Category: Top Pick – Highly Recommended

Return to Satterthwaite Court by Mimi Matthews

On By TracyIn Part of a Series, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

Return to Satterthwaite Court (Somerset Stories, #3)Return to Satterthwaite Court by Mimi Matthews

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Somerset Stories, #3

Release Date: April 11, 2023

After almost a decade in Her Majesty’s Navy, Charles Heywood is disenchanted and resigns his commission, he plans to find an estate and settle down into the life of a country gentleman, but first, he needs to reconcile with his family – he didn’t leave under the best of terms and that weighs heavily on him. So after a quick stop in London to purchase some Christmas gifts, he will return to Heywood House in Somersetshire and try to mend his fences, then find his own estate and then maybe, he will think about marriage. But fate has other plans for Charles and thanks to a mangy mutt, Charles crosses paths with one of the most lovely women he has ever seen. But Charles doesn’t have time for ladies, no matter how lovely, and after a brief exchange, Charles is off, with the dog, not the lady.

Lady Katherine Beresford has just met the only man in London that has interested her, too bad she doesn’t know his name or situation. Kate is in town for the season and to find a husband, her family has a bit of scandal attached to their name, and they are hoping that if Kate marries well, it will help ease the gossip that still surrounds them, but she wants a love like her parents have and so far men have only been interested in her looks or her fortune. The man she met today didn’t seem interested in either, making him almost irresistible to Kate. A little digging provides her with his name and direction, he lives near her parent’s estate, which as luck would have it, she is traveling to for Christmas in a few days. Once home, she writes to him and then finagles her youngest brother to escort her to his family estate. The reception she receives was not what she expected and she learns that a threatening letter was sent and Charles thought she sent it! Undaunted, Kate makes it her business to help Charles figure out who sent the letter and what it means. Because despite Charles’ frosty demeanor, Kate hasn’t given up on finding her HEA with him! Now she just needs to help him solve his mystery and convince him that she is the perfect woman for him! Too bad she forgot that the course of true love never did run smooth.

This was a delightful read, it was well written and flowed nicely with wonderful characters and an interesting plot. I hadn’t read the previous books in the series, which were their parent’s love stories, but since the author did such a great job explaining their backstories, I had no problem understanding the connections in this book. I was hoping for a bit of steam, but this book is kisses only and didn’t need the smexy stuff to give the reader romance between Kate and Charles. The book has revenge, lots of dogs, wonderful secondary characters, a possible secondary romance, mystery, a heroine who knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to “chase him until he catches her”, a hero who thinks he knows what he wants until she shows him he is wrong, gunshots, surprising discoveries, disappointments, kisses and finally a HEA complete with an epilogue. I did feel like the ending was a bit rushed and a little anti-climatic, but it was still good and I would happily recommend this title. This is the third book in the series, but it could easily be read as a standalone title.

*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.*

Bound to the Warrior Knight by Ella Matthews ~ Blog Tour

On By TracyIn Blog Tour, Book Publicity, Medieval (1066-1540), Middle Ages / Medieval (476-1454), Part of a Series, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Bound to the Warrior Knight

Wed to a stranger

Awakened by his touch

As the new wife of stoic knight Benedictus Monceaux, innocent Adela finds herself in a whole new world… Their union is one of convenience and power, but her feelings for the warrior unsettle and excite her. Hiding an inner strength, Adela knows she can be a strong ally to her husband but first she must walk a fine line between duty and desire, both in court and in the bedchamber.

Purchase Links:

UK – US

Author Bio:

Ella Matthews lives and works in beautiful South Wales. She writes medieval romances for Mills & Boon. When not thinking about handsome heroes she can be found walking along the coast with her husband and their two children (probably still thinking about heroes but at least pretending to be interested in everyone else).

Social Media Links:

Website ~ Twitter ~ Instagram

 

Tracy’s Review:

Bound to the Warrior Knight (The King's Knights, #4)Bound to the Warrior Knight by Ella Matthews

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The King’s Knights, #4

Release Date: March 28, 2023

After years of waiting for her betrothed to claim her, the day has finally come and Adela couldn’t be happier. Not because she is in love with Sir Benedictus Monceaux, she doesn’t even know him, it is because she will finally be freed from the prison her father has kept her in to keep her “pure” for her betrothed. At first, Benedictus refuses to let her join him at Windsor, but when Adela makes it clear that she will follow him if he doesn’t let her go with him, he gives in. Windsor is a huge adjustment for Adela, as is being married to the very stoic Sir Benedictus, but soon they are getting along very well and if it isn’t the love that her new friends Medea and Theo share, that is all right, not everyone is that lucky and what she shares with Beneditus is enough, right? Yet, as her feelings deepen, she wonders what Benedictus really feels for her and if maybe they could be lucky too.

Sir Benedictus Monceaux is the leader of King Edward’s elite guard and acts in the king’s stead while he is abroad. Knowing the king needs funds for his wars, Sir Benedictus decides it is time to collect his bride and her hefty dowry. He expects to wed her and leave her with her family, as he doesn’t have time to coddle a wife. Men may quake in his presence, but his new wife stands up to him, this is a big surprise and somewhat arousing. He isn’t sure what to make of her, but now that he has her, he isn’t going to let her go. But feelings and sweet words are not Benedictus’ forte and may cost him the love of a lifetime if he can’t find a way to let Adela know what she has come to mean to him. But when the worse happens, she gets her answer and is heartbroken. Now choices will have to be made as the fate of two hearts hangs in the balance.

In the final installment of the King’s Knight series, readers are in for a treat – Benedictus is a treasure and a man with hidden depths. Throughout the series, he has been portrayed as a bit of a stick in the mud and very rigid, but beneath that tough hide beats a tender heart of gold – he is first and foremost the king’s man and he is unapologetic for that, and rightly so, but he is not without a heart and it is Adela who brings those softer feeling out in him. This book was the crème de la crème of the series, it is filled with emotion, spies, steamyish love scenes, some surprising twists and turns, a bit of heartache, family reunions, toxic parents, a slow-burn romance that lead to a HEA with a very sweet epilogue. My only complaints were that the villain didn’t die (Yes, I am a bloodthirsty wench) and that the epilogue didn’t include all the former characters. Other than those minor things, this book was practically perfect! This is the fourth and final book in the series, and while it can be read as a standalone title, reading the series in order will give you more insight into Benedictus and his brother knights, giving you a better reading experience for 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.*

 

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