Tag: Jenni Fletcher

The Highlander’s Tactical Marriage by Jenni Fletcher

On By TracyIn Author Collaboration Series, Medieval (1066-1540), Middle Ages / Medieval (476-1454), Part of a Series, Scottish/Highlander, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The Highlander's Tactical Marriage (Highland Alliances #2)The Highlander’s Tactical Marriage by Jenni Fletcher

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Highland Alliances, #2

Release Date: February 22, 2022

Six years ago Coira Roy and Fergus MacMillan were supposed to marry to forge a clan alliance, but Coira ran away the night before their wedding and married Nevin Barron, nephew to the MacWhinnie laird. Now six years later, Nevin is dead and the banished Campbell clan is attacking, so once again, Fergus and Coira are ordered to marry for an alliance and for Fergus to be guardian to Coira’s young son, the new laird of Castle Barron.

Coira is terrified to marry Fergus, but with no options, she agrees. Her marriage to Nevin was not the love match people believe, she married him on orders from her brother and soon came to regret the decision, she hated breaking her word to Fergus, but since he didn’t seem happy to marry her, she figured at least she wasn’t hurting him. But little did she know that beneath his stern looks and taciturn demeanor, Fergus was smitten by Coira and heartbroken when she fled. He swears he will do his duty and then be done with her. But there are things that neither of them knows and betrayals that run deeper than either could imagine. Will they figure out the truth and rekindle what could have been the love of a lifetime, or will old hurts and bitterness make them unwitting pawns for their enemies?

This was a was well-written, nicely paced, great second chance love story. The book has wonderful characters, misunderstandings, secrets, betrayal, murder, great secondary characters, steamyish love scenes, villains getting their due, and a very lovely ending. There was one villain who seemed to slip through the cracks and I felt the storyline about her brother seemed a bit underdeveloped, but overall, this was a very enjoyable read, and I highly recommend it. It is the second book in a series, but it could easily be a standalone title with no problems at all.

*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 Marriage Made In Secret by Jenni Fletcher

On By TracyIn Medieval (1066-1540), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

A Marriage Made in Secret: A gripping romance set in the Royal courtA Marriage Made in Secret: A gripping romance set in the Royal court by Jenni Fletcher

Tracy’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Release Date: June 29, 2021

Sent to court to serve Queen Isabella, Lady Mathilde Gosselin of Rudstone was definitely a fish out of water and was thrown headfirst into the mystery, viciousness, and intrigue of court life. Not long after she began to serve the queen they went to France on a diplomatic mission and that is where she met Henry Wright of Ludlow.

Henry is a base-born man with obvious ties to the Mortimer family and he serves Roger Mortimer, whom he believes may be his father – but he really doesn’t know, his mother abandoned him at Mortimer’s estate when he was just six years old and he never saw her again. He hopes to gain lands and maybe a knighthood for his service to Roger and even though he is smitten with Mathilde, he has nothing to offer her. But that doesn’t stop him from wanting to protect her and to get to know her better.

As the years pass and the plots and machinations grow increasingly more dangerous, Henry worries for Mathilde and the hold Isabella seems to have on her. For his service during the removal of Edward II from the throne, he was awarded a manor house and land, finally, he has the means to support a wife and asks Mathilde to marry him in secret, as things are tense at court with Isabella and Roger acting as regents and Scots rebelling. He proposes they marry and wait until things calm down before asking permission to marry. Not happy about deceiving the queen, but wanting to have a life with Henry, Mathilde agrees.

More years pass and the time is never right to reveal their secret, but when the barons begin to grumble about Isabella and Roger’s regency, choices must be made and Henry and Mathilde find themselves caught in the middle and sadly on opposing sides. To save the woman he loves, Henry does the unthinkable and breaks Mathilde’s heart, hoping and praying that one day he will get the chance to beg her forgiveness.

This was a well-written, nicely paced, epic tale that spans over six years. This fictional romance is embedded into the true history of the deposing of Edward II by his Queen, Isabella of France, and her lover, Roger Mortimer. Our hero and heroine’s romance is definitely slow-burning, due to their positions at court, so they don’t spend a lot of time together, but when they do, their chemistry is undeniable and their concerns and fears are valid. The story is not as “romantic” as most historical romances, but it is steeped in historical fact and ends up being a very gripping and intriguing read. The story has secrets, lies, betrayal, heartache, warm love scenes, difficult choices, great secondary characters, and finally, a well-earned HEA. I thoroughly enjoyed this story, especially the author’s notes at the end, and would happily recommend it!

*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.*