Category: Standalone Title

The Prospector’s Only Prospect by Dani Collins

On By TracyIn American Historical, Historical Western Romance, Standalone Title, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's Reviews, Western Historical RomanceLeave a comment

The Prospector's Only ProspectThe Prospector’s Only Prospect by Dani Collins

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Release Date: March 28, 2023

Marigold Davis needs a fresh start after being divorced from her cheating husband and losing her home, so she takes her sister’s place as a mail-order bride to a prospector in Denver City. Her journey to the Kansas Territory was rough and she is definitely worse for the wear – but she is sure she can convince her sister’s intended that she is a better choice for his family than her sister Pearl would have been. But she doesn’t really want to remarry, she was hurt and deeply shamed by he ex-husband and is wary of opening herself up to hurt again. But she isn’t prepared for Virgil Gardner or his three children and a camp full of miners. And as she sets out to make his ramshackle house into a home, she wonders if she has finally found a place that she can truly call home and a man she can trust with her fragile heart.

Virgil Gardner has also been hurt before and finds it almost impossible to trust Marigold, despite being attracted to her. He can’t deny that she fits in perfectly and his kids love her, but that doesn’t make trusting her any easier. But when Pearl shows up ready to marry, will he realize that he wants Marigold or will he let the hurts from his past let the love of his life walk away?

This was a new to me author and I was not sure what to expect, but WOW! What a great book! I loved the writing, the story, the setting – just everything! Set in the pre-civil war mid-west, this story is filled with amazing characters, witty banter, adorable children, historical facts, steamyish love scenes, gold nuggets, bears, a bit of angst, a few tears, lots of emotion, second chances and a well-deserved HEA. My only complaint would be that Virgil held on to his mistrust for too long and it got to be monotonous, but other than that, it was a great book and I would happily recommend this title and will be looking forward to more books by this author.

*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.*

Frederica by Georgette Heyer

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Re-Release / Updated Edition, Regency Era (1811-1820), Standalone Title, Tracy's Reviews2 Comments


FredericaFrederica by Georgette Heyer

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Release Date: Originally published in 1965, Re-releasing 03/21/2023

At the grand old age of 24, Frederica Merriville knows her chance for marriage is long past, but she hopes to launch her lovely younger sister Charis into society and find her a husband. For that, she will need help and knows just who to ask, their “distant cousin” Vernon, the Marquis of Alverstoke!

Vernon, the Marquis of Alverstoke is a jaded rake, a confirmed bachelor, and bored – with everything. Alverstoke doesn’t really want to help Frederica and plans to tell her, but once he meets her siblings, he reconsiders, not because he is a nice man, but because he knows it will annoy his sisters who want him to launch their daughters. Let the games begin! The Merrivilles are anything but boring, and soon Alverstoke finds himself embroiled in their escapades and *gasp!!* not bored. He also finds himself doing something he never thought he would; falling in love and considering marriage.

Georgette Heyer is one of my mother’s favorite authors and she has been telling me to read her work for years, so when this book came up for review on NetGalley, I jumped at the chance. This book was written before I was born but I can see Ms. Heyer’s influence in the works of many other authors that I have read – Barbara Cartland comes to mind and even some current-day authors. This book is filled with humor, family, more than one mishap (thanks to Frederica’s younger brother), restorative pork jelly, a “Baluchistan” hound, a very slow-burn romance (with zero steam), and finally a very sweet declaration scene leading to their HEA. I think my 13-year-old self would have enjoyed this book much more than my 50-something self did and I can see the allure for Austen lovers – but while I enjoyed this story, I don’t think I will be rushing to read her other books. I thought it was too long and tended to meander, I didn’t mind that omission of love scenes, but did struggle to feel a true connection between Frederica and Alverstoke beyond friendship. Overall, it was a fun read and if you are a Jane Austen fan or even a Barbara Cartland fan – I think you would really enjoy this book.

*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.*