"Brooding gothic"
The Ravencliff Bride has one of the most sensual covers out
this year. But even the best cover cannot prop up a shoddy
book. So it's up to the writer to deliver and Dawn Thompson
does. This is a Gothic Historical Romance, with a strong
paranormal theme, that should thrill those who cut their
romance teeth on Gothics or those just learning their
fascinating style. Sara Walvern is traveling along the coast of Cornwall in
early 1800s. She has just made a pack to marry a man she
has never seen. Quite understandably, she is getting cold
feet, but knows she has no choice, but to honor the
agreement. She accepted the offer of marriage in order to
escape debtor's prison. Only what sort of rich man has to
buy a bride? What awaits her at the end of the journey?
Will he be deformed, aged or worse - a lunatic? Sara is shocked when she meets her groom to be. He is
handsome, young and displays no tendency toward madness. So
why would this handsome man need to purchase a wife? Though Nicholas is attracted to the wife he bought, that
much is clear, he shows no inclination in consummating
their marriage, only increasing the mystery to Sara. Sara's
one solace in the early days of her new home is Nicholas's
dog Nero. Sara is not content to accept life as Nicholas
sets as the pace, and despite all, she is falling in love
with the mysterious man. Soon Sara learned there is a curse that hovers of Nicholas
life. Only Sara is not going to let that triumph and is
willing to fight for her love. The book is very atmospheric, evocative of the great black
and white films of the 50s such as Jane Ayer, Dragonwick
etc. So those who love Gothics, you will want to get this new
author a chance to dazzle you. P osted October 14,
2005
Reviewed by Deborah Macgillivray
Posted November 22, 2006
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