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Regency Seasons #5
The Lady Vanishes
** Previously found in ONE HAUNTED EVENING **
After inheriting a reputedly haunted medieval castle, the Marquess of Bradenham heads to Ravenglass with his friends to inspect the place and host a Samhain masquerade party. He gets a most welcome surprise when he meets a lovely girl in the castle’s gardens and the rest of his life suddenly has a purpose.
Callie Eilbeck has always avoided Marisdun Castle, there’s something about the place that has terrified her from even her youngest days. But after a chance encounter with the castle’s new owner and falling rather fast for handsome marquess, Callie vanishes without a trace just like the castle’s former mistress. Is one of Bradenham’s friends responsible for her disappearance? Or has the castle claimed another victim? And can the marquess find her before it’s too late and she’s lost forever?
After inheriting a reputedly haunted medieval castle, the Marquess of Bradenham heads to Ravenglass with his friends to inspect the place and host a Samhain masquerade party. He gets a most welcome surprise when he meets a lovely girl in the castle’s gardens and the rest of his life suddenly has a purpose.
Callie Eilbeck has always avoided Marisdun Castle, there’s something about the place that has terrified her from even her youngest days. But after a chance encounter with the castle’s new owner and falling rather fast for handsome marquess, Callie vanishes without a trace just like the castle’s former mistress. Is one of Bradenham’s friends responsible for her disappearance? Or has the castle claimed another victim? And can the marquess find her before it’s too late and she’s lost forever?
160 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 18, 2015
36 people are currently reading
128 people want to read
About the author
Ava Stone
143 books227 followersAva Stone is a USA Today bestselling author of Regency historical romance and college age New Adult romance. Whether in the 19th Century or the 21st, her books explore deep themes but with a light touch. A single mother, Ava lives outside Raleigh NC, with her son and two black and white tuxedo kitty cats. She loves classic movies, researching history, and traveling whenever she gets the chance.
Feel free to visit her at www.avastoneauthor.com and www.desolatesun.com
Feel free to visit her at www.avastoneauthor.com and www.desolatesun.com
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 16, 2016
'The Lady Vanishes' is originally from "one haunted evening", which also features 2 other stories that are entwined, by Jerrica Knight Catania and Jane Charles, but is still enjoyable and easy to read as a standalone. The story starts off with Eugene Post, Marquess of Bradenham (Braden) and his brother, Lord Quentin, discussing with 4 of their friends, how they are off to Cumberland to inspect a castle that Braden has inherited from his Great Uncle. On mention that the castle is rumored to be haunted, it is agreed upon that their friends will accompany them to the castle and hold a Samhain masquerade party there.
After only one day in Ravenglass, Cumberland, Bradens brother, Lord Quentin and his friends had already caused enough havoc to bring the attention of the local Magistrate.
Callie is the younger sister of the local Magistrate. She has always had a horrible feeling surrounding Maridun Castle, but, when accompanying her brother to the castle, she feels safe and at peace when venturing into the gardens there. This is where she first meets with Braden and sparks fly instantaneously between them. But unbeknownst to them, there is a dark presence that has ulterior motives for Callie. Braden finds himself in a fight against time to find a way to save Callie, with the help of friends and family, before she is lost forever.
In typical Ava Stone style, she has a way of making you fall in love with the secondary characters, as much as the main characters – I loved the cheekiness and charm of Bradens younger brother Quent.
After only one day in Ravenglass, Cumberland, Bradens brother, Lord Quentin and his friends had already caused enough havoc to bring the attention of the local Magistrate.
Callie is the younger sister of the local Magistrate. She has always had a horrible feeling surrounding Maridun Castle, but, when accompanying her brother to the castle, she feels safe and at peace when venturing into the gardens there. This is where she first meets with Braden and sparks fly instantaneously between them. But unbeknownst to them, there is a dark presence that has ulterior motives for Callie. Braden finds himself in a fight against time to find a way to save Callie, with the help of friends and family, before she is lost forever.
In typical Ava Stone style, she has a way of making you fall in love with the secondary characters, as much as the main characters – I loved the cheekiness and charm of Bradens younger brother Quent.
May 13, 2017
It was boring, took me 3 days to finish it. I usually finish a novella in one day, maximum of 2 days.
Eugene Post, Marquess of Bradenham, or Braden for short, and Callie Eilbeck's short courtship reminds of when Anna and Hans sang "Love is an Open Door" in the movie "Frozen." Either I kept on lifting my eyebrows or frowning on their flirtations.
Additionally, I find this novella overdramatic. When Callie vanished, Braden's musings and bemoanings exhausts me. I don't find it romantic nor touching.
While I understood Braden's predicament on finding Callie, it's not an excuse for being rude to Brighid Glace, the witch and healer and the only person who can bring Callie back. He should show some courtesy to the only person who can help him.
Duh?! He was still able to get some sleep while Brighid spent 2 days straight awake in order to find a solution, but he still has freaking audacity to make a snide comment when Brighid was taking a rest! When he has nothing to offer/help! Plus, he didn't even have faith that Callie will return. Moreover, he didn't even thanked Brighid after bringing Callie back! What an ungrateful boor!
If I am Callie, I don't think I will be able to be with someone who doesn't have faith in me and rude to my friend and savior.
Eugene Post, Marquess of Bradenham, or Braden for short, and Callie Eilbeck's short courtship reminds of when Anna and Hans sang "Love is an Open Door" in the movie "Frozen." Either I kept on lifting my eyebrows or frowning on their flirtations.
Additionally, I find this novella overdramatic. When Callie vanished, Braden's musings and bemoanings exhausts me. I don't find it romantic nor touching.
While I understood Braden's predicament on finding Callie, it's not an excuse for being rude to Brighid Glace, the witch and healer and the only person who can bring Callie back. He should show some courtesy to the only person who can help him.
Duh?! He was still able to get some sleep while Brighid spent 2 days straight awake in order to find a solution, but he still has freaking audacity to make a snide comment when Brighid was taking a rest! When he has nothing to offer/help! Plus, he didn't even have faith that Callie will return. Moreover, he didn't even thanked Brighid after bringing Callie back! What an ungrateful boor!
If I am Callie, I don't think I will be able to be with someone who doesn't have faith in me and rude to my friend and savior.
September 7, 2020
A good read
Braden- marquis that just inherited a real haunted castle .
Callie- sister of the magistrate in town, who vanished
I enjoyed reading this engaging story that is well written with charismatic characters and a bit of paranormal/spiritual haunting. Their story has a magical HEA.
Braden- marquis that just inherited a real haunted castle .
Callie- sister of the magistrate in town, who vanished
I enjoyed reading this engaging story that is well written with charismatic characters and a bit of paranormal/spiritual haunting. Their story has a magical HEA.
December 22, 2023
This was definitely interesting and something new. I was invested in this plot. I love how Braden and Callie don't have misunderstandings and get straight to the point. I love how Braden is portrayed towards Callie and you can clearly see how much he cares for her. Braden's brother and friend are interesting but also quite entertaining.
June 7, 2020
Well written Regency romance set in England with a ghost story thrown in. There was insta-love as soon as the H/h clapped their eyes on each other, so a bit unbelievable in that regard. I'll read more by this author.
July 31, 2019
Great Paranormal Romance
Such vivid written scenes you can picture yourself there and handsome charming and beautiful giving characters you adore them! Great Book.
Such vivid written scenes you can picture yourself there and handsome charming and beautiful giving characters you adore them! Great Book.
October 15, 2020
Good
Unusual paranormal story very fast paced with a plethora of characters, well written and entertaining albeit a bit scary if it were actually to happen.
Unusual paranormal story very fast paced with a plethora of characters, well written and entertaining albeit a bit scary if it were actually to happen.
December 6, 2016
Really enjoyable..
This was every bit as fun and entertaining as The Lady Unmasked. I really liked Braden and Callie from the very beginning. In fact all the main characters were fun: Quent (our hero in The Lady Unmasked,)Lila (heroine of The Lady Unmasked,) and it was nice to see Garrick, Thorn, Chetwey, and that piece of crap Kilworth, he was so easy to dislike.
