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"ซาร่า" ตัดสินใจแต่งงานกับ "นิโคลัส" ผ่านตัวแทนของเขาในกรุงลอนดอน เพื่อแลกกับอิสรภาพ เนื่องจากการตายของบิดาซึ่งก่อหนี้ไว้ล้นพ้นตัวให้ลูกสาวต้องรับเคราะห์ด้วยการติดคุก เพระไม่มีเงินใช้เจ้าหนี้ ครั้งไปถึงคฤหาสน์ราเวนคลิฟ ซึ่งตั้งอยู่บนหน้าผาสูงชัน ซาร่าก็ตระหนักว่าบ้านหลังนั้นมีเหตุการณ์แปลกๆ มากมายซึ่งไม่ได้เกี่ยวกับความเก่าแก่ของบ้าน บรรดาคนรับใช้บอกว่ามีผีสิง แต่ซาร่าเห็นว่าสิ่งที่น่าพรั่นพรึงกว่านั้นคือ การทำตัวลึกลับของสามีในนาม...นิโคลัส
384 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2005
43 people are currently reading
248 people want to read
About the author
Dawn Thompson
47 books62 followersDawn Thompson was a regular columnist featured in women’s special interest publications world and nationwide for over thirty years, one of which CROCHET WORLD, published by House of White Birches, since its inception over twenty-five years ago. She was an award-winning poet, artist, and needlework designer and illustrator, specializing in vintage concepts for today’s woman.
Dawn wrote historical fiction under her own name and that of penname Dawn MacTavish. She primarily wrote Regency Romance, writing both traditional Regencies, and Regency-set historicals and paranormals. She also wrote paranormal romances for both Kensington Books and Dorchester Publishing. Some of her other works include historical paranormals, and Celtic and Norse Medievals, incorporating the history, theology, legend, and lore of her heritage, which was the ongoing focus of her research over the past thirty-five years.
Dawn lived on Long Island, New York until her death, with her double-coated Tuxedo cat, Shadowfax (alias, Miss Fuzz), and Espirit, her scandalous Senegal parrot, an incurable flirt. Since her death, Miss Fuzz resides with author Deborah Macgillivray.
Her favorite books was "Green Darkness" by Anya Seton, and as a tribute, Dawn's books always contained the phrase "green darkness" in some passage of the book.
Dawn wrote historical fiction under her own name and that of penname Dawn MacTavish. She primarily wrote Regency Romance, writing both traditional Regencies, and Regency-set historicals and paranormals. She also wrote paranormal romances for both Kensington Books and Dorchester Publishing. Some of her other works include historical paranormals, and Celtic and Norse Medievals, incorporating the history, theology, legend, and lore of her heritage, which was the ongoing focus of her research over the past thirty-five years.
Dawn lived on Long Island, New York until her death, with her double-coated Tuxedo cat, Shadowfax (alias, Miss Fuzz), and Espirit, her scandalous Senegal parrot, an incurable flirt. Since her death, Miss Fuzz resides with author Deborah Macgillivray.
Her favorite books was "Green Darkness" by Anya Seton, and as a tribute, Dawn's books always contained the phrase "green darkness" in some passage of the book.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
June 11, 2021
3 Estrellitas. Hacía tiempo que no leía un libro de éstas características y siempre es grato encontrarse con algo distinto. También es el primer libro que leo de Dawn Thompson, a la que no conocía de nada, pues creo que es la única novela suya que han traído a España.
"El lobo de Ravencliff" es un tipo de novela de género paranormal histórico, de los que se publicaban bastantes hace quince años y con la esencia de las novelas de entonces, con esos toques góticos.
El libro ocurre en Inglaterra, en Cornualles en 1815. La protagonista, Sara, acaba en la cárcel de Fleet por las deudas que le dejó su padre al morir. Pero el misterioso y oscuro barón Walraven paga sus deudas y la saca de la cárcel para casarse con ella por poderes. Aunque no es él personalmente quien lo hace, si no su administrador, Alex Mallory.
Sara llega a la mansión de Ravencliff en Cornualles, con miedo y curiosidad por saber quién es su misterioso nuevo esposo, al que aún no ha conocido. Su primera noche, le queda claro que su esposo realmente no la quiere, es un hombre frío y distante que sólo se ha casado con ella para paliar los rumores que sobre él se dicen, y para salir del mercado matrimonial.
Nicholas, el barón Walraven, tiene sus motivos para mantener su secretismo. Es un cambiaformas, su padre le legó una extraña maldición, fue mordido por un lobo, y en ése ínterin, lo tuvo a él, para acabar muriendo a los pocos meses de las heridas. Durante su pubertad, Nicholas descubrió que podía transformarse en lobo cuando estaba asustado o excitado. Nicholas ve su condición como una maldición, y por eso no desea una esposa ni hijos, pero ahora debe afrontar una para acallar unos rumores.
