Month: March 2025

The Mapmaker’s Apprentice by C.J. Archer

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Historical Paranormal/Fantasy, Part of a Series, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

The Mapmaker's Apprentice (Glass and Steele, #2)

Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Series: Glass and Steele #2
Publication Date: 10/25/16
Period: Victorian London
Number of Pages: 313

A LOT is going on in each of the books in this series – and these things will run through most, if not all, of the books. There is the issue of the people with magic and those without. There is the issue of the sheriff from America who is out to destroy and/or kill Matthew. There is the issue of finding the magical watchmaker who can repair the watch keeping Matthew alive. Then, of course, there is a story specific to each book – and the ongoing development of the relationship between India and Matthew.

The business of Victorian England is run by Guilds – The Watchmaker’s Guild, The Mapmaker’s Guild, the Toymaker’s Guild, etc. If you want to open a business or sell a product of any kind, you must be licensed by the Guild for that product. Sometimes nasty shenanigans are happening in those guilds – I know that surprises you. 😊 Those Guilds will not admit nor license anyone who is magical to the guild. People with magical abilities are feared and reviled

India, Matthew, and their compatriots are getting more and more frustrated at being unable to find the watchmaker known as Chronos. As Matthew’s watch becomes less and less effective at keeping him alive, it is becoming more and more imperative to find him. Yet, they hit a blank wall everywhere they turn. Where can he be?

Police Commissioner Munro asks them to find a young man who has gone missing – his son – who has magical abilities as a mapmaker. Though we never actually meet the young man, Daniel, what we do learn of him doesn’t make him sound very likable. India and Matthew are afraid he’s been kidnapped by someone in the employ of the Watchmaker’s Guild because of his abilities. Was he kidnapped or did he just take off on his own to make his fortune? Hmmm – you’ll need to read the book to find out.

This could have been, for me anyway, a dark book – except, the matchmaking schemes of Matthew’s Aunt Letitia kept throwing bits of humor into the mix. You’ll love Aunt Letitia – who is class-conscious and a stickler for the proprieties – and is perhaps not always in her right mind.

India struggles with her magical abilities and learning how to use and control them. She’s been told her abilities are strong – very strong – but she has no idea how to cast a spell or use her abilities. However, when the chips are down and it is a matter of life and death, she tries something – and it works. So, it will be fun to watch India learn how to control her abilities.

If you are looking for an interesting read with a missing boy, murder, hidden treasure, and a plethora of bad guys, along with magic, mischief, and mayhem, then this is the book for you. I can’t wait to see how many books it will take before we find Chronos. Will he be able to repair Matthew’s watch? Or – maybe India will become so powerful she can do it herself. I can hardly wait to start the next book – and the next – and the next to find Chronos, to see the nasty Sheriff brought to justice, and to see Matthew and India finally get their HEA.

Sophia White and Her Seven Promises by Anastasia Hayward

On By TracyIn Check Content Warning/Triggers, Fairytale Retelling, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Movie / Story Retelling, New To Me Author, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Sophia White and Her Seven Promises (Historical Ever After Book 1)Sophia White and Her Seven Promises by Anastasia Hayward

Tracy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Series: No Series Name Given

Release: March 16, 2026

Lady Sophia White is the only and most cherished child of the Earl of Winland. When her mother was dying, Sophia made a promise that she would only marry for true love. And keeping to that promise she ran away with a man that her father would never approve of, but one she believed loved her. Her dream of happily ever after is dashed when the young man was easily bought off by her father and she learned that her mother had passed away. Heartbroken, Sophia and her father mourn for a time, but eventually her father remarried, and Sophia’s stepmother pressed Sophia to marry. Sophia promises to try and find a husband, but her efforts are cut short when she is abducted and left for dead. When she wakes, she cannot remember who she is or how she came to be in Painwick. She was taken in by the local doctor and his family, and slowly she falls in love with all of them and makes promises that she has every intention of keeping. But when her past catches up with her and she is forced to return to her former life, will she be able to keep the promises she has made and the love she has found? And what of the villain who has tried to kill her? Clearly, Sophia’s future hasn’t been determined, and true love may yet prevail.

Dr. Faine Knight is the youngest son of the Marquess of Ashbury but turned his back on his family many years ago when he was forced to choose between them and the woman he loved. He chose love and married Mary, a healer in Painwick, together they had three children and led a life of contentment. But sadly, Mary died and with her Faine buried his heart, or at least that is what he believed until he found a badly beaten and unconscious woman in the forest. He brings her home and nurses her back to health. When she finally wakes with no memories, they name her Cecilia, he tries to keep her from his family. But Cecilia and his children ignore his dictates and begin to form a bond. Little by little, the walls he had built around his heart begin to crumble, but loving Cecilia terrifies him, and when her father shows up to claim her, he gives her up without a fight. But letting her go is not as easy as he thought it would be and when her life is once again in peril, he knows that he loves her and will do whatever is necessary to save her and keep her forever. But has he waited too long?

This was a well-written, very loose retelling of Snow White by a new to me author. I liked this story, but I will admit I found Faine to be difficult to like; he was quick to judge, moody and wishy-washy. I understood his pain and his reluctance to risk his heart, but it just dragged on for way too long in my opinion. Sophia was delightful and my heart broke for her time and time again. I think the thing that bothered me the most was (view spoiler) Overall, this was a good start to a new series with interesting characters, steamyish love scenes, a truly nasty villain, a HEA complete with an epilogue and the potential of more books. And while I did have some issues with this book, I did like the author’s writing style and would certainly read the next book in the series.

*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. *