This book was great. I was so excited to learn this story features the next generation, the children from the parents of the previous books in this series.
I was swept away in the story by the adventure, suspense, new enemies new love, and emotions. An adventure with Eviana and Quentin out to investigate together.
I loved this book and definitely recommend it to others who love a great fantasy story, I was not disappointed at all. I did not want the story to end, could not put the book down until it was finished.

I had a lot of fun with this book! I have been a fan of this series from the start and was really excited to learn that there would be books featuring the younger generation. I just love the world that these books are set in and the various abilities that the characters possess. This book had all of the action, excitement, and romance that I hoped it would have.

Eviana is a princess and has lived a rather sheltered life and nobody knows what her powers might be. Quinn is an eagle shifter who works as a messenger and spy for the different realms. Quinn has been in love with Evianna for years but feels like he is beneath her. When they go on a mission together they get all the time together that they need to really get to know each other. I really liked Eviana and Quinn and thought that they had a lot of chemistry together.

I loved that this book features not only a wonderful romance but also an exciting plot. I was really worried for the characters several times during the story. They proved to be very brave and worked incredibly well as a team. I liked that we get to see a bit into the life the villains of the story live. I thought that seeing their motivations added a lot to the story. The secondary characters were fantastic and I was thrilled to see not just one but two romances worked into this story.

I would recommend this book to others. Once I started reading this book, I didn’t want to put it down. I love the world-building and the creative abilities of many of the characters in this series. I cannot wait to read more books set in this world.

I received a digital review copy of this book from Kensington Books via NetGalley.

This was a well-written, entertaining book. It was clever, fast-paced, steamy and held my interest. This book can be read as a standalone story, though it is book 3 in the Embraced by Magic series. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books by this author.

I wasn’t expecting this to be such an action filled adventure, and I’m not complaining! There was something happening with every turn of the page. I didn’t want to set it down.

The heroine had quite a unique ability but it could cut like a double edged sword and I did worry how it was all going to play out in the long run. The hero had that “I’m not good enough for her” syndrome which is not my favorite. However, I did understand his reasoning as they were from different backgrounds which mattered in this time and place.

There was a lot of humor mixed in with the danger and drama which added to my enjoyment of the story. The little bits of sweet counterbalanced the heavy weight of the rest of the storyline. While there were moments of steam between this hero and heroine, it did not dominate the story. This was actually a very slow burn.

Overall, a cute, fun, adventurous read!

Eviana would love to escape her life, she has a gift that she has been banned from using and not received any training although she has asked for it on a few occasions. To make matters worse her parents are trying to marry her off and none of the suitors make her heart flutter. When several of said suitors reveal to everyone some unfortunate information thanks to a family friend named Quentin her parents realize that finding the right man for their daughter won't be easy. Quentin has always had a crush on Eviana and can't stand all the men vying for her attention. He knows that he doesn't have the right lineage to be considered a suitor so he just stays on the sideline. Wnen Quentin comes across the princess being abducted he jumps in to save the day. He was investigating some suspicious deaths when he came across the scene. Wanting to keep the princess safe he must figure out who is behind all the bad happenings. Follow along and see if he cannot only figure out who the evil doer is but get a princess to accept him for who he is. Will love win in the end?

Thank you Netgalley, Kensington Books and Kerrelyn Sparks for the ARC of this book.

I haven't read any of the previous books in thr series and therefore it did take me a while to make sense of the world and what was going on

I loved the characters and the world that Kerrelyn has created. This book was a good read but didn't hook me.

When a Princess Proposes took me back to a world I enjoyed. We get to see our favorite characters and the lives they live 20 years after the last book.

