Author: Tracy

Avid reader (and reviewer) of historical romance.

Tempted by a Rake by Jane Charles

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Series Crossover, Standalone Title, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Tempted by a RakeTempted by a Rake by Jane Charles

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Wicked Widows League (with ties other series by this author)

Release Date: November 5, 2024

As her family prepares to retire to their country estate for Christmas, Lavinia Stewart, the widowed Marchioness of Teviot is feeling out of sorts and decides to spend Christmas alone at a cottage she visited as a child to try and figure out what is bothering her. Upon the death of her husband, she returned to her family, acting as chaperon to her younger sisters and not only hostess to her brother the Duke of Claybrook, but his closest confidante and advisor. She is not sure what she wants to do with the rest of her life, but she knows she will never again marry for duty and despite her sister’s suggestion of finding a lover, she isn’t sure that is right for her either. But when she arrives at the cottage and discovers her neighbor is none other than Mr. Demetrius Valentine, her brother’s solicitor and a man that Lavinia greatly admires, too bad he is a rake. But then again, who better to help her discover what she was missing in the marriage bed?

Demetrius Valentine has just unexpectedly inherited a cottage as well as a dog and cat from one of his first clients. Shocked at the gift, he decides to spend Christmas there and think about his next move. He is shocked and delighted to learn that Lady Teviot is also spending the holiday sans family. He has long admired her intelligence and beauty. He would love to be her lover, but while he might not be the rake she believes him to be, he does have secrets that could destroy his family if the truth gets out. Yet how could he live with himself if he started an affair without telling her the truth? And how will he guard his heart for the eventual end of the affair?

This was a sweet friends-to-lovers / class difference romance with very likable characters in a Christmas setting. I enjoyed the story, but it was not as fast-paced as most of Ms. Charles’ books and felt a bit repetitive as each character rehashed the reasons, they could never really be together. Overall, it was a nice read with wonderful characters, secrets, adorable pets, steamyish love scenes and a lovely HEA complete with an epilogue. This novel is connected to more than one series but could easily be read as a standalone title.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

Misery Hates Company by Elizabeth Hobbs

On By TracyIn America's Gilded Age (1870-1900), American Historical, Gothic Historical, Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, Part of a Series, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Misery Hates CompanyMisery Hates Company by Elizabeth Hobbs

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: A Marigold Manners Mystery, #1

Release Date: November 5, 2024

When her parents die of influenza, Marigold Manners learns that they have left her penniless. She is forced to withdrawal from school and abandon her plans to join an archaeological expedition in Greece, and at the attorney’s suggestion, she writes to relatives. With no desire to live off the generosity of her dear friend Isabella Dana, Marigold accepts an intriguing invitation to visit her mother’s cousin on the island of Great Misery, Massachusetts. Marigold has never heard of Sophronia Hatchet, but the island is not that far from Boston, and she can’t ignore the cryptic message Sophronia sent her.

She optimistically sets out for Great Misery but was totally unprepared for the cold and even hostile reception she is met with from the family nor the filthy and desolate house. But ever the problem solver, Marigold doesn’t let their behavior affect her and sets out to clean the house and get to know her cousins. Slowly Marigold breaks though the walls her family has erected and then sets out to help them achieve their dreams. She is further surprised when she finds her old friend (and something of a secret crush) Jonathan “Cab” Cox on the mainland. Cab is there to help his uncle with a legal matter, a request he took knowing Marigold was staying nearby. But it turns out that Marigold will be the one in need of his legal assistance when a body turns up in her garden and she is the prime suspect!

This was a very well written novel, but I don’t know if I would really call it a mystery, it read more like historical women’s fiction with a murder and lots of surprising and interesting twists, along with a budding romance. Overall, this was an interesting, well written story with lots of intrigue, wonderful characters, complex relationships, lots of twists, shocking revelations and a murder. I would definitely read the next installment and would happily recommend this title to those who enjoy a slightly dark, intriguing read.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *