Middle Lands Series by K.L. Noone

Prequel to The Magician. Garrett Pell, Second Sorcerer of the Middle Lands, is just trying to build a school. Unfortunately, he’s also got missing mage-students, disobedient goats, and a Grand Sorcerer who likes to disappear. Not to mention the distracting presence of the attractive local prince, who keeps mysteriously turning up right when Garrett could use a hand. Prince Alexandre de Berri knows perfectly well that he’s the youngest and least talented of his brothers... morePrequel to The Magician. Garrett Pell, Second Sorcerer of the Middle Lands, is just trying to build a school. Unfortunately, he’s also got missing mage-students, disobedient goats, and a Grand Sorcerer who likes to disappear. Not to mention the distracting presence of the attractive local prince, who keeps mysteriously turning up right when Garrett could use a hand. Prince Alexandre de Berri knows perfectly well that he’s the youngest and least talented of his brothers. But his father, the king, wants to be on good terms with the magicians, and Alex is good at making friends -- so he’s been ordered to do exactly that. But what began as a royal command turns into very real feelings, and all Alex wants is to solve Garrett’s problems. Alex’s father isn’t happy. Garrett’s school still needs help. And Alex and Garrett will need to make a choice. But, together, they just might be magic. less

Apprentice magician Talisman Morning has always been lucky. It’s a problem. Talis knows his luck is a magical talent -- but he can’t control it. And good luck for him can mean bad luck for other people, and a lot of trouble. He’s beginning to wonder whether he belongs with the magicians at all, or whether he should give up and run away . .. until he meets a royal guard who asks for his help. King’s guard Jeryn de Machaut could use a magician... moreApprentice magician Talisman Morning has always been lucky. It’s a problem. Talis knows his luck is a magical talent -- but he can’t control it. And good luck for him can mean bad luck for other people, and a lot of trouble. He’s beginning to wonder whether he belongs with the magicians at all, or whether he should give up and run away . .. until he meets a royal guard who asks for his help. King’s guard Jeryn de Machaut could use a magician. He thinks he’s overheard a plot against the king, but he has no evidence and no support. But a wayward apprentice with a knack for being in the right place -- and stumbling over hidden objects -- might be exactly the luck Jer needs. Together, Jer and Talis will uncover a palace conspiracy, save a king, and find their own best chance at love. less

Lily learned magic from the last of the kingdom’s great sorcerers who disappeared a year ago, leaving her with a baby and with the responsibility of finding magical solutions for everyone’s problems. She’s overworked and exhausted, and not in the mood to have the king’s disreputable illegitimate half-brother knock on her door, demanding her help. But the king is ill, and the kingdom needs her . .. and the king’s brother might not be as dreadful as the rumors say... moreLily learned magic from the last of the kingdom’s great sorcerers who disappeared a year ago, leaving her with a baby and with the responsibility of finding magical solutions for everyone’s problems. She’s overworked and exhausted, and not in the mood to have the king’s disreputable illegitimate half-brother knock on her door, demanding her help. But the king is ill, and the kingdom needs her . .. and the king’s brother might not be as dreadful as the rumors say. Will knows his own reputation: the schemes for the throne, the plots and politics, the decadence of his bedchamber, and the lovers paid off with rubies. He’s worked hard on that reputation, after all -- it ensures that he’s aware of all the Court intrigue, and can protect his kindhearted younger brother. He can’t protect his brother from a magical illness . .. but he can find the last powerful magician in the kingdom and beg for her aid. And he’ll promise her anything she wants in return . .. less

A magician in need of redemption. A loyal hero on a quest. And only one bed at the inn. Once the world’s most legendary sorcerer, Lorre fled the Middle Lands after his own curiosity -- and a misguided transformation spell -- turned him into a dragon and nearly killed a king. He isn’t a dragon anymore, but he is hiding alone on a tropical island, avoiding people, politics, and his own reputation. But now a hero has found him. And not just any hero... moreA magician in need of redemption. A loyal hero on a quest. And only one bed at the inn. Once the world’s most legendary sorcerer, Lorre fled the Middle Lands after his own curiosity -- and a misguided transformation spell -- turned him into a dragon and nearly killed a king. He isn’t a dragon anymore, but he is hiding alone on a tropical island, avoiding people, politics, and his own reputation. But now a hero has found him. And not just any hero. Prince Gareth’s full of patience, intelligence, a kind heart . .. and unfairly attractive muscles. And he needs Lorre’s help: his tiny mountain kingdom is under attack from ice magic, and Gareth hopes the world’s last great magician will save his people. Lorre is done with quests and princes and trying to change the world. But Gareth might tempt him to believe again . .. in heroes, in himself, and in magic. less