Category: Novella

The Vanishing Viscount by Jane Charles

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

The Vanishing Viscount (Magic and Mystery Book 2)The Vanishing Viscount by Jane Charles

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Magic & Mystery, #2 AND The Witches’ Ball, #1

Release Date: August 22, 2023

At the tender age of 15, Lady Clara Westcott fell irrevocably in love with Pierce Drakos, Viscount Harcourt, and the heir to the Earl of Wharton. Normally a lovesick schoolgirl would not be noteworthy, but Clara is no ordinary young lady, Clara is a witch, and unfortunately for Pierce Clara’s magic seems to be a bit wonky whenever he is around her. Clara is horrified by the mishaps and for the next five years does her best to avoid him. It is not a perfect solution, but it is the best she can do, that and hope with time the mishaps will stop. But when she is invited to the Witches’ Ball at Nightshade Manor in Bocka Morrow there will be no avoiding him and it seems as if the mishaps have intensified, especially when she has to watch the object of her undying affection spending time with other marriageable ladies who were also invited to the ball!

Since the marriage of his younger brother, Pierce’s mother has clearly decided that it is time for him to settle down with a nice witch and start a family of his own, thus the Witches’ Ball. His mother has invited several eligible young ladies, all from magical families to attend the ball and has told Pierce in no uncertain terms that he is expected to find himself a bride. Unfortunately, the only witch that captures his interest is the one witch who seems to do her utmost best to avoid him. But Pierce will not be deterred by a few magical mishaps and places himself in her proximity. But once he realizes that the mishaps are directed at him, will he walk away from the woman he has come to love or will they find a way to have their HEA?

What a great novella! I love visiting the magical town of Bocka Morrow and the surrounding estates, especially Nightshade Manor, and this story certainly did not disappoint! A delightfully charming tale filled with magic, wonderful characters, laugh-out-loud magical mishaps, a slow-burn romance, secrets, a bit of heartache, and finally a very sweet start to their HEA complete with an epilogue. This is the second book in the Ms. Charles Magic & Mystery series, but it is also the first book in the Witches’ Ball series, which is a new author collaboration series! I happily recommend this title and am looking forward to upcoming installments of the Witches’ Ball series!

*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 Duke Wager by Eve Pendle

On By TracyIn Book Publicity, Novella, Standalone Title, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

The Duke Wager: an age gap enemies to lovers historical romance (Dukes vs Doctors Book 1)The Duke Wager  by Eve Pendle

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Release Date: August 10, 2023

On Christmas Eve 1875, Miss Tamara “Tam” Patterson’s life is going exactly as she hoped, she has just finished another term at the Ladies College of Banton University and is expecting to complete her studies next year and finally achieve her dream of becoming a doctor, especially since parliament will soon be voting on a bill that will remove the ban on women being medical doctors. But her dreams are shattered when she returns home to learn that her father has lost their fortune and she will have to marry to save her family from ruin.

Atticus “Att” Rabgent, the Duke of Newton has been in love with Tamara since the day he met her five years ago, but things are keeping them apart, his age for one, as he is 15 years her senior, but most predominately is the fact that he laughed when she told him that she planned to become a doctor, never mind that his laugh was in the delight of her spirit, she misunderstood and believed he was laughing at her and making him her enemy. When they meet at the annual Winchester Christmas Eve ball, he immediately knows something is wrong and confronts her. When he learns that she has to marry, he sees his chance to finally win the only woman he has ever loved and offers her a wager she can’t refuse.

This was a quick read as it was a short novella, but what a story! The writing is great and the book is paced perfectly. Tam and Att are clearly perfect for each other and they burn up the pages with their chemistry. This is a standalone title and highly recommended if you enjoy a steamy HEA.
*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.*