This book’s heroine is Eviana, Leo and Luciana from book 1’s daughter. She is strong and capable with a powerful gift, but due to her family almost losing her as a child, she has been kept in a glass cage. Her well meaning parents and siblings have shielded her from the world because of their own fears. The desire to never experience losing her has made them cripple her unintentionally. Surprisingly, this family dynamic kept me turning pages more than the love story. While I enjoyed her and Quentin’s relationship, I was more interested in seeing her prove herself to her family

It is not ordinary to see a princess proposes to someone, right? Yet in this sixth book of the Embraced by Magic series, it all makes sense. 😉

This is actually my first read of the work of Miss Kerrelyn Sparks, so I'm not familiar with the first five stories, but I'm truly grateful that I had a chance to read the ebook version before the actual release date! Yay!

Princess Eviana (I love her name!) is an Embraced with a power that can lull everyone to sleep by clapping her hands. It's so unique and I like it. Well, that's the reason why she was kept and protected by her parents: she might be used as a weapon to endanger and bring the Ebelon down.

However, her sleeping power does not work with animals. Here comes the enigmatic and mysterious eagle shifter, Quentin, who is a lowborn royal spy and has been in love with her for six years!

I am happy with the way Quen kept on rejecting Eviana because this is something unusual for a royalty love story, and Eviana's persistence in pushing Quen's control button was too cute. I also enjoyed Olana and Elam's story here. I wish they had their own story to read, even if it's not a book. A short story would be awesome. Olana as a Confessor is amazing too. I like her gift!

I definitely had a great time reading the ebook. I can't wait for the next one. I'm hoping for Bran paired with Lenuskha (I'm a fan of her name too!) 😁🤞

Congratulations Miss Kerrelyn, on this lovely novel! 👏

Thank you to Kensington Books and Netgalley for the ARC!

Thanks to Kensington Books, Netgalley and the author for an ARC of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I have read the first few books in the 'Embraced by Magic' series by this author and so when an opportunity came up to read this book, I skipped the few in between and read this one.

In this instalment, we follow the lives and loves of the second generation of Aerthlans. Luciania and Leo's daughter, Evie, and a trusted eagle shifter embark on an adventure together to save their world from a new threat using their unique 'embraced' gifts.

I always enjoy reading this author's work and I was excited to find out what happens next in this fascinating world. While it took a while for the story to get going, this was a fun read. I would have liked to see more depth in Evie, but Quen was so lovely and patient that I believed the attraction between them.

I'm interested to read the rest of the books in this series.

When I start a new Kerrylyin Sparks book I know that I will have a lot of fun, will read a well crafted story set in an interesting world.
This is a compelling and highly entertaining story, great characters and world building.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This was a fun continuation of the ever-magical series Embraced by Magic! Normally I get bored when a series goes on for too long, and I was nervous now that we're moving into the next generation's stories. But I shouldn't have been worried, this is Kerrelyn Sparks, after all. She has a way of drawing the reader in without them even realizing they're hooked! As the sixth book, it is imperative that you read the first five, so if you haven't done so yet, stop and go back to the beginning. Without that, you'll miss a lot of key events that help make this story understandable. While I am known to jump around in a series and recommend others do so as well, that would not be a good idea here.

Princess Eviana has essentially been locked away ever since her Embraced gift manifested years ago. Afraid that it would not only put her at risk but others as well, her parents took precautions, which led to her rarely getting outside the castle. However, despite this isolation, she has attracted a secret admirer...who is wholly unsuitable but whose heart is forever lost to her. Quentin is also Embraced but his magic is more useful than dangerous - he can shift into a hawk and acts as a royal spy. He has admired Eviana from afar for years, and when he sees that her parents are attempting to marry her off, he is understandably upset. But his emotions get the better of him, all her suitors are run off, and he is left to pick up the pieces of her dignity. Eviana sees the lack of suitors as a boon, since none were there for the right reasons, and when Quentin comes to comfort her, a spark lights between them. However, danger lurks in the background, and soon they set off on a mission that will force them together...and feelings won't be locked away for long.

Poor, dear, hunky Quentin. The description of this man had me drooling, because all I could picture were the muscles that Eviana admired so much. She was falling in love with him, and so was I thanks to the well-written descriptions of the man. As a shifter, he had to be naked before every flight, and when he shifted back...nude again. Eviana, having never had occasion to see a naked man before, was both alarmed and intrigued at the realization that she was quite attracted to Quentin. So while she was exploring her newfound lust, Quentin was over there trying to keep his own lust for her tamped down. After all, she was royalty, and he was not worthy of her. Thankfully Eviana completely disagreed, and I loved seeing her court him. Yes, folks, SHE courted HIM, because he refused to do so. For her sake. Ah, the self-sacrificing hero, it never gets old for me. I love when the lady takes charge, and she makes sure she gets her man. Sometimes you gotta pick up a club, bonk a man over the head, and drag him off to your cave. Metaphorically speaking. Of course.

I'm looking forward to reading more about the young royals! This will be such an exciting journey, and no matter where the road leads next, I'll be there to follow it.

This review was originally posted on <a href="https://booksofmyheart.net/2022/04/21/when-a-princess-proposes-by-kerrelyn-sparks/" target="_blank"> Books of My Heart</a>
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<i>Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.</i>

I love the diversity of the people of  the <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/180353-the-embraced" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em><strong>Embraced</strong></em></a> series.  There is a variety of types of magic and now we are something like 20+ years later with the next generation.  The original folks are there in the background a bit with the younger generation stepping into the main roles.

The heroine is the daughter of Leo and Luciana of Eberton, Eviana.  Quentin, the hero, is an orphan from the Isle of Secrets who helped with the original battle against the Circle of Five as a child.   Eviana has been protected because of her gift, which is not known.

Now, after many years of peace and prosperity,  there is a new threat, and the Embraced are being murdered.  Eviana seems at the center of danger.  Quentin who has fallen for the princess is very protective of her.  Together, they hatch a plan to catch the murderers.  The rest of their family takes up their roles providing cover and distractions.  It's thrilling to see them investigate and figure out who the culprits are.  The whole group uses their unique skills to the best effect they can.

During the hunt, Evie and Quen grow to know and care for each other even more.  A couple from Quen's Isle of Secrets Days also travel with them and develop a renewed closeness.  So there is plenty of romance in the air, along with the mystery of who is killing the Embraced.   All those layers make for a fun and exciting story.

Princess Evianna has hidden her gift for years - afraid to be turned into a weapon against her family. Quentin, lowborn, messenger, spy, in-love with the princess, uses his gift of shapechanging to keep everyone safe. When old enemies return, Evianna and Quentin join forces to uncover the rebellion that could destroy the kingdom.

Although I haven't read the other books in this series, When a Princess Proposes was easy to follow and fast paced. The side characters were especially endearing - especially the "Confessor" who spills delightful secrets. If you like magical romances, this is a great fit.

4.5 stars, rounded up

Since the fall of the Circle of Five peace has reigned on Aerthlan, but now twenty years later, the Seer, Queen Maeve has been having haunting dreams and visions that foretell trouble brewing, especially for the Embraced and King Leo of Eberon. So she sends the royal messenger, an eagle shifter named Quentin to warn King Leo of Maeve’s dreams.

Quentin is both excited and dreads his trip to Eberon because it will bring him in the proximity of the one and only woman who owns his heart – Princess Eviana. Someone who could never be his as he a nobody, an illegitimate sone of servants, but that doesn’t stop his heart from longing for her. He arrives at the castle during King Leo’s birthday celebration and sees Eviana dancing with one of her many suitors. Quen is jealous, but stays in the shadows just watching her – until his friend and fellow Embraced, Lady Olana finds him. Olana’s gift is to make people confess their secrets with just a touch and is the only person who knows Quen is in love with Eviana. She urges him to dance with Eviana, but instead, Quen decides to show Eviana that none of her suitors are worthy of her and convinces Olana to help him, they dance and she “accidentally” touches the would-be suitors and they confess their secrets in front of the entire gathering. But things don’t go as planned when Eviana rushes out of the room.

Eviana has led a very sheltered life and feels trapped. When her suitors begin confessing their secrets, she uses the commotion to run to her sanctuary and escape the pressure to find a husband. When Quentin comes looking for her to apologize, she is drawn to him and asks him to be her friend, a request he immediately rejects and takes off. Later her parents decide after the fiasco at the ball, that it might be best for Eviana to leave for a bit and send her off to visit Norveshka. But when her barge is attacked and she uses her Embraced gift, it is Quen who comes to her rescue.
Quen has learned some disturbing news, someone is killing the Embraced and he is going to inform King Leo when he sees the royal barge under attack. When he finds Eviana, it is clear someone was trying to capture her and he is sure it is the same people killing the Embraced. Despite his misgivings, he and the princess must work together to find out who is targeting the Embraced and stop them. He just hopes he can work closely with her without revealing his secret love. For her part, Eviana is excited to use this time with Quen to convince him they are perfect for each other and protect her family from this new threat.

This is yet another well-written, fabulous installment of the Embraced/Embraced by Magic saga, filled with familiar faces and lots of new ones. The story is filled with intrigue, magic, dragons, shifters, great secondary characters, as well as a secondary romance, a great setup for future books, some extremely nasty villains, and finally a very sweet HEA. I really enjoyed this story and am looking forward to more installments featuring the next generation of Embraced. This book is the Third (or Sixth, depending on your POV) but it is more like the beginning of a new series and can easily be read as a standalone title. If you enjoy the Fantasy/Paranormal Historical sub-genre, I highly recommend this book and the whole series.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*

This was a good read, but had a very similar plot to the previous books. This story is told from the children of the couples in the previous books. We see familiar people since they were in the other books, which is nice and familiar.

I liked Evie’s compassion, courage, and forwardness. She went after what she wanted, even risking herself to save others.

I liked Quen and his loving, protective, encouraging ways. I really enjoyed whenever he defended Evie to her family.

All in all, this was a good read.

This first five books of the Embraced by Magic series was for the five women who later married Kings and ruled over Aerthlan. Their children are coming into their own, as it’s about twenty years later, and learning how to utilize their embraced powers. King Leo and Luciana’s daughter, Eviana, has a special power that has forced her family to keep her hidden away, for safety. Quentin, an Eagle shifter, is the royal courier for the five kingdoms. He also seems quite taken with her because when her life is threatened he takes on a bodyguard role. There’s plenty of action, lots of magic, and an adventure that will continue. I’ve read the previous books and found it easy to understand the characters, however the books can be read on their own. I received my early copy through Netgalley and wrote this review voluntarily.

What I liked: I was happy to return to this world and see familiar characters from other books in the series. It was well written and I've always been a fan of the author's prose.

What I didn't like: Do you ever get to a point with a series or writer and you think you've grown out of it/them? I think this book was that point for me.

It's a fantasy romance with minimal spice (that wasn't a surprise in this series). I've read the rest of the author's books set in this world, and they all follow that same formula. I enjoyed them all, but this one was missing the shine for me. I was hoping for something new and this was essentially a recycled plot line it felt like.

We have the MMC in love with the FMC for years, some forced proximity, and a conflict that just failed to seem big or important because we've seen it in this series before. The romance was sweet but lacked substance for me. I skimmed the last 60% of the book as I had a hard time with the slog of unnecessary interactions that didn't (for me) build the relationship or enhance the romance. There were peeks and flashes of the kinds of interaction I wanted between the MCs, but not enough. I also was extremely underwhelmed with the FMC's Embraced gift.

This may be for you if you prefer more character driven stories, minimal spice but still a romance, or the unrequited love/love from afar trope.

