Author: Tracy

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

A Rogue of One’s Own by Evie Dunmore

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

A Rogue of One's Own (A League of Extraordinary Women, #2)A Rogue of One’s Own by Evie Dunmore

Tracy’s rating: 3.5/4 of 5 stars

Series: A League of Extraordinary Women, #2

Release Date: September 1, 2020

3.5 stars rounded up

In an effort to gather support for the British suffragist movement, the leader, Lady Lucinda “Lucie” Tedbury has finally bought into a publishing house, hoping to use the publications to further their cause. Lucie is passionate about women’s rights and won’t let anyone or anything stand in her way. But her well-ordered plans hit a road block in the shape of Tristian Ballentine, Viscount Ballentine. A man that has been the bane of her existence for years and apparently her new publishing partner.

Tristian is an unrepentant rake, who wants Lucie and is not shy about using her desires to obtain his own – but there is more to Tristian than meets the eye and the reader will be surprised by his depth. Tristian offers Lucie a deal – he will let her have control of the publishing house – if she is willing to spend a night in his bed. Lucie is no wilting violet and is willing to “sacrifice” herself for her cause – but is it really a sacrifice and when Tristian needs saving, will she be willing to surrender her power to save him?

I thought this was a well-written, nicely paced novel. Tristian and Lucie are complex characters and have an undeniable chemistry. The book is very history and fact heavy and at times I felt the “romance” got pulled under by the strong political current. I loved Tristian and despite being a man-ho, I found him to be easy to like, but Lucie was a little harder for me to warm up to – I like strong, empowered heroines, but sometimes they are a bit too much and that was how I felt about Lucie, I admired her dedication to her cause, but she did come across as a bit caustic. Overall, I enjoyed this story and would recommend it. It is the second book in the series, but it could easily be read as a stand-alone title.

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

The Return of the Disappering Duke by Lara Temple

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

The Return of the Disappearing Duke

The Return of the Disappearing Duke
A scarred mercenary…Or the Disappearing Duke of Greybourne?

The Return Cover Disappearing Duke

Rafe has spent years running from his true identity. He’s a lone wolf, living far from aristocratic England and his violent father. Then unconventional Cleopatra Osbourne requests his protection as she crosses the Egyptian desert. In Cleo he discovers a fellow outcast—and a fierce desire! Cleo must return to London, and here lies Rafe’s dilemma—because following his heart means claiming the title he’s avoided for so long!

Purchase Links:

Amazon ~ Amazon US paperback ~ Amazon UK ~ Bookbub

 

The Return Author

Author Bio:

Lara Temple writes strong and sensual Regency romances about complex individuals who give no quarter but do so with plenty of passion. She lives with her husband, two children, and one very fluffy dog and they are all very understanding about her taking over the kitchen table so she can look out over the garden as she writes and dreams up her Happy Ever Afters.

Social Media links:
Amazon author page US ~ Amazon author page UK ~ Goodreads ~ Facebook Author Page ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Website

 

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Tracy’s Review:

 

Tracy’s Rating 3 out of 5 stars


Rafael Edgerton, heir to the Duke of Greybourne, ran away after yet another violent confrontation with his father. At 16 he left home, became Rafe Grey and enlisted in the military. Years later he works as a mercenary and has learned of his father’s death. He knows he has to return to England, but is in Egypt trying to coax his younger brother Edward “Edge” out of hiding. This is when he meets Cleopatra Osbourne – who is also trying to find her younger brother.

Cleo and her brother Dash decided it was time to return to England, but Dash would not leave Egypt without telling their father, so he set out, found out his father was dead and having some trouble with an “associate” – this man wants a book that Dash took when he got their father’s belongings, but Dash disappeared and a case of mistaken identity has put the villain on Cleo’s trail. She “hires” Rafe to get her to Cairo safely, he agrees, but is not willing to let her go on alone once they reach the city. He insists on taking her all the way to London – with or without their brothers!

I really liked Cleo and Rafe, but the story was not my favorite. It was a very slow-moving story that dragged in several places, then the last chapters are jam-packed with reunions, revelations, secrets and resolutions. I will reiterate, Cleo and Rafe are wonderful characters, the banter and dialogue between them is fantastic and I LOVED Rafe’s little names for her – but all in all, everything was slow and felt dragged out. The love scenes are mild and never lead to consummation, his secret was built up, but really ended up being a bit of a red herring. The epilogue was the saving grace of this book – it was so sweet and so fun that it made up for all my previous frustration.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me.*