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Bonds of Blood #1
Black and Deep Desires
Is the vampire in Ophelia’s cellar a man she can save, or a monster out for blood?
From an early age, Ophelia learned to keep her pets away from her unfeeling scientist father or they would disappear into his laboratory, never to be seen again. When her father unexpectedly returns to their isolated Yorkshire estate with a mysterious box, Ophelia’s suspicions are aroused…but nothing prepares her for the bloody business she finds.
Caged in silver and hungry, Salem is out for blood. Someone has betrayed knowledge of vampire existence to humans—but before Salem can discover who, he must escape diabolical experiments seeking the source of immortality. He cannot afford to trust the frustratingly intriguing girl who says she wants to help and smells of orange blossoms. He especially cannot wonder how she would taste.
Even though the darkly mysterious Salem insists he has no soul, that he’s dangerous, Ophelia can’t leave him to be tortured. But to help him escape, she must risk her family’s wrath—which may be a bigger threat than the monster in the cell.
The supernatural bleeds into Victorian England in this captivating YA gothic paranormal romance novel, perfect for fans of Lakesedge, Down Comes the Night, Erin A. Craig, and anyone who longs to run across a dark windswept moor in a nightgown.
From an early age, Ophelia learned to keep her pets away from her unfeeling scientist father or they would disappear into his laboratory, never to be seen again. When her father unexpectedly returns to their isolated Yorkshire estate with a mysterious box, Ophelia’s suspicions are aroused…but nothing prepares her for the bloody business she finds.
Caged in silver and hungry, Salem is out for blood. Someone has betrayed knowledge of vampire existence to humans—but before Salem can discover who, he must escape diabolical experiments seeking the source of immortality. He cannot afford to trust the frustratingly intriguing girl who says she wants to help and smells of orange blossoms. He especially cannot wonder how she would taste.
Even though the darkly mysterious Salem insists he has no soul, that he’s dangerous, Ophelia can’t leave him to be tortured. But to help him escape, she must risk her family’s wrath—which may be a bigger threat than the monster in the cell.
The supernatural bleeds into Victorian England in this captivating YA gothic paranormal romance novel, perfect for fans of Lakesedge, Down Comes the Night, Erin A. Craig, and anyone who longs to run across a dark windswept moor in a nightgown.
342 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 26, 2023
18 people are currently reading
449 people want to read
About the author
Claire Trella Hill
10 books99 followersClaire Trella Hill will read anything, but fantasy romance and gothic fiction are her favorites. When Claire isn't writing, she can be found with her nose glued to her library app, assisting with the last tricky pieces of a puzzle, swilling Dr. Pepper, collecting vintage romance covers, or cuddling with her cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
May 17, 2023
i ate this one up. gothic lace, sharp-edged kisses, and shakespeare references all combine in a deliciously atmospheric tale that somehow manages to pack feelz, thoughts, and moxie into one novel.
and as much as i love the atmosphere, i loved so much more the themes of finding family, finding out your blood family are the bad guys, and finding a way to do the right thing when you know that doing the right thing will lose you at least one form of family
on the outside, this is all gothic nighties and kisses in the dark, blood on the lips and pounding hearts. on the inside, this book is satisfying and warm and exactly what i want when i read paranormal romance
and as much as i love the atmosphere, i loved so much more the themes of finding family, finding out your blood family are the bad guys, and finding a way to do the right thing when you know that doing the right thing will lose you at least one form of family
on the outside, this is all gothic nighties and kisses in the dark, blood on the lips and pounding hearts. on the inside, this book is satisfying and warm and exactly what i want when i read paranormal romance
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September 2, 2023As someone who doesn't usually find vampires that interesting and has only a passing acquaintance with gothics (Mary Stewart's mostly, and of her works I think only Nine Coaches Waiting really comes close to the feel of this book), I wasn't sure if I'd be the right reader for this novel. But the moody, sweeping, dark-but-not-hopeless atmosphere of this story drew me in, and once I got past the first chapter or two I didn't want to put it down.
I fell especially hard for the heroine Ophelia, who manages to be soft-hearted and vulnerable (as well as living with a disability) without being in the least wimpy or saccharine. I loved how her Christian faith underpins and guides her actions in a beautifully organic and non-preachy way, and how there are theological ideas and discussions sprinkled throughout the book without any of them seeming tacked on, over-laboured, or derailing the plot. This is a story of a young woman finding courage and strength in dark times by living up to her faith, rather than by rejecting it -- and it's also a story with a keen sense of justice and a righteous fury at cruelty and injustice that I think will have even non-religious readers cheering.
The novel also features a shrewd (and sometimes painfully resonant) look at sibling and family dynamics, a wry vein of humour that keeps the vampire hero sympathetic in spite of his self-flagellating emo tendencies (that's not a criticism, I would expect nothing less of a gothic vampire hero), as well as a number of unexpected plot twists that kept me guessing the whole time.
Content-wise, there is some fairly heady sensuality (though not explicit sexuality) as well as descriptions of brutal violence and mentions of animal suffering and death, so if you prefer to avoid that kind of content this book may not be for you. But for my part I really enjoyed this story. Claire Trella Hill is an able writer with a vivid and captivating imagination, and I look forward to seeing whatever tales she may tell in future!
I fell especially hard for the heroine Ophelia, who manages to be soft-hearted and vulnerable (as well as living with a disability) without being in the least wimpy or saccharine. I loved how her Christian faith underpins and guides her actions in a beautifully organic and non-preachy way, and how there are theological ideas and discussions sprinkled throughout the book without any of them seeming tacked on, over-laboured, or derailing the plot. This is a story of a young woman finding courage and strength in dark times by living up to her faith, rather than by rejecting it -- and it's also a story with a keen sense of justice and a righteous fury at cruelty and injustice that I think will have even non-religious readers cheering.
The novel also features a shrewd (and sometimes painfully resonant) look at sibling and family dynamics, a wry vein of humour that keeps the vampire hero sympathetic in spite of his self-flagellating emo tendencies (that's not a criticism, I would expect nothing less of a gothic vampire hero), as well as a number of unexpected plot twists that kept me guessing the whole time.
Content-wise, there is some fairly heady sensuality (though not explicit sexuality) as well as descriptions of brutal violence and mentions of animal suffering and death, so if you prefer to avoid that kind of content this book may not be for you. But for my part I really enjoyed this story. Claire Trella Hill is an able writer with a vivid and captivating imagination, and I look forward to seeing whatever tales she may tell in future!
October 28, 2024
I'm not a vampire girl . . . but I made an exception for this book (on the recommendation of W.R. Gingell and Suzanne Rowntree), and storms am I glad I did.
Black and Deep Desires is a deliciously creepy Gothic novel full of vampires, monsters, mysteries, decaying old houses, midnight ventures through secret passages, haunting dreams, and all that good stuff. It's also a story of love and friendship and healing from trauma and abuse.
It's a story about Ophelia, sweet and kind and locked away in a moldering old house as it crumbles around her. She's desperate to escape to the city, desperate to find a life of her own away from the cruelty of her father and older brother. But things change when her father comes home and she shortly thereafter discovers a vampire locked in the cellar . . .
It's a story about Salem, vampire with a will of steel, determined to become no more of a monster than he already is. He's isolated himself with only books for company in order to protect others from himself . . . until one of his dear friends goes missing and he's the only one able to search for her. He also quotes Shakespeare at every opportunity and is fiercely protective of those he calls friends. I am, of course, being extremely normal about him, and he definitely would not be consuming my thoughts right now were it not for my need to think of my own book.
Anyway. The rest of the characters were also excellent: sweet Addie, charming Etienne (who gave me JinYeong vibes, if JinYeong were French and less inclined to be petulent), gruff Faelan, wandering Kendrick. And Ophelia's family and the more villainous vampires were all as loathably horrible (in their various ways) as you would hope from a Gothic novel. With regard to Ophelia's family, I want to add — I really like what the author did with them, how she portrayed them. You have Ophelia's father, and you have Absalom, both of whom are objectively awful. And then you have Ben, who seems like a decent person caught up with bad influences . . . but the deeper you look, the more you realize that first impressions aren't always true.
The storyline was also very good. I loved that we had plenty of suspense and tension without constant action, and I felt like everything flowed very well. I also appreciated that Ophelia was, for the most part, pretty sensible about how she went about things! Like, does she make a questionable choice or two? Sure. But she's smart about how she goes about those choices, and she makes them for good reasons.
The climax was excellent, full stop. So was the ending.
I just really loved this book, ok? And I am definitely going to be rereading it in the future.
Black and Deep Desires is a deliciously creepy Gothic novel full of vampires, monsters, mysteries, decaying old houses, midnight ventures through secret passages, haunting dreams, and all that good stuff. It's also a story of love and friendship and healing from trauma and abuse.
It's a story about Ophelia, sweet and kind and locked away in a moldering old house as it crumbles around her. She's desperate to escape to the city, desperate to find a life of her own away from the cruelty of her father and older brother. But things change when her father comes home and she shortly thereafter discovers a vampire locked in the cellar . . .
It's a story about Salem, vampire with a will of steel, determined to become no more of a monster than he already is. He's isolated himself with only books for company in order to protect others from himself . . . until one of his dear friends goes missing and he's the only one able to search for her. He also quotes Shakespeare at every opportunity and is fiercely protective of those he calls friends. I am, of course, being extremely normal about him, and he definitely would not be consuming my thoughts right now were it not for my need to think of my own book.
Anyway. The rest of the characters were also excellent: sweet Addie, charming Etienne (who gave me JinYeong vibes, if JinYeong were French and less inclined to be petulent), gruff Faelan, wandering Kendrick. And Ophelia's family and the more villainous vampires were all as loathably horrible (in their various ways) as you would hope from a Gothic novel. With regard to Ophelia's family, I want to add — I really like what the author did with them, how she portrayed them. You have Ophelia's father, and you have Absalom, both of whom are objectively awful. And then you have Ben, who seems like a decent person caught up with bad influences . . . but the deeper you look, the more you realize that first impressions aren't always true.
The storyline was also very good. I loved that we had plenty of suspense and tension without constant action, and I felt like everything flowed very well. I also appreciated that Ophelia was, for the most part, pretty sensible about how she went about things! Like, does she make a questionable choice or two? Sure. But she's smart about how she goes about those choices, and she makes them for good reasons.
The climax was excellent, full stop. So was the ending.
I just really loved this book, ok? And I am definitely going to be rereading it in the future.
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August 31, 2023Deliciously Gothic
August 31, 2023
Two of my friends are debuting gothic historical fantasy novels in the next month or two and I couldn't be more excited about them! First up is Claire Trella Hill's BLACK AND DEEP DESIRES, a dark and brooding gothic paranormal romance full of nightgowns, vampires, heaving bosoms and possessive growling - which is fun enough, but then it ALSO has a wonderfully confident use of classic gothic tropes, perfectly-judged Shakespeare quotations, some delightful disability rep, cute pets, found family...and a wonderfully earnest and sincere discussion of sin, grace, and redemption. You'll need the iron restraint of a self-loathing vampire Roundhead not to gobble this up in an evening.
September 1, 2023
Full disclosure: I was reluctant to read this book. I’m not usually a paranormal romance reader and I thought maybe I wouldn’t be able to do it justice. As a new author myself, I know there’s nothing worse than someone disliking your book just because of the genre! However, glowing recommendations from friends made me curious enough to grab an ARC when I had the opportunity, and I am so glad I did! I read this in two sittings because it’s fast-paced and immersive. I’m so excited to be here at the beginning of this author’s career and glad that I took a risk on a novel that’s outside of my usual preferred genres.
Things I loved:
The heroine. She’s an uncommon blend of softhearted idealist and reckless firecracker. Somehow, this works! I LOVED that she had a personal goal to go find a husband and was not pooh-poohed or shamed for this. I also really liked that she is allowed to be a person who is wildly hopeful and passionate about people without having to personally redeem them. There’s a really nice and rare balance there.
The family dynamics. I’m avoiding spoilers, but the handling of the dysfunctional family was really well done — especially with one family member who went a different direction than I expected and had genuine psychological nuance.
