Month: July 2017

The Duke Meets His Match by Tina Gabrielle

On By TracyIn Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The Duke Meets His MatchThe Duke Meets His Match by Tina Gabrielle

Release Date: July 10, 2017
Series: Infamous Somertons, #3

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

This is the story of Chloe Somerton, youngest daughter of Jonathan Miller (infamous art forger) and Michael Keswick, Duke of Cameron.

Chloe has secrets, but since her sisters have married and raised their standing, Chloe is determined to marry a man with wealth and title. She has set her cap on young Henry, the new Earl of Sefton, the only impediment to her success is Henry’s self imposed guardian, Michael.

Michael recognizes Chloe from years ago and knows part of her shameful secret, there is no way he is going to allow her to get her hooks in Henry. Michael owes Henry’s father a debt that he can never repay, he saved Michael’s life at Waterloo at the cost of his own. Michael not only suffers from survivors guilt, but he also has “war sickness” (PTSD).

Michael confronts Chloe and warns her away from Henry, but Chloe surprises him when she shows up at his house and tells him that she will not back down. Michael is taken by Chloe and if circumstances were different, he would claim her as his own. He has flashbacks to the war and loses his grasp on reality when he is caught up in one, because of this, he believes he is unfit to be a husband. But he wants Chloe and because of her past, he thinks she would make a perfect mistress.

Events unfold and Michael and Chloe grow closer and eventually embark on an affair. Chloe still wants to marry and Michael is still convinced that he cannot. But when Chloe helps him by getting him to talk about his war experiences, he has hope for the first time that he might be able to have a normal life – with Chloe.

When they are caught in a compromising position by Henry, things spiral out of control and Michael decides that he was right all along, he is unfit.

He breaks things off with Chloe and leaves her broken-hearted. When she decides to leave London, it seems like there will be no HEA for our lovers.

I really liked this story, it is well written, has some steamy love scenes, has some heart breaking moments and a very well done (and hard earned) HEA.

I would be happy to recommend this book, it is third in the Infamous Somertons series, but it could easily be read as a stand alone title.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher*

Once A Soldier by Mary Jo Putney

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Regency Era (1811-1820)1 Comment

Once a Soldier (Rogues Redeemed, #1)Once a Soldier by Mary Jo Putney

Barbara’s Rating: 3 of 5 stars    Maybe 3.5 stars —

  • Series:  Rogues Redeemed #1
  • Release Date:  6/28/16

It seems I am like a number of other readers and reviewers of this book. I love Mary Jo Putney, and I cannot tell you why this book didn’t just suck me right in as her other books do. I read all of the Lost Lords books and loved them. I always wanted Will Masterson’s story to be exceptional – but – it is just – well – ordinary. The book starts off exciting and it ends with excitement, but the middle of the book just plugs along. It takes place in a fictional country, which is fine, but the things the characters did are against ALL of the rules of Regency times – and probably any other country of that time. I mean, can you imagine any place, during that time period, where it would be acceptable for two couples to go on an overnight ‘camping’ trip alone – totally unchaperoned? Yep – me neither.

What an exciting beginning. Our hero, Will Masterson, along with several other men have been captured by the French and are awaiting execution by hanging. They are locked in a cold, damp basement with no way to escape. What will they do! Never fear, Will figures out a way — after all — if he didn’t, there wouldn’t be any more story! 🙂

After that exciting beginning, the story goes into some descriptions of the end of the war and Will’s orders to escort a contingent of soldiers to their home in San Gabriel (a fictional country between Portugal and Spain). Besides escorting the soldiers, Will is to evaluate the situation in San Gabriel and report back. This portion of the book moves along slowly with the hero meeting the heroine and others in San Gabriel. He arranges for a friend to bring much-needed supplies to San Gabriel and then there are many discussions with the heroine, the friend, etc. talking about San Gabriel’s defenses, planting grapes, making wine – all sorts of things. It is a way they are getting to know each other. Will and Athena are instantly attracted, but they let their attraction grow slowly.

Then, we reach the conclusion where it gets exciting again with an attack by a renegade, retreating French general who wants to rule San Gabriel by conquering them and then forcing their ruling Princess to marry him.

Will is injured while defending San Gabriel – and – then – like magic – all of Athena’s objections, angst, etc. disappear and she decides all will be wonderful. It just happened too fast.

BTW – there are three romances in this book and all three get their HEA’s.

Bottom line is that the story idea was a good one, but the book was a bit slow and didn’t just suck me in and keep me up all night reading it. I had no trouble putting the book down and taking a break from the story. I had really hoped for something more spectacular for Will.