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Reluctant Heroes #1
Dark Hero
Guard Your Dreams . . . Lest They Emerge from the Mists to Embrace You! After her mother is murdered, Elizabeth’s grandmother uses magic to summon a champion from the mists to protect her from her nefarious stepfather. Granny Sheila calls forth a Dark Hero based on the Gothic Romances Elizabeth devours with relish. When a beguiling Irishman appears at their cottage one magic summer eve, he seems to be everything Elizabeth imagined in a hero. But her dashing Irish beau is much more than he appears to be. Donovan Beaumont is a tormented recluse who takes refuge in logic and reason. As Elizabeth’s husband, he is much more than she bargained for when she said ‘I do’. Once they arrive at his isolated island estate in the West Indies, a dismal place where ghosts linger and sorrow pervades, Elizabeth fears her new husband may be courting madness. She struggles with his dark moods, his eccentricities and their growing estrangement. Elizabeth inherited the gift of the seer and is able to speak with the dead. Married to a scientist, she is reluctant to take up her gifts lest he consider her the mad one and pack her off to the nearest asylum. When she is stalked by a malicious ghost, Elizabeth is forced to embrace her magical heritage and confront the disturbing secrets hidden in her soul. The price of honesty may be too steep; if Donovan learns her horrifying secrets she may lose his love forever.
400 pages, Paperback
First published April 2, 2012
213 people are currently reading
800 people want to read
About the author
Lily Silver
22 books47 followersI live in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, on the shores of Green Bay. I have always been a voracious reader of romances, mostly historical romances and sweeping historical sagas. I love researching different time periods and imagining what life was like back then so it seems only natural to write historical romances. My one vice, aside from reading romances, is coffee. I melt beneath the intoxicating sway of a strong white mocha latte promising to embrace my senses and carry me away. Mmmm . . . I can visualize the steam rising from that frothy cup as I sit here thinking of it.
I write Historical Romance novels and non-fiction essays on women and feminist movement throughout history. I have a Bachelors Degree in History and also in Humanistic Studies with an emphasis in Ancient and Medieval Research.
Aside from good romance, good coffee and history, I am also passionate about art and enjoy reading about the lives of artists through the ages.
I write Historical Romance novels and non-fiction essays on women and feminist movement throughout history. I have a Bachelors Degree in History and also in Humanistic Studies with an emphasis in Ancient and Medieval Research.
Aside from good romance, good coffee and history, I am also passionate about art and enjoy reading about the lives of artists through the ages.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
July 6, 2025
Finished Reading September 12, 2015
Dark Hero by Lily Silver
Genres: Adult, Historical, Romance
4 Stars
Surprisingly Good Story!
No Doubt Worth Reading.
This book surprised me. I didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did.
There where a few editing problems that had to be read around.
I expected the run of the mill historical romance but got a big surprise!
A good surprise.
There were ghost, spirits, pirates & lords, Oh My!
All & all a solid 4 star.
Purchased from Amazon June 24, 2015
Dark Hero by Lily Silver
Genres: Adult, Historical, Romance
4 Stars
Surprisingly Good Story!
No Doubt Worth Reading.
This book surprised me. I didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did.
There where a few editing problems that had to be read around.
I expected the run of the mill historical romance but got a big surprise!
A good surprise.
There were ghost, spirits, pirates & lords, Oh My!
All & all a solid 4 star.
Purchased from Amazon June 24, 2015
March 10, 2017
I'll let the writing speak for itself. The hero repeatedly refers to the heroine as his "mare." We also get treated to a description of her ladybits as "delicate lotus petals" THREE TIMES. There's an awkward mention of his "physician's hands" touching her delicate lotus petals which made me all sorts of creeped out. Let's not neglect his "inflexible granite spear" which is "reluctant to pull out of her welcoming folds."
Cue author singing, "I know what boys like!" while pelvic thrusting aggressively.
Last but not least to round out this weirdness, the word "blood" or "bloody" was used twenty-three times over three consecutive pages.
Honestly, I'd recommend reading it just to laugh at the writing.
Cue author singing, "I know what boys like!" while pelvic thrusting aggressively.
Last but not least to round out this weirdness, the word "blood" or "bloody" was used twenty-three times over three consecutive pages.
Honestly, I'd recommend reading it just to laugh at the writing.
December 25, 2018
3.5 Stars.
Dark Hero is an ode to gothic romances that was enjoyable but needed rather more bravery from the author and rather less Celtic priestess mumbo jumbo to be truly great. The heroine loves a gothic romance... and finds herself in one, complete with pirates, ghosts, murderous stepfathers, mistaken identities, long lost relatives, escaped prisoners et al. I have no objection to the ghost story aspect of the novel. It's atmospheric and could have worked well but for all the talk about the heroine being some Celtic high priestess with the power to unleash the wrath of her ancestors or whatever. It's awkward and merely distracts from the core of the story.
Barring a few minor niggles around the hero's treatment of the heroine as a china doll and some slight typos and the like, I do think it worth mentioning that Dark Hero is honestly a much better story than I expected from the terrible cover. Come on - that photoshop is too painful for words.
Dark Hero is an ode to gothic romances that was enjoyable but needed rather more bravery from the author and rather less Celtic priestess mumbo jumbo to be truly great. The heroine loves a gothic romance... and finds herself in one, complete with pirates, ghosts, murderous stepfathers, mistaken identities, long lost relatives, escaped prisoners et al. I have no objection to the ghost story aspect of the novel. It's atmospheric and could have worked well but for all the talk about the heroine being some Celtic high priestess with the power to unleash the wrath of her ancestors or whatever. It's awkward and merely distracts from the core of the story.
Barring a few minor niggles around the hero's treatment of the heroine as a china doll and some slight typos and the like, I do think it worth mentioning that Dark Hero is honestly a much better story than I expected from the terrible cover. Come on - that photoshop is too painful for words.
October 23, 2019
2.5 stars. Started with a sweet heroine, due to trauma she becomes a fragile, pathetic woman who has seizures, faints, screams and trembles her way to a 'HEA' with a stupid H. He is madly in love with the h. So in love, he lies to her, leaves her alone to face all sorts of terrors, brings her worst enemy into their property, and worst of her decides to keep her in a state of total ignorance. Because he knew better and she was just a woman. He acted with the best of intentions but his arrogance was total stupidity. Didn't like this and struggled to finish.
October 10, 2017
Enchanting in it's starkness!
A magical book! It's dark and light, filled with fear pain and hope, but well worth the reading. Don't let the magic and mystery of Gaelic and Druid magic throw you off, it was for a time forgotten, and remember, at least they were aware of and believed in the spirit realm of evil we so often ignore, to our own weak Christian detriment. With their devotion to understanding what we cannot see, we would live in a changed world. Enjoy the story!
A magical book! It's dark and light, filled with fear pain and hope, but well worth the reading. Don't let the magic and mystery of Gaelic and Druid magic throw you off, it was for a time forgotten, and remember, at least they were aware of and believed in the spirit realm of evil we so often ignore, to our own weak Christian detriment. With their devotion to understanding what we cannot see, we would live in a changed world. Enjoy the story!
September 8, 2016
This book had potential with a really good storyline start. However, I just could not get past the heroine. In the beginning she seemed like she was going to be a good character, but that quickly changed. She was weak and wishy-washy and I felt like she was on a constant roller coaster changing from one type of character to the next. She lacked strength and depth. I get that horrible things happened to her, but I couldn't even get behind her as the damaged damsel.
In addition to this I found it hard to follow the story at times. It was kind of jumpy and did not flow very well. All it all it was not a terrible book, but I do not see myself ever re-reading it.
In addition to this I found it hard to follow the story at times. It was kind of jumpy and did not flow very well. All it all it was not a terrible book, but I do not see myself ever re-reading it.
June 28, 2015
Some good points
The story was interesting and I do like a good ghost story. The graphic sex didn't add anything to the story and was distracting. People of that time would have been Christians not dark magic worshippers. It was unnecessarily gory in many parts. The excuses for telling lies that Lizzie used were really stupid and inexcusable. I almost didn't finish the book because I did not like the heroine. I almost felt like Lizzie's lies just dragged out the story. I felt like a lot of the drama was overblown. The story lacked class that a good editor would have added.
