Category: Part of a Series

The Devil of Clan Sinclair by Karen Ranney

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Old Favorites, Part of a Series, Scottish/Highlander, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The Devil of Clan Sinclair (Clan Sinclair, #1)The Devil of Clan Sinclair by Karen Ranney

Tracy’s Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Clan Sinclair #1

Release Date: July 15, 2013

For Virginia Traylor, Countess of Barrett, marriage was merely the vehicle to buy her father a title. Widowhood, however, brings a host of problems. For her husband deliberately spent the money intended for Virginia and her in-laws, leaving them penniless—unless she produces an heir. Desperate and confused, Virginia embarks on a fateful journey that brings her to the doorstep of the only man she’s ever loved…

He’s known as The Devil, but Macrath Sinclair doesn’t care. He moved to a tiny Scottish village in hopes of continuing his work as an inventor and starting a family of his own. He bought the house; he chose the woman. Unfortunately, Virginia didn’t choose him. Macrath knows he should turn her away now, but she needs him, and he wants her more than ever. Whatever game Virginia’s playing, Macrath intends to win—one wickedly seductive deed at a time…

My Thoughts:

OMG! No one and I mean no one can write angst and heart wrenching anguish better than Karen Ranney did. Seriously, no one!

I loved this story. Macrath is the hero every woman secretly hopes to find. That’s another thing Ms. Ranney wrote well – heroes who love from the depths of their souls with steadfast devotion. Sigh…..

Virginia was not my favorite heroine, but she redeemed herself in the end and I never doubted her love for Macrath. I didn’t understand why she did the things she did and made the choices she made until the very end of the book – I wish I had known earlier. I wasted most of the book not liking her 🙂

I am really looking forward to Mairi and Ellice’s story’s. Hopefully they will be a little more lighthearted than the last few books – because if there is a drawback to Ms Ranney’s writing it would be that it is emotionally exhausting to read, but even still, I miss her work!

The Mapmaker’s Apprentice by C.J. Archer

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Historical Paranormal/Fantasy, Part of a Series, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

The Mapmaker's Apprentice (Glass and Steele, #2)

Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Series: Glass and Steele #2
Publication Date: 10/25/16
Period: Victorian London
Number of Pages: 313

A LOT is going on in each of the books in this series – and these things will run through most, if not all, of the books. There is the issue of the people with magic and those without. There is the issue of the sheriff from America who is out to destroy and/or kill Matthew. There is the issue of finding the magical watchmaker who can repair the watch keeping Matthew alive. Then, of course, there is a story specific to each book – and the ongoing development of the relationship between India and Matthew.

The business of Victorian England is run by Guilds – The Watchmaker’s Guild, The Mapmaker’s Guild, the Toymaker’s Guild, etc. If you want to open a business or sell a product of any kind, you must be licensed by the Guild for that product. Sometimes nasty shenanigans are happening in those guilds – I know that surprises you. 😊 Those Guilds will not admit nor license anyone who is magical to the guild. People with magical abilities are feared and reviled

India, Matthew, and their compatriots are getting more and more frustrated at being unable to find the watchmaker known as Chronos. As Matthew’s watch becomes less and less effective at keeping him alive, it is becoming more and more imperative to find him. Yet, they hit a blank wall everywhere they turn. Where can he be?

Police Commissioner Munro asks them to find a young man who has gone missing – his son – who has magical abilities as a mapmaker. Though we never actually meet the young man, Daniel, what we do learn of him doesn’t make him sound very likable. India and Matthew are afraid he’s been kidnapped by someone in the employ of the Watchmaker’s Guild because of his abilities. Was he kidnapped or did he just take off on his own to make his fortune? Hmmm – you’ll need to read the book to find out.

This could have been, for me anyway, a dark book – except, the matchmaking schemes of Matthew’s Aunt Letitia kept throwing bits of humor into the mix. You’ll love Aunt Letitia – who is class-conscious and a stickler for the proprieties – and is perhaps not always in her right mind.

India struggles with her magical abilities and learning how to use and control them. She’s been told her abilities are strong – very strong – but she has no idea how to cast a spell or use her abilities. However, when the chips are down and it is a matter of life and death, she tries something – and it works. So, it will be fun to watch India learn how to control her abilities.

If you are looking for an interesting read with a missing boy, murder, hidden treasure, and a plethora of bad guys, along with magic, mischief, and mayhem, then this is the book for you. I can’t wait to see how many books it will take before we find Chronos. Will he be able to repair Matthew’s watch? Or – maybe India will become so powerful she can do it herself. I can hardly wait to start the next book – and the next – and the next to find Chronos, to see the nasty Sheriff brought to justice, and to see Matthew and India finally get their HEA.