Month: July 2023

Season of the Rake (Wicked Widows League, #15) by Jane Charles

On By TracyIn Author Collaboration Series, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's Reviews2 Comments

Season of the Rake (Wicked Widows' League #15)Season of the Rake by Jane Charles

Tracy’s rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Series: Wicked Widows’ League, #15 with ties to Wedding Wagers and the Trent Series

Release Date: June 20, 2023

After rusticating for over a year thanks to scandal and then mourning their brother and husbands, Octavia Murphy, the widowed Countess of Kepple, and her sister Lavinia, the widowed Marchioness of Teviot are finally out of mourning and returning to London to launch their younger sisters into society. But aside from acting as a chaperon and hopefully saving her sisters from making the same mistakes she made, Octavia plans to find herself a lover. Octavia’s marriage left her bitter and determined to never marry again, but that doesn’t mean she wants to be alone, so to safeguard her heart she has come up with ten rules that will ensure that not only will she protect her heart, but protect her family from yet more scandal. Angelo Evans, Earl of Bolton is rumored to be the best lover in England, but the latest gossip says he is in the market for a bride, which should eliminate him from the running but Angelo is not willing to be denied, so will he agree to her rules?

Angelo’s father the Marquess of Dargate is not well, causing his mother to pressure him into agreeing to marry by Christmas. Angelo agrees to marry but plans to enjoy his freedom to the fullest before he has to enter the bonds of matrimony. He sets his sites on Octavia as his first lover of the season, when she rejects him, it only makes him want her more, but when he learns of her rules, he is not he is willing to comply. But once they come to terms, their affair is more than either ever expected and they find their hearts engaged. But Octavia has more than just a bad marriage keeping her from committing completely to Angelo, and with promises made to his parents, Angelo may have to let her go, even if it breaks both their hearts.

As usual, this is well written, nicely-paced story about a charming rake and a lovely widow who despite their best intentions, fall in love. The story is filled with witty banter, rules, promises, secrets, steamyish love scenes, a bit of angst, great secondary characters, family members who feel the need to give their opinions, surprises and finally a happy ending that didn’t seem possible, complete with an epilogue. I liked this story, and I loved both Octavia and Angelo, but I wasn’t thrilled by the ending, I was happy for them, but I wasn’t left with a “love conquers all” feeling. While this book is part of a large author collaboration series, it also has ties to other series by Ms. Charles and can 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 Secrets of Wycliffe Manor by Patricia Rice

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Historical Mystery, Historical Paranormal/Fantasy, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820)3 Comments

The Secrets of Wycliffe Manor (Gravesyde Priory Mysteries #1)Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Series: Gravesyde Prioy Mysteries #1
Publication Date: 7/11/23
Period: Regency
Number of Pages: 334

The Secrets of Wycliffe Manor is the first book in the Gravesyde Priory Mysteries series, and it is an interesting blend of gothic romance and historical mystery, with just a tad of paranormal. The story mostly follows Clarissa (Clare) Knightly and American Army Captain Alastair Huntley (Hunt) as they search for Hunt’s grandmother’s diaries and attempt to save Wycliffe Manor for all of the beneficiaries of the Earl’s will. Hunt just wants to find his grandmother’s diaries and leave for America so he can give the diaries to his mother. Clare, on the other hand, wants a safe haven for herself, her nephew, and her best friend.

Little do they know the danger they are in nor the direction from which it comes. Yet, in order to save the Manor, they must face danger, find the diaries, chase down the clues, outwit the villain, and rescue themselves from danger. Whew! Can they do all of that? Will they survive? Just how many villains can there be?

I loved all of the supporting characters and the idea of this very open home, but I wonder how it is all going to work for future books. I sort of began to feel we were creating the non-Malcolm version of Wystan Castle with all of the loosely connected people who were – or might be in the future – residing in the manor. I’m definitely not opposed to that because I think it would make for some very interesting stories. So, I’ll be very interested to see where the series heads with the second book.

For me personally, I really need a romance with a HEA in my mysteries. I felt a little short-changed in that respect. We certainly had what appeared to be two romances, but no complete HEA at all. I was left with many questions, but I won’t list them because – well – plot points, or maybe we’ll get the explanation in the next book. Anyway, I have no clue if Clare and Hunt actually marry or not because it was all left sort of hanging. Then, there is the other implied romance between Daniel Walker and Meera Abrams which never seems to have come to fruition either.

I can happily recommend this book and I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did. However, if you, like me, need a full-blown HEA romance in the story, then you’ll be a bit disappointed. I can make conjectures and say – Of course he stayed in England – Of course she didn’t go back to London – Of course they got married and settled happily into the manor, etc. but none of that was spelled out. Perhaps it will all be made clear in the next book. Happy Reading!

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

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