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

Tempted by a Rake by Jane Charles

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

Tempted by a RakeTempted by a Rake by Jane Charles

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Wicked Widows League (with ties other series by this author)

Release Date: November 5, 2024

As her family prepares to retire to their country estate for Christmas, Lavinia Stewart, the widowed Marchioness of Teviot is feeling out of sorts and decides to spend Christmas alone at a cottage she visited as a child to try and figure out what is bothering her. Upon the death of her husband, she returned to her family, acting as chaperon to her younger sisters and not only hostess to her brother the Duke of Claybrook, but his closest confidante and advisor. She is not sure what she wants to do with the rest of her life, but she knows she will never again marry for duty and despite her sister’s suggestion of finding a lover, she isn’t sure that is right for her either. But when she arrives at the cottage and discovers her neighbor is none other than Mr. Demetrius Valentine, her brother’s solicitor and a man that Lavinia greatly admires, too bad he is a rake. But then again, who better to help her discover what she was missing in the marriage bed?

Demetrius Valentine has just unexpectedly inherited a cottage as well as a dog and cat from one of his first clients. Shocked at the gift, he decides to spend Christmas there and think about his next move. He is shocked and delighted to learn that Lady Teviot is also spending the holiday sans family. He has long admired her intelligence and beauty. He would love to be her lover, but while he might not be the rake she believes him to be, he does have secrets that could destroy his family if the truth gets out. Yet how could he live with himself if he started an affair without telling her the truth? And how will he guard his heart for the eventual end of the affair?

This was a sweet friends-to-lovers / class difference romance with very likable characters in a Christmas setting. I enjoyed the story, but it was not as fast-paced as most of Ms. Charles’ books and felt a bit repetitive as each character rehashed the reasons, they could never really be together. Overall, it was a nice read with wonderful characters, secrets, adorable pets, steamyish love scenes and a lovely HEA complete with an epilogue. This novel is connected to more than one series but could easily be read as a standalone title.

*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. *

A Governess Should Never…Wager a Duke by Emily Windsor

On By TracyIn Book Publicity, Christmas, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Novella, Part of a Series, Re-Release / Updated Edition, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

A Governess Should Never... Wager a Duke (The Governess Chronicles Book 5)A Governess Should Never… Wager a Duke by Emily Windsor

Tracy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Governess Chronicles, #5

Release Date: November 1, 2024

Once upon a time, Miss Charlotte Webster fell in love with her childhood friend Marcus Scarcliffe, the Duke of Shawdale, and when they danced together at the Christmas ball, she believed that he might return her feelings. But shortly thereafter, Marcus left for London and when he returned, he was a changed man, gone was the kind, happy boy, and along with him any hope of a happily ever after. Things went downhill from there, with the death of her father and the realization that she was penniless, but still had to care for her ailing uncle and her childhood home. Working as a governess, she barely keeps her head above water and when she learns that Marcus is in need of a governess for his ward, she jumps at the chance to be close to her home and if she is honest, to him. But when she learns that he doesn’t plan to be home for Christmas, she issues a challenge to him, if he still wants to go on his business trip after attending three Christmastide events with her, she will work for free until he finds a finishing school for Dinah, but if she wins, he will employ her until Dinah’s debut and pay to fix her roof. It is a bet she plans to win!

Unbeknownst to Charlotte there is a very good reason for the drastic change in Marcus, but even he can’t deny the feelings that seeing Charlotte again stirs in him. So against his better judgment, he accepts her challenge, fully intending to win. But somewhere between dancing at a Christmas ball, a winter wedding, long walks in the countryside, a very unpleasant dinner party, and some sage advice from a stranger, Marcus realizes that life is short and that love is more important than making money. But will Charlotte still have him when she learns the truth or will his past cost him the love of his life?

OMG, I loved this story and although it is a novella, it is a full story, never feeling rushed or skimpy. Written as a very loose retelling of Dicken’s Christmas Carol, this story is a lovely second-chance, friends-to-lover romance. I loved Charlotte and Marcus; their chemistry is undeniable and their interactions are delightfully witty and charming. The secondary characters, especially Dinah, are wonderful, and I loved the cameo of William Wordsworth! Originally published as a “A Governess Should Never…Kiss at Christmastide” in the Christmas in Cumbria anthology, this novella has been revamped with expanded scenes and an epilogue, I loved the original, but this version is even better (which I didn’t think was possible). Even if you read it in the anthology, I would definitely recommend grabbing this revised and updated edition!

*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. *