Category: Tracy’s Reviews

The Highlander’s Mysterious Maiden by Nicole Locke

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

The Highlander's Mysterious Maiden (Lovers and Highlanders, #3)The Highlander’s Mysterious Maiden by Nicole Locke

Tracy’s Rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

Series: Lovers and Highlanders, #3

Release Date: August 26, 2025

Life has not been easy for Barabal of Clan Colquhoun, her parents died when she was only 5 and she was separated from her brothers and sent to live with her mother’s family. She lived with them for a few years, but when things got hard for the family, she was sent to another family, but after an uncomfortable encounter, she leaves in the middle of the night. For years she has been moving from clan to clan, trying hard to be useful, but never seems to fit in. She arrives at Clan Graham during the Beltane celebration, upset that she didn’t arrive earlier to help with the celebration, thus missing a chance to prove her worth. But when she sees what she believes to be a woman being kidnapped, she is shocked that no one is helping and sets her sites on a man standing away from the others. She is stunned when the man doesn’t seem concerned about the kidnapped woman and seems more interested in kissing! When she declines his kiss, he walks away and appears to find another woman. Barabal is stunned and wonders if she will find a home here or if she should just move on.

Seoc of Clan Graham has been out of sorts since recovering from a grave injury he suffered during the battle of Dunbar. Seoc is crippled by guilt, blaming himself for the death of the clan’s Laird and the capture of the Laird’s son. He has healed from his injuries and has resumed his duties, including brewing mead, but can’t seem to find a way out of the numbing darkness that has been gripping him since the battle. When Barabal walks up to him, he is shocked by his reaction, she makes him feel! She insults his mead, refuses his kiss and berates him for ignoring Anna’s “kidnapping”. He knows immediately that he must keep this woman in his life, but that will be easier said than done, as Barabal seems bent on ignoring him.

I have mixed feelings about this book, on one hand, I thought the writing was wonderful and filled with emotion, but on the other hand, Barabal was one of the most unlikable characters I have ever read. I tried to empathize with her struggles and the fact that she was alone in the world, but OMG – she is abrasive, a complete know it all, and insulting (albeit unintentionally). I understood her need to be useful and that her trust issues that caused her to act as she did, but I was expecting to see her slowly change and grow on me – unfortunately, she didn’t. Overall, it was an emotionally charged read, with some very likable characters, a bit of spice, a curvy heroine, reunions, heartache, healing, acceptance and a touching HEA. This is the third book in the series, and I would recommend reading the series in order.

*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. *

The Secret Book Society by Madeline Martin

On By TracyIn Historical Fiction, Standalone Title, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901), Women's FictionLeave a comment

The Secret Book SocietyThe Secret Book Society by Madeline Martin

Tracy’s Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: N/A

Release Date: August 26, 2025

After surviving three abusive marriages and unbelievable heartbreak, Clara Chambers, the Countess of Duxbury is finally free. Widowed and wealthy, Clara is determined to save other women from suffering as she has, to that end, she selects four women from society and invites them to join her for tea, all save one accept. She then offers the women use of her extensive library, as well as her support and guidance facing the struggles of being a woman in Victorian England. Clara gently guides each lady, taking special notice of Eleanor Clarke, the wife of a self-made man who married her for her social status. She makes book suggestions to each woman but offers Eleanor a glimpse into her own life by encouraging her to read her personal journals. And so, begins the Secret Book Society…

The members of the Secret Book Society are Eleanor Clarke who is married to Cecil Clarke, a controlling, dominating man, who saved her family from financial ruin, a fact he doesn’t let her forget. He controls every aspect of her life and even limits the time she is allowed to spend with their son. Rose Wharton is an American heiress who married Theodore Wharton, the second son of an earl in a love match, but since learning Theodore’s elder brother the Earl is dying and Theodore is his heir, their marriage has suffered as the Earl doesn’t believe Rose is a proper lady, leaving Rose wondering if her marriage can survive. The final member is Lady Lavinia Cavendish, who accepted the invitation in her mother’s place, Lavinia’s father has banned her from reading, believing that it will encourage her capricious nature and lead to the same madness that her grandmother suffered. Together these women will forge a friendship so strong, that it will ultimately help them save one of their own.

With this book, Madeline Martin has crafted an emotional story of friendship, empowerment and healing. Until they met at Lady Duxbury’s home, each woman in this story is at a crossroads in her life and facing it alone, but thanks to the secret book society, they have each other to lift them up and support them through the challenges they face, and woven within their story is Clara’s tale of heartbreak and loss, which gives readers a powerful and insightful look into the life of a woman in the male dominated Victorian era. I loved this book, not only does it make me proud to see how far women have come but reminds me of the power women have to lift up and support each other through the inequalities we still face today. Before you start this book, I highly recommend grabbing a beverage, a box of tissues and comfy chair, because once you start reading, you aren’t going to want to stop until the last page!

*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. *