The story was interesting and I do like a good ghost story. The graphic sex didn't add anything to the story and was distracting. People of that time would have been Christians not dark magic worshippers. It was unnecessarily gory in many parts. The excuses for telling lies that Lizzie used were really stupid and inexcusable. I almost didn't finish the book because I did not like the heroine. I almost felt like Lizzie's lies just dragged out the story. I felt like a lot of the drama was overblown. The story lacked class that a good editor would have added.
June 30, 2015
Dark hero by lily silver
This was an awesome book! It's too much to go into but I think a 10 star would be a better rating! This was a very exciting , intriguing , romantic very action packed book I loved it!
This was an awesome book! It's too much to go into but I think a 10 star would be a better rating! This was a very exciting , intriguing , romantic very action packed book I loved it!
May 26, 2012
A very well written book that captures and holds you interest. Action, adventure, intrigue and romance. WOW! I enjoyed it immensely. I can't wait for the sequel! Brava Ms. Silver!
Want to read
June 24, 2015Free 06-24-15 (Historic-fiction-romance-paranormal)
http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Gothic-Rom...
http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Gothic-Rom...
October 19, 2017
Dark Hero is the first book in the Reluctant Hero series by Lily Silver. Elizabeth is a survivor. Her existence has balanced on the edge of a knife for much of her life--a knife held by her cruel stepfather. Betrayed, kidnapped and more, she awakens on a ship bound for the Indies, in the bed of a stranger claiming to be her husband. Soon the gift of the seer emerges; the ability to see and speak with the dead. A descendant of druids, Elizabeth knows she must hide her strange gifts as her new husband could claim she's insane and commit her to a madhouse. Can Elizabeth trust this Dark Hero conjured from the Gothic romances she once devoured? Donovan survived betrayal, imprisonment and torture. Deception and subterfuge are the weapons used to keep people at a distance. He maintains separate identities--the terrifying Count Rochembeau, a reclusive nobleman rumored to disfigured, and the amiable Mr. O’Rourke, the count's servant. Donovan’s penchant for deception may be his undoing when his bride awakens after her rescue and doesn't know him. As he struggles to rekindle their love, he fears he may be locked in a prison of a different kind; a loveless marriage to a woman who fears him and cannot abide his touch.
Dark Hero is a Gothic romance with all the expected tropes. There is the abused heroine, who has survived much but is still naive. There is the tortured hero, still hurting but loving and over protective to his lady. There are siblings, secrets, betrayal, and of coarse some ghosts and magic to make things more dramatic and dangerous. My only problem with the book is that sometimes there is just too much. Readers get the complete background of the courtship between Elizabeth and Donovan, so there is no wondering if he is lying. I also felt like there was a little too much focus on Elizabeth being weak or ill as she recovers from the trauma she endures (that you need to read the book to discover). Yes, she has issues, but did she need so many? With seeing ghosts and leaving family, and all else that she had to face did she really need to be so "ill". I did like some of the twists and turns that the story took, but others made me cringe a bit- which were mostly choices Donovan makes in order to protect Elizabeth. In the end, I found myself eager to get back to the book when ever I had to put it down, but occasionally frustrated with the pace and what I saw as unnecessary complications.
Dark Hero is a solid Gothic romance. It offers everything a fan of the genre is looking for, and then some. I think it also does a good job of introducing the characters that will be the focus of the next two books in the series. I think it just tried to do too much in one book.
Dark Hero is a Gothic romance with all the expected tropes. There is the abused heroine, who has survived much but is still naive. There is the tortured hero, still hurting but loving and over protective to his lady. There are siblings, secrets, betrayal, and of coarse some ghosts and magic to make things more dramatic and dangerous. My only problem with the book is that sometimes there is just too much. Readers get the complete background of the courtship between Elizabeth and Donovan, so there is no wondering if he is lying. I also felt like there was a little too much focus on Elizabeth being weak or ill as she recovers from the trauma she endures (that you need to read the book to discover). Yes, she has issues, but did she need so many? With seeing ghosts and leaving family, and all else that she had to face did she really need to be so "ill". I did like some of the twists and turns that the story took, but others made me cringe a bit- which were mostly choices Donovan makes in order to protect Elizabeth. In the end, I found myself eager to get back to the book when ever I had to put it down, but occasionally frustrated with the pace and what I saw as unnecessary complications.
Dark Hero is a solid Gothic romance. It offers everything a fan of the genre is looking for, and then some. I think it also does a good job of introducing the characters that will be the focus of the next two books in the series. I think it just tried to do too much in one book.
January 22, 2018
Gothic historical English romance with a child abuse survivor finding a safe place and new family when she marries a random Mr. O’Rourke that her little brother brings home on her 18th birthday.
Some of the story starts in England and then travels quickly by boat to Asia where the rest of the story happens in the Count Rochembeau's tropical plantation.
There are lots of characters, but only one evil person, the stepfather/father Fletcher who gets a violent grand finale in the end of the book, but there is so much going on with a murder, kidnapping, assault, slavery and freedom and people surviving and making new families.
Miss Elizabeth has magic powers, like her grandmother and her older brother. I almost wish there wasn't this fantasy aspect in this crazy story becuase there is enough going on to complicated things with magical powers in the mix. I liked Donovan, but he had a lot of problems with his secrets making things worse.
Gothic dark drama-queen read. You have to be in a certain mood to get into this extreme dramatic storytelling.
404 pages and kindle freebie
3 stars
Some of the story starts in England and then travels quickly by boat to Asia where the rest of the story happens in the Count Rochembeau's tropical plantation.
There are lots of characters, but only one evil person, the stepfather/father Fletcher who gets a violent grand finale in the end of the book, but there is so much going on with a murder, kidnapping, assault, slavery and freedom and people surviving and making new families.
Miss Elizabeth has magic powers, like her grandmother and her older brother. I almost wish there wasn't this fantasy aspect in this crazy story becuase there is enough going on to complicated things with magical powers in the mix. I liked Donovan, but he had a lot of problems with his secrets making things worse.
Gothic dark drama-queen read. You have to be in a certain mood to get into this extreme dramatic storytelling.
404 pages and kindle freebie
3 stars
May 22, 2018
I don't usually leave reviews, but this is bad. The characters started off being likeable and evolved into completely different people. The storyline had potential but it wasn't enough to look past all the cheesy, incomplete writing.
September 7, 2019
A woman lost to her family and her memories
Evil pirates and a devil for a stepfather have torn our lady's mind to bits. She can't even remember falling in love. Follow her efforts to find her memories and her love. Four stars due to typos.
Evil pirates and a devil for a stepfather have torn our lady's mind to bits. She can't even remember falling in love. Follow her efforts to find her memories and her love. Four stars due to typos.
March 25, 2018
Gothic just as promised! Overdramatic and romantic and tense, just as I like it
April 13, 2020
It was a little jumbled about the heroine being so strong at first and so delicate in the last of the story!! But it had a lot of good points and story Gothic romance as great!!
August 11, 2022
I found this story good, but some smaller parts are a bit boring to me. I would not mind to read the next one.
February 24, 2017
Dark and enthralling
This book was simply enchanting. I was caught up quickly with the characters, even the secondary and barely mentioned held life and sparked curiosity to know more.
This book was simply enchanting. I was caught up quickly with the characters, even the secondary and barely mentioned held life and sparked curiosity to know more.
May 25, 2012
Dark Hero is historical paranormal set in England and the West Indies. In the story we meet Elizaebeth the daughter of English noblewoman who is murdered by her 2nd husband, an army captain with a gambling problem. Sheila, Elizabeth's grandmother uses her Druid magic to call forth a Dark Hero to love and protect Elizabeth someday. Two years later Elizabeth, her grandmother and brother are living in near poverty when she finally meets her hero in the form of Donovan Beaumont. A tortured soul himself, Donovan marries Elizabeth and takes her to his plantation in the West Indies. Where to two must over come many obstacles if they are save each other and find their Happily Ever After.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to any romance reader who enjoys paranormal romance. The characters where likeable and sympathetic. The author used the perfect combination of history and paranormal elements to weave a captivating story that takes the reader on a roller coaster of ups and downs. The characters actions are plausible given the setting and circumstances. The reader finds themselves routing for everything to work out for the hero and heroine so that they both can finally put their pasts behind them and embrace their new love.
