Category: Author Collaboration Series

Taming the Temptress by Kate Pearce

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

Taming the TemptressTaming the Temptress by Kate Pearce

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Witches’ Ball, #3 & Paranormal Romance, #4

Release Date: September 5, 2023

Nanto-Svelta “Nant” is a water deity, she is happy tending her waterways and granting wishes made at her wells in Bocka Morrow. The only other person she interacts with is her half-sister, Malakia, who is now happily married to a mortal. Years ago, Nant was burned by a lover and now no longer trusts her heart and has no desire to find a mate, even if she is lonely. But when her father, the Cornish water god, Endellion, commands her to attend the Witches Ball, she has no choice but to attend. With her sister’s help and an eleven seamstress, Nant is ready to go to the ball. Almost as soon as she enters Nightshade Manor, she meets Mr. Taranis, when she stops short and he runs into her. Needless to say, it is not love at first sight, but later the two share a kiss that she blithely brushes off and tries to pretend didn’t affect her. But it did, and that scares her.

Taranis is the ancient Cornish god of storms, he and his family came to England with the Romans, and while his family left, Taranis remained to help the local people. But he is lonely and when he meets Nant, he is sure she is The One and sets out to prove it. Nant is wary, but slowly begins to fall for Taranis and begins to think that she could be happy. However, when she learns the truth about their original meeting, she feels betrayed. Taranis will have to prove that she can trust him and that his love is true, or he will lose her forever.

This was such a great addition to the Witches’ Ball series (and ties into Kate Pearce’s Paranormal Romance Series), the story is full of witty banter, steamy love scenes, great secondary characters, a bit of drama, some heartache, and finally a soulmate type love with the promise of HEA. This is the third book in the series, but it is loosely connected to the other books in the series and could easily be read as a standalone title. I loved this story and happily recommend it!

Lessons in Love; A Witches’ Ball Novella by Renee Bernard

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

Lessons in Love: A Witches Ball NovellaLessons in Love: A Witches Ball Novella by Renee Bernard

Tracy’s rating: 3.5/4 of 5 stars

Series: The Witches’ Ball, #2

Release Date: August 26, 2023

Arianna Holt is the illegitimate orphaned granddaughter of the Marquis of Halleforte, and she has lived most of her life under the care of her beloved uncle Edmund, her father’s youngest brother. Arianna is sheltered and feels most comfortable in the woods, her uncle has tried to make her feel loved, but her grandfather despises her and demands that she keep her silver-white hair covered and her silver-lavender eyes hidden behind dark glasses. She is content with her life, but her uncle wants more for her, he wants her to marry and have a family of her own. He convinces his father and older brother to let Arianna accompany his other niece Lady Persephone to the Witches Ball in Bocka Morrow. Arianna agrees to go as long as her uncle agrees to stop trying to matchmake when she returns. Arianna sets out counting the days until she can return home to her solitude, but this trip will change Arianna’s life in ways that she didn’t even believe possible and suddenly the thought of living in solitude no longer holds any appeal.

Wren Willow is a Fairy or Fei, he is one of the few that crosses the Veil and interacts with humans in the Broken Realm, as the Fei call it. This time he has made the trip to stop Arianna from attending the Witches’ Ball because he knows something she doesn’t, Arianna is half Fei and has a power that many would love to manipulate. Wren’s only task is to stop her from going to the ball, but once he meets her, he is drawn to her and wants more time, he breaks many rules and tells Arianna the truth of her lineage and her powers. He breaks more rules when offers to teach her how to control her power, knowing full well there will be a price to pay. Their feelings deepen, but all too soon it is time for Wren to pay for his transgressions, leaving their future in question.

This was an interesting addition to the series, especially since they never actually made it to Bocka Morrow. But Arianna and Wren are wonderful characters and their story is both joyous and heartwrenching. The story is not quite what I was expecting, but it was still a very good, no steam, slow-burn romance filled with magic, great secondary characters, a few tears, a couple of toe-curling kisses, and the promise of happily ever after. This book is loosely connected to the Witches’ Ball series, but could easily be read as a standalone title.