Tag: Jane Charles

Lady Hannah’s Holiday by Jane Charles

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

Lady Hannah's Holiday (Spirited Storms #5) (The Spirited Storms)Lady Hannah’s Holiday (Spirited Storms #5) by Jane Charles

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Spirited Storms, #5

Release Date: February 18, 2020

Nothing seems to be working out for Ashton Grell, the newly minted Marquess of Wingate, not only has he lost his father, uncle and aunt in a horrific murder-suicide, but he has also been denied the woman he longs to court, learned his estate is nearly bankrupt and if that wasn’t enough, it now appears that the Duke of Danby wants to stick his match-making nose into Ashton’s business!! So to escape the duke’s interference and with the hope that the plantation he didn’t know his father owned can solve his money problems, Ashton sets sail for Barbados.

Lady Hannah Storm has been summoned to Danby Castle by her great-uncle Danby. Hannah is terrified that the duke has found a match for her, but soon learns that he wants her to act as companion and accompany his friend Lady Whitley to Barbados. Once she is there he suggests she stay with her brother for the holidays and he promises to help her find a match when she returns in the spring, but he makes it clear that she is not to set her sights on Wingate. Hannah will go to Barbados and looks forward to seeing her brothers and sister-in-laws, but she is not happy being told to go or to be warned away from Ashton. Ashton is the only man she has ever really been interested in and she thought he returned her regard, but other than a few chance meetings, he made no attempt to court her, much to her disappointment.

Ashton’s arrival in Barbados brings mixed feelings, he is dismayed to learn that the plantation is not habitable, disgusted to learn that his father has slaves but he is overjoyed to learn that Hannah is visiting her brothers without her mother, who discouraged Ashton’s interest in Hannah the previous season. But even though Ashton knows he is not in a position to court her now, he looks forward to getting to know her better and hopefully finding a way out of his financial mess so he can plan for a future with her.

But just when it seems like everything will work out for our lovers, Ashton learns that his father made a deal with a local businessman that could not only ruin Ashton financially, but destroy any hope of a marriage with Hannah. Ashton will have to choose between keeping his honor and following his heart and even when that choice is made, HEA may not be in the stars for them.
I thought this was a very well-written and interesting story. It flowed nicely, had great characters, an exotic locale, some jaw-dropping revelations, a lot of twists and turns, a couple sweet kisses and a very, very, very hard-won HEA. This is the fifth book in the series, but it can easily be read as a stand-alone, but if you have read the other books you will be delighted to visit will some of the previous characters! I enjoyed this story and would be happy to recommend it.

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

Weathering Captain Storm by Jane Charles

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

Weathering Captain StormWeathering Captain Storm by Jane Charles
Tracy’s rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Series: Spirited Storms, #2

Release Date: June 16, 2016

Nathaniel Storm first met Isabella Valentine after being injured on campaign. He was instantly smitten with her but kept his distance because he believed she was married, but by the time he learned she was the sister to Dr. Valentine and not his wife, he was sent away. In the meantime, Nate befriended another woman, Mary Soares, she was married to Major Soares, a man who treated her poorly, Nate would defend her and spend time with her, and ultimately was sent away after an altercation with the Major. He worried for Mary, but his biggest regret was not trying to court Isabella.

Isabella was just as smitten with Nate as he was with her, but she was sure he was in love with Mary. She kept her feeling to herself and was more than a little heartbroken when he was reassigned. She never expected to see him again, but a year later when Napoleon escapes Elba and the fighting begins again, they are reunited in Brussels.

This time Nate is not going to let the chance to woo Isabella pass him by and after they finally clear up the misunderstanding about Mary and their feelings, it seems like the HEA Nate imagined could come true. The night of the Duchess of Richmond’s ball, Nate confesses his feelings, kisses her and asks her to wait for him. She returns his kiss and sends him off believing she will be waiting when the fighting is done.

But Isabella has not intention of waiting for Nate, she does love him, but she has a secret that she is sure will cost her his love, so when the fighting is done, she tells him to leave her alone and refuses to talk to him. Nate is hurt and confused by her sudden change of heart and thinks it is the grief of losing her younger brother in battle. He plans to give her some time to mourn and then try to talk to her again – but she disappears.

It will be two long years before they meet again and this time Nate will not quietly accept her rejection, he had tried to stop loving her and move on, but he can’t, especially once he learned that Isabella is not who she says she is. For her part, Isabella has never stopped loving Nate, but is sure her secret will make him hate her, so she at first avoids him and then refuses to see him. It doesn’t seem like they will ever be together, but the timely intervention of her brother, may give them a second chance at happiness.

This was a well written novella, with wonderful characters and quite a bit of heartache. I loved Nate and my heart just broke for him when Isabella rejects him. But as far as Isabella is concerned, I didn’t feel like her reasoning for rejecting him made any sense and her continued refusal to see him in London dragged on way too long. Overall, I thought this was a sweet story, I was delighted for Mary, and I especially liked seeing characters from other novellas/series living their HEAs. This novella is part of a series, but it can easily be read as a standalone title with no problems.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eBook that was provide to me.*