Tag: #TheSpiritedStorms

Message from a Lady by Jane Charles

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

Message from a LadyMessage from a Lady by Jane Charles

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Spirited Storms, #6

Release Date: 02/14/23 – Previously released in the “Sunflower Season” Anthology

Lady Johanna Knight has loved Peter Storm for some time, but despite her encouragement, he refuses to court her, knowing as the fourth son of an earl, her father and grandfather would never consider him worthy of her hand. When her grandfather threatens to ship her off the country and arrange a marriage for her if she doesn’t stop associating with Peter, she is determined to get him to elope with her. But to her dismay, Peter’s friend and the man her grandfather wants her to marry, the Duke of Eldridge begins to take notice of her. He assures her that he had no desire to marry, and is just trying to help Peter spend time with her.

Peter loves Johanna but he knows even if her family would approve, he doesn’t feel that he could give her the type of life she deserves. When his great-uncle intervenes and offers to help him, Peter refuses his help, feeling that if he can’t marry her on his own merit, he doesn’t deserve her. When he sees how well Eldridge and Johanna are getting along, he is jealous and decides it might be time for him to leave London. He is still pondering that idea when he learns that Johanna is missing. He is frantic to find her and realizes that he was a fool – but did he wait too long?

This was a very well-written, nicely-paced novella with characters that have enough backstory to make their romance believable. The book has a lot going on for such a short story, there will be longing, friends running interference, carrier pigeons, unreasonable relatives, abduction, The Duke of Danby, and one toe-curling kiss, all before these two find their way to HEA. The book is a sweet, low-steam read that features a bit of a beta hero, in a sort of forbidden love mixed with a friends-to-lovers trope that ends with HEA and even offers an epilogue. This is the sixth book in the series, but can easily be read as a standalone title. This novella was originally part of the Sunflower Season charity anthology which is no longer available, and it should be noted that this edition has been revamped and expanded from the previously published novella. Overall, I found this story a delightful quick read and would be happy to 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.*

Lady Hannah’s Holiday by Jane Charles

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

Lady Hannah's Holiday (Spirited Storms #5) (The Spirited Storms)Lady Hannah’s Holiday (Spirited Storms #5) by Jane Charles

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Spirited Storms, #5

Release Date: February 18, 2020

Nothing seems to be working out for Ashton Grell, the newly minted Marquess of Wingate, not only has he lost his father, uncle and aunt in a horrific murder-suicide, but he has also been denied the woman he longs to court, learned his estate is nearly bankrupt and if that wasn’t enough, it now appears that the Duke of Danby wants to stick his match-making nose into Ashton’s business!! So to escape the duke’s interference and with the hope that the plantation he didn’t know his father owned can solve his money problems, Ashton sets sail for Barbados.

Lady Hannah Storm has been summoned to Danby Castle by her great-uncle Danby. Hannah is terrified that the duke has found a match for her, but soon learns that he wants her to act as companion and accompany his friend Lady Whitley to Barbados. Once she is there he suggests she stay with her brother for the holidays and he promises to help her find a match when she returns in the spring, but he makes it clear that she is not to set her sights on Wingate. Hannah will go to Barbados and looks forward to seeing her brothers and sister-in-laws, but she is not happy being told to go or to be warned away from Ashton. Ashton is the only man she has ever really been interested in and she thought he returned her regard, but other than a few chance meetings, he made no attempt to court her, much to her disappointment.

Ashton’s arrival in Barbados brings mixed feelings, he is dismayed to learn that the plantation is not habitable, disgusted to learn that his father has slaves but he is overjoyed to learn that Hannah is visiting her brothers without her mother, who discouraged Ashton’s interest in Hannah the previous season. But even though Ashton knows he is not in a position to court her now, he looks forward to getting to know her better and hopefully finding a way out of his financial mess so he can plan for a future with her.

But just when it seems like everything will work out for our lovers, Ashton learns that his father made a deal with a local businessman that could not only ruin Ashton financially, but destroy any hope of a marriage with Hannah. Ashton will have to choose between keeping his honor and following his heart and even when that choice is made, HEA may not be in the stars for them.
I thought this was a very well-written and interesting story. It flowed nicely, had great characters, an exotic locale, some jaw-dropping revelations, a lot of twists and turns, a couple sweet kisses and a very, very, very hard-won HEA. This is the fifth book in the series, but it can easily be read as a stand-alone, but if you have read the other books you will be delighted to visit will some of the previous characters! I enjoyed this story and would be happy to recommend it.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me.*