Month: November 2023

Her Wicked Knight by Jen Bradlee

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

Her Wicked Knight (Prince of Whispers Trilogy #0)Her Wicked Knight by Jen Bradlee

Tracy’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: The Prince of Whispers, Prequel

Release Date: November 28, 2023

Marian Ravenwood of Ravinell travels to the court of King Henry to plead for help in fighting the raiders who are attacking Ravinell. Her father, Baron Ravinell is ill, something Marian doesn’t want to become public knowledge, it is up to her to protect the holding. She is greeted at court by her neighbor, Baron de Bough, who sympathizes with her about the attacks, noting that only her lands have been targeted and even suggests that they marry, an offer she has already declined. She is holding out hope that the King will send a contingent to Ravinell, therefore sparing her the need to accept Baron de Bough. While waiting, she hears whispers of the King’s champion, Sir Guy Silverthorne a knight known far and wide as “The Grim Knight”. But when the two meet, it is certainly not love at first sight and Marian is then horrified when King Henry assigns Sir Guy to Ravinell. She sets out to ignore him, even though she secretly finds him fascinating and is attracted to him. They return to Ravinell to find Marian’s father is much improved and is delighted that Sir Guy has come. This will make things harder for Marian, as she is keeping some very big secrets and isn’t sure if she can trust Sir Guy.

Sir Guy Silverthorne is a bad man who has done heinous things for King Henry, things that haunt him and have surely damned his soul to hell. He knows he is not worthy of a woman like Marian, but despite that knowledge, he is not only attracted to her, he is intrigued by her. He knows she is keeping secrets and finds the fact that only Ravinell is being attacked by the raiders suspicious. When he learns her secret, he agrees to help her for a price, he wants her in his bed…forever. Guy has to walk a fine line with Marian, he is sure he knows who is behind the raids, but he needs proof, and even that might not be enough to stop the traitor and save the woman he has come to love.

This was a well-written, nicely paced, intriguing Enemies to Lovers tale and is the prequel to the Prince of Whispers series featuring Ruby’s parents. I was pulled into the story from the start and could barely put it down, the book is filled with wonderful characters, intrigue, secrets, lots of action, steamy love scenes, evil villains, betrayal, loss, love, and finally a happy-ever-after that didn’t seem possible. I loved this book and enthusiastically recommend this title to historical romance lovers who enjoy some steam in their romances! This book is the prequel to the Prince of Whispers series, but it can absolutely be read as a standalone title. Enjoy!

*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.*

It Had to Be a Duke by Vivienne Lorret

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

It Had to Be a Duke (The Liar's Club, #1)It Had to Be a Duke by Vivienne Lorret

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Liar’s Club, #1

Release Date: November 28, 2023

Verity Hartley, the eldest daughter of Baron and Baroness Hartley, is not a liar by nature, but when she literally falls at the feet of Nell Hunnicutt, her snobbish neighbor who is bragging of her recent season in London and of all the offers of marriage she has come home to consider, Verity blurts out a lie to end all lies when she tells Nell that she is betrothed to the Magnus Warring, the Duke of Longhurst. Which is completely ludicrous, considering the Duke blames her family for the death of his father and the financial ruin of their estate, thanks to a scheme he alleges Verity’s father dreamed up to scam his father. But that doesn’t stop her falsehood from taking flight and landing her in an even bigger lie when the duke demands that she pretend to be engaged to him, but jilt him so he can marry the heiress he has been wooing without seeming dishonorable. She agrees because one, she caused this problem, and two, jilting the arrogant, self-righteous, pompous duke will be her pleasure. Besides, it’s not like she would ever fall in love with him or want to marry him in truth, why even the thought of it is beyond ridiculous!

Magnus, the Duke of Longhurst is a man who believes in family, duty, and honor, and for the last seven years, he has worked hard to pull his family out of the financial hole his father dug with his impulsive and reckless investments. He has been offered an investment opportunity that will not only restore his family’s fortunes but will also secure a livelihood for his younger brother, something his mother constantly reminds him of, but to invest, he will need money, and so he has set his sites on heiress Anna Snow, the daughter of Phineas Snow, the Button King, an obscenely rich merchant. But when he meets with Mr. Snow to ask for permission to marry Anna, he is turned down, because it turns out he is already betrothed to Miss Verity Hartley, the daughter of the man who ruined his life! He assures Mr. Snow that this is a misunderstanding and promises that it will all be taken care of without a scandal. But to protect his honor, he has no choice but to go along with Verity’s lie, first by proposing (so he isn’t lying – unlike SOME people) and then by demanding she breaks off the engagement after spending time with him in public to convince people that they really are betrothed. Once she dumps him, he will return to London and marry Miss Snow and forget this ever happened. It is a great plan and there is no reason why it won’t work exactly as planned because there is no way he would ever fall in love with her or want to marry her in truth, why even the thought of it is too preposterous to believe!

I enjoyed this story, I thought it was well-written and nicely paced, with wonderful characters and even a bit of a mystery thrown in to provide an interesting dash of intrigue. I loved the interactions between Magnus and Verity, especially their banter! As much as I dislike the trope, I felt the love triangle was handled well and the emotional growth of both Verity and Magnus was particularly well done, I even found myself tearing up a time or two wondering how they would ever be able to have a happily ever after. The story is filled with duty, honor, family, intrigue, secrets, lies, nasty neighbors, steamyish love scenes, surprising revelations, naked clergymen, a mischievous cat, more than one twist, and the promise of HEA. I do wish there had been an epilogue because it did feel like a few things were left hanging, but nothing major. Overall, I thought this was a wonderful start to a new series that I would happily recommend, and will be looking forward to future installments.

4.5 stars, rounded up

*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.*