Author: Tracy

Avid reader (and reviewer) of historical romance.

About an Earl by Diana Lloyd

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

About an EarlAbout an Earl by Diana Lloyd

Tracy’s rating: 3 of 5 stars

Series: What Happens in the Ballroom, #2

Release Date: January 27, 2020

Juliana “Jewel” Latham has come to London to visit her father’s sister and to recover from a broken heart. When she learns that her cousin means to entrap the Earl of Winchcombe into marriage, she intervenes. She sends a note to the Earl and when he arrives, he realizes he is not the target, his brother Penry is and he compels Jewel to point out her cousin so he can warn his brother. He manages to save his brother, but ends up compromising Jewel.

Oliver Chalford, the Earl of Winchcombe came to London to claim his seat in parliament, this was his first visit to the capital and his first society event. Oliver is scarred and past experiences have turned him into a hermit, rarely venturing from his country estate. At first he refuses to offer for Jewel, but when his brother threatens to give up his own love match to save Jewel, Oliver gives in. But marrying Jewel will not be easy – her uncle has banished her to Scotland.

Oliver tracks her down and saves her from exile and promises to help her get in touch with her father in Boston – he learned from her uncle that her father was arrested for sedation, but she is not aware. They arrive at his estate and learn that he has visitors. Oliver is stunned and angered to learn that someone has objected to his request to take his seat in parliament, claiming he is insane and practices witchcraft. Jewel overhears the exchange and rushes in the room claiming to be his betrothed. And so it begins…

This was an odd story with interesting characters, a bit of steam, a decent mystery and finally a HEA with an epilogue. The story does tend to ramble on and there are several inconsistencies and contradictions (that may or may not be corrected prior to publication). I felt the author had a good idea, but then added too many other elements to the story and fell back on the “misunderstanding trope” way too much. This is the second book in the series, but I didn’t read the first book and had no problems following this story.

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

A Reluctant Bride by Jess Michaels

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Regency Era (1811-1820), Tudor Era (1485-1603)Leave a comment

A Reluctant Bride (The Shelley Sisters Book 1)A Reluctant Bride by Jess Michaels

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Shelley Sisters, #1

Release Date: January 7, 2020

Thomasina Shelly is hopelessly attracted to Jasper Kincaid, the Earl of Harcourt. Hopeless because Jasper is engaged to marry her sister Anne in a week.

Theirs is not a love match, Jasper contracted a marriage with her father to marry one of the Shelly sisters who happen to be identical triplets. He didn’t care which one he married, he just needed the dowry to right the wrongs to the estate made by his father and brother. But the more time he has spent with the girls, the more he wishes he had asked for Thomasina.

Thomasina would never betray her sisters, she is the “good one” and when Anne expresses unhappiness about the marriage, she tries to comfort her and assure her that it will all work out – even though she wishes she was the one marrying Jasper. Anne is so upset that when she begs Thomasina to pretend to be her at the engagement ball so she can have a quiet evening alone, Thomasina reluctantly agrees. The problem is Jasper can do what no other can – he can tell Thomasina from her sisters. He wonders why she is pretending to be Anne and goes as far as to try and kiss her. Shocked, Thomasina runs from him and decides to tell Anne that she can’t continue the ruse – but so learns why Anne wanted her to pretend to be her – Anne has eloped.

When he learns of Anne’s elopement, Jasper insists that Thomasina marry him in Anne’s place and she agrees. Jasper is upset that she tried to trick him and makes her promise to always be honest with him, and in the spirit of honesty, he tells her that he is not looking for a love match and probably won’t be able to love her, he is attracted to her and he likes her and tells her that he hopes she can accept that.

Jasper learns who Anne eloped with – one of his wastrel brother Solomon’s friends. He then learns that Ellis Maitland has not married Anne, he has passed her off to a relative Rook Maitland and will not return her until Jasper returns the “treasure” his brother took from him before he died. Jasper has no idea what the treasure is and keeps this information from Thomasina.

They marry and it seems like things are going well between them, Thomasina knows she is in love with Jasper and tries to forge a deeper relationship, but when she learns he has been keeping secrets from her, she is crushed and Jasper realizes too late what he has lost.

I thought this was a good story, it is well written and flows at a good pace, with likeable characters, steamy love scenes, a bit of mystery and a HEA with a nice lead into the next book. This is the first book in a new series and I am happy to recommend it.

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