Message from a Lady by Jane Charles

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Novella, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Message from a LadyMessage from a Lady by Jane Charles

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Spirited Storms, #6

Release Date: 02/14/23 – Previously released in the “Sunflower Season” Anthology

Lady Johanna Knight has loved Peter Storm for some time, but despite her encouragement, he refuses to court her, knowing as the fourth son of an earl, her father and grandfather would never consider him worthy of her hand. When her grandfather threatens to ship her off the country and arrange a marriage for her if she doesn’t stop associating with Peter, she is determined to get him to elope with her. But to her dismay, Peter’s friend and the man her grandfather wants her to marry, the Duke of Eldridge begins to take notice of her. He assures her that he had no desire to marry, and is just trying to help Peter spend time with her.

Peter loves Johanna but he knows even if her family would approve, he doesn’t feel that he could give her the type of life she deserves. When his great-uncle intervenes and offers to help him, Peter refuses his help, feeling that if he can’t marry her on his own merit, he doesn’t deserve her. When he sees how well Eldridge and Johanna are getting along, he is jealous and decides it might be time for him to leave London. He is still pondering that idea when he learns that Johanna is missing. He is frantic to find her and realizes that he was a fool – but did he wait too long?

This was a very well-written, nicely-paced novella with characters that have enough backstory to make their romance believable. The book has a lot going on for such a short story, there will be longing, friends running interference, carrier pigeons, unreasonable relatives, abduction, The Duke of Danby, and one toe-curling kiss, all before these two find their way to HEA. The book is a sweet, low-steam read that features a bit of a beta hero, in a sort of forbidden love mixed with a friends-to-lovers trope that ends with HEA and even offers an epilogue. This is the sixth book in the series, but can easily be read as a standalone title. This novella was originally part of the Sunflower Season charity anthology which is no longer available, and it should be noted that this edition has been revamped and expanded from the previously published novella. Overall, I found this story a delightful quick read and would be happy to recommend it.

*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 Deadly Match by Matthew Costello

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, George V - 1910- 1936, Historical Mystery, Interwar Period (Nov 1918 - Sep 1939), Part of a Series2 Comments

A Deadly Match (Mydworth Mysteries #13)

Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 Stars
Series: Mydworth Mysteries #13
Publication Date: 1/30/23
Period: Interwar – 1930s – Mydworth, England
Number of Pages: 140

I always jump for joy when each new book releases, and then slump forlornly when the read is over because I then have to wait for the next release. This series is consistently well-written with wonderful characters and exciting mysteries. I have loved each book in the series, and this is certainly no exception to that. Kat and Sir Harry are made for each other and, as former spies during the war, they are uniquely qualified to solve all of the intrigues that come their way.

Kat and Harry are participating in a tournament at the tennis club when they are approached by a timid woman whose husband browbeats her all the time. She tells them she doesn’t believe the recent accident that took the life of the tennis pro was actually an accident. While the accident certainly looks to be just that, Kat and Harry decide to just do a little looking to see if it is possible. Yep, it definitely is possible and the more they look the more sure they are – and – they are also sure there is something more than murder going on as well.

It appears Kat and Harry have kicked a nest of hornets because things start to buzz – and our erstwhile detectives find themselves in real danger. Not that they can’t handle it, they were, after all, spies in some of the most dangerous places of the war. However, they’d just as soon neither of them got hurt. The investigation takes them in a far different direction than they thought – and the villain(s) will surprise you – or not.

I thoroughly enjoy these books and am always excited when a new one is on the horizon. You’ll absolutely love Kat and Harry as well as the other series regulars like Aunt Lavinia. These are always short, tightly-written, well-developed stories in which you quickly get engrossed and forget there is a ‘real’ world out your window. Should you choose to read the story, I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.

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