Category: Historical Paranormal/Fantasy

Silver Lady by Mary Jo Putney

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Historical Paranormal/Fantasy, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820)Leave a comment

Silver Lady (Dangerous Gifts #1)

Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Series: Dangerous Gifts #1
Publication Date: August 22, 2023
Period: Regency
Number of Pages: 270

There is always something wonderous and magical about a well-written historical romance, but when the characters really are ‘gifted’ it just becomes – WOW! I don’t often read fantasy/paranormal (whichever word you prefer) books, but I just had to check out this one because of the author – and the book blurb. I’m glad I decided to read it – and now I am looking forward to the second book in the series.

The Prologue nicely introduces us to Lord and Lady Tremayne who are both ‘gifted’ and one of their gifts is finding others who are also ‘gifted’ – usually children who have been turned out of their homes because their families and society cannot deal with their gifts. They have rescued many gifted children, so this could – should the author wish it – be a long series. 😊 The two children featured in the prologue are Brannock (Bran) and Cade Evans and though they are not brothers by blood, they are closer than brothers by choice.

Fast forward several years and we find Bran and Cade as grown-up young men who work for the Home Office. It seems the Home Office has seen the benefit of using these misfits to help keep England safe. They are given a fair amount of autonomy and Bran keeps feeling he needs to go to Cornwall, but he can’t put his finger on a reason for that. Then, when someone turns up at the Tremayne home looking for a gifted male who has a dragon tattoo on his shoulder, Bran knows he needs to determine if he is the heir the man is seeking – and what, if anything, that means to him. Still, he knows that is only secondary because he is sure there is something afoot in Cornwall that will require his unique skills.

In Cornwall, Bran rescues Merryn and protects her from those seeking to recapture her. Merryn remembers nothing except needing to escape. However, the longer she’s out of captivity, the more she remembers – and the stronger Bran feels there is a serious threat to England coming from somewhere in Cornwall.

The story is filled with excitement, action, adventure, and, of course, romance as Bran and Merryn work their way through the mystery to uncover and thwart a huge plot to destabilize and weaken the country. As far as Bran’s natural family goes, I’m not sure I care for his decision – because I have to wonder how any future children of his will feel about that. On the other hand – things went in a perfectly acceptable way.

I enjoyed the read – and am looking forward to the next book in the series. I hope you’ll love it as much as I did. Happy Reading!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book – provided by the publisher and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

View all my reviews

A Witch of His Own by Nicole Locke

On By TracyIn Author Collaboration Series, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Historical Paranormal/Fantasy, Novella, Paranormal / Fantasy, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

A Witch of His Own: The Witches' BallA Witch of His Own: The Witches’ Ball by Nicole Locke

Tracy’s rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Witches’ Ball, #7

Release Date: October 3, 2023

Since the death of her parents, Joan Holland, a white witch of Winterbarrow Hundred has had a problem. She is no longer willing to help the villagers of Winterbarrow, as she blames them for the death of her parents. Now she can no longer make decisions and feels angry, causing her to change, she fears she is changing into a grey witch – something that has never happened in her family. She is desperate to keep herself a white witch, something she is hoping can be achieved by marrying a man who practices the white arts. Thankfully, she has been invited to the Witches’ Ball in Bocka Morrow. She sets out early, hoping to meet someone before the actual ball, but fate seems to have a different plan for he when her carriage gets stuck in the mud, miles from Nightshade Manor late at night. It is here she meets Branok Flavell, a man who is clearly not a white witch, but intrigues her like no man she has ever met. She feels herself falling for him, but for the sake of her siblings and her parents’ memory, she cannot allow herself to love him, or can she?

Branok Flavell is a ghost layer, but he too is changing and he has no idea how to stop it. He has searched far and wide to find the answer but has had no luck. When he comes upon Joan, he wonders if she could help him, but soon realizes she too is looking for answers. He invites her to his home and promises to help her get to Nightshade Manor the next day. But a late-night conversation changes everything. And Branok begins to think maybe change is exactly what they need, maybe their flaws are not flaws at all, and maybe love is the answer. But will he be able to convince Joan?

This was a good story, I liked Joan and Branok and was rooting for their HEA, but it was very different from the previous stories. I think my issue with the book is that I am not really sure what a “ghost layer” is, I thought it was someone who helped spirits crossover – like the Ghost Whisperer, but there was a brief mention of a “famous” relative who was an exorcist, but that isn’t the same thing and Branok’s problem is nothing like either of those things, so I am completely baffled. Nevertheless, everything works out in the end and the secondary characters were delightful. Overall, despite my confusion, I was happy that Joan and Branok decided to love each other and let the rest sort itself out. This is the seventh installment of the Witches’ Ball author collaboration series, but this story is very loosely connected and could be read as a standalone title with no problems at all!