Category: Tracy’s Reviews

Anything but a Gentleman by Elisa Braden

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Regency Era (1811-1820), Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's Reviews4 Comments

Anything but a Gentleman (Rescued from Ruin Book 8)Anything but a Gentleman by Elisa Braden

Series: Rescued from Ruin, #8

Release Date: December 29, 2017

Tracy’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is hands down one of the best books I have read this year – I LOVED this book! LOVED. IT.

Sebastian Reaver has been an ongoing secondary character for much of the series and we learned more about him in James and Viola’s book – but until you read this book, you do not really know Sebastian Reaver/Elijah Kilbrenner. Sebastian is the no nonsense, gruff, extremely large, ruthless owner of the gaming club “Reaver’s” he is also presumptive heir to James Kilbrenner, Earl of Tannenbrook and the dowager Lady Wallingham’s newest pet project. Both James and Lady W are trying to get Sebastian to accept his fate as heir and get him married and producing children. Sebastian has made it perfectly clear that they can go pound salt. Sebastian is perfectly content with his club, the club is everything to him, it is his passion, his life – if he is feeling a little restless, it will pass and he doesn’t need or want a wife.

Augusta Widmore is on a mission, her beloved sister’s betrothed has lost his fortune at Reaver’s and has cried off marrying Phoebe – this is unacceptable to Augusta and she will do anything to get him to the altar – even make a deal with the devil. Augusta is one of the best heroines I have read in a really long time. She is tenacious, persistence, managing , very amusing and has a soft heart. She sneaks into Reaver’s and attempts to get Glassington’s markers – she is planning on using them as leverage to blackmail him into marrying her sister. She makes it to Sebastian’s office – but he won’t listen to her and bodily removes her from the club. Days later she returns, disguised as a maid and again makes her way to Sebastian’s office. Sebastian is secretly thrilled that she has returned and this time he lets her state her case. She doesn’t want Sebastian to forgive the debt – she just wants to use them to force his hand – she doesn’t mention that she is not interested in marrying Glassington or that her sister is pregnant. Sebastian assumes the Augusta wants to marry Glassington and therefore makes an outrageous offer – be his mistress for 6 weeks and he will let her have the markers. He is bluffing, but assumes that she will go running at the prospect of being his mistress. He would be wrong. Augusta agrees and they haggle over the details – she will move into his house and he will furnish her with a new wardrobe. At the end of 6 weeks, he will give her the markers. A very stunned Sebastian agrees and then tries to bluff again – but Augusta neatly sidesteps him – again.

She returns to her lodging and tells her sister what has transpired – Phoebe is shocked and begs her to reconsider. But Augusta is determined to see Phoebe safely wed and won’t be swayed. When she leaves the lodging house, she is approached by Ash, the boy she used to help her get into Reaver’s – he has attached himself to her and wants to go with her to Sebastian’s house. At first she tells him no, but when she sees how thin he is, her soft heart gets the better of her and she agrees.

They arrive at Sebastian’s house and she is shocked to find it barely furnished and without a staff. When Sebastian arrives, she makes new demands and they haggle again. Sebastian is fascinated by her and she is more than a little intrigued by him. The chemistry between them is undeniable and the tension between them sizzles. Sebastian shows her the house and then returns to the club. He never planned to really have her be his mistress or live at his house – but she called his bluff and he couldn’t back down. So he will just have to stay away from her…

When he arrives back at the club, he learns from his partner Shaw that Augusta’s sister is there – she came to confront Sebastian, but became ill and Shaw put her in one of the rooms and called for a doctor. As first she refuses to see the doctor, but agrees when she learns he will not tell anyone about her condition. Sebastian brings Augusta to visit Phoebe, Augusta assures Phoebe that everything will be fine and then returns to Sebastian’s office. They share a passionate kiss and then he takes her shopping for furniture for his house. They are both dazed by the kiss and they both want more – but Sebastian still thinks Augusta is trying to marry Glassington. He decides that he wants Augusta for himself and asks his secretary and James for advice on how to woo her.

Augusta wants Sebastian and begins to plot how she can marry him. She also receives a visit from James, Viola and Lady Wallingham – at first she is ashamed, but they treat her with kindness and respect (well James and Viola do) and she puts Lady W in her place when the woman is less than complementary about Sebastian. Augusta sees the resemblance between James and Sebastian and assumes that Sebastian is a by-blow – but she doesn’t care – she loves him and wants him.

The two become closer and Sebastian learns more about her past and wants nothing more than to protect her. His attempts at wooing are extremely amusing and Augusta is charmed. Sebastian tells her that they will be attending a dinner party and at first Augusta refuses, but finally relents. At the party, Augusta learns the truth about Sebastian and she has her chance to confront Glassington. Upset by the encounter, she asks Sebastian to take her home. When they arrive home, Sebastian learns the truth about Augusta and Glassington from Shaw and sees the opportunity to force Augusta’s hand.

He tells her that he will make Glassington marry Phoebe, if Augusta marries him – tomorrow. They negotiate and Augusta agrees. They marry and finally make love and Sebastian knows that he loves her. It seems like these two will ease right into their HEA, but nothing in HR is that easy!

They will have to deal with a kidnapping, injuries, a sister bent on doing the right thing, a runaway and more advice from Lady Wallingham before they can settle into marital bliss. This book is almost unputdownable, it is well written, flows perfectly, has amusing moments, serious moments, a little heartache, steamy love scenes, great secondary characters as well as a secondary romance and a very satisfying HEA. It is the eighth book in the series, and it really could be read as a stand alone title with no problems, but for the best reading experience, I would recommend reading the series in order.

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

When You Love a Scotsman by Hannah Howell

On By TracyIn American Historical, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

When You Love a Scotsman (Seven Brides for Seven Scotsmen #2)When You Love a Scotsman by Hannah Howell

Series: Seven Brides for Seven Scotsmen, #2

Release Date: December 26, 2017

Tracy’s rating: 3.5/4 of 5 stars

I liked this book, but I didn’t love it and I probably wouldn’t read it again.

The story opens with Matthew MacEnroy and his men staking shelter from Rebel forces at a farmhouse. The house is the home of Abigail Jenson and her parents. When the Rebels arrive, Abbie races inside to warn her mother and father.

Weeks earlier her family was attacked, her brother was “pressed” into service, her father beaten and her mother violated, Abbie was spared because she had hidden. Her father is near death and her mother is mentally unstable. When she enters the house, Matt and his men are there, but she soon realizes that they are going to help her. Abbie tries to warn her mother, but the woman will not listen. Abbie is a crack shot and impresses Matt with her ability. When one of his men is wounded, she cares for him, but is not able to save her parents. The Rebels set the house afire and there is nothing Abbie can do to save them or her home.

Matt offers to take her to the town where his company is stationed and will no other options, Abbie agrees. When they arrive at the town, Abbie is taken to the “Benton House” which houses various war widows and orphans. Abbie settles in and even begins to assist the doctor. She and Matt do not have a lot of interaction at this point in the book – but they are both attracted to the other. This part of the book focuses more on Abbie’s relationship with the women and children in the house, especially her roommate Julia. Julia is in love with Robert, one of the soldiers stationed at the camp and they plan to marry. When it becomes obvious that Julia is expecting a child, Abbie tells her she must marry now. Robert and Julia marry and then tragedy strikes.

Matt and Abbie have been spending time together, Matt knows he is interested in her, but is not sure if he is ready to marry or if what he feels for her is more than lust. When they are alone, the passion between them is undeniable, and they become intimate but they are constantly interrupted. When they slip away together a few days after the wedding, they spot a band of men sneaking up the river. They rush back to town to warn the others and then a battle ensues, in which Robert is mortally wounded. Julia is brought to his side and is inconsolable when he dies. Her grief is consuming and causes her to go into labor. When her son is born, Abbie hopes it will be enough to drag her out of her grief – but it isn’t and when the town is attacked again, Abbie finds Julia near death on her husband’s grave. She takes Julia home and goes for the doctor. At the medical tent, she asks the doctor to check on Julia and then learns that Matt has been wounded. She tends Matt while the doctor takes care of Julia. Sadly, Julia is dying and she begs Abbie to take care of her son. Abbie agrees and when Julia passes, she has her buried next to her beloved Robert.

Soon after, the company of soldiers is commanded to move south, Matt is told to go home, his commission is almost up and Abbie is recruited to take him home. There is a heart wrenching moment when Abbie must say goodbye to Noah, one of the orphaned children. She promises she will come back for him, but with no home or husband and a newborn baby, she is not able to take him at this moment. Noah is upset and refuses to see her off.

They journey back to Matt’s family and he again wonders what his intentions towards Abbie are and she wonders as well. They are attacked by marauders but manage to reach his home unscathed.

Matt’s family welcomes Abbie with open arms and they too question Matt’s intentions. Matt and Abbie are perfect for one another, but Matt can’t seem to decide what he feels for her.

The book was good, but it was a little boring and repetitious. There is no real conflict and nothing keeping Abbie and Matt apart, except Matt’s inability to decide what he wants to do with her. I honestly was not very happy with him, he took her virginity and took no precautions to keep her from getting pregnant, but didn’t plan to marry her – it seemed dishonorable to me. The story drags a bit due to the lack of conflict and Matt’s indecision becomes a little tiresome. But the secondary characters were good and the love scenes were steamy, there are a couple of heart breaking moments and a few surprises as well as a lovely reunion scene for Abbie. All in all not a bad book, but I had hoped for more.

This is the second book in the series, but it could easily be read as a stand alone title.

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