Tag: Gaslight fantasy

Review:  Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea (Tomes and Tea Book 1) by Rebecca Thorne 

Rating: 4.5🌈

Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea, the first book in the cozy LGBT romance fantasy Tomes and Tea series by Rebecca Thorne, has an totally different feel than the excellent Moss’d N Space novel I just finished by this writer. 

Slower paced, more to the journey of the couple and the establishment of their new shop than the other space adventure. But the relationship between the two characters, the dynamics and the way Thorne builds her community is just as excellent and thorough. 

The women, each with their fears and strengths about their decision to leave and have a future together in Tawny, despite the ramifications, have relatable moments and credibility here. From talks about power imbalance to money, it’s a relationship between adults who want to make sure their relationship works. 

Even with magic, dragons, bandits, and a psychopath of a queen behind them. 

Reyna, the Queen’s Guard and Kianthe, the Mage of the Ages, fleeing to set up a tea and book shop in the cold hinterlands was a dream, until it became clear that Reyna needed to leave before she became a casualty of the Queen’s cruelty. 

The town of Tawney, its citizens are beautifully drawn. They are soon become part of this couple’s found family and new life. 

And there’s a mystery a foot that needs to be solved, and that’s will take investigating as well as a journey. 

And dragons. 

A slower delight and cozy fantasy mystery that I absolutely enjoyed. 

Another wonderful tale to share. 

Cover art by Irene Huang 

Cover typography by Amphi 

Map by Rebecca Thorne 

Chapter ornaments by Amphi 

Tip-in illustration by Eilene Cherie

Includes the short story:

“Meet and Greet” by Rebecca Thorne

Tomes & Tea (4 book series):

Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea #1

A Pirate’s Life for Tea #2

Tea You at the Altar #3

Alchemy and a Cup of Tea #4

Buy link

 Book 1 of 4: Tomes & Tea 

Blurb 

In the tradition of Legends & Lattes, comes a cozy fantasy steeped in sapphic romance about one of the Queen’s private guards and a powerful mage who want to open a bookshop and live happily ever after…if only the world would let them.

All Reyna and Kianthe want is to open a bookshop that serves tea. Worn wooden floors, plants on every table, firelight drifting between the rafters… all complemented by love and good company. Thing is, Reyna works as one of the Queen’s private guards, and Kianthe is the most powerful mage in existence. Leaving their lives isn’t so easy.

But after an assassin takes Reyna hostage, she decides she’s thoroughly done risking her life for a self-centered queen. Meanwhile, Kianthe has been waiting for a chance to flee responsibility–all the better that her girlfriend is on board. Together, they settle in Tawney, a town nestled in the icy tundra near dragon country, and open the shop of their dreams.

What follows is a cozy tale of mishaps, mysteries, and a murderous queen throwing the realm’s biggest temper tantrum. In a story brimming with hurt/comfort and quiet fireside conversations, these two women will discover just what they mean to each other… and the world.

Bramble

Publication date

July 10, 2023

Language

‎English

Print length

345 pages

Book 1 of 4

Tomes & Tea

Review:  Lord (Noble’s Luck Book 2) by Mel Todd

Rating: 3🌈

Honestly, Lord is a huge letdown after the fabulous Lady. And that’s totally due to the character of Emmeline’s clueless brother, Duncan Luck.

Of the three siblings who are the focus of this series, Duncan was always going to be the most problematic. So I was hopeful that Todd was going to be able to make him a more balanced and empathetic character here instead of a self absorbed, socially naive, and yes, cowardly person. However, brilliant he might be.

I cannot count how many times this story was almost a DNF for me. 

Several things kept me going.

Firstly, the interesting format Todd had chosen for this trilogy. The timeline for three books, Lady (Emmeline), Lord (Duncan), and Bastard (Silas Emmason), have them occurring simultaneously, just seeing the same events from different perspectives. As well as filling in the missing details and information from when each character is absent from the other’s storyline. 

And this factor works against Duncan in every aspect.  Every horror Emmeline endures, all the fear and despair, the pain and humiliation at their father’s hand, we see that Duncan ignores it, ignores her, hiding behind his experiments. Or refusing to acknowledge that he has been behaving in a manner which seems cowardly and naive.  He’s basically a grown man who either refuses to act or when he chooses, doesn’t consider the consequences to others.  For 85 percent of the story. 

No, however badly Todd seems to want to excuse or explain his actions, Duncan isn’t a character I could care about or invest in.  Mostly I thought him a dangerous fool. Well written, but not one I would ever connect with. 

The story was interesting from just the different standpoint and to see Silas’ interactions here with Duncan .  And, of course, to see Emmy set Duncan straight again on his deplorable outlook and behavior. 

Next to Emmy, Silas is the most interesting. And I’m onto his story which wraps up their trilogy. 

This is an alternate timeline in Victorian England. Magic has just started to appear, Prince Albert never dies, Disraeli stays in office longer. And Victoria never retires because she never falls into grief and mourning, but remains a strong monarch. More is learned about the world political landscape and unrest here.  Another important aspect of this story. 

Lady/Emmy remains the absolute gem of this series. Lord/Duncan is the charcoal. Both are needed. 

I adore the covers. Each and every one.  Detailed to fit the character. 

Cover by Ampersand Book Covers

Noble’s Luck:

Lady #1

Lord #2

Bastard #3

Buy link 

        Lord (Noble’s Luck Book 2)

    

Blurb 

Mr. Duncan Luck has always preferred the clarity of science to the chaos of human expectations.


Crippled as a teenager, he has endured years of his father’s disdain, deemed unworthy of both respect and the family title. When his father reveals a bastard heir who could replace him and forces his sister into a wretched engagement, Duncan’s carefully ordered world begins to unravel.

An accident in his laboratory changes everything. Instead of death, Duncan awakens to something far stranger: magic. The discovery shakes him to his core, offering a new field of study more exhilarating than science—and perhaps, a chance to prove himself. Dragging his reluctant new brother along, Duncan seeks training under the formidable and mysterious Miss Antoinette Carlton. While magic captivates him, Duncan’s efforts to impress his father lead him to develop enchanted looms to revolutionize their family’s mill.

Just as success and his father’s respect feel within reach, tragedy strikes, leaving Duncan broken in body and spirit. With his dreams in tatters and his self-worth shattered, he must confront his failures and decide who he wants to become. Accepting a dubious and possibly dangerous offer from Miss Carlton, Duncan resolves to use his mind and magic to forge a path uniquely his own.

In a society that values strength and dominance, can a man of intellect and magic find his place—and his worth—before it’s too late?

  • Publisher: Bad Ash Publishing
  • Publication date: February 17, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 328 pages
  • Book 2 of 3: Noble’s Luck