Month: September 2023

Second Chance with His Viking Wife by Sarah Rodi

On By TracyIn Ancient Britain, Medieval (1066-1540), Middle Ages / Medieval (476-1454), Standalone Title, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Second Chance with His Viking WifeSecond Chance with His Viking Wife by Sarah Rodi

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: N/A, Standalone Title

Release Date: September 26, 2023

Revna of Greenland has known much loss in her life, first her mother and brother, then her home. She and her father arrived in Anglo-Saxon England with their clan and hopes for a new life. But soon after they arrive, battles break out and she is caught in the fight, but is saved by a handsome Saxon. A truce is called, but when the Queen is killed, Prince Teon launches another attack. This time to stop the fighting, Revna’s father Ravn, and King Edmund agree to have their children wed to to seal their alliance. Revna is happy to learn her betrothed is none other than the man who saved her, it gives her hope that she may have a happy marriage, but those hopes are crushed as soon as she is brought to his room after their wedding feast. Wounded but not broken, Revna refuses to return home to her father and soon finds her way to the hearts of the royal family and many of the castle’s residents. If only her husband would return and realize she is not his enemy.

Furious that he was forced to marry the daughter of the man he believes killed his mother to cement an alliance between King Edmund and Ravn of Greenland, Prince Teon verbally takes his rage out on his young bride and leaves her without a thought for eight long years. But upon learning that his father has passed, he returns to claim his throne and is shocked to see the young girl he left behind has grown into a lovely woman. He is angry at his attraction to her and that a heathen will Queen but he knows he cannot set her aside without causing a war. Instead, he vows to keep her at arm’s length and will never taint his royal Saxon bloodlines by siring children with her. Time after time, he rails at her, blaming her for the sins of others, it isn’t until she she leaves that he realizes he has made the biggest mistake of his life, and wonders if it is too late for a second chance.

This is a fast-paced, action-packed story, with wonderful characters and lots of emotion. This story is filled with feuds, betrayal, lust, murder, battles, culture clashes, steamy love scenes, angry words, secrets, shocking revelations, and finally forgiveness leading to HEA. I enjoyed this story, even though I absolutely despised Prince Teon until almost the end of the book, but he managed to win me in the end. I also enjoyed the love scenes that were spicier than are normally found in these books. I would warn that if you are a “history purest”, you will probably take exception to the modern verbiage in this book, but I would recommend ignoring it and just enjoy the story.

*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.*

A Cold Highland Wind by Tasha Alexander

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Edwardian Age (1901-1910), Historical Mystery, Part of a Series, Scottish/HighlanderLeave a comment

A Cold Highland Wind (Lady Emily #17)Barbara’s rating: 3.5 out of 5 Stars
Series: Lady Emily Ashton Mysteries
Publication Date: 10/3/23
Period: 1905 – Highlands of Scotland (Edwardian)
Number of Pages: 304

This book is basically two novellas totally unrelated in everything except place. The book blurb makes it sound as if something in the story from the past helped solve the mystery from 1905. That isn’t the case. The two storylines are alternated throughout the book – one chapter from 1905, the next chapter from 1676, etc. I read it that way for a while, but it really got annoying and detracted from the enjoyment of each story. So, I just went through and read all of the chapters from 1676 and then I read all of the chapters from 1905. I honestly saw no point in including the 1676 story other than to fill pages so it would be a ‘book’ rather than a ‘novella’. Both stories were excellent and I enjoyed both, but I didn’t care for the delivery method.

1676 – Tasnim (Tansy) was the daughter of well-to-do Moors. She spoke several languages and was well-educated. Then, she was kidnapped and made a slave to a sea captain who used her for his own pleasure – then gave her away. She was finally given as a wedding present to the wife of a Highland Laird. This is an excellent story of slavery, selfishness, betrayal – and witch hunts which were rampant in Scotland at that time. However, I was left wondering – Did Tansy ever actually make it home to reunite with her family? Did she get the life she so richly deserved? I sort of felt as if that was left hanging.

1905 – Lady Emily along with her husband Colin, their three children, and a crocodile have traveled to the Highlands for a family vacation with Emily’s lifelong friend, Jeremy Sheffield, the Duke of Bainbridge. Not long after their arrival, the brutally murdered body of Jeremy’s gamekeeper was discovered by the loch. He was a well-liked man and much admired by all of the ladies, though he didn’t encourage them – so, who murdered him? With a close-knit and tight-lipped community, it was really hard for Emily and Colin to get the information they needed to solve the crime. But goodness, when they did – what a crime and resolution it was! There are lots of red herrings for you to analyze and discard – or keep – and there are many very likable characters to keep you smiling.

One thing that took away from my enjoyment – though I’m sure it was supposed to add a lighter touch – was the ten-year-old boy walking around with a crocodile on a leash. I cringed every time I read that. I loved having the boys along as more than just afterthoughts in the story, but the crocodile. No, just no. I grew up in a state filled with alligators, and there is no way I would have let a grown-up, much less a child anywhere near one. Yet, this story had ten-year-olds walking an alligator’s older, meaner brother on a leash.

So, I enjoyed both stories – other than the crocodile – but the way it was delivered was just annoying. Having two stories included seems to be a hallmark of this series, and I’m just tired of the flipping back and forth between storylines. While I enjoyed the mystery, I would not read it again, and I think it will be a good while before I read another book in the series.

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

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