Author: Tracy

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

Seducing Winter’s Gentleman by Kirsten S. Blacketer

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

Seducing Winter's Gentleman (Thieves of Winter Book 4)Seducing Winter’s Gentleman by Kirsten S. Blacketer
Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Thieves of Winter, #4

Release Date: December 31, 2018

If you have been following the series, you already know Bates and Anna, if not be prepared for a completely different sort of historical romance! This is more of a “below the stairs” romance than your typical historical.

James Bates is the competent, handsome butler of the Earl of Winterbourne. But James is much, much more than he appears. A stupid stunt years ago changed the course of his life and left him with tremendous guilt and the desire to be a better man.

Anna was the lady’s maid to Lady Katherine, but since Katherine’s disappearance, she was lucky enough to stay on as housemaid. Anna harbors a tendre for James, but the older man doesn’t seem to notice she is a woman. Anna hasn’t had an easy life, orphaned at a young age, she was taken in by a woman and given a good life, but when her adopted mother passed, Anna had to go into service. She was lucky to get the position with Lady Katherine and was grateful that she was able to remain after Katherine disappeared. She tries to flirt with James, but he shuts her down. When she finally decides to give up pursuing him, it seems like he finally notices her.

James has secrets, HUGE secrets, he knows Anna is interested in him, just as he is with her, but he doesn’t feel worthy of her – if she ever knew the truth, she would run as far away from him as she could – wouldn’t she?

I throughly enjoyed this book, it is well written and flows perfectly, the chemistry between James and Anna is electric, the secrets are jaw-dropping, the love scenes are warm leaning towards steamy, the secondary characters are wonderful and the ending is spectacular! While I would recommend reading the books in order, I think this book could be read as a stand alone title with no problems.

A Knight’s Captive by Lana Williams

On By TracyIn Middle Ages / Medieval (476-1454), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

A Knight's Captive (Falling For A Knight Book 3)A Knight’s Captive by Lana Williams

Tracy’s rating: 4/4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Falling for a Knight, #3

Release Date: December 26, 2018

Sir Chanse de Bremont is not happy about the impeding marriage of Lady Arabela Graham to Sir Rory Buchanan. He knows Arabela’s father plans to use the marriage to further discord between England and Scotland by pushing for Rory to be named king – Chanse knows this will enrage King Edward and with Arabela’s father “guiding” Rory, war will be inevitable. But Chanse has a plan to stop the wedding, with the help of Matthew, Laird Graham’s former captain of the guard, they will break into the keep and steal the bride.

Lady Arabela will not marry Rory, he is disgusting, cruel and abusive, so she forms a plan, she will run away and hide. She knows her father wants to put Rory on the throne and she knows the strife it will cause not only with England, but with the clans in Scotland. She can’t let that happen! When Chanse enters her room to take her, she informs him that his help is not needed, but he insists. She only agrees to go at her maid’s urging and is surprised to find Matthew in Chanse’s company.

Arabela is determined to part ways with the handsome knight just as soon as possible, but when reality sets in and she realizes just how unprepared she is to travel alone, she reluctantly agrees to stay with Chanse, but is not happy that he refuses to trust her with his plan. But with her father’s men hot on their heels, she has no choice but to stay with him.

There is a good reason why Chanse refuses to tell Arabela his plan – he doesn’t have one beyond getting her out of the keep and stopping the wedding. He leaves what he hopes is a false trail and decides to head to Berwick and his brother – but with Graham’s men chasing them, he wonders if that is the best idea. When Arabela demands answers, Chanse kisses her, hoping to distract her, but instead finds himself being ensnared!

This was a really good medieval, the history surrounding the story is fascinating and the author’s notes are just as interesting as the story. While I felt like the beginning of the book was a little slow, it picks up about a third of the way in and never stops – there are chases, near death moments, witty banter, wonderful characters, secrets, heated love scenes, twists and turns, really nasty villains, help from surprising sources and finally a HEA with a very sweet epilogue. This is the third book in the series, but it can easily be read as a stand alone title. I am sincerely hoping there will be more books in this series – especially for Matthew!!