Month: December 2019

The Duke’s Embrace by Erica Ridley

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Novella, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The Duke's Embrace (12 Dukes of Christmas #7)The Duke’s Embrace by Erica Ridley

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: 12 Dukes of Christmas, #7

Release Date: December 3, 2019

Eve Shelling longs to be a serious journalist, but when her exposé about the founder of Cressmouth aka Christmas is published, her father, the owner of the Cressmouth Gazette is livid and says they only write about Christmas. She argues and he agrees to let her write one “non-Christmas” story as long as he approves the subject and the story before it is published.

Sébastien “Bastien” le Duc and his brother Lucien are the local blacksmiths in town, they came to Cressmouth many years ago when they were rescued from the “terror” in France, but even after 18 years, they long to return to their home. Now that the wars are over and it is safe to return, they have a plan to go just as soon as they sell the smithy. Lucien wants to leave immediately, but Bastien says they need to some time and plans to leave on twelfth night.

Eve is watching the swans – the subject of her non-Christmas story, when her friend Margaret Church joins her and suggests she write a feature about a local citizen. Eve loves the idea and when they notice the le Duc brothers, she decides they are perfect for her story. Eve doesn’t trust men, past experience taught her a hard lesson and she vows to never be duped again. But her interest in Bastien is purely professional, she has no interest in him personally – Really! Alright, he is handsome and well dressed, so much so that his admirers call him “Beau”, but there is more to him than his fashion sense and that is what she needs to learn.

When Bastien approaches Eve about taking out an advert in the Gazette, she jumps at the chance to spend time with him writing the perfect listing for the smithy. She tells him of the swan story and he offers to introduce her to a local artist who would be happy to draw something for the paper. She immediately questions his motives, why would he help her? He says she is helping him, so he will help her.

As the days pass, Eve and Bastien’s friendship deepens and stronger feelings grow, but they each have secrets, Bastien is leaving soon and she has dreams that don’t include handsome, well-dressed blacksmiths, only a fool would fall in love…

I thought this was a sweet novella with more depth than I was expecting. Bastien and Eve are both likeable characters with a great chemistry between them. I thought the story was well written, paced nicely, had a bit of steam, a bit of heartache and a very well thought out HEA. This is the seventh book in the series, but it can easily be read as a stand-alone title. I am happy to recommend this title and look forward to future installments in this series!

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

Winterset by Candace Camp

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

Winterset (The Mad Morelands, #3)Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: The Mad Morelands #3
Publication Date: 1/8/18 (First Published 2004)
Number of Pages: 416

I am really loving the Mad Morelands who aren’t really mad, just a bit unusual and eccentric. I really liked Reed Moreland in the last book and as I got to know him in this book, I came to admire him as well. The book is well-written, romantic, filled with characters you’ll love and includes a mystery that is engrossing but doesn’t take away from the romance.

Three years ago, Reed Moreland decided it was time for him to purchase himself a country estate – one where he could raise his children once he was ready to marry. He found the perfect place – Winterset – and he also found the perfect woman for him. He woos her and loves her – and he’s sure that she loves him too. Yet, when he asks her to marry him, she turns him down by telling him that they wouldn’t suit and that she doesn’t love him at all. After three long years, he still loves her just as much – and when he has a nightmare that convinces him she’s in danger, he heads back to Winterset. Of course, he tells himself it is so he can sell Winterset and finally put the past behind him.

Anna Holcombe was totally, completely, irrevocably in love with Reed Moreland three years ago. They had spent the most wonderful month together and then – her world totally imploded when she got some ghastly news. When Reed proposed, she had no choice but to refuse his suit and to do it in such a way that he’d leave and forget about her. She’s spent the last three years trying to get over him as best she can and she finally has her life where it is pleasant if not happy. Now, Reed is back at Winterset and he’s convinced she’s in danger. Silly man – of course she isn’t in any danger.

When a housemaid disappears from Anna’s household – and then her mutilated body is found, everybody begins to speak of the Beast. The wounds on the poor girl’s body certainly looks like a beast of some sort did it – but is the beast a man or an animal? Then, a second murder – and the victims, the wounds harken back to murders from fifty years ago. How can they possibly be related? As more attempts occur and secrets are uncovered, Anna and her brother Kit are in more and more danger. Reed and Anna work together to unravel the murders and the secrets that have been hidden for half a century.

If you love a great romance AND an intense mystery, this is the book for you.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.