Category: Book Publicity

The Rose and the Earl by Jillian Eaton

On By TracyIn Book Publicity, Novella, Part of a Series, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

The Rose and the Earl (Ravishing Rosewoods Book 3)The Rose and the Earl by Jillian Eaton

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Ravishing Rosewoods, #3

Release Date: December 8, 2022

After years of waiting, Lady Annabel Rosewood is finally getting the season she so desperately wanted, but sadly, her dreams of finding Prince Charming and living happily ever after are fading with each new suitor. After yet another night of pretending to be having the time of her life, she has had enough and claims to have a headache and leaves the ball early, believing that nothing magical will ever happen for her as it did for her happily married sisters. But a case of mistaken identity leads to her boldly claiming a kiss, her life will never be the same and it certainly won’t be boring!

Ezra Washington, Earl of Whitmore and heir to the Marquess of Richborough, is a rogue, a rake, and just shy of being a full-blown scoundrel, but he likes his life – or at least he did. He will admit to himself that he is bored, which is probably why he agreed to a juvenile prank that involved pretending to be a highwayman. But the plan backfires in spectacular fashion when they hold up the wrong carriage and the stunningly beautiful woman inside demands a kiss. Never one to disappoint a lady, Ezra complies but is shaken to his core by the kiss. They part ways but he can’t stop thinking about her. So when it seems like fate is smiling at him and they meet again, he knows that he can’t let her slip away again. Too bad for him that Annabel has a different ending in mind for them.

This was a well-written, delightful read with wonderful characters and a surprisingly fleshed-out plot for a novella. The book has witty banter, great secondary characters, steamyish love scenes, a bit of heartache, and finally a HEA complete with an epilogue. I would agree with another reviewer that the “prologue” was strange and definitely not something that happened before the story begins, as you would expect from a prologue – it wasn’t bad, but it did seem out of sync. Overall, this was a great, easy read and I would be happy to recommend it. It is part of a series but can be read as a standalone title with no problem.

*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.*

An Alliance with His Enemy Princess by Lissa Morgan

On By TracyIn Book Publicity, Medieval (1066-1540), Middle Ages / Medieval (476-1454), Standalone Title, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

An Alliance with His Enemy PrincessAn Alliance with His Enemy Princess by Lissa Morgan

Tracy’s rating: 3 of 5 stars

Series: N/A

Release Date: December 27, 2022

It has been a year since the tragic events at the hands of the Norman Earl, Robert of Rhuddlan, stole everything from her, Princess Gwennan ferch Cynddylan Fawr refused to surrender. She put away her kirtles and embroidery and picked up her dead husband’s sword and along with the few men left on her father’s lands and fought against the Normans invading Wales. A personal war that has been going mostly in her favor until tonight when her small band of men were ambushed, she called the retreat but was struck down herself and taken captive.

Even though she is dressed as a man, Sir Rolant Guyarde knows that the fallen soldier is a woman and protects her identity from his men by taking her prisoner and claiming her as his new page. Gwennan regains consciousness and learns the troop is on their way to her home – Carn Egryn – and bides her time. Soon enough, her men attack and she escapes – but has to leave her sword and horse behind, for now. Later she turns the tables on Rolant and not only retakes her castle but takes him hostage. She makes her demands to Earl Robert, her parents in exchange for Rolant. But Rolant has a better idea, he suggests she petition the King – but the price the King demands may be more than either of them wants to pay!

I thought this was a well-written, interesting read, and though it used the common enemies-to-lovers trope, it still managed to feel fresh and original. I really loved Rolant and I felt his pain keenly, he harbored so much guilt and wanted love so badly, that I wished I could comfort him – I certainly would have been nicer than Gwennan. She too harbored a lot of pain, but unlike Rolant, I couldn’t sympathize with her – she was hard for me to like, and she spewed a lot of venom at Rolant – many times unjustly and was so wishy-washy regarding her feelings. I understand that she loved her husband, but this went beyond that – one minute she is thinking she loves Rolant and the next she is verbally flaying him – I felt confused and annoyed. I could tell you why he loved her – but I still don’t have the foggiest as to why she loves him or when she fell in love. This book has fighting, lies, secrets, loss, heartache, surprises, wonderful secondary characters, heart-retching confessions, more than one romance, very mild love scenes, a sweet declaration scene, and finally a HEA complete with an epilogue. I did enjoy this book, but I don’t think I would read it again, as the romance just moved too slowly for my taste. I did however love the setting in Wales and adored Rolant – he makes the book worth recommending!

*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.*