Once Upon A Midnight Masquerade by Jane Charles

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Novella, Regency Era (1811-1820), Scottish/Highlander, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Once Upon a Midnight Masquerade by Jane Charles

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Scot to Heart, #3

Release Date: March 10, 2020


When Lady Claresta Copeland sneaks into the masquerade ball in Edinburgh being held by Madame Marseille, she has not idea that it is a courtesan’s ball or that the men invited are looking for mistresses! Donovan MacGregor is getting ready to leave when he sees her – she is dressed as Juliet and has an air of innocence – he approaches her, quotes Romeo and Juliet, they share a waltz and a kiss before her maid drags her away.

A year later, Donovan needs to get away from Scotland, he decides to head to London to oversea the family’s whisky business and to hopefully some relief from the restlessness he has suffered. His family thinks it is because the woman he loved, Mary Grant is returning home, widowed. At one time, he thought he loved her, but she loved him as a friend and married another. But the truth is, it is not Mary that haunts him, it is Juliet. So, imagine his surprise when he finds her at a ball his first night in town! He is surprised and a bit torn, he wanted to find her, but it is clear his Juliet is no light-skirt and Donovan doesn’t want a wife!

Claresta asks Donovan to dance when it is clear that he recognizes her. Claresta has dreamed of her Romeo and no other man has even come close to capturing her interest as he did. But she needs to talk to him and see if he will keep her secret, if he doesn’t’ she will be ruined! Claresta has longed to meet a man that loves her for herself and not the connections her father the Duke of Ellings will bring him. So when she talks to Donovan, she doesn’t tell him who she is and is able keep it secret since her parents are in the country and she is staying with her married cousin. Donovan might not want a wife, but he can’t seem to stay away from Claresta and she is just as captivated as he is. But there is someone who is not willing to let Donovan and Claresta find their HEA and will stop at nothing to break them up.

This was a well written, fast-paced novella with a hero and heroine who are clearly destined for true love. There is a little intrigue, a bit of mystery, attempted murder, stolen kisses, cameos from Emily and Dillon and finally a very hard-won HEA complete with and epilogue. This is the third book in the series, but it can easily be read as a stand-alone title. I really enjoyed this “sweet” romance and would be happy to recommend it.




Never Tempt A Scot by Lauren Smith

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Georgian Era (1714-1837)Leave a comment

Never Tempt a Scot (The League of Rogues #12)
Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: The League of Rogues #12
Publication Date: 6/15/20

Oh! Be still my beating heart. I loved absolutely everything about this book. The writing is excellent, the plot is great, the execution is perfect, and the romance will curl your toes. I absolutely adored Brodie! I mean, who doesn’t love a large, brooding, brash, reckless, and very angry Scot? Then there is Lydia who gives as good as she gets – she holds her own and matches him in every way. Yes, he kidnapped her, but he had absolutely every reason to seek revenge against her – at least he thought he did.

Lydia Hunt is totally exasperated with her selfish, manipulative, self-centered, sister, Portia. Truth be told, she’s also just a tiny bit jealous of her as well. Portia is the popular, beautiful, and charming one while Lydia is the one who never gets asked to dance – she just doesn’t measure up to her sister. Portia is constantly causing a stir of one sort or another – and Lydia gets swept up in it and then gets the blame for it. Portia is her father’s golden child while Lydia is mostly ignored.

When Portia sees a tall, handsome man across the assembly room floor and decides she is going to marry him, an exciting chain of events is set in motion. Those events will sweep Lydia away into kidnappings (yes, more than one), fisticuffs, rescued orphans, body snatchers, pursuit by multiple parties, and a very angry Scot bent on retribution and seduction.

I loved getting to visit with League of Rogue(rs) from earlier books and getting to meet some new characters. Some of those characters (Portia and her father) I never came to admire, but maybe they’ll grow on me in later books. They both had these grand epiphanies and came to see the error of their ways – but – especially with the father – I had a hard time reconciling the uncaring, neglectful, father who ignored one daughter while kidnapping for the other daughter – with the loving, caring father he morphed into.

It was a delight to see Brodie come to grips with and finally best his demons. I can hardly wait to see Rafe get his book and to see how things go with Isla. Then, of course, there is a delightful set-up for Aiden’s book which will be book #14 I think. I’d really rather have Aiden’s book next, but, that isn’t to be.

This was such a fun and engrossing read that I couldn’t put it down. I just read and read and read and absolutely loved every minute of it. This book reminds me of some of the very early books – and I couldn’t read those fast enough. I hope you will love it as much as I did.

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