Category: Novella

Dazzled at the Wedding by Kate Pearce, Ava Stone & Nicole Locke

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

Dazzled at the Wedding

Tracy’s rating: 3 of 5 stars

Series: A Summer Wedding at Castle Keyvnor, #1

Release Date: May 22, 2020


Another three Castle Keyvnor novellas filled with magic and mayhem.

A Storm in a Teacup by Kate Pearce – 2.5 stars – This is the story of Hezekiah God is My Strength, King of Judah Makepeace, former tutor to the groom Lord Locryn , a man with no family who is terrified of the sea and Malakia “Mally” Clovelly the beautiful tavern wench at the inn, who happens to be a water nymph and believes Hezekiah is her destined mate but how can he be since she can’t live without the sea and he hates it?? This novella confused me from page one – there is a prologue, but it doesn’t feature either character from the novella – then when the story starts, I felt like I should know things – things I had no way of knowing. I tried to fill in blanks, but I just felt lost. This novella is the steamiest of the three and if I had known more about Hezekiah’s past that I would have enjoyed it more.

Once Upon a Midsummer Dream by Ava Stone – 4 stars – This novella was a sweet story of Garrett Hillyard, Duke of Markham who lost his beloved wife and Miss Frances Dallimore, the woman who helps him move past his grief and find love again. Add in his sweet but hoydenish daughters, pixies, gypsies, and ghosts and you have a fun novella!

Captured by Fate by Nicole Locke – 3 stars – Lieutenant Lord Hugh Fenton, Baron Fenton has arrived in Bocka Morrow to attend his friend Lord Locryn’s wedding and to finally fulfill his uncle’s last wishes – years have passed since they had spoken and Hugh still hasn’t really forgiven his uncle for choosing the fae over him. He arrives at the cottage and is greeted by a woman who clearly believes Hugh should know who she is – he has no idea and can’t get in the cottage – vowing to return with an axe – he leaves – the next day he returns and the woman is there again – Abigail Angove was friends with Peter Fenton – Hugh’s uncle and has been waiting for months for him to arrive – she is also someone who helps people with problems with the fae – problems that have turned dark in the Fenton cottage! This was a nice story, but I didn’t really feel the romance and had a hard time believing they were in love.

This was a decent anthology – I love all three of these authors and have enjoyed their previous works and I liked this collection, but this book is not my favorite in the Castle Keyvnor series.

I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me




Once Upon A Midnight Masquerade by Jane Charles

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Novella, Regency Era (1811-1820), Scottish/Highlander, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Once Upon a Midnight Masquerade by Jane Charles

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Scot to Heart, #3

Release Date: March 10, 2020


When Lady Claresta Copeland sneaks into the masquerade ball in Edinburgh being held by Madame Marseille, she has not idea that it is a courtesan’s ball or that the men invited are looking for mistresses! Donovan MacGregor is getting ready to leave when he sees her – she is dressed as Juliet and has an air of innocence – he approaches her, quotes Romeo and Juliet, they share a waltz and a kiss before her maid drags her away.

A year later, Donovan needs to get away from Scotland, he decides to head to London to oversea the family’s whisky business and to hopefully some relief from the restlessness he has suffered. His family thinks it is because the woman he loved, Mary Grant is returning home, widowed. At one time, he thought he loved her, but she loved him as a friend and married another. But the truth is, it is not Mary that haunts him, it is Juliet. So, imagine his surprise when he finds her at a ball his first night in town! He is surprised and a bit torn, he wanted to find her, but it is clear his Juliet is no light-skirt and Donovan doesn’t want a wife!

Claresta asks Donovan to dance when it is clear that he recognizes her. Claresta has dreamed of her Romeo and no other man has even come close to capturing her interest as he did. But she needs to talk to him and see if he will keep her secret, if he doesn’t’ she will be ruined! Claresta has longed to meet a man that loves her for herself and not the connections her father the Duke of Ellings will bring him. So when she talks to Donovan, she doesn’t tell him who she is and is able keep it secret since her parents are in the country and she is staying with her married cousin. Donovan might not want a wife, but he can’t seem to stay away from Claresta and she is just as captivated as he is. But there is someone who is not willing to let Donovan and Claresta find their HEA and will stop at nothing to break them up.

This was a well written, fast-paced novella with a hero and heroine who are clearly destined for true love. There is a little intrigue, a bit of mystery, attempted murder, stolen kisses, cameos from Emily and Dillon and finally a very hard-won HEA complete with and epilogue. This is the third book in the series, but it can easily be read as a stand-alone title. I really enjoyed this “sweet” romance and would be happy to recommend it.