Month: April 2024

Blog Tour for A Duke of One’s Own by Emma Orchard

On By TracyIn Blog Tour, Book Publicity, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

A Duke of One’s Own

Summer, 1816. A notorious rebel is about to meet her match…

Lady Georgiana Pendlebury is no stranger to breaking the rules of polite society. But when a so-called ‘friend’ invites her to a clandestine party, Georgiana is shocked to discover the event is more scandalous than even she could have imagined. So when a mysterious stranger offers help, she accepts, not realizing their encounter will turn her life upside down.

Later that summer, Georgiana is invited to attend a house party at an infamous castle in Yorkshire. The gathering is a loosely veiled effort to arrange a marriage for the Duke of Northriding, who desperately needs an heir. Duke Gabriel Mauleverer has a terrible reputation as a rake, and Georgiana is happy to be a guest purely for the entertainment, but upon arrival, she is shocked to discover that the Duke is none other than the stranger who rescued her weeks earlier.

As the other ladies vie for the Duke’s attention, Georgiana is desperate to avoid their shocking secret getting out. But she finds herself caught, unable to avoid Gabriel’s gaze. Are they a threat to each other? Or could they be the answer to each other’s greatest desires?

Purchase Link

Author Bio:

Emma Orchard is the author of several well-reviewed regency romance novels published by Allison & Busby. In her other life she is a literary agent. Her first book with Boldwood is a raunchy romp set in Regency London.

Social Media Links:

Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Instagram

Tracy’s Review:

A Duke of One's OwnA Duke of One’s Own by Emma Orchard

Tracy’s rating: 3.5/4 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Release Date: April 22, 2024

Lady Georgiana “Georgie” Pendlebury seems to have knack for making bad decisions and finding trouble and her current dilemma is a prime example of that! Weeks ago, she found herself abandoned at a very risqué masquerade party and one bad decision led to another which ended in a very intimate encounter with a stranger and a night she will never forget. And now that decision has come back to bite her, when she finds herself at a house party to find a bride for the infamous Silver Duke – who just happens to be her mystery lover! Awkward! Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your POV) the duke remembers her and soon decides that Georgie is the perfect bride! Passion won’t be a problem, but Georgie wants more and is sure that a match between them will only end in heartache.

Gabriel Mauleverer, the Duke of Northriding AKA the Silver Duke (thanks to his unusual eyes and the silver streaks in his ebony hair), is a well-known rake and content bachelor, but since the death of his younger brother and his cousin, he is without an heir and needs to find a bride. He lets his sister plan a house party with prospective brides and never imagines that his mysterious lady would be a guest – too bad she isn’t there as bride. He knows she doesn’t believe that they could be happy, but when they are caught in a compromising position, they are left with no choice but to wed. Now he just needs to convince her that they are perfect for each other.

This new to me author came through with a cute story with very likable characters. The story has secrets, witty banter, a very diverse cast of secondary characters, steamy love scenes, blackmail, realizations, life or death moments, and finally a soulmate type of love leading to HEA, complete with an epilogue. I enjoyed this story, but it wasn’t perfect, there were some dangling plot points, and some very anticlimactic moments. Overall, I liked the book and would happily recommend the title to readers who like steamy historical romances with feisty heroines and heroes who fall fast and hard.

*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.*

 

Secrets of a Highlanders Heart by Julie Johnstone – Release Day Blog Blitz

On By TracyIn Blog Tour, Book Publicity, Part of a Series, Release Day Blitz, Scottish/Highlander, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Will the truth of the past destroy the hope of their future?

How far will he go for vengeance?

Brus Stone remembers nothing of his life before he was rescued at the age of five summers and brought to live as part of the Northern Watch. Having been told his mother abandoned him, he’s about as willing to give his trust to a woman as he is to hand his sword to his enemy during battle. So when he’s tasked with accompanying a group of highlanders through the treacherous lands he helps patrol and he encounters a bonny lass who proves to be as brave as any warrior he’s ever met, he’s surprised by his pull to the lass and more than wary because of it. He steels himself against lowering his guard, but her open nature bemuses him, and her caring heart entices him. Each time he touches her he finds himself further drawn to the warmth she exudes and the possibility that believing in her will not result in betrayal. But a shocking revelation about his past obliterates everything he holds true and leaves him with a choice—give unwavering faith to the daughter of the enemy he didn’t know he had or raise his guard once more and secure the ultimate revenge.

How much will she lose for love?

Grace MacDonald is starting to wonder whether she’ll ever meet a man who sees her as an equal and not simply a potential wife to do as he bids. To complicate matters, her father wishes her to wed her childhood friend and fortify an important alliance between their clans. Though she wants to please her beloved father, her friend does not stir her heart or her desire, so she’s reluctant to accept his offer of marriage. When the party she’s travelling with is attacked and a Scottish warrior rescues her, she’s immediately drawn to the powerfully compelling man. Not only does he display a gentle caring side, but he also listens to what she says and seems to value her opinions. His every look, touch, and kiss ignite her in the way she’s been waiting for all her life. But Brus will not completely let her in. He has erected a barrier between them, and the harder she tries to breach it, the more withdrawn he becomes. She’s determined to prove to him that he can count on her, so they can grasp the glorious love she’s sure awaits them. Yet when a devastating secret comes to light, she must decide whether her loyalty remains with the father she’s always trusted or whether it belongs with the man she’s certain is her destiny.

LINKS:

Amazon – Goodreads – BookBub