Category: Historical Paranormal/Fantasy

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!

When a Dragon Falls by Kerrelyn Sparks

On By TracyIn Historical Paranormal/Fantasy, Paranormal / Fantasy, Part of a Series, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

When a Dragon Falls (Embraced by Magic, #4)When a Dragon Falls by Kerrelyn Sparks

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Embraced by Magic #4, (Embraced #7)

Release Date: October 24, 2023

Princess Lenushka “Lennie” of Norveshka is the daughter of Gwennore and Silas and is not only the first (and only) female dragon shifter and a captain in the Norveshki army but also has been named as the heir to the crown of Norveshka. Today she is playing another role, bridesmaid to her cousin Princess Roslyn of Tourin who is marrying Earl Freydor. But things don’t go as planned and the bridegroom is revealed to be a traitor to the crown and is murdered by Greer, the leader of the traitorous Brotherhood of the Sun. Lennie is tasked with following Greer and while in pursuit spies the Raven, a shifter and member of the Brotherhood who kidnapped her Aunt, Queen Luciana, and her cousin Princess Eviana, and she in her dragon form goes after him. However, while trying to evade Lennie, the Raven is accidentally shot by Roslyn and crashes to the ground. Lennie is horrified, she didn’t mean for him to be injured and transports him to the monastery. Soon it becomes clear that they are both in pursuit of Greer, as he has kidnapped Lennie’s brother Pengrast, her cousin Prince Reynfried, and the Raven’s brother Zane. She begrudgingly agrees to work with him but keeps her true identity and the fact that she is a dragon shifter a secret. She is sure he is a villain, but the more time she spends with him, the more she questions that judgment and soon she is wondering how she will be able to live without him.

Bran Morris is the son of Lord Morris, one of the Circle of Five and the head of the Brotherhood of the Sun, he is also Embraced and has the power to shift into a raven. But unlike his evil father, Bran has a good heart and has only participated in Lord Morris’ schemes to protect his siblings, it is during the abduction of Queen Luciana and the princess that Bran sees Lennie for the first time and instantly falls in love with her – or at least the idea of her. When his father was killed, the Brotherhood assumed that Bran would take his place, but Bran has no desire to continue the Brotherhood’s evil agenda and tries to move the group in a different direction but, not all the members agree and Greer, one of his father’s minions, picks up Lord Morris’ scepter and the Brotherhood splits. Bran tries to thwart Greer, but never forgets Lennie, so when his brother Zane is kidnapped by Greer and he is injured by the dragon, he is thrilled to see Lennie and decides to win her. But Bran doesn’t really know who Lennie is and without the truth and trust, how can love grow? Plus there is still the matter of Greer to deal with. Can they overcome the obstacles that are keeping them from their HEA or are they doomed to heartache?

OMG, what a great book! I love this series and was thrilled when Ms. Sparks decided to expand the series to include the children of the original Embraced. It was wonderful to visit with previous characters and get a glimpse into their HEAs, and while this book has a lot going on, as well as multiple romances, there is no doubt that Lennie and Bran are the stars of this book. The story is filled with secrets, hidden identities, shifters, magic, humor, longing, misunderstandings, mild love scenes, betrayal, surprising discoveries, battles between good and evil, and finally an ending that gives the reader more than one HEA and will leave you anticipating the next installment. This is the fourth book in this series, but the seventh book about the Embraced, I would recommend reading the series in order, so you have a better understanding of the fantasy world Ms. Sparks has created, thus giving you the best reader experience. Overall, this was a great read and I happily recommend not only this book but the entire series for historical paranormal/fantasy romance lovers.

*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.*