Category: Middle Ages / Medieval (476-1454)

In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or Medieval Period lasted from the 5th to the 15th century. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire and merged into the Renaissance and the Age of Discovery. The Middle Ages is the middle period of the three traditional divisions of Western history: classical antiquity, the medieval period, and the modern period. The medieval period is itself subdivided into the Early, High, and Late Middle Ages.

The Scot’s Oath by Heather Grothaus

On February 16, 2021February 15, 2021 By TracyIn Historical Mystery, Medieval (1066-1540), Middle Ages / Medieval (476-1454), Mystery, Scottish/Highlander, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The Scot’s Oath by Heather Grothaus

Tracy’s rating: 3 of 5 stars

Series: Sons of Scotland, #3

Release Date: February 16, 2021

The saga of Thomas Annesley, Baron Annesley, and the Lord of Darlyrede continues; when he is forced to flee the Highlands to avoid capture. He signs on to a ship and is left for dead when he fails to return to the ship after delivering cargo to the isolated Island of Caedmaray in the Western Isles. This is where Thomas Annesley dies and is reborn as Tommy Boyd. It is on this isle that Tommy meets and marries Jessie Boyd and becomes a humble fisherman and fathers yet another son; Padraig.

But his peaceful life comes to an end when he is taken into custody by Sir Lucan Montague. Lucan takes Tommy to London to answer for his many crimes, crimes that started 30 years ago with the murder of his betrothed, Cordelia Hargrave – a crime he adamantly denies committing. After spending time with Tommy and learning his side of the story, Lucan comes to believe him, and when Tommy once again escapes. This series starts when Lucan sets out once again to find him, but this time he helps Tommy’s sons along the way – this story is how he helps Padraig – Tommy’s only legitimate son lay claim to Thomas Annesley’s title and his estate – Darlyrede. But this will not be a simple case of walking in and claiming his birthright – the King will decide and since the death of Thomas’ parents many years ago – Lord and Lady Hargrave have lived at Darlyrede, first as Thomas’ guardian and later as grieving victims of Thomas’ supposed murder of their daughter. Now Vaughn Hargrave has been ordered to share the keep with Padraig until the King decides who is entitled to the holding. But Padraig is not just looking to claim the property – he is looking to clear Thomas’ name. A task that Lord Hargrave will thwart at every possible turn. While his task seems hopeless, Padraig will find an ally in Lady Hargrave’s maid, Beryl – who has her own reasons for being at Darlyrede and is not who/what she pretends to be. Together, they will have to sift through the secrets and lies to find the truth, but will they be prepared for what they find?

This book was definitely not what I was expecting and was by far the darkest of the series to date. It is well written and fast-paced, but it is not a romance – it is more of a dark mystery or thriller. I liked Padraig and Beryl/Iris, but I couldn’t tell you when or why they fell in love – the focus of the story was just not on their relationship – it was on the mystery of what really happened the night Cordelia was killed and Thomas fled. The book is on the darker side and has a definite “gothic” feel, a lot is going on and there are so many secrets, lies, surprises, twists, and revelations that you don’t even notice that the “romance” novel you are reading doesn’t have any romance until you get to the very end of the book. And while many things are resolved in this book, Thomas’s story is clearly not over and the author leaves us with a final scene that will have you wondering what is going to happen next! If I was rating this book strictly as a romance, I would give it 2 stars, but if I was rating it as a mystery, I would give it 4 stars, so I am going to split the difference and give the book a solid 3-star rating and will definitely be keeping my eyes open for the next installment. This is the third book in the series and while you could read this as a standalone title, I would strongly recommend reading the books in order for the best reader experience.

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

Her Banished Knight’s Redemption by Melissa Oliver – Blog Tour

On January 27, 2021January 25, 2021 By TracyIn Blog Tour, Medieval (1066-1540), Middle Ages / Medieval (476-1454), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Her Banished Knight’s Redemption

Her Banished Knights Redemption Harlequin Cover

A lady’s need for protection
A knight’s chance for redemption
Exiled Knight William Geraint answers only to himself. Yet, a mission to find and reunite lost heiress Lady Isabel de Clancey with her family is Will’s chance to finally atone for the torment of his past. With every rushed mile, their intense attraction becomes dangerously thrilling. He swore to protect Isabel not seduce her, but their desire for each other could threaten the redemption he’s worked so hard to achieve…

Purchase Links:

Mills and Boon ~ Harlequin Books ~ Amazon UK ~ Amazon US

Author Bio:

Her Banished Melissa Oliver pic

Melissa Oliver is from south-west London where she writes historical romance novels. She lives with her lovely husband and daughters, who share her passion for decrepit, old castles, palaces and all things historical.
Melissa is the WINNER of The Romantic Novelist Association’s Joan Hessayon Award for new writers 2020 for her debut, The Rebel Heiress and the Knight – Book 1 Notorious Knights.

Social Media Links:

Twitter ~ Facebook

Tracy’s Review:

Her Banished Knight’s Redemption by Melissa Oliver

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Notorious Knights, #2

Release Date: January 26, 2021

As a young girl of eight, Lady Isabel de Clancey is on her way to foster with her betrothed’s family in France, when her entourage was set upon and she is the only one who escaped the gruesome fate of her party, thanks to the help of a young squire named William Geraint. Isabel doesn’t tell William who she is, nevertheless, he takes her to safety and then must leave, but he vows to always be her friend, in thanks she gives him one of the two identical silver and ruby pendants she has with her. He leaves and she is sure her family will come for her – but years pass without a word and Isabel using her mother’s name of Adela is adopted by a family and decides to embrace her new life.

Twelve years after that horrific day, William is now living in France as a “disgraced knight” and mercenary but is secretly working for England’s regent and Lord Protector, William Marshal. He is approached by Eustace Rolleston who swears he will not only pay Will a fortune to find the missing de Clancey heiress but guarantees he will have Will pardoned. Will declines until Rolleston points out that the pendant he wears belongs to the de Clancey family. Will has long wondered what happened to the girl and finally agrees. It takes him months before he finally finds her, but when he does, it is clear that Isabel doesn’t want to be found.

After days of evading Will and planning to run away and hide, Will finally corners her and she reluctantly agrees to return to England. But almost as soon as they sent out, it is clear that someone doesn’t want Isabel to return to England alive. They will have to outsmart their pursuers and with the help of the Knights Templar, solve the mystery of the pendants. All while trying not to let their growing feelings leave them both with broken hearts.

This was a well-written, fast-paced story with wonderful characters and an intriguing mystery. I enjoyed getting to know William and Isabel, they are both likable characters with painful pasts, I thought the mystery of the pendants was very well done and loved the incorporation of the Templars – it gave the story a bit of a “National Treasure” feel. The story is filled with emotion, betrayal, murder, a cameo from Hugh (of The Rebel Heiress and the Knight), very mild love scenes, treasure, secrets, action, and finally a well deserved HEA. This the second book in the series, but it is easily read as a standalone title with no problems. I enjoyed this story and would happily recommend this title.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher. *