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Darkness and the Maiden
Lord Bellerose is only seen at night.
Lord Bellerose is reportedly handsome, though seen only in the light of the moon or withering candlelight, it could be disputed.
Lord Bellerose is said to be peculiar about leaving his castle, choosing only to do so without any servants at his side, opposite most lords and barons.
Lord Bellerose currently exports wine, even supplying wine to the papacy in Rome (a favorite of the pope himself).
Lord Bellerose is a widower.
These scant few details are all Viviana Mercier has about her betrothed, a wealthy but reclusive Lord whom her father has promised her hand to. As the carriage ride to his estate descends her into what feels like the pits of hell and the mouth of madness, she finds herself dragged into the clutches of a mysterious man who haunts her dreams. What lurks beneath the surface of desire, can only lead her to ruin as the trail left in their wake is painted in blood.
Lord Bellerose is reportedly handsome, though seen only in the light of the moon or withering candlelight, it could be disputed.
Lord Bellerose is said to be peculiar about leaving his castle, choosing only to do so without any servants at his side, opposite most lords and barons.
Lord Bellerose currently exports wine, even supplying wine to the papacy in Rome (a favorite of the pope himself).
Lord Bellerose is a widower.
These scant few details are all Viviana Mercier has about her betrothed, a wealthy but reclusive Lord whom her father has promised her hand to. As the carriage ride to his estate descends her into what feels like the pits of hell and the mouth of madness, she finds herself dragged into the clutches of a mysterious man who haunts her dreams. What lurks beneath the surface of desire, can only lead her to ruin as the trail left in their wake is painted in blood.
188 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 13, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 7, 2026
🪦⛈️🕯️🩸"Her eyes struggled to adjust to the darkness completely, competing with the candlelight in the room around her. The heavy rain nearly kept her from focusing on the object lurking in the darkness, until a flash of lightning bathed the entire town in light and she caught a glimpse of a figure in blood red, a swath of golden hair peeking out from under a black cloak."🪦⛈️🕯️🩸
Words cannot EXPRESS how badly I wanted to join that particular steamy storm scene! The romanticization of heavy thunderstorms is so under-utilized in the gothic genre, so O'Conner mastering it was truly revolutionary. BRB casting a storm spell so I can recreate this with my girlfriend!
I loved the atmosphere of this book. Scenic imagery haunts this narrative like a dense fog, weakening the characters and pushing them onward. I wish there was more time in this novella! Obviously there are length restrictions, but I could honestly read 400 pages of their cursed love story.
Words cannot EXPRESS how badly I wanted to join that particular steamy storm scene! The romanticization of heavy thunderstorms is so under-utilized in the gothic genre, so O'Conner mastering it was truly revolutionary. BRB casting a storm spell so I can recreate this with my girlfriend!
I loved the atmosphere of this book. Scenic imagery haunts this narrative like a dense fog, weakening the characters and pushing them onward. I wish there was more time in this novella! Obviously there are length restrictions, but I could honestly read 400 pages of their cursed love story.
December 2, 2025
Hauntingly Beautiful
This story pulls you in from the first page with its entrancing gothic prose.
The author creates an atmosphere of sorrow and pining reminiscent of Poe’s Annabelle Lee.
Vivianna is betrothed to an elusive Lord whom she knows next to nothing about. As a woman with little say in her future, she accepts her fate begrudgingly. What choice does she have? Vivianna journeys to his estate by carriage with her close friend and confidant, Lessa; along the way, they experience a series of dark and strange phenomena—each more chilling than the last. Vivianna encounters a mysterious stranger whose magnetic pull she can't escape. Their connection borders on phantasmic, and even she questions her perception.
Well-paced and gripping— Darkness and the Maiden is a book I didn't want to put down.
This story pulls you in from the first page with its entrancing gothic prose.
The author creates an atmosphere of sorrow and pining reminiscent of Poe’s Annabelle Lee.
Vivianna is betrothed to an elusive Lord whom she knows next to nothing about. As a woman with little say in her future, she accepts her fate begrudgingly. What choice does she have? Vivianna journeys to his estate by carriage with her close friend and confidant, Lessa; along the way, they experience a series of dark and strange phenomena—each more chilling than the last. Vivianna encounters a mysterious stranger whose magnetic pull she can't escape. Their connection borders on phantasmic, and even she questions her perception.
Well-paced and gripping— Darkness and the Maiden is a book I didn't want to put down.
May 29, 2026
Beautiful, beautiful
This is definitely a trophy to add to my list. Beautifully written, pleasant to read. Left me wanting more. I read this so fast that I want to reread it all over again. Absolutely love this book. Treasure it.
This is definitely a trophy to add to my list. Beautifully written, pleasant to read. Left me wanting more. I read this so fast that I want to reread it all over again. Absolutely love this book. Treasure it.
August 31, 2026
I loved this! Dark Dracula vibes and just love this kind of gothic romance
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews