Category: Standalone Title

Second Chance with His Viking Wife by Sarah Rodi

On By TracyIn Ancient Britain, Medieval (1066-1540), Middle Ages / Medieval (476-1454), Standalone Title, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Second Chance with His Viking WifeSecond Chance with His Viking Wife by Sarah Rodi

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: N/A, Standalone Title

Release Date: September 26, 2023

Revna of Greenland has known much loss in her life, first her mother and brother, then her home. She and her father arrived in Anglo-Saxon England with their clan and hopes for a new life. But soon after they arrive, battles break out and she is caught in the fight, but is saved by a handsome Saxon. A truce is called, but when the Queen is killed, Prince Teon launches another attack. This time to stop the fighting, Revna’s father Ravn, and King Edmund agree to have their children wed to to seal their alliance. Revna is happy to learn her betrothed is none other than the man who saved her, it gives her hope that she may have a happy marriage, but those hopes are crushed as soon as she is brought to his room after their wedding feast. Wounded but not broken, Revna refuses to return home to her father and soon finds her way to the hearts of the royal family and many of the castle’s residents. If only her husband would return and realize she is not his enemy.

Furious that he was forced to marry the daughter of the man he believes killed his mother to cement an alliance between King Edmund and Ravn of Greenland, Prince Teon verbally takes his rage out on his young bride and leaves her without a thought for eight long years. But upon learning that his father has passed, he returns to claim his throne and is shocked to see the young girl he left behind has grown into a lovely woman. He is angry at his attraction to her and that a heathen will Queen but he knows he cannot set her aside without causing a war. Instead, he vows to keep her at arm’s length and will never taint his royal Saxon bloodlines by siring children with her. Time after time, he rails at her, blaming her for the sins of others, it isn’t until she she leaves that he realizes he has made the biggest mistake of his life, and wonders if it is too late for a second chance.

This is a fast-paced, action-packed story, with wonderful characters and lots of emotion. This story is filled with feuds, betrayal, lust, murder, battles, culture clashes, steamy love scenes, angry words, secrets, shocking revelations, and finally forgiveness leading to HEA. I enjoyed this story, even though I absolutely despised Prince Teon until almost the end of the book, but he managed to win me in the end. I also enjoyed the love scenes that were spicier than are normally found in these books. I would warn that if you are a “history purest”, you will probably take exception to the modern verbiage in this book, but I would recommend ignoring it and just enjoy the story.

*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.*

Every Duke Has His Day by Suzanne Enoch

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Historical Rom-Com, Regency Era (1811-1820), Standalone Title, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Every Duke Has His DayEvery Duke Has His Day by Suzanne Enoch

Tracy’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: N/A

Release Date: September 19, 2023

It was definitely not love at first sight when Elizabeth “Bitsy” Dockering, the youngest daughter of Viscount Mardensea, and Michael Bromley, the Duke of Woriton met. As the undisputed “diamond” of the season, Elizabeth is much sought after and admired, she has several men vying for her hand and is enjoying her reign. While on a walk in the park with her friends and her dog, a poorly behaved black poodle named Galahad, one of her suitors, and her dog tangle which leads to Galahad getting loose and running after another black poodle. The dogs end up in the Serpentine, along with the other dog’s owner. Elizabeth is shocked to learn that the man is none other than the reclusive and possibly mad Duke of Woriton. After exchanging words, the two take their dogs and part ways, thinking they will never see each other again.

Michael Bromley, the Duke of Woriton is brilliant, and he would rather be home working on his experiments than mingling with his peers, but when his beloved aunt leaves her black poodle, Lancelot with him while she is visiting a friend, he ventures out to the park, never expecting to have his life turned upside down by two poodles and a lovely woman! It isn’t until he returns home that he realizes they switched dogs, and for some unexplainable reason, he decides that he must let Elizabeth know immediately. This results in an unexpected waltz and the start of an adventure that will forever change him, when Lancelot and then Galahad are dognapped.

I loved this book, it was such a fun read filled with wonderful characters and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. The story uses a Grumpy meets Sunshine trope, and it is a no-steam, slow-burn romance with lots of emotion, chemistry experiments, lots of dogs, a nasty villain, and a not-so-bad “bad guy”, a sweet secondary romance, laughs, tears, wonderful secondary characters, kisses and finally a HEA complete with an epilogue. Overall, I do wish that the ending had been a bit longer and maybe that they didn’t need a third party to ensure their HEA, but those things aside, I loved this book and have given it a place on my very small keeper shelf. This is a standalone title, so if you are looking for a fun, sweet read, this book is for you!

*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.*