Category: Georgian Era (1714-1837)

The Georgian era is a period in British history 1714 to 1830. The kings were all named George: George I, George II, George III and George IV. The sub-period of the Regency is defined by the Regency of George IV as Prince of Wales during the illness of his father George III. The definition of the Georgian era is often extended to include the short reign of William IV, which ended with his death in 1837.
Preceded by: Restoration
Including: Regency era
Followed by: Victorian era

Magic in the Music by Jane Charles

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Historical Paranormal/Fantasy, Paranormal / Fantasy, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Series Crossover, Tracy's Reviews, Young AdultLeave a comment

Magic in the Music (Magic and Mystery #4)Magic in the Music by Jane Charles

Tracy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Series: Magic and Mystery, #4

Release Date: July 22, 2025

Cassian Jourdain is the non-magical foster son of the Earl and Countess of St Alban and has lived most of his life in Bocka Morrow, but what most people don’t know is that he is the displaced Comte de Rohan. His mother was able to smuggle Cassian and his sister Nina out of France during the Terror, but their ship is wrecked near Bocka Morrow, on the Cornish coast. Sadly, his mother was lost and his sister gravely injured, but Cassian made a deal to save his sister’s life and that bargain, he assumed tied him to Bocka Morrow for life. But recent events have changed everything, and he might have the chance to return to France and reclaim his birthright. Which he wants more than anything, especially since meeting Lady Samantha Ellis at the Halloween ball held at Nightshade Manor. He would love to court her, but without restoring his estates, he has nothing to offer her. And tries to keep his distance, especially since she has made her interest in him clear and his adopted family is bent on matchmaking.

Lady Samantha Ellis has been at Nightshade Manor for almost two months, first for the Halloween ball and then decided to stay to help the family prepare for her friend Antonia’s wedding. During this time, she has become enamored with Cassian Jourdain, the foster son of her hosts. But Cassian seems to be sending mixed signals – it is clear that he is attracted to her but has made no attempt to court her. Frustrated and a bit heartsick, Samanatha ended up trapped in a mysterious room the Manor and the only person who can see or hear her is Cassian. Will this forced proximity finally give Samanatha the happy ending she has been seeking, or will she be lost?

I love returning to Bocka Morrow and Nightshade Manor, Jane Charles has done a fantastic job building this world and her characters. This story brings back a lot of former characters, matchmaking and plenty of magic. As much as I liked this story, it wasn’t my favorite in the series, I felt like the lack of communication between Samantha and Cassian dragged on for much too long, causing it to be repetitious and frustrating. Overall, it was a good read and book I would be happy to recommend. This is the fourth book in the series and has ties to other series but can easily be read as a standalone title without any issues.

3.5 stars rounded up

*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. *

The Earl’s Unlikely Bride by Ella Matthews

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The Earl's Unlikely Bride (The Dashworth Brothers #1)The Earl’s Unlikely Bride by Ella Matthews

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Dashworth Brothers, #1

Release Date: July 10, 2025

Lord Frederick “Freddie” Dashworth and along with his two younger brothers are called to the home of their elder brother the Duke of Glanmore, to meet with a solicitor regarding their brother Sebastian who left England years ago for America. They are shocked to learn that Sebastian is dead and that he left behind a 3-year-old daughter, Charlotte. His will states that the brothers must all live together for 2 years and raise Charlotte, an heiress, at the end of the time, the solicitor will award guardianship to one of the brothers. If the brothers refuse to follow his instructions, Charlotte will be sent to live with their aunt – the woman that raised the brothers after their parents died. As the brothers are united in their hatred for their aunt, they agree to the terms – problem is none of them know anything about raising a child. When Freddie runs into his neighbor, Miss Emily Hawkins at the modiste, he is wary about asking for help, as they have been at odds all their lives, but since he caught her in the Duke’s garden, he is not above blackmailing her to help Charlotte. He just never expected to fall so hard for the one person who is completely immune to his charm.

Emily Hawkins is the youngest of three daughters and the only unmarried one, making her the sole focus of her overbearing mother. Emily strives to be the perfect debutante, but she hasn’t “taken” and her mother is relentless in her criticism of Emily. She escapes into the duke’s garden for a respite and is found by Freddie. She has always thought Freddie was lazy and entitled, but after seeing him with his niece and getting to know him better, she realizes how wrong she was about him. But when they are caught in a compromising situation, she worries that marriage to him may cost her more than her happiness.

As usual, Ms. Matthews delivers a well-written story with wonderful characters. I loved Freddie and Emily, they both have their own insecurities to overcome, but when they work together, they are a force to be reckoned with! The book is not quite the story I thought it was going to be, but I am hooked! I can’t wait to find out the mystery surrounding their brother Sebastian’s death and seeing the remaining brothers find the women who will help them heal from the trauma of their upbringing. Highly recommended!

*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. *