The Second Son Series by Ron C. Nieto

To protect the kingdom, he must prove his worth . . .Oren Trevaine has never shaken the feeling that he’s not good enough, but he’s determined to avoid the same fate for his men. Oren’s first task as Captain of the Guard is to transform his unruly, undisciplined soldiers into a formidable army—if only they would cooperate.But Oren will need to act fast because the snow is melting with the budding of spring... moreTo protect the kingdom, he must prove his worth . . .Oren Trevaine has never shaken the feeling that he’s not good enough, but he’s determined to avoid the same fate for his men. Oren’s first task as Captain of the Guard is to transform his unruly, undisciplined soldiers into a formidable army—if only they would cooperate.But Oren will need to act fast because the snow is melting with the budding of spring. Soon, the enemy will be able to traverse the main pass through the imposing Sansford Range and his men must be ready to patrol the mountain.When Oren rescues Lady Joan and her traveling party from a band of Mirdoni raiders, his worst fears are realized. The enemy has utilized less accessible routes to infiltrate their territory, and an attack is imminent.Now Oren must not only think like the enemy, but he will need to be one step ahead. With the kingdom relying on him and Lady Joan promising her favor if he returns alive, Oren will need to prove to her and his men that he truly is good enough. Or at the very least, die trying . . . less

The raiding season might be over, but the court is a new threat on its own …A victorious Oren, newly minted Lord Commander of the Mountain Guard, returns to the capital to receive the King’s accolades and to ask for the one thing he wants as his prize—the right to marry the woman he loves.But the court is a dangerous place, and nothing is as Oren expects when he arrives at his childhood home... moreThe raiding season might be over, but the court is a new threat on its own …A victorious Oren, newly minted Lord Commander of the Mountain Guard, returns to the capital to receive the King’s accolades and to ask for the one thing he wants as his prize—the right to marry the woman he loves.But the court is a dangerous place, and nothing is as Oren expects when he arrives at his childhood home. The King is under pressure, and he has new demands for Oren that will test both his honor and his loyalty to the Crown.When tragedy strikes before he can make his choice, more than his own life is on the line. There is a traitor at the heart of Westmere, and Oren must embrace a birthright he’s spent his whole life trying to outpace to prevent a bloody war that will devastate the kingdom.But who can he trust to help uncover the truth when he must suspect everyone’s motives? less