I heard that this is the first in a series and that the author is currently working on the second book. I will definitely pick it up when it comes out.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to any romance reader who enjoys paranormal romance. The characters where likeable and sympathetic. The author used the perfect combination of history and paranormal elements to weave a captivating story that takes the reader on a roller coaster of ups and downs. The characters actions are plausible given the setting and circumstances. The reader finds themselves routing for everything to work out for the hero and heroine so that they both can finally put their pasts behind them and embrace their new love.
I heard that this is the first in a series and that the author is currently working on the second book. I will definitely pick it up when it comes out.
September 14, 2016
I found this book looking under the "Gothic" section of the Amazon Unlimited Romance section since I'd only ever read satires of Gothic romances and was curious to see something that self-identified whole-heartedly as a Gothic romance. And holy cripes, is this book the most Gothic romance to ever brood across the mores. A dark, handsome hero with a violent past destined by magic to adore a heroine who is both deeply broken, and feisty in the fast of adversity. The most harrowing series of events to ever happen to two people heaped one upon another: curses, kidnappings, rapes (major trigger alerts, all over the place, heads up), misunderstood smoldering, torture, disguises, pirates, haunted houses, more rape, exotic islands, ghosts (SO many ghosts, both kind and murderous), evil stepfathers, long-lost brothers, wizards, gypsies, more pirates... just everything. Everything and the kitchen sink. It took a little while to lean into the crazy, but the characters are hard to hate since the book is so deeply sincere in its embrace of its brooding Gothic mentality. If you're up for some dark catharsis romance (nothing light of bubbly about this read), then hit up Dark Hero, available for free on Amazon to Kindle Unlimited subscribers.
November 3, 2014
I got annoyed with Elizabeth's mercurial mood but thankfully Donovan was more patient with her than I was. The mood swings remained but were more understandable with the near epileptic episodes she kept having.
Throughout it all, ghosts, pirates, bad bad men, it was a very good book that really held my attention prisoner. The romance was beautiful, and when they finally made love it was very well written, delightfully slow, and yes, hot.
This is a book to lend, get back, and read again.
My ONLY problem came with the utterly abrupt ending. I felt a bit at a loss when I reached the last page. I am guessing that one of the sequels take care of this but if I never read them then all I am left with is this book.
Throughout it all, ghosts, pirates, bad bad men, it was a very good book that really held my attention prisoner. The romance was beautiful, and when they finally made love it was very well written, delightfully slow, and yes, hot.
This is a book to lend, get back, and read again.
My ONLY problem came with the utterly abrupt ending. I felt a bit at a loss when I reached the last page. I am guessing that one of the sequels take care of this but if I never read them then all I am left with is this book.
September 17, 2016
Loved the book!! Donovan comes out of nowhere, sweeps Elizabeth off her feet and asks for her hand in marriage. She knows her step-father will say no!! Donovan then puts on his Count disguise and approaches her step-father. He agrees to the marriage not realizing that Donovan is actually a count. Elizabeth is just happy to get away from her stepfather since he not only killed her mother but also her grandmother and who knows countless others. While Lizzie is on the boat waiting for her husband to return she is kidnapped a sexually brutalized orally. When her husband recuses her she had no memory of the past 2 years and their marriage. Donovan has to reintroduce her to himself. A wonderful story of love, redemption, vengeance and so much more!!!
October 22, 2016
Loved it! Loved it! This book was such a surprising delight to me that it zoomed right to my list of all time favorites. There were some questionable issues (like why did the count have different disguises ?) but because I enjoyed the book so much, any misstep by the author was forgiven.
It's quite possible the hero is the reason for my love of the book, no possible about it, he was the reason. Lord, do I like a tall, dark man who takes command and rights the wrongs of life.
Throw in a good heroine, some really nasty villains along with interesting secondary characters, some strange magic and you have a recipe for an entertaining book.
