Tag: #TenaciousTrents

Season of the Rake (Wicked Widows League, #15) by Jane Charles

On By TracyIn Author Collaboration Series, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's Reviews2 Comments

Season of the Rake (Wicked Widows' League #15)Season of the Rake by Jane Charles

Tracy’s rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Series: Wicked Widows’ League, #15 with ties to Wedding Wagers and the Trent Series

Release Date: June 20, 2023

After rusticating for over a year thanks to scandal and then mourning their brother and husbands, Octavia Murphy, the widowed Countess of Kepple, and her sister Lavinia, the widowed Marchioness of Teviot are finally out of mourning and returning to London to launch their younger sisters into society. But aside from acting as a chaperon and hopefully saving her sisters from making the same mistakes she made, Octavia plans to find herself a lover. Octavia’s marriage left her bitter and determined to never marry again, but that doesn’t mean she wants to be alone, so to safeguard her heart she has come up with ten rules that will ensure that not only will she protect her heart, but protect her family from yet more scandal. Angelo Evans, Earl of Bolton is rumored to be the best lover in England, but the latest gossip says he is in the market for a bride, which should eliminate him from the running but Angelo is not willing to be denied, so will he agree to her rules?

Angelo’s father the Marquess of Dargate is not well, causing his mother to pressure him into agreeing to marry by Christmas. Angelo agrees to marry but plans to enjoy his freedom to the fullest before he has to enter the bonds of matrimony. He sets his sites on Octavia as his first lover of the season, when she rejects him, it only makes him want her more, but when he learns of her rules, he is not he is willing to comply. But once they come to terms, their affair is more than either ever expected and they find their hearts engaged. But Octavia has more than just a bad marriage keeping her from committing completely to Angelo, and with promises made to his parents, Angelo may have to let her go, even if it breaks both their hearts.

As usual, this is well written, nicely-paced story about a charming rake and a lovely widow who despite their best intentions, fall in love. The story is filled with witty banter, rules, promises, secrets, steamyish love scenes, a bit of angst, great secondary characters, family members who feel the need to give their opinions, surprises and finally a happy ending that didn’t seem possible, complete with an epilogue. I liked this story, and I loved both Octavia and Angelo, but I wasn’t thrilled by the ending, I was happy for them, but I wasn’t left with a “love conquers all” feeling. While this book is part of a large author collaboration series, it also has ties to other series by Ms. Charles and can easily be read as a standalone title.

*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 Lass For Christmas by Jane Charles featured in the anthology “A Scandalous Christmas” by Various Authors

On By TracyIn Anthology, Christmas, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Novella, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

A Scandalous ChristmasA Lass for Christmas by Jane Charles, featured in A Scandalous Christmas by Various Authors

Tracy’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Tenacious Trents #4 & Several Anthologies

Release Date for Anthology: November 24, 2020

I first read this novella years ago when it debuted in the Tenacious Trent series, since then it has been featured in several anthologies and even after all this time – I love this story and was delighted to see that it was included in this anthology.

Lady Madeline Trent and her mother, Rose have stopped to visit her brother Matthew and his new wife on their way to Danby Castle for Christmas and she couldn’t be more delighted. After a disastrous first season and then a missed season due to mourning, she is finally looking forward to meeting a gentleman and starting her own life. But those dreams are shattered when she overhears Matthew and her brother Jordan talking to Rose (their 2nd stepmother). They tell her that they have learned that they have learned that their father’s second wife and daughter, are not dead as everyone thought and they believe Adele and Julia are back in England. This means that the Earl’s marriage to Rose was not valid and Madeline is illegitimate! Overwhelmed by the news, Madeline needs to think and decides to sneak out and go for a walk. She ventures out and gets lost, she sees lights and comes upon a manor house – nearly freezing, she makes her way to the house, but doesn’t realize she is walking across a frozen pond and breaks through the ice.

Lachlan Grant, the Marquess of Brachton is at his estate in England, he inherited the English title from his uncle, but in his heart, he is a Scot and he plans find a Scottish bride. His plan to leave is thwarted by a snowstorm and forces him to delay his departure until the snow stops. He is enjoying a drink with his friend/valet Dougal when he spots a woman walking on his lawn and to his horror, sees her fall through the ice. He races out to save her, she is barely conscious when he finally gets her into the house and he has no choice but to undress her and try to get her warm – he asks her name and she tells him it is Mad before passing out – he thinks she is trying to say Maddie. The next day the misunderstanding grows when she tells him she was traveling with Jordan Trent – a friend of his – but doesn’t mention she is his sister. Lachlan assumes she is Jordan’s mistress and decides to seduce her away from him.

This is a well written, nicely paced novella with very likable characters, warm love scenes and a surprisingly in-depth emotional story. This novella is part of the Tenacious Trent series, but it can easily be read as a standalone title.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and received from the publisher. All opinions are my own.*