Saved by the Belle by Shana Galen

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Royal Saboteurs, #3

Release Date: March 7, 2023

Fresh off his first mission with the Royal Saboteurs, Hew Arundel is enjoying a visit with his friend Charles Randall and Charles’ very pregnant wife Lydia. He enjoys dinner with them and then insists on leaving early, as it is clear that Lydia is not feeling her best, Hew is looking forward to a quiet night, but while waiting for a hackney, he is attacked and stabbed, just as Lydia calls to Charles that she has gone into labor. A doctor is called, but Charles knows he can’t tend to both Hew and Lydia, so he makes a desperate plea to George Howard for help. With Hew’s family out of town, Charles has limited options, Mr. Howard’s youngest daughter is married to Lydia’s brother so he is family and someone he can trust to care for his friend.

Isabelle “Belle” Howard and her father are surprised when they get a message from Charles asking them to come immediately, they barely know the Randalls, but they close up their tea shop and rush over. They are shocked to learn that Charles needs them to care for his friend, who according to the doctor, might not survive the night. Belle is annoyed, but they agree to take him in, she is then shocked by her immediate attraction to him. Belle survived smallpox as a child and is scarred, something she is very self-conscious about and something that has caused her pain in the past. She is sure no man would ever want her, not only is she scarred, but she is bold, outspoken, and doesn’t suffer fools. They nurse Hew and by some miracle, he survives. She is annoyed that she finds him even more attractive and charming now that he is awake, but she is sure that he would never want a girl like her. Little does she know that her scars don’t bother Hew and he likes her spitfire attitude, but Hew has been burned once and refuses to risk his heart again. They try to ignore their attraction, knowing it can go nowhere as they will soon part. But when it is clear that the attack on Hew wasn’t random and now Belle and her father are in danger, Hew knows that he will do anything to keep Belle safe. But Hew will soon learn, Belle is not like any woman he has ever known and she is not willing to wait to be rescued nor will she let ghosts from the past steal her happiness.

This is a well-written, nicely-paced adventure featuring two very flawed, yet likable characters. Hew and Belle are clearly perfect for each other, but they both let past hurts cloud their judgment and Hew just can’t seem to let his past go. I understood his reasons, but he just held on to it way too long. As usual, this author treats readers to an engaging story filled with action, witty banter, steamyish love scenes, great secondary characters, danger, spies, tea, and a sweet declaration scene leading to their HEA. This is the third book in the series, but there is enough backstory given that you could easily read this as a standalone title. I loved Belle and Hew’s story and I am happy to recommend this book and hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

*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.*

Beguiling her Enemy Warrior

Kidnapped by the warrior

Tempted by the man…

Captured by the infamous Lord Rhys, a Welsh prince intent on revenge against her family, Viking healer, Helga, must keep her wits about her if she’s to be freed. Easier said than done when she desires him rather than fears him! Helga senses there’s good inside Rhys and feels compelled to reach his heart. But first, she must make him see there’s more to her than just his enemy…

Purchase Links:

US ~ UK

Author Bio:

Lucy Morris has always been obsessed with myths and legends. Her books blend sweeping romance with vivid worldbuilding to whisk you away to another time and place filled with adventure. Expect passion, drama, and vibrant characters.

Lucy lives in Essex, UK, with her husband, two children, and two cats. She has a massive sweet tooth and loves Terry’s chocolate oranges and Irn-Bru. In her spare time, she likes to explore castles with her family, or drink bubbly with her friends.

Social Media Links:

Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Instagram ~ Website

Tracy’s Review:

Beguiling Her Enemy Warrior (Mills & Boon Historical) by Lucy Morris

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Shieldmaiden Sisters, #3

Release Date: January 19, 2023

This story runs parallel to the previous book “Tempted by Her Outcast Viking” and is the story of the youngest sister, Helga. Helga is not like her older sisters, she is not a warrior, although she knows how to fight, she is a gentle soul, who tends to the hearth while her sisters and mother wage war, she is a healer and has dreams and visions of the future. And it seems as if those prophetic dreams are starting to come true when after a year of misery, her sister Valda marries Halfdan, her first love, and the family’s fortunes begin to change. But Valda’s marriage also led to Halfdan’s father Jarl Ulf to disown him, when he failed to marry Alswn of Gwynedd. Now Alswn, along with her guard Hywel are missing, and her brother, Rhys, the Dragon of Gwynedd is out for blood. He is convinced that Helga’s family is connected to Jarl Ulf and therefore bears some responsibility, so he abducts Helga. He informs her sister Brynhild that he will hold Helga hostage until his sister is returned to him at his fortress in Wales.

Helga is shocked to realize that the dragon that has haunted her dreams since she was a child, is actually Rhys, the man she believes is her fated mate. But she soon begins to question that fate when Rhys makes it clear that he hates Vikings and doesn’t believe her when she tells him that Ulf is not her family and won’t care that Rhys took her. Rhys is sure she is lying – Vikings killed his parents and of late Ulf has been raiding and pillaging his land, going as far as to take his Aunt hostage – Ulf made it clear that he planned to conquer Rhys and take his lands, hence the marriage agreement between his sister and Ulf’s son. But now that Halfdan married Valda and his sister has vanished, Rhys knows it is only a matter of time before Ulf wages war on him. A war he knows he cannot win since his king refuses to send men to help him. His only hope is that Ulf values Helga’s life enough to back down. However, it isn’t long before Rhys realizes he was wrong about Helga and isn’t sure he will be able to let her go, even if his sister is returned. But with Ulf’s army at his front door and her family’s army at his back door – Rhys will have to decide if he is willing to trust the woman he has come to love with not only his heart and his life but with the fate of his entire clan.

This is a must-read if you have been following the series – Helga is an amazing heroine, despite her own feelings of inadequacy; she is courageous, bold, gracious, and helpful. Rhys is a bit harder to like, he also struggles with inadequacy, but is reluctant to accept help and refuses to let anyone know him, including his own family. This story has a lot happening and is much more emotional than I was expecting. The book has abductions, misunderstandings, a very slow-burn romance, battle scenes, steamyish love scenes, cameos from previous characters as well as a host of new secondary characters, and finally a HEA complete with an epilogue. It needs to be pointed out that this story does contain some triggers such as rape and physical abuse, but they are all off-page and there are at least two graphic death scenes that might be disturbing to readers sensitive to violence. I thought the author handled these scenes very well and didn’t dwell on them. This is the third and final book in the series and while it could be read as a standalone title, I would suggest reading the entire series in order for the best reader experience. Overall, I thought this book was the perfect ending to a wonderful series and I am happy to recommend not only this title but the entire 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.*