The vampire. Ok, I usually have no time for masterful dark men in books, really, especially ones that are struggling to tame their inner beast/obsession with the heroine. But Salem had some really fresh and great attributes — not least that he was apparently a Roundhead when a human??!! Seriously, authors, I am here for ALL your uptight Cromwellian vampires. Send them this way! (The cavaliers can go lose their heads, though.)
The world-building. The vampire society and their limitations and conventions felt extremely real and layered to me. I found myself constantly wondering if this was part of a series. I could imagine many stories happening in this world.
The Shakespeare. I absolutely loved the quotations and how they were woven into the story.
Things I didn’t love: there’s a lot of potent sensuality in this story (though no sex). Sometimes it made me uncomfortable, especially combined with the vampire elements. The descriptions of bitings are very evocatively and skilfully written. Suffice it to say, that’s just not my comfy zone. I’m not going to rush out and stock up on vampire romance any time soon. Despite that, I was surprised at how unproblematic I found the trajectory of the love story. The characters share a strong attraction which is compellingly described but they also share deeper things, and the author is careful to show that Salem is totally committed to controlling his bloodlust. I mean, vampires are problematic in general? — and I’m still thinking about the whole problem of power dynamics when it comes to writing about attraction in fiction — but the author has done a lot of work to make this not gross.
Personally, I would have liked a bit more resolution to Ophelia’s character arc — I feel like Salem’s got more attention towards the end — but that’s a very small gripe.
I received and ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Things I loved:
The heroine. She’s an uncommon blend of softhearted idealist and reckless firecracker. Somehow, this works! I LOVED that she had a personal goal to go find a husband and was not pooh-poohed or shamed for this. I also really liked that she is allowed to be a person who is wildly hopeful and passionate about people without having to personally redeem them. There’s a really nice and rare balance there.
The family dynamics. I’m avoiding spoilers, but the handling of the dysfunctional family was really well done — especially with one family member who went a different direction than I expected and had genuine psychological nuance.
The vampire. Ok, I usually have no time for masterful dark men in books, really, especially ones that are struggling to tame their inner beast/obsession with the heroine. But Salem had some really fresh and great attributes — not least that he was apparently a Roundhead when a human??!! Seriously, authors, I am here for ALL your uptight Cromwellian vampires. Send them this way! (The cavaliers can go lose their heads, though.)
The world-building. The vampire society and their limitations and conventions felt extremely real and layered to me. I found myself constantly wondering if this was part of a series. I could imagine many stories happening in this world.
The Shakespeare. I absolutely loved the quotations and how they were woven into the story.
Things I didn’t love: there’s a lot of potent sensuality in this story (though no sex). Sometimes it made me uncomfortable, especially combined with the vampire elements. The descriptions of bitings are very evocatively and skilfully written. Suffice it to say, that’s just not my comfy zone. I’m not going to rush out and stock up on vampire romance any time soon. Despite that, I was surprised at how unproblematic I found the trajectory of the love story. The characters share a strong attraction which is compellingly described but they also share deeper things, and the author is careful to show that Salem is totally committed to controlling his bloodlust. I mean, vampires are problematic in general? — and I’m still thinking about the whole problem of power dynamics when it comes to writing about attraction in fiction — but the author has done a lot of work to make this not gross.
Personally, I would have liked a bit more resolution to Ophelia’s character arc — I feel like Salem’s got more attention towards the end — but that’s a very small gripe.
I received and ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 27, 2023
If you love curling up with a book during a rainstorm with flickering candles whilst listening to atmospheric violins, you'll want to grab a hold of Black and Deep Desires.
Fans of gothic romance, dark fantasy, vampires, and paranormal romance will eat this up :)
Fans of gothic romance, dark fantasy, vampires, and paranormal romance will eat this up :)
Want to read
May 17, 2023i heard this one described as "gothic lace, sharp-edged kisses, and Shakespeare vibes" (thank you WR Gingell 💜) and then i read the description and saw it had vampires and NOW I'M REALLY EXCITED
September 25, 2023
This book was absolutely impossible to put down. Both dark and light at the same time and filled with such amazing, nuanced characters. Definitely excited for more from this author.
September 10, 2023
Beautifully written, Author Hill delights my millennial nostalgia for the vampire novels I read in my younger years while touching on the more mature and thoughtful themes of more mature gothic genres. The prose is profound and beautiful, the characters well-thought-out and complex, and the setting... oh the setting! Somehow both cozy and chilling all at the same time. Like Frankenstein before it, Hill challenges the thought of what makes a monster, leading the reader on a journey filled not only with terror, but redemption and grace. I cannot wait to read more from this fabulous author!
September 1, 2023
Listen, I'm a basic bitch, you tell me vampires + Gothic romance + gloomy Victorian manor + spunky idealistic heroine and I'm in
I read this when it was still a draft, to help out with the French (which will be flawless, obviously *pats self on back*), but it is insignificant compared to how much I enjoyed this book. So if you have a Gothic romance with vampires itch like I did... this is *chef's kiss*.
I read this when it was still a draft, to help out with the French (which will be flawless, obviously *pats self on back*), but it is insignificant compared to how much I enjoyed this book. So if you have a Gothic romance with vampires itch like I did... this is *chef's kiss*.
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November 16, 2023For personal enjoyment this was 2 or 3 stars, for quality a solid 4. Ophelia is a grand heroine, we love Addie with all our heart and soul, the faith element is so…real and good?? and a book that fully embraces the horror of being a good normal person who gets turned into a vampire is rather nice in a way. Also the CATS and the DOGGO we love them. And can I mention that how Ben’s character was handled felt so…right?
Okay, so yes, the point is, it was a good book if you like a skilful blending of paranormal romance and vintage gothic vibes. I don’t read paranormal romance (the closest thing I’ve ever read to this is the City Between books, if that tells you anything), and I don’t like gothic novels (I fully admit Jane Eyre is a masterpiece but I don’t like it, I couldn’t get through The Mysteries of Udolpho, and…i guess I do like The Castle of Otranto. because let’s be real. it’s hysterical.), and I do sometimes really dig a book with gothic vibes but at some point when it really dives into the gothic, that’s when it loses me. This lost me. But it was still, undeniably, good. Make sense?
