Category: Historical Paranormal/Fantasy

The Viscount at Midnight by Jane Charles

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Historical Paranormal/Fantasy, Paranormal / Fantasy, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's Reviews2 Comments

The Viscount at Midnight (Magic and Mystery Book 3)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.*

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.

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