Category: Tracy’s Reviews

The Designs of Lord Randolph Cavanaugh by Stephanie Laurens

On By TracyIn Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)2 Comments

The Designs of Lord Randolph Cavanaugh (The Cavanaughs, #1)The Designs of Lord Randolph Cavanaugh by Stephanie Laurens
Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Cavanaughs, #1

Release Date: April 24, 2018

Lord Randolph Cavanaugh aka Rand, the younger half-brother of Ryder Cavanaugh, Marquess of Raventhorne has carved out a life for himself as an investor. He is currently on his way to see William Throgmorton, an inventor with a project due in less than a month, whom he has not heard from in months. Throgmorton’s invention is the Throgmorton Steam-Powered Horseless Carriage. As the exhibition at Birmingham is going to be attended by Prince Albert, Rand wants to make sure the project is on schedule and ready for presentation – he has a lot invested in this venture and will do whatever is necessary to ensure Throgmorton’s success.

He arrives at Throgmorton Hall just as a loud explosion sounds, followed by the members of the house filing out and smoke escaping the opened door. He immediately offers his assistance to an older woman coming down the stairs, he settles the woman and then sees a young man being led from the house by an enraged young woman. A woman that makes Rand look twice…

Miss Felicia Throgmorton is not a fan of inventors, she has seen the carnage their obsession can produce and wants no part of it! When the explosion shakes the house, she immediately gets her staff and Cousin Flora out and then gets her brother, William John out. On the lawn she notices a stranger – a very handsome stranger with Flora. The man introduces himself and she sees her brother go pale. Rand asks to speak to their father and learns that he passed away months ago.

Concerned about his investment, Rand decides to stay for a few days and work with William John. He is attracted to Felicia, but has no time for a romance, this project is and will remain his first priority. But that doesn’t stop him from getting to know her a bit better. For her part, Felicia is shocked and angered by her brother’s deceit regarding the funds he received for the invention – Felicia now realized how imperative it is that the engine is a success. She grudgingly offers her assistance and is soon pulled into the thrill of the invention process.

But there are those that are not as excited at the prospect of Throgmorton’s success, who will do whatever is necessary to see the engine fail. Rand and Felicia will grow closer as they work together with her brother and each other to ensure the engine is ready for the exhibit and to thwart any attempts at sabotage. Along the way, they will find a love that neither was looking for, but soon realize has been exactly what was missing in their lives.

This book is classic Stephanie Laurens, it has all her signature elements, a strong, intelligent hero paired with an equally intelligent heroine, steamish love scenes, a dash of danger, a bit of intrigue, a soulmate type bond, a twist that changes everything and a wonderful cast of secondary characters. The book is a little wordy, but I kept turning pages to see what was going to happen next! I was fascinated by the invention process and I actually felt a little sorry for the villain. The epilogue perfectly set up the next book in the series without taking anything away from Felicia and Rand.

I happily recommend this book and am looking forward to Kit’s story!

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

Betting the Scot by Jennifer Trethewey

On By TracyIn Regency Era (1811-1820), Scottish/Highlander, Tracy's Reviews5 Comments

Betting the Scot (The Highlanders of Balforss)Betting the Scot by Jennifer Trethewey
Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Highlanders of Balforss

Release Date: April 23, 2018

I really enjoyed this book, Declan Sinclair is one of the sweetest heroes I have read in a really long time – I just loved him! Caya was a good heroine, but I really questioned her intelligence on more than one occasion.

Declan has dreams that predict future events, so when he had a dream of a woman in a field of daisies, he knew she was the woman he would marry. He has been preparing to meet her for the last three years. He has started a distillery so he can support her, built a house for them to live in and has kept himself for her. When in Wick to pick up a tub for his then unknown wives boudoir – he sees her and instantly knows that she is his. He wonders how he will be able to meet her and her brother, Jack solves that problem. He joins Declan and his cousins after Caya retires for the night – Jack figures the Scots are easy pickings and proposes a game of cards – he loses everything and in desperation, he wagers Caya hand in marriage and loses to Declan.

Caya is in Wick with her brother to marry, her brother was deep in debt and arranged a match for her with a wealthy ship captain. Mr. O’Malley will pay off Jack’s debts in exchange for marriage to Caya. She is not happy, but she can’t bear to see Jack thrown in debtors prison, so she agrees. Caya has always taken care of Jack and cleaned up his messes, so this act is nothing new to her and he has promised that he is done with gambling. So she is surprised the next morning to be woken by Jack and told they have to leave the inn. When the go outside, she learns the awful truth, her brother lost her in a card game. Hurt and angry, she leave with Declan – he gave her the choice, he will marry her or if she wants, she can stay with her brother. She chooses Declan.

They travel to Balforss, where Declan’s uncle is Laird. Laird John refuses to let them marry or even court, until he feels enough time has passed. Declan is not happy, but he abides by his uncles wishes. The Sinclairs take Caya in and for the first time in many years, she feels loved, safe and part of a family. She wants to marry Declan, but will not go against Laird John’s decree. She is still smarting over her brother’s betrayal and needs time to heal. She settles in to life at Balforss and it seems like Declan and she are on a fast track to HEA – but what fun would that be?

The book is well written, but there are some glaring historical errors, which are needed to make the plot work, but were just really, really annoying to me. The story moves right along and has more than one twist, really vile villains, jealousy, misunderstandings, pirates, whiskey, accusations of witchcraft, cameos with Alex, Magnus & Lucy, more than one laugh out loud scene, a couple of warmish love scenes, kidnapping, heartbreak and a bit of betrayal before Declan can claim Caya as his own.

This is the second book in the series, but it could be read as a stand alone title with no problems, I actually liked this book better than the first book and I am really looking forward to Magnus’ story!

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