Rumple's Prize (Kingdom #8)

Imp, deceiver, villainous mastermind… Rumpelstiltskin’s been called all these names and more, and for the most part, they’re entirely true. But there is more to the brooding, blond haired Adonis than brokering deals for the devil. He’s hiding a terrible, hideous secret. One that threatens to fray the already delicate strands of his sanity and reason. A secret that he’s desperate to make right, to see whole again, and there is no one and nothing that will stand in his way of getting what he wants—no one except a slip of woman with hair like fire and skin like finest porcelain. Something about Shayera Caron calls to the beast inside him and makes him question his motives for the first time in his life.

Shayera Caron is the daughter of the infamous Gerard Caron, former lothario of Kingdom but now a reformed rake and settled husband and father. She can go nowhere in her tiny hamlet without seeing the sneers of women and hearing the murmurings of their disdain for the blood that runs through her veins. Shayera is desperate to get away from the gossiping hens, so when Rumpelstiltskin rides into town, she doesn’t think twice before going wherever he leads. Only thing is Shayera is not as innocent as she might seem, for she hides a secret too. One that will bring the most feared man in all of Kingdom to his knees…

* First published in the anthology, Alphas After Dark.

In Kingdom's territory, Rumpel is considered to be the devil himself. It is through one of his infamous deals that he is able to obtain the daughter of Gerard Caron, the former playboy of Kingdom. 

Rumpel's prize is filled with two enticing elements: mystery and heat-filled anticipation. The strain of the sexual intensity is enough to drive someone mad. The chemistry between Rumpel an Shayera is intoxicating. I have read this story 3 times just to experience it anew time and again. Rumpel is someone I respect for his honesty and straight forward manner. He is also more the vulnerable man than anyone could have foreseen.

The plot throughout the story is something entirely unique and entertaining. It's one of those books that make you want to pick the author's mind to understand where such interesting idea's originate. I am so very grateful for this series. I always wait a bit between each book in this series because when I find myself in a funk I know I'll find my vigor once again in one of these stories. 

This is the perfect story for fantasy lovers who have soft spot for sexy, alpha males. 5 Stars!