Category: Tracy’s Reviews

Witch of the Wolves by Kaylee Archer

On By TracyIn First Person Narrative, Historical Paranormal/Fantasy, New To Me Author, Paranormal / Fantasy, Part of a Series, Romantasy, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

Witch of the WolvesWitch of the Wolves by Kaylee Archer

Tracy’s Rating: 2/2.5 of 5 stars

Series: Witch of the Wolves #1

Release Date: September 30, 2025

Cordelia Levine is a young witch living in Victorian London and working for her aunt managing an apothecary for the supernatural. But her life takes an unexpected turn when she is kidnapped by the brooding werewolf, Bishop Danvers at her estranged father’s command and is thrown into the turbulent world of the Albion wolf pack. Cordelia becomes a pawn in a power struggle, her unique bloodline making her both a target and an asset.

I had really high hopes for this book and the idea of a witch with dual supernatural heritage was an easy sell for me, but unfortunately, the execution just didn’t work for me. The book is written the first person, which is always annoying to me, Cordelia’s magic was minimal, and the romance was never developed and utilized insta-love rather than building a relationship. The book definitely had potential, but an overly predicable plot, no adherence to the strictures of the Victorian era, a juvenile feel to the book despite a bit of spice, and unnecessary drama with a cliffhanger ending, just left me feeling disappointed. I am sure there will be readers who will enjoy this book, but for me it was a miss.

*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. *

To Heist and To Hold by Christina Britton

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

To Heist and to Hold (Wimpole Street Widows Society, 1)To Heist and to Hold by Christina Britton

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Wimpole Street Widows Society, #1

Release Date: September 30, 2025

Shortly after the death of her husband, Heloise Marlow was invited to move in with Sylvia Lutton, the widowed Viscountess Vastkern and several other ladies at her home and join the Wimpole Street Widows Society. Each widowed lady has a unique talent, and they all work together to help other women. For her part, Heloise is a blacksmith, forging swords and a fencing master, and she uses her talents to teach the other women self-defense. When her sister-in-law comes to visit her and asks for help in recovering her employer’s missing jewels that were used as collateral at Dionysus, a well-respected gaming hell and have since gone missing with the gaming hell claiming no record of the jewels, she plans to take care of the problem alone. But when the viscountess learns of her mission, she insists that the society helps her, and they form an elaborate plan to infiltrate the club and find the missing jewels. Convinced something shady is going on at the club and not knowing who can be trusted, Heloise plans to seduce one of the owners, which will hopefully give her access to the more private parts of the club. Seems simple enough, but that was before she met Ethan Sinclaire and realizes she has no idea how to seduce a man. But once they begin an affair, Heloise will question herself and start wondering if she will have to betray the man, she has come to love in order to keep a deathbed promise to her late husband.

Ethan Sinclaire is one of the owners of the wildly successful Dionysus club, a gaming hell he opened with his brothers and two other friends he grew up with on the streets. After a stunning betrayal and death of his middle brother Gavin, Ethan has closed himself off from everyone and has concentrated on maintaining a stellar reputation of the club. But lately there have been whispers of members saying they have been cheated, and after the fiasco with Gavin, Ethan is determined to learn the truth. When Heloise comes to the club, he immediately doesn’t trust her, but despite that, he is drawn to her and when they embark on an affair, he finds himself feeling again for the first time in years. But when the truth comes out will they be able to find a way to move past the secrets and lies or will the betrayal be too much to overcome?

This was a good start to a new series featuring strong, capable women, who get a second chance at finding their HEA. In this story, Heloise and Ethan are both likeable and relatable characters with an immediate chemistry. The book is filled with secrets, plans, laugh out loud seduction attempts, steamyish love scenes, great secondary characters, a bit of a mystery, betrayal, healing, forgiveness and finally a well-deserved HEA. I really enjoyed this book, but I do wish I had a better understanding about the origins of the Society, and I really want to know who won the boxing match!! Overall, this was a good book, and I would happily recommend it to my fellow HR readers and will be looking forward to the next book in the series.

*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. *