Category: Christmas

A Curse for Christmas Past by Morgan Lockhart

On By TracyIn Christmas, Contemporary Romance, Paranormal / Fantasy, Part of a Series, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

A Curse for Christmas Past: A NovelA Curse for Christmas Past: A Novel by Morgan Lockhart

Tracy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Elk Ridge #2

Release Date: September 22, 2026

Hayleigh Gray is cursed and she is positive she knows who is responsible – Rowan Midwinter, an Elk Ridge witch that ruined her company’s plans to develop the small town into a resort town last Christmas. She has lost a lot; first her job, then she dumped her fiancé, her bank approved a transfer that wiped out what little money she had, even her hair appointments were disrupted, but when her beloved horse’s life is in danger and she starts being stalked by a crone, she has no choice but to confront the bane of her existence. Her parents will help her, but only if she caves to their demands. So, to avoid that fate, she makes her way to Elk Ridge to demand that Rowan reverse the curse, but as her luck would have it, Rowan is not there, but her brother Stephan Midwinter is and he swears that his sister would not curse her and there is no way the coven would approve of it. He offers to help her figure out who cursed her and with the way her luck is going, she can use all the help she can get, especially since her time is running out.

Stephan Midwinter is a witch with an affinity to animals, and while he was not happy with Hayleigh’s actions last Christmas, he can see she is suffering and his kind heart cannot let her go off alone when it is clear that she needs help. Together they figure out who is behind the curse and set out to find them. But when they get there, the curse maker says she cannot lift the curse. They return to their rented accommodations, planning to leave the next day, but they get snowed in, and their relationship takes a turn. He hopes she will stay with him, but Stephan knows that Hayleigh is holding something back from him and when she tells him she is going to return to her parent’s home, he is sure that he is the problem. Will they get a Christmas miracle or is their budding relationship doomed to be cursed?

I almost didn’t request this book because the last book was a bit to “Hallmark Christmas Movie” for me, I have nothing against Hallmark love stories, but they are formulaic and a little cheesy, fine for two hours vegging on the couch, but not what I want in a book. However, I am a firm believer of not every book is a fit for everyone, and it is best to read at least two books by an author before writing them off and I am so glad I decided to stick to that conviction – because I loved this book! Hayleigh and Stephan have that rare on-page chemistry that I hope for in every romance. Yes, Hayleigh starts out snobby and entitled, but she grows and changes into a person worthy of a man like Stephan. Stephan is sigh-worthy for lack of a better term, he is everything I love in a hero, he is smart, kind, not afraid of a strong woman, willing to move out of his comfort zone, loves animals and is yummy to boot! This book has great secondary characters, magic, friendship, healing, personal growth, warm love scenes, forgiveness and finally redemption with a happy ending. Overall, I found this book much more satisfying than the first book and a book that I would definitely recommend to cozy fantasy readers who like a bit of spice in their romances. This is the second book in the series, but even with close ties to the first book, I believe it can be read as a standalone with no problems.

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

 

Highlander’s Holly and Ivy by Margaret Izard

On By TracyIn Check Content Warning/Triggers, Christmas, Georgian Era (1714-1837), New To Me Author, Paranormal / Fantasy, Part of a Series, Scottish/Highlander, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Highlander's Holly and IvyHighlander’s Holly and Ivy by Margaret Izard

Tracy’s Rating: 3/3.5 of 5 stars

Series: Stones of Iona, Holiday Novella

Release Date: December 1, 2025

Iris Erskine, daughter to James Erskine, the English Lord Advocate of Scotland, loves Scotland and wants to immerse herself in the culture of her adopted country, but understandably, the Scots are not fond of the English, so with the help of her maid Laurel, Iris takes on the persona of a mute maid named Ivy. She joins her friend at a gathering of the Gaels – a group of Scots that gather to keep their culture alive, despite the laws imposed on them by the English. When she meets their leader, Alex MacDougall, she is immediately smitten, and the feeling is mutual. They grow closer, but she never finds a way to tell him who she really is and when he learns the truth, his trust and possibly his love is lost. Will she be able to convince Alex that she never intended to deceive him or has her innocent deception cost her the love of a lifetime?

Alex MacDougall is the Lord Justice Cleark to Scotland and serves as a intermediary between the Scots and the Lord Advocate of Scotland – Englishman James Erskine, whom he has come to respect, despite the fact he is English. Alex’s family has a questionable allegiance to Scotland, thanks to his father’s refusal to fight at Culloden, so he has made it his mission to help Scotland adapt to English rule, but he doesn’t want to forsake his culture. He joined the Gaels, to keep their traditions alive, never expecting to find love. Alex thought he had found love once before and lost her and a Stone of Iona that the fae tasked his family to protect to an evil fae, leaving him determined to never love again. But when he meets Ivy, he wonders if love is possible for him and if he might be able to reclaim the love stone he lost all those years ago. But when the Gaels are found out and he realizes Ivy is not who she says she is, he believes she betrayed him. But when the truth comes out will it be too late to save her and reclaim the love he thought he would never find?

I have mixed feelings about this book, I liked the connection between Alex and Ivy/Iris, but I was expecting a lot more Fae activity, especially based on the prologue, and ultimately it ended up feeling like that element was just an afterthought. I did enjoy the setting of post-Culloden Scotland and the struggle the Scots had to keep their culture alive while abiding by the laws that seemed determined to eradicate their traditions. But I felt that Iris’ deception dragged on for way too long and found it hard to believe that Alex didn’t figure it out, especially since he kissed both Iris and “Ivy”. Overall, it was an OK read that I am glad I read and I wonder if I would have enjoyed it more if I had read the previous books in this series. Having said that, I didn’t feel lost even though I hadn’t read the other books, so I feel confident that this book could be read as a standalone title. It is important to note that I would caution sensitive readers to check out the content warnings before reading this book as there are some violent and graphic on-page assaults that may be upsetting to some readers.

*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. *