Category: Novella

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.




The Highland Knight’s Revenge by Lori Ann Bailey

On By TracyIn Author Collaboration Series, Medieval (1066-1540), Middle Ages / Medieval (476-1454), Novella, Scottish/Highlander, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The Highland Knight's Revenge (Midsummer Knights, #4)The Highland Knight’s Revenge by Lori Ann Bailey

Tracy’s rating: 3.5/4 of 5 stars

Series: Midsummer Knights, #4

Release Date: May 26, 2020

3.5 stars, rounded up.

Officially, Sir Giric de Beaumont MacDonald has come to the Rose Citadel to learn more about its owner, Baron de Rose, but the reality is Giric has come for revenge against the man who killed his father. His hope is to find the man and challenge him, best him in combat and finally find peace. His plan seems perfect and his path unobstructed, but that was before he saw a lovely woman practicing archery and she stirred up memories of another. One he couldn’t save, later he sees her again and dances with her. Giric is captivated by her and soon begins to imagine a future with her, but not until his plan for revenge is complete.

Jennet Linton is at the with her brother and his betrothed, as their father Baron Gillingham, couldn’t attend, he is deadly ill and is not expected to live much longer. Soon after they arrived, her brother Edward tells her that now that he is to marry, she needs to marry herself. Even though he has promised that she can choose her own husband, Jennet is not happy. Abducted and held captive in Scotland for years as a child, Jennet doesn’t want to leave home. But when she meets a handsome and honorable knight, she begins to think that not only could she leave, but she could even return to Scotland. But when the truth becomes known and Giric has to choose between love and revenge – will they get a HEA?

This was a well written, fast paced story with several twists and turns as well as a bit of intrigue, it was not perfect, there is some modern verbiage and title errors, but overall, it is a very good story with likeable characters, mild to warmish love scenes, revenge, kidnapping, a lot of emotion, a HEA and a delightful epilogue. This is part of an author collaboration series, but all the stories can be read as stand-alone titles.

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