Tag: Monica Burns

Scandalous: Family Ties and Spies by Monica Burns

On By TracyIn George V - 1910- 1936, Part of a Series, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Scandalous: Family Ties and Spies (The Reckless Rockwoods Book 6)Scandalous: Family Ties and Spies by Monica Burns

Tracy’s rating: 3 / 3.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Reckless Rockwells, #6

Release Date: 2/14/24

Two years ago, Amalie Rockwood had a vision about herself and Valeran “Val” Rutherford, the Earl of Sommerville, and ever since Amalie has stayed away from Val because, despite her deep attraction for him, she knows he has the power to break her heart. A fact that is reiterated when she overhears him talking about her with his latest mistress. Hurt by his mistress’ insults and his willingness to agree that he could easily seduce the “plump country mouse”, Amalie vows to stay far away from him. But when a vengeful enemy plots against her, Amalie finds herself compromised by the one man she has sworn to avoid and marriage is the only solution. But Amalie won’t surrender to her handsome husband easily. This plump country mouse is going to show him how foolish it was to underestimate her. All she has to do is put him in his place without losing her heart and having the vision play out.

Listening to Lady Chattfield insult Amalie Rockwood pushes Val’s patience to the limit, but his investigation for the Crown makes it necessary to let the vicious witch believe that he is interested in her. But he couldn’t disagree more, Amalie might be a quiet little mouse, but her plump curves are anything but unattractive, in fact, if she was not his best friend’s cousin, he would be happy to pursue her. So when they are found together, he isn’t as upset as he should be at the thought of marriage to her. But it is clear that his bride is not happy with him, forcing him to try and woo her. He succeeds to a point, but Val has secrets that he has no intention of sharing with Amalie, besides his work for the Crown, he is hunting the men who killed his family and left him practically blind. He likes Amalie, desires her, and cares for her, but his painful past ensures that he can never give her the one thing she wants, love.

This was a well-written, good story filled with interesting characters, steamyish love scenes and just a touch of paranormal. I liked the story, but I really had a hard time liking Amalie, I loved that she was a curvy heroine, and I sympathized with her insecurity, but she was very aggressive and was quick to believe the worst about Val, time and time again, leading her to be downright nasty at times. I tried to believe that it was a self-defense response, but she just went too far, especially since she was keeping secrets too. I loved Val and I loved that the author didn’t miraculously cure his vision, I loved his patience with Amalie and felt like he deserved to receive some serious groveling, but sadly, that never happened. This book is the sixth book in the series, but it could easily be read as a standalone title, as the author gives the reader plenty of backstory. Overall, I enjoyed the story, but I don’t think I would read it again.

*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.*

The Rogue’s Countess by Monica Burns

On By TracyIn Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

The Rogue's Countess (Reckless Rockwoods: Reluctant Rogues, #2)The Rogue’s Countess by Monica Burns

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Reckless Rockwoods: Reluctant Rogues, #2

Release Date: February 12, 2021

A case of mistaken identity results in a passionate interlude between Phoebe, Viscountess Helstone, and Gideon, the Earl of Chelmsford, an encounter that is beyond anything either of them has ever experienced and something that can lead nowhere, especially since Phoebe is married and refuses to tell Gideon her name. They part, but Gideon can’t let her walk away – that is until he learns she is an American heiress who married a title, knowledge that kills any feelings he may have had – or does it?

Five years later they meet again when Constance, the Countess of Lyndham meets Phoebe in a dress shop and has a vision. Phoebe’s miserable marriage ended when her husband was killed, but that was just the beginning of Phoebe’s nightmare, she learns her father never made any provisions for Phoebe and her husband’s heir kicks her out without a penny to her name. She takes work as a bookkeeper and secretly authors the satirical serial story in the Times – a story that pokes fun at the Marlborough Set and Gideon especially. Constance sets out to help Phoebe and by doing so puts her directly in Gideon’s path by introducing her to his mother and suggesting Phoebe would be the perfect secretary for the dowager Marchioness. Phoebe is blindsided when she learns that Gideon is the Marchioness’ son, had no idea who Gideon was, he was just her mystery lover and the man that she has thought of many times over the years – a man she never expected to see again and certainly never expected him to hold her in such contempt!

Gideon is sure that Phoebe is using his mother to land another title, he makes his disgust known and is angry that he is still attracted to her. Sparks fly and Gideon soon realizes he misjudged Phoebe. When they are caught in a compromising position, Gideon proposes and she initially rejects his offer, but after a heart to heart with his mother, she agrees to marry him. It is clear that the passion between them is strong, but trust isn’t as easy to come by, and just when it seems that HEA is within their grasp, they make some major missteps and misunderstandings, mistrust and secrets threaten to ruin their chance for happiness.

This was a very well-written, nicely paced story with strong lead characters and cameos from the Rockwoods – including an interwoven side story featuring Constance and Lucien and their ongoing road to HEA. This book has a lot of emotion, misunderstandings (that at times felt like they dragged on a bit too long), very steamy love scenes, secrets, wonderful secondary characters, disappointment, a little heartache, true love, and finally their HEA. I really enjoyed the side-story and was grateful that the author included a “primer” of Constance and Lucien’s love story at the beginning of the book to bring readers who might not recall their rocky road to HEA up to speed – it was well done and very helpful! I did end the story with a little bit of doubt about Phoebe and Gideon’s future – since the mistrust and doubts they had seemed to linger even after they declared their love, and there is a title issue that I am still trying to sort out how it can be – but in the grand scheme of things, unless that sort of thing bothers you, it is nothing that takes away from the story. I enjoyed this book and would happily recommend it. This book is part of a series, but it can definitely be read as a standalone title with no problems.

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