Author Archives for Tracy

About Tracy

Avid reader (and reviewer) of historical romance.

So I Married a Sorcerer by Kerrelyn Sparks

So I Married a Sorcerer (The Embraced, #2)So I Married a Sorcerer by Kerrelyn Sparks
Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Embraced, #2

Release Date: August 29, 2017

4.5 stars

Another exciting and entertaining tale in the Embraced series! This story picks up shortly after the end of the previous book (How to Tame a Beast in Seven Days). Brigitta and remaining “sisters” have left the Isle of Moon and are traveling to visit their sister Luciana and her husband Leo. Brigitta and her “sisters” are all embraced and each have been abandoned on the Isle of Moon by their families – the embraced are feared by the people of Aerthlon, if exposed it would mean certain death. But now that Luciana and Leo are ruling the kingdom of Eberon and are both embraced, their home is a safe haven. However, fate has other plans for Brigitta, who like all the other girls has no knowledge of her life/family before coming to the Isle of Moon. On the way to Eberon, Brigitta learns the truth of her past – she is Princess Brigitta, her half-brother Gunther is King of Tourin and he wants her back.

During the standoff with the Tourinian Navy, the pirate Rupert swoops in and kidnaps Brigitta, he has a vendetta against her brother and will not rest until he sees him destroyed – he plans to hold Brigitta for ransom. But when they meet and she touches him, Brigitta is overcome and faints – Brigitta’s gift is the ability to find lost/hidden items and this includes memories, so when she touched Rupert, she was overwhelmed by grief, pain and loss. She is determined to learn Rupert’s secrets and when she does, she wants to right the wrongs of the past.

Rupert is also embraced and he has the power to control the wind. His sole mission in life is to avenge his family and destroy King Gunther. Rupert’s father was King of Tourin and Gunther’s father proposed an alliance between the families, Prince Ulfric would be betrothed to Brigitta. On the way home from the ceremony, Rupert’s father was ambushed and killed, troops were then sent to his home to kill his mother and younger brother. Rupert was saved by a family retainer and has spent the last 19 years plotting his revenge. Brigitta is a dilemma he doesn’t need, but when he learns her brother’s true plans for her, he cannot return her to him.

Gunther needs an heir, so he has concocted a plan, he will host a completion and the winner will get to father his heir – that is why he needs Brigitta. And that is exactly why Rupert doesn’t want to turn her over to him.

Everything starts to fall into place for Brigitta, who Rupert is, what her family has done and what she has to do to make it right. She tells Rupert that she will help him regain his throne, she convinces him to return her to Gunther and enter the competition himself. Although he doesn’t want to have Brigitta anywhere near Gunther, he realizes that her plan has merit and when Leo and Luciana agree to help, it seems like Rupert might finally see his plan succeed.

This book is brimming with action, adventure, pirates, shifters, magic, dragons and secrets. It is well written, flows perfectly, it has some steamy love scenes, excellent secondary characters (Sister Fallyn – OMG – She is priceless!), cameos from Luciana and Leo, nail biting moments and finally a very well deserved HEA.

It is the second book in the series, but it could easily be read as a stand alone title. The only reason I gave this book 4.5 stars instead of 5 is because it is billed as a Historical Paranormal/Fantasy Romance, but the dialogue is definitely not historical, but in all honesty, it didn’t really diminish my enjoyment of the story.

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

To Love a Highland Rogue by Collette Cameron

To Love a Highland Rogue (Heart of a Scot Book 1)To Love a Highland Rogue by Collette Cameron
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Heart of a Scot, #1 (also part of the anthology The Forbidden Highlands)

Release Date: August 28, 2017

Another charming novella by Ms. Cameron! My understanding is this novella is part of the anthology titled : The Forbidden Highlands and inspired Ms. Cameron to begin a new series, Heart of a Scot.

I really loved this novella, Logan and Mayra have been betrothed since they were children, yet they have only seen each other a few times since the contracts were signed.

Logan had no desire to marry Mayra, but when he learned his father spent her dowry and they had no means to repay it, he left his home hoping to make his fortune and escape the arranged marriage. Unfortunately his hopes were not realized and he returned home shortly before his father died. He also learned that his intended had been writing to him and requesting the contract be voided – but that cannot be, he must marry her because he cannot repay the dowry.

