Tag: Jane Charles

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.




Beguiled at the Wedding by Deb Marlowe, Jane Charles & Virginia Heath

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

Beguiled at the Wedding (A Summer Wedding at Castle Keyvnor Book 2)Beguiled at the Wedding by Deb Marlowe

Tracy’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: A Summer Wedding at Castle Keyvnor, #2

Release Date: May 22, 2020

This anthology was another delightful addition to the fabulous Castle Keyvnor series!

Miss Penneck & the Pixie Poem by Deb Marlowe – 4 stars – A sweet romance between a bookshop owner and a progressive printer, aided by a book loving Pixie. This well written, fast-paced novella opens with Puff, a young Pixie who loves stories and who is still trying to figure out her magic, fifty years later she still hasn’t figured it out, but has attached herself to the local bookshop, owned by Miss Lowenna Penneck. Lowenna hasn’t been in Brocka Morrow long, she learned of the empty shop and leased it from the Earl at Keyvnor Castle. She has settled in with her widower father, who is still grieving the loss of his beloved wife. Lowenna hopes the shop will be the fresh start they both need. Ruan Trevellick arrives in Brocka Morrow looking to make a fresh start too. He is a printer and was invited to set up shop in the village by the Countess. Imagine his surprise when he finds a bookshop in his space! A trip to the castle confirms that they were both promised the space and the Earl and Countess promise to make things right. In the meantime, Lowenna offers to let him set up his press in her back room – an offer he gladly accepts. Things progress quickly between them and seem to be going well, until Ruan’s past catches up with him and he may have to give up the woman he loves to save her! It will take the help of a Pixie to give these two their HEA. A completely wonderful story with cameos from previous characters, Pixies, sweet kissing love scenes, a nasty villain and a wonderful HEA.

A Spirited Courtship by Jane Charles – 4 stars – A sweet second chance love story featuring Diana Vail and James Bryant, the Earl of Somerton. Diana has fallen in love with James and believes he loves her too, until she overhears his friends speculating about his relationship with Diana – they are sure he is just using her to keep his matchmaking momma at bay, they also hear that James slept with Diana’s widowed mother!! Diana is so distraught by this news that she finds James, slaps him and tells him she never wants to see him again! Months pass as they meet again at the wedding of Lady Gwyn at Castle Keyvnor. James hasn’t gotten over Diana and has no idea why she was so upset, he was going to let her go, but seeing her again stirs up his feelings and he wants answers!! Throw in a trio of ghosts that need to break a curse by helping a maiden find true love and you have a very fun story! This novella was well written, fun read with kissing only love scenes, a stubborn heroine, meddling ghosts, witches, gypsies, a pixie or ten and a nail biting ending.

Written in the Stars by Virginia Heath – 5 stars – Of the three, this second chance romance was my favorite. Five years ago Cecily Grimshaw and Spencer Tremayne were madly in love and on the brink of marriage when Chaos wreaked havoc on their HEA. Cecily sees a woman leaving Spencer’s house in a wanton display of dishabille and she imagines the worst – she writes a letter breaking with him and quits her job as governess to get away from him. He is stunned and heartbroken, he had planned to marry her and practice law, but in his despair he gives up his dreams and joins the military – keeping them apart for five long years. The Powers that Be need to set this couple back on track and only have two weeks to do it – Serendipity assures Destiny, Luck, Cupid and Reason that she has it well in hand – she has set her plan in motion to reunited the lovers, they are not convinced until they learn that she has them set to meet again in Brocka Morrow and Castle Keyvnor and with a little help from a fairy – Serendipity is sure she will prevail – after all, she hasn’t missed a deadline in 10,000 years!! This was such a sweet story, with wonderful characters, magic, witty banter, touching flashbacks and a sweet HEA.

This is an ongoing series of interconnected stories, but they can all be read as stand alone novellas and I promise if you read one, you will want to read them all!!

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