Category: Sequel - Alyce Caswell - Author

Alyce Caswell - Author

Lightning Strikes Twice

3/7/2022

The Lost Laird from her Past (Falling for a Stewart #2)
by Jeanine Englert

Garrick has been lost to all who knew him for over a year, haunted by a mistake. He hoped that Brenna, the woman he loved, would think him dead. This falsity would have continued to succeed - if he hadn't come across her left for dead in a carriage surrounded by dead men. Brenna gave up on Garrick and is due to wed another man. But she may need Garrick around to save her life once more.

Another excellent entry in the Falling for a Stewart series from Jeanine Englert. You expect some changes between books, but I was almost as shaken as Garrick but how much had occurred - it's bold to do something like that and it really paid off. I also really enjoyed seeing Garrick and Brenna together again and I'm looking forward to Ewan's book (which I hope is on the horizon!).

The Troublesome Middle Child

2/7/2022

Fevered Star (Between Earth and Sky #2)
by Rebecca Roanhorse

Convergence has come and gone - and so has the Crow God, leaving behind Serapio, an empty vessel. Serapio is surrounded by new worshippers and new enemies, including the Sun God's vessel who survived via betrayal. He is divided from Xiala, who has found herself caught up in what might be the beginnings of a war. Meanwhile, Tova remains darkened by a black sun.

The fascinating characters and world building from Black Sun are still present here, but as happens with all fantasy trilogies, book 2 was always destined for Middle Book Syndrome. Characters are moved about and separated for the sake of being separated - not unusual when MBS has struck - which bogged things down a bit for me. Looking forward to the conclusion, which I hope will deliver.

Until the Soul Singer Sings

25/6/2022

The Shattering Song (Song Magic #2)
by Imogen Elvis

Briar and her friends have already sacrificed much in trying to stop Lord Sachio from taking over the kingdom, but they have not yet succeeded. A dangerous trip to Mizra, the capital, may yield the allies and resources they need - or it may result in even greater sacrifices, if they can't avoid the punishment for so-called treason. Either way, this is the end of their journey.

While this is an excellent and satisfying conclusion to the story, I do feel that it might have worked better if it had been expanded over a trilogy. That said, I very much enjoyed spending time with Briar, Kade and Lara once more. I became attached to them so quickly! Elvis masterfully creates characters that you want to root for and protect as soon as you meet them.

Blossoming

13/6/2022

Paperbark Hill by Maya Linnell

One family tragedy set Ned Gardiner on his wandering path and now another has brought him home to his father's farm in Bridgefield. He doesn't usually keep his family in the same place long, but this time he might find a reason to stay. Diana McIntyre is trying to make her flower farm successful - no mean feat while grappling with loss and four boys. But help may have just arrived...

What a lovely slice of life this was. While Paperbark Hill had lower stakes than the previous books, I quite enjoyed the slow, believable build up of a relationship between two very real people - and of course it's nice to keep up with the McIntyres. Linnell has created a family (and a town) populated with characters that you always look forward to spending time with.

You've Got Regency Romance

15/4/2022

Love Letters by the Sea (The Siren's Retreat Quartet #4)
by Alyce Caswell

The Siren's Retreat has featured many great love stories, including Deborah Cartwright's own - but now she is a widow. Her inn is her home and her child. When Patrick Gretham shows up on behalf of his employer to take it from her, it's obvious there will never be anything between them. And of course, there is that mysterious man Deborah has been corresponding with...

I think You've Got Mail is one of the greatest movies in existence and I've been sadly disappointed by books inspired by it before. But yay! That didn't happen here. I freaking loved Love Letters by the Sea and I know I'm going to reread this novella to death. The perfect choice for an evening in with tea. Lastly, this quartet has been such a delight to read - I hope both authors consider gifting us with more. ;)

This is How the Trilogy Dies

15/4/2022

Queen's Hope (Padmé Trilogy #3)
by E. K. Johnston

Padmé usually shares everything that she is with the galaxy, especially her handmaidens - but now she has a secret. Something that is hers and hers alone. But the Clone War has begun and stealing moments with her new husband is difficult, especially when she must depart on a clandestine mission and leave loyal Sabé in her place on Coruscant.

I absolutely LOVED the other two books, so this was a little bit of a letdown. I do enjoy how Johnston gives the women of Star Wars a voice, though Queen's Hope contained too many voices and seemed to include some characters just 'cause. Padmé's mission didn't really add much to the plot either. But Johnston did finally make me like Anakin/Padmé together - something I never thought was possible. Ha!

Team Bad Guy

9/4/2022

Untamed (The Fallen Guardians #4)
by Cassie Laelyn

Raine isn't complicated - she likes sharp, pointy things and she has a destiny fulfil (thanks, Fate!). Nothing is going to get in her way, certainly not a Fallen who's been on Team Bad Guy this whole time. Slater craves freedom but he needs a certain item to achieve this - a weapon forged by Raine and a weapon she wants back. But he can't let her get it...and he can't lose his heart to her either.

Whew, sparks were definitely flying in this one. Raine and Slater are quite the pair - and I'm a sucker for random cats in my romances lol. If you've read books from this series before, you'll get exactly what you're expecting. I am getting a bit of fatigue over the main story arc since it does move forward quite glacially, but this is still a fun enemies-to-lovers romp (bonus cat - did I mention the cat?).

Seaside Excellence

1/4/2022

A Spinster by the Sea (Siren's Retreat Quartet #3)
by Grace Burrowes

Anne Baxter has just been jilted at the altar - the third time a match has eluded her - and has chosen to recover by the sea. Augustus did his best to get the groom to the church, but isn't particularly sorry that he failed. Anne's would-be husband was useless. When Augustus happens across Anne on the beach, he sees not a woman to be pitied - but perhaps, an opportunity.

I absolutely adore this novella series and I'm quite sad that it's only a "quartet"! How will I cope after novella #4 is published? Unsurprisingly, I loved A Spinster by the Sea and I would trot out the usual "I wish it had been longer line", but the truth is the two authors in this series are pros at making the stories fit the lengths they've chosen. Anne and Augustus had such a beautiful romance and I'm still smiling when I think about them, a whole day after finishing their novella.

A Scottish Firecracker in London

31/3/2022

Lady Scot (Always a Scot #2)
by Jade Lee

I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Mairi MacAdaidh had her future all mapped out, but now the man she intended to marry is wed to someone else - and she is cast adrift, without a household to run. Connall Aberbeag would have her, if she let him. But Mairi would rather run to London and have a Season to find someone who doesn't ignite such fear and passion inside her. Connall, however, isn't going to let her out of his sight.

Mairi and Connall were fun characters to meet, as were their companions - although, I could have done with less of the side plot and more scenes focusing on the actual couple. They didn't really seem to get much time together! That aside, this was a very pleasant read that won't eat up too much of your time. And who doesn't like to see a firecracker meet her match?

Short, Sweet and Scrumptious

13/3/2022

An Affair by the Sea (The Siren's Retreat #2)
by Erica Ridley

I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Allegra has spent years looking after her cousins, but once she turns thirty she will inherit enough to become independent. She has no interest in marriage, even if she did invent a rakish suitor. Obviously, she had no idea that she'd nearly run over his real-life twin! John's attempt to change his career met disaster in London, but at the Siren's Retreat he can be anyone - including Allegra's imaginary suitor.

A delightful and scrumptious (pun definitely intended!) novella that was exactly the palate cleanser I needed. The story also fit the length perfectly, which doesn't always happen with shorter tales. Allegra and John had instant chemistry and I was desperate for them to get together. I also think the Siren's Retreat setting is an excellent staging ground, so I'll definitely be reading the other novellas in the series.