Remembering a promise he made to her father to woo her, Logan sets out to meet his betrothed. He is stunned to find the gangly girl he remembered has blossomed into a stunning beauty. He decides that he will get to know her, but does so incognito – he pretends to be his cousin, Coburn. Logan is a bit jaded and distrustful of beautiful women. He wants to get to know Mayra to determine if she is like his spoiled stepmother.

As he gets to know her, he realizes that she is a truly wonderful person and he wants to marry her, but he has yet to reveal his true identity and fears her reaction.

Mayra has been raised knowing she will have to marry Logan, but after her father dies and the clan starts to decline, she begs Logan to release her, so she can use the dowry to help her clan. She is immediately attracted to Logan/Coburn, but knows she is not free to indulge her desires with him.

Logan declares his love to Mayra and attempts to tell her the truth, but they are interrupted and his secret is revealed before he can explain himself.

Mayra is heartbroken, she fell in love with Logan, but feels betrayed and more than a little bit angry. She listens to Logan’s explanations and even understands his position, but something has broken in her that she is not sure she can regain. She tells Logan that she needs time and will talk to him when she returns from Edinburgh.

This was a very sweet story, I really liked both Logan and Mayra and felt their connection and hoped that they would be able to overcome the secrets and lies that drove them apart. The writing was excellent and the story flowed nicely, there are not really any love scenes, but the story does not suffer the lack, there are very few secondary characters in the book, but Logan’s cousin Coburn is priceless (in the notes at the end of the book, Ms. Cameron promises the next book will be about Coburn – he was such a scamp in this book that I can’t wait to meet the woman that brings him to his knees!!).

All in all, this was a great little novella and I am happy to recommend it.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an arc provided to me by the author*

Francie & the Bachelor by Sue London

Francie & the Bachelor: A Caversham-Haberdasher CrossoverFrancie & the Bachelor: A Caversham-Haberdasher Crossover by Sue London
Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Release Date: August 08, 2017

Series: Caversham-Haberdasher Crossover, #2

I really liked this installment of the Caversham-Haberdasher Crossover.

We were introduced to Francie and Reggie in the first book – Phoebe and the Doctor. And this book starts with the same scene, but this time it is from Francie and Reggie’s perspective.

The story again opens with Francie accidently shooting Reggie. Reggie and Harry have come to bring her cousin Wally’s effects to Phoebe and check on the girls wellbeing before Reggie heads out to Bermuda and Harry goes to Scotland.

When they learn of Phoebe’s problems, Harry offers to escort her to London, but doesn’t want to leave Francie alone with the thugs stilling hanging around, so it is decided that Reggie will stay with her. At first these two dance around each other, but after a couple of days, they form a friendship of sorts. Each harbors an attraction to the other, but they are both determined to ignore it. When things begin to heat up between the two of them, Reggie decides that he will marry Francie and he has a plan. Unfortunately, Francie is not privy to the “plan” and assumes that Reggie wants her as his mistress. When the thugs make a move against Francie, Reggie puts his plan in motion and takes her to London.

I really liked a lot of things about this book, the first being that they declared themselves well before the end of the book. I also loved that all the Haberdashers (including Jack’s sister Sam) and their husbands where included in the story.

The book was not perfect, it is a bit slow to get going, there are some typos, some incorrect formal address and no real conflict. But, it is well written, has steamy love scenes, Sue London’s signature witty banter and Haberdashers! So overall, it was a fun read and I would be happy to recommend it.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC I received from the author*

A Love to Remember by Bronwen Evans

A Love to Remember (The Disgraced Lords, #7)A Love to Remember by Bronwen Evans
Tracy’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: The Disgraced Lords, #7
Release Date: August 29, 2017

I LOVED this book, if you have been following the Disgraced Lords series then you already know Philip and Rose and you have probably been wondering why they haven’t married. If you haven’t read the series, you will still enjoy this book as Philip and Rose have primarily been secondary characters and Ms. Evans give more than enough back story to make this a stand alone title.

The book opens with Philip Flagstaff, the new Earl of Cumberland standing at the grave of his older brother Robert, the previous Earl. Philip is overwhelmed with grief and guilt, he blames himself for his brother’s death as Robert sacrificed his own life to save Philip at Waterloo. At that moment, Philip makes a vow, he will never marry or have children, so the earldom he feels he stole from his older brother will go to Thomas, his younger brother. He believes the only way he can honor his brother is by sacrificing his own happiness. As he is standing there he is approached by Rose Deverill, Duchess of Roxborough. Rose has long admired Philip and had secret hopes to one day marry him, but her father sold her into marriage at 18 to a man old enough to be her grandfather. She endured marriage to him and was rewarded with the birth of her son and widowhood on the same day. She has no desire to remarry and has spent the last few years as a “wicked widow”, taking lovers and refusing all offers of marriage.

Fast forward two years, Rose and Philip have been exclusive lovers since that day at the graveside, but now Rose wants more. She loves Philip and wants to marry him, her young son adores him and she would love more children, but she is afraid to broach the topic with Philip. For his part, Philip loves Rose and can’t imagine a life without her and if not for his vow, he would marry her. So when the topic comes up, Rose is crushed to learn that Philip does not want to marry. She believes that he will marry, but not her. When a misunderstanding at a ball occurs, these two are forced to have the conversation they have both been dreading. Philip again says he will not marry and Rose tells him that she can no longer be his lover, she will remarry for the sake of her son, but if Philip cannot be her husband, she must be free of him so she can move on. Heartbroken, they spend one last night together and part ways.

Over the next few weeks, they dance around each other and each are subjected to jealousy when they are seen with other people. The tension between them is white hot and again Philip asks Rose to reconsider and again she refuses. When her son’s guardian learns of their split, he tells Rose it is time for her to remarry and expects her to find a suitable groom by the time her son goes off to school. Rose is still holding out hope that Philip will change his mind and asks Lord Kirkwood to invite him to his house party. He agrees but tells her if Philip does not propose, she must move on and find someone else. Rose knows there will never be anyone else and has a secret that could force Philip to marry her – but that is not what she wants, she wants him to let go of his guilt and choose her.

At the house party Rose decides that she must tell Philip her secret, but when an attempt is made on her son’s life and threats are made to her, she doesn’t know who she can turn to. She decides that she must leave and returns to London without telling Philip anything. Philip knows that someone is trying to hurt Drake and enlists the Libertine Scholars to help him. He knows he loves Rose and will do anything to protect her – even if that means they must marry. When he learns she left the house party without telling him, he is furious.

He returns to London to confront Rose and tells her they will marry. Rose refuses, she tells him that she loves him, but if he can’t choose her over his guilt, they would both be unhappy. Philip does not take this news well and is determined to change her mind. But before he can the villain strikes again. And Philip must decide if being a martyr is worth losing the only woman he has ever and will ever love.

OMG! This book was amazing, it is well written, flows perfectly, has super hot love scenes, a lot of action, a bit of angst, moments when you want to smack the hero, a couple of misunderstandings, cameos by the former Disgraced Lords and their ladies and finally a hard won HEA.

I highly recommend this book, even if you haven’t been following the series, this book is not to be missed!!

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to my by NetGalley and the publisher.*

Phoebe and the Doctor by Sandy Raven

Phoebe and the DoctorPhoebe and the Doctor by Sandy Raven
Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Caversham-Haberdasher Crossover, Book 1

Release Date: July 30, 2017

This is the story of Harry Manners-Sutton and Phoebe Grenard. Its tie to the Caversham series is through Harry, his sister is Amelia, Duchess of Caversham (you can read Amelia’s story in the novella Miss Amelia Lands a Duke).

Phoebe has had a couple of rough years, her half-brother Wally was impressed into the Navy with four of his university friends just months before they were set to take their final exams. Five were taken, but only three survived. Just months before Wally was set to come home he contracted Dunga Fever and died. In addition to this, her parents ran an inn in London, but when her mother died, her father packed up Phoebe and her younger sister Lydia (who hasn’t spoken a word since the night Wally was taken) and left them with their Aunt Frances and her cousin Francine aka Francie Walters. Just over a year later, her father died, followed by their Aunt a year after that! The girls have tried to continue the dress shop they had with their Aunt, but business is not doing well and the girls wonder how long they will be able to keep the shop going.

