The Viscount at Midnight by Jane Charles

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Historical Paranormal/Fantasy, Paranormal / Fantasy, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's Reviews2 Comments

The Viscount at Midnight (Magic and Mystery Book 3)The Viscount at Midnight by Jane Charles

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Magic and Mystery, #3

Release Date: March 26, 2024

Last season, Lady Antonia Kerrigan had hoped that something would develop between herself and Philip Cardwell, Viscount Chedworth, as he seemed interested in her. But thanks to her “gifts” she mistakenly gave him the impression that she was not interested in him and any hope she had for courtship was dashed. But months later they meet again when they both attend the Witches Ball at Nightshade Manor in Bocka Morrow. Antonia stays at the manor after the other guests depart, hoping to find a spell to veil her gift of empathy, which is so overpowering, she can barely tolerate attending social gatherings. While participating in a magical ceremony during the new moon, Antonia accidently recites part of a spell to turn a man into a wolf, never imagining that it would affect anyone!

Philip, Viscount Chedworth is not magical, but he has Drakos blood and is expected to marry a witch, he thought that Lady Antonia might be the perfect candidate. Hoping to court her, he dances with her at each ball they attend, but she always leaves him standing on the dance floor and disappears, refusing to see him when he calls on her. He finally decides she is not interested in him and stops trying to court her, but his feelings aren’t as easy to turn off and when he sees her again at the manor, he wonders if maybe he was wrong. He follows her into the garden when she meets with the other witches and inadvertently becomes the subject of her partial spell. Now he is changing and seems to have formed a bond with Antonia. Their feelings seem real but what is real and what is magic? Until they reverse spell they won’t know, but unfortunately time is running out.

This was another fun and magical addition to the Magic and Mystery series! I loved this story, Antonia and Philip are both wonderful characters who have a true chemistry and work well together. I enjoyed the magical component to this story, returning to Nightshade manor in Bocka Morrow, revisiting previous characters and the happy ending. I do wish there a bit of steam in the story, but if you have read other books then you know why there isn’t any, more’s the pity. If you enjoy a bit of magic and low steam in your historical romance, this series is for you!

*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.*

A Lark’s Conceit by Lynn Messina

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Historical Mystery, Part of a Series, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

A Lark's Conceit (Verity Lark Mysteries #3)Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Series: A Verity Lark Mystery #3
Publication Date: 2/29/24
Period: Victorian London
Number of Pages: 333

Verity Lark and her many alter egos are in a snit. If you remember, we ended the last book with Colson Hardwicke very boldly pledging to his pursuit of Verity. It seems he carried through on that pledge – until he didn’t. This book begins just a few days after the other one ends – and already Colson is feckless. Or is he? Verity has nothing but his own words to judge by – and those words say he is. First, he cancels their outing – then, he seemingly cancels their relationship. Oh! My! Word! Colson, Colson, Colson, you really should know better.

As Verity lies abed one evening, unable to drift off to sleep, she hears a floorboard creak. With all her senses alert, she lies there in the dark awaiting her attacker. She’s prepared and isn’t fearful, but maybe her attacker should be. She quickly disables the man and takes him captive. Since he won’t tell her anything, she contrives to hold him until she is prepared to follow, then allows him to escape. She follows him to, of all places, the French embassy. What in the world could they want with her?

Verity quickly begins her investigation into her attempted kidnapping only to discover Hardwicke is also investigating the goings-on in the embassy. Do their two cases intersect? Of course, they do. Can Verity relent enough to work with him? Maybe? To some degree anyway – but she will not trust him. Even after he gives his reason, she is unrelenting. Working together to thwart the French won’t be easy, but surely their combined talents will prevail.

So far, I am not a fan of Verity. I understand her horrible beginnings – but her friends had those same beginnings and they aren’t like her. I agree with Hardwicke when he says, “You are being deliberately obtuse and you bloody well know it. You think nothing is beyond your abilities. You think you can overcome any challenge, master any difficulty, solve any problem, find any buggering priest hole in any buggering cellar! You admit no frailties, allow no weaknesses, and are seemingly incapable of asking for help. And your confidence—it is astounding. I am sorry, Verity, but no, you are not as remarkable as you believe you are. Nobody is, for your conceit is beyond anything the human world can contain.” I was delighted to see what I thought could be some character growth for Verity in this book and I am looking forward to getting to know a more open and trusting Verity – if it lasts.

Filled with this author’s signature wit and humor, along with a first-rate mystery, this book will suck you in and not let you go until the last page. I believe there is character growth for Verity and that is a good thing for her because she cannot possibly live a happy life long-term with the kinds of trust issues she has. I enjoyed reading this book and recommend it. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I have. Happy Reading.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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