Category: Jacobean/Stuart Era (1603-1714)

The Stuart Era is 1603-1714 and The Jacobean era refers to the period in English and Scottish history that coincides with the reign of James VI of Scotland, who also inherited the crown of England in 1603 as James I.
Preceded by: Elizabethan era
Followed by: Caroline era
Monarch: James VI and I

A Time of Witches by Madeline Martin

On By TracyIn Gothic Historical, Historical Paranormal/Fantasy, Jacobean/Stuart Era (1603-1714), Paranormal / Fantasy, Standalone Title, Women's FictionLeave a comment

A Time of WitchesA Time of Witches by Madeline Martin

Tracy’s Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone Title

Release Date: September 1, 2026

After losing her mother, Lilith Legare feels unmoored, but the strange signs around her—her dreams, her birthmark, and her growing connection to the natural world—make her search for answers feel urgent and deeply personal. I loved watching her move from confusion into strength as she uncovered the truth about her ancestry and began to understand the power that had always been part of her. Her chapters had a mystery-adventure energy that kept the story moving, and I found myself rooting for her as she claimed her voice and stepped into her own identity.

Sybil’s timeline was the most heartbreaking and powerful part of the book for me. As an educated, independent (widowed) woman in 1645 Suffolk, she becomes a target simply because her knowledge, status, and resilience threaten the men around her. The horrors of the witch trials are written with such intensity that her chapters are difficult to read at times, but they are also impossible to look away from. Sybil’s strength, fear, love for her sister, and determination to protect those around her made her feel incredibly real, and her story carried so much emotional weight.

Overall, I thought this dual-timeline story was a beautifully written and deeply affecting historical fiction novel. Madeline Martin’s writing is strong, atmospheric, and full of feeling, balancing the magic and mystery with the very real brutality of the witch trials. I was also impressed by the secondary characters, who added warmth, tension, loyalty, and complexity to both timelines. Lilith’s storyline pulled me in as a journey of grief, discovery, and self-trust and Sybil’s story eviscerated me; the pain, loss and ultimate redemption gave me a reading experience I have never had and holding me in thrall until the very last page. This book stirred up so many emotions for me—anger, sadness, hope, and admiration—and even when the subject matter was painful, I felt completely invested in the women at the heart of the story. Highly recommended.

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

 

Never Marry A Highlander by Callie Hutton

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Jacobean/Stuart Era (1603-1714), Part of a Series, Scottish/HighlanderLeave a comment

Never Marry a Highlander: The Mackays of Dun Ugadale

Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Series: The MacKays of Dun Ugadale #2
Publication Date: 3/15/24
Period: Jacobean/Stewart Era – 1616
Number of Pages: 194

Craig MacKay is a highly skilled warrior. He’s handsome, he’s brave, he’s intelligent, he’s honorable, and the ladies love him as much as he loves them. He has always claimed he’ll never marry – so – what is he doing volunteering to marry the woman to whom his brother is betrothed? His brother, Robin, their Laird, is in love with another woman. Robin will marry the woman to whom he is betrothed out of honor, but he’ll be miserable – and Craig knows it. It was an arranged marriage that was foisted upon Robin and Craig is pretty sure the betrothed’s brother won’t care which MacKay brother marries his sister as long as one of them does. Turns out he is right – and he has a new bride.

Lady Lenora Gunn Gordon is a widow and the sister of Laird David Gunn. Lenora’s world is one of abuse and distrust. The males who should have protected and cared for her used her as a punching bag instead. Her father didn’t even recognize her when he saw her in the hallway, David beat her and then married her off to an abusive husband who also beat and raped her, and after her husband died David took over the abuse again. No, Lenora does not trust any man – and never will. She has no choice but to accept the change in betrotheds, and why should she care since it has all been her brother’s choice? This MacKay will be just one more man to control and abuse her.

I enjoyed getting to know Lenora and Craig as they negotiated their way over the many pitfalls along the way to their HEA. Lenora fought a hard battle to keep from coming to trust and love Craig, but it was one she couldn’t win. Craig was always kind, caring, concerned, and interested and he wore her down – she couldn’t help coming to care for him. The same was true for Craig. He never expected to come to care for the termagant who became his wife. He expected they would both lead their individual lives. I enjoyed seeing the two work through their differences.

I missed reading the first book in this series and will begin reading it as soon as I finish writing this review. That means that I really enjoyed this book – and that this book can be read as a standalone. You’ll want to read the first book, but you don’t have to enjoy this one.

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