It doesn’t seem like things could get much worse for Phoebe, but they do! A very rough looking man comes looking for Phoebe and informs her that her father owed a huge debt to a moneylender by the name of Donovan and if that wasn’t bad enough, her father used his daughters as collateral for the loan and he has come to collect – either she pays the outrageous sum or she and her twelve year old sister will be sent to Donovan’s brothel to work off the debt. Furious, Phoebe threatens the man with a gun and tells him to leave. He does, but warns her not to leave and assures her he will be back.

Still shaken, Phoebe hands the gun to Francie, who promptly fires it when the door is reopened. Only she hasn’t shot Donovan’s man, she has shot a stranger. The strangers turn out to be Harry and his friend Reggie – Wally’s friends who were taken at the same time as Wally. They promised Wally on his deathbed that they would see to his sisters. Harry was attending school to be a doctor when he was taken and immediately takes charge. Francie shot Reggie in the arm and need to be attended.

Once Reggie has been taken care of Harry speaks to Phoebe and learns of her troubles. He vows to help her by taking her to London to sort things out with the moneylender. Harry has decided that he will pay the debt himself, but Phoebe insists on speaking with the man and trying to work out a “payment plan”.

They leave for London with Lydia, leaving Reggie behind to watch out for Francie. When they arrive, Phoebe is horrified to learn that Harry has ties to society and that his sister is a duchess, because over the course of a few days, she had begun to fall in love with Harry, but now believes that he is out of her reach. For his part, Harry is just as smitten with Phoebe, but wants to get the business with the moneylender taken care of before he declares his intentions.

When Phoebe learns that Harry met with Donovan without telling her, she is furious and hatches a plan. But as they say, the best laid plans………………………. And trust me, this was not a well thought out plan to begin with.

Can Harry save the woman he now realize he loves with all his heart? Will Lydia ever speak again? Will Phoebe ever be free of Donovan? And what about Reggie and Francie? To find out, you will have to read the book!

I liked the idea of the story, but the first half of the book seemed to drag and was repetitious. But once they reach London the story takes off like a rocket. It was lovely to see Cav and Amelia, but for this reader it was also bittersweet (if you have read the Caversham Chronicles, you will know what I mean), I loved Harry, Reggie and Francie, but I found Phoebe to be a bit too naïve and stubborn to be truly likable. I did admire her determination and her desire to save her sister, but she really should have thought things out better and ended up coming across as a pattern card, TSTL heroine. And while this book was not as steamy as the previous books, it was just right for this story. The ending was very satisfying and of course there is a HEA.

All in all, it was a good read and I would recommend it to followers of the series, but I wouldn’t consider this book a keeper.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an ARC provided to me by the author*

View all my reviews

Where Dreams Merge by Maureen Driscoll

Where Dreams Merge (Jasmine Cottage Book 2)Where Dreams Merge by Maureen Driscoll
Tracy’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Released: July 20, 2017

Series: Jasmine,Cottage, Book 2

Grace Moore and Carter Beckett, Earl of Wainwright meet for the first time at Arabella and Jonathan’s wedding (Where Hearts Meet), but the two are known to each other because Carter writes political articles for a London paper and Grace delights in writing to him to comment on his work and to correct his spelling errors. When Carter finally meets her, he realizes he has met his muse.

Carter has been staying with Christopher Aston, Lord Audsley trying desperately to write his novel, but the words will not come – that is until he meets Grace. He convinces her to work with him as his editor and the two form a friendship and exchange some very amusing letters. Carter is attracted to Grace, but a long standing family agreement prevents him from declaring himself to her. He hopes that he will be able to work things out so he might be able to offer for Grace, but until he does, he cannot make her any promises.

Grace is aware of Carter’s prior understanding and wishes with all her heart that they could be together, but she also concedes that she is not of his world and they will probably never be anything more than friends. When Carter tells Grace he must return to London for the Holidays, she believes that will be the end of their relationship – but Carter insists that she and Emma come to London, he promises to help the sisters contact their grandfather’s solicitor and try to help them contact their parents. He makes arrangements for them to stay with Audsley and has Audsley’s widowed cousin, Lady Endicott chaperone them.

In anticipation of Grace’s arrival, Carter meets with Lady Cecile – the woman his parents hoped he would marry, though no formal betrothal was ever made, there has always been an understanding between the families. Carter believed that when Lady Cecile became linked to another Lord, that their “understanding” had ended, but he is dismayed to find that Cecile has been jilted and expects Carter to marry her. He tells her in no uncertain terms that he will not marry her and that he has met another woman, he asks Cecile to release him from the “understanding”. Cecile agrees, but begs Carter to pretend to court her for a few weeks to help ease her back into society after being jilted. Carter is reluctant, but feels he owes her that much and decides to recruit his brother Jeremy to escort Grace while he attends Cecile.

Enter Jeremy Beckett, the younger brother, dashing, handsome and a former spy – the man has hero material written all over him! Jeremy and Grace become fast friends – which leads to a lot of hilarious scenes with Carter becoming jealous and imagining all the ways he could beat his brother to a pulp. But when Jeremy’s life is threatened and by extension Grace – Carter will stop at nothing to save them both.

I really loved this book, it is well written, it flowed well, it has some laugh out loud moments, a little bit of angst, some nail biting moments, a couple of plot twists that change everything for the sisters, a bit of steam and finally a beautiful soulmate type of love.

While this is the second book in the series, it could easily be read as a stand alone title. I highly recommend this book and am looking forward to reading the next installment!

Romancing the Rogue by Lana Williams

Romancing the Rogue (Regency Rendezvous Book 9)Romancing the Rogue by Lana Williams
Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Release Date: 07/28/17

It is no secret that Lana Williams is one of my favorite authors. I loved her Medieval series, the Victorian/Paranormal Secrets trilogy and most recently her Victorian Seven Curses series and now she has taken the plunge into the Regency era!
Regency era romance is one of my favorite subgenres in the world of Historical Romance and while I am not overly picky, most authors stumble when they delve into this era – so as much as I love Lana’s work, I was leery. I am happy to say with the exception of a couple minor things and one title flub – she nailed it!

This is the story of Richard Walker, the Earl of Aberland and Caroline Gold, eldest daughter of Sir Reginald Gold. Caroline’s father made his fortune in shipping and he was awarded a Knighthood twenty years ago for his service to the crown. Sadly, her father has recently begun to show signs of dementia and combined with some bad investments, the family is on the brink of ruin. She feels guilty that unlike her sisters, she has no talents that would enable her to contribute to the family’s coffers. So in an effort to save her family, Caroline has been trying to encourage the Duke of Wakefield to propose. With his wealth and connections, Caroline is sure that he is the answer to her all her problems.

After sharing a dance with the duke, she is sure he will propose, but when their conversation is interrupted and he walks away, Caroline makes an impulsive decision to follow him.
Richard is on a mission, he is an agent for the crown and lost his partner and best friend just over a year ago – betrayed by a woman whom he trusted. He is determined to find the traitor that killed his friend and his former lover. He has narrowed his suspects down to 3 members of the ton and has returned to England to deliver justice. The ton know him as a penniless rogue, which works for his purposes. He sees Caroline follow Wakefield out to the gardens and as Wakefield is one of his targets, he follows them. When Wakefield abruptly leaves, Richard confronts Caroline about her conversation – at this point he is not sure if she is innocent or if she is in cahoots with Wakefield. Unfortunately, when she tries to leave, he grabs for her arm and they end up in a compromising position, which is witnessed by not only her mother, but the hostess.
Caroline is horrified and tries to explain her way out of the inevitable – Richard must propose to save her reputation – but marrying him will ruin her family. She is also concerned with him finding out about her father’s condition. They reluctantly agree to a betrothal – but neither actually plans to marry the other.
As Caroline and Richard get to know each other, they both wonder if perhaps there could be something more between them. But the each have secrets and a villain is determined to destroy them both.
The book is well written, flows nicely, the secondary characters are wonderful, it has secrets, some action, a bit of intrigue and a dash of angst. While this book is not a steamy read, there are a few passionate kisses and stolen moments.

I would be happy to recommend this book because I really enjoyed the story and sincerely hope that Ms. Williams has plans to write stories for Caroline’s sister and Richard’s brother!

*I was provided a copy of this book by the author and am voluntarily leaving a review*

1 2 … 7
Create a website or blog at WordPress.com
%d bloggers like this: