Author: Tracy

Avid reader (and reviewer) of historical romance, historical mystery, fantasy, romantasy and paranormal mystery

The Duke Wager by Eve Pendle

On By TracyIn Book Publicity, Novella, Standalone Title, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

The Duke Wager: an age gap enemies to lovers historical romance (Dukes vs Doctors Book 1)The Duke Wager  by Eve Pendle

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Release Date: August 10, 2023

On Christmas Eve 1875, Miss Tamara “Tam” Patterson’s life is going exactly as she hoped, she has just finished another term at the Ladies College of Banton University and is expecting to complete her studies next year and finally achieve her dream of becoming a doctor, especially since parliament will soon be voting on a bill that will remove the ban on women being medical doctors. But her dreams are shattered when she returns home to learn that her father has lost their fortune and she will have to marry to save her family from ruin.

Atticus “Att” Rabgent, the Duke of Newton has been in love with Tamara since the day he met her five years ago, but things are keeping them apart, his age for one, as he is 15 years her senior, but most predominately is the fact that he laughed when she told him that she planned to become a doctor, never mind that his laugh was in the delight of her spirit, she misunderstood and believed he was laughing at her and making him her enemy. When they meet at the annual Winchester Christmas Eve ball, he immediately knows something is wrong and confronts her. When he learns that she has to marry, he sees his chance to finally win the only woman he has ever loved and offers her a wager she can’t refuse.

This was a quick read as it was a short novella, but what a story! The writing is great and the book is paced perfectly. Tam and Att are clearly perfect for each other and they burn up the pages with their chemistry. This is a standalone title and highly recommended if you enjoy a steamy HEA.
*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.*

A Bride by Morning by Katrina Kendrick

On By TracyIn Other, Part of a Series, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

A Bride by MorningA Bride by Morning by Katrina Kendrick

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Private Arrangements, #3

Release Date: August 3, 2023

Ten years ago Miss Lydia Cecil said goodbye to her dearest friend and the love of her life, Gabriel St. Clair, the younger son of the Earl of Montgomery, as he set out for his first diplomatic posting. Gabriel tells her it will only be for a few years and asks her to promise that she wait for him, as he wants to court her properly before he marries her, it is a promise she is happy to give and a promise she keeps, even when a few years turns into seven and his letters cease. It is a promise she keeps when he finally returns to England after unexpectedly inheriting the earldom upon the untimely death of his father and brother and he refuses to see her or even acknowledge her. Even that will not stop her from loving him, but everyone has their limits and Lydia is close to hers.

Gabriel is no longer the young man Lydia knew, and knowing him now could prove fatal for her. For the last three years, he has watched her from afar, knowing he can never have her. His time abroad may have started in the diplomatic service, but soon he was dragged into the dangerous game of espionage between England and Russia, transitioning from diplomat to assassin and making enemies aplenty. When he was called home to take up the title, Gabriel distanced himself from Lydia, primarily to keep her from learning what a soulless beast he had become but also to keep her safe. But when they meet in a dark garden and she is witness to his past in Russia catching up to him, there is no choice, he will have to marry her to keep her safe. But can he keep her safe from him? And will he be able to walk away from her when the current threat is eliminated?

This was a new-to-me author and WOW – just WOW – How did I never hear about Katrina Kendrick (Elizabeth May) before now? Her writing style has everything that I love; witty banter, great characters, danger, action, steamy love scenes, and a soulmate-type love. I loved this story, Gabriel is a tortured soul and while I felt like he carried the “I can’t be with her” nonsense for way too long, I loved him. Lydia is the perfect heroine, true to her heart and willing to fight for her love, but she has her limits and won’t be a doormat. This is the third book in the series, I haven’t read the other books (clearly, I am going to have to go and check out her backlist!), but I didn’t have any problem following this story. I highly recommend this title, and if you liked Kerrigan Byrne’s Victorian Rebels, you will love this book.

*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.*