Abigail Jones

Chronicles of Abigail Jones #1

by Grace Callaway

Alternate cover edition of ASIN B0074B82DU


A Maid with a Secret… Beneath her shy, bookish exterior, Abigail Jones hides a terrible affliction: shocking and licentious visions possess her, threatening her very sanity. When she is suddenly left alone in the world, Abby must seek a position at Hope End, a gothic English estate. She hopes to find refuge there, but instead she discovers pieces of a mystery: a portrait of a haunting beauty, a housekeeper who knows too much, and a powerful lord torn between revenge and seduction…

A Lord with a Past… Enigmatic and handsome as sin, Earl Huxton is surrounded by rumors about the unexplained death of his first wife and his boldly rakish behavior. Beneath Hux’s debonair façade, however, lies hidden torment—and a secret burning quest for vengeance. Nothing compromises his pursuit of justice until he meets Abby, a maid who seems to see into the dark corners of his soul and whose touch entices him to relinquish the past for an infinitely sweeter obsession…

A Love for All Time… Hux and Abby's adventures take them from the gothic countryside to the erotic underworld of Victorian London. As passion flares between them, dangerous secrets begin to unravel. With the final battle against evil looming, a startling connection between his past and her secret comes to light. Will the demons of the past destroy their future… or will their love vanquish the darkness?

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Paranormal, Gothic, Historical, Fantasy, Dark

310 pages, ebook

First published January 31, 2012

About the author

Preorder GLORY AND THE MASTER OF SHADOWS (Lady Charlotte's Society of Angels #4) for March 28th!

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Don't miss this thrilling new historical romance by USA Today Bestseller Grace Callaway! Set during the Opium Wars, this steamy and spellbinding Charlie’s Angels meets Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon romance will leave you breathless...

Their love is forbidden…and irresistible.

The daughter of a half-Chinese duke and a lady fossil hunter, Lady Glory Cavendish is a free-spirited campaigner for justice. She belongs to a secret society of lady detectives whose goal is to help women in need. During her latest case involving a dastardly dognapping, Glory crosses paths with the handsome and mysterious Wei Chen, a master of healing and martial arts. Fascinated by the noble shifu, Glory convinces him to take her on as a pupil; the more time she spends with him, however, the more she longs for lessons of a more intimate nature.

Master Wei Chen has led a life of discipline focused on a single goal: avenging his murdered kin. His journey takes him to London where, by day, he treats opium users in his East End clinic and, by night, he secretly hunts the villain who destroyed his family. Yet for the first time, temptation distracts Wei: his spirited and lovely new pupil stirs dangerous needs in him. Desires that are forbidden between a shifu and his student…and between a commoner and a duke’s daughter.

As Wei and Glory’s slow-burn romance ignites into fiery passion, they are drawn into a web of betrayal and deceit. Torn between honor and desire, revenge and love, the pair must decide if they will let the past determine their future…or if they will fight the shadows for their chance at happily ever after.

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About Grace

USA Today & International Bestselling Author Grace Callaway writes hot and heart-melting historical romance filled with mystery and adventure. Her debut novel was a Romance Writers of America® Golden Heart® Finalist and a #1 National Regency Bestseller, and her subsequent novels have topped national and international bestselling lists. She is the winner of the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery and Suspense, the Maggie Award for Excellence in Historical Romance, the Golden Leaf, and the Passionate Plume Award for Historical Novel. She holds a doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Michigan and lives with her family in a valley close to the sea. When she’s not writing, she enjoys dancing, exploring the great outdoors with her rescue pup, and cheering on her favorite basketball team.

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Reviews

[emtee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gothic, done right. Where the dark, mysterious atmosphere is so deeply woven into and around the story that it almost becomes a living, breathing character itself.

Before reading this book, I was unfamiliar with the mythology of Lilith, and Rosetti’s painting. Early on in the story my curiosity sent me online to look at the painting and familiarize myself with stories of Lilith. It’s not necessary to do this in order to enjoy the book, but being able to visualize the painting, which figures prominently in the story, and knowing a little bit about Lilith added an extra dimension to the story for me. I’m a fan of Grace Callaway’s historical romances but now have a newfound appreciation for her ability to weave mythology into a darkly compelling tale.

Reaching the wrought-iron gate at the end of the drive, I paused to look back. The sun had dipped below the massive stone structure. Limned by shadows, the Hall appeared like a dark behemoth slumbering upon its belly. Its spine was the crenellated roof line, its wing the huge pointed arch over the entrance. It had eyes of brilliant stained glass and nostrils in a pair of covered doorways. It even had a tail, pointing upright in the single crooked tower of the west wing ... An extraordinary entity where beauty and darkness co-existed and fed upon one another. With a shiver, I could not help but think that master and domain were well-suited.

Gothic romance, demons, lush sensuality, dark, terrifying visions, mythology, love, destiny and secrets… this story had it all. From the opening chapter, I was enthralled. When I finished, I immediately wanted to read it again.

Outstanding!

[Rachel Rowell · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ rounded up. How do I even begin to describe this story…

- Virtuous servant girl gets the earl?
- Jane Eyre with demon hunters?
- A cosmic battle of Catholic guilt vs the female libido??

I’m gonna say yes to all three 😂

Abigail’s religious musings are a little heavy-handed for my taste (although period-appropriate and very reminiscent of Jane Eyre… I mean, Jane would have absolutely freaked out and had a crisis of faith if she were experiencing random succubus visions). Similarly, the novel’s themes are a teeny bit confusing and contradictory (are we supposed to enjoy sex or not? 😂)

However, Hux is a classic tormented Byronic hero, the spice is delightfully spicy, and the manor house setting and all-around gothic vibes are immaculate.

I also enjoyed the Dante Gabriel Rossetti cameo, and the inclusion of his famous painting Lady Lilith as a crucial part of the plot. I love when fiction pulls from art for inspiration!

[Preeti ♥︎ Her Bookshelves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Could have been 5* but is a just about 4*, for me.

The author, very effectively, sets up a dark, mysterious and arcane atmosphere. Very gothic.
The roiling but just out of reach secrets and a powerlessness to understand what is actually happening is underscored by the h's first person narrative.
The erotic angle only increases the tension in the story.

The h, a down on her luck girl and who has been apprenticing as a maid in the H's household, is about to perform her first duty as a maid - to deliver wine and a fruit tray to the master and his female guest.The protective housekeeper, with her apprehensive looks and words about her safety on adds to the grim, secretive aura.
The scene, when she does, raised my goosebumps.

After few more such scenes with the H and I was so hooked to the mystery and what would happen to the h. Because, she's hiding a bigger secret than the house or the H himself. And happily or not, related to the whole grand scheme too.

So, all good and tense till the two-thirds of the book till I wasn't scared or intrigued or invested at all. Things got to a bit of an eye-roll level. The erotic angle also dips as his reputation was than a tad bloated. And he's too much of a nice guy. Sad!
When he finally trusts her and the h/H issues are resolved, the book actually dips and the H's overprotectiveness and repetitively asking her to go away (for a while) only irritate. And to me, the h/H chemistry failed or became un-intense, at this point.

The big secret or the big villain angle was a bit too much for me to take in. It always happens when serious mythical figures or events are so casually added and embroiled as players/characters in the story. As if they have nothing better to do!
I feel a feminist mind will find itself rooting for the (vilified) feminine evil. Or at least feel uncomfortable, at the end. Her grouse was real, in the larger picture. And it was a man's world (then, and now) and they set the rules, and she never had a chance or a choice.. So, a woman scorned and all.

The real life painter angle with Rossetti and his mistress, Fanny is interesting.

[Allison Gravel · Rating 5 out of 5]

How are there not more ratings/reviews on this book?

Dark Gothic Romance meets a retelling of Jane Eyre.
I was already in, the fact that it took an interesting spin in the middle and became more than just your average bodice ripper made it infinitely better.

The scenes are sexy, I’m always happy to see a book use the word turgid, it should really come back into fashion.

Hux and Abigail were intriguing characters, and I really enjoyed the twists as we learned more about them. I don’t want to give away the twists and turns because that’s half the fun of the book, I will say this book is more than it first appears and you will not regret reading it.

