Two years later, Kol returns to seek vengeance against Ranulf. After his men successfully attack the castle, he discovers that the king has escaped and left behind his two sisters, one of whom Kol recognizes as the maiden he rescued. He can understand why Princess Isabel would hate him for invading her family home, but he’s shocked to learn that Isabel believes he is the father of the child she bore out-of-wedlock. Kol would never take advantage of an unconscious woman. Furthermore, his mother abandoned him when he was a baby and, later, cursed him with the inability to sire children.

Kol takes Isabel’s sister and son to a nearby abbey, but keeps Isabel by his side in order to lure King Ranulf out of hiding. As they travel together, and Isabel learns of Kol’s past and the curse, she begins to believe that Kol is not the father of her son. But who really fathered Isabel’s child? Added to this mystery is the growing love between Kol and Isabel. As the story progresses, Isabel becomes determined to find a means for Ranulf and Kol to settle their differences without bloodshed.

The Sea King is an exciting debut romance and the author, Jolie Mathis, has a refreshing and unique voice that brings the period - and the characters’ passionate emotions - to life with vivid clarity. Ms. Mathis has us rooting for both Isabel and Kol as they fight - and eventually surrender to - the love that develops between them. If you love a page-turning historical romance, don’t miss The Sea King!