"An Engaging Gothic Historical"
Reviewed by Kate Garrabrant
Posted May 1, 2009
Romance Historical | Romance Paranormal
Lady Anne Addison has traveled all the way to Yorkshire to
see her friend, Lady Lydia Bestwick who has been married to
Lord John for four months. But these four months of marriage
have been anything but happy. Lydia has sent Anne a letter
full of complaints about how her mother-in-law despises her
and all about her husband's faults. She pleads with Anne to
visit her. Anne knows too well how Lydia tends to be a bit
dramatic, especially when Lydia mentions about a werewolf
haunting the Darkefell estate. But Anne is concerned and
will go to Lydia. Anne is expecting a carriage to take her to Darkefell
Castle. When she is refused, she walks on foot through the
remote area. As night falls, Anne hears a woman screams and
comes upon a body that has been torn apart. Anne rushes for
help and arrives at the castle. She is not expected because
Lydia has not told anybody. The residence is in shock to see
Anne because she is covered in blood. The Marquess of
Darkefell is more annoyed by Anne's arrival. Anne is out of
sorts because Lydia has lied to her. Lydia wants Anne to
investigate these alleged werewolf sightings and killings.
Anne reluctantly does what her friend asks, much to the
disapproval of the Marquess. Darkefell has no choice but to
help Anne, simply for the fact he doesn't want her to snoop
around where she shouldn't. As Anne and Darkefell become partners, they find out there
is something more dastardly going on at the castle. But
Darkefell has some family secrets that should just must
remain that. And if he has to stop Anne from putting her
nose where it shouldn't belong, so be it. Those who are longing for a nice gothic read will want to
pick up LADY ANNE AND THE HOWL IN THE DARK. The atmosphere
and mystery written by Donna Lea Simpson is top notch. Anne
is a very likeable heroine who ends up in an incredible
situation that places her life in danger. She matches wits
with the Marquess of Darkefell who is so used to being
obeyed in everything, that he is so off center when it comes
to the fair Anne who won't be ordered around Some parts are a bit slow and if you are expecting a romance
to blossom between Anne and Darkefell, you will be
disappointed. There are the makings on one, but nothing is
concluded between the two, which leads me to believe there
will be a sequel in the future. Donna Lea Simpson is a talented author who has written a
lovely historical mystery with LADY ANNE AND THE HOWL IN THE
DARK.
SUMMARY
Historical romance with a twist - a little bit of gothic
suspense, a paranormal element that turns out not to be, and
a whole lot of fun! Lady Anne Addison is a
rational and courageous woman. So when she's summoned by a
frightened friend to Yorkshire to prove or disprove the
presence in their woods of a menacing wolf - or werewolf -
she takes up the challenge. Grim, dank and shadowed
Darkefell Castle is an ancient keep with a scabrous history.
And now it appears that a preternatural menace is behind the
events terrorizing the country folk. Lady Anne finds
the Marquess of Darkefell to be an infuriatingly unyielding
man. Rumors swirl and suspects abound. When she finally
solves the mystery, the Marquess is indeed at the middle of
it, but not at all in the way that Lady Anne had
suspected... and now he's firmly determined to win her in
spite of everything. PRAISE FOR DONNA LEA SIMPSON:
"Donna Lea Simpson has re-imagined the classic
gothic romance, and any reader who loved Victoria Holt, but
always felt cheated by the lack of sexy details, or wished
that the manor really were haunted, will adore Awaiting the
Moon. Donna Lea Simpson is absolutely brilliant!"
Fresh Fiction
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