When a Princess Proposes by Kerrelyn Sparks
Publisher: Kensington Books
Genre: Romance, Sci Fi & Fantasy
Pub Date 26 Apr 2022

When a Princess Proposes is the sixth book in the Embraced by Magic by Kerrelyn Sparks. If you haven't read the previous books, that's totally ok. This book works as standalone so well!

I absolutely loved this book! I loved the world that author has created and the characters were fascinating! This book was an 'edge of your seat' adventure that I could not get enough of! There were so many twists and turns and love blossoming along the way!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

When a Princess Proposes by Kerrelyn Sparks
Fantasy. Spin off from the Embraced series aka Embraced by Magic #6. Second generation. The children from the Isle of Secrets are now grown as are the children of the original sisters / Queens of the Embraced nations.

Eviana has grown up very sheltered and feels trapped by the gentle handcuffs of her parents protecting her. Quentin has been in love with Evie for years. When an idea to help caused problems within the kingdom, the two end up on an investigation and adventure that changes everything.

It was wonderful revisiting this world. And learning that an ability may be based on what is needed at the time is intriguing. Specifically the abilities in this book, more than previous were unusual. I admit I felt bad for The Confessor.

Loved the adventure and conclusion. At least for now. Satisfying, a momentary sad, and happiness overall.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley. I own the full series and will buy this as well to keep.

When a Princess Proposes by Kerrelyn Sparks is the sixth book of the Embraced by Magic series. This can be read as a standalone, but the series is so good, it will be worth your time to start from the first book. This is about the new generation of the Embraced, the children of the Aerthlan’s five Queens. There is a new threat against the Embraced, someone, or a new cult, has decided the Embraced are evil and must be destroyed. It seems the Circle of Five has re-emerged, but who are they?

Princess Eviana feels like a prisoner in her own castle. After two traumatic experiences as a child and teenager, her parents have her ‘locked away’ for her own protection, but this only makes the Princess want to escape and see the world even more. When her parents decide it is time for her to wed, they have a gala at the palace to meet some perspective husbands, but none of the nobleman seem to be good enough for the Princess. That is all thanks to Quentin, royal spy and eagle shifter to the King. With the help of Lady Olana, they each use their embraced powers to reveal each nobleman’s most embarrassing secrets before the court. One of the biggest secrets, still kept silent, is Quentin’s love for Princess Eviana, the problem is he is a lower class than the royals, so he knows he can never act on his feelings.

When the princess faces year another harrowing event on the way to visit one of her aunts, she narrowly escapes a dangerous kidnapping, and Quentin is there to help her as soon as she needs it. With the use of both their Embraced powers, and the blessing from King Leon, and Queen Luciana, they allow their daughter, Princess Eviana, Quentin and Lady Olana set off to find who is killing the Embraced before they all become extinct. It is an important and dangerous mission, and they face many types of evil along the way. They don’t know who to trust, because they aren’t sure who exact is in charge of this new cult, but they work so well together, it’s nearly impossible not to cheer them on all the way.

To say I love this series would be an understatement. I was afraid once the original adopted sisters found their true loves it would be the end, but no…. We are now 20 years later and the children of the Embraced have emerged! How genius is that? The characters are so well developed, the story line just flows beautifully, The Princesses and Queens are all bad ass women who don’t just sit around all day eating bonbons, they are powerful, smart, and definitely ahead of their times. The love from their significant others is so genuine and pure, the love story is intertwined in fantasy, as well as suspenseful, but the added element of steamy romance is a nice touch. This is a nice, easy novel to read when life seems a little heavy, and you need an escape to another world. I truly believe these books should all be made into a television streaming series, as I have started a facebook page in the hopes to get the ball rolling on that.

I would like to thank Netgalley, Kensington Books and Kerrelyn Sparks for sharing an advanced reader copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review. I highly recommend this book, as well as the entire series, and I am waiting, rather impatiently, for the next installment of the series.