Category: Tracy’s Reviews

Blog Tour ~ A Defiant Maiden’s Knight by Melissa Oliver

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

A Defiant Maiden’s Knight

A knight’s protection…That she doesn’t want…or need?

Joan Lovent may be losing her sight but she refuses to lose her independence too. So when Sir Warin de Talmont tells her it’s too perilous to be out alone in the city, she doesn’t pay him any heed. But with threats surrounding them, she begins to value his protection and helps with his dangerous work in return. If only the powerful connection between them wasn’t so impossible to ignore!

Purchase Links:

UK Harper Collins ~ Harlequin US ~ Amazon UK ~ Amazon US

The Knight - Melissa Oliver pic


Author Bio:

Melissa Oliver is from south-west London where she writes historical romance novels. She lives with her lovely husband and daughters, who share her passion for decrepit, old castles, palaces and all things historical.

Melissa is the WINNER of The Romantic Novelist Association’s Joan Hessayon Award for new writers 2020 for her debut, The Rebel Heiress and the Knight.

When she’s not writing she loves to travel for inspiration, paint, and visit museums & art galleries.

Social Media Links:

 Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram

Tracy’s Review:

A Defiant Maiden's Knight (Protectors of the Crown Book 1)A Defiant Maiden’s Knight by Melissa Oliver


Tracy’s rating: 4/4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Protectors of the Crown, #1

Release Date: June 28, 2022



Sir Warin de Talmont along with his brother knights have formed a new league of knights known as the Knights Fortitude of the Order of the Sword and have made it their mission to protect Hubert de Burgh, their liege lord, and the crown from all threats. Currently, Warin is investigating a group known as the Duo Dragcones, who seem bent on discrediting Hubert. But his investigation is hampered when his superior and good friend Sir Thomas Lovent asks him to watch over his sister Joan while he accompanies Hubert on a mission to clear his name. Warin agrees but regrets it almost immediately when Joan tries to insert herself into his investigation.

Joan Lovent is slowly losing her sight and is the only survivor of a fire that destroyed their family home and claimed the life of their mother and sister. For years she blamed herself, but has found peace and redemption in the church and spends a lot of time volunteering, knowing that someday her sight will be gone and she will no longer be able to help. Knowing that her sight is failing has made Joan fiercely independent – sometimes to the point of being reckless. It is that recklessness that puts her in Warin’s path.

Joan refuses to let Warin set her aside, and even he has to admit that she has given him valuable information about the man he is looking for. But Warin can’t bear to see Joan in harm’s way and though he is attracted to her, he vowed to never love again after the death of his wife and daughter, something that he blames himself for. Will Warin hold fast to the past or will Joan be able to break through the wall around his heart?

This was a nicely-paced, well-written story that picks up where the “Notorious Knights” series ended. In this spin-off series, the reader is reunited with several characters from the previous series, including the hero and heroine. The book is a lovely second-chance at love romance, filled with emotion and featuring a heroine with a disability and who is a bit too reckless for her own good. The story has a bit of intrigue, some warm love scenes, great secondary characters, and finally a nail-biting ending and a very heartwarming HEA. This is the first book in a new series and it is every bit as enjoyable as the previous series! I am happy to recommend this title and will be looking forward to the next 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.*


A Matter of Temptation by Stacy Reid

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

A Matter of TemptationA Matter of Temptation by Stacy Reid

Tracy’s rating: 3/3.5 of 5 stars

Series: A Matter of Temptation, #1

Release Date: June 28, 2022

Seven years ago, Miss Wilhelmina “Mina” Crawford, the only daughter of Viscount Crawford, was the toast of the ton, but a foolish infatuation and a subsequent ill-advised elopement to Scotland left her marred by scandal and ruined, ending all hopes for a HEA. But ruin hasn’t stopped Mina from expanding her mind or helping her brother manage their failing estate. So when her brother confides that he is to take part in a duel with their neighbor, Simon Loughton, the Earl of Creswick, Mina insists on taking his place, even going as far as to drug him. And not only does she manage to best the earl in the duel, but he quickly realizes who she is and offers her a position as his secretary.

Simon is brilliant and uses that brilliance to better the country, he is a well-respected politician and it is even whispered that he may one day be prime minister. He was intrigued when he was bested by Mina and even more so after realizing that she was a woman, prompting him to act out of character and hire her as his secretary. He quickly discovers that Mina is not just a pretty face, she is intelligent, funny, and brings balance to his life. He tells himself he must remain aloof and resist her charms but soon learns it is impossible and gives into temptation.

They become lovers, neither expecting anything more than an affair, but when love finds them, will they have a HEA or will Mina’s past scandal keep them apart.

I have mixed feelings about this book, on one hand, it is an interesting story and Simon is not your typical rakish hero (which was refreshing) and Mina is not your standard-issue “ruined maiden” – they both exceeded expectations and broke the stereotype. But on the other hand, the book had some historical mistakes that make parts of the story implausible, if not impossible. There was also a threat that seemed important, that completely fizzled out and seemingly got forgotten, which I found a bit bewildering. Then there is the twist at the end which opened up the angst floodgates – OMG – the book was chugging along and then I was hit with a revelation that changed the entire tone of the book and one that I was pissed about – in the end, all’s well that ends well – but I was still upset and felt betrayed by the author. I don’t want to spoil the book, but for me, there is an unforgivable plot twist and even though another twist sets things to rights, I was not happy, which ruined what seemed to be one of the most believable and beautiful soulmate-type love stories I have read in a long time. So, Simon and Mina will stay with me for a long time and their love is epic – I just wish their journey hadn’t taken the path it did to find their HEA.

*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.*