Month: January 2024

A Duke of Her Own by Stacy Reid

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Novella, Part of a Series, Re-Release / Updated Edition, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

A Duke Of Her Own (Wedded By Scandal Companion Series Book 1)A Duke Of Her Own by Stacy Reid

Tracy’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Wedding by Scandal Companion Series, #1 (Previously published in I Like Big Dukes and I Cannot Lie)

Released: December 16, 2023

After a scandal that ruined her reputation and nearly two years of exile, Lady Francie Walcott has finally been called back to London by her mother to marry the elderly Earl of Beresford, in the hopes that the marriage will salvage Francie’s reputation. But before she leaves, she wants to see her neighbor and friend, Alexander Crawford one last time and hopes she will have the courage to ask him for a very special favor. For the last year, Mr. Crawford has been a balm for her loneliness and she has come to care for him. But her past experience has made her wary of trusting her emotions and she fiercely guards her heart, especially since he doesn’t know who she really is or that she is ruined and is most likely not a suitable candidate for marriage (at least by her mother’s standards). But none of that stops her from seeking him out or secretly longing for him.

Alexander Crawford, the Duke of Merrick has been smitten with Francie from almost the first moment he met her when he fled to his father’s lake cottage to grieve his father’s passing. Francie was kind and compassionate, and a friendship blossomed, but it is clear that she is hiding something, but then, so is Alexander. Over the months they have known each other, he has come to believe that Francie is the woman for him and hopes she feels the same. When she tells him of her desire to experience true passion, he is overjoyed and is determined to win her over once and for all. But when her secrets are brought to light, their HEA may be over, before it ever began!

This novella was a delight to read! The story is well written, flows perfectly, and is filled with lots of emotion, secrets, wonderful characters, steamyish love scenes, a little heartache, and finally an ending that was everything I was hoping for! This novella was originally published in the I Like Big Dukes and I Cannot Lie anthology and is the first book in Ms. Reid’s Wedded by Scandal Companion series and has ties to Wicked in His Arms in the Wedded by Scandal series. I loved this novella and am happy to recommend it to Historical Romance lovers or anyone who enjoys a steamyish novella with a happy ending.

*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.*

Death at a Scottish Wedding by Lucy Connelly

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Contemporary, Mystery, Part of a Series3 Comments

Death at a Scottish Wedding (A Scottish Isle Mystery)

Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Series: A Scottish Isle Mystery #2
Publication Date: 1/9/24
Period: Contemporary – Sea Isle, Scotland
Number of Pages: 272

Emilia (Em) McRoy, a burned-out American emergency room doctor, has been in the beautiful Scottish village of Sea Isle for three months and she’s loving it. She’s made wonderful friends and cannot imagine ever living anywhere else. While she should have read her contract more closely – after her arrival, she discovered many things she had missed – such as the fact that she was also the coroner – she is still thrilled to be there.

Emilia and her new Sea Isle friends have been invited to attend the wedding of their friend Angie at beautiful Morrigan Castle. Angie is a fun, quirky, young woman who marches to her own drummer, but has a heart of gold – and everyone who knows her loves her. Everyone, that is, except her soon-to-be father-in-law. He is a snob and cannot stand the idea of his son lowering himself to marry someone like Angie.

Before all of the guests arrive, the castle is snowed in, and the snow will continue for several days. There is plenty of food, drink, and good spirits, so the snow isn’t a problem – until – Emilia discovers a body in a tower of the castle. Who is the victim? He isn’t a guest, so how did he get to this high-security, very private event? Is his death natural, accidental, or murder?

Ewan Campbell is the laird, mayor, constable, owner of Morrigan Castle, and probably the richest man in Scotland (we learned that in the first book). In the previous investigation, he constantly second-guessed and argued with Emilia about facts in that case. He’s learned his lesson and has come to trust her instincts and judgment – therefore, when she says it was not a natural death, he believes her.

This was a fun and exciting story that kept me on the edge of my chair wondering who would be the next victim – and who the villain(s) might be. We had avalanches, betrayals, attempted murders, poison, people who weren’t all they seemed, and a wedding couple who were truly devoted to each other. My only ‘complaint’ about the book is Emilia’s constantly telling us how wonderful her friends are and how much she loves them. Yes, it is wonderful to have great new friends – but goodness – you don’t need to tell me in every fifth line of the book. It will be interesting to see if a personal relationship develops between Emilia and Ewan because romance is something I need in any book I read. I enjoyed the book and am already looking forward to the next one.

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

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