This was a great story about the evil ghost of Braden and Quent’s great-grandmother who stole Callie from the mortal world to the ghostly world and all the trouble they went through to get her back, with help from Brighid the local healer/witch.
Again, there was not an ounce of sex in this novella but it didn’t really matter because it was such a sweet story. There was some desire but nothing to speak of, and no swearing at all.
As to the narrator: Ms. Zimmerman wasn’t as good in this story as she was in The lady Unmasked. She did read with emotion but both Quent’s and Kilworth’s voices were way too feminine.
This was every bit as fun and entertaining as The Lady Unmasked. I really liked Braden and Callie from the very beginning. In fact all the main characters were fun: Quent (our hero in The Lady Unmasked,)Lila (heroine of The Lady Unmasked,) and it was nice to see Garrick, Thorn, Chetwey, and that piece of crap Kilworth, he was so easy to dislike.
This was a great story about the evil ghost of Braden and Quent’s great-grandmother who stole Callie from the mortal world to the ghostly world and all the trouble they went through to get her back, with help from Brighid the local healer/witch.
Again, there was not an ounce of sex in this novella but it didn’t really matter because it was such a sweet story. There was some desire but nothing to speak of, and no swearing at all.
As to the narrator: Ms. Zimmerman wasn’t as good in this story as she was in The lady Unmasked. She did read with emotion but both Quent’s and Kilworth’s voices were way too feminine.
January 13, 2017
Great for Halloween
I finally got a chance to read Braden and Callie's story. Boy meets girl, and talk about love at first sight! Two people couldn't be more right for each other. Kind of reminded me of how I first met the love of my life.
Of course, there will come a twist: Callie vanishes in thin air, and Braden and his friends scramble to find her and rescue her before Samhain ends or she is lost forever.
Just a reminder: this is a novella, not a full length novel, so reading this may want you asking for more. I know I do!
I finally got a chance to read Braden and Callie's story. Boy meets girl, and talk about love at first sight! Two people couldn't be more right for each other. Kind of reminded me of how I first met the love of my life.
Of course, there will come a twist: Callie vanishes in thin air, and Braden and his friends scramble to find her and rescue her before Samhain ends or she is lost forever.
Just a reminder: this is a novella, not a full length novel, so reading this may want you asking for more. I know I do!
June 8, 2015
I love a good ghost story and especially one set in a castle. I originally read this story in One Haunted Evening with Jane Charles, Jerrica Knight-Catania and Ava Stone. I loved all three stories and would recommend you read them all to get the full story but this one can be read as a stand alone. I really fell in love with all the characters and couldn't wait to see what would happen next.
May 5, 2016
Loved this book. It keep you wondering what happened, will our hero ever see his beloved again. It was love at first sight, but his grandmother's spirit didn't approve. so she took his love in the realm of the dead, where they have to find a way to get her back. Will they manage before it's to late?
February 7, 2017
I really enjoyed The Lady Vanishes by Ava Stone. It is an old fashioned gothic ghost story, which is my favorite genre, especially when it is set during the Regency Period. While this is a short story and clocks in at just under 4 hours, it is a well-rounded complete story that is quite believable - if you believe in ghosts! :) Well done!
December 18, 2016
I've read many of Ava Stone's stories and this is unusual with its bit of paranormal activity. A well-rounded story that is wrapped up nicely. I can just see several pairings-off of some of the secondary characters.
October 31, 2016
A delightful story
This is a truly unique and delightful story that keeps you interested all the way through I would recommend this book
This is a truly unique and delightful story that keeps you interested all the way through I would recommend this book
July 23, 2017
This book was enjoyable, always like a historical novel. Just wish the story could have gone on further, as found it a bit short.
July 5, 2017
The problem with trying to tell a story like this in novella format is that there isn't enough time for me to care about the characters. But at the same time this kind of timeline/pacing really lends itself to the format. So idk. I felt vaguely disappointed but it was a good story.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews