Category: Novella

Under the Harvest Moon Anthology by Collected Authors

On By TracyIn Anthology, Author Collaboration Series, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Novella, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Under the Harvest MoonUnder the Harvest Moon by Collette Cameron, Caroline Warfield, Rue Allyn, Mary Lancaster, Alina K. Field, Elizabeth Ellen Carter, Sherry Ewing, Cerise DeLand, and Jude Knight

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Anthology – Several novellas are connected to other series

Release Date: October 10, 2023

Nine award-winning and bestselling authors have combined their talents to create this engaging and enchanting collection of interrelated tales. Under the Harvest Moon promises an unforgettable read for fans of Regency romance.

As the village of Reabridge in Cheshire prepares for the first Harvest Festival following Waterloo, families are overjoyed to welcome back their loved ones from the war.

But excitement quickly turns to mystery when mere weeks before the festival, an orphaned child turns up in the town—a toddler born near Toulouse to an English mother who left clues that tie her to Reabridge.

With two prominent families feuding for generations and the central event of the Harvest Moon festival looming, tensions rise, and secrets begin to surface.

I thought every novella in this anthology was great and I have reviewed some of my favorites below:

Coming Home by Mary Lancaster, 4.5 stars – Captain David Buckley has returned home to Reabridge after years of war, but before he can think about his future, he will have to settle his past. While visiting his late wife’s family, he meets Lady Lorna Gaveston when she literally falls into his arms. They form an instant friendship, and when a rejected suitor causes her grief, they work together to sort it out, growing closer as they do. Will David be able to forgive his past mistakes or will his guilt prevent him from pursuing new love?

A Love Beyond Time by Sherry Ewing, 4 stars – Eight years ago, Hannah Pownall had her heart broken when Lord Brandon Worthington’s father made him leave, but when they part, he declares his undying love and asks her to wait for him. When Brandon returns to the town of Reabridge to recover from his war injuries, he is stunned (and relieved) to find that Hannah is still unwed. But is it possible to turn back time and recapture the love of a lifetime, or have they missed their chance?

The Widow’s Harvest Hope by Cerise DeLand, 4.5 stars – Once upon a time, Stafford “Ford” Barlow, was the third son of an earl with no prospects beyond working as his family’s estate manager when he fell madly in love with Victorine “Vicky” Fortin, a French émigré, during the Harvest Festival. They spent one night together and Ford asked her to marry him, only to learn that she was betrothed. Heartbroken, Ford joins the army hoping to forget Vicky. Now six years later, Ford is the Earl and Vicky is the widowed Baroness Wright, and they are once again together for the Harvest Festival and it is clear that their feelings haven’t changed. Will this time end in happily ever after or is history doomed to repeat itself?

Love In Its Season by Jude Knight, 5 stars – Jack Wrath is at loose ends, the injuries he sustained at Waterloo caused him to lose the use of one arm and ended his career in the cavalry. With no home to speak of, he escorts Dr. Adam Wagner home to Reabridge. Gwen Hughes has her hands full trying to run a farrier business and care for her father who is suffering from dementia. They meet when she is being harassed by a “handsy” customer and Jack intervenes, he sends the lordling on his way and offers to stay with her father when Gwen’s usual caregiver is unable to stay with him. Love blossoms, but can these two flawed people let go of their insecurities and claim their happily ever after?

I found all the novellas to be well-written and entertaining, they were all seamlessly connected and moved the underlying story of the toddler along nicely. The installments were filled with wonderful characters, lots of emotion, true love, acceptance, forgiveness, low/no steam love scenes, friendship, heartache, and lots of HEAs. I enjoyed this entire anthology and will definitely be adding some of these authors’ connected backlist books to my TBR pile!

*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.*

Moonsight Magic by Deb Marlowe

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

Moonsight MagicMoonsight Magic by Deb Marlowe

Tracy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Witches Ball, #5

Release Date: September 19, 2023

Lady Ninianne Morvoren, daughter of the Earl of Penhaven, is a water witch, but she also has an affinity to the moon, something that no other witch of her acquaintance has or has even heard of, she is also a sought-after curse breaker. Unfortunately, she hasn’t been able to break the curse placed on her friend Boult, a giant trapped in the body of a spriggan. So when she is invited to the Witches Ball at Nightshade Manor, Boult begs her to go and bring him with her, he has learned that there are reports of a giantess on Bocka Morrow and hopes that she will be able to break his curse. She agrees and they set out, she has no plans to marry, but fate may have other plans for her.

Mr. Tristan Tawstock has come to Nightshade Manor, not to find a bride but to make connections to advance his political career. Tristan is a Promethean, a warlock whose powers center on fire, light, as well as the gift of illusion, but what no one knows is he has an affinity with daylight, making his powers the mirror image of Ninianne’s. He is attracted to her, but tells himself now is not the time for romance. But, when their powers accidentally merge while trying to contain an evil entity, they experience something that will change them forever. But before they can explore it further, they will have to work together to find and stop the evil that has descended on Nightshade Manor.

This was such a great addition to the series! I love historical paranormal/magical stories and can never resist a visit to Bocka Morrow, so this author collaboration is a complete delight and seems to get better with each new installment. I loved Ninianne and Tristian, their connection is immediate and undisputable, even if neither of them wants to acknowledge it. The story is filled with magic, curses, great secondary characters, giants, a bit of dark magic, kisses, and the promise of HEA. This is the fourth book in the series, but it can absolutely be read as a standalone title.

*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.*