Hi everyone,
Today I’m sharing a look back at the making of my historical/fantasy romance, A Most Unusual Princess. This fun and sexy story is the first book in my “Royal Desires” trilogy. The other two books are A Most Intriguing Temptation and A Most Unfortunate Prince.
Together, they make up an exciting series, but each story
stands alone as a separate read. Why? Because when I wrote A Most Unusual
Princess, I never knew I was writing a trilogy.
A Most Unusual Princess is a sensual novella about unruly and willful Princess Elara, and Dalton, the handsome (and incredibly patient) guard tasked with protecting her while she searches for a suitable husband. The book is a unique blend of comedy, drama, and romance. It’s also the first romance I ever wrote – and writing it was a lot of fun.
Although the fantasy genre wasn’t something I had written in before, I liked the idea of following a very headstrong and spoiled Princess Elara as she looked for a husband. From the outset, we learn that Elara is an opinionated young woman who is used to getting her own way. When Dalton innocently catches Elara doing something very unladylike, the Dalton-Elara love/hate/love relationship is born.
I enjoyed writing Dalton and Elara’s story and fell in love with them. I never expected I’d visit these characters again, but not long after completing A Most Unusual Princess, I knew Dalton needed his own book, so I wrote a sequel. And later, Elara’s brother, Prince Allan showed up and I decided to tell his story, as well.
I’ve been asked how I plotted the series. Did I use note cards to keep track of each character description? Did I make an overall outline of the whole trilogy, and then write each book?
Nope. The truth is… I just wrote the story that was in my head. I didn’t intend to write a trilogy – it kinda happened on its own. (With a lot of typing on my part, of course!) I wrote each book by itself, with its own setting, characters, plot, and theme, apart from the book that came before. So, although they make up a series, each book can stand alone as an individual read.
Here’s the summary and an excerpt from A Most Unusual
Princess:
A Most Unusual Princess
Princess Elara needs to find a royal husband, but claims
that no man can satisfy her. Her father hires Dalton, a special guard, to watch
over her while she’s courting suitors. Dalton finds her unusual behaviors
charming—and enthralling.
Dalton’s aloof manner intrigues Elara, and despite their
differences, they share tender moments and intimate nighttime encounters. Elara
is heartbroken when her father chooses a “proper” husband for her—until she
meets the mystery man.
Bonus! This e-book includes a sneak peek at the second book
in the “Royal Desires” series: A MOST INTRIGUING TEMPTATION.
The Excerpt:
Dalton walked past her and entered her bedchamber. She stood
in the doorway while he searched the wardrobes and looked under the bed. After
last night’s fright, she was taking no chances.
“There’s nothing… a-ha! What’s this?” He pulled a white silk
stocking out from under the bed and waved it in the air.
“Put that down.” She raced into the room and lunged for the
stocking. Dalton held it over his head.
“Is this what a princess wears beneath her dress?”
“Give that to me.” She knocked him backward onto the bed and
pounced on him.
“This would make a nice remembrance,” he said, keeping the
stocking out of her reach.
“Beast!” She squirmed as they playfully struggled for the
stocking. A moment later, Dalton turned his head and his lips brushed against
hers.
She gasped. Dalton had stopped laughing and was staring up
at her. She closed her eyes and felt his finger caress her cheek.
“You’re beautiful,” he whispered.
The next thing she knew, Dalton’s mouth covered hers. The
feel of his warm, moist lips sent a searing heat through her. After a few
seconds of heaven, he pulled away.
“I should not have done that.”
She licked her lips. “I’m glad you did. It was nice.” Her
heart hammered out of control, and her lower body throbbed. This was the
feeling she was supposed to have when she met with her suitors. “Kiss me
again.”
“With pleasure.”
Dalton curled his arms around her and pulled her down onto
him. His mouth moved against hers, and fire flashed between her legs. She
kissed him, tentatively at first, then with more passion as she was swept away
by desire.
He slid his hands across her back and down to her buttocks.
She moaned as he squeezed her through her dress. Was this what it felt like to
have a man make love to her? Every night should be like this.
She ignored a faint rapping on the sitting room door. It was
probably a lady-in-waiting coming to undress her for bed. She needed no help
with her clothes tonight. Dalton was here, he could remove her dress and then…
“Elara?”
Dalton broke the kiss and bolted upright. “It’s your
father!”
***
Read the “Royal Desires” trilogy from the start:
Book 1: A Most Unusual Princess:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Most-Unusual-Princess-Historical-Fantasy-ebook/dp/B01CBX43D8
Other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/me00L9
Read reviews here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/a-most-unusual-princess
Book 2: A Most Intriguing Temptation:
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Most-Intriguing-Temptation-Historical-Fantasy-ebook/dp/B01D8P8604
Other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/47kkvj
Read reviews here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/a-most-intriguing-temptation
Book 3: A Most Unfortunate Prince:
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Most-Unfortunate-Prince-Historical-Fantasy-ebook/dp/B01DMBYJ6E
Other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/3yPPM6
Read reviews here:
https://www.kelliwilkins.com/a-most-unfortunate-prince
I hope you enjoyed this look at the first book in the
series. I’ll be writing about the rest of the trilogy in future blogs.
I welcome questions and comments from readers. If you’ve
read the series, I’d love to know what your favorite book (or scene) was. You
can contact me via the form on my site.
Happy Reading,
Kelli A. Wilkins
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has
published more than 100 short stories, 20+ romance novels, and 8 mystery/horror
ebooks. Her romances span many genres and settings, and she likes to scare
readers with her horror and mystery stories.
In August 2024, Kelli released Surreal Escapes, a collection
of 7 speculative/spooky stories. Anything can—and does—happen in this
anthology.
Kelli released her fourth gay romance, A Thousand Summer
Secrets, in April 2024. This tender contemporary romance takes place over a
summer weekend, where two friends reconnect while seeking love and acceptance.
She published The Route 9 Killer, a mystery/thriller set in
Central NJ, in May 2023.
Follow Kelli on her Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins
and visit her website/blog
www.KelliWilkins.com for a full title list and social media links.
