Category: Historical Paranormal/Fantasy

The Sword of Light by Heather Graham

On By TracyIn Ancient Britain, Audiobook, Historical Fiction, Historical Paranormal/Fantasy, Irish Historical, New To Me Author, Paranormal / Fantasy, Romantasy, Standalone Title, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The Sword of Light: A NovelThe Sword of Light: A Novel by Heather Graham

Tracy’s Rating Print Edition: 3 of 5 stars

Tracy’s Rating Audiobook    : 3.5/4 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Release Date: October 14, 2025

Deidre, the daughter of a Rí, is a proud and determined warrior, when she is given a magical sword during an attack by Northmen, she wields it with success and realizes it is the mythical Sword of Light. When she dreams of a great battle to come, she is then tasked with defending her homeland and uncovering a traitor among the Irish kings. This begins a quest to find gifts from Tuatha Dé Danann, which are reported to help the people of Éire during times of great need. She is joined by Kylin, the son of a Northman who married an Irish lass. She doesn’t trust him, but as they spend time together, she learns that they share a bond and feelings begin to grow.
Kylin, a fierce warrior and ally to the Rí, also dreams of a battle to come and joins Deidre on this perilous quest. He knows she doesn’t trust him because his father came to Éire from the North, but Kylin loves his home and will do whatever it necessary to protect it and Deidre. He proves himself time and again to her, and slowly their relationship develops into mutual respect each other’s strengths and skills, but deeper feelings will have to wait until they complete their quest.

I was excited to read this book as it is a blend of historical fiction, fantasy, and romance, drawing on Celtic mythology and Irish legend, I was also looking forward to finally reading a Heather Graham book. I liked the story, but I was hoping for more, more magic, more intrigue and more passion, and while the world-building and premise are compelling, I wasn’t pulled into the story and found it to be a bit repetitive and slow moving. While reading the book wasn’t the experience I was hoping for, I also listened to the audio edition and found that experience much more enjoyable, the narrator Alana Kerr Collins read the story in a lovely Irish lilt and without being distracted by seeing choppy text and excessive punctuation, the story did seem to flow better. Overall, the book isn’t really what I was hoping for, but it was interesting and if given the choice, I would pick the audio edition over the printed edition.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

The Nanny’s Handbook to Magic and Managing Difficult Dukes by Amy Rose Bennett

On By TracyIn Historical Paranormal/Fantasy, Historical Rom-Com, Paranormal / Fantasy, Part of a Series, Romantasy, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

The Nanny's Handbook to Magic and Managing Difficult Dukes (The Parasol Academy)The Nanny’s Handbook to Magic and Managing Difficult Dukes by Amy Rose Bennett

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Parasol Academy #1

Release Date: September 30, 2025

The Parasol Academy for Exceptional Nannies and Governesses is very prestigious, thanks to a charter from Queen Victoria and magic bestowed to the Academy by Maeve, the Fae Queen. Having been left penniless after the death of her husband, Emmeline Chase was thrilled to learn that she could attend the academy as a “legacy” since her mother was a graduate. Now that she has graduated, she is sent on an interview and the opportunity could not have come at a better time, as she needs to earn enough money to help her father get out of debtor’s prison. But a teleporting mishap on her way to an interview, lands her on the roof of the Duke of St. Lawrence’s London townhouse. Thankfully, he has a pet raven, and Emmeline is able to talk to him and summon the duke to help her down. The duke is clearly in need a of nanny for his wards, but Emmeline can’t stop to help if she wants to get to her interview, she mentions the academy and is soon on her way. Her interview was disappointing, and she is worried, but the next day she learns the duke called and asked for her to interview for a position at his home. It would be the perfect position, if she wasn’t so attracted to the duke, because fraternizing with her employer is a huge no-no for Academy graduates. But aren’t rules made to be broken?

Xavier Mason, the Duke of St. Lawrence is considered odd by most people, but he is a gifted horologist and is currently in a competition to design the King of Clocks which will grace St. Stephen’s Tower in the newly rebuilt Palace of Westminster. He has been trying to perfect his design, but his home has been invaded by his new wards, he three young, orphaned cousins and a series of unfortunate events that disrupt his normally ordered life. He is at his wits end when he meets Emmeline and is immediately intrigued and hires her at the first opportunity. In Emmeline he finds not just an amazing nanny for his wards, but a true friend and supporter. Together they will figure out who is trying to sabotage his design efforts and maybe for the first time in his life, Xavier will finally find something he has never had, love and a family.

I enjoyed this book so much! I loved Emmeline and Xavier and all the secondary characters but Xavier’s pet raven “Horatio Ravenscar, Esquire” was quite possibly the best secondary character ever written! This story has something for everyone, emotion, a strong female heroine, a brilliant virgin hero who is on the spectrum, adorable kids, a sassy raven, some magic, some mayhem, found family, witty banter, warmish love scenes, a little mystery, nasty villains, good friends, and a happy ever after made complete with an epilogue! I really enjoyed this story, but I don’t think I would categorize it as part of the romantasy genre, I would say it was more of an historical romance with a bit of magic. This is the first book in a new series, and I am already impatiently awaiting the next installment!!

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *