Author: Tracy

Avid reader (and reviewer) of historical romance.

Courting Trouble by Kerrigan Byrne

On By TracyIn Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

Courting Trouble (Goode Girls #2)Courting Trouble by Kerrigan Byrne
Tracy’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Goode Girls, #2

Release Date: December 8, 2020

This book picks up where A Dark and Stormy Knight (renamed Seducing a Stranger) ended, with Honoria “Nora” Mosby, Viscountess Woodhaven lying in a pool of blood after being shot by her deranged husband while saving her sister Prudence. As she lay barely clinging to consciousness, she begs Pru to take her to Dr. Titus Conleith.

Titus and Nora have a long history and this would not be the first time he has saved her life. But they parted ways years ago when she brutally broke his heart and married William Mosby. Now she is back in his life and widowed, he plans to stitch her up and send her on her way, but with her husband’s enemies come looking for something William stole from them; Nora isn’t safe anywhere but with Titus. He tells himself he no longer wants her and will simply keep her at arm’s length. But nothing between Nora and Titus has ever been simple and when their passion ignites once more it seems like this might finally be the time for them, but reality slaps Nora in the face and once again she willingly sacrifices her happiness for the ones she loves. But will Titus let her push him away again?

This was a very well written, emotional story that kept me hooked until the last page! I love how the author picked up at the end of the previous book, but took us back in time to when they first met and let us peek at their young love and their tragic heartbreak. She then brings us back to the present along with a lot of familiar faces from the Victorian Rebel series, as well as introducing some new characters. The book is not a light, fluffy read, no, it is gritty and raw and at times heartbreaking, but it is also passionate, steamy, exciting and intriguing. I loved Titus, he is every thing you could want in a hero and then some, his love for Nora is unconditional and so strong – even when he wanted to hate her, she was his love and always would be. And after reading A Dark & Stormy Knight, I wasn’t sure I would like Nora, but after reading her backstory, I realized I completely misjudged her in that book and she truly was nothing like I thought. This is the second book in the series and can be read as a standalone, but I would strongly recommend reading the books in order for the best reading experience.

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

The Taming of a Highlander by Elisa Braden

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Scottish/Highlander, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The Taming of a Highlander (Midnight in Scotland #2)The Taming of a Highlander by Elisa Braden
Tracy’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Midnight in Scotland, #2

Release Date: December 8, 2020

At the end of The Making of a Highlander the reader learns who was responsible for Broderick MacPherson’s imprisonment, but the why was a bit vague. Well, in this installment of the Midnight in Scotland series we learn the whole twisted story!

After the marriage of her brother John to Annie Tulloch, his sister Lady Katherine “Kate” Huxley decides to stay in Scotland for a while – she claims that Scotland is her muse and staying will help her finish her novel/play, but the truth is Kate doesn’t want to return to London and the marriage mart – she is the youngest of the Huxley children and has no desire to succumb to the “mind infection” like her siblings have – otherwise known as falling in love. But when she sees Broderick beating and possibly killing a man, marriage may be the only way to save him from returning to jail.

Broderick MacPherson has endured more than any person should, framed for a murder he didn’t commit and then ruthlessly beaten in prison to save a friend, he is no longer the man he used to be. Filled with darkness and rage, he wants justice and to make the man who was responsible for his torture punished. He finally tracks down the man and is mindlessly beating him when he hears a cry –he leaves the man to investigate, only to find his prey has escaped when he returns. He has no desire to marry, but when Kate blackmails him, he has not choice if he wants to stay out of jail and get his justice.

Kate figures marriage to Broderick is the perfect solution, she will be able to stay in Scotland, remain relatively independent and will be in no danger of falling in love – but things don’t always work out as planned and not only does she fall in love, but her desire to ease his pain almost gets her killed!

This was a well written, fast paced, very intense and at times dark story with wonderful characters and moments of lightness to even out the darkness. Broderick and Kate are absolutely fantastic leads and you can’t help but root for their HEA. The story is full of emotion, pain, betrayal, witty banter, bad singing, steamy love scenes, mystery, intrigue, a VERY evil villain, a dash of paranormal, great secondary characters, hold your breath moments, a nail-biting ending and a much deserved HEA. This is the second book in the series (and it has ties to the Rescued from Ruin series) and while it could be read as a standalone title, I would recommend reading the books in order for the best reader experience.

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