I loved this, it was fun, and sexy and dark and surprising and I couldn’t put it down

[Tina Folsom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sheltered bluestocking Abigail Jones hides a terrible curse: she is haunted by demonic visions, terrifying and erotic. When her aunt dies, Abby is forced to find work at the gothic castle Hope End and there she catches the eye of its brooding master, Lord Huxton. Unbeknownst to Abby, Hux’s tormented past drives him to lead a secret life as a demon slayer. As the passion between master and maid blazes, they come to a startling realization: her visions and his quest for vengeance are linked, and they will have to battle the ultimate evil together if their world—and their love—are to survive.

What I loved about this book was the seamless way the author combined the disparate elements of a steamy historical romance, a compelling mystery, and an exciting paranormal world to create something fresh and different. At the same time, the page-turning plots served to fully develop the relationship between the heroine and hero—and the chemistry between the two is HOT. As many reviewers have said, this author delivers that rare breed of true erotic romance.

I’m always a sucker for tortured bad boys, and Hux is a delicious example of that. I loved the way the passion and intimacy between Hux and Abby evolved and how they overcame their conflicts to find true love. And the sex scenes sizzled!

Fans of Jane Eyre and Rebecca, so those who like gothic romances—especially sexy ones with a paranormal bent—will love this book. This novel will also appeal to paranormal readers who like dark world-building and demons. In terms of movies, I could see Abigail Jones as a BBC costume drama … only the camera doesn’t fade out at the kiss

[Eliza · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have finally figured it out. Grace Callaway is candy corn. You know the small yellow, orange, and white triangle candy that pops up every year at Halloween? That’s her…Grace is candy corn and candy corn is Grace.

I say this because every year without fail I see the tempting little triangle candies and think “Damn, that looks good, I shall try it.” It doesn’t matter that every year since I could chew, I’ve done the same thing WITH THE EXACT SAME RESULT…I spit it out because it’s fucking gross. Yet, the next year as sure as the sun will rise…I pick up the offending candy, try it and then spit it out.

I do this with Grace Calloway books. Every time I read her blurbs I think “Damn, that looks good, I shall try it.” See where I am going with this? I’ve never, ever enjoyed a Grace Calloway book. I don’t really know why…she seems like a lovely person; she is well-liked, and her books are popular…but I cannot stand them. Why do I keep trying them???? Someone stop me!!!

The reviews for this book are really postive and honestly the story is exactly what I love to read, so I don’t know where the disconnect is? It’s frustrating because I feel like I should be able to express what it is I do not enjoy about her writing, but nothing comes to mind. It’s unfair to the author too, but I do need to go with my feelings, and I just simply do not enjoy her work. It’s candy corn.

[romancelibrary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, was this DARK or what? I decided to read dark romance novels in honour of our Dark Romance romancestagram challenge on Instagram and also because it's October. I asked for dark and I got it in Abigail Jones. This book shook me...I had to take a break from it because I was scared shitless at one point lol. I'm sure it's not even the darkest romance out there, but man, the paranormal aspect actually scared me lol. I'm a total coward when it comes to certain supernatural things - I can't do horror at all. If it wasn't for the electrifying romance between Abigail and Hux, I would have probably DNF this purely out of cowardice LOL. Who am I kidding though? I love Grace Callaway so I could never DNF her books. Like I said, this book is dark, but keep in mind that things are not what they seem to be. I know some people could potentially DNF this book because some of the scenes that are described early on in the book are quite disturbing. But I will say this again: things are not what they seem to be because there's more to the story that is revealed later on.

Abigail Jones is a dark gothic paranormal historical erotic romance (a mouthful! lol!) - set in the Victorian era, of course. I don't want to spoil the paranormal element for anyone because it wasn't something I saw coming. I was expecting the usual paranormal stuff you find in romance novels and this one took me by surprise. Now that I think about it, it really shouldn't have taken me by surprise because there was some foreshadowing. Anyway, there is a power dynamic between Hux and Abigail that some people might not be overly comfortable with, but this dynamic blossomed into a sweeping and titillating romance. I won't go into much detail, but overall, I really enjoyed reading Abigail Jones, despite my irrational fear. As expected from Callaway, the romance was hooooot. I especially loved the revelation scenes - Hux's revelation was emotionally heavy and Abigail's revelation was sexually intense. So. Good.