Okay, so yes, the point is, it was a good book if you like a skilful blending of paranormal romance and vintage gothic vibes. I don’t read paranormal romance (the closest thing I’ve ever read to this is the City Between books, if that tells you anything), and I don’t like gothic novels (I fully admit Jane Eyre is a masterpiece but I don’t like it, I couldn’t get through The Mysteries of Udolpho, and…i guess I do like The Castle of Otranto. because let’s be real. it’s hysterical.), and I do sometimes really dig a book with gothic vibes but at some point when it really dives into the gothic, that’s when it loses me. This lost me. But it was still, undeniably, good. Make sense?
Currently reading
August 7, 2023Can’t wait to get a copy of this and dive into it! It’s gonna be one of my treats after I finish this round of edits on my book!
November 5, 2023
I truly enjoyed everything about this book. I don't actively seek out vampire romances and it's been a while since my Victoria Holt-fueled gothic novel season. Nor do I read a lot of YA. But here I am reviewing a YA Gothic Vampire Romance that I looooooved.
I was absolutely rooting for the characters here--human and vampire alike. Hill's pacing and character development kept the story moving and making it hard to put down. I loved that Addie's steadfast, compassionate soul was just what Salem needed. And Salem, oh, Salem, a Shakespeare quoting vampire who has vanquished himself to the English countryside to live out his days alone and away from temptation. But when Salem's friend is taken captive by Addie's cruel father and brothers for "scientific research," Salem gets himself captured to rescue his friend. Cue Addie's tender heart. She knows someTHING is in her father's laboratory and sets out to investigate.
One of the things I found truly fascinating about this story was that Hill incorporated a subplot about redemption and Christian grace. IN A VAMPIRE ROMANCE. This shouldn't work, should it? And yes, it does. It truly does. Let me be clear, this is not an overly religious book but Salem, our Hero, struggles with what it means to be a monster. Ophelia's gentleness and compassion are a salve to his wounds.
I'm gushing, I know, but I just loved this. FIVE BIG OLD STARS! Can't wait to read more by Claire.
I was absolutely rooting for the characters here--human and vampire alike. Hill's pacing and character development kept the story moving and making it hard to put down. I loved that Addie's steadfast, compassionate soul was just what Salem needed. And Salem, oh, Salem, a Shakespeare quoting vampire who has vanquished himself to the English countryside to live out his days alone and away from temptation. But when Salem's friend is taken captive by Addie's cruel father and brothers for "scientific research," Salem gets himself captured to rescue his friend. Cue Addie's tender heart. She knows someTHING is in her father's laboratory and sets out to investigate.
One of the things I found truly fascinating about this story was that Hill incorporated a subplot about redemption and Christian grace. IN A VAMPIRE ROMANCE. This shouldn't work, should it? And yes, it does. It truly does. Let me be clear, this is not an overly religious book but Salem, our Hero, struggles with what it means to be a monster. Ophelia's gentleness and compassion are a salve to his wounds.
I'm gushing, I know, but I just loved this. FIVE BIG OLD STARS! Can't wait to read more by Claire.
September 26, 2023
I received this as an ARC, and I was very excited about the premise! Victorian vampires, a gothic manor, and Christian hymns? Yes please give it all to me.
Ophelia’s been mostly neglected by her father and brothers, living in a secluded old manor. When they come home, bringing a thumping box with them, she investigates … and finds a monster in her basement. But don’t monsters need grace, too? And what makes a monster a monster, anyhow?
What I loved:
-the nicely spooky vibes! Not overwhelming for my faint heart but gothic and mysterious.
-Ophelia! She’s a precious sweetheart and I want to adopt her as my little sister.
-playing hymns to tortured vampires. What imagery.
-Salem lives in a hole in the ground so he is BASICALLY a hobbit. Just a bloodthirsty one.
What I didn’t love:
-lack of a gospel message. I’m conflicted by this, because it seems like it would be a little ridiculous to include the ABCs of salvation in a vampire novel. However, since it was already dealing with redemption and even some theology (ARE vampires beyond forgiveness???), I wanted something more explicit about Jesus than this book included.
-going along with that point, one character seemed to achieve self-control/victory over sin without God’s help
-romance. This is a vampire romance. So I should not be surprised when it is, in fact, a vampire romance. After reading, I’m not sure vampire romance is my genre. Give me a vampire but don’t kiss him.
Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys faith-based stories, a little bit of the creeps, and is OK with kissing vampires. I’ll definitely be watching for more from this author!
Ophelia’s been mostly neglected by her father and brothers, living in a secluded old manor. When they come home, bringing a thumping box with them, she investigates … and finds a monster in her basement. But don’t monsters need grace, too? And what makes a monster a monster, anyhow?
What I loved:
-the nicely spooky vibes! Not overwhelming for my faint heart but gothic and mysterious.
-Ophelia! She’s a precious sweetheart and I want to adopt her as my little sister.
-playing hymns to tortured vampires. What imagery.
-Salem lives in a hole in the ground so he is BASICALLY a hobbit. Just a bloodthirsty one.
What I didn’t love:
-lack of a gospel message. I’m conflicted by this, because it seems like it would be a little ridiculous to include the ABCs of salvation in a vampire novel. However, since it was already dealing with redemption and even some theology (ARE vampires beyond forgiveness???), I wanted something more explicit about Jesus than this book included.
-going along with that point, one character seemed to achieve self-control/victory over sin without God’s help
-romance. This is a vampire romance. So I should not be surprised when it is, in fact, a vampire romance. After reading, I’m not sure vampire romance is my genre. Give me a vampire but don’t kiss him.
Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys faith-based stories, a little bit of the creeps, and is OK with kissing vampires. I’ll definitely be watching for more from this author!
September 21, 2023
Favorite Quotes:
[A voice murmured, “Soft you now! The fair Ophelia!” A stranger’s voice. He smiled slowly, his pale lips parting to reveal white teeth. He purred with dark amusement, “Nymph, in thy orisons be all my sins remembered.”]
[“Because I am a being incapable of love, and I have never wanted anything so much as to love you.” His arms came around her, hard and unyielding.]
I had no idea when I started this book that it would become one of my favorite books I have read so far this year! I have read 85 books this year, and of them all, Black and Deep Desires has stolen my heart. I want to buy a physical copy and keep it on my bedside table to read over and over again - ever since I finished it about a week ago, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. It has been a while since a book and its characters have given me butterflies, but once I met Salem and Ophelia, I knew I was done for. Slow burn romantic tension, angst, the affectionate pet names, the gothic setting, and a vampire story?! It was beautifully written and the tension between Salem and Ophelia is so well done that even just thinking about them now as I write this review is pulling at my heartstrings.
I love that this is a standalone and that Ophelia is portrayed as sweet and a little naive, but just has the best heart and wants so much to believe that no one is past saving, even if that someone is a monster. Salem is the protective vampire MMC that you can’t get enough of, and the way he fell so hard for Ophelia just makes my heart melt. If you love gaslamp Victorian fantasies that also include vampires, I think you will really enjoy this book! I can’t wait to read more of Claire’s other books!
Themes/Tropes (as I see them): vampires, gaslamp fantasy, Victorian fantasy, clean romance, complicated family relationships, slow burn romance, protective MMC, touch her and die vibes
[I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Original review posted on BookSirens.]
[A voice murmured, “Soft you now! The fair Ophelia!” A stranger’s voice. He smiled slowly, his pale lips parting to reveal white teeth. He purred with dark amusement, “Nymph, in thy orisons be all my sins remembered.”]
[“Because I am a being incapable of love, and I have never wanted anything so much as to love you.” His arms came around her, hard and unyielding.]
I had no idea when I started this book that it would become one of my favorite books I have read so far this year! I have read 85 books this year, and of them all, Black and Deep Desires has stolen my heart. I want to buy a physical copy and keep it on my bedside table to read over and over again - ever since I finished it about a week ago, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. It has been a while since a book and its characters have given me butterflies, but once I met Salem and Ophelia, I knew I was done for. Slow burn romantic tension, angst, the affectionate pet names, the gothic setting, and a vampire story?! It was beautifully written and the tension between Salem and Ophelia is so well done that even just thinking about them now as I write this review is pulling at my heartstrings.
I love that this is a standalone and that Ophelia is portrayed as sweet and a little naive, but just has the best heart and wants so much to believe that no one is past saving, even if that someone is a monster. Salem is the protective vampire MMC that you can’t get enough of, and the way he fell so hard for Ophelia just makes my heart melt. If you love gaslamp Victorian fantasies that also include vampires, I think you will really enjoy this book! I can’t wait to read more of Claire’s other books!
Themes/Tropes (as I see them): vampires, gaslamp fantasy, Victorian fantasy, clean romance, complicated family relationships, slow burn romance, protective MMC, touch her and die vibes
[I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Original review posted on BookSirens.]
October 4, 2023
Black and Deep Desires by Claire Trella Hill 📚 ARC Read📚
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This Gothic historical fantasy about Vampires, Werewolves, Evil, Karma, Love, Passion, Lust, And a whole lot of Possessive MMC🌶❤️
Poor Ophelia is being neglected by her father and brothers living in a secluded huge Manor house with her ever growing collection of lovely animal companions.
Dark Mysterious Salem is living his life out alone when he's caged by Ophelias horrific scientist family who will do anything to prove they exist.
Even though he has shown he is dark, monstrous and cold Ophelia still can't bare to leave him to be tortured but can't risk letting him go and facing the wrath of her crazy and cruel family.
Review:
I absolutely love this book, it's so hard to find a beautifully written book about Vampires especially in the Victorian era. Claire has found a perfect balance between gothic fantasy and romance. I couldn't put this book down and read it in a day. Salem is by far my favourite character and it's amazing to read about his story and his point of view as he is so funny and mysterious.
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This Gothic historical fantasy about Vampires, Werewolves, Evil, Karma, Love, Passion, Lust, And a whole lot of Possessive MMC🌶❤️
Poor Ophelia is being neglected by her father and brothers living in a secluded huge Manor house with her ever growing collection of lovely animal companions.
Dark Mysterious Salem is living his life out alone when he's caged by Ophelias horrific scientist family who will do anything to prove they exist.
Even though he has shown he is dark, monstrous and cold Ophelia still can't bare to leave him to be tortured but can't risk letting him go and facing the wrath of her crazy and cruel family.
Review:
I absolutely love this book, it's so hard to find a beautifully written book about Vampires especially in the Victorian era. Claire has found a perfect balance between gothic fantasy and romance. I couldn't put this book down and read it in a day. Salem is by far my favourite character and it's amazing to read about his story and his point of view as he is so funny and mysterious.
October 5, 2023
A gothic manor, mad scientists and vampires. I was looking forward to a spooky fall read but I just couldn’t connect with this book or it’s characters. It just felt a little flat.
I could see the gothic tropes - dark family secrets hidden in basements, pining for something supernatural and distinctly not human, blood 🩸 - but it just didn’t feel rich and the characters didn’t grab me. Disappointing but I can see I’m in the minority.
I could see the gothic tropes - dark family secrets hidden in basements, pining for something supernatural and distinctly not human, blood 🩸 - but it just didn’t feel rich and the characters didn’t grab me. Disappointing but I can see I’m in the minority.
October 22, 2024
Vampires, and werewolves, and pets! Oh my!
Deep and Dark Desires hooked me from the beginning and never let go! It’s an amazing gothic paranormal romance with great world building. There’s a spooky house, a horrible family, Shakespeare quotes, nightgowns, loving pets, and found family.
I highly recommend this book and can’t wait to see what Claire Trella Hill writes next!
Deep and Dark Desires hooked me from the beginning and never let go! It’s an amazing gothic paranormal romance with great world building. There’s a spooky house, a horrible family, Shakespeare quotes, nightgowns, loving pets, and found family.
I highly recommend this book and can’t wait to see what Claire Trella Hill writes next!
November 25, 2024
Oh. Oh now this was a fun gothic YA read.
I loved how the girl is handicapped and he has a kindness / familiarity with animals. The story / incident with her dog was sad and I could see how it aided to her character and how she would strive to save any animals after with the same fate. But a vampire in a cage? An animal?
Salem is probs up there with one of my favorite vampire men. At first, you can't tell if he is crazy, mad, a bit of both? or is it all an act? His Shakespeare references and the slow interest in Ophelia was one that had me absolutely smitten with.
The reason I rate it down is that I felt there was more to this world that we missed out on, and more to give when it came to vampires. Like we were just kind of thrown into this story where vampires and werewolves exist but we just kind of don't know their history / existence in the world that was crafted.
But that didn't bring down the book. If the author wanted to create a world - maybe not with the same characters but others - I'd be down for more tales.
If you like clean vampire romances with old school romantic vampires this is a fun book.
I loved how the girl is handicapped and he has a kindness / familiarity with animals. The story / incident with her dog was sad and I could see how it aided to her character and how she would strive to save any animals after with the same fate. But a vampire in a cage? An animal?
Salem is probs up there with one of my favorite vampire men. At first, you can't tell if he is crazy, mad, a bit of both? or is it all an act? His Shakespeare references and the slow interest in Ophelia was one that had me absolutely smitten with.
The reason I rate it down is that I felt there was more to this world that we missed out on, and more to give when it came to vampires. Like we were just kind of thrown into this story where vampires and werewolves exist but we just kind of don't know their history / existence in the world that was crafted.
But that didn't bring down the book. If the author wanted to create a world - maybe not with the same characters but others - I'd be down for more tales.
If you like clean vampire romances with old school romantic vampires this is a fun book.
September 25, 2023
I received an advance review copy of this book for free through BookSirens and am leaving my honest feedback voluntarily.
This was a delectable, brooding read to dive into right around the Autumnal Equinox. Claire Trella Hill is adept at creating a dramatically spooky setting; I felt a sense of dread as Ophelia discovers the extent of her family's terrible nature as she becomes trapped on her isolated Yorkshire estate. The side characters also have enough depth to keep the romance between Salem and Ophelia from becoming too cloying or overwhelming in its passion; I wanted to learn more about them after the novel ended. I also could have used more explanation of this world's vampire lore--how the hierarchy works, how vampires function with their gifts, etc. Overall, though, I found the story and ending satisfying and perfect for Spooky Season.
Grab this if you're into Gothic paranormal romances with a hint of found family and--obviously--vampires.
This was a delectable, brooding read to dive into right around the Autumnal Equinox. Claire Trella Hill is adept at creating a dramatically spooky setting; I felt a sense of dread as Ophelia discovers the extent of her family's terrible nature as she becomes trapped on her isolated Yorkshire estate. The side characters also have enough depth to keep the romance between Salem and Ophelia from becoming too cloying or overwhelming in its passion; I wanted to learn more about them after the novel ended. I also could have used more explanation of this world's vampire lore--how the hierarchy works, how vampires function with their gifts, etc. Overall, though, I found the story and ending satisfying and perfect for Spooky Season.
Grab this if you're into Gothic paranormal romances with a hint of found family and--obviously--vampires.
Read
May 6, 2023Black and Deep Desires is an atmospheric gothic romance with a Shakespeare quoting vampire who has as troubled a mind as Hamlet and a woman who sees the world with eyes of compassion despite her mortal but inhumanely monstrous family. Banter and danger intertwine with delightfully shivery plot twists.
October 12, 2023
This was a fantastic October romance read for me. Not scary, not spicy, but with enough action and blood to keep the story moving and enough swooning, gothic YA romance to make you feel warm and fuzzy. “Deliciously atmospheric” as another reviewer put it. I enjoyed the redemptive arc here as well and the main character’s faith being part of the story but not being a faith based story. More of these please!
September 9, 2023
Incredible read! This is very much a different genre for me--I'm a light-weight when it comes to anything remotely similar to horror or gothic novels. But the premise of this novel was intriguing and I was excited to try it.
It is such a good story! I was fully invested in Salem and Ophelia from the first page. It has all the gothic vibes, from crumbling manor houses in the deep woods to foggy mornings to (of course) vampires. Woven into the story are threads of redemption and grace, which fill out the story nicely without being preachy.
Ophelia captures your heart immediately--a lonely girl looking for love from her family while simultaneously dealing with the fact that they aren't what they seem. She's stronger than she thinks, and her character arc is painted very well. Addie is another favorite, along with Etienne. Salem is a complex anti-hero that you can't help but love. His grouchiness is perfectly offset by his protectiveness and wry sense of humor. The romance was great, the plot was unique, and the villains were loathsome enough to make a perfect foil to the heroes.
I read this book nearly in one sitting (over a couple days) and would gladly scarf down more! Definitely a darker read, with some intense themes. Perfect for readers who also love Michelle Griep, Jessica Dotta, or Rachel L. Schade!
Rated PG-14
--violence/gore/blood, including scenes of violence in battle and death
--torture scenes (fairly non-graphic, but I have a high tolerance for this)
--language (several uses of course language/curse words, used appropriately but more than expected from a book that has such a strong Christian perspective on grace/redemption)
--clean romance limited to non-sexual touches and kissing
I received this eARC from the author without requirements. My honest opinions are my own and voluntarily given.
It is such a good story! I was fully invested in Salem and Ophelia from the first page. It has all the gothic vibes, from crumbling manor houses in the deep woods to foggy mornings to (of course) vampires. Woven into the story are threads of redemption and grace, which fill out the story nicely without being preachy.
Ophelia captures your heart immediately--a lonely girl looking for love from her family while simultaneously dealing with the fact that they aren't what they seem. She's stronger than she thinks, and her character arc is painted very well. Addie is another favorite, along with Etienne. Salem is a complex anti-hero that you can't help but love. His grouchiness is perfectly offset by his protectiveness and wry sense of humor. The romance was great, the plot was unique, and the villains were loathsome enough to make a perfect foil to the heroes.
I read this book nearly in one sitting (over a couple days) and would gladly scarf down more! Definitely a darker read, with some intense themes. Perfect for readers who also love Michelle Griep, Jessica Dotta, or Rachel L. Schade!
