Category: Tracy’s Reviews

The Claiming of the Shrew by Shana Galen

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's Reviews1 Comment

The Claiming of the Shrew (The Survivors, #5)The Claiming of the Shrew by Shana Galen
Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Survivors, #5

Release Date: April 16, 2019

Lt. Colonel Benedict Draven has been introduced to readers as the stoic, serious and dedicated to King and Country leader of the “Survivors” – but at the end of the last book, readers got a shock when they learned the seemingly “confirmed bachelor” was married!!

Draven met Catarina Neves five years ago in Portugal, where he was on campaign. She enters his tent and holds him at gun point – demanding a husband. He disarms her, refuses to marry her and sends her on her way. But Cat is desperate to escape an unwanted match and refuses to give up her idea to marry. When days later, Draven catches her trying to lure one of his men out of the camp, he intervenes. He takes her back to his tent to talk and then learns why she needs to marry – in a spur of the moment decision, he agrees to wed her – knowing the marriage won’t be considered legal in England. They marry, share a kiss and part – neither truly expecting to see the other again.

Five years later – Cat shocks Draven by showing up unannounced at his home, she completely misinterprets the scene and leaves in a rage – Draven follows her and she agrees to meet with him the next day. She wants an annulment of their marriage so she can remarry. Draven refuses and says they should spend time together before they decide if they should annul.

Cat needs the annulment, not because she truly wishes to remarry, but because she is being blackmailed by Juan Carlos – a rival lace-maker in Barcelona. Cat has come a long way in the last five years, she left home with her younger sister Ines and became a renown lace-maker, leaving Portugal and settling in Spain. Juan Carlos had tried for years to buy her business, but she steadfastly refused, but when he witnesses her saving herself from a rapist, he helps her cover up the incident and then demands that she marry his son and give him control of her business. Cat feels she has no choice, but Draven isn’t cooperating and soon learns the truth. He vows to help her and when the threat of Juan Carlos is done, they can decide how to proceed with their “marriage”.

Draven is and always has been attracted to Cat, but he is surprisingly insecure regarding his age, he is much older than Cat (almost 20 years) and is sure that she wouldn’t want to shackle herself to an old man. But the more time he spends with her, the more he wants and he is not sure he can let her go. For her part, Cat is grateful to Draven and his age doesn’t concern her, she is attracted to him and wants him, but she is not willing to forfeit her freedom to be with him – or any man. But the more time she spends with him, she begins to wonder if with Draven she can have it all.

This was a wonderful May-December romance, with lots of cameos from previous (and dare I hope, future) “Survivors”, featuring a feisty heroine, a swoon-worthy hero, a really nasty villain, a bit of action, some steamy love scenes, a cat that you will not soon forget and a delightful HEA! The only reason I didn’t give the book 5 stars is because I felt that Draven’s obsession about his age got to be a bit repetitive, thankfully, he finally gets over it, but not before I got tired of hearing about it. This book is the fifth book in the series, but I believe it can be read as a stand alone title with no problems.

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

The Earl’s Runaway Governess by Catherine Tinley #BlogTour

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

The Earl's Runaway Governess

Who knew living with an earl…

…would lead to such temptation?

Marianne Grant’s new identity as a governess is meant to keep her safe. But then she meets her new employer, Ash, Earl of Kingswood, and she immediately knows his handsome good looks are a danger of their own! Brusque on first meeting, Ash quickly shows his compassionate side. Yet Marianne doesn’t dare reveal the truth! Unless Ash really could be the safe haven she’s been looking for…

The Earl's Runaway Governess Cover 05241A37230A4F84B9FF2A8CF263EC8E

Purchase Link

The Earl's Runaway Governess Tinley 6 dog
Author Bio:

Catherine Tinley writes witty, heartwarming Regency love stories for Harlequin Mills & Boon. She has loved reading and writing since childhood, and has a particular fondness for love, romance, and happy endings.

After a career encompassing speech & language therapy, NHS management, maternity campaigning and being President of a charity, she now works in Sure Start. She lives in Ireland with her husband, children, and dog.

Connect with Catherine:

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

Giveaway:

Three winners will each receive a signed copy of The Earl’s Runaway Governess, plus a mystery book by another romance writer. (Open INT)
2 x UK winners and 1 x International Winner
*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then I reserve the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time I will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.
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Tracy’s Review:

The Earl's Runaway Governess (Mills & Boon Historical)The Earl’s Runaway Governess by Catherine Tinley

Tracy’s rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Series: Stand-Alone Title

Release Date: March 19, 2019

When Marianne Grant’s parents die and name her stepbrother Henry as her guardian, her pampered and sheltered life comes to a swift end. She endures Henry’s wild parties and his lewd friends, but when he goes to far, and she fears for her life, she runs away. With the help of her housekeeper, she finds a position as a governess and sets out on her own for the first time in her life.

William Ashington “Ash” is now the Earl of Kingswood, a title he never expected or wanted. He had a falling out years ago with his cousin – over a woman – who is now the widowed Countess. Ash is happy with his carefree life in London and has no desire for responsibilities the earldom demands, nor does he want to see Fanny, his cousin’s widow and the woman he stupidly thought himself in love with. But he soon learns that what he wants and what will happen are two different things – his cousin left him the estate and guardianship of his daughter. He soon learns that the estate fell into disrepair and financial woes while John was ill. Reluctantly, he makes plans to settle affairs in London and return to the estate – but just until things are under control!

Marianne and Ash meet at an inn near the estate and he gives her a ride to the house – she introduces herself as Anne Bolton, the new governess – her welcome at the house is not what she expected and she thinks she has lost the position before she even starts! But Ash quickly takes control and Marianne’s true sweet nature eases tensions.

As the weeks pass, Ash finds himself captivated by “Anne” and when an impromptu visit to London reawakes old fears, Ash comforts her and the two share a kiss. But things are far from easy for these two – especially when Marianne’s brother finds her. Can Marianne trust Ash with her secrets? Will Ash believe Henry’s lies and let his anger cause the woman he has come to love, slip away forever?

This is a fast paced story that delivers a “sweet” love story chocked full of lies, secrets, misunderstandings and finally a hard won HEA. Marianne is very likable, yet at times she has TSTL moments. Ash is a little harder to warm up to and seems to have an anger problem – but in the end he does seem to get it under control. The only love scene in the book consists of a single kiss, so if you are looking for a book without steam, but delivers an interesting story – look no further – this is that book.

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

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