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The Man in Black
Love so fierce it transcends even death.
When Elinor Baxtor arrives at the dilapidated Marshell House to settle the estate of her law firm's oldest client, she can't help but feel a little spooked. The creaking gothic mansion is a far cry from her life as an adventurous party girl back in London.
Then she meets Eric Marshell, a man dressed entirely in black with a wicked smile and the ability to float through walls. Eric was the violinist in popular rock band Ghost Symphony until a hit-and-run accident claimed his life. Now he's trapped inside his mother's house for all eternity, and the only one who can see or hear him is Elinor.
Eric and Elinor fight their attraction for each other as they dig into the mystery of Eric's death. But when they uncover a dark and sinister plot that threatens Elinor's life, their bond draws them into a world neither of them understands. Can their love transcend the boundary between life and death?
The Man in Black is a steamy gothic romance by USA Today bestselling author Steffanie Holmes, Set in the English village of Crookshollow, it's a standalone novel of love, redemption, and second chances. If you love clever BBW heroines, crumbling gothic mansions, and brooding rockstars who know what they want, then this book will have you shivering all over.
When Elinor Baxtor arrives at the dilapidated Marshell House to settle the estate of her law firm's oldest client, she can't help but feel a little spooked. The creaking gothic mansion is a far cry from her life as an adventurous party girl back in London.
Then she meets Eric Marshell, a man dressed entirely in black with a wicked smile and the ability to float through walls. Eric was the violinist in popular rock band Ghost Symphony until a hit-and-run accident claimed his life. Now he's trapped inside his mother's house for all eternity, and the only one who can see or hear him is Elinor.
Eric and Elinor fight their attraction for each other as they dig into the mystery of Eric's death. But when they uncover a dark and sinister plot that threatens Elinor's life, their bond draws them into a world neither of them understands. Can their love transcend the boundary between life and death?
The Man in Black is a steamy gothic romance by USA Today bestselling author Steffanie Holmes, Set in the English village of Crookshollow, it's a standalone novel of love, redemption, and second chances. If you love clever BBW heroines, crumbling gothic mansions, and brooding rockstars who know what they want, then this book will have you shivering all over.
546 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 27, 2015
31 people are currently reading
167 people want to read
About the author
Steffanie Holmes
84 books1,363 followersSteffanie Holmes is the author of steamy historical and paranormal romance. Her books feature clever, witty heroines, wild shifters, cunning witches and alpha males who get what they want.
Before becoming a writer, Steffanie worked as an archaeologist and museum curator. She loves to explore historical settings and ancient conceptions of love and possession. From Dark Age Europe to crumbling gothic estates, Steffanie is fascinated with how love can blossom between the most unlikely characters.
Steffanie lives in New Zealand with her husband and a horde of cantankerous cats. Learn more about Steffanie at her website: www.steffanieholmes.com. She also writes dark science fiction under the name S C Green.
Want to be informed when the next Steffanie Holmes paranormal romance story goes live? Sign up for the mailing list! http://eepurl.com/ZrowD
Before becoming a writer, Steffanie worked as an archaeologist and museum curator. She loves to explore historical settings and ancient conceptions of love and possession. From Dark Age Europe to crumbling gothic estates, Steffanie is fascinated with how love can blossom between the most unlikely characters.
Steffanie lives in New Zealand with her husband and a horde of cantankerous cats. Learn more about Steffanie at her website: www.steffanieholmes.com. She also writes dark science fiction under the name S C Green.
Want to be informed when the next Steffanie Holmes paranormal romance story goes live? Sign up for the mailing list! http://eepurl.com/ZrowD
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 1, 2016
Steffanie Holmes' The Man and Black tells the harrowing tale of a budding romance between Elinor, an estate lawyer who arrives at Marshall house to settle the financial affairs of a family who experienced two unsettling deaths in close proximity to each other and Eric, aka 'The Man in Black.' Coincidentally, Eric is also the ghost of the young man whose tragic death was partially responsible for Elinor's arrival to Marshall house in the first place. Elinor soon discovers that she is the only person who can sense his presence...or is this truly a coincidence?
Admittedly, I was quite skeptical about reading this book since my interest in paranormal romance is typically limited to supernatural figures like vampires, witches and shifters. I doubted that the author would be able to successfully pull off a convincing romance between a hero who has crossed over into the realm of the dead and a heroine who still remains in the land of the living as a corporeal being.
After finishing this gem, I can confidently say that I was not disappointed in the writing, the suspenseful plot or the well developed characters. The author draws the reader into the story with a riveting mystery; Elinor and Eric work together to investigate the chilling circumstances surrounding Eric's death. As they do so, they develop a connection that spawns a love affair. I was interested in how the author would portray the tangible, physical elements of Eric and Elinor's relationship but the novel is not lacking in sensuality or heat between the two characters.
