Maggie Blackbird

Today, I’m hosting author D. Taylor’s latest release, By Chance, a historical romance. Be sure to read my review. And don’t forget to enter the King Sumo giveaway.

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Title: By Chance
Series: N/A
Author: D. Taylor
Genre: Historical Romance
Release Date: January 21, 2026

Blurb: Charlotte Douglas has spent far too long trying to stitch her life back together after a single betrayal shattered her place in the community that once adored her. With every polite nod and measured smile, she shoulders the same whispered story: she is not the young lady she ought to be — and certainly not the kind any respectable man would escort into a ballroom.

Then a flat tire on a warm afternoon brings Elias Navarro to her gate.

A hardworking mechanic with steady hands and a restless heart, Elias has lived safely, sensibly, and without surprise. Until Charlotte. With her quiet fire, careful poise, and eyes that dare him to look closer, she becomes the first woman in years to make him want more than the life he knows.

What begins as a returned plate and a shared cup of coffee becomes something neither expected: late-afternoon walks, borrowed laughter, the charge of almost-kisses, and the slow, undeniable pull toward something tender.

But Charlotte’s past is a room full of watching eyes—and the Winter Soirée is coming.

When Charlotte hesitates to invite Elias, terrified he will judge the truth she’s never said aloud, he mistakes her quiet fear for rejection. And when cruel words at the ball turn her reputation into spectacle, Elias steps into the fray without hesitation—proving himself steady, fierce, and nothing like the man who once broke her heart.

What follows is a reckoning of truths:
her fear of being unworthy,
his fear of not belonging in her world,
and the choice they must face—
whether love found by chance can become love fought for on purpose.

Goodreads | Amazon

She’d waited all week—in the silent spaces between lessons and remarks about “polished suitors,” in the ache behind her piano keys. This day had come like a long-held note finally landing, and now her stomach fluttered with questions she didn’t dare name.

She glanced down. A pale silk blouse, neatly tucked into navy trousers, the lines clean and crisp beneath her buttoned coat. No hat. No gloves. Just one pearl button at her throat and her hair swept soft at the sides.

Charlotte stepped onto the walk, coat gathered close, and followed the sidewalk toward the streetcar stop two blocks down. The neighborhood was beginning to stir—quiet footsteps, clipped heels, a warm breeze thick with cinnamon and bread—but her mind attuned itself to a different sound entirely.

And then… there it was.

A low mechanical rumble, bell clanging faintly as the streetcar approached.

Charlotte’s pulse leapt. She stood straighter, smoothing her coat. And when she rounded the corner—

Elias was already there.

He leaned against the lamppost like he’d been waiting half his life: cap low, hands in his coat pockets, the early light softening the strong line of his jaw. He saw her before she meant him to—saw the coat, the clean lines of the trousers, the brightness in her eyes she didn’t know she was carrying.

He didn’t smile at first.

He looked.

Slow. Appreciative. Like he was memorizing her.

“You’re early,” he said, voice warm. “Almost worried I’d dreamed you up.”

“I didn’t want to keep you waiting.”

“You haven’t yet,” Elias said, and the way he said it—warm, low, familiar—made it clear he wasn’t talking about only this morning.

CHECK OUT D. TAYLOR’S OTHER RELEASES

Reckless | Allied Hearts | Rescued

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I love historical romance.  It’s my fave sub-genre in romance, so when this book came up to read and review, I was in.

First off, the author is a beautiful writer.  I was captivated by her prose.  And she also brings to the story wonderful characters.

Charlotte Douglas isn’t the lady everyone wants her to be, especially her parents.  She is independent and a woman ahead of her time.  But people don’t wish for her to have a brain or goals.  Instead, she’s stuck in the house after a scandal almost cost her family their reputation.  Her mother uses guilt to keep Charlotte in line.

Then there is Elias Navarro, who is also struggling with people’s expectations of him, such as marrying the right woman in his social class and culture.  Just like Charlotte, Elias doesn’t wish to conform.

They have a chance meeting, and a slow-burning romance begins.  I loved the slow-burn part because it’s built on respect and friendship.  Since this is set in the 1920s, they take the time to get to know each other.  Even though they come from different backgrounds, they can’t help but fall in love, but they have their families and society to fight against.

The author tells the tale with stolen moments, connection, and pure sweet romance.  Enemies lurk in the background, though.  Such as Charlotte’s former beau, who dumped her for Charlotte’s best friend.  While not an enemy, the stunning Laura proves to be a dilemma Elias must address.

The author provides a great setting in Chicago with vivid descriptions of this time period.  The protagonists are modern, but not too modern.  The conflict is present but not overblown.  Instead, the author focuses on the romance between Charlotte and Elias, which I enjoyed, since sometimes external conflicts can detract from the heart of the romance.

This is a sweet, short read of 150 pages on my Kobo.  Do yourself a favour and get a copy.

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D. Taylor is a passionate storyteller with a love for multicultural romance, adventure, and historical fiction. She independently wrote and toured with her novel Allied Hearts, a compelling romance that explores love, identity, and the strength of human connection.

Beyond writing, D. Taylor is a devoted wife of 18 years and a loving mother who cherishes time with her children. She finds joy in cooking, creating delicious meals that bring her family together. When she’s not writing or in the kitchen, she enjoys researching history, discovering new cultures, and embracing the ever-changing world of storytelling.

D. Taylor believes that every story has the power to transport, transform, and inspire. Her work celebrates strong heroines, captivating heroes, and the resilience of love in all its forms.

Find out more and get bonus book material or join my mailing list @dtaylorwrites

Follow D. Taylor: Website | Facebook | Amazon

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