Category: Historical Paranormal/Fantasy

The Third Wife of Faraday House by B.R. Myers

On By TracyIn Blog Tour, Book Publicity, First Person Narrative, Gothic Historical, Historical Mystery, Historical Paranormal/Fantasy, Mystery, Paranormal / Fantasy, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

The Third Wife of Faraday HouseThe Third Wife of Faraday House by B.R. Myers

Tracy’s Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Release Date: August 20, 2024

Orphaned Emeline Fitzpatrick is desperate to be free of her guardians, the very strict Shackletons and to begin a new life with her love, Lieutenant Frederick Fletcher in Bermuda. But when she is caught in a compromising situation with Frederick, her guardians quickly arrange her marriage to a man of their choosing, widower Captain Graves and she is sent away, with hopes that her Lieutenant will rescue her. When Emeline arrives at Faraday House, she soon learns that the captain’s second wife, Georgina, though gravely ill, is not dead! Emeline with the help of Georgina, the cold, but intriguing Reverand Pellerine and some supernatural intervention, is determined to discover the truth of Faraday House and just maybe find her own HEA.

I was so excited to read this book, I love a good gothic romance and was really looking forward to this book after reading the blurb. Then I started it and realized that it is written in the First-Person Narrative, I hate FPN. Then as I continued reading, it became obvious that this story is definitely more mystery than romance, but it has a strong gothic feel, and the mystery was well plotted albeit slow moving. I personally find it hard to connect with characters in the first person, so I struggled with this book, but lovers of Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights will probably enjoy this story more than I did. Overall, it was a decent read with a happy ending. Not a book I would read again, but if you like gothic mystery with a dash of supernatural and don’t mind FPN, you will probably enjoy this book.

*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. *