Month: November 2023

Highland Wrath by Madeline Martin

On By TracyIn Jacobean/Stuart Era (1603-1714), Part of a Series, Re-Release / Updated Edition, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment


122753006Highland Wrath by Madeline Martin

Tracy’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: The Mercenary Maidens, #3

Release Date: RE-RELEASE November 14, 2023

If you have been following the series, you already know Sylvi and have probably been dying to know how she ended up as a mercenary, where did she learn to fight and why does she always wear a ribbon around her neck – well, my friends, the wait is over! All your questions will be answered!!

Sylvi is the leader of a band of mercenary women warriors, she is strong, brave, and seemly indomitable – but Sylvi has scars, both emotional and physical, and her entire being cries for vengeance against those who stole everything from her.

When she accepts a job to assassinate Ian Campbell, her world is turned upside down. Finally, she will have the means to enact her vengeance, but will revenge be the balm to her soul that she envisioned or will the love of an equally flawed man finally set her free?

There is a lot happening in this book and it is almost impossible to give details without ruining the story for you – so suffice it to say – read the book, you will not be sorry! There is action, adventure, steamy love scenes, a hero to die for, betrayal, twists, heartbreak, some moments of sorrow and of joy, and finally a true love HEA for more than just Sylvi and Ian!

Even if you haven’t read the previous books in the series, you will be able to read this story with no problems, but you really should read the books in order – it will make this story all the more satisfying!! It is important to note, that this book was previously released in 2018.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by the publisher*

Not The Duke You Marry by Jess Michaels

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

Not the Duke You Marry (The Kent's Row Duchesses #3)Not the Duke You Marry by Jess Michaels

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Kent’s Row Duchesses, #3

Release Date: November 14, 2023

Bernadette “Etta”, the widowed Duchess of Tunbridge is feeling a bit out of sorts after her two dearest friends marry. She is happy for them, but can’t help but feel a little jealous and maybe even sorry for herself. Her marriage was by no means a love match, for the most part, he ignored her, just as her parents had always done, but after his death, she moved to Kent Row and made friends, but now they are married and leaving and she wonders what is her next step. She considers taking a lover and even mentions it to her childhood friend Theodore “Theo” Tinsley, the Duke of Lightmorrow, who by all accounts is a rake of the first order. But that conversation doesn’t go well and she is embarrassed. Later she finds a letter addressed to her late husband from Donville Masquerade, a pleasure club, and her curiosity is piqued. She visits the club and decides to join, hoping to find a lover. But instead of an anonymous lover, it is Theo who finds her. He gives her a taste of pleasure, but immediately takes her home. She presses him and he agrees to engage in an affair but makes it clear that it is only about pleasure, nothing more. She agrees to his terms, but wonders if she will be able to keep her word, as Theo has always held a part of her heart.

Theo is and always has been attracted to Bernadette and considers her a friend, a friend he doesn’t want to lose. They embark on their affair and it is clear that they are perfectly matched in bed. Theo is amazed that her late husband didn’t want her, not only is she passionate, but she is clever, kind, and considerate – what more could a man want? As his feelings deepen, he begins to long for more from their relationship and wonders if Etta feels the same. But before he can declare his love and desire to marry her, a hurtful secret from his past will crush any hope he has of HEA with the woman he now knows he can’t live without.

In my opinion, this is the best book in the series. I loved Bernadette and Theo together, I felt their chemistry right from the beginning of the series and couldn’t wait for their story and it was well worth the wait! This book is filled with emotion, insecurity, friendship, a near-death experience, steamy love scenes, vindictive family members, a little heartache, forgiveness, and finally a lovely declaration scene leading to the start of their HEA and as if that wasn’t enough, there is also a very sweet epilogue featuring all the couples. I liked the previous books, but I LOVED this one and highly recommend it to readers who enjoy steamy friends-to-lovers stories. This is the third and final book in the series, but it could definitely be read as a standalone title.
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*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.*