret. Disguised as male, she finagles a spot as a cabin boy aboard the buccaneers' vessel--which is bound for Ravensbeck, a stronghold where the Pirate King holds sway. He may have the answers Veronica seeks--but getting those answers could cost her more than she's willing to pay... moreVeronica wants nothing more than to find her brother, who sailed away years ago. But when Veronica's ship is captured by pirates, she's determined to save her own skin, while keeping her magic and her gender a secret. Disguised as male, she finagles a spot as a cabin boy aboard the buccaneers' vessel--which is bound for Ravensbeck, a stronghold where the Pirate King holds sway. He may have the answers Veronica seeks--but getting those answers could cost her more than she's willing to pay. [Trigger warnings: violence, reference to a past abusive relationship, murder, threat of rape, forced tattoo, brief mention of childhood sexual abuse]. less

When Ixiana is kidnapped from her family's fortress by a brutal warlord, she fears physical harm of the worst kind. But the warlord is after a ransom, something to change the fate of his people. Ixiana is simply a means to an end--an annoying captive whose weakness frustrates him. When he starts teaching her to fight, it's painful for both of them--until their mutual anger and frustration ignites a new kind of fire. This adult romance has mild-to-medium heat and spice, with dark themes... moreWhen Ixiana is kidnapped from her family's fortress by a brutal warlord, she fears physical harm of the worst kind. But the warlord is after a ransom, something to change the fate of his people. Ixiana is simply a means to an end--an annoying captive whose weakness frustrates him. When he starts teaching her to fight, it's painful for both of them--until their mutual anger and frustration ignites a new kind of fire. This adult romance has mild-to-medium heat and spice, with dark themes. TW: Doubtful consent (kissing, touching) and sexual threat, violence, mention of ra-pe, captor-captive romance, monsters, racial/social injustice and oppression. less

This book features the SAME PLOT and characters as "Prize of the Warlord," but it's told from the Warlord's perspective instead of Ixiana's. Which means it's even hotter, and you get pieces of the story you didn't get in "Prize of the Warlord. " This was a much-requested POV flip, so I hope you enjoy it! :) If you haven't read "Prize of the Warlord" yet, you can still read and enjoy this book on its own... moreThis book features the SAME PLOT and characters as "Prize of the Warlord," but it's told from the Warlord's perspective instead of Ixiana's. Which means it's even hotter, and you get pieces of the story you didn't get in "Prize of the Warlord. " This was a much-requested POV flip, so I hope you enjoy it! :) If you haven't read "Prize of the Warlord" yet, you can still read and enjoy this book on its own. When Cronan captures the daughter of his greatest enemy, he plans to ransom her and change the fate of his clan. But though the young woman seems weak, but he discovers a strength in her that he admires-- and his body reacts to her in undeniable ways. When Cronan's anger and Ixiana's frustration ignite a new kind of fire, it could burn both his people and hers. .. or light the way to a brighter future. This adult romance has medium heat and spice, with dark themes. It's perfect for fans of Laura Thalassa, C. N. Crawford, and Sarah J. Maas. TW: Doubtful consent (kissing, touching) and sexual threat, violence, mention of ra-pe, captor-captive romance, monsters, racial/social injustice and oppression, mention of sui-cide. less

A young healer with water powers is conscripted to serve in the Capital during the "Calling of the Favored," a competition during which the King will choose his bride. Her sympathies—and her friends—are with the Undoing, a band of anarchists intent on overthrowing the monarchy. When she meets the fire-wielding Ash King, all she can think about is removing him from power, by any means necessary... moreA young healer with water powers is conscripted to serve in the Capital during the "Calling of the Favored," a competition during which the King will choose his bride. Her sympathies—and her friends—are with the Undoing, a band of anarchists intent on overthrowing the monarchy. When she meets the fire-wielding Ash King, all she can think about is removing him from power, by any means necessary. This enemies-to-lovers, hate-to-love romance is basically The Hunger Games (Collins) crossed with The Selection (Cass). Fans of C. N. Crawford, Sarah J. Maas, and Jennifer L. Armentrout will enjoy this book! [TW: violence, torture, brutal contests and battles, death by fire, threat of ra-pe, monsters, pregnancy of a side character]. less

In a power play against her older sister, fierce princess Ruelle (who likes torture a little too much) lays claim to the young enemy Captain her father has taken prisoner. The captive will be Ruelle's first pleasure thrall, and she plans to flaunt her ownership of him at Summerglee, a debauched retreat for the young nobility of the kingdom. But the handsome prisoner has his own plans... moreIn a power play against her older sister, fierce princess Ruelle (who likes torture a little too much) lays claim to the young enemy Captain her father has taken prisoner. The captive will be Ruelle's first pleasure thrall, and she plans to flaunt her ownership of him at Summerglee, a debauched retreat for the young nobility of the kingdom. But the handsome prisoner has his own plans. TW/CW: se-x-ual slavery, BD-SM, dom/sub behavioral conditioning, murder, drug and alcohol use, mention of ra- pe, tor-ture, violence, gore, knife play, blood, child ab-use, se-x-ual abuse, familial ab-use and conflict. SPOILER WARNING: This book contains spoilers for “Captive of the Pirate King,” book 2 in the “Dark Rulers” series. less

A Standalone Dark Rulers Romance. Vale has lost everything to the plague--friends, servants, and almost the entire royal family. Newly crowned as queen of a dying nation, she determines to stop the tide of grief by summoning and ensnaring Arawn, the Death God himself. But Arawn is none too happy at the human queen's attempt to control him, and he's determined to teach her a lesson.

Risa works the docks in the port city of Knockaine, servicing multiple men each night. When she's offered a large sum of money to seduce and slay a particular man, she thinks the job will be easy--until she discovers he's a magically-gifted pirate captain with a suspicious nature. He proves to be much harder to kill than she expected--and worse still, the harder she tries to end him, the more he seems to crave her. (adult fantasy romance, spicy scenes, Dark Rulers Series book 8)... moreRisa works the docks in the port city of Knockaine, servicing multiple men each night. When she's offered a large sum of money to seduce and slay a particular man, she thinks the job will be easy--until she discovers he's a magically-gifted pirate captain with a suspicious nature. He proves to be much harder to kill than she expected--and worse still, the harder she tries to end him, the more he seems to crave her. (adult fantasy romance, spicy scenes, Dark Rulers Series book 8). Trigger/content warnings may be found in the front matter of the book and on the author's website. less