All in, The Man in Black was a very pleasant surprise. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I loved the way that it ended. Anyone who questions a positive outcome to the story will be just as thrilled as I was, especially since I fell in love with these characters. I was rooting for Eric And Elinor to have the resolution that they deserved, and the unique spin to the final chapters was captivating and extremely satisfying.
I received an ARC of The Man in Black for an honest review, and although this was my first experience with Steffanie Holmes' work it will certainly not be the last. I encourage anyone who is hesitant to give this book a chance to toss their reservations out of the window! This is a five star read that has earned a special place in my heart and I highly recommend it!
Admittedly, I was quite skeptical about reading this book since my interest in paranormal romance is typically limited to supernatural figures like vampires, witches and shifters. I doubted that the author would be able to successfully pull off a convincing romance between a hero who has crossed over into the realm of the dead and a heroine who still remains in the land of the living as a corporeal being.
After finishing this gem, I can confidently say that I was not disappointed in the writing, the suspenseful plot or the well developed characters. The author draws the reader into the story with a riveting mystery; Elinor and Eric work together to investigate the chilling circumstances surrounding Eric's death. As they do so, they develop a connection that spawns a love affair. I was interested in how the author would portray the tangible, physical elements of Eric and Elinor's relationship but the novel is not lacking in sensuality or heat between the two characters.
All in, The Man in Black was a very pleasant surprise. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I loved the way that it ended. Anyone who questions a positive outcome to the story will be just as thrilled as I was, especially since I fell in love with these characters. I was rooting for Eric And Elinor to have the resolution that they deserved, and the unique spin to the final chapters was captivating and extremely satisfying.
I received an ARC of The Man in Black for an honest review, and although this was my first experience with Steffanie Holmes' work it will certainly not be the last. I encourage anyone who is hesitant to give this book a chance to toss their reservations out of the window! This is a five star read that has earned a special place in my heart and I highly recommend it!
August 23, 2016
Elinor is a Lawyer but being she isnt a size 0 she always gets looked over for everything, job upgrades, guys, and more of a work load then the others she works with. With a weekend she was looking forward to that she might finally get the guy she has had her eyes on, she gets called into the bosses office and told she has to leave town to work on a Location. Going into Marshell House she never thought her life would be forever changed. Eric Marshell is killed in a accident yet he doesnt know why his ghost shelf decided to stay at Marshell House, but he knows one thing at his first glance of Elinor and he knows he has never wanted anything more then her.
What I enjoyed most about The Man in Black is watching two people who have had similar lives in some ways connect right away, but being he is a ghost and she is alive how could that ever work? While Elinor is working on his mothers legal stuff, she also helps him in trying to solve his murder. Watching a man and woman fall for each other even when its not the natural way but them having this connection and feelings for each other. Both of them working together to keep the other safe no matter what the costs.
This story is great, I will admit its not the typical stories I have read, but I really enjoyed this book and was completely glued. This story has a famous Violinist who is known for his very different kinds of music, he has made it big even if he didnt have the support of his mother growing up, A woman who never got to do the job she wanted in her life and instead following in her parents footsteps into Law, when Eric and Elinor meet for the first time and feelings are there they just dont know how it will ever work as he is doomed in the house and a ghost and she has her full life ahead of her yet, A love story. If you like stories like this, then The Man in Black is a must!!
What I enjoyed most about The Man in Black is watching two people who have had similar lives in some ways connect right away, but being he is a ghost and she is alive how could that ever work? While Elinor is working on his mothers legal stuff, she also helps him in trying to solve his murder. Watching a man and woman fall for each other even when its not the natural way but them having this connection and feelings for each other. Both of them working together to keep the other safe no matter what the costs.
This story is great, I will admit its not the typical stories I have read, but I really enjoyed this book and was completely glued. This story has a famous Violinist who is known for his very different kinds of music, he has made it big even if he didnt have the support of his mother growing up, A woman who never got to do the job she wanted in her life and instead following in her parents footsteps into Law, when Eric and Elinor meet for the first time and feelings are there they just dont know how it will ever work as he is doomed in the house and a ghost and she has her full life ahead of her yet, A love story. If you like stories like this, then The Man in Black is a must!!
August 19, 2016
I have to say that to enjoy this book you will need to suspend your disbelief but then again aren't the best stories in a fantasy world anyway. The ones that take you away from your life and into a more perfect world. So I did suspend my disbelief and thoroughly enjoyed this romantic adventure.
Elinor is a lawyer in a job she doesn't like with a life she's bored with and is sent to a little town to wrap up some estate work. She is to unravel the financial and testate mysteries of the death of a client but when she gets to the estate, boy is she in for a surprise. Eric is the son of the deceased woman and a famous musician who "died" several days before his mother. And that's where the sexy fun begins.
There is lust, love, hot sex, electricity and of course suspense. Because Eric's death is not what it appears. Elinor finds new friends and a lover in that small town but how is she going to keep them all. You need to read this book to find out if she can. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through Hidden Gems in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and words contained here are entirely my own.
Elinor is a lawyer in a job she doesn't like with a life she's bored with and is sent to a little town to wrap up some estate work. She is to unravel the financial and testate mysteries of the death of a client but when she gets to the estate, boy is she in for a surprise. Eric is the son of the deceased woman and a famous musician who "died" several days before his mother. And that's where the sexy fun begins.
There is lust, love, hot sex, electricity and of course suspense. Because Eric's death is not what it appears. Elinor finds new friends and a lover in that small town but how is she going to keep them all. You need to read this book to find out if she can. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through Hidden Gems in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and words contained here are entirely my own.
January 5, 2016
2.5 stars
It was okay. I expected more from the book. There was no "love that transcends even death", as in there was no portrayal of it in the book where u actually feel the desperation, fear of losing someone. The protagonists behaved like teenagers. There was no reason for them to fall in love. Majority of the book they spent either sulking or being angry with each other. Till the end the heroine is with Allan, thinking how he is so smart and hot and then suddenly in next 3-4 pages she is in love with Eric. It was so unbelievable. There was no depth to the characters.
By the time the book ended I didn't really care for any of them.
It was okay. I expected more from the book. There was no "love that transcends even death", as in there was no portrayal of it in the book where u actually feel the desperation, fear of losing someone. The protagonists behaved like teenagers. There was no reason for them to fall in love. Majority of the book they spent either sulking or being angry with each other. Till the end the heroine is with Allan, thinking how he is so smart and hot and then suddenly in next 3-4 pages she is in love with Eric. It was so unbelievable. There was no depth to the characters.
By the time the book ended I didn't really care for any of them.
September 19, 2018
This one is a standalone, but is set in Crookshollow.
Although it had an interesting premise (the hero is a shade), I could only give this one 2 stars. I liked the hero, Eric & could sympathize with him on his predicament. I wasn't too keen on Elinor, the heroine, though. In the beginning she's an obnoxious, party animal. Described as fat & ugly. By the time she meets the hero, she's beautiful with a womanly figure. Lots of flip flopping. She's got some issues & so does Eric, so there's some padding for the 39 chapters. Of course 3 of those chapters are only 1 sentence. Hmmmm.
So, there's a difference between a shade & a ghost. A shade is aware of his surroundings & can become solid when he needs to. This works out well for the sex scenes. I was not feeling this story, but I wanted to see where SH was going to take it. Clara, the witch, makes an appearance & does some magic mumbo jumbo & Eric is brought back to life. After being dead for a week. After being embalmed. So, there was some major suspension of disbelief here. What it boils down to is : you can be well on your way to worm food & still come out of it alive & intact if you just believe in MAGIC!!
Although it had an interesting premise (the hero is a shade), I could only give this one 2 stars. I liked the hero, Eric & could sympathize with him on his predicament. I wasn't too keen on Elinor, the heroine, though. In the beginning she's an obnoxious, party animal. Described as fat & ugly. By the time she meets the hero, she's beautiful with a womanly figure. Lots of flip flopping. She's got some issues & so does Eric, so there's some padding for the 39 chapters. Of course 3 of those chapters are only 1 sentence. Hmmmm.
So, there's a difference between a shade & a ghost. A shade is aware of his surroundings & can become solid when he needs to. This works out well for the sex scenes. I was not feeling this story, but I wanted to see where SH was going to take it. Clara, the witch, makes an appearance & does some magic mumbo jumbo & Eric is brought back to life. After being dead for a week. After being embalmed. So, there was some major suspension of disbelief here. What it boils down to is : you can be well on your way to worm food & still come out of it alive & intact if you just believe in MAGIC!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 8, 2020
Amazing! I've read almost all Crookshollow books but the raven set. This one was by far the best!!
August 21, 2016
*I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review*
WOW!!! This book literally had me laughing and crying. This whole story is statement to what a love the ages is really all about. The girl with bad self-esteem issues finds a love that doesn't care what she looks like. I was able to really relate to a lot of what Elinor was feeling as I'm a bigger girl myself and I to have that little voice in my head that plays "Devil's Advocate". And then the betraying best friend?? Oh yeah, been there too, way too many times. The job in Crookshollow did so much to help build Elinor up, not just getting the crazy hot (and temporarily dead) rock star, but by finally learning to stand up for herself and being comfortable with who she is.
My heart broke with every angry word and fight the characters had, and I cried over the fire and the near loss of Eric. Definitely needed tissues for this book. I truly hope that the author decides to make this as part of a series, and I can't wait to read more of her work.
WOW!!! This book literally had me laughing and crying. This whole story is statement to what a love the ages is really all about. The girl with bad self-esteem issues finds a love that doesn't care what she looks like. I was able to really relate to a lot of what Elinor was feeling as I'm a bigger girl myself and I to have that little voice in my head that plays "Devil's Advocate". And then the betraying best friend?? Oh yeah, been there too, way too many times. The job in Crookshollow did so much to help build Elinor up, not just getting the crazy hot (and temporarily dead) rock star, but by finally learning to stand up for herself and being comfortable with who she is.
My heart broke with every angry word and fight the characters had, and I cried over the fire and the near loss of Eric. Definitely needed tissues for this book. I truly hope that the author decides to make this as part of a series, and I can't wait to read more of her work.
December 29, 2015
It's official, I have a new book boyfriend! I fell completely head over heels for this ghost, named Eric.
He is so sweet and sexy, but unfortunately dead. But, I found myself rooting for his character to somehow get his "happily ever after", anyway. I was not dissappointed, in fact, I was blown away by the creativity and unique twists that this book gave me.
Even though this book seems to wrap up beautifully in the end, I must say, that my romantic heart hopes to hear much more from Eric and Elinor.
He is so sweet and sexy, but unfortunately dead. But, I found myself rooting for his character to somehow get his "happily ever after", anyway. I was not dissappointed, in fact, I was blown away by the creativity and unique twists that this book gave me.
Even though this book seems to wrap up beautifully in the end, I must say, that my romantic heart hopes to hear much more from Eric and Elinor.
December 26, 2025
🌶️ I think pretty much anything by Steff is going to be spicy, but they are just so much fun anyway.
Okay, Eric, lead singer and violinist for a metal band with a goth and classical mix has died in a hit and run accident. His mother died the next day from long-term Alzheimer’s and heart disease.
Elinor is an estate lawyer assigned to process and catalogue the estate left behind by Eric’s mom, and travels from London to Crookshollow to stay at the old house for the next few weeks while she is dealing with the estate… the only thing is she didn’t expect to find Eric’s ghost haunting the place.
In order to help Eric cross over, Elinor agrees to try and help Eric find who was the culprit behind the wheel that had run Eric off of the road and to his untimely demise.
Was it an overly crazed fan, the local accountant keeping his eye on Eric’s mom’s progressing disease and making sure she was being looked after, or could it have been a jealous band mate?
So many possibilities and they are running out of time as the funeral is fast approaching. Hailed as the event to attend, Eric and his mother’s double funeral actually starts selling limited edition tickets and the media hype is through the roof.
Can Elinor and Eric fight their growing attraction or their constant squabbling to even solve the mystery before the door to Eric’s mausoleum is firmly shut?
Elinor is unlikable at first, but as she opens up to the reader, she quickly grows on you. The constant tug-of-war of emotions as Elinor finds contrary information to just who Eric the man was before his death are understandable and leaves us wondering to the end just was he the nice guy or was he a real jerk and possibly involved in illegal activity before he died.
It’s a quick read, covering a single standalone book, but I enjoyed it immensely. Yes, there are typos, but I didn’t mind them so much as I was really into the story.
Worth the read and now I am moving on to the last two in the Crookshollow gothic romance series.
Okay, Eric, lead singer and violinist for a metal band with a goth and classical mix has died in a hit and run accident. His mother died the next day from long-term Alzheimer’s and heart disease.
Elinor is an estate lawyer assigned to process and catalogue the estate left behind by Eric’s mom, and travels from London to Crookshollow to stay at the old house for the next few weeks while she is dealing with the estate… the only thing is she didn’t expect to find Eric’s ghost haunting the place.
In order to help Eric cross over, Elinor agrees to try and help Eric find who was the culprit behind the wheel that had run Eric off of the road and to his untimely demise.
Was it an overly crazed fan, the local accountant keeping his eye on Eric’s mom’s progressing disease and making sure she was being looked after, or could it have been a jealous band mate?
So many possibilities and they are running out of time as the funeral is fast approaching. Hailed as the event to attend, Eric and his mother’s double funeral actually starts selling limited edition tickets and the media hype is through the roof.
Can Elinor and Eric fight their growing attraction or their constant squabbling to even solve the mystery before the door to Eric’s mausoleum is firmly shut?
Elinor is unlikable at first, but as she opens up to the reader, she quickly grows on you. The constant tug-of-war of emotions as Elinor finds contrary information to just who Eric the man was before his death are understandable and leaves us wondering to the end just was he the nice guy or was he a real jerk and possibly involved in illegal activity before he died.
It’s a quick read, covering a single standalone book, but I enjoyed it immensely. Yes, there are typos, but I didn’t mind them so much as I was really into the story.
Worth the read and now I am moving on to the last two in the Crookshollow gothic romance series.
December 10, 2019
I want to hear Eric play. I like that Elinor is using her talent.
December 10, 2024
A friend made me read this. And so it began that I found myself annoyed by quite a bit by this book.
This book is set in England, yet a lot of the things characters say or refer to aren’t what would be said, such as....
1. Getting ‘takeout ‘. We say takeaway
2. Hicksville/ nowheresville. what?
3. Round the block
4. Highschool
Also the same thing is mentioned within a page or two, Bianca becomes Elinor for a page, I also find something that happens near the end of a book a little...well I have a question. Would you kiss someone who just brought up embalming fluid? Would you?
I have to say his rubbery penis made me lol.
Look, the book passes the time but if you’re from England you may find yourself thinking wait, what?! What English person says that?!
This book is set in England, yet a lot of the things characters say or refer to aren’t what would be said, such as....
1. Getting ‘takeout ‘. We say takeaway
2. Hicksville/ nowheresville. what?
3. Round the block
4. Highschool
Also the same thing is mentioned within a page or two, Bianca becomes Elinor for a page, I also find something that happens near the end of a book a little...well I have a question. Would you kiss someone who just brought up embalming fluid? Would you?
I have to say his rubbery penis made me lol.
Look, the book passes the time but if you’re from England you may find yourself thinking wait, what?! What English person says that?!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2016
The Man in Black combines mystery, danger, and a very complex relationship. Elinor is very smart, her parents pressured her to follow her father's career and become a lawyer. She has been trying to get ahead at the firm, but the skinny girls seem to garner the boss's attention and get the promotions. She has also had relationship failures but she has a plan to get a cute DJ. Until, her boss sends her to Crookshollow. She can't have have anything to do with a sexy ghost, can she? She can help figure out how he died though.
The mystery part of the book is enough to make it a must read. But the sensual inactions between a girl and a ghost are captivating.
The mystery part of the book is enough to make it a must read. But the sensual inactions between a girl and a ghost are captivating.
March 8, 2016
This was a very intriguing read. It was very well written because I could feel the creepiness of the manor as if I were there myself. I really liked Eric, but I'm afraid that I can't say the same about Elinor. Her getting close to him then pulling away became so tiresome to me, so I didn't like her til the end. I liked her friend, Bianca, and most all of the sincere characters. I loved the town with it's very interesting history. I'm so in need of a happy ending and this book definitely found a way. :) There was also a bit of action as well as humor. I would like to read more from this author.
August 22, 2016
I'm normally not one for ghost stories. To be honest, ghosts freak me out. But something about the description of this story caught my attention. And I'm so glad it did because this was a great story.
More than just a story where love transcends even death, there was murder, mystery, intrigue and more of the colorful cast of characters that I've come to enjoy in other Crookshollow stories.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
More than just a story where love transcends even death, there was murder, mystery, intrigue and more of the colorful cast of characters that I've come to enjoy in other Crookshollow stories.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 18, 2016
Well, what a book! I've got to be honest I didn't expect to enjoy this much, gothic romances have never really been my thing but I'm so glad I read it! I loved it!! Everything from the characters to the creepy house which was a character in itself! I will be buying this book on paperback and giving it pride of place on my book shelf!
August 21, 2016
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Charming, romantic, engrossing, entertaining and well written. This story captivates your imagination and makes your fall in love with a ghost. I really enjoyed this storyline, it was so different, yet not.
July 27, 2016
Great Love story.
What a wonderful story. The characters are wonderfully written. The plot is great. Makes you love the heroine and her friends.
What a wonderful story. The characters are wonderfully written. The plot is great. Makes you love the heroine and her friends.
March 21, 2024
Elinor is a lawyer and has to settle an estate at Marshell House. Going through unending paperwork. A gorgeous ghost. A rock band. So much happening in this story and I absolutely loved it.
August 18, 2016
Great gothic romance. Interesting premise and ending.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews