Tag: Jane Charles

Once Upon a Magical Night: A Midsummer’s Night Ball by Various Authors

On By TracyIn Anthology, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Historical Paranormal/Fantasy, Paranormal / Fantasy, Regency Era (1811-1820), Romantasy, Time Travel, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

Once Upon a Magical Night: A Midsummer's BallOnce Upon a Magical Night: A Midsummer’s Ball by Amanda Mariel

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Anthology

Release Date: June 24, 2026

This anthology has five new novellas by some of my favorite authors, each with a bit of magic and a happy ending:

Entrapped by Enchanted Desire by Dawn Brower: Lady Rosina wants freedom. Anton Marcus, Duke of Sinclair, demands control. But when an enchanted midsummer invitation traps them inside Puckton Castle, desire, truth, and meddling fairies may force them to choose love. 3.5 stars

When the Dawn Found Us by Amanda Mariel: Rosalind Bennett is swept into magical Puckton Castle, where guarded Adrian Vale, Duke of Ashbourne, tempts her heart amid fairy mischief, stolen kisses, and one enchanted midsummer night that demands a choice by dawn. 3.5 stars

Loved in a Dream by Jane Charles: Lady Polina St. Martin is promised to another, but dreams of adventure. Lord Benjamin Cartwright, Viscount Amesbury, is ready for marriage—just not love. When a magical ball draws them together, destiny may rewrite every rule. 4 stars

A Bewildering Interruption by Ramona Elmes: Lady Bianca Tartley is sensible, agreeable, and certain she has no taste for unnecessary risks. Edmund Knight is ruthless, guarded, and one day away from the revenge that has ruled his life. When magic draws them together, leaving may become the last thing either of them wants. 4 stars

A Rhyme of Fanciful Dreams by Tabetha Waite: Lady Julia Perry seeks freedom for one forbidden night. Frederick Ellis, Earl of Napleton, longs to escape his haunted past. At a mysterious Midsummer’s Ball, passion feels like magic—but will sunrise make their love vanish like a dream? 3.5 stars

Overall, this collection of novellas was a fun read, but it wasn’t quite as connected and cohesive as I was expecting. Based on the prologue, I thought it was going to be five stories all at the same ball – but that is not the case. That is fine, but it was a bit jarring as I was reading and expecting one thing yet getting a completely different era and magical interaction. Each story was well written, had likable characters, a few kisses, a bit of magic and finally a happy ending.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

 

Rogue to the Rescue by Jane Charles

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Novella, Part of a Series, Re-Release / Updated Edition, Regency Era (1811-1820), Series Crossover, Standalone Title, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Rogue to the RescueRogue to the Rescue by Jane Charles

Tracy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone with ties to Westbrook & Valentine series

Release Date: April 21, 2021 (previous published in It’s Raining Rogues anthology 5/2025)

When Lady Victoria Westbrook is accosted by an angry man while leaving the Westbrook House for Women and Children, her brother-in-law Sebastian Valentine insists that she have a personal guard stay with her until the man is captured. Unfortunately, the man he has chosen is his brother Benedick Valentine, a Thames River Police Officer and a man Victoria once believed herself in love with. She adamantly refuses to let him stay but is overruled by both men. Victoria resigns herself to an uncomfortable night with the man who stole her heart and then broke it when he learned who she was.

Benedick Valentine has done his best to avoid Lady Victoria since the anonymous house party they both attended months ago, where he fell head over heels for her and she rejected him as soon as she learned who he was. He knows it is for the best, because she is too far above his reach and he has nothing to offer a woman like her, but despite that, he still loves her. When they finally confront each other about their last night together, they realize that they both misunderstood the other, but for Benedick that revelation doesn’t change the fact that he is not good enough for her. But is Victoria willing to accept that decision or is she going to fight for their love?

I originally read this novella in the “It’s Raining Rogues” anthology and loved the story, so if you missed that book, you have gotten a second chance to enjoy this book! This story is a series crossover with both the Westbrook and Valentine families and Victoria and Benedick are amazing together! The book has a misunderstanding trope, class difference, second-chances,a bit of danger, a bit of heat, and finally a well-deserved HEA complete with an adorable epilogue. I loved this book and I am happy to recommend this title – especially to readers who love Ms. Charles’ Valentine and Westbrook series, but trust me, you don’t have to have read those books to enjoy this novella!

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *