Category: Historical Paranormal/Fantasy

The Vanishing Viscount by Jane Charles

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

The Vanishing Viscount (Magic and Mystery Book 2)The Vanishing Viscount by Jane Charles

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Magic & Mystery, #2 AND The Witches’ Ball, #1

Release Date: August 22, 2023

At the tender age of 15, Lady Clara Westcott fell irrevocably in love with Pierce Drakos, Viscount Harcourt, and the heir to the Earl of Wharton. Normally a lovesick schoolgirl would not be noteworthy, but Clara is no ordinary young lady, Clara is a witch, and unfortunately for Pierce Clara’s magic seems to be a bit wonky whenever he is around her. Clara is horrified by the mishaps and for the next five years does her best to avoid him. It is not a perfect solution, but it is the best she can do, that and hope with time the mishaps will stop. But when she is invited to the Witches’ Ball at Nightshade Manor in Bocka Morrow there will be no avoiding him and it seems as if the mishaps have intensified, especially when she has to watch the object of her undying affection spending time with other marriageable ladies who were also invited to the ball!

Since the marriage of his younger brother, Pierce’s mother has clearly decided that it is time for him to settle down with a nice witch and start a family of his own, thus the Witches’ Ball. His mother has invited several eligible young ladies, all from magical families to attend the ball and has told Pierce in no uncertain terms that he is expected to find himself a bride. Unfortunately, the only witch that captures his interest is the one witch who seems to do her utmost best to avoid him. But Pierce will not be deterred by a few magical mishaps and places himself in her proximity. But once he realizes that the mishaps are directed at him, will he walk away from the woman he has come to love or will they find a way to have their HEA?

What a great novella! I love visiting the magical town of Bocka Morrow and the surrounding estates, especially Nightshade Manor, and this story certainly did not disappoint! A delightfully charming tale filled with magic, wonderful characters, laugh-out-loud magical mishaps, a slow-burn romance, secrets, a bit of heartache, and finally a very sweet start to their HEA complete with an epilogue. This is the second book in the Ms. Charles Magic & Mystery series, but it is also the first book in the Witches’ Ball series, which is a new author collaboration series! I happily recommend this title and am looking forward to upcoming installments of the Witches’ Ball series!

*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 Secrets of Wycliffe Manor by Patricia Rice

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Historical Mystery, Historical Paranormal/Fantasy, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820)3 Comments

The Secrets of Wycliffe Manor (Gravesyde Priory Mysteries #1)Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Series: Gravesyde Prioy Mysteries #1
Publication Date: 7/11/23
Period: Regency
Number of Pages: 334

The Secrets of Wycliffe Manor is the first book in the Gravesyde Priory Mysteries series, and it is an interesting blend of gothic romance and historical mystery, with just a tad of paranormal. The story mostly follows Clarissa (Clare) Knightly and American Army Captain Alastair Huntley (Hunt) as they search for Hunt’s grandmother’s diaries and attempt to save Wycliffe Manor for all of the beneficiaries of the Earl’s will. Hunt just wants to find his grandmother’s diaries and leave for America so he can give the diaries to his mother. Clare, on the other hand, wants a safe haven for herself, her nephew, and her best friend.

Little do they know the danger they are in nor the direction from which it comes. Yet, in order to save the Manor, they must face danger, find the diaries, chase down the clues, outwit the villain, and rescue themselves from danger. Whew! Can they do all of that? Will they survive? Just how many villains can there be?

I loved all of the supporting characters and the idea of this very open home, but I wonder how it is all going to work for future books. I sort of began to feel we were creating the non-Malcolm version of Wystan Castle with all of the loosely connected people who were – or might be in the future – residing in the manor. I’m definitely not opposed to that because I think it would make for some very interesting stories. So, I’ll be very interested to see where the series heads with the second book.

For me personally, I really need a romance with a HEA in my mysteries. I felt a little short-changed in that respect. We certainly had what appeared to be two romances, but no complete HEA at all. I was left with many questions, but I won’t list them because – well – plot points, or maybe we’ll get the explanation in the next book. Anyway, I have no clue if Clare and Hunt actually marry or not because it was all left sort of hanging. Then, there is the other implied romance between Daniel Walker and Meera Abrams which never seems to have come to fruition either.

I can happily recommend this book and I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did. However, if you, like me, need a full-blown HEA romance in the story, then you’ll be a bit disappointed. I can make conjectures and say – Of course he stayed in England – Of course she didn’t go back to London – Of course they got married and settled happily into the manor, etc. but none of that was spelled out. Perhaps it will all be made clear in the next book. Happy Reading!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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