Month: January 2025

A Lady Would Know Better by Emma Theriault

On By TracyIn Debut Novel, New To Me Author, Part of a Series, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

A Lady Would Know BetterA Lady Would Know Better by Emma Theriault

Tracy’s Rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

Series: None Listed

Release Date: January 28, 2025

While out walking with his sisters, Jasper Maycott, the new Earl of Belhaven discovers an unconscious woman in the snow and he brings her home to nurse her back to health, but when she wakes, she has no memory of who she is or what happened. Having suffered much loss in the last year, including the woman he loved, Jasper has sealed his heart and never expected to have feelings for the woman they are calling Jane. But Jane manages to pull him out of his grief, but without her memories, what future could they possibility have?

When Jane wakes in Mulgrave Hall, she has no recollection of who she is or where she is from but knows something is wrong. She is drawn to the brooding, grief-stricken Jasper as well as his sisters. But without knowing her past, she can’t risk her heart or causing Jasper and his family more pain. Yet when she is reunited with her family, things don’t go as this reader expected and HEA seems like an impossibility.

While I will not deny that this book was technically well-written and the author has a gift for writing a character’s emotions, I cannot say that I enjoyed it. The characters are likable, but formulaic, and the “I was in love and will never love again” trope is one that annoys me to no end. The story starts out promising, but it drags until the ending, which was anti-climactic and frankly, disappointing. Add to that the complete disregard for the protocols and etiquette standards of the Victorian era, and you end up with a contemporary romance in period dress. Overall, I didn’t care for this book, but the writing has promise and I would consider reading another book by this author.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

The Laird’s Guardian Angel by Eliza Knight

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

The Laird's Guardian Angel (Highland Lairds Book 3)The Laird’s Guardian Angel by Eliza Knight

Tracy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Highland Lairds #3

Release Date: January 28, 2025

When Lady Calliope Ramsey was a little girl, her English mother left Scotland and took Calliope with her. Now fifteen years later, her mother has died under mysterious circumstances and the man Calliope believed to be her stepfather, is returning her to her father in Scotland. Her father, the Chieftain of the Ramsey clan is overjoyed at her return and welcomes her with open arms. But their reunion is cut short when English soldiers attack the castle and Calliope sees her father cut down. Terrified, she flees the castle and is found by Alistair Sinclair and his men. They take her to his castle and promises to help her retake her home. As much as Calliope admires Alistair, she still isn’t willing to standby while he retakes her castle, she defies his orders to join the battle and proves that she worthy to lead her clan. Once she has regained control of Castle Ramsey, she should be happy, but her feelings for Alistair complicate her plans to take her father’s place as Chieftain, will love find a way or are they doomed to be star-crossed lovers?

Alistair Sinclair is the only unmarried brother of the Sinclair triplets. He has devoted himself to protecting Scotland and is returning from a skirmish on the border when he finds Calliope. She tells him of the attack on the castle and demands that they return immediately to take the castle back. Alistair is enchanted by Calliope and wants to help her, but he needs time to regroup and plan, something she doesn’t agree with. She is unlike any woman he has ever known and the only woman who has made him think of marriage. But there are bigger things at play, and with Calliope determined to lead her clan, their feelings, though intense, cannot take precedence over the safety of Scotland.

This was a fast-paced, quick read with wonderful characters and lots of action. This book has something for everyone, action, adventure, great characters, family reunions, a bit of mystery, steamy love scenes, a heroine with the heart of a warrior, a hero who is pretty much perfect, wonderful secondary characters, surprises, and finally a hard-won HEA. Overall, this was an enjoyable read, and one that I am happy to recommend.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *