Category: Non-Traditional Romance

The Queen and the Knave by Sarah M. Eden

On By TracyIn Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, Mystery, Non-Traditional Romance, Part of a Series, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

The Queen and the Knave (The Dread Penny Society, #5)The Queen and the Knave by Sarah M. Eden

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Dread Penny Society, #5

Release Date: September 5, 2023

Picking up where the previous book ended, Moirin Donnelly, the Dread Master, is frantic to save her members from the Tempest and to stop the woman’s reign of terror. But unfortunately for Moirin, it seems like the Tempest is always one step of her and when her members begin to disappear, is clear that she is going to need help. She trusts Constable Fitz Parkington, to an extent, but Moirin has secrets that could destroy her and by association Fitz, so despite the attraction she feels for him, the risk to both of them is too great. But before she can even worry about that, she needs to stop the Tempest before she kills any of her “dreads.

Fitzgerald “Fitz” Parkington, has finally been promoted to the Detective Division of Scotland Yard and hopes that the promotion will enable him to finally find out what happened to his grandfather twenty years ago, who disappeared without a trace and left nine-year-old Fitz all alone and homeless. But before he can even start looking into that matter, he finds himself pulled into the troubles of the DPS and the Tempest. For years he has been helping the members, but recently Moirin has been holding his attention, he knows she is keeping secrets, but he isn’t sure he cares. And if they survive the coming storm, he plans to prove it to her.

This installment of The Dread Penny Society is the climax of the story that has been building since the first book. Personally, I wouldn’t classify this book as a Historical Romance, it is more mystery and historical fiction, with just a hint of a romantic connection between Moirin and Fitz, but that hint is potent, and while the book has a happy ending, I wouldn’t call it a “happily ever after” at least not for Moirin and Fitz as a couple. As with the previous books, there are two Penny Dreadful novellas interwoven into the book and as with the previous books, I skipped over them while reading the story and read them after I finished the book. For me, reading them as they are placed is distracting and breaks the flow of the actual story – but they are delightful additions and are not to be missed! This is the fifth book in the series and I strongly suggest reading the books in order, because they are definitely not standalone titles.

*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 Countess by Sophie Jordan

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Non-Traditional Romance, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The Countess (The Scandalous Ladies of London, #1)The Countess by Sophie Jordan

Tracy’s rating: 2.5/3 of 5 stars

Series: The Scandalous Ladies of London, #1

Release Date: March 28, 2023

WARNING – THIS REVIEW MIGHT BE SPOILERISH

Gertrude “Tru”, the Countess of Chatham has been married to the Earl for almost twenty years and has given him two children, but theirs is not a happy marriage and they basically live separate lives. At the ripe old age of 37, Tru is devoted to her children and her small circle of friends, she is faithful to her unfaithful husband and has earned the moniker of “the Cold Countess”, she believes that her chance for happiness is long past and is determined to make sure her daughter Cordelia “Delia” finds the happiness that eluded her. But apparently, her husband doesn’t have the same consideration for her, he wants a rich son-in-law to bankroll him and has set his sights on widower Jasper Thorne. Tru is not happy about this development and even more so when she realizes that Jasper is the man that propositioned her, the man she can seem to forget!

Jasper Thorne is a widower and father of a young daughter, he is a self-made man who wants a better life for his daughter and thinks that marrying a titled, society woman is the key to her being accepted by the ton. He originally sets his site on the current “diamond of the first water” Lady Delia, but then he realizes that her mother is the woman from the garden and changes course. He will stop at nothing to have Tru, the fact that she is a bit older and married doesn’t even matter, he always gets what he wants and he wants her – full stop. All he has to do is convince her that they are meant to be, easy right?

OK, this is a hard review to write because it is a very good book that is well-written and nicely paced with engaging characters and a wonderful primary couple – BUT – the heroine is married. I read the blurb and wondered how this was going to play out and hoped that she wouldn’t commit adultery and for the most part, she tries to resist – but eventually she gives in and sleeps with Jasper – it ruined the book for me because she became no better than her scummy husband. I know that cheating doesn’t bother many readers, but it bothers me, I don’t deny that her husband was a jerk, but that doesn’t excuse it for me – sigh. Anyway, other than that it was a very good book filled with emotion, second chances, steamyish kisses, great secondary characters, a bit of angst, forbidden love, and finally a HEA with an epilogue that nicely sets up the next book. For me, this book was a miss, but I will definitely read the next book in the series and would say that if adultery doesn’t bother you, you would probably love this book.

*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.*