Month: January 2021

His Unlikely Duchess by Amanda McCabe – Blog Tour

On By TracyIn America's Gilded Age (1870-1900), Blog Tour, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

His Unlikely Duchess

His Unlikely Duchess

His Unlikely Duchess Cover

Money can buy her marriage

But will it lead to love?

Miss Lily Wilkins hopes her American money will compensate for her lack of etiquette, as she needs a prestigious marriage to save her sisters’ prospects. Raised to believe wealth was her greatest attribute, she’s stunned when her unconventional ways catch the eye of the notorious Duke of Lennox. He’s far from the safe, sensible match she’d planned on—but Lily might just discover he’s the one she needs!

Purchase Links:

UK ~ US 

Author Bio:

Amanda wrote her first romance at the age of sixteen–a vast historical epic starring all her friends as the characters, written secretly during algebra class (and her parents wondered why math was not her strongest subject…)
She’s never since used algebra, but her books have been nominated for many awards, including the RITA Award, the Romantic Times BOOKReviews Reviewers’ Choice Award, the Booksellers Best, the National Readers Choice Award, and the Holt Medallion. She lives in Santa Fe with a Poodle, a cat, a wonderful husband, and a very and far too many books and royal memorabilia collections.
When not writing or reading, she loves taking dance classes, collecting cheesy travel souvenirs, and watching the Food Network–even though she doesn’t cook.

 

Social Media Links:

Website ~ Facebook ~ Instagram ~ Pinterest ~ Twitter  

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Tracy’s Review:

 

His Unlikely Duchess (Dollar Duchesses Book 1)His Unlikely Duchess by Amanda McCabe

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Dollar Duchesses, #1

Release Date: January 1, 2021

When Stella Wilkins gets an invitation to come to England and introduce her daughters to society, nothing will stop her from finding titled husbands for her girls. American heiress Lily Wilkins never aspired to marry a duke, but her mother takes them to England for the season and she meets newly returned Aidan, the Duke of Lennox, she is immediately smitten.

Aidan left England after having his heart bruised by a girl he hoped to marry, but who favored his brother’s title. He spent years exploring the world and after his brother’s untimely death, is finally back to assume his responsibilities to the dukedom. But with a changing world and empty coffers, Aidan will need to marry an heiress to fulfill his obligations and Lily Wilkins is perfect. She is lovely, kind, and smart, but is it fair to marry her and saddle her with a crumbling estate?

Together Lily and Aidan will have much to learn about each other and their new responsibilities before they can claim their HEA, but will their budding attraction blossom into love or will insecurities, doubts and specters from the past nip their budding attraction or will love to find a way to blossom?

This was a well written, slow-paced love story with wonderful characters. The romance is definitely understated with very mild love scenes. The story is not overly dramatic or angsty – but there is a lack of communication, as well as insecurities, jealousy, and doubt that keep our lovers from finding a quick HEA. I did enjoy the book and would happily recommend it!

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. *

Highland Treasure by Lynsay Sands

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Medieval (1066-1540), Scottish/Highlander1 Comment

Highland Treasure (Highland Brides, #9)Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Highland Brides #9
Publication: 1/26/21
Number of Pages: 384

The inimitable Lynsay Sands has just delivered another exciting Highland tale filled with wit, cross country chases, love, honor, and betrayal. It is unusual for me to love both of the main characters equally, but, this time, I loved both of them. I normally love one of the leads and will, at best, like the other. Of course, I’ve loved Rory throughout the series and have really looked forward to him finding his special lady – and I am so happy that she really was special. While this is the ninth book in the series, you can totally read this as a standalone without being the least bit lost. That said, it is a wonderful series and I highly recommend all of the books.

Brutally beaten, shaken, kicked, and locked in a dungeon, Lady Elysande de Valance has just barely managed to escape the castle in which her parents and all of their soldiers were murdered by de Buci, someone thought to be a friend. Just before her mother died, she gave Elysande a letter to take to Rory Buchanan who just happens to be in England. The letter asks Rory to deliver a treasure to her Sinclair relatives in the Highlands of Scotland.

As a gifted healer, Rory is being paid a small fortune to travel to England to heal Baron Monmouth. Normally, Rory wouldn’t charge for healing, but the Baron asked him to travel all the way to England – and he offered the payment – and he is English … Just as Rory is taking his leave of the Baron, Rory’s brother, Alick, delivers a note to him. The note asks Rory to deliver a treasure to the Sinclair’s in the Highlands.

When Rory and his men reach the clearing to which the note directed them, all they saw was an abandoned cart. No horse attached to the cart, nobody around at all – just some bags piled on the cart. What? Then, three riders appeared at the edge of the woods. When the riders tell their tale, Rory immediately agrees to help.

As they all head out for the Highlands, de Buci and his soldiers are in hot pursuit. Rory and his men have to keep the badly injured Elysande safe, figure out how to save the English King along with his son, and manage to make it back to the Highlands in one piece. Of course, along the way, love happens as well.

I loved Elysande because she was smart, savvy, brave, honorable, witty, and stubborn as the devil himself. Sometimes she was a bit too stubborn, but she was also faithful and loyal to her people and her king. What she endured, without complaint, lets you know how resilient she was.

This was a lovely, exciting, couldn’t-put-it-down read and I can hardly wait for Alick’s story. I hope you’ll give the story a try and that you’ll enjoy it as much as I did. BTW – the epilogue is absolutely priceless – you should read the book just for that if nothing else.

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