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

Heart’s Desire by Wendy LaCapra #Blog Tour

On By TracyIn Blog Tour, Contests/Giveaways, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Meet the Author:

Wendy LaCapra has been reading romance since she sneaked into the adult section at the library and discovered Victoria Holt & Jane Aiken Hodge. From that point on, she dreamed of creating fictional worlds with richness, intrigue and passion. Her stories have placed in several contests, including the 2012 Golden Heart® and her debut series, a trilogy about three Ladies who refuse to play by society’s rules, was released by Entangled Scandalous. She lives in NYC with her husband and loves to hear from readers. For new release and sale alerts, sign up at http://bit.ly/GetWendyNews

Connect: Site | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

About the Book:

Lady Clarissa has decided to live life on her terms. After the end of a ten-year betrothal, she wants nothing to do with marriage or the men of the ton. Least of all her friend’s brother, the very charming Lord Markham, or Hearts, as many ladies call the oh-so-handsome earl.
Markham pursues relationships with no ties that bind. Acting the rake leaves everyone satisfied…until he overhears a wager that could lead to Clarissa’s ruin. He can’t help but step in and claim she’s his intended bride.
Clarissa is appalled. She did not need to be saved. Reluctantly, she agrees to the fake courtship, if only to experience what the rakish Markham can offer. But when lust becomes love, Clarissa must make up her own terms and bet it all on Hearts.

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Giveaway:

  • A Tiara – US shipping ONLY
  • eBook prize pack featuring the following titles:
    • Scandal in Spades by Wendy LaCapra
    • Slightly Dangerous by Mary Balogh
    • Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake by Sarah MacLean
    • As Rich as a Rogue by Jade Lee

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Tracy’s Review:

Heart's Desire (Lords of Chance, #2)Heart’s Desire by Wendy LaCapra

Tracy’s rating: 3/3.5 of 5 stars

Series: Lords of Chance, #2

Release Date: May 13, 2019

I really enjoyed the first book in this series and was delighted to learn that Percival Stanley, Earl of Markham aka “Hearts” was to be the hero in this book. He was portrayed as a somewhat reckless, impulsive rake in the first book, so I was very surprised by the “real” Markham in this book!

Markham has always noticed Lady Clarissa Laithe, sister to Earl of Rayne, but she was off limits and already betrothed to the Marquess of Bromton, so he kept his interest to himself. When his reckless wager in the previous book changes Clarissa’s life, he is even more impressed by her and the way she handled being jilted. But bad blood between Markham and Rayne make any connection with Clarissa impossible – until it isn’t…

Lady Clarissa is tired of her life being directed by the whims of men and since her broken betrothal and her brother’s abrupt exit from England, she has decided she will not bend anymore. She has decided that she will not marry and when Rayne returns, she will ask him to take her with him on his next adventure. But when she tests her newfound determination on Lord Moultonbury by refusing to smile at his request, she unknowingly triggers a wager that could ruin her.

Markham is at Sharpe’s Club licking his wounds after a run in with a former lover pulled the scales from his eyes – he is going to change and make some hard fast rules for his life, starting now! But that plan is blown out of the water when Moultonbury and his cronies place a wager in the clubs betting book about Lady Clarissa. To save her reputation, Markham claims they are secretly courting and will announce their betrothal when Rayne returns. But what starts as a lie, soon becomes his true desire, but can he convince the lady?

I thought this book was well written, but I had problems with both Clarissa and Markham, so often lately Historical Romances have been portraying heroines as strong, independent woman – which is wonderful and empowering – but in doing so many authors have been embedding their heroines with 21st century views and morals and the stories end up being contemporary romances set in England without electricity, cell phones, internet and cars. Sadly that is what happened in this book – I didn’t really care for Clarissa from the beginning, I thought she was selfish and self-centered and she never changed. Markham started good and I was cheering when he told her off, but in the end, he too disappointed me. The writing was good, the pace was decent (it did drag a bit towards the end), the love scenes were warm and I really didn’t see how these two would find their HEA, but help comes by way of a surprising source. The ending gives a little tease to who the next book will be about and I am looking forward to seeing how that turns out!

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an e-ARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*

View all my reviews

One Night of Passion by Erica Ridley

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Novella, Regency Era (1811-1820), Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

One Night of Passion (Wicked Dukes Club #3)One Night of Passion by Erica Ridley

Tracy’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: The Wicked Dukes Club, #3

Release Date: May 14, 2019

Thaddeus Middleton has decided that he is ready to take a wife, so like any respectable gentleman of means, he begins his search at Almack’s. Thad is a romantic at heart and is sure that he will recognize the love of his life at first sight – there will be a sign, a spark, a bolt of lightning – something to let him know that he has found “The One”. But this night what he finds is Miss Priscilla Weatherby – most definitely not “The One”, but he asks her to dance is shocked when she turns him down.

Priscilla has a plan and it does not include marriage – her father and grandfather are adventurers and she longs to join them on their journeys, she hasn’t seen her father in years, but when her mother died he told her that he set up a trust for her – ten thousand pounds will be hers on her 25th birthday if she has not married. But there are conditions, she must not avoid the marriage mart, attend 3 events week, no scandal, she can’t ruin herself and she can tell no one of the trust. Priscilla knows exactly what she will do with the money – join her father in Africa – so she has followed the terms to the letter and perfected the art of attending without participating! But if she was looking for a husband, Thad would be exactly what she would want. He is intelligent, kind and handsome. When the meet again in the park and they chat, she really likes him but refuses to risk her heart and again shuts him down.

Thad wonders if insisting on a love match is just prolonging his loneliness, he misses his cousin Diana and when she comes to visit him, he wonders if he has missed “The One” – he does mention Priscilla to Diana and she is surprised that she was rude to Thad – he says it doesn’t matter, because she is not “The One” – Diana askes how he knows that and he says there was no sign. Diana tells him to try to get to know her before he decides that she is not “The One”, he receives similar advice from his friends at the Wicked Duke. And sets out to befriend Priscilla. When he arrives at her house, the weather clears and he sees a rainbow. He thinks he might have been wrong and decides that he needs to get to know her.

Priscilla is surprised to see Thad, she thought she made it clear that she was not interested, but as she gets to know him, her desires become blurred. And when her father returns unexpectantly and offers to take her with him on his travels, she will have to decide if she should go or if loving Thad is the real adventure.

This was a very sweet story, more emotional than I expected, but a true delight to read. The characters are engaging, the love scenes mild and the ending is wonderful. This is the third book in the Wicked Dukes Club series, but it can easily be read as a stand alone title. I truly enjoyed this story and would be happy to recommend it!

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an e-ARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*