Category: Check Content Warning/Triggers

Summoned to the Wilds (Deluxe Edition) by A.K. Caggiano

On By TracyIn Check Content Warning/Triggers, Historical Paranormal/Fantasy, New To Me Author, Paranormal / Fantasy, Part of a Series, Re-Release / Updated Edition, Romantasy, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Summoned to the Wilds (Villains & Virtues, #2)Summoned to the Wilds by A.K. Caggiano

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Villains and Virtues #2

Release Date: March 24, 2026 (Update Edition)

Lady Ammalie “Amma” Avington, heir to the Faebarrow barony, fiancée to the Marquis of Brineberth and apparent captive of blood mage Damien Maleficus Bloodthorne, is on the run from her home, which is currently overrun by the undead, thanks to Damien. But not everything is as it seems and Amma is far from unhappy about her current circumstances. Well, it would be better if she wasn’t the receptacle of Damien’s talisman and spellbound to him, but overall, she is not mad that she is with Damien. They are on a quest to save her home and to remove the talisman from her person preferably without killing her. Along the way, Amma will learn a lot about herself and discover her own untapped magic, but at the end of this quest will she be able to give up Damien?

Blood mage Damien Maleficus Bloodthorne is trying to find a way to rescue his demon father from his crystalline prison. He created a talisman that he believed would help him accomplish the mission but wanted to test it first – which is why it currently resides in Amma. But what at first seem so simple; test the talisman, kill the girl to retrieve said talisman and then rescue his father, has become complicated and involves messy feelings – not that he would ever admit that out loud. But despite being evil to his core, he can’t bring himself to kill Amma and so they will need to find another way to remove it. But even if he removes it, he knows he could never be what Amma wants, right?

OK, I did not read the first book and that was a HUGE mistake on my part, this is the second book in an epic tale and I was completely lost – I didn’t understand the world, the magic or Amma and Damien’s relationship. The author did give some backstory, but not enough to bring me completely up to speed, so I don’t think I fully grasped the gist of this story. I felt like I was dropped in the middle of a story, so I had no beginning and since this is the second of three books, I had no real ending, basically it was like reading just the middle of a really long book. The story was well-written, and I enjoyed the banter and the humor, but I found the slow-almost-no-burn romance a bit frustrating, and the bonus chapter that was included was just more of the same. The book is filled with magic, vampires, fae, imps, witches, an evil fiancé, some frenemies, a lot of stifled romantic moments, some very vivid action scenes, a bit of heartbreak and finally a cliffhanger ending that did resolve somethings but opened the door to a lot more questions. I am definitely going to go back and read the first book and then dive into the last book, because now I need to know! This is the second book in the series, and I would strongly recommend reading the series in order for the best reader experience.

*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. *

 

Never Spar with a Viscount by Lindsay Lovise

On By TracyIn Check Content Warning/Triggers, Mystery, Part of a Series, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

Never Spar with a Viscount (Secret Society of Governess Spies, #3)Never Spar with a Viscount by Lindsay Lovise

Tracy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Secret Society of Governess Spies #3

Release Date: March 10, 2026

After refusing to wed the man her father selected for her, Miss Ivy Bennett decided to live life on her terms, she took a position as governess to new Viscount Brackley’s young sisters and has done her best to steer clear of the man. But when the Dove, founder of Perdita’s, the most exclusive governess school in England, recruits her investigate the new viscount as he has been sighted leaving the homes of several residences in London where the ladies of the house have fallen victim to “female hysteria”, she has no choice but to interact with the man. The more time she spends with Owen Brackley, the harder it is to believe that he is responsible for the problems in London. When Ivy’s eldest brother, Barnes, who happens to be Owen’s former best friend, shows up with news that their father has a new suitor for her, Owen suggests they pretend to be courting, to save them both from their family’s interference. Owen promises to help Ivy catch the eye of the man she really wants to marry and she will keep his meddling, matchmaking stepmother at bay. It seems like the perfect plan, until she falls in love with him.

Owen Brackley has been living abroad for years building up a successful horse breeding business, a business he intended to start with Barnes. But shortly before they were set to graduate from Harrow and start their business, Barnes punches Owen and cuts all ties with him with no explanation. Now years later, it is clear that Barnes still hates him and Owen still has no idea why, so it gives him bit of perverse joy in tweaking his nose by courting Ivy. He tells himself that he really means to help Ivy win the husband of her dreams, but the heart wants what the heart wants and his heart wants Ivy. But before they can claim their HEA, they will need to solve the mystery of what is causing the female hysteria and clear Owen’s name.

As with the previous books in this series, this story is well written, nicely paced and filled with likable characters that you want to root for. Owen and Ivy have both survived awful fathers and have lived life on their own terms. I thought the author did a great job of describing the abuse they endured without being graphic, so even sensitive readers should be able to enjoy this story. In addition to Owen and Ivy, there are a lot of entertaining secondary characters, including Owen’s 8 young sisters, Ivy’s brother Barnes and her friend Diane, who all add a lot of laughter and lightness to this story. The book has wonderful characters, a great mystery, secrets, steamyish love scenes, witty banter, adorable little girls, suspense, surprising revelations and finally a happy ending complete with an epilogue. I really enjoyed this story and would happily recommend this title to my fellow HR readers. This is the third book in the series, but it could easily be read as a standalone title with no problems.

*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. *