Author: Tracy

Avid reader (and reviewer) of historical romance.

Highland Earl by Amy Jarecki

On By TracyIn Jacobean/Stuart Era (1603-1714), Scottish/Highlander, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The Highland Earl (Lords of the Highlands, #6)The Highland Earl by Amy Jarecki

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Lords of the Highlands, #6

Release Date: June 25, 2019

Lady Evelyn Pierrepont is the eldest daughter of the Duke of Kingston-upon-Hull and supporter of the Jacobite cause. She spies on her father and reports her findings to Claude Dubois, a French national who supposedly has contact with Prince James while he is in exile.

John Erskine, the Earl of Mar, Secretary of State for Scotland and member of Queen Anne’s cabinet is still grieving the loss of his beloved wife Margaret. But his father’s crushing debts will push him prematurely out of mourning, he needs a proper wife to mother his young boys and one with a substantial dowry to clear the debt. Though she is 16 years his junior, Mar decides that Lady Evelyn would be the perfect wife for him.

After a bit of a rocky start, they marry and Eve continues her spying, but she begins to question Dubois’ loyalties. When she is set up to be caught, Mar tries to intervene and is labeled a traitor. This sets into motion a wild and unpredictable quest to clear his name and maybe get a second chance at love.

This was a well written book with a lot going on: spying, lies, secrets, betrayal, steamy love scenes, wonderful secondary characters, action, adventure and a surprise cameo from Aiden, Marquis of Tullibardine!! I did like the interaction between Eve and Mar, it was not insta-love and I liked that they took time to get to know each other, I felt the emotions felt; anger, hurt and forgiveness, were very realistic and well done. I also like that Ms. Jarecki uses actual historical figures for her characters and gives the reader in-depth facts about the real person and how she worked the events of their life into her story. Honestly, I did not get the whole “Mr. & Mrs. Smith meets Outlander” feeling – the beginning was sort of like True Lies, but definitely not Mr & Mrs Smith.

This book is the sixth book in the series, but it can definitely be read as a stand-alone title, which I am happy to recommend.

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

What Would a Duke Do? By Collette Cameron

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

What Would a Duke Do?: A Regency Romance (Seductive Scoundrels Book 4)What Would a Duke Do?: A Regency Romance by Collette Cameron

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Seductive Scoundrels #4

Release Date: June 26, 2019

Gabriella Breckensole’s secret crush on Maxwell Woolbright, the eighth Duke of Pennington dies a swift death when she overhears him vowing to ruin her grandfather. From that moment on, Gabriella has avoided the duke whenever possible and has kept the knowledge of what she heard to herself. But unfortunately for her, Maxwell doesn’t seem to take the hint…

After finding his grandfather’s journal, Maxwell believes that Gabriella’s grandfather stole his grandmother’s family home from the duchy by cheating his grandfather, furthermore, he believes this act caused the demise of his grandfather and father. He wants vengeance and has come up with the perfect solution – at least perfect in his mind! He will marry the delightful Gabriella Breckensole and make her grandfather give him Hartfordshire Court as her dowry, in exchange, he will let them live there, that way everybody is happy and the estate is returned to the duchy, all he has to do is convince Gabriella that his way is the right way…

Gabriella cannot believe the gall of Maxwell, how dare he demand that she marry him and then threaten her with her grandparents with complete ruin if she doesn’t? Left with no choice, she agrees, but vows to make him live to regret his highhandedness! When she tells her grandparents of Maxwell’s plan, she learns the awful truth and is given the means to turn the tables on Maxwell, will she take the information and enact vengeance on the man that she once believed she could love? Or will Maxwell realize that Hartfordshire Court isn’t worth the price it will cost him to regain it…Gabriella’s love.

This was a well written, fast paced story with two very strong leads, who will lock horns several times before finding their HEA. The book has scandal, vengeance, secrets, lies, some amusing banter, a likeable albeit misguided hero, a very stubborn feisty heroine, warmish love scenes and very hard won HEA.

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