Author: Tracy

Avid reader (and reviewer) of historical romance.

His Wicked Whispers by Jen Bradlee

On By TracyIn Ancient Britain, Medieval (1066-1540), Middle Ages / Medieval (476-1454), Novella, Part of a Series, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

His Wicked WhispersHis Wicked Whispers by Jen Bradlee

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Prince of Whispers, #1

Release Date: May 10, 2022

When Prince Crispin of Meradin is called by his father the King to his presence chamber, he was expecting the usual lecture on his hedonistic lifestyle and how he should be more like his late brother, Frances, but is shocked to learn that his father is casting him out! His father tells him that if he doesn’t shape up, he will be disowned and his cousin will inherit the throne, that said, his father tells him to leave with nothing but the clothes on his back until he has learned some humility and how to serve his people. Angry beyond belief, Crispin leaves and sets out to prove his father wrong, but instead is set upon by thieves, and if not for the quick-thinking action of a woman, he would be dead!

Crispin has been forbidden to tell anyone who he is, so he tells the woman he is a guard at the palace named Tristan and asks for her help. Ruby aka the Lady of the Forest, is a bit of Robin Hood and really wants nothing to do with him and after tending him, leaves him. But they reconnect and he helps her retrieve some items stolen from her friends. This leads to a steamy night of passion but in the morning, everything changes when soldiers from the palace come to find him and he learns that his father is dead. Upon learning who her lover really is and feeling betrayed, Ruby takes off and Crispin is forced to let her go – for now.

Crispin returns to the palace and brands Ruby as an outlaw, and sets a plan in motion to find her. He also sends for his best friend Henry who was banished to Wales by his father, to return and act as his right hand. When Ruby is brought in, he shocks her letting her choose her fate – marry him or be tried and convicted of being a thief!

This was a very well-written, intriguing read with lots of steamy love scenes and interesting characters. Ruby is a complex character, part innocent maiden and part badass, and she is perfect for Crispin. Crispin is not your typical hero, he is a bad boy and he unrepentantly wears that title with pride, so if you don’t like anti-heroes with strong sexual appetites, you might want to pass on this book – but if like me, you like a bad boy who doesn’t magically transform into Prince Charming once he falls in love, then you are going to love this story! This book is the first book in a trilogy and after reading this story, I can’t wait to see what happens next!

*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.*

The Worst Lord in London by Anna Campbell

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The Worst Lord in London (Scoundrels of Mayfair, #1)The Worst Lord in London by Anna Campbell

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Scoundrels of Mayfair, #1

Release Date: May 31, 2022

If you read “Two Secret Sins” in the Scandal in Mayfair series, then like me, you might have been wondering about the mysterious woman who joined Lord Shelburn in the race – Well, wonder no more! And if you didn’t read that book, don’t worry, you can read this one without reading that one – but be warned, this book will have spoilers for “Two Secret Sins”

When Kate Starr was only 16 years old she fell in love forever. The object of her undying affection didn’t even speak to her that night, but he danced with her sister and by doing so, won Kate’s heart. Now 14 years later, Kate is the owner of Starr Cotton Mills, she is independent, successful, rich, and very much alone. She has agreed to enter a marriage of convenience with another factory owner that was set up by her cousin’s husband and they travel to London to sign the settlements. She and her cousins have just arrived at The Angel coaching inn to find the place in an uproar. Then she sees the love of her life atop a racing carriage, looking at her and when he asks her to join him, she doesn’t think twice and takes off with him!

Leighton Anstey, the Earl of Shelburn is intrigued by the lovely woman who impulsively agrees to be his partner in the race and wonders if he can lure her into a tryst. Leighton is a rake through and through with no intentions of settling down anytime soon and Kate is too tempting to pass up. He suggests a brief affair and to his surprise, she agrees! But once he learns of their past connection and her girlish crush, he warns her that he is not the man she believes and tells her to guard her heart. Kate assures him that she is not looking for forever and the two embark on not only a steamy affair but begin a true friendship.

Things are going well, but Kate knows her heart is already lost and decides to leave before she makes a fool of herself, besides that, she knows that her cousins must be frantic and she still needs to work things out with her almost betrothed. She sneaks out and never expects to see Leighton again. But when Leighton wakes to find her gone – will he let her go without a fight or will he be grateful that she understood the terms of their tryst and move on to the next affair?

This was a well-written, nicely paced story with wonderful characters and more emotion than I was expecting! The book is steamy and satisfying, with great secondary characters, a sinister plot twist, a hero who claims he is not a knight in shining armor (but who really is), and finally a very sweet HEA. This book is the first book in a new series and is loosely connected to the previous series, I loved this story and happily recommend this title to fans of historical romances.