Category: Tracy’s Reviews

How to Love Your Elf by Kerrelyn Sparks

On By TracyIn Historical Paranormal/Fantasy, Paranormal / Fantasy, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

How to Love Your Elf (Embraced by Magic #1)How to Love Your Elf by Kerrelyn Sparks

Tracy’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Embraced by Magic, #1 * (This is a new series with a new publisher – but it is a continuation of a previous series call The Embraced by a different publisher.)

Release Date: February 25, 2020

Fans of Kerrelyn Sparks original “Embraced” series will be delighted to learn that this new series takes us back to Aerthlan and picks up where that one left off!

Sorcha has sworn off love, she is determined to escape the fate the telling stones predicted and not fall in love, especially not with an elf! She is in Norvshka with her brother King Silas and his new bride Gwennore, when Gwen gets a letter from her mother Princess Jenetta of the Elven country of Woodwyn, requesting to meet her. Sorcha insists on going with her and soon it is clear that the letter was a ruse and they are ambushed. Gwen and Silas escape, but when the dragon shifter Aleksi is injured, he and Sorcha are captured by the Elves.

An outlaw elf known as the Woodsman witnesses the battle and helps them escape, he too is “embraced” and has the power to manipulate wood and can communicate with the trees. He is immediately attracted to Sorcha, but he has a mission to complete and has no time to pursue a romance. He tells her he will get help for Aleksi’s injuries and return her to her family. She is wary of him, but with no options, she agrees to accept his help. She is attracted to him, but as he doesn’t fit the description of the man the stone foretold, she doesn’t believe he is “the one” – but she wishes he was! She is upset when she learns he is an outlaw, but soon realizes he is actually protecting the people of Woodwyn, acting as a sort of Robin Hood. The more time she spends with him, the more she wants him, but he is not her destiny…or is he?

This was a well written, fast paced story with lots of humor, some action, a little magic, new and old villains, secrets, surprising revelations, some steamy love scenes, shifters, elves, dragons, cameos with her adopted sisters, some heartbreak and finally a well-earned HEA complete with an epilogue that sets up Maeve’s story. I really enjoyed this book – it was a fun read that pulls you into the fictional world of Aerthlan and the Embraced. I had so much fun reading this book that I didn’t want the story to end and when I got to the last page it left me anxiously awaiting the next book!

If you like historical paranormal romance (but be warned – the dialogue is decidedly modern) – you must read this series. This is the first book in the Embraced by Magic series published by Kensington Books, but it is not the first book Kerrelyn has written about the sisters – You could read this book as a stand-alone novel, but I suggest looking into this authors backlist.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the Publisher.*

A Duke is Never Enough by Darcy Burke

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

A Duke is Never Enough (The Spitfire Society #2)A Duke is Never Enough by Darcy Burke

Tracy’s rating: 3.5/4 of 5 stars

Series: The Spitfire Society, #2

Release Date: February 25, 2020

Marcus Raleigh, the Marquess of Ripley is no stranger to scandal, an unrepentant rake he doesn’t really care what society thinks of him and his sexual escapades, but when it becomes clear that his cousin is running an investment scam and is cheating people, he will not stand by and let his family name be dragged through the mud. He confronts his cousin in Hyde Park and a physical altercation ensues which leaves him with a cut when his cousin throws a rock at him before running away and if that was not bad enough, the entire scene is witnessed by many members of the ton. Angry that he let his emotions get the better of him, Marcus rides away and finds a secluded place to collect himself and tend his wound. But his solace is interrupted by the arrival of a woman, a woman who tends his wound and flirts, yet will not give him her name. Intrigued by her, he vows to find her, she just laughs and rides away.

Phoebe Lennox is a spinster by choice, she jilted her fiancé at the altar on their wedding day and has reveled in her ruination, thanks to a fortune left to her by her aunt, Phoebe has the means to live as an independent woman. She defies accepted societal protocols and has moved out of her parents home and lives alone. After her experience with her former betrothed, Phoebe has pretty much sworn off men and has no desire to marry. So much to her surprise, her interaction with Marcus in the park sparked something in her – something she thought was long dead – desire. She tells herself that she is better off without a man and especially a man with a reputation like Marcus’ , but even telling herself all this isn’t enough to douse her interest in him, so it is a good thing she didn’t tell him who she is, because nothing good could come from it.

But Marcus is resourceful and finds her by showing his friend Colton a drawing he did of her and learns her name and where she lives. He walks to her neighborhood and by chance spots her entering her house. He surprises her by paying a call and flirting outrageously with her. She is impressed that he found her, but shuts him down when he suggests a kiss. He is not deterred and proposes a wager – that she will ask him for a kiss – if he loses he will donate to her favorite charity. She agrees and is sure she will win. Later Marcus meets with a runner to find his wayward cousin and hopes that he can be found before he scams anyone else. He then turns his attention to planning a masked ball for his friend Graham and his soon-to-be bride, a ball he hopes will give him the opportunity to explore his attraction to Miss Phoebe Lennox.

He and Phoebe embark on a friendship, which transitions to lovers and just when it seems like things might be heading in a more permanent direction and HEA could be in their future, Marcus’ cousin turns up dead and Marcus is the prime suspect. Marcus believes he knows who the killer is and will not fight his arrest to protect them. But Marcus’ misguided attempt to be noble may very well cost him not only his HEA but it could cost his him life!

This was a very well written, fast paced, entertaining story with likeable characters, steamy love scenes and an ending that was more than a little surprising. I loved Marcus, he really is a rake with a heart of gold. I had a harder time warming up to Phoebe’s character, she seemed like a 21st century woman transported back in time to Regency England – I am not picking on Ms. Burke, this kind of characterization is unfortunately is becoming the norm in this genre, sigh. Also I can’t help but wonder – Where’s the Duke?? Overall, I enjoyed the story and I am looking forward to reading Jane’s story!

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me.*