Category: Author Collaboration Series

The Vanishing Viscount by Jane Charles

On By TracyIn Author Collaboration Series, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Historical Paranormal/Fantasy, Novella, Paranormal / Fantasy, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The Vanishing Viscount (Magic and Mystery Book 2)The Vanishing Viscount by Jane Charles

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Magic & Mystery, #2 AND The Witches’ Ball, #1

Release Date: August 22, 2023

At the tender age of 15, Lady Clara Westcott fell irrevocably in love with Pierce Drakos, Viscount Harcourt, and the heir to the Earl of Wharton. Normally a lovesick schoolgirl would not be noteworthy, but Clara is no ordinary young lady, Clara is a witch, and unfortunately for Pierce Clara’s magic seems to be a bit wonky whenever he is around her. Clara is horrified by the mishaps and for the next five years does her best to avoid him. It is not a perfect solution, but it is the best she can do, that and hope with time the mishaps will stop. But when she is invited to the Witches’ Ball at Nightshade Manor in Bocka Morrow there will be no avoiding him and it seems as if the mishaps have intensified, especially when she has to watch the object of her undying affection spending time with other marriageable ladies who were also invited to the ball!

Since the marriage of his younger brother, Pierce’s mother has clearly decided that it is time for him to settle down with a nice witch and start a family of his own, thus the Witches’ Ball. His mother has invited several eligible young ladies, all from magical families to attend the ball and has told Pierce in no uncertain terms that he is expected to find himself a bride. Unfortunately, the only witch that captures his interest is the one witch who seems to do her utmost best to avoid him. But Pierce will not be deterred by a few magical mishaps and places himself in her proximity. But once he realizes that the mishaps are directed at him, will he walk away from the woman he has come to love or will they find a way to have their HEA?

What a great novella! I love visiting the magical town of Bocka Morrow and the surrounding estates, especially Nightshade Manor, and this story certainly did not disappoint! A delightfully charming tale filled with magic, wonderful characters, laugh-out-loud magical mishaps, a slow-burn romance, secrets, a bit of heartache, and finally a very sweet start to their HEA complete with an epilogue. This is the second book in the Ms. Charles Magic & Mystery series, but it is also the first book in the Witches’ Ball series, which is a new author collaboration series! I happily recommend this title and am looking forward to upcoming installments of the Witches’ Ball series!

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

Kiss Me Like A Rogue by Shannon Gilmore

On By BarbaraIn Author Collaboration Series, Barb's Reviews, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820)Leave a comment

Kiss Me Like a Rogue (Wicked Widows' League #18)Barbara’s rating: 4.4 out of 5 Stars
Series: Wicked Widows League #18
Publication Date: 7/11/23
Period: Regency
Number of Pages: 168

If ever you find yourself deep in a hole, just keep digging. At least that appears to be the philosophy of Caden Landon Scott, the Duke of Justamere when he is mistaken for a solicitor by the lovely widow upon whom he has just called to inquire about a land purchase. He should tell her the truth, but … After all, she really does need help … And, those lips surely look as if they want him to kiss them … There is plenty of time … He’ll tell her later …

Baroness Fredda (Freddie) St. George is fearfully afraid. After a chaste marriage to the kindest, sweetest man on earth, she is in danger of losing everything he had tried to do to save her. Her brother and sister-in-law are trying to get the marriage annulled by declaring her a fortune hunter who took advantage of an ailing man and by claiming the marriage was never consummated. What to do? What to do? When a woman from the Wicked Widows League approaches Freddie at her husband’s funeral and offers help, she quickly realizes they might be the resources she needs to fight her in-laws. What she needs is a solicitor and someone to make sense of the estate books – and a friend, she could really use a friend.

The whole thing quickly spirals out of control and Cade bypasses opportunity after opportunity to tell Freddie the truth. What will happen when she finds out who he really is? He knows she will find out; he’d just like to be the one to engineer the circumstances when she does. Right…

When Freddie does find out, in the worst way possible, she is deeply hurt and deeply angry. Then, to have to pretend she’s never known him… and then, her sister-in-law, the hateful, spiteful witch has set her cap for him… Oh! My! Sparks are going to fly, heads are going to roll, and Cade may never manage to dig himself out of that hole. But he wants to – so badly. Can he convince her? Can she forgive him?

I thoroughly enjoyed this entertaining read with lovely characters and a well-paced plot. I haven’t read any of the other Wicked Widows League books, but I do know that each of them can be read as a standalone. Perhaps this story has inspired me to read the novella detailing the beginning of the League. Curious minds want to know.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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