Overall, this was really good, but I feel like everything was resolved too swiftly in the end. I still have some lingering questions, but I'm guessing this will be a series? So maybe some of these questions will be answered later on.

[Daniella · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't finish this book. This was so dark, so perverse, that I couldn't stomach any more of it. It's not even supposed to be considered as historical romance; it should be known as gothic erotica. It has strong BDSM undertones that remind me of E.L. James' Fifty Shades of Grey--only better written.

Well, every book is better written than Fifty Shades, but that's beside the point.

Sorry, but I don't do heavy BDSM. I am not comfortable with a hero who touches himself while looking at his dead wife's portrait, who ties women to the bed, who strangles his lover while making love.

He rears above me, and I see the flash of triumphant blue, the sudden glint of something silver.
Chains.
Fury tears into my throat. My hand flies to my hair. I grasp the blade, yank it free, and plunge it with all my power into his worthless human flesh. He holds me down with unexpected force; I hiss and struggle against the rattling menace of the heavy links. The cold bites into my neck, and his hand reaches for the poster of the bed. Then the darkness opens, but it is not the safety of my shadowed realm. He is dragging me, the silver chain strangled round my throat, the stone steps cutting into my knees, and we go higher and higher...

This last bit was the straw that broke the camel's back for me. After I read that strangling part, I knew I was done with this book.


Having a stupid, masochistic heroine didn't help either. Dear God, she just went along with the hero's perverted actions. Girl, grow some brains, please, I beg you.


You know what, I wanted to like this book. I was impressed by the richness of Ms. Callaway's storytelling--a far cry from some of her other books. But sorry, I just can't. This is just torture.

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 out of 5. A compelling historical romance that is complete with the shy and insecure maid, hired by the best friend of her guardian and aunt, and a dark, overbearing, but curiously kind and generous aristocrat who gave all his servants the weekend off. But Abigail had a secret--one that troubled her and had been a problem for almost everyone who found out about it. She had visions and they were of darkness and evil. She was usually subject to this phenomenon when she perceived an evil person close by. For some reason Earl Huston was drawn to her--did not attempt to seduce her, at least, not in the beginning--but was impressed by her knowledge of the Greek classics, Latin, and books that are not usually favored or known by women of the time. This novel is definitely a romance, but with the paranormal elements of Lilith and her offspring, a troubled aristocrat who has been given the mandate to slay 13 of Lilith's offspring by the Archangel Michael in order to give peace to his dead brother and his son, and a young woman whose future is often in peril because of her lack of connections as well as her troubling penchant for psychic visions. A very good story, well told, and which keeps the reader enthralled from page one. There are lots of twists and turns, unexpected occurrences and such that kept me on the edge of my seat all the way through. I felt deeply for Abby, a youn women with a kind and caring heart, whose only connection to her mother had been through her aunt, whose education and training had always emphasized that she had been conceived in love. This is a truly fine novel and well worth the time and effort to read. I was delighted to do so.

[Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark, intense, and romantic!

Abigail Jones is the story of a poor woman with a dark secret who works as a maid in the English country estate house of Lucian Huxton, who's secrets are equally dark. The necessity of keeping her secret has led to a life of loneliness for Abigail and she recognizes the same condition in Lord Huxton.

Huxton is drawn to Abigail's keen intelligence and shy beauty, but his desire to get closer to Abigail is tempered by a dangerous quest for vengeance. But Abigail knows more about his mission than she is willing to admit to, fearing Huxton will be horrified when he learns the truth. Abigail's secret and Huxton's past must eventually meet head to head in a startling battle between good and evil.

The path to that final battle is a fast-paced, captivating story of paranormal romance that is sometimes sweet and not without humor. But from the first meeting of Huxton and Abigail, the romance is impassioned and erotic. The plot is dark and the action is intense. Abigail Jones is wonderful first novel in new series! I recommend it for anyone who enjoys historical paranormal romance.

