Category: Novella

Message from a Lady by Jane Charles

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

Message from a LadyMessage from a Lady by Jane Charles

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Spirited Storms, #6

Release Date: 02/14/23 – Previously released in the “Sunflower Season” Anthology

Lady Johanna Knight has loved Peter Storm for some time, but despite her encouragement, he refuses to court her, knowing as the fourth son of an earl, her father and grandfather would never consider him worthy of her hand. When her grandfather threatens to ship her off the country and arrange a marriage for her if she doesn’t stop associating with Peter, she is determined to get him to elope with her. But to her dismay, Peter’s friend and the man her grandfather wants her to marry, the Duke of Eldridge begins to take notice of her. He assures her that he had no desire to marry, and is just trying to help Peter spend time with her.

Peter loves Johanna but he knows even if her family would approve, he doesn’t feel that he could give her the type of life she deserves. When his great-uncle intervenes and offers to help him, Peter refuses his help, feeling that if he can’t marry her on his own merit, he doesn’t deserve her. When he sees how well Eldridge and Johanna are getting along, he is jealous and decides it might be time for him to leave London. He is still pondering that idea when he learns that Johanna is missing. He is frantic to find her and realizes that he was a fool – but did he wait too long?

This was a very well-written, nicely-paced novella with characters that have enough backstory to make their romance believable. The book has a lot going on for such a short story, there will be longing, friends running interference, carrier pigeons, unreasonable relatives, abduction, The Duke of Danby, and one toe-curling kiss, all before these two find their way to HEA. The book is a sweet, low-steam read that features a bit of a beta hero, in a sort of forbidden love mixed with a friends-to-lovers trope that ends with HEA and even offers an epilogue. This is the sixth book in the series, but can easily be read as a standalone title. This novella was originally part of the Sunflower Season charity anthology which is no longer available, and it should be noted that this edition has been revamped and expanded from the previously published novella. Overall, I found this story a delightful quick read and would be happy to recommend it.

*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 Rose and the Earl by Jillian Eaton

On By TracyIn Book Publicity, Novella, Part of a Series, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

The Rose and the Earl (Ravishing Rosewoods Book 3)The Rose and the Earl by Jillian Eaton

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Ravishing Rosewoods, #3

Release Date: December 8, 2022

After years of waiting, Lady Annabel Rosewood is finally getting the season she so desperately wanted, but sadly, her dreams of finding Prince Charming and living happily ever after are fading with each new suitor. After yet another night of pretending to be having the time of her life, she has had enough and claims to have a headache and leaves the ball early, believing that nothing magical will ever happen for her as it did for her happily married sisters. But a case of mistaken identity leads to her boldly claiming a kiss, her life will never be the same and it certainly won’t be boring!

Ezra Washington, Earl of Whitmore and heir to the Marquess of Richborough, is a rogue, a rake, and just shy of being a full-blown scoundrel, but he likes his life – or at least he did. He will admit to himself that he is bored, which is probably why he agreed to a juvenile prank that involved pretending to be a highwayman. But the plan backfires in spectacular fashion when they hold up the wrong carriage and the stunningly beautiful woman inside demands a kiss. Never one to disappoint a lady, Ezra complies but is shaken to his core by the kiss. They part ways but he can’t stop thinking about her. So when it seems like fate is smiling at him and they meet again, he knows that he can’t let her slip away again. Too bad for him that Annabel has a different ending in mind for them.

This was a well-written, delightful read with wonderful characters and a surprisingly fleshed-out plot for a novella. The book has witty banter, great secondary characters, steamyish love scenes, a bit of heartache, and finally a HEA complete with an epilogue. I would agree with another reviewer that the “prologue” was strange and definitely not something that happened before the story begins, as you would expect from a prologue – it wasn’t bad, but it did seem out of sync. Overall, this was a great, easy read and I would be happy to recommend it. It is part of a series but can be read as a standalone title with no problem.

*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.*