Tag: #magicandmystery

The Vanishing Viscount by Jane Charles

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

The Vanishing Viscount (Magic and Mystery Book 2)The Vanishing Viscount by Jane Charles

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Magic & Mystery, #2 AND The Witches’ Ball, #1

Release Date: August 22, 2023

At the tender age of 15, Lady Clara Westcott fell irrevocably in love with Pierce Drakos, Viscount Harcourt, and the heir to the Earl of Wharton. Normally a lovesick schoolgirl would not be noteworthy, but Clara is no ordinary young lady, Clara is a witch, and unfortunately for Pierce Clara’s magic seems to be a bit wonky whenever he is around her. Clara is horrified by the mishaps and for the next five years does her best to avoid him. It is not a perfect solution, but it is the best she can do, that and hope with time the mishaps will stop. But when she is invited to the Witches’ Ball at Nightshade Manor in Bocka Morrow there will be no avoiding him and it seems as if the mishaps have intensified, especially when she has to watch the object of her undying affection spending time with other marriageable ladies who were also invited to the ball!

Since the marriage of his younger brother, Pierce’s mother has clearly decided that it is time for him to settle down with a nice witch and start a family of his own, thus the Witches’ Ball. His mother has invited several eligible young ladies, all from magical families to attend the ball and has told Pierce in no uncertain terms that he is expected to find himself a bride. Unfortunately, the only witch that captures his interest is the one witch who seems to do her utmost best to avoid him. But Pierce will not be deterred by a few magical mishaps and places himself in her proximity. But once he realizes that the mishaps are directed at him, will he walk away from the woman he has come to love or will they find a way to have their HEA?

What a great novella! I love visiting the magical town of Bocka Morrow and the surrounding estates, especially Nightshade Manor, and this story certainly did not disappoint! A delightfully charming tale filled with magic, wonderful characters, laugh-out-loud magical mishaps, a slow-burn romance, secrets, a bit of heartache, and finally a very sweet start to their HEA complete with an epilogue. This is the second book in the Ms. Charles Magic & Mystery series, but it is also the first book in the Witches’ Ball series, which is a new author collaboration series! I happily recommend this title and am looking forward to upcoming installments of the Witches’ Ball series!

*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.*

Lady in the Grove by Jane Charles

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Historical Paranormal/Fantasy, Paranormal / Fantasy, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Lady in the Grove (Magic & Mayhem #6)Lady in the Grove by Jane Charles

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Magic & Mystery, #1 / Magic & Mayhem, #6

Release Date: May 16, 2023

Orion Drakos, the second son of the Earl and Countess of Wharton, has returned to Nightshade Manor in Bocka Morrow to attend the wedding of his cousin Damon Norcott and Cordelia Vail. After the ceremony as he is speaking to Damon when he notices movement at the edge of the grove and sees Damon’s niece Nephele coming out of the wood and asks her what she was doing when she approaches them. Nephele tells him she was speaking to the lady in the grove – intrigued Orion convinces her to show him where she saw the lady and is astounded to learn that the grove extends passed the boxwoods, which he always believed was the edge of the grove. She shows him an opening in the hedge and they enter a clearing with a folly and he sees her, the most beautiful woman he has ever seen. She is upset by his presence and asks him to leave, when he doesn’t, she does. Orion can’t forget about her and even dreams of her. Determined to get answers, he returns day after day until he finds out that she is Nina Jourdain, the sister of Cassian, the French emigrant that was taken in by his aunt and uncle when he survived a shipwreck that killed his family. But in truth, Cassian saved Nina and begged the Dryads of the grove to save her life, they do but the price is high, Nina will live, but she can never leave the grove.

Orion falls hard for her, but Nina can’t let herself fall for him in return, she has led a quiet life and knows from experience that she cannot leave the grove, so how could she ever consider falling in love or having a family? But Orion isn’t about to give up, he doesn’t care if she can’t leave, he will stay! They seem to be at an impasse and she is firm in her refusal to marry him or even believe he loves her. But her choices are limited and none will give them a true HEA unless they can find a way for her to survive outside the grove, a feat that seems impossible even for a family of witches, or is it?

This was such a great story and I love returning to Bocka Morrow and the witches of Nightshade Manor as well as all the magical beings that reside there, kudos to Jane Charles (and many other authors) who has created this world and kept it going! In this story, I especially loved Orion’s determination to be with Nina and the addition of dryads (tree nymphs) and nereids (water nymphs). I did think the story dragged a bit in the middle, but the ending more than makes up for that! And I wish there had been a bit of heat in the love scenes and that the epilogue had more of their HEA. Overall this was a delightful read and I cannot wait for Pierce’s story!

*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.*