[CaroleDee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED Abigail Jones! It is a fantastic novel that delivered all of the excitement of a great paranormal suspense along with a passionate romance that left me wanting more. I adored the main characters. Both Hux and Abby were very complex.. Their struggles to over-come their unwanted destinies and traumatizing pasts was a joy to read.
Reminiscent of one my favorites, Jane Eyre, Abigail Jones held just enough mystery and heat to keep me reading well into the night.
If you're a fan of paranormal historical romances (why aren't there more of these?!) I highly suggest picking up Abigail Jones. I assure you, you will not be disappointed!

[Bobby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hands down the best historical paranormal novel I've read: that may seem like faint praise - considering, as another reviewer pointed out, that the books of that genre are few and far between. Believe me, it isn't. Abigail Jones kept me reading all day with its mix of Jane Eyre, steamy scenes, and danger. Highly recommended.

[Sherri · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say that others haven't already? Ms. Callaway did a spectacular job of drawing me into the book in the first couple of pages. She also did a splendid job of building her characters (something I don't always see). I was rooting for some and hating others as I read the story. The pace of the novel was perfect, the romance was steamy and there were twists and turns in the storyline that I didn't expect, especially toward the end. I give this book 5/5 stars. I encourage others to read this book. I know I have a new author to follow and I will buy her books in the future.

Disclaimer: I won a copy of this book through a book blog. Although the author did not ask me for a review, I volunteered to give her – as well as other readers – my honest opinion.

[dakotapie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved the paranormal aspects of this book. Without them this was just a Jane Eyre ripoff, but that storyline took it to the next level.

[Nenia Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW. This is everything I want out of a dark gothic romance: strong heroine, tortured hero, vibes for days, moral ambiguity, just the tiniest bit of dub-con and a little bit of kink, and a little bit of the paranormal. I'm honestly shocked Grace Callaway wrote this, to be honest, because her newer stuff seems like it's for the fluffies, but this was DARK. Also, it's a Jane Eyre retelling?

I loved it.

Abigail Jones works as a maid in the Earl of Huxton's house. She's bookish and quiet and keeps to herself, but beneath the prudish exterior lies a dark secret: her mother was a prostitute who died in an asylum having fucked-up visions, and Abigail fears she'll end up exactly the same. She has nightmares constantly, and sometimes, during the day, she sees things that terrify her... and excite her.

After an encounter with the Earl in the library (ahem), he promotes her to the role of secretary, entrusting her as his confidant. But the closer she gets to him, the less she really knows. What's the deal with the painting of the creepy but beautiful woman in his library? What about the mysterious death of his late wife and his older brother? Where does he go all day and why does he sleep with so many women? The questions keep piling up, and the more there are, the less sure Abby is that she wants to know the answer. This doesn't even really scrape at the surface of what the book is REALLY about but I don't want to spoil things.

No, seriously. That WTF pivot in the middle is priceless.

I just loved this book so much, okay? It showed up on a list of JANE EYRE retellings and since this was one of the few that seemed to be taking the tried and true gothic route, I was immediately intrigued. The way that the author wove the foundational bits into her story while still making it absolutely her own was ingenious. This is one of those books where after I finished it, I walked away thinking, "I wish I'd thought of that." Even when things got kind of weird, I was still into it... because it was my brand of weird. The atmosphere was just as good as the romance, and the writing was simply luscious.

I'm surprised this book has such low ratings but I think part of the problem is how it was probably marketed. The contemporary historical romance crowd tends to prefer lighter fare, so if this was marketed with them in mind as an audience, I think many of them would be disgusted or put off. In terms of theme, I feel like this would actually be a better match for most dark romance readers: the gore, depravity, and morally gray antihero just fit in really neatly with what they tend to want.

Anyone who enjoys historical romances on the darker side will love this book.

5 stars

[Jessica Duet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good and confusing in some parts. It was a slow start then built up nicely. I got frustrated a few times by things done. But I put it down for a few minutes then jumped back in. I will read book two just to see how things play out.

[Omaina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Her weakest book. Made me laugh out loud at the ridiculous morality displayed by the crazy hero and the extremely boring heroine. Plus it was seriously missing the proper consent she sets up in all her other novels for the big sex scene.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love all of what Grace Calloway writes

A bit of mystery, magic, love, demons, and lots of passion. Great story with bold characters. Looking forward to book 2.