Rated PG-14
--violence/gore/blood, including scenes of violence in battle and death
--torture scenes (fairly non-graphic, but I have a high tolerance for this)
--language (several uses of course language/curse words, used appropriately but more than expected from a book that has such a strong Christian perspective on grace/redemption)
--clean romance limited to non-sexual touches and kissing
I received this eARC from the author without requirements. My honest opinions are my own and voluntarily given.
September 27, 2023
This filled a perfect little guilty pleasure spot. (No, I don't mean the nasty kind. I mean the I'm a grown adult and yet I am wanting a vampire romance kind.) I have been in a mood and wanted something a little creepy, a little gothic, and a little romantic.This fit the bill nicely. And while there were a couple moments I skimmed through because I got a little uncomfortable (see the end of the review for content warnings), it was easy to do and the rest of the story made up for it!
Overall, I had a blast. Salem was suitably dreamy and broody (while also being a book quote nerd who got annoyed when people didn't get his references. It cracked me up. Loved him!) I loved his relationship with one of the side characters. Ophelia was surprisingly impressive (I'm very hard on female characters) and I was pleased with how much I liked her! Their romance was super cute.
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed one of the themes. And while theologically, I *heavily* disagree with one brief comment the author made (Suicide is a sin and is not condonable. Period. Don't go telling people it might be okay.), I otherwise really enjoyed the redemptive themes!
Overall, while I probably would give it 3.5 stars, I'll bump it up to 4 just because I had that much fun with it. It was a mood and I was there for it.
Content warning: Three short suggestive moments between the two main characters (r/t the whole vampiric drinking of blood thing. They were easily skimmed through, at least for me. ). No s*x scenes and no fade to black moments. Some mild language, accurate to the time period. Violence-wise, lots of throat ripping and blood. Its a vampire book. Go in knowing that. Its gross and that comes with the territory. It didn't bother me, personally.
I received an ARC copy from the author. I was not required to leave a review, positive or negative. All thoughts and opinions are honest and my own.
Overall, I had a blast. Salem was suitably dreamy and broody (while also being a book quote nerd who got annoyed when people didn't get his references. It cracked me up. Loved him!) I loved his relationship with one of the side characters. Ophelia was surprisingly impressive (I'm very hard on female characters) and I was pleased with how much I liked her! Their romance was super cute.
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed one of the themes. And while theologically, I *heavily* disagree with one brief comment the author made (Suicide is a sin and is not condonable. Period. Don't go telling people it might be okay.), I otherwise really enjoyed the redemptive themes!
Overall, while I probably would give it 3.5 stars, I'll bump it up to 4 just because I had that much fun with it. It was a mood and I was there for it.
Content warning: Three short suggestive moments between the two main characters (r/t the whole vampiric drinking of blood thing. They were easily skimmed through, at least for me. ). No s*x scenes and no fade to black moments. Some mild language, accurate to the time period. Violence-wise, lots of throat ripping and blood. Its a vampire book. Go in knowing that. Its gross and that comes with the territory. It didn't bother me, personally.
I received an ARC copy from the author. I was not required to leave a review, positive or negative. All thoughts and opinions are honest and my own.
September 25, 2023
Wow! I don't think I can accurately express just how much I absolutely loved this book! My goodness, it was fantastic! Such a beautifully written Gothic romance. I was instantly pulled into the story and completely captivated. I didn't want to put it down.
I used to read a lot of vampire romances, but they started to get a bit stale after awhile and were always a bit too steamy for my tastes. I'm happy to say that this book rekindled my love for the genre, all while being a relatively clean read that featured a strong Christian perspective. There was a little bit of language and violence, but, seriously, this book had so many of my favorite things, that I can't complain.
I loved the spooky gothic atmosphere. And I loved the characters. (Well, most of them.) Salem and Ophelia were great. Salem was a bit of a grump, but I loved his loyalty, sense of honor, and the fact that he regularly quoted Shakespeare. Ophelia was compassionate and had such a tender heart for others, yet she was fierce and brave too. To say she had a difficult relationship with her family is putting it mildly. I don't think I've disliked characters as much as them in a long time. They were just flat-out horrible, and I was sorry that Ophelia had to deal with them. There were a lot of great secondary characters, too. Addie, Etienne, Faelad, etc. I'd love to read more about them someday.
This book took some surprising turns. And it posed some interesting questions that I'll be thinking about. Is anybody beyond redemption? What makes someone a monster?
I didn't want this book to end. It was so ridiculously good. It's a definite contender for book of the year.
I received an advanced copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.
I used to read a lot of vampire romances, but they started to get a bit stale after awhile and were always a bit too steamy for my tastes. I'm happy to say that this book rekindled my love for the genre, all while being a relatively clean read that featured a strong Christian perspective. There was a little bit of language and violence, but, seriously, this book had so many of my favorite things, that I can't complain.
I loved the spooky gothic atmosphere. And I loved the characters. (Well, most of them.) Salem and Ophelia were great. Salem was a bit of a grump, but I loved his loyalty, sense of honor, and the fact that he regularly quoted Shakespeare. Ophelia was compassionate and had such a tender heart for others, yet she was fierce and brave too. To say she had a difficult relationship with her family is putting it mildly. I don't think I've disliked characters as much as them in a long time. They were just flat-out horrible, and I was sorry that Ophelia had to deal with them. There were a lot of great secondary characters, too. Addie, Etienne, Faelad, etc. I'd love to read more about them someday.
This book took some surprising turns. And it posed some interesting questions that I'll be thinking about. Is anybody beyond redemption? What makes someone a monster?
I didn't want this book to end. It was so ridiculously good. It's a definite contender for book of the year.
I received an advanced copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.
September 28, 2023
Black and Deep Desires is a spooky and sweet gothic young adult romance perfect for fall! The description in this book was incredibly well done. I felt like I was at Ophelia's house. One element of this story that I found really interesting is that our hero is a vampire even though he thinks of himself as a villain, while the actual villains in the story are mainly human. I really loved Ophelia's character and wanted her to get a happy ending. She was so kind despite having been shown very little kindness from her remaining family. I loved watching her find people who could appreciate her. The only thing that didn't entirely work for me about his book was Salem and Ophelia's relationship. It felt weird to me because she was young (don't remember if the book said but probably 18 or so) and he was much older. Now I have read a lot of vampire romances where this is the case and it doesn't usually bother me but I think in this case it was the fact that Addie and Ophelia were friends and Addie had such a paternal relationship with Salem. It made Salem's protectiveness of Ophelia come off as more paternal than romantic to me. Despite that I still really enjoyed this book! If you love a spooky historical romance this is a must read!
Thanks to booksirens and Claire Trella Hill for providing me with an advanced copy of this book so I could do a review. All opinions are my own.
Thanks to booksirens and Claire Trella Hill for providing me with an advanced copy of this book so I could do a review. All opinions are my own.
November 2, 2023
This book is gorgeous and spooky and everything I could ever want in a fall read. It’s like Jane Eyre mixed with Wuthering Heights with vampires. I have needed a new take on vampires for awhile now, and this certainly delivered. A vampire who quotes Shakespeare, and is a hopeless (but jaded) romantic? YES PLEASE. I loved Ophelia, who is all the good things, including an animal lover, in spite of an abusive upbringing. I loved the light and hope she brought to Salem’s character arc. And the side characters were so compelling and interesting—Addie and Kendrick were my favorites, although Faelad was a close second. The ending was powerful and gave the reader a lot to consider about the power of grace and found family. Absolutely lovely.
September 16, 2023
I am leaning into my gothic romance era, so when I read the synopsis of this book and found out it also had vampires and took place in Victorian England, I was sold. I always love reading vampire novels and finding out what parts of lore the author decides to keep. Can vampires walk in the sun, can they be killed by stakes, can they be injured by silver or crosses? I love finding out what makes them tick and what powers they have. Every author is always unique.
The atmosphere in this book was incredible, the characters deep, and a very heart clenching wonderful love that sweeps you away. It's a always a good sign when an author can make you feel so many emotions during a book, and I was switching between hate and love so quickly. Ophelia's family? I was absolutely shaking at how badly they were treating her and when Simon (can't tell you what he does because I don't want to spoil it) and then he said, "He wasn't in the house." The scream I let out. Yes! My love for Simon solidified. And he absolutely made me melt when he said,
"You are precious to me. You vex me and challenge me and scare me and humble me...I can never see the sun again, but when I look at you...I remember what it felt like."
This is a love story, but it had so many other deeper elements. Found family, conflict with forgiveness with people who have hurt you, and what truly makes someone/something a monster. I loved these discussions in the book and how it does make you think where you would draw your own boundaries and what a soul truly is.
I loved the climax at the end and everything felt very complete. I was so happy for the endings and justice that came for a lot of characters, and the open possibilities. I really hope there is another book because I would devour it.
(I received an ARC copy from BookSirens / author.)
The atmosphere in this book was incredible, the characters deep, and a very heart clenching wonderful love that sweeps you away. It's a always a good sign when an author can make you feel so many emotions during a book, and I was switching between hate and love so quickly. Ophelia's family? I was absolutely shaking at how badly they were treating her and when Simon (can't tell you what he does because I don't want to spoil it) and then he said, "He wasn't in the house." The scream I let out. Yes! My love for Simon solidified. And he absolutely made me melt when he said,
"You are precious to me. You vex me and challenge me and scare me and humble me...I can never see the sun again, but when I look at you...I remember what it felt like."
This is a love story, but it had so many other deeper elements. Found family, conflict with forgiveness with people who have hurt you, and what truly makes someone/something a monster. I loved these discussions in the book and how it does make you think where you would draw your own boundaries and what a soul truly is.
I loved the climax at the end and everything felt very complete. I was so happy for the endings and justice that came for a lot of characters, and the open possibilities. I really hope there is another book because I would devour it.
(I received an ARC copy from BookSirens / author.)
September 18, 2023
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I came across this book and thought that I would give it a try. I like historical fiction, and I love vampire novels, so this one appealed to me immensely.
Plus, the fact that there was a Shakespeare quote at the beginning made me super excited as I am also a fan of Shakespeare.
The characters were enjoyable. Ophelia was strong when she didn't need to be a friend when she didn't have to be. Willing to risk everything to save a friend. Salem, aside from his using his finger for a bookmark, was a typical brooding vampire, a monster, until he meets the right person. (A bit boring for me, honestly)
Addie is adorable, and I want to read a story involving her and Etienne, I want to know more about them, how they met, and fell in love. What their version of forever would be.
One problem I did have with this story is that there were a lot of characters that I felt I should like or dislike, but I had no real chance to adhere myself to them, due to lack of book time and character development.
Religion also plays a huge role in this, which wasn't something I was expecting, at least in that large amount. Normally, with vampire novels, there always is the question about their souls, but it seemed a bit much.
However, I would like to see more of the characters, perhaps learning more of the backstories of some of the lore of this world.
The ending did seem a bit rushed, but I am glad that everything ended happily for them, at least for now.
I give this story 4 out of 5 stars.
I came across this book and thought that I would give it a try. I like historical fiction, and I love vampire novels, so this one appealed to me immensely.
Plus, the fact that there was a Shakespeare quote at the beginning made me super excited as I am also a fan of Shakespeare.
The characters were enjoyable. Ophelia was strong when she didn't need to be a friend when she didn't have to be. Willing to risk everything to save a friend. Salem, aside from his using his finger for a bookmark, was a typical brooding vampire, a monster, until he meets the right person. (A bit boring for me, honestly)
Addie is adorable, and I want to read a story involving her and Etienne, I want to know more about them, how they met, and fell in love. What their version of forever would be.
One problem I did have with this story is that there were a lot of characters that I felt I should like or dislike, but I had no real chance to adhere myself to them, due to lack of book time and character development.
Religion also plays a huge role in this, which wasn't something I was expecting, at least in that large amount. Normally, with vampire novels, there always is the question about their souls, but it seemed a bit much.
However, I would like to see more of the characters, perhaps learning more of the backstories of some of the lore of this world.
The ending did seem a bit rushed, but I am glad that everything ended happily for them, at least for now.
I give this story 4 out of 5 stars.
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