Tag: #Standalone

The Painted Lady by Avery Sterling

On By TracyIn American Historical, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The Painted LadyThe Painted Lady by Avery Sterling

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Release Date: July 22, 2024

Delaney Harper sails to New Orleans eager to reunite with her mother, and receives one shock after another, starting with a passionate stolen kiss by a masked man and ending with learning that her mother is dead and owned a brothel, and it is now Delaney’s. Delaney’s passion is painting, so she plans to sell the brothel as soon as possible, and move on with her life. Unfortunately, the brothel is run down and needs to be fixed up before anyone would consider buying, which means Delaney is now a madame! Keeping her identity a secret shouldn’t be a problem as she uses the alias Madame Vanessa Cardui aka the Painted Lady, but when her masked stranger shows up, keeping her secrets and her heart intact might be a bigger problem than she anticipated!

Alderic Beaumont was once a French aristocrat and a corsair, but he is now a smuggler and partners with Nye Tarquin. While celebrating Nye’s marriage, Alderic crosses paths with Delaney and steals a kiss. Later he seeks her out and believes she is Vanessa, the new madame of the Bird House. They embark on an affair and Alderic falls hard for her and becomes her greatest ally, but when he learns that she isn’t who he thought she was, will his feelings change, or can they find their happily ever after?

This was not your run-of-the-mill historical romance; this book is well-written and has a fresh plot that I can honestly say I haven’t read before. I loved Delaney and Alderic, they are both survivors and despite the stigma of their professions, are extremely good people. You can’t help but root for their HEA! This book has a bit of everything, grief, taboos, secrets, great secondary characters, a really nasty villain, steamy love scenes and finally a hard-won HEA. As with the last book, I do wish there was an epilogue, as the author seems to draw out the final scene to the very last page and then ending the book rather abruptly. Overall, this was a good read, and it is loosely connected to the author’s previous book “Precious Burdens” but doesn’t seem to be part of a series. So, if you are looking for something a bit different that doesn’t follow the typical HR formula, I would recommend giving this story a try!

*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. *

A Matter of Class by Mary Balogh

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Part of a Series, Re-Release / Updated Edition, Regency Era (1811-1820), Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's Reviews2 Comments

A Matter of ClassA Matter of Class by Mary Balogh

Tracy’s Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Release Date: 07/09/2024 re-release

When Reginald “Reggie” Mason incurs the wrath of his father by spending money foolishly and losing even more by gambling, his father puts his foot down and demands that Reggie settle down and marry or be cut off without a shilling. His father, Bernard is a self-made man who made a fortune in coal, but despite his enormous wealth, has never been accepted into the ton. He had high hopes for Reggie, and by sending him to schools with the ton’s sons, he gained connections as well as a great education. Reggie refuses to marry saying he is still young and hasn’t done anything ruinous, unlike their neighbor’s daughter, who ran off with the family coachman and was seen by half the ton before she was dragged home, ruined and jilted by her betrothed. Upon hearing that tidbit, Bernard hatches a plan – after 30 years of being snubbed by the ton, and especially his haughty neighbor the Earl of Havercroft, the tide has turned, and Bernard sees a way to marry his son into the nobility – he will make Havercroft an offer he can’t refuse!

Lady Annabelle “Anna” Ashton, the only child of the Earl of Havercroft is in a world of trouble. Thanks to an ill-advised elopement with Thomas Till, she has found herself ruined and her father is threatening to send her into exile. He is especially upset that her betrothed, the Marquess of Illingsworth cried off, which will ensure the financial ruin of family, which is in dire straits thanks to some poor investments and unwise spending. But even knowing this, Anna could not bear the thought of marrying the marquess when she was madly in love with another. Now it seems she is ruined and unless she agrees to marry Reginald Mason, the son of the man her father hates, she will be sent away. Could things get any worse?

This is a re-release of a previously published story, which I read years ago and was delighted to learn that it was being given a second life – I loved this story when I first read it and I think I actually loved it more today – it is fresh, fun and an utter delight to read. I loved Anna and Reggie, they are both likable and both care deeply for their families. This story doesn’t have a lot of action, drama or angst – but it has love, friendship, hope, and a lovely happy ending. It is not the story you think it is going to be – it is better! It has earned a spot on my very small keeper list and I happily and highly recommend it to my fellow historical romance lovers!

*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. *