Tag: Jane Charles

The Smuggler’s Christmas Rogue by Jane Charles

On By TracyIn Novella, Part of a Series, Re-Release / Updated Edition, Regency Era (1811-1820), Scottish/Highlander, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The Smuggler's Christmas Rogue: (Scot to the Heart #5)The Smuggler’s Christmas Rogue: by Jane Charles

Tracy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Scot to the Heart, #5

Release Date: July 2, 2024

During her first season, Miss Sheena MacGregor met and fell in love with Camdyn Oaks, Earl of Irvine and heir to the Marquess Walsingham. She believed that he loved her too, but on the night he begs her to elope with him, her brothers and uncle arrive from Scotland as well as Camdyn’s father, and the ugly truth of how they met is revealed and just like that Sheena’s heart is broken. She immediately returns to Scotland determined to forget she ever laid eyes on Camdyn. But fate has other plans and a year and a half later, Sheena and her brother Ewan find themselves in need of shelter for the night and must to her dismay, end up at Oakley Park, the home of the Marquess Walsingham.

Camdyn Oaks, now Marquess Walsingham, is still in love with Sheena, though he tries to move on, he soon realizes that she is the only woman for him and sets out to win her back. Her family stands by her refusal to see him or even speak of him, but her uncle finally listens to Camdyn’s side and agrees to help him by letting him know when they go to Edinburgh and what events they will attend, but he will not force Sheena to talk to him. Happy for the chance to see her again, Camdyn returns to his estate to wait for word, but a few days before Christmas, Sheena and her brother arrive on his doorstep seeking shelter. Overjoyed by the unexpected opportunity to reconcile with Sheena, Camdyn welcomes them with open arms. But it is clear that Sheena wants nothing to do with him and plans to leave the next morning. But when help for his cause comes from an unlikely source, Camdyn will not waste a second of the limited time he has, because he knows that Sheena is his only chance for happily ever again and he won’t let her slip away a second time without a fight.

The was a very sweet second chance for romance between feuding families. Sheena was hurt deeply and unwilling to give Camdyn a chance to explain himself and refused to believe his claims of love, I understood her bitterness, but I felt that she held on to that bitterness a bit longer than necessary. Other than that small quibble, I really enjoyed this story and would happily recommend this novella.

Note: This story was previously published in the Christmas in Cumbria anthology and is part of the Scot to the Heart series with a connection to the Trents.

*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 Scoundrel’s Secret by Jane Charles

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

A Scoundrel's Secret (Revenge of the Wallflowers, book 16)A Scoundrel’s Secret by Jane Charles

Tracy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Revenge of the Wallflowers, #16 & The Knight Family, #3

Release Date: June 18, 2024

Once upon a time, Miss Carina Leonelli’s life was good, she was the daughter of an Italian Barone and attended a girl’s school where she met her best friend, Lady Gaia Evans. But then tragedy struck, and a scandal left Carina with no family to support her. Gaia’s mother, the Marchioness of Dargate hired her to be Gaia’s companion, a position she kept even after Gaia married and became the Marchioness of Lydell, it is a position she believes she will keep for years, even though Gaia continues to treat her like an equal and hopes she will find a love of her own. But Carina doesn’t feel worthy of a society marriage and as a servant of sorts, knows that marriage to a fellow servant, like coachman Felix Knight, won’t get her a home of her own. Besides, Felix is a rake and not a man she can take seriously, no matter how handsome and charming he seems. But when Felix is injured and she fears he is dying, she finally admits her feelings for him, not that it will change anything. But with a little help from her friends, HEA may be within reach, until long kept secrets come out and everything changes!

Felix Knight is the second son of Viscount Ormonde and the grandson of the Earl of Chedworth, two and a half years ago, his grandfather made a demand that Felix refused to bow to and resulted in Felix leaving home and cutting himself off from his family. He met and befriended the newly minted Marquess of Lydell who had been born and raised in America, he helped Lydell acclimate into London society and accepted his offer of employment, as his coachman, stable master and even sometimes footman. Felix never lied about his name, but neither did he offer information about his family and with the exception of Lydell’s new brother-in-law, it doesn’t seem like anyone knows who he is, which is perfect for hiding from his grandfather and his outrageous demands. At least it was until he feel in love with Carina and is desperate to convince her that they could marry and that they could be happy all while keeping his secrets. But he should have known that secrets have a way of coming out at the worst possible moment and secrets like his could easily crush new love.

As always, this was a well-written, nicely-paced story filled with wonderful characters. This book is a slow-burning romance, with no-steam love scenes, secrets, hidden identities, surprising revelations, fake courtships, matchmaking friends, a duel, heartache, revenge, reunions and finally a HEA that didn’t seem possible as well as a very sweet epilogue. This book is part of a series, but can easily be read as a standalone (be sure to read the author’s notes!). I am looking forward to the next book about the Knight Family!

*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. *