Category: Check Content Warning/Triggers

Never Dare a Duke by Gayle Callen

On By TracyIn Book Publicity, Check Content Warning/Triggers, Part of a Series, Re-Release / Updated Edition, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

Never Dare a Duke New CoverNever Dare a Duke by Gayle Callen

Tracy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Sons of Scandal, #2

Release Date: Originally Released in 2008, Rereleasing June 11, 2024

Miss Abigail “Abby” Shaw is the daughter of Leo Shaw, owner of the Morning Journal and has high hopes of one day being a journalist herself, for now she secretly writes for the paper as the literary and drama critic. And this is how she learned that her father’s paper was in trouble. She is desperate to find a way to save the paper and thinks she might have found the answer thanks to her dear friend Lady Gwen. While strolling with Gwen in Hyde Park, she meets Christoper Cabot, the Duke of Madingley and Gwen informs her of his family’s scandalous history but added that the duke himself seems immune to scandal, she also adds that she has been invited to a house party at the duke’s estate and offers to bring Abby. Abby is sure the duke must be hiding something and knowing how much society thrives on scandal, she is determined to find out what he is hiding and write about it in the Morning Journal. But Abby never expected to like the duke and his family so much, nor did she think that the duke would be suspicious of her, making uncovering his secrets even harder. As her feelings deepen choices will have to be made and it seems like they will all lead to heartache.

Christopher “Chris” Cabot, the Duke of Madingley does have a secret, but that scandal was a long time ago and his father made sure that it never hit the scandal sheets. But that doesn’t mean it didn’t affect him deeply or change the entire path of his life. Chris has worked hard to be a better man, to make a difference and to live a life that never gives society any reason to gossip about him. And that has worked for years, but when he arrives at his estate, he learns that his sister and mother are hosting a house party and have invited prospective brides as well as the intriguing Miss Abigail Shaw. He doesn’t trust her a whit and decides to keep her close until he can figure out what she is up to. He just doesn’t count on feeling anything for her or for what he believes is the ultimate betrayal of those feelings.

Another great installment of the Sons of Scandal series! The story is well written, and Chris and Abby have such wonderful chemistry that you can’t help but root for their happily ever after. This story has secrets, a bevy of scheming hope-to-be brides, good friends, more than one romance, sizzling love scenes, blackmail, lies, heartache, betrayal and finally a well-deserved HEA including a lovely epilogue. This is the second book in the trilogy, but it could easily be read as a standalone title. I feel like it needs to be noted that this book is a rereleased title from 2008 and it definitely has “old school” historical romance feel to it – which personally, I LOVE but I also know might it be off-putting to more sensitive readers.

*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. *

Red Kingdom by Rachel L. Demeter

On By TracyIn Check Content Warning/Triggers, Fairytale Retelling, Gothic Historical, Historical Paranormal/Fantasy, Medieval (1066-1540), Middle Ages / Medieval (476-1454), Non-Traditional Romance, Part of a Series, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Red Kingdom (Fairy Tale Retellings, #2)Red Kingdom by Rachel L. Demeter

Tracy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Fairy Tale Retellings, #2

Released: April 10, 2024

Princess Blanchette Winslowe of Norland is awakened to an attack on her father’s castle and barely escapes the carnage thanks to a loyal villager and his son. But her escape is short lived when the infamous Black Wolf hunts her down and takes her prisoner. Blanchette is horrified to discover her entire family (save her married sister) have all been killed during the takeover of the castle. She believes that Sir Rowan – the Black Wolf – is a monster as well as a traitor to Norland. But not all is as it seems and as she begins to learn the truth of her father’s reign, the more the scales fall from her eyes and the walls around her heart begin to crumble.

Sir Rowan Dietrich, known as the Black Wolf of Norland was once a loyal retainer and served the King, but when his wife is murdered to teach Rowan a lesson, his rage simmers and he begins to plot his revenge. It takes years, but finally Rowan has gathered an army to oust King Bartholomew and liberate Norland from his corrupt reign. When he learns the princess escaped, he personally tracks her down and returns her to the castle. He believes that she was aware of her father’s deeds and turned a blind eye. He soon learns that Blanchette is not the shallow, pampered princess he thought her to be and soon begins to fall in love with her. But there is still evil afoot and their road to HEA will not be easy or without pain.

Just like the last book, this book is phenomenal, and the writing transports you to the medieval kingdom of Norland and keeps you there until you read the last page and then makes you wish it hadn’t ended! This is a dark fairytale retelling that is very loosely based on Little Red Riding Hood, dark being the operative word. The book has battles, murder, heartache, heartbreak, unspeakable acts of cruelty (most off page), loss, war, a very slow-burn romance, mild love scenes, betrayal, healing and finally a HEA. This is the second book in the series, but the books can be read as standalone titles. I would caution sensitive readers to check out the content warnings before reading this book as there are triggers and acts that may be extremely upsetting to some readers.

*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. *