Month: March 2022

The Marquess Makes His Move by Diana Quincy

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

The Marquess Makes His Move (Clandestine Affairs, #3)The Marquess Makes His Move by Diana Quincy

Tracy’s rating: 3.5/4 of 5 stars

Series: Clandestine Affiars, #3

Release Date: March 29, 2022

Alexander Worthington, the Marquess of Brandon is furious, part of his country estate, Highfield has been stolen from him by way of a fraudulent map. He needs proof that his neighbor, Charles Canning conspired with Roger Fleming, the mapmaker, and decides to take a position as a footman in Fleming’s home to find evidence. But what he found was Fleming’s wife Rose, who captivated him from the start which makes his plans for revenge on Fleming much harder, since he doesn’t want Rose to suffer. And as much as he desires Rose, nothing can come of it and he has a title to consider. A title that the ton believes was tarnished by his Arab mother, so Alex is also seeking revenge from the ton by courting the diamond of the season. If all goes as planned, Alex will recover his stolen land and marry the Duke of Kingsley’s daughter. But there are things Alex doesn’t know and secrets that will change everything…

Rose Fleming is London’s premier mapmaker, but no one knows it, everyone believes that her husband Roger is the creator of the wonderfully detailed maps, something that grates at her. Rose learned the art from her uncle and inherited the business from him when he passed. Roger was an engraver and surveyor working for them and someone her uncle wanted her to marry. So within weeks of his demise, Roger convinced Rose that no one would buy maps from a woman and formed a plan, they would marry and he would assume the title of the mapmaker. Knowing he was right about society’s views of women, she agreed and at first, all was well, but soon Roger stopped coming to her bed and made it clear that he didn’t want children, leaving Rose alone and hurt. But things began to look up when Alex joined their household, clearly he is not an experienced footman, but she likes him and they soon form a friendship, and though she feels something for him she has never felt before, she is a married woman and nothing can come of it. But when the first of many secrets are revealed, hope springs to life in her heart before the reality of the revelation sets in and more secrets come to light, making HEA seem like an unobtainable dream.

This book was much more than I was expecting, it is just as well-written and well-researched as the previous books, but there is a lot more going on and a lot more angst than the other books. The chemistry between Rose and Alex is undeniable and fairly sizzles on the page, the secrets are shocking and some a bit unsettling. I liked the idea of the story, but I was a bit disappointed when Rose had a complete personality change when she learned of Alex’s deception, it seemed hypocritical considering she had been keeping secrets too. But in the end, I liked how everything works out and that readers are treated to an epilogue that shows not only their HEA but those of the previous characters. This is the third book in the series, but it can be read as a standalone title with no problems.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*

The Highlander’s Stolen Bride by Madeline Martin

On By TracyIn Author Collaboration Series, Medieval (1066-1540), Middle Ages / Medieval (476-1454), Part of a Series, Scottish/Highlander, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The Highlander's Stolen Bride (Highland Alliances, #3)The Highlander’s Stolen Bride by Madeline Martin

Tracy’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Highland Alliances, #3

Release Date: March 29, 2022

After the death of his father, Calum Campbell, the new head of the banished Campbell clan, just wants peace and to return to Scotland. After his father’s antics, he has little hope that Ross, the MacMillan Chieftain will listen to him, but Calum has a plan, he will abduct Ross’ sister Elspeth and hold her hostage until Ross agrees to a meeting.

Elspeth is on her way to meet her soon-to-be betrothed when the Campbells take her. The Campbell chief killed her father and uncle and were banished from Scotland by the king, their lands given to several clans, including hers. But the Campbell is back and wreaking havoc in an attempt to regain their lands. She is sure they are evil, but once they get to Ireland, she realizes that they are starving and Calum is not his father, he wants peace and a chance to save his clan. She agrees to help them and writes to Ross and sets up a meeting.

Things become complicated by the attraction between them, and each wants to be true to their clans. They hope the meeting with Ross will clear the air and peace can be achieved. But things don’t go as planned and when she learns of more Campbell attacks while she was in Ireland, her father in Calum’s innocence waivers – but when her betrothed grabs her, it is Calum who saves her and when he swears he doesn’t know anything about the attacks, she decides to appeal to her other brother for help. But when they come across another “Campbell” attack in progress, they realize the truth and know that things are going to get much worse unless they can convince Ross that Calum is innocent, which is a seemingly impossible task and makes their chances for a HEA even more unlikely.

This is the final book in the collaboration trilogy following the MacMillan siblings and in my opinion, this one is the best of the three. Calum and Elspeth have such great chemistry and of the three couples, they have the most to overcome. The book is filled with action, intrigue, betrayal, steamy love scenes, shocking revelations, big twists, a nail-biting-hanging on the edge of your seat-OMG ending, and finally a HEA complete with an epilogue. I loved this book and highly recommend it. This is the third book in the series, and while you could read this as a standalone title, I would strongly recommend reading the series in order for the best reader experience.