[Gia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow..what an amazing novel! A true gothic romance with supernatural overtones. I really loved it. Couldnt stop reading it from beginning to end.

[Namera [The Literary Invertebrate] · Rating 3 out of 5]

How can you have a Jane Eyre retelling without the best part (the big reveal and her leaving him)??? Disappointed. RTC

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can a virtuous maiden embrace her succubus side? Hell yes. This was an excellent dark Gothic romance complete with demon hunting and a hint of bdsm. Loved it.

[Roxanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this story! I’m looking forward to more paranormal adventures for Hux and Abby. So…where is book 2? I can’t wait to read it!

[Erica Singleton · Rating 2 out of 5]

I will admit this book was not at all what I expected. You begin with a young girl who seems to have visions, sexually explicit visions, when she touches other people's property. As the story proceeds you find out her power isn't quite as cute and dry as it seems. As well, Miss Jones isn't sure what to make of her employer, Earl Huxton, or the mystery that surrounds him, the painting of the woman in his study, and the death of his young bride. The sex scenes were quite good, and the suspense picks up as the story moves along. However, the reveal of what's going on, and the resolution felt a bit rushed towards the end for me. I can say, though, I did not figure out what was going on, and I enjoyed the overall story.

[Elizabeth Bennet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It sort of reminded me of the 50 shades of grey series. Hux ,the main character, has a dark side similar to Christian(50 shades of grey). Abigail's story however has a twist I enjoyed reading about. I love supernatural twist like what you find in a Hannah Howell book. When it got to the end ,however, I wished they had told a little more about the couples ending ,then in reading the authors notes I seen there is going to be a sequel. I can't wait. I hope its as good as the first.

[Shanti · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this story. I am excited to read more from this series. I cannot find the next book. What’s the problem? Is it written? Couldn’t find on amazon.

[Tai Nelson-Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well first off, I am not a reader of the supernatural. So this was a stretch for me to start with, but having read a couple other books from this author I thought I would give it a try.
To say this book was a surprise is an understatement. It took a bit to get into but once you start it is hard to stop. Note: you do have to read and pay attention to what is going on our you will get lost. As I had things going on with Christmas there were a couple times I had to re-read a page. But other than that, not much to say in the negative.
The characters are strong and hard and are just wonderful. Abigail is a wonderful girl that learns of her past so that she can have the future she deserves. Hux (the earl) is weird at first and you are just not sure where his character is going to go. It's a nice change to the usual men in romance novels. Hux is a tortured soul and is written really well. Love him! These two together get along and can get through anything thrown at them.
I am going to assume that there will be something to come out of this book (a part 2?) The ending didn't really leave for a second book. But would love to see one!
Anyway, great book, and another great one from this author!

[Nicola Keeble · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book of what I remember, as i wasn't with Goodreads then.

[Sara K. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a little different from the types of Historical Romances I usually read, but overall I enjoyed it. The author's other series are favorites of mine so I thought I'd give it a shot. I'm not a huge fan of books in the first person, but I was kind of expecting it as this is meant to be more like a Gothic Novel. I will most likely read the next one in the series when it comes out.

[Pamela Fernandes · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love all of Ms. Callaway's books but this one was very confusing. Its a romance/spec fic/magic realism/supernatural all rolled into one. The plot was conceived well, but there was no delineation between what was real and what was dream and then what was flashback. I found a hard time keeping track of it. Abigail is a woman who is learned and smart who starts to work as a maid for Lord Hux.
When he find her reading Greek prose in his library one night, he makes her his personal secretary. At night though, she keeps having nightmares, a woman imprisoning Hux and using him for her carnal needs. Then she kept seeing herself as that woman.
It seems and I'm not sure I have this right, that there is a demon with her demon children who are out to seduce and subvert mankind. They want to be all powerful over men. Its only a gold cross at Abigail's neck that prevents her form being overtaken and she has also learned to control the power of the demon.
There is some hot romance peppered through, but its a very difficult read. Ms. Callaway's other books are amazing. This one can be skipped unless you're okay with the mishmash.