Historical Paranormal/Fantasy – Page 15 – Flippin' Pages Book Reviews

Queen Takes Hook by Kirsten S. Blacketer

Tracy’s Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Pirates and Persuasion, #1

Release Date: April 23, 2024

When Princess Celeste of Nevarro learns of her father’s death, she is heartbroken and a bit suspicious of her Uncle’s story. She tries to ignore her instincts and be supportive of her sister Caroline, who will now be Queen. But when she overhears her Uncle plotting to kill her and her sister, she knows she can’t fight him alone and only knows of one man who can help her. The notorious Captain James Hook, a pirate with no allegiances and even fewer morals. She strikes a deal with Hook – but is certain she can’t trust him and has another plan just in case. The problem is, she never anticipated being attracted to the scoundrel or falling in love.

Captain James Hook’s luck seems to have deserted him, he lost his ship the Jolly Roger, ticked off his father Admiral Tiberius Hook, and lost his hand to a crocodile. He is drowning his sorrows in a tavern in Port Royale when the last person he ever expected to see approaches him and requests his help offering a treasure that would set any pirate’s heart aflutter. Princess Celeste is not what he expected, not only is she beautiful, but she is clever and devious to boot! With a bounty on her head and his father demanding he turn her in, James will have to play this just right to get the treasure really he wants.

I absolutely loved this book; it is a fun and sexy read with a twist that turns the villainous Captain Hook into a dark anti-hero. The book is non-stop action from the first page and delighted this reader with steamy love scenes, witty banter, a heroine who can save herself, betrayal, treason, shocking revelations, more betrayal, hard choices and finally a well-deserved HEA complete with the promise of more adventures to come! I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys an anti-hero or storybook retellings or steamy romances –read it, you won’t be disappointed!

*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. *

The Viscount at Midnight by Jane Charles

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Magic and Mystery, #3

Release Date: March 26, 2024

Last season, Lady Antonia Kerrigan had hoped that something would develop between herself and Philip Cardwell, Viscount Chedworth, as he seemed interested in her. But thanks to her “gifts” she mistakenly gave him the impression that she was not interested in him and any hope she had for courtship was dashed. But months later they meet again when they both attend the Witches Ball at Nightshade Manor in Bocka Morrow. Antonia stays at the manor after the other guests depart, hoping to find a spell to veil her gift of empathy, which is so overpowering, she can barely tolerate attending social gatherings. While participating in a magical ceremony during the new moon, Antonia accidently recites part of a spell to turn a man into a wolf, never imagining that it would affect anyone!

Philip, Viscount Chedworth is not magical, but he has Drakos blood and is expected to marry a witch, he thought that Lady Antonia might be the perfect candidate. Hoping to court her, he dances with her at each ball they attend, but she always leaves him standing on the dance floor and disappears, refusing to see him when he calls on her. He finally decides she is not interested in him and stops trying to court her, but his feelings aren’t as easy to turn off and when he sees her again at the manor, he wonders if maybe he was wrong. He follows her into the garden when she meets with the other witches and inadvertently becomes the subject of her partial spell. Now he is changing and seems to have formed a bond with Antonia. Their feelings seem real but what is real and what is magic? Until they reverse spell they won’t know, but unfortunately time is running out.

This was another fun and magical addition to the Magic and Mystery series! I loved this story, Antonia and Philip are both wonderful characters who have a true chemistry and work well together. I enjoyed the magical component to this story, returning to Nightshade manor in Bocka Morrow, revisiting previous characters and the happy ending. I do wish there a bit of steam in the story, but if you have read other books then you know why there isn’t any, more’s the pity. If you enjoy a bit of magic and low steam in your historical romance, this series is for you!

*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.*

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