Month: March 2022

Tempted by a Governess by Jane Charles

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

Tempted by a Governess (To Love a Governess, book 2)Tempted by a Governess by Jane Charles

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: To Love a Governess, #2

Release Date: March 22, 2022

When her father died, Katrina Carrick inherited his bookshop/lending library and his debts. It was with a sad heart that she realized that she would have to sell all the books to pay the debts and seek employment. Having worked as a governess before, she answered an advert from the Viscountess Melcombe in Willanton England. She then gets the news that Lord Timothy Strotham, the youngest son of the Marquess of Shomberg is interested in purchasing her stock. Katrina invites him to examine the books but is not prepared for her reaction to him.

Lord Timothy has been restless, he is not suited for the clergy or the army, but tutoring and teaching at Oxford brought him no joy, so he has decided to open a lending library in the town of Middleton where he owns a small estate. He learns of the book sale and travels to Scotland to meet the owner. He is shocked to learn that the owner is not only a woman but a young, single, and very attractive woman.

Over the next couple of weeks, these two get to know each other and the attraction intensifies, but neither of them is in a position to pursue a relationship and try to ignore the sexual tension that is growing stronger each day. Timothy is firm in his resolve to keep his dealings with Katrina strictly in the friend zone, but Katrina has other plans. When she learns his estate is near to Willanton and that he is traveling there as soon as their business is completed, she figures she can kill two birds with one stone, she will ask Timothy to give her a ride to her interview and since she never plans to marry, she hopes to seduce him and experience passion before settling into a life of servitude. What could go wrong?

This was a well-written, fun novel with very likable characters who share an undeniable attraction yet for whom HEA doesn’t seem to be in the cards. The book is filled with smoldering attraction, risque reading material, a handfasting gone wrong, some warm love scenes, great secondary characters, some surprising twists and finally a HEA complete with an epilogue. This is the second book in the series, but it is loosely connected and this book could easily be read as a standalone title.

*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 Queen’s Man by Jess Michaels

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

The Queen’s ManThe Queen’s Man by Jess Michaels

Tracy’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Regency Royals, #5

Release Date: March 15, 2022

With all the changes happening in the country and with the monarchy, the soon-to-be-former King Grantham of Athawick asks his mother Queen Giabella to tour the southern part of their Island – to hopefully garner support for Grantham’s run for Prime Minister once he renounces his crown. He suggests that she take her long-time secretary and dearest friend Dashiell Talbot with her. She agrees without question and looks forward to time alone with Dash. She wonders if she will finally have the courage to be honest with him about her feelings, feelings she has had since she meet him and never acted upon, even after being widowed.

Dash has loved Giabella since the moment he met her, but he is a servant and she is a queen, no matter his feelings, he will never be worthy of her. But with the changes coming to their country and the offer of a position in Grantham’s cabinet, he might not be completely worthy, but he will be closer. When Grantham suggests he accompany Gia on her trip, he knows the time has come to tell her the truth of Grantham’s offer, that he will be leaving her employ. But when a moonlit kiss changes everything between them, will they finally give in to the passion that has always simmered between them or will they let duty keep them apart?

This was a fantastic end to this series, and I will be 100% honest – I was shocked to learn that these two were not already lovers – the close connection they have shared since the first book led me to believe they were already secret lovers – so I had a serious NFW moment when I learned that they have never even kissed! The book is short, but it does not skimp on the love scenes, emotion or angst. I loved seeing the past characters living their HEA and was absolutely thrilled for Gia and Dash – theirs was truly a hard-won HEA and rarely I have read that kind of chemistry between characters! This is the fifth and final book in the series and can be read as a standalone, but I would recommend reading the books in order for the best experience.

*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.*