Category: Tracy’s Reviews

A Match Made in Bed by Cathy Maxwell

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

A Match Made in Bed (Spinster Heiresses, #2)A Match Made in Bed by Cathy Maxwell
Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Spinster Heiresses, #2

Release Date: April 17, 2018

When this book starts Cassandra Holwell, one of the Spinster Heiresses, is still intent on marrying the Duke of Camberly, but Soren York, the Earl of Dewberry has other ideas and with the help of the Duke and his grandmother, he sets out to win his heiress.

Cass has known Soren for years, they grew up together in Cornwall and their families are well known enemies. She has her own reasons for avoiding Soren, she knows he needs money, but she is not going to be the one who gives it to him! When he finally corners her and they talk, she begins to rethink her reasons for avoiding him, she likes Soren, but she can’t marry him, her father would never allow it and she is still sure the duke is “the one”. But later when she catches the duke in a compromising situation, she radically revises her opinion of him and isn’t sure what she will do. But fate has decided for her, when while trying to evade other houseguests on the way back to her room, she enters Soren’s room and is caught with a very naked Soren. He proposes and her father has a fit, threatening to disown her. She tells Soren she can’t decide now and runs after her father.

Her father tells her she did the right thing by refusing Soren, she is ruined, but her family will not desert her, she can go back to Cornwall and live a quiet life of a spinster. Cass is not happy with this option, she wants to stay in London and hopes to never return to Cornwall. So when she learns that Soren is fighting a duel to preserve her honor, she decides he is the lesser of two evils and agrees to marry him, much to her father’s disgust.

They marry and she is sure she has made the right choice, she begins to envision her future and the fruition of all her dreams coming true. But the road to HEA seems impassable for them when some startling truths are revealed and the detour leads them to Cornwall.

I really liked this book, but there were a few things that just didn’t sit right with me, I couldn’t believe that her father was the only one with a copy of her grandfather’s will and I think Soren should have been upfront with her about his first marriage before he married her. I did enjoy seeing Cass transform from pampered princess to a true helpmate, I also commiserated with her feelings about his first wife and I didn’t feel like Soren did anything to dispel her insecurities – (But, Ms. Maxwell’s author note at the end made me feel a lot better and is the reason I decided on a four star rating vs a three star rating). I loved Soren, he was an almost perfect hero and I love how he treated Cass, his patience, understanding and positive attitude were a refreshing change from the typical HR hero. I loved that these two actually TALKED! I am not sure how I feel about Camberly, I liked him in the first book, but thought he was a bit of twit in this one and I feel sorry for Willa! I also felt like the ending of this story was just a little too quick and tied up a bit too neatly. But the book was well written, flowed nicely, had a lot of twists and turns, steamy love scenes, some shocking secrets and a villain that got off way to easy.

This is the second book in the series, but it could easily be read as a stand alone title. I am happy to recommend the book and am very interested in finding out if Ms. Maxwell can change my opinion of Camberly yet again.

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

The Knight’s Scarred Maiden by Nicole Locke

On By TracyIn Middle Ages / Medieval (476-1454), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The Knight's Scarred Maiden (Lovers and Legends)The Knight’s Scarred Maiden by Nicole Locke
Tracy’s rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Series: Lovers and Legends, #5

Release Date: August 1, 2017

Helissent is the sole survivor of a fire that killed her entire family, an event that left her scarred, both inside and out. She was taken in by the local innkeepers and after she healed, she worked hard to pay back their kindness, first at the inn and then later as their caregiver until they passed away. Now their son Rudd has come to claim his inheritance and considers Helissent part of his due.

Rhain of Gwalchdu has secrets, five years ago he learned everything he believed about his life was a lie, he left his home and became a mercenary, traveling and looking for answers. But after a moment of recklessness in which he killed Guy of Warstone, he is on the run for his life. Because now, Guy’s brother Reynold is hunting him and he knows his time is almost up. He wants to save his men from Reynold and is making his way to King Edward’s camp outside York, he will leave his men there and then deal with Reynold. Taking the road less traveled, he comes upon Helissent’s village and stays longer than he should – because of his fascination with her.

When he and his friend Nicholas save Helissent from Rudd’s plans for her, he unknowingly sparks something to life in her. She decides to leave the village and will start a new life in York. So when she shows up at his camp the next morning with honey cakes and all her possessions, Rhain grudgingly agrees to take her with them.

Helissent is surprised by the treatment she receives, the men do not ignore her, nor do they treat her differently because of her scars. For so long she has used her scars for penance, she lets people look at her in horror, she believes she deserves this for failing to save her family. But Rhain refuses to let her be shamed. He cares for her but knows nothing can come of it, as he will soon be dead. But he desperately wants to help her. They travel to Tickhill castle, where he shares some of his past with her and she with him. He agreed to take her to York, but he needs to keep her safe from Reynold and tries to leave her at Tickhill castle, but she refuses to stay and he is unable to say no to her.

The threat of Reynold looms and when then reach York, he becomes almost frantic wanting to ensure Helissent is not harmed by Reynold. He tries to keep his distance from her, but they are drawn to each other and when they share a kiss, Helissent knows her heart is lost to him. Rhain berates himself for giving into his desire for her, he knows he needs to stay away, but he can’t let her go thinking her scars are the reason for his withdrawal. He finds her and they share a moment of passion, but afterwards, he is cruel and tries to sever their bond, he is not worthy of her and with Reynold so close, he will do anything, even hurt her feelings, if it means he can keep her safe.

But Helissent is not willing to be cast aside and she will save the man she loves, from Reynold and from himself.

I thought this was a very sweet story of healing, forgiveness and learning to move on from ones past. The writing was very good and the story moves quickly. However, I felt like there were a lot of unanswered questions and the ending was a bit anti-climatic. I really would have enjoyed an epilogue set a few years later that perhaps wrapped up the loose ends. But overall, this was a good read with wonderfully flawed characters, great secondary characters, very mild love scenes, a few too many baking references and a lovely declaration scene.