Author: Tracy

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

One Night with an Earl by Tina Gabrielle

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's Reviews2 Comments

One Night With an Earl (Daring Ladies, #1)One Night With an Earl by Tina Gabrielle

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Daring Ladies, #1

Release Date: October 19, 2021

After her mother died, Anahit Woodbridge’s father, Baron Woodbridge went into a decline and not only lost the family home but killed himself, leaving Ana to care for her young brother amidst the scandal. Determined to do right by her brother, she reinvents herself as Ana Gardner and takes a job as a chaperone/companion to Lady Penelope, the daughter of the Marquess of Malvern. She knows that she will never marry and have children, but with her thirtieth birthday looming, she decides to lose her virginity and enjoy a single night of passion, so she makes a deal with the madame of London’s most elite brother, The Silver Chalice. When the night arrives, she enters the brothel masked and dressed to seduce, she is immediately drawn to a man, who comes to her rescue when another patron accosts her.

Oliver Bedford, the new Earl of Drake had not planned to be at the Silver Chalice and certainly didn’t intend to spend the night with the masked lady in red, nor did he expect the lady to be a virgin! They spent a glorious night together and part ways, but Oliver knows that one night with his mystery lady will never be enough. The next day he returns and tries to learn her identity without success, much to his disappointment. Later he makes a call on Lady Penelope at his grandmother’s request and doesn’t immediately notice Ana, but she certainly notices him and is appalled to learn that Oliver is the son of the man who ruined her life!

Later when Oliver makes the connection between Ana and the Scarlet Lady, he can’t understand why she is so cold to him and vows to find a way to thaw her. For her part, Ana does begin to thaw when she realizes Oliver is not the same man his father and brother were. They begin a secret affair, but Ana keeps her secrets, knowing the truth will change nothing, and vows to not let herself fall in love. But things get complicated and when the truth is exposed, Ana may lose much more than just her heart.

This was a well-written, fast-paced book with an interesting and engaging story. The book has a bit of everything, steamy love scenes, secrets, lies, intriguing secondary characters, a mixed-race heroine who had endured some racial prejudice in the past, a hero who is just about perfect, a bit of heartache, and finally a very lovely HEA. I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to 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. All opinions in this review are my own.*

Highland Hope by Julie Johnstone

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

Highland Hope (Of Mist and Mountains, #1)Highland Hope by Julie Johnstone

Tracy’s rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Series: Of Mist and Mountains, #1

Release Date: September 28, 2021

Desperate to escape her abusive husband, Eve Sotherby steals proof of her husband’s treachery against the crown and convinces her guard to let her visit the village to speak to the seer who has arrived with the “Summer Walkers”. Once in town, she comes across a posting for a governess at Dunvegan Castle on the Isle of Skye and when her husband’s men come looking for her, the seer helps her get away by calling her Abigail and directing her to Father Murdoch, the priest who posted the job. She embraces her new identity of Abigail and flees England, praying she never sets eyes on her husband Frederick again and that she will find peace on Skye.

Widower, Laird Royce MacLeod has his hands full with clan matters, cleaning up the mess from his sister’s many broken betrothals and twin daughters that are out of control. He took over the lairdship from his father years ago when his parents left Dunvegan to go to Court and advise the King, and it is a job that he takes very seriously, so seriously he fears that he neglected his late wife and is sure that is the reason she cheated on him and ultimately died. His pain from her betrayal and death was enough to have him swear off remarrying, a vow he has had no problem keeping until he meets Abigail. An attraction she shares, but they each have their reasons for trying to ignore it.

Abigail tries to settle into life at Dunvegan, but it is soon clear that Royce’s 11-year-old daughters Lenora and Lillith, do not want her there and start a campaign to make her leave, which causes Royce to have to intervene and bringing them into repeated contact with each other. Making them want more than either can give, but fate has a plan for these two and while the road to their HEA is filled with bumps and potholes, the final destination promises a love like no other.

This was a well-written novel with a lot going on and ties to the book: When a Laird Loves A Lady, which features Royce’s parents, Iain and Marion! As I mentioned, this book has a lot going and is filled with secrets, lies, action, mischievous (bordering on bratty) twin girls, a jealous ex-lover, spurned grooms, matchmaking siblings who are both suffering from their own broken hearts, a truly evil villain, wolf attacks, a bit of magic, very subdued love scenes (that thankfully avoiding any adultery) and more than one life or death moment before ending in a very lovely HEA. This is the first book in the series, which appears to be a spinoff of the “Highlander Vows- Entangled Hearts” series. I did enjoy the book, but I did feel like it dragged in the middle and was a bit over the top in some parts. Overall, it was an entertaining read, and would happily recommend this title.

*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.*