I strongly recommend this one. But where did that cover come from? It's not the sexy one on my copy.
It's quite possible the hero is the reason for my love of the book, no possible about it, he was the reason. Lord, do I like a tall, dark man who takes command and rights the wrongs of life.
Throw in a good heroine, some really nasty villains along with interesting secondary characters, some strange magic and you have a recipe for an entertaining book.
I strongly recommend this one. But where did that cover come from? It's not the sexy one on my copy.
June 15, 2013
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Dark Hero. The author has done a wonderful job creating believable characters with depth. My heart went out to both the hero and heroine as they worked their way through difficult issues. The hero’s love for his wife and patience with her as she strives to overcome her problems is absolutely touching. Though the heroine is portrayed as very sweet, caring, innocent and vulnerable, her strength shines through when needed. The story contained a lot of twists and turns which kept me guessing and turning pages. I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book in the series!
August 5, 2012
I was surprised at how good this book turned out. At first I felt sorry for the main character {Elizabeth} and feared she might turn into a sympathy case, considering the hell she's suffered. Luckily that wasn't the case.
The fact that her "Dark Hero" {Donovan} used to be a pirate {and the leader at that}, and is now a titled Count was a nice twist.
I saw most of the twists coming {especially with her elder brother Kieran} But, there were a few nice surprises.
Interesting take on the druids magic as well. I liked seeing the Gaelic aspects of things.
The fact that her "Dark Hero" {Donovan} used to be a pirate {and the leader at that}, and is now a titled Count was a nice twist.
I saw most of the twists coming {especially with her elder brother Kieran} But, there were a few nice surprises.
Interesting take on the druids magic as well. I liked seeing the Gaelic aspects of things.
July 10, 2015
3.5 stars. I was pleasantly surprised by this book! It was not perfect and veered into the ridiculous at times. But it also had so many great things that ticked off my list of favorites. I loved our H and h. I loved how they were imperfect and flawed people who messed up sometimes. I could even understand their warped thinking because of their life experiences. At times the story got a little melodramatic for my taste but I powered thru and I'm so glad I did. This was a surprising sweet romance with a great cast of characters.
July 2, 2015
Dark Hero
The primary female lead was a little over the top with the" weak " pitiful victim story line. The author should have made up their mind, epilepsy, or paranormal, but not both. The character of the Earl was a throwaway, as he was more a paper cut out than a fleshed out character. As for the evil father/stepfather, who the check is he? The energised bunny in disguise? Just when you think your rid of the vermin , up he pops malevolent as ever.
The primary female lead was a little over the top with the" weak " pitiful victim story line. The author should have made up their mind, epilepsy, or paranormal, but not both. The character of the Earl was a throwaway, as he was more a paper cut out than a fleshed out character. As for the evil father/stepfather, who the check is he? The energised bunny in disguise? Just when you think your rid of the vermin , up he pops malevolent as ever.
July 2, 2015
Not perfect, but pretty good
This very enjoyable gothic has a great brooding hero, a suitably beautiful swooning heroine, and a truly horrible villain who keeps coming back. The book has lots of characters and subplots and is a good satisfying length. My only criticism is that hero Donovan appeared almost out of nowhere to meet Lizzie and stayed in England much too long for a man who only purchased one horse.
This very enjoyable gothic has a great brooding hero, a suitably beautiful swooning heroine, and a truly horrible villain who keeps coming back. The book has lots of characters and subplots and is a good satisfying length. My only criticism is that hero Donovan appeared almost out of nowhere to meet Lizzie and stayed in England much too long for a man who only purchased one horse.
July 4, 2015
I was quite surprised by this book and how good it was. There were a few times that the story dragged on, but overall it was really well done. The characters were well thought out and the story flowed quite nicely. I didn't want to put it down and stayed up into the wee hours to finish it. There are a few spots that will definitely be triggers to some when it comes to abuse and rape so just a heads up.
July 8, 2015
Dark Hero by Lily Silver is a great historical/paranormal romance. I enjoyed Lizzie and Donovan's story. Lily Silver has delivered a well written book full of action, drama, sizzle, lovable characters and things that go bump in the night. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future. Dark Hero is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews