Treaty Brides Series by Samantha Cayto

Being a bride is a state of mind, not of body.The Kingdom of Moorcondia and the Marshlands have been warring for years. Now a treaty has been negotiated, but it needs to be sealed by a marriage between the ruling families. But the bride has bolted, leaving her brother, Taryn, to fill the role. There is nothing in the law of either country that says a bride has to be female.Forced to dress in his sister’s gown and marry Soren, Taryn faces his fate with anger, resolve and frightening anticipation... moreBeing a bride is a state of mind, not of body.The Kingdom of Moorcondia and the Marshlands have been warring for years. Now a treaty has been negotiated, but it needs to be sealed by a marriage between the ruling families. But the bride has bolted, leaving her brother, Taryn, to fill the role. There is nothing in the law of either country that says a bride has to be female.Forced to dress in his sister’s gown and marry Soren, Taryn faces his fate with anger, resolve and frightening anticipation. While the Moorcondians are flexible in their sexuality, the Marshers are more prudish, plus Taryn has learned the hard lesson that an attraction to men is unnatural and wrong. His desire for Soren frightens him.As a prince, Soren knows his duty and executes it without hesitation. As a widower, he looks forward to a new marriage, and his unexpected bride is very fetching. If only he can convince Taryn to put aside his fears and accept the pleasures of the marriage bed.Taryn struggles to fill the role of a wife in the royal family, even as everyone else tries to adjust to the notion of a male bride. As the days pass, Soren comes to appreciate his bride more, and Taryn tries embrace his new role with enthusiasm instead of resignation. But politics is a treacherous place to navigate, putting their blossoming love in jeopardy. Reader advisory: This book contains scenes of dubious consent, homophobia and attempted suicide. less

Being a bride is a state of mind, not of body. Kexen of the Outer Vale has made a unique splash in the Moorcondian palace and has captured the attention of Benedict, Lord Tentrees, a diplomat trying to make his mark. When a winter-long mission arises to negotiate a trading treaty with a foreign queen, Ben needs a wife by his side. Never having been attracted to women, he sets his sights on marrying the enticing Kexen... moreBeing a bride is a state of mind, not of body. Kexen of the Outer Vale has made a unique splash in the Moorcondian palace and has captured the attention of Benedict, Lord Tentrees, a diplomat trying to make his mark. When a winter-long mission arises to negotiate a trading treaty with a foreign queen, Ben needs a wife by his side. Never having been attracted to women, he sets his sights on marrying the enticing Kexen. He means for him to be both a helpmate navigating court society and a shield against the flirtatious queen. Because Kexen is someone who—by his own admission—is neither male nor female, he is intrigued by the idea of becoming Lady Tentrees and presenting entirely as a woman. Ben sweetens the offer with a lucrative trade deal between their families. Kexen will not ignore his duty while also being drawn to the virile diplomat who desires him. He cannot help but accept the proposal. Their journey through both their diplomatic mission and marriage proves to be a rocky one. Kexen is not as experienced as his husband first believes, Ben is more driven by his career than Kexen appreciates and neither of them anticipates the intrigue waiting for them at their destination. The strength of their growing bond will be tested as they fight for their survival. less

Being a bride is a state of mind, not of body.Prince Ronan of Moorcondia knows he is one of the luckiest boys alive. As the king’s second son, he has status and wealth without the heavy weight of the crown. Every man admires his hedonistic ways, but his behavior masks a shame that he feels. What he really desires is a quiet life with a man whom he can love.Jarl Tarben is on a mission to save his people from starvation. Efforts to forge a treaty with Moorcondia have come to naught... moreBeing a bride is a state of mind, not of body.Prince Ronan of Moorcondia knows he is one of the luckiest boys alive. As the king’s second son, he has status and wealth without the heavy weight of the crown. Every man admires his hedonistic ways, but his behavior masks a shame that he feels. What he really desires is a quiet life with a man whom he can love.Jarl Tarben is on a mission to save his people from starvation. Efforts to forge a treaty with Moorcondia have come to naught. In a desperate bid, Tarben has been tasked with abducting Ronan and forcing him into marriage. As distasteful and dishonorable as the scheme is, duty demands that he obey. He refuses to bed the prince by force, however, leaving it Ronan’s choice.Ronan vows not to succumb to the temptation that Tarben presents. Pride alone dictates that he remain chaste, even as he grows closer to the barbarian. Tarben is everything Ronan ever dreamed of, and the lure of him grows stronger with each day that politics keeps them together.When unseen forces threaten to consume them both, they must put aside pride and join forces to protect both their peoples. Reader advisory: This book features an instance of sexual assault and a forced marriage. less

Being a bride is a state of mind, not of body.Lord Carwyn has come to the royal palace of Moorcondia to support his beloved cousin, Nora. The princess has been promised in marriage in order to bind a treaty between her country and the archipelago nation called The Southern Chain. His efforts to help her turn into a daring plan when he catches his first sight of Nora’s intended. The foreigner captivates him in a way no other man ever has.Kai Aleki feels the fate of his people on his shoulders... moreBeing a bride is a state of mind, not of body.Lord Carwyn has come to the royal palace of Moorcondia to support his beloved cousin, Nora. The princess has been promised in marriage in order to bind a treaty between her country and the archipelago nation called The Southern Chain. His efforts to help her turn into a daring plan when he catches his first sight of Nora’s intended. The foreigner captivates him in a way no other man ever has.Kai Aleki feels the fate of his people on his shoulders. As his nation’s military leader, he understands how duty always comes first and a strong alliance is crucial to fight the vicious marauders known only as the Swarm. He has no interest in marrying a woman but the delectable and attentive Carwyn captures his attention.Carwyn has a solution that will satisfy everyone. He secretly takes Nora's place and marries Aleki himself. A delighted Aleki sets off home, determined to protect the known world from the Swarm after safely delivering Carwyn to his new home. The dangerous venture holds hidden dangers, forcing Aleki and his bride to join forces to defeat a common enemy. less

Being a bride is a state of mind, not of body.Lord Cariad’s exciting journey as a cartographer working in the territory of the deadly Swarm turns to terror when his ship is boarded and he is captured. To disguise his identity, he pretends to be the captain’s bed-warmer. That plan backfires when a leader of the boarding party takes him as his own.Balthazar pretends to live up to his reputation as the vicious son of the Swarm’s leader... moreBeing a bride is a state of mind, not of body.Lord Cariad’s exciting journey as a cartographer working in the territory of the deadly Swarm turns to terror when his ship is boarded and he is captured. To disguise his identity, he pretends to be the captain’s bed-warmer. That plan backfires when a leader of the boarding party takes him as his own.Balthazar pretends to live up to his reputation as the vicious son of the Swarm’s leader. All the while, he is planning on deposing his mother and changing the course of his people’s lives. He wants peaceful trading. When a pretty boy puts his plans to the test, he knows he must protect him.Cariad and Balthazar overcome their mutual suspicions and find a growing love in each other’s arms. But politics and evil are stalking them. They need to trust one another out of bed if they are both to survive. Reader advisory: This book contains scenes of violence, torture, an instance of public sex and mentions of childhood abuse. less

Being a bride is a state of mind, not of body.Evander hit the road to seek adventure after a conventional and boring upbringing. He wanted no ties and the liberty to wander wherever his fancy took him. The misery he found among people too powerless to defend themselves, however, has led him to create a band of brigands. They waylay rich travelers, taking their money to help the poor who are being robbed through taxation by their baron... moreBeing a bride is a state of mind, not of body.Evander hit the road to seek adventure after a conventional and boring upbringing. He wanted no ties and the liberty to wander wherever his fancy took him. The misery he found among people too powerless to defend themselves, however, has led him to create a band of brigands. They waylay rich travelers, taking their money to help the poor who are being robbed through taxation by their baron. With the situation growing more desperate, he reluctantly decides to kidnap someone from a rich family and hold them ransom. Luck is with him when the baron’s younger son comes his way. Destiny delivers a stunning blow when he finds the boy beguiling and irresistible.Rory has cultivated a reputation as a spoiled brat. Deep in his heart, nothing could be farther from the truth. His father’s cruelty caused him to erect emotional barriers and pretend he cares for nothing and no one. When he falls into the hands of a brigand, he puts his studied arrogance on display. His act becomes harder to maintain under the watchful and captivating eye of his captor and his growing understanding of how great his father’s viciousness truly is.Evander and Rory are two men with a similar enemy. Together they can give their people a brighter future—if they can learn to trust each other. less

Being a bride is a state of mind, not of body. Ian, Count of Charteris, is happiest when he is working his land with his tenants. Court life and travel hold no appeal for him. Nevertheless, he escorts his widowed sister on a diplomatic mission to the isolated Shadow Valley. Rumor has it that those people have discovered a miraculous medicine that Moorcondia is anxious to trade for. Boredom transforms into fascination at the sight of a beautiful creature who welcomes him to the Valley... moreBeing a bride is a state of mind, not of body. Ian, Count of Charteris, is happiest when he is working his land with his tenants. Court life and travel hold no appeal for him. Nevertheless, he escorts his widowed sister on a diplomatic mission to the isolated Shadow Valley. Rumor has it that those people have discovered a miraculous medicine that Moorcondia is anxious to trade for. Boredom transforms into fascination at the sight of a beautiful creature who welcomes him to the Valley. Calan is an orphan raised by his powerful aunt. He has learned the craft of healing but cares little for politics, preferring a life outdoors. As the first of his people to see the Moorcondians, he is surprised by how virile Ian is. Here is someone who can introduce him to the pleasure to be had between two men. The personal becomes the political as undercurrents of distrust and intrigue impede the possibility of a treaty. It is up to Ian and Calan to forge the path forward before their fairytale turns into a nightmare. Reader advisory: This book contains scenes of public sex, attempted murder, and the death of a secondary character. less

Being a bride is a state of mind, not of body. Sir Geoffrey Arbuthnott is leading the expedition for the king of Moorcondia to chart the vast, unknown lands to the west of the kingdom. His duty is to escort the king’s cartographer and keep him safe. It is a boring and uneventful task until they come upon a beautiful boy trapped in quicksand... moreBeing a bride is a state of mind, not of body. Sir Geoffrey Arbuthnott is leading the expedition for the king of Moorcondia to chart the vast, unknown lands to the west of the kingdom. His duty is to escort the king’s cartographer and keep him safe. It is a boring and uneventful task until they come upon a beautiful boy trapped in quicksand. Mica is used to wandering around the land his people have claimed for generations and is enjoying the last of his freedom before his manhood ceremony replaces it with duty. He longs to travel to faraway places and is confident he can take care of himself—that is, until his dreamy ways land him in trouble and right into the powerful arms of a tempting stranger. What should have been a brief crossing of paths turns into a deadly encounter when Mica’s people capture Geoff and sentence him to death. Only Mica can save the man of his fantasies, but there are hidden dangers threatening to keep them apart forever. They must depend on each other to stay alive and accept the love they are afraid to trust. Reader advisory: This book contains instances of sexual assault, kidnapping and attempted rape. It also indicates the death of a secondary character. less