Category: Tracy’s Reviews

Maggie and the Pirate’s Son by Rose Prendeville

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Part of a Series, Scottish/Highlander, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Maggie and the Pirate’s Son (Brides of Chattan #3)Maggie and the Pirate’s Son by Rose Prendeville

Tracy’s Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Brides of Chattan, #3

Release Date: July 30, 2024

When Maggie Budge nee Mackintosh learns that her father has chosen another husband for her, now that her year of mourning is over, Maggie decides that one husband was more than enough and bolts. She stows away on a ship in the harbor and plans to start a new life, wherever the ship takes her. But things go bad quickly as she is seasick and severely dehydrated when she is found by Sebastian “Bash” MacLeod, the captain’s son and boatswain/sailing master of the Pirate ship, Auldfarrand’s Revenge. Bash hides her in plain sight and plans to send her back to Scotland as soon as they make landfall, but until they do, Maggie is introduced to the crew as a young boy, Magnus and has her act as his cabin boy. Maggie actually takes well to life on the sea, and soon finds herself falling hard for Sebastian. But there are things she doesn’t know and when the captain’s quest to find his lost treasure almost costs Bash his life, Maggie wants nothing more than to return home, with Bash by her side. Unfortunately, Bash is practically a prisoner on the ship and doesn’t believe he is worthy of Maggie’s love. What will it take for these two to find their HEA?

Born to a Jamaican woman who sadly passed away not long after arriving in Scotland to find Bash’s father, he spent the first nine years of his life being passed from family to family until his father, Cornelius “Mad” MacLeod takes him on his ship and refuses to let him leave. When he meets Maggie it is practically love at first sight for him. He will do anything to protect her, including taking a beating for her and saving her from the other crew members, by letting them think what they will about him. He would love nothing more than to leave the ship and start a life with her, but with his crazy father on a quest for his lost gold and a navy captain hot on their heels, happy ever after seems impossible. Even if he could leave the ship, he has nothing to offer her and that will never do! It will take a miracle to give him the life he has always dreamed of with Maggie, and Bash has never been that lucky. When all seems lost, a miracle comes in the most amazing way possible, proving sometimes good things happen to good people!

This was a very good story with incredibly likable characters, Sebastian especially. This is not your typical HR read, but it is a very good read nonetheless. I did think the story lagged in places, but overall, it held my attention and really drew me into the story. The book has secrets, danger, great secondary characters, buried treasure, pirates, steamyish love scenes (with a virgin hero!), friendships, life or death moments, reunions, and finally a very sweet ending complete with an epilogue featuring cameos from characters from the previous books. I would happily recommend this book to HR readers, especially those who like a good pirate story!

4.5 stars, rounded up.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own. *

The Wallflower Wager by Lana Williams

On By TracyIn Author Collaboration Series, Book Publicity, Novella, Part of a Series, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

The Wallflower Wager (Revenge of the Wallflowers, #20)The Wallflower Wager by Lana Williams

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Revenge of the Wallflowers, #20  & The Mayfair Literary League

Release Date: July 16, 2024

Wallflower Lady Prudence “Prue” Davies is no stranger to rogues, so when one literally falls at her feet, she knows better than to be charmed by a handsome face. But Silas Hayward, Viscount Windstead, seems different and he clearly loves his grandmother, so maybe she is wrong about him! But that illusion is shattered when she learns he is taking part in the “Wallflower Wager”, a bet made between rogues, the winner will be the first man to dance with 12 different wallflowers at 12 different balls. With her mind set, Prue sets out to unite the wallflowers and teach the rogues a lesson, but that was before she fell for Silas and realizes their only chance of being together would be if he wins. Can she have it all? Or will she have to choose between love and honor?

Silas Hayward, Viscount Windstead, needs money to save his family from financial ruin and his options for gaining that money are limited. He has an idea for a windmill design that he is sure could be successful, but he needs money to make a prototype – thus his participation in the wager. If that fails, he will have to marry an heiress and put his dreams and his heart on the back burner in order to help his family. He had all but resigned himself to a loveless marriage when he meets Prue and is smitten. But when his best chance at an investor is shot down, he realizes how much he cares about Prue and decides it is better to cut ties with her and do his duty. Even if it breaks his heart, but as any romance reader knows, love will find a way and Silas just has to trust his heart but is that a risk he is willing to take?

This was a very sweet novella with ties to the Mayfair Literary League. I really like Prue and Silas; they are both extremely likable and I love how they encouraged and boosted each other. Their road to HEA isn’t easy, but they are clearly “meant to be” and you can’t help but root for them. This book is the twentieth (yes, 20th) book in the Revenge of the Wallflowers series and can easily be read as a standalone title. I really liked this book and would happily recommend it to historical romance readers.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own. *