Category: Romantasy

Once Upon a Magical Night: A Midsummer’s Night Ball by Various Authors

On By TracyIn Anthology, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Historical Paranormal/Fantasy, Paranormal / Fantasy, Regency Era (1811-1820), Romantasy, Time Travel, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

Once Upon a Magical Night: A Midsummer's BallOnce Upon a Magical Night: A Midsummer’s Ball by Amanda Mariel

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Anthology

Release Date: June 24, 2026

This anthology has five new novellas by some of my favorite authors, each with a bit of magic and a happy ending:

Entrapped by Enchanted Desire by Dawn Brower: Lady Rosina wants freedom. Anton Marcus, Duke of Sinclair, demands control. But when an enchanted midsummer invitation traps them inside Puckton Castle, desire, truth, and meddling fairies may force them to choose love. 3.5 stars

When the Dawn Found Us by Amanda Mariel: Rosalind Bennett is swept into magical Puckton Castle, where guarded Adrian Vale, Duke of Ashbourne, tempts her heart amid fairy mischief, stolen kisses, and one enchanted midsummer night that demands a choice by dawn. 3.5 stars

Loved in a Dream by Jane Charles: Lady Polina St. Martin is promised to another, but dreams of adventure. Lord Benjamin Cartwright, Viscount Amesbury, is ready for marriage—just not love. When a magical ball draws them together, destiny may rewrite every rule. 4 stars

A Bewildering Interruption by Ramona Elmes: Lady Bianca Tartley is sensible, agreeable, and certain she has no taste for unnecessary risks. Edmund Knight is ruthless, guarded, and one day away from the revenge that has ruled his life. When magic draws them together, leaving may become the last thing either of them wants. 4 stars

A Rhyme of Fanciful Dreams by Tabetha Waite: Lady Julia Perry seeks freedom for one forbidden night. Frederick Ellis, Earl of Napleton, longs to escape his haunted past. At a mysterious Midsummer’s Ball, passion feels like magic—but will sunrise make their love vanish like a dream? 3.5 stars

Overall, this collection of novellas was a fun read, but it wasn’t quite as connected and cohesive as I was expecting. Based on the prologue, I thought it was going to be five stories all at the same ball – but that is not the case. That is fine, but it was a bit jarring as I was reading and expecting one thing yet getting a completely different era and magical interaction. Each story was well written, had likable characters, a few kisses, a bit of magic and finally a happy ending.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

 

Betrothed to the Blade by C.W. Willows

On By TracyIn New To Me Author, Paranormal / Fantasy, Part of a Series, Romantasy, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Betrothed to the Blade (The Betrothed Saga, #1)Betrothed to the Blade by C.M. Willows

Tracy’s Rating: 2 of 5 stars

Series: The Betrothed Saga #1

Release Date: June 15, 2026

Princess Cordetta’s father has decided that it is time for her to marry and has chosen Fitzbarton Humphreys-Humphries as her groom. Cordetta has a talent for inventing and knows that marriage to Fitzbarton will crush her, so after a lifetime of rules and expectations, she is taking matters into her own hands and will follow her own path. She decides to steal her sister’s flying ship to make her escape, but finds the ship already occupied. Heath is a pirate with his own secrets and is driven by revenge. He has a plan, but traveling with an entitled princess wasn’t part of it. They set off and pulled into the threat of the Seep, a magical corruption that twists the land and creates dangerous creatures.

I was so excited for this book, but sadly this story just didn’t work for me. The writing felt wordy, and the slow pace made it hard for me to stay interested in the book and I found myself skimming just to finish. I also think the world building could have been better, there were interesting aspects to the story, but unfortunately, it never felt fully developed, additionally, the magic system and the “Seep” really needed more explanation, and the romance was lacking. Overall, the story had promise, but in the end, it just didn’t deliver the story I was hoping for. This is the first book in a series, but it is not a book I would read again or a series I am interested in continuing.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *