Author: Tracy

Avid reader (and reviewer) of historical romance.

Hit Me With Your Best Scot by Suzanne Enoch

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Regency Era (1811-1820), Scottish/Highlander, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Hit Me With Your Best Scot (Wild Wicked Highlanders, #3)Hit Me With Your Best Scot by Suzanne Enoch

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Wild Wicked Highlanders, #3

Release Date: February 9, 2021

Thanks to an agreement his estranged parents made 17 years ago, Coll MacTaggert, Viscount Glendarril and heir to the Earl Aldriss, along with his two brothers – must marry an Englishwoman before their sister Eloise marries in a few weeks or their mother will no longer fund their Scottish estate. Originally the brothers planned to arrive in London and wreak havoc, thinking that their mother would back down, but grossly underestimated her and now that his brothers have found love, Coll has no choice but to find a bride – but he will do so on his own terms and will not let the countess pick his bride! He is escaping her latest matchmaking attempt when he meets Mrs. Persephone Jones, the lead actress at the Saint Genesius Theatre, and is immediately intrigued, and even though Coll knows that an actress is not a suitable choice for a wife, he can’t seem to walk away. And when he protects her from an unwanted suitor he decides to take the position of her protector – at least until he finds a wife.

Persephone has secrets and has been hiding in plain sight for eight years, she knows getting involved with Coll is a mistake and could potentially expose her, but there is something about him that touches her like no one ever has, and even knowing he needs a bride, a position she could never fill, she can’t seem to send him away. She knows their time together is limited and even offers to help him find a bride and justification for spending time with him in exchange for his protection, a position he happily agrees to. Coll plans to enjoy his time with her and even tells his mother he is going to marry her to annoy her and to give him time to find a bride without her meddling. But after yet another “accident” almost kills Persephone, Coll realizes two things, one; that someone is trying to kill her, and two; he can’t live without her. Persephone knows the time has come to tell Coll the truth and wonders if she is brave enough to face her past so she can have a future with the man she has come to love.

This was a great story, well-written and fast-paced, with wonderful characters and a well-plotted “whodunit”. Of the three brothers, I think Coll is my favorite, I loved his protective nature and his willingness to let Persephone be herself –Sigh, he is just amazing. The story has so much to offer: secrets, scandal, steamyish love scenes, a well-executed mystery, cameos from previous characters, surprises, a strong likable heroine, great secondary characters, and a hard-won HEA. What kept this from being a five-star book is the fact that it is the last book in the series and it ended with some unanswered questions and no epilogue. I wanted to know what happened with his parents and would have liked a glimpse into the future with all three brothers, unfortunately, that did not happen, so I am left to wonder and feel a bit cheated. Even still, I really enjoyed this story and would happily recommend the title.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions are my own *

Sweet Rogue of Mine by Shana Galen

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Regency Era (1811-1820), Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Sweet Rogue of MineSweet Rogue of Mine by Shana Galen

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Survivors, #9

Release Date: February 9, 2021

Nash Pope was a sharpshooter in Draven’s company and lost his sight when debris damaged his left eye – his right eye was spared, but he can barely see anything out of it, just vague shapes, and no color. Nash did not take well to blindness and as a result was sent to Wentmore, one of his father’s lesser estates in Milcroft to convalesce. But Nash did not find peace in the country, instead, he sunk deeper into despair, drinking to forget, and refusing anyone’s help. But it wasn’t until he hit rock bottom and shot one of his friends and threatened to shoot others that his father, the Earl of Beaufort, finally had enough and sent Rowden Payne in a final attempt to straighten Nash out. If Rowden fails, the earl has made it clear that he will have no choice but to commit Nash to an asylum. Angry about his father’s interference and Rowden’s willingness to do his bidding – which includes removing all the liquor from the house and hiring men to make repairs. Nash escapes the house and goes for a walk and ends up getting stuck in the mud. He is wondering how he will get out when he hears a woman singing, a very bawdy song and making effort to not be heard.

Prudence “Pru” Howard is new to the village of Milcroft, her parents are missionaries and have decided to take a post in the far East – without Pru. They leave her in the care of the local vicar, Mr. Higginbotham, and take off without a backward glance. Pru knows they are disappointed with her after she caused a scandal and her own ruin by engaging in an affair in Cairo, but she really didn’t think they would go as far as to abandon her. But Pru is a survivor and determined to be happy, so she does her best to fit in, but sadly, she is not well received and spends much of her time alone. Today she is wandering in the gardens of Wentmore, singing to herself when she notices a man stuck in the mud. She offers to help him, but her efforts are rejected and Nash threatens to have her charged with trespassing. Not one to be deterred, Pru changes her tactic and manages to get Nash back on solid ground. Afterward, Pru learns that Nash is blind and she decides to help him, after all, she has a blind sister and a talent that will help him – she learned “Ecriture Nocturne” or night writing, which was invented to help the French army, but also enables the blind to read and write – and she offers to teach it to him. An offer that he accepts, much to everyone’s surprise.

Pru and Nash begin his lessons and a true friendship develops, she soothes his anxiety and slowly he begins to realize that his life is not over, it has changed, but now the future doesn’t seem as dismal. But he is far from healed and still suffers from flashbacks. Not to mention he still has the threat of being committed hanging over his head. As his feeling for Pru deepens, Nash begins to think that he should let her go, as he can’t give her a future – but Nash grossly underestimates Pru, Rowden, and his own heart. For her part, Pru seems to have found her place in Milcroft and even befriended the curmudgeonly elderly Mrs. Northgate. And even though she doesn’t think they have any chance for a future, she loves him and will do all she can to keep him out of an asylum.

When I finished the last book, The Highlander’s Excellent Adventure, I really didn’t like Nash and wondered if it was even possible to redeem him – so I am thrilled to report – Yes, he can be redeemed, and Yes, I not only forgave him, I fell a little in love with him! This book was so good, it is well-written, interesting, emotional, uplifting, and fun. There are warm love scenes, a villain who gets his due, wonderful secondary characters, redemption, acceptance, forgiveness, a peacock, and a very sweet ending. This is the ninth book in the series, but it can easily be read as a standalone title, I would however recommend reading the previous book in the series because it gives you a glimpse of how far Nash had fallen before his father sent Rowden to him.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions are my own *