Category: Re-Release / Updated Edition

The Smuggler’s Christmas Rogue by Jane Charles

On By TracyIn Novella, Part of a Series, Re-Release / Updated Edition, Regency Era (1811-1820), Scottish/Highlander, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The Smuggler's Christmas Rogue: (Scot to the Heart #5)The Smuggler’s Christmas Rogue: by Jane Charles

Tracy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Scot to the Heart, #5

Release Date: July 2, 2024

During her first season, Miss Sheena MacGregor met and fell in love with Camdyn Oaks, Earl of Irvine and heir to the Marquess Walsingham. She believed that he loved her too, but on the night he begs her to elope with him, her brothers and uncle arrive from Scotland as well as Camdyn’s father, and the ugly truth of how they met is revealed and just like that Sheena’s heart is broken. She immediately returns to Scotland determined to forget she ever laid eyes on Camdyn. But fate has other plans and a year and a half later, Sheena and her brother Ewan find themselves in need of shelter for the night and must to her dismay, end up at Oakley Park, the home of the Marquess Walsingham.

Camdyn Oaks, now Marquess Walsingham, is still in love with Sheena, though he tries to move on, he soon realizes that she is the only woman for him and sets out to win her back. Her family stands by her refusal to see him or even speak of him, but her uncle finally listens to Camdyn’s side and agrees to help him by letting him know when they go to Edinburgh and what events they will attend, but he will not force Sheena to talk to him. Happy for the chance to see her again, Camdyn returns to his estate to wait for word, but a few days before Christmas, Sheena and her brother arrive on his doorstep seeking shelter. Overjoyed by the unexpected opportunity to reconcile with Sheena, Camdyn welcomes them with open arms. But it is clear that Sheena wants nothing to do with him and plans to leave the next morning. But when help for his cause comes from an unlikely source, Camdyn will not waste a second of the limited time he has, because he knows that Sheena is his only chance for happily ever again and he won’t let her slip away a second time without a fight.

The was a very sweet second chance for romance between feuding families. Sheena was hurt deeply and unwilling to give Camdyn a chance to explain himself and refused to believe his claims of love, I understood her bitterness, but I felt that she held on to that bitterness a bit longer than necessary. Other than that small quibble, I really enjoyed this story and would happily recommend this novella.

Note: This story was previously published in the Christmas in Cumbria anthology and is part of the Scot to the Heart series with a connection to the Trents.

*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. *

Never Dare a Duke by Gayle Callen

On By TracyIn Book Publicity, Check Content Warning/Triggers, Part of a Series, Re-Release / Updated Edition, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

Never Dare a Duke New CoverNever Dare a Duke by Gayle Callen

Tracy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Sons of Scandal, #2

Release Date: Originally Released in 2008, Rereleasing June 11, 2024

Miss Abigail “Abby” Shaw is the daughter of Leo Shaw, owner of the Morning Journal and has high hopes of one day being a journalist herself, for now she secretly writes for the paper as the literary and drama critic. And this is how she learned that her father’s paper was in trouble. She is desperate to find a way to save the paper and thinks she might have found the answer thanks to her dear friend Lady Gwen. While strolling with Gwen in Hyde Park, she meets Christoper Cabot, the Duke of Madingley and Gwen informs her of his family’s scandalous history but added that the duke himself seems immune to scandal, she also adds that she has been invited to a house party at the duke’s estate and offers to bring Abby. Abby is sure the duke must be hiding something and knowing how much society thrives on scandal, she is determined to find out what he is hiding and write about it in the Morning Journal. But Abby never expected to like the duke and his family so much, nor did she think that the duke would be suspicious of her, making uncovering his secrets even harder. As her feelings deepen choices will have to be made and it seems like they will all lead to heartache.

Christopher “Chris” Cabot, the Duke of Madingley does have a secret, but that scandal was a long time ago and his father made sure that it never hit the scandal sheets. But that doesn’t mean it didn’t affect him deeply or change the entire path of his life. Chris has worked hard to be a better man, to make a difference and to live a life that never gives society any reason to gossip about him. And that has worked for years, but when he arrives at his estate, he learns that his sister and mother are hosting a house party and have invited prospective brides as well as the intriguing Miss Abigail Shaw. He doesn’t trust her a whit and decides to keep her close until he can figure out what she is up to. He just doesn’t count on feeling anything for her or for what he believes is the ultimate betrayal of those feelings.

Another great installment of the Sons of Scandal series! The story is well written, and Chris and Abby have such wonderful chemistry that you can’t help but root for their happily ever after. This story has secrets, a bevy of scheming hope-to-be brides, good friends, more than one romance, sizzling love scenes, blackmail, lies, heartache, betrayal and finally a well-deserved HEA including a lovely epilogue. This is the second book in the trilogy, but it could easily be read as a standalone title. I feel like it needs to be noted that this book is a rereleased title from 2008 and it definitely has “old school” historical romance feel to it – which personally, I LOVE but I also know might it be off-putting to more sensitive readers.

*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. *