La elegida fue Sara, debido a que el padre de ella y el de él, fueron amigos y sirvieron en la India. De modo que sacar a Sara de la cárcel será para Nicholas un motivo de expiación; pero sin intenciones de ir a más, pues la condición de Nicholas, sólo la sabe su ayuda de cámara, Mills.
En Ravencliff, Sara se siente desdichada y confusa, no entiende a su esposo, no sabe por qué se casó con ella, ni mucho menos entiende por qué hay tantos peligros en la mansión y la tienen siempre encerrada en sus habitaciones. Sara no quiere cambiar una prisión por otra. Solo otro habitante de Ravencliff, hará que la vida de Sara sea más llevadera, y es un misterioso perro o lobo, llamado Nero, que aterroriza al servicio, pero que le ha mostrado verdadero afecto a Sara.
Con la llegada de un reputado médico que puede ayudar a Nicholas a librarse de su maldición, se desatarán una serie de circunstancias que provocarán más problemas y choques entre los protagonistas, y el resto de personajes que pueblan la novela.
El libro está bien y en lo esencial me ha gustado, pero quizás me habría gustado mas si lo hubiese leído hace años. Aunque no son tan comunes las novelas de hombres lobo en períodos históricos, no he podido dejar de comparar la novela con otras parecidas del género, también en mansiones góticas.
Por otro lado, la novela engancha y se lee bien, pero me ha costado un pelín tragar a los protagonistas. Entiendes los motivos de ambos para actuar como actúan, pero en algunos momentos han llegado a ser desesperantes, sobre todo Sara, terca como ella sola y tropezando tropecientas veces con la misma piedra y sin aprender nunca.
El romance ha estado correcto, pero tampoco es de los mejores que he leído, pues los protagonistas han estado algo cansinos, y si tanto se amaban y se querían debían haber confiado mucho antes en el otro.
Sin más, una entretenida novela de las que ya no se venden, o no se publican porque se les pasó la moda, pero que siempre viene bien desempolvar algunas veces. Entretenida, pero no es un novelón.
"El lobo de Ravencliff" es un tipo de novela de género paranormal histórico, de los que se publicaban bastantes hace quince años y con la esencia de las novelas de entonces, con esos toques góticos.
El libro ocurre en Inglaterra, en Cornualles en 1815. La protagonista, Sara, acaba en la cárcel de Fleet por las deudas que le dejó su padre al morir. Pero el misterioso y oscuro barón Walraven paga sus deudas y la saca de la cárcel para casarse con ella por poderes. Aunque no es él personalmente quien lo hace, si no su administrador, Alex Mallory.
Sara llega a la mansión de Ravencliff en Cornualles, con miedo y curiosidad por saber quién es su misterioso nuevo esposo, al que aún no ha conocido. Su primera noche, le queda claro que su esposo realmente no la quiere, es un hombre frío y distante que sólo se ha casado con ella para paliar los rumores que sobre él se dicen, y para salir del mercado matrimonial.
Nicholas, el barón Walraven, tiene sus motivos para mantener su secretismo. Es un cambiaformas, su padre le legó una extraña maldición, fue mordido por un lobo, y en ése ínterin, lo tuvo a él, para acabar muriendo a los pocos meses de las heridas. Durante su pubertad, Nicholas descubrió que podía transformarse en lobo cuando estaba asustado o excitado. Nicholas ve su condición como una maldición, y por eso no desea una esposa ni hijos, pero ahora debe afrontar una para acallar unos rumores.
La elegida fue Sara, debido a que el padre de ella y el de él, fueron amigos y sirvieron en la India. De modo que sacar a Sara de la cárcel será para Nicholas un motivo de expiación; pero sin intenciones de ir a más, pues la condición de Nicholas, sólo la sabe su ayuda de cámara, Mills.
En Ravencliff, Sara se siente desdichada y confusa, no entiende a su esposo, no sabe por qué se casó con ella, ni mucho menos entiende por qué hay tantos peligros en la mansión y la tienen siempre encerrada en sus habitaciones. Sara no quiere cambiar una prisión por otra. Solo otro habitante de Ravencliff, hará que la vida de Sara sea más llevadera, y es un misterioso perro o lobo, llamado Nero, que aterroriza al servicio, pero que le ha mostrado verdadero afecto a Sara.
Con la llegada de un reputado médico que puede ayudar a Nicholas a librarse de su maldición, se desatarán una serie de circunstancias que provocarán más problemas y choques entre los protagonistas, y el resto de personajes que pueblan la novela.
El libro está bien y en lo esencial me ha gustado, pero quizás me habría gustado mas si lo hubiese leído hace años. Aunque no son tan comunes las novelas de hombres lobo en períodos históricos, no he podido dejar de comparar la novela con otras parecidas del género, también en mansiones góticas.
Por otro lado, la novela engancha y se lee bien, pero me ha costado un pelín tragar a los protagonistas. Entiendes los motivos de ambos para actuar como actúan, pero en algunos momentos han llegado a ser desesperantes, sobre todo Sara, terca como ella sola y tropezando tropecientas veces con la misma piedra y sin aprender nunca.
El romance ha estado correcto, pero tampoco es de los mejores que he leído, pues los protagonistas han estado algo cansinos, y si tanto se amaban y se querían debían haber confiado mucho antes en el otro.
Sin más, una entretenida novela de las que ya no se venden, o no se publican porque se les pasó la moda, pero que siempre viene bien desempolvar algunas veces. Entretenida, pero no es un novelón.
July 5, 2009
I'm not really sure how to rate romance novels. They are not a normal part of my reading list, and I don't think I've even picked one up since high school. I've been reading a lot of Urban Fantasy books lately, so I thought I'd take a little detour. Ok. A big detour. I was walking around in the Fiction section of my local library and saw the cover of this one poking out. Calling to me, if you will. I blushed, grabbed it, and stuck it behind a more respectable Agatha Christie mystery I was also getting. I made a beeline for the librarian behind the counter and checked out. I felt giddy when I finally got into my car with my chick-porn safely in the seat beside me! I could hardly wait to get home and start reading! I was sure that my prize was chock-full of nothing but raunchy sex, sex, and more sex. Naughty me!
Ok, here's where I was disappointed. There were only two sex scenes in the whole thing. The rest of it was an actual story. Not that the plot was all that bad, but come on! I'm not reading a book like this for the story! On a side note, the hero in the book was a shapeshifting wolf. Remember how I said I had been reading a lot of Urban Fantasy books? Strange, huh? I mean, what about the cover of this book says "werewolf"?
Anyway, like I said, it had a plot that wasn't half-bad. I did think the author seemed to be a little obsessed with the the word pantaloons. She used the phrase "his skintight black pantaloons" so much, that I was starting to giggle out loud by the end of the book.
I guess I would have to say, that in the end, it was a fast, fun, and fluffy read. Still, I'm not sure it totally scratched my itch for a dirty romance novel. I may have to, (cough-cough) pick up another one the next time, just to...you know...be sure. Ahem.
Ok, here's where I was disappointed. There were only two sex scenes in the whole thing. The rest of it was an actual story. Not that the plot was all that bad, but come on! I'm not reading a book like this for the story! On a side note, the hero in the book was a shapeshifting wolf. Remember how I said I had been reading a lot of Urban Fantasy books? Strange, huh? I mean, what about the cover of this book says "werewolf"?
Anyway, like I said, it had a plot that wasn't half-bad. I did think the author seemed to be a little obsessed with the the word pantaloons. She used the phrase "his skintight black pantaloons" so much, that I was starting to giggle out loud by the end of the book.
I guess I would have to say, that in the end, it was a fast, fun, and fluffy read. Still, I'm not sure it totally scratched my itch for a dirty romance novel. I may have to, (cough-cough) pick up another one the next time, just to...you know...be sure. Ahem.
August 15, 2025
Stuck in a debtors prison after the death of her father, the heroine is stunned when she receives the most unlikely of offers. The son of a friend of her father has offered her marriage and she jumps at the opportunity.
Making the trek to Cornwall with a less than pleasant friend of her new husband, the heroine is happy to be rid of the man's company. In the castle by the sea, the heroine meets her husband. He is broad shouldered, hair dark as a raven and pleasant enough if a little dark and moody and secretive. He makes it plain to her that their marriage will be in name only and though she feels a pain to know she'll never experience the pleasures of man and wife, she's content with her new home. It's miles above the prison she's spent her last years in. But it's a lonely existence and without the companionship of her absent husband, the heroine takes to embracing the company of the dog that haunts the keep. She comes to realize that the animal is generally hated by servants and the hero informs her not be become attached to the beast but despite this she leaves her door ajar every night in hopes of a visit.
Then the unseedy gentleman who escorted her to her new home returns and after a night deep in his cups, takes her open door as an invitation. She's attacked and very nearly raped but she's saved by the animal named Nero who bites the fiend, horrified when the animal is shot in the process. From then on however, the heroine notices changes in the normally docile animal she calls friend. He's possessive and aggressive and she even becomes slightly uncomfortable around him. But that doesn't stop her from doing everything in her power to save him when he's being hunted. Little does she knew the truth.
The hero's father was bitten by a werewolf in India and passed the gene onto his son. The heroine lives as a recluse in his home, knowing he can never leave else he be caught out when the change happens spontaneously. But he's soon to be told that he's a shifter rather than a werewolf and need only to learn to control it. This gives his hope where there was scarcely none before that he could find happiness in the arms of his wife. But his secret is great and horrible and he hides it from her for most of book, afraid to lose her if she should realize the truth. Especially now that her attacker has been affected with the werewolf genre and is stalking the halls of his home. But what really hurts the heroine is the lack of trust he has for her, not his affliction. She takes some time to come to terms that her husband has lied to her from the start.
I thought the heroine to be very wishy washy. At first I considered her level headed and smart. Though she disagrees with the hero's decisions to keep her under guard for her own safety and voices said disagreement, she actually listens to her husband. But as time went on she became more and more stupid and reckless. How many damn times does the man have to tell you not to wonder the halls of a creepy and dangerous castle at night before you listen to him?? I ask you. She was so frustrating I could have slapped her. The only thing I could think to salvage her complete ignorance was the fact that she was lonely and she only really ventured out in search of her friend Nero. I loved the hero. He was tortured without being melodramatic and he put up with a lot of flack from his stubborn wife but you could so tell he only yelled at her or lost his temper out of fear for her safety. Overall I enjoyed the gothic tone of the book and the story was very interesting and well written.
Making the trek to Cornwall with a less than pleasant friend of her new husband, the heroine is happy to be rid of the man's company. In the castle by the sea, the heroine meets her husband. He is broad shouldered, hair dark as a raven and pleasant enough if a little dark and moody and secretive. He makes it plain to her that their marriage will be in name only and though she feels a pain to know she'll never experience the pleasures of man and wife, she's content with her new home. It's miles above the prison she's spent her last years in. But it's a lonely existence and without the companionship of her absent husband, the heroine takes to embracing the company of the dog that haunts the keep. She comes to realize that the animal is generally hated by servants and the hero informs her not be become attached to the beast but despite this she leaves her door ajar every night in hopes of a visit.
Then the unseedy gentleman who escorted her to her new home returns and after a night deep in his cups, takes her open door as an invitation. She's attacked and very nearly raped but she's saved by the animal named Nero who bites the fiend, horrified when the animal is shot in the process. From then on however, the heroine notices changes in the normally docile animal she calls friend. He's possessive and aggressive and she even becomes slightly uncomfortable around him. But that doesn't stop her from doing everything in her power to save him when he's being hunted. Little does she knew the truth.
The hero's father was bitten by a werewolf in India and passed the gene onto his son. The heroine lives as a recluse in his home, knowing he can never leave else he be caught out when the change happens spontaneously. But he's soon to be told that he's a shifter rather than a werewolf and need only to learn to control it. This gives his hope where there was scarcely none before that he could find happiness in the arms of his wife. But his secret is great and horrible and he hides it from her for most of book, afraid to lose her if she should realize the truth. Especially now that her attacker has been affected with the werewolf genre and is stalking the halls of his home. But what really hurts the heroine is the lack of trust he has for her, not his affliction. She takes some time to come to terms that her husband has lied to her from the start.
I thought the heroine to be very wishy washy. At first I considered her level headed and smart. Though she disagrees with the hero's decisions to keep her under guard for her own safety and voices said disagreement, she actually listens to her husband. But as time went on she became more and more stupid and reckless. How many damn times does the man have to tell you not to wonder the halls of a creepy and dangerous castle at night before you listen to him?? I ask you. She was so frustrating I could have slapped her. The only thing I could think to salvage her complete ignorance was the fact that she was lonely and she only really ventured out in search of her friend Nero. I loved the hero. He was tortured without being melodramatic and he put up with a lot of flack from his stubborn wife but you could so tell he only yelled at her or lost his temper out of fear for her safety. Overall I enjoyed the gothic tone of the book and the story was very interesting and well written.
January 27, 2012
this book is a total garbage.i was not able to connect with hero or heroine. the attraction between them is so-so.the girl is just too curious for my liking. all i could think was shut up and do wat u r good at. the guy was even worst, every page i turn all i could think was just tell her the secret and get done with it. i have never hated heroine in any book as much i hated this one. she is rude to her maid-servant, she puts maid's life in jeopardy and in that situation heroine is angry with the maid. i don't even see fault of the maid who is trembling with fear because of stupid heroine. the guy asks her to give him sometime but does she listens to him NOOOOOOO!! instead she snoops around the house in order to protect the dog when he tells her that he is not going to harm it. this book is just annoying and waste of time.
May 27, 2010
by the last few chapters I was just skimming through the pages to say I finished it; everyone was getting on my nevers and I didn't care what happened to them. This is the second book by Dawn Thompson I have tried to read the first one I did not finish, I will not be reading any more.
May 20, 2024
Peli, peli e ancora peli! Questa la vera passione dell’autrice che ogni pagina/pagina e mezza ci parla di peli del petto, peli soffici, petti villosi, peli che si diradano, capelli bagnati/sudati ecc… Se avessi bevuto per ogni “pelo” letto, sarei stata ubriaca 4 giorni di fila! Comunque queste sono le gioie di random.org. In pratica io periodicamente affido la scelta di una lettura alla sorte e finora sono state sempre scelte sorprendenti per un motivo o un altro…
Quando random.org ha selezionato questo libro dalla mia libreria casalinga, ho storto la bocca. Il titolo è archiviato nella categoria trash e ne fanno parte quei libri (di solito Romance zozzi) ereditati non so bene come e che un po’ mi vergogno a leggere. Ma hey quando ci si affida al Caso, lo si fa seguendo le regole, e quindi ho accettato il verdetto.
Il libro non parte malissimo… siamo agli inizi del 1800 (ma il periodo storico è ininfluente) ed abbiamo questa giovane donna che sceglie di sposarsi per procura, senza aver visto il futuro marito, per essere tirata fuori dalla galera dov’era finita a causa dei debiti di gioco di suo padre. Quando arriva al castello del barone di Walraven scopre che suo marito è OVVIAMENTE un bonazzo di prima categoria, alto, bello, moro, con un fisico da atleta, cosce tornite, braccia forti, ventre piatto e con un sacco di peli sul petto (come l’autrice non manca di ricordarci ogni 3 pagine). PERÒ non vuole essere toccato! Perché scopriremo poco dopo che il barone è un mutaforma e, quando è in preda a forti emozioni, si trasforma in un lupo. Visto che non è andata poi così male? Cioè abbiamo anche il sovrannaturale…
Tralasciando i luoghi comuni che si sprecano (lui maschio alpha, lei donna “come nessun’altra”, lei desiderio di maternità per sentirsi complete ed eroina coraggiosa, lui con un mattarello tra le gambe ecc…) e scene hot da manuale ma anche un po’ ripetitive, la lettura è stata coinvolgente. Insomma sto uomo riuscirà a controllare la trasformazione? Dovrà restare cane per sempre? Difenderà la sua donzella dalle mire violente di Alex? Se lo volete sapere leggetevi qui sotto la
TRAMA CON SPOILER
Quando random.org ha selezionato questo libro dalla mia libreria casalinga, ho storto la bocca. Il titolo è archiviato nella categoria trash e ne fanno parte quei libri (di solito Romance zozzi) ereditati non so bene come e che un po’ mi vergogno a leggere. Ma hey quando ci si affida al Caso, lo si fa seguendo le regole, e quindi ho accettato il verdetto.
Il libro non parte malissimo… siamo agli inizi del 1800 (ma il periodo storico è ininfluente) ed abbiamo questa giovane donna che sceglie di sposarsi per procura, senza aver visto il futuro marito, per essere tirata fuori dalla galera dov’era finita a causa dei debiti di gioco di suo padre. Quando arriva al castello del barone di Walraven scopre che suo marito è OVVIAMENTE un bonazzo di prima categoria, alto, bello, moro, con un fisico da atleta, cosce tornite, braccia forti, ventre piatto e con un sacco di peli sul petto (come l’autrice non manca di ricordarci ogni 3 pagine). PERÒ non vuole essere toccato! Perché scopriremo poco dopo che il barone è un mutaforma e, quando è in preda a forti emozioni, si trasforma in un lupo. Visto che non è andata poi così male? Cioè abbiamo anche il sovrannaturale…
Tralasciando i luoghi comuni che si sprecano (lui maschio alpha, lei donna “come nessun’altra”, lei desiderio di maternità per sentirsi complete ed eroina coraggiosa, lui con un mattarello tra le gambe ecc…) e scene hot da manuale ma anche un po’ ripetitive, la lettura è stata coinvolgente. Insomma sto uomo riuscirà a controllare la trasformazione? Dovrà restare cane per sempre? Difenderà la sua donzella dalle mire violente di Alex? Se lo volete sapere leggetevi qui sotto la
TRAMA CON SPOILER
March 31, 2020
Historia fascinante. Me ha gustado mucho
July 7, 2012
I wish I could give 3 1/2 stars. I think I tend to rate a little on the high side, though. I did enjoy the book. It had plenty of room for improvement throughout, though. The story was interesting, but it seemed to take me a while to read this book. When I love a book, it matters not the time of night, I will atleast cram in a few chapters. With this book, I found myself going to bed, looking over to my nightstand, and saying, "nah, not tonight, too tired." It was enjoyable while I read it, but it was not the type of book that I just HAD to finish.
1. Herione - got into soooo much trouble of her own making because she wouldn't listen to any warnings. I agree with another reviewer here: it was as if the author was trying to write Sara to be strong and independent, but she came across as stubborn, ignorant, and child-like. I didn't much feel sorry for the herione when she was in danger because it was OF HER OWN DOING!
2. Hero - his dialogue with his valet and his Dr. over his feeeelings sometimes seemed whiny. I sometimes pictured him as Beast from Disney's Beauty and the Beast. I thought he went on and on and on about things. I also found it a little....ummm...different to see such openness about feelings of love and fear being discussed between a male hero and his male valet. It was the sort of conversations that you would expect between females.
3. Treatment of the servants - I mentioned this before in another of her work. Must the servant be treated so harshly and rudely? Yes, servants are servants, but telling a servant not to "gawk at your betters" is a bit harsh and makes the herione come across as snobbish. That was from The Waterlord, but the same attitude exists here in Ravencliff. The maids are written as women who give themselves freely to whomever, extremely unintelligent, and bothersome to their "betters."
4. Relationship development - or lack thereof. In all 3 of her books that I have read, the same problem exists for me, I never quite see the relationship develop. The characters tend to just suddenly realize their undying love and devotion for each other.
Despite my nitpicking, I did enjoy the book. With Dawn Thompson, it seems that I absolutely LOVE her overrall plots. Her stories are different, magical, and really take you away. It's her execution of those overrall plots that need improvement. Next on my list from her: The Bride of Time....we shall see. I expect that I will see the usual poor treatment of servants, as well as I expect to find the characters almost immediately and without reason fall madly, deeply in love with each other. But maybe not!
1. Herione - got into soooo much trouble of her own making because she wouldn't listen to any warnings. I agree with another reviewer here: it was as if the author was trying to write Sara to be strong and independent, but she came across as stubborn, ignorant, and child-like. I didn't much feel sorry for the herione when she was in danger because it was OF HER OWN DOING!
2. Hero - his dialogue with his valet and his Dr. over his feeeelings sometimes seemed whiny. I sometimes pictured him as Beast from Disney's Beauty and the Beast. I thought he went on and on and on about things. I also found it a little....ummm...different to see such openness about feelings of love and fear being discussed between a male hero and his male valet. It was the sort of conversations that you would expect between females.
3. Treatment of the servants - I mentioned this before in another of her work. Must the servant be treated so harshly and rudely? Yes, servants are servants, but telling a servant not to "gawk at your betters" is a bit harsh and makes the herione come across as snobbish. That was from The Waterlord, but the same attitude exists here in Ravencliff. The maids are written as women who give themselves freely to whomever, extremely unintelligent, and bothersome to their "betters."
4. Relationship development - or lack thereof. In all 3 of her books that I have read, the same problem exists for me, I never quite see the relationship develop. The characters tend to just suddenly realize their undying love and devotion for each other.
Despite my nitpicking, I did enjoy the book. With Dawn Thompson, it seems that I absolutely LOVE her overrall plots. Her stories are different, magical, and really take you away. It's her execution of those overrall plots that need improvement. Next on my list from her: The Bride of Time....we shall see. I expect that I will see the usual poor treatment of servants, as well as I expect to find the characters almost immediately and without reason fall madly, deeply in love with each other. But maybe not!
September 25, 2018
Una novela que me gustó mucho la primera vez que la leí y que puedes volver a releer sin ningún problema algo que no se puede decir de muchas novelas románticas.
Crítica completa
Crítica completa
July 8, 2008
As I was copying my reviews over to GoodReads, I not iced I never posted a review for this book and that made me sad. Dawn Thompson is my favourite author and I wish she had had a chance to know how much I loved this book.
She is an amazing storyteller. One that deftly creates a Regency world like few can do. Laying over that is the strong Gothic paranormal that echoes back to books of 50 years ago, like Rebecca and My Cousin Rachel. This was her debut romance novel and we all expected her to go on to write so many amazing books. And she did. But she's good too soon.
She was a beautiful writer.
She is an amazing storyteller. One that deftly creates a Regency world like few can do. Laying over that is the strong Gothic paranormal that echoes back to books of 50 years ago, like Rebecca and My Cousin Rachel. This was her debut romance novel and we all expected her to go on to write so many amazing books. And she did. But she's good too soon.
She was a beautiful writer.
July 3, 2020
I really enjoyed the Gothic vibe of this story and how the slow unveil of the H's condition developed.
In places and at times I felt perhaps things could have moved a wee bit quicker but as I wasn't continually looking to see how many pages I had to read was fine with it.
Also sometimes I could have cheerfully screamed at the h for her constant getting into trouble i realised that any woman would be so curious given the secrets.
Would I reccommend it? Yes If you like a little ( obvious) mystery, a slow burn romance and something a wee bit different go for it.
In places and at times I felt perhaps things could have moved a wee bit quicker but as I wasn't continually looking to see how many pages I had to read was fine with it.
Also sometimes I could have cheerfully screamed at the h for her constant getting into trouble i realised that any woman would be so curious given the secrets.
Would I reccommend it? Yes If you like a little ( obvious) mystery, a slow burn romance and something a wee bit different go for it.
January 13, 2022
⭐⭐ : It was ok
° Third person perspective (switches between male and female lead)
° Trigger warnings: attempted rape
° Other warnings: sexually explicit
________________________________________
Thompson writes a very detailed historical romance. Of that this book gives no doubt.
But I found there to be too many needless details, like how Sara's slippers are almost always referred to as "Moroccan leather slippers" instead of just slippers. Every time. The same goes for Nicolas's boots, or his pantaloons.
Then there's the plot. It could easily have been done in half the amount of pages as it was fairly simple.
Sara's personality also left much to be desired. She goes against every warning, to disastrous results. She's referred to as being intelligent, but I personally saw no higher intelligence within her.
Overall, this book left me wanting. I couldn't quite like the two leads, despite their peculiar circumstances and potential.
° Third person perspective (switches between male and female lead)
° Trigger warnings: attempted rape
° Other warnings: sexually explicit
________________________________________
Thompson writes a very detailed historical romance. Of that this book gives no doubt.
But I found there to be too many needless details, like how Sara's slippers are almost always referred to as "Moroccan leather slippers" instead of just slippers. Every time. The same goes for Nicolas's boots, or his pantaloons.
Then there's the plot. It could easily have been done in half the amount of pages as it was fairly simple.
Sara's personality also left much to be desired. She goes against every warning, to disastrous results. She's referred to as being intelligent, but I personally saw no higher intelligence within her.
Overall, this book left me wanting. I couldn't quite like the two leads, despite their peculiar circumstances and potential.
April 15, 2024
A good old gothic suspense
I enjoyed the storyline for the most part. Characters were well developed. The female lead at times was so darn stubborn it was frustrating., of course, was due to her lack of knowledge.
If you can over look that part of the story, then it really is not a bad read.
This reminds me of the old original gothic romantic suspense novels before all the shape-shifting stories took over to the near extinction of what gothic, suspense use to be about.
Fast, easy read. A bit repetitive as to getting to the big secret reveal of what the heck was he hiding from her. But that how these stories seem to go.
Will definitely read more books from this author. 😉
I enjoyed the storyline for the most part. Characters were well developed. The female lead at times was so darn stubborn it was frustrating., of course, was due to her lack of knowledge.
If you can over look that part of the story, then it really is not a bad read.
This reminds me of the old original gothic romantic suspense novels before all the shape-shifting stories took over to the near extinction of what gothic, suspense use to be about.
Fast, easy read. A bit repetitive as to getting to the big secret reveal of what the heck was he hiding from her. But that how these stories seem to go.
Will definitely read more books from this author. 😉
April 29, 2018
I liked the book
It was a good read I loved the story line but what I didn't like about it was the way it dragged on and some parts just seem endless I love Nero and his part in the story I think him in human form was sometimes a Jerk he treated his Valet Mills with No respect after all he done for him and sara he was just hateful and heartless at times Im glad she had Nero in those times
It was a good read I loved the story line but what I didn't like about it was the way it dragged on and some parts just seem endless I love Nero and his part in the story I think him in human form was sometimes a Jerk he treated his Valet Mills with No respect after all he done for him and sara he was just hateful and heartless at times Im glad she had Nero in those times
September 21, 2018
Historical Romance with a Sharp Bite
This was a very exciting change from the romance I normally read. Suffice it to say this was not as I expected, and I am glad for it. It is most four a.m. and I just finished this book. I wish it had more chapters.
My one complaint was a transposition of character names between the lady of the manor and the one in her coffin. It took something away from the moment.
Great book and I would read more from this writer.
This was a very exciting change from the romance I normally read. Suffice it to say this was not as I expected, and I am glad for it. It is most four a.m. and I just finished this book. I wish it had more chapters.
My one complaint was a transposition of character names between the lady of the manor and the one in her coffin. It took something away from the moment.
Great book and I would read more from this writer.
April 23, 2024
Not my normal read. I'm more into historical romance and as I original thought this to be one I was surprised to find the paranormal element. This was my first shapeshifter book so I wasn't sure what to expect. He is not in control of his wolf beast side so to make life easy he marries by proxy. He just wants a marriage in name only but that backfires. The story kept me entertained with a lot of twist and turns. HEA ending.
February 18, 2022
A fresh approach to a well worn genre
I have to hand it to Dawn Thompson. I love the era she chose, and the characters she created. The situation was turned on it’s head, with roles reversed. The baron, baroness, the wolf, valet, and the doctor. What a cast! Splendid roles! A great read!
I have to hand it to Dawn Thompson. I love the era she chose, and the characters she created. The situation was turned on it’s head, with roles reversed. The baron, baroness, the wolf, valet, and the doctor. What a cast! Splendid roles! A great read!
October 26, 2017
Captivating
A well handled transformation novel. Man turns into an animal many a time...but the essence of what he is remains the same. One should tame the animal within to enjoy the bliss of life. A book that keeps you captivated until the end.
A well handled transformation novel. Man turns into an animal many a time...but the essence of what he is remains the same. One should tame the animal within to enjoy the bliss of life. A book that keeps you captivated until the end.
February 5, 2017
Hmmm
An OK book but could have been better written. Not sure if it was thoroughly thought out. Not sure if I will read another.
An OK book but could have been better written. Not sure if it was thoroughly thought out. Not sure if I will read another.
July 7, 2017
Started out okay but somewhere along the way the heroine Sara started to annoy me. Sad to say I gave up when I hit 50 percent..
September 6, 2017
Most likely a pretty good paranormal romance. I won't be re-reading this one. A good story if you are into Wolves (not werewolves) and old England romances.
November 19, 2017
Very good...New author for me
I enjoyed this story with it's twists. It is well written. I will look for more of Dawn Thompson's books!
I enjoyed this story with it's twists. It is well written. I will look for more of Dawn Thompson's books!
April 6, 2022
Si hubiera más de 5 estrellas, se las daría todas. Qué cosa más bonita de libro. Un argumento emocionante, un romance precioso, un ritmo que no aburre en ningún momento. Súper recomendado!
May 11, 2025
The fmc cares more for a dog than her poor servant…
March 19, 2017
Don't usually read this type of book, but it have a wonderful story line.
October 6, 2016
Extremely annoying heroine- tell her not to do something or its not safe and she deliberately does it anyway. Old castle can be dangerous= Ramble around in night and get locked in secret room- rescued- leave door ajar when strangers are in house- almost raped- do the same thing the very next night. Told not to go to the ocean cliff- yep... guess where she headed RIGHT away. Obstinate. But the final impetus to shut the book for good is when she says she'd rather be back in the debtors prison than in a castle warm and safe, with a kind but (at this point) uninterested husband... hardly believable. DNF
February 26, 2017
A heart-wrenching story. The author did an excellent job with the description of the characters and their surroundings. You can 'see' the castle and the cliffs and almost 'hear' the waves crashing onto the shore line. The characters will make you cry and agonize about the unfairness of life. But they will also make weep happy tears at the end. Yes, there is a happy ending. I would have given the book five stars if it hadn't been for some unbelievable behavior of the husband and his valet. If you are aware of deadly danger you do not assume that your wife will do as asked especially since she had proven in the past not to listen to warnings. And when you know there is a dangerous animal in the house you do not escort her to her suite and leave her there when the door is open. You go inside and make sure there is no danger lurking. Those are just two example. There is more and it annoyed me to no end. I felt like screaming at the book 'do this' 'don't do that'. However, I highly recommend the book to anyone enjoying a paranormal love story.
February 22, 2017
I thought she masterfully combined gothic romance and paranormal romance. I think that she tried to present her heroine as upstanding and proper but most of the time it came off as shrewish, while her hero was very long suffering. Still, on the whole, I thought it was a good read.
February 21, 2017
Loved the leading lady!
Strong, independent, willful & spirited. Good story, good description of landscapes were needed to understand the story. Not too much detail, not redundant. Couldn't put it down.
Strong, independent, willful & spirited. Good story, good description of landscapes were needed to understand the story. Not too much detail, not redundant. Couldn't put it down.
May 13, 2014
Well, I gritted my teeth and saw this to its bitter end and unsatisfactory conclusion. It was particularly frustrating because it had a promising premise and introduction (a gentleman werewolf as a love interest), but only succeeded in either boring me to tears, or raising my anger, or simply drowning me in apathy.The heroine was extremely annoying. Her caustic personality and her idiotic behaviour was the rotten cherry atop a sour reading experience. She goes where she is told not to go, for her own safety and with good, reasonable arguments. And she ends up hurt or almost dead, thrice!!, BUT CONTINUES TO DO SO and her argument is that see is not a child, that she will be the one to judge what is dangerous. And don`t let me rant at her constant bemoaning of her fate at the manor, how she is a prisoner there, and all this after she is rescued from debtor`s prison by Nicholas, the hero. We`re talking about prison conditions in Regency England or around that time, before any type of reforms and before human rights, need I say more?
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