Vexed

The Haunting of Castle Keyvnor #1

by Erica Ridley

The Haunting of Castle Keyvnor, Book #1
Greetings,
In regards to the Matter of the un-entailed Estate of the late-Jonathan Hambly, 10th Earl of Banfield, be advised that your attendance is urgently required at the reading of his lordship’s Last Will & Testament, to take place on November 1st of this year at Castle Keyvnor in Bocka Morrow, Cornwall.
Regards,
Mr. Timothy Hunt, Esq.

When the late-Earl of Banfield’s distant relations descend upon Bocka Morrow, they’ll find gypsies, witches, pixies, smugglers, and one very haunted castle. And if they’re lucky, they might just fall in love while they’re there.

VEXED, The Haunting of Castle Keyvnor

Erica Ridley’s Romancing the Rogue
When the new earl inherits, poor relation Miss Rebecca Bond must wed immediately or be out on her ear. The only man she’s ever loved is summoned to hear the will—but he already rejected her so soundly that they haven’t spoken in years. Yet who better than a rakish Viscount to teach her how to snare a gentleman who appreciates her charms?

Ava Stone’s Once Upon a Moonlit Path
Lady Cassandra Priske sees dead people…not all the time, but occasionally. When her family is summoned to Castle Keyvnor for the reading of her great uncle's will, Cassy is more than terrified. After all, the castle is famous for its hauntings. But the very last person, dead or alive, she expects to find there is the rakish Lord. St. Giles. After all, she spent the last season hiding from that very man.

Elizabeth Essex’s Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
Nessa Teague has never believed in the magic that swirls around her village like a fine Cornish mist. She’s never had need of it. Until the day Lord Harry Beck returns to Bocka Morrow and Nessa realizes there is nothing, including the blackest of magic, she won’t do to have him for her own.

The Haunting of Castle Keyvnor includes twelve Regency romance novellas. Don’t miss the anthologies Bedeviled, Mystified and Spellbound.

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Anthologies, Historical, Paranormal, Ghosts, Historical Fiction

342 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 20, 2016

About the author

Get freebies and 99¢ deals at: https://ridley.vip

Erica Ridley is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of historical romance novels, including THE DUKE HEIST, featuring the Wild Wynchesters. Why seduce a duke the normal way, when you can accidentally kidnap one in an elaborately planned heist?

In the 12 Dukes of Christmas series, enjoy witty, heartwarming Regency romps nestled in a picturesque snow-covered village. After all, nothing heats up a winter night quite like finding oneself in the arms of a duke!

Two popular series, the Dukes of War and Rogues to Riches, feature roguish peers and dashing war heroes who find love amongst the splendor and madness of Regency England.

When not reading or writing romances, Erica can be found eating couscous in Morocco, zip-lining through rainforests in Costa Rica, or getting hopelessly lost in the middle of Budapest.

Reviews

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love when an anthology revolves around a theme and in this case it's Castle Keyvnor, of course, and many characters. It was nicely done. None of these authors are ones I know about, so I will be gladly looking in to their other works. Well worth the read and I look forward to the next installment.

[Sha]

DNF@68%

4. Apr. 2021

Romancing the Rogue by Erica Ridley: 2 stars (S)/3 stars (O)

Fairly good story of estranged childhood friends to romance. I liked the bits at the end focusing on financial independence. However, there were a lot of character shillings and a babies ever after epilogue. Plus the conflict was pretty much nonexistent? It was all internal conflict and I don't think I actually bought it. I do want to read a longer Erica Ridley book because I see potential here though.

Once Upon a Moonlit Path by Ava Stone

DNF at about chapter two. There is some interesting ghost stuff in here but we also have "his cock twitched at the breathy note in her voice" which is ew. I'm really not interested in people thinking someone else is hot and then having a lot of sex and it looks like where we're heading here. There's also a lot of stuff about "gypsies" which... I realize that's not commonly seen as a slur, especially in histrom but the combination of the word and the fact that the Roma are very clearly going to be mystical side characters makes me uncomfortable. And I was already uninterested in what the story was setting up so we're going to move on.

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by Elizabeth Essex

This was, from what little I read, probably likely to be the best story of the lot. Unfortunately, I'd reached my limit for Regency stories that aren't explicitly subversive at that point, so DNF it was.

Anthology Notes:
I was hoping the authors would have interconnected stories because I really like those for some reason and these were set in the same time and place. But there seems to be no functional overlap and that disappointed me a little.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 1 of 4 in The Haunting of Castle Keyvnor (4 Book Series) by Erica Ridley, Ava Stone and Elizabeth Essex. Amazing, simply amazing!

"The Haunting of Castle Keyvnor includes twelve Regency romance novellas. Don’t miss the anthologies Bedeviled, Mystified and Spellbound", coming soon!

"Greetings,
In regards to the Matter of the un-entailed Estate of the late-Jonathan Hambly, 10th Earl of Banfield, be advised that your attendance is urgently required at the reading of his lordship’s Last Will & Testament, to take place on November 1st of this year at Castle Keyvnor in Bocka Morrow, Cornwall.
Regards,
Mr. Timothy Hunt, Esq."

This collection includes.....

Erica Ridley’s Romancing the Rogue,
Ava Stone’s Once Upon a Moonlit Path, and Elizabeth Essex’s Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea....

Each story in this collection is simply amazing! I found them all to be well researched, masterfully written with well-developed characters and a uniquely intriguing and captivating tale of the reading of the late---Jonathan Hambly, 10th Earl of Banfield's will and testament ---and the story of his relatives, included in said will.
A Regency Historical Romance, set against the backdrop of the Castle Keyvnor, Bocka Morrow, Cornwall. Oh, yes, did I mention, it also involves smugglers, romance, gypsies, witches, hauntings, secrets, passion, treason, action and of course, finding love and a HEA, of they can each survive?

While I read this entire collection, and I might add, I thoroughly enjoyed each and every story. I highly recommend this collection to fans who enjoy Regency Romance, a collection of amazing stories and "Vexed" is a thrilling collection! I can't wait to read the other three in this series of Anthologies, "Bedeviled", "Mystified" and "Spellbound". What promises to be, some intriguing and utterly fascinating Anthologies!

This review is for... "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea" by Elizabeth Essex.

Lord Harry Beck (Captain) returns to Bocka Morrow and meets Nessa Teague, after twelve years on the sea. Nessa has loved him from afar, but can she make him fall in love with her?
Filled with adventure, possible treason, magic, danger, love, action and romance, with twists and turns, makes a very delightful tale.
Well written with captivating characters and a ghostly haunting of Castle Keyvnor or is it really being haunted?
An absolutely wicked tale, that's enticing as well as, captivating! Ms. Essex is an amazing storyteller, who writes masterfully and brilliantly! As is Ava Stone and Erica Ridley, as well.
Received for an honest review. However, all opinions, insights and thoughts are my own personal opinions.

Rating: 4.5
Heat rating: Mild
Reviewed by: AprilR

[Romancing the Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by JoAnne
Book provided by the author

The three stories in Vexed all have the Castle Keyvnor located in Bocka Morrow in Cornwall, England in the forefront of each story along with the death of the current earl.  The castle is considered to be haunted by many and is definitely dark with lots of rooms. The stories surround the reading of the will which is why everyone is visiting the castle whether they want to be there or not.  The stories are short and very quick reads with well defined characters and plots. After the three stories is the Earl of Banfield's Last Will and Testament which was a nice touch since it was alluded to throughout the three stories.

Romancing the Rogue by Erica Ridley drew me in immediately and never let go. Rebecca is a poor relation who has lived in the shadows while living in the castle for many years with her great uncle after the death of her parents. She loves the castle and despises London but may have to return there if her uncle, the new earl, has any say in the matter.  She's been in love with Daniel, now a viscount, since they were childhood friends.  He snubbed her twice while growing up due to the differences in their circumstances and has never looked back or has he?  When he's invited to the reading of the will he can't wait to get there so he can see Rebecca again.  There are twists and turns along with Rebecca living in the wrong century with all her talents that can't be recognized since it's only the early 1800's!  The descriptions of the village, the lands and sea were vivid and made me feel that I was there.  There is some closure especially with the epilogue and the happily ever after I was hoping for but it only left me wanting more.  Ridley is an author whose books are in my TBR pile but haven't yet hit the top.  I hope to change that shortly.

Once Upon a Moonlit Path by Ava Stone has Cassy seeing one of the ghosts that the castle must be known for - the angry man in black.  Her parents don't want to hear about it and people are starting to think that she's mad, but is she?  Her dog, Oscar, an intricate part of the story also seems to feel the ghostly presence.  Jack or Lord St. Giles, seems to be taken by Cassy and her father is by no means thrilled.  They steal away together when they can but it's never enough.  Her mother seems to like the idea of social climbing if Cassy and Jack did get together much to her Cassy's father's annoyance.  There a quite a few twists and turns to the story and a happily ever after in the offing.  There is quite a bit of playfulness along with the darkness. The epilogue gave nice closure and some hints at the future.  Stone is a new to me author and I will be looking for more of her books to add to my always growing TBR pile!

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by Elizabeth Essex is a quick paced story that takes place mostly in town instead of at the castle.  There is still magic throughout with spells and charms, the witches and gypsies and even the innocuous Allantide apple.  There is subterfuge, treason, people that aren't whom they seem to be, the villagers, secrets, caves, cargo, smuggling, free traders, boats and battles.  Harry, a captain in the Navy and Nessa, the vicar's daughter, have had a strong relationship from when they were young.  They haven't seen each other in twelve years when Harry comes to the castle with his family for the reading of his great uncle's will.  Time seems to stand still.  The attraction is still there but on a more adult level.  There is definite chemistry but each has so many doubts about the other and their roles.  Nessa's father, the vicar, is not the nicest person especially where it concerns Nessa. There is a happily ever after and nice closure.  Essex is an author I've read before and enjoyed her books.  I look forward to reading more of them in the future and have added some to my always growing TBR pile.

[Maura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Romancing the Rogue - Erica Ridley - 4 /5 - Rebecca Bond is a poor relation allowed to live in Castle Keyvnor, ignored and forgotten, until the lord dies and the new lord insists that she be married off. And so, Rebecca takes it upon herself to ask the one man she ever loved, who broke her heart and forgot her, Daniel, Lord North Barrows, for help in finding a husband. Instead, she finds that he wants to reconcile and restore their friendship, but both find themselves wanting more, even though they both believe it's impossible. A pretty cute story with a great second chance, reconciliation theme. It’s so often messed up, but this one was just right with a truly regretful hero whose reasons were actually somewhat believable, especially given his youth at the time. This is a clean romance and the friendship out balances any passion between them, but the friendship makes it more than believable...and their first kiss together was outstanding. Cute epilogue as well.

Once Upon a Moonlit Path - Ava Stone - 2.5 /5 - Cassie shows up to Castle Keyvnor with her family for the will reading and runs into Jack, Lord St. Giles, who she’s avoided in the past because of his rakish reputation. But at this estate, she can’t avoid him. In fact, she’s quite charmed by his easy, laidback attitude and devilish smile. They work their way towards a romance and Jack starts getting serious until Cassie begins claiming to see ghosts in the castle. At that point, Jack begins to doubt if they’ll suit when Cassie is quite insane. This was okay...a bit underwhelming. The story is all lined up and works out well, but the characters weren’t particularly interesting to me. Jack was the most interesting, what with his reputation and all that, but as much as that offered him a chance for growth through regret or reflection, he didn’t really at any point show any remorse for his rakehell reputation. And he should have, given it’s an obstacle to his marrying Cassie. Instead of reflecting on it and growing from it, he works around it and takes her to Scotland to marry . Seemed a bit of a lost opportunity there.

Between The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea - Elizabeth Essex - 3 /5 - Captain Lord Harry Beck is back in Cornwall after twelve years and Nessa has loved him since she was 13 years old. So she uses any and all Cornish magic to get him to love her back, but it keeps backfiring. But he does seem to show some interest. However, Nessa is afraid that Harry is more concerned with smuggling than with her. And he is on a mission to find the person responsible for treason, but that doesn’t mean that Harry doesn’t still want Nessa. This was pretty good. Nessa and Harry have a very cute, clean romance. I liked Nessa and her sort of desperate means to get Harry’s attention, and Harry was good about realizing how his actions affected others. This also had a good balance of suspense and romance. Although, I started getting confused about who all these people are and how they’re all related...especially with the use of first names and titles. I also suspect that this leaves a sort of “cliffhanger” deal for these characters. If you want to know what happens to Tressa, Matthew, Michael, Anthony, Lancaster and others, I think you have to read the next 3 in the series.

[Cass · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romancing the Rouge' by Erica Ridley
We start off the Castle Keyvnor series with Rebecca, who has been quietly residing at Castle Keyvnor.
Unfortunately, now that the Late Earl of Banfield has passed away, the new Earl has left Rebecca with an Ultimatum - find a husband, or he'll find one for her.
Lord North Barrows has been summoned to Castle Keyvnor for the reading of the will. He shares a regretful past with Rebecca and wants to apologise for the past hurt he has caused. Rebecca decides that he would be the perfect person to teach her how to flirt to help aid her cause of finding a husband.

'Once Upon a Moonlit Path' by Ava Sone
Lady Cassandra Prisk travels to Castle Keyvnor with her family and her poodle, Oscar, for the reading of the will. Cassy is the opposite of thrilled and to be attending the Castle, rumoured to be haunted, due to her sixth sense that enables her to see ghosts.
Lord St Giles was not invited to Castle Keynor, but tagged along with his friends, because he knew Lady Cassandra Prisk would be at attendance.
The Chemisty between the two is strong, but when Cassy sees a ghost, Lord St Giles starts to question her sanity.
This was personally my favourite story from the Castle Keyvnor series. In true Ava style, she delivers wonderful depth to her secondary characters without subtracting from the main characters.
And one of my favourite characters was Cassy's poodle, Oscar, I absolutely loved him :)

'Between the Devil and the deep blue sea' by Elizabeth Essex
Nessa Teague is a local to Bocka Morrow and Harry Beck studied under her father. It had been years since They had seen one another, but when Harry returns for the reading of the will for the Late Earl of Banfield, Nessa is determined to capture his heart - with the help of a bit of magic, but not all goes to plan.

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have only read ROMANCING THE ROGUE by Erica Ridley, but wow!

Miss Rebecca Bond has been living incognito in the haunted Castle Keyvnor for five years. When her parents died, her great-uncle the Earl of Banfield took her in, then promptly forgot her existence. She was left to roam the Castle as if she were a ghost, but she made herself useful nonetheless. Now that the old Earl has passed away, Rebecca is one breath away of losing her home; she has nothing: no money, no family, and only old clothes from her first and only season years ago. The new Earl, her uncle Allan Hambly is not so generous: he cannot take her in, so Rebecca will have to find herself a husband within the month! She knows no one, except for Lord North-Barrows, who humiliated her publicly more than once, but at least he will remember her…

Rebecca wants to retain her independence, which seems an impossible task, she doesn’t really want a husband; she has been doing very well for herself, in spite of it all, thank you very much, but a husband she must try to entice. Daniel Goodenham, Lord North-Barrows, a known rake, will be able to teach her how to attract a decent man, she hopes. Daniel has regretted his appalling behaviour, egged on by his haughty grandmother Lady Octavia, and this sorry situation might be a way to apologise to Rebecca and rekindle the friendship they had had for several years before it unravelled disastrously for Rebecca. Daniel might be a viscount, but he is prone to put his foot in his mouth once in a while, and he so does love London, unlike Rebecca who has come to thrive in the small Cornwall town which has been her home for some years. And how I loved Rebecca; she is so cool!

As always, Erica Ridley’s prose is loveliness itself, so lovely and a pleasure to read, and the dialogues are witty and fun. I felt the story had a lot of much movement, colour, and vivid images, everything was so easily visualised; I loved the description of Rebecca’s swimming attire! Rebecca is such a strong character, so much stronger than Daniel, who most agreeably surprised me in the end. After reading a few books – not by Ms. Ridley – that had so much sex in them, ROMANCING THE ROGUE was most refreshing: there is delightful flirtatious banter, affection, but most of all, this novella is the proof that one can write a fabulous romance without any sex and make it wonderful. And Erica Ridley made me cry. Again!


I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.

[Hattie Z · Rating 2 out of 5]

This collection suffers from asking the reader to suspend all belief. Book one is pleasant enough, though the idea of a full grown woman living in a castle for 5 years without anyone noticing her is pretty far fetched.

Book 2 is much worse. The focus is more on ghosts than on the relationship, which is superficial at best. Worst of all, there is absolutely no resolution to the ghost subplot and the whole “hero thinks the heroine might be mad but oh, no, now he knows she isn’t” thing is never addressed. She blithely overlooks it and they happily run away to elope. (Really?)

Book 3 is more tightly plotted (and I love the author; she’s the main reason I read this). But like the others it is confusing because it shares in this larger world of the castle series and it’s really hard to keep up with all of the references to other love affairs. it’s a bit like a soap opera’s multiple subplots.

Overall, pretty awful but the Elizabeth Essex story pulls it up a bit.

[Michelle Mcgrath · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm loving this whole series. stories are fun, romantic with a little intrigue. i love short stories because i can finish one before i fall asleep. makes me feel i that can accomplish something in my day (LOL).

[Dayle · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 light reading with happy endings.

[Margaret A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review

Each story was different in content but still worked to be linked to the other characters.I loved them all. I can't wait to continue the journey at Castle keyvnor!

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Erica Ridley’s Romancing the Rogue
Miss Rebecca Bond has lived at haunted Castle Keyvnor for 5 years ever since her parents died in a boating accident. Her great uncle the Earl of Banfield having given the destitute seventeen year old a home. The Earl of banfield dies & the new Earl insists Rebecca must wed immediately or be out on her ear. Daniel Goodenham, Viscount North Barrowsis the only man she’s ever loved he’s summoned to hear the will but he already rejected her so soundly that they haven’t spoken in years. Yet who better than a rakish Viscount to teach her how to snare a gentleman who appreciates her charms. Daniel has constantly thought about Rebecca & how he rejected her. This novella sets the scene of the castle & the gathering for the will reading. It does concentrate on Rebecca & Daniel so we don’t meet the others who’ve been summoned. An enjoyable story that I read in one session 4 stars

Ava Stone’s Once Upon a Moonlit Path
Lord & Lady Widcombe travel to Castle Keyvnor with their two daughters, Samantha, Cassandra & youngest son Tobias for the will reading of Lord Widcombe’s uncle. Lady Cassandra Priske also has her black poodle, Oscar with her., Cassy is more than terrified. After all, the castle is famous for its hauntings & she does see a man dressed all in black watching her as they arrive. But the very last person, dead or alive, she expects to find there is the rakish Jack Hazelwood, Lord. St. Giles, heir to the Duke of Margate. After all, she spent the last season hiding from that very man. Jack has travelled to the Castle with his friend Lord Michael Beck. Jack has been attracted from the first time he saw Cassy when she defended a friend.
We get to meet some of the relatives & their friends who have arrived for the will reading & I look forward to reading their stories. The chemistry between Jack & Cassy was hot. 5 stars

Elizabeth Essex’s Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
Lord Harry Beck second son of the Marquis of Halesworth & a decorated sea captain returns to Bocka Morrow along with his father & siblings for the will reading. Nessa Teague the rector’s daughter has never believed in the magic that swirls around her village like a fine Cornish mist. However she has always loved Harry & will try anything including magic to get him to love her. There’s smuggling & treason happening & Harry & his friend need to find the traitor. 4 stars

The first three stories in a four book series making twelve novellas in total about the relatives & friends gathering for the Earl Of Banfield’s will reading at Castle Keyvnor in Cornwell. The six hundred year old castle has seen its share of history & is haunted. These are three well-written novellas that kept me engrossed. I really enjoy the way the authors work together to intertwine their stories. Definitely stories I will revisit
I received an ARC copy

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Earl of Banfield has passed on and relatives, close and distant, have been summoned to Castle Keyvnor for the reading of the will. Some came alone, some with family, and some with friends. Not everyone will be involved with the will, but they will be involved with each other and the mysteries of Castle Keyvnor. Travel along. You‰Ûªll enjoy the spooky vacation.

In Vexed we meet three couples as each attempts to explain and deal with the elements of the haunted castle.

Romancing the Rogue by Erica Ridley
Erica is very good at creating stories about strong willed people and seemingly impossible love. Rebecca Bond is a shadow, a shy quiet poor relation who lives at Castle Keyvnor because she has nowhere else to go. The new Earl will not allow her to stay. She is given the choice to find a husband or he will find one for her. Daniel Goodenham, Lord North Barrows, who rejected and hurt Rebecca years ago, has been summoned to the castle for the reading of the old Earl‰Ûªs will. He wants to tell Rebecca how sorry he is that he hurt her. She knows he is a rake, so she asks him to teach her to flirt so she can win a husband. Daniel agrees, reluctantly. What he really wants is to find a way for them to be together. This is a sweet story about two people who very much to be together. Perhaps if they quit dwelling on the reasons they shouldn‰Ûªt be together (lack of confidence on her part and too much attention paid to a shrewish overbearing grandmother on his), things might just work out for them. Quick read. Nice plot. Strong willed people. Seemingly impossible love. Can it all come together for a happily ever after? Enjoy finding the answer.

Once Upon a Moonlit Path by Ava Stone
Lady Cassandra Priske see ghosts, not all the time, but enough that she really doesn‰Ûªt want to spend time at The haunted Castle Keyvnor. Jack Hazelwood, Lord St. Giles, has come to the castle with a friend. These two are in love, but there are two major obstacles in the way of their happily ever after. Her parents disapprove of Jack (actually they disapprove of a lot of things) and Cassy claims one of the castle‰Ûªs angry ghosts is chasing her. Nobody else sees this awful man in black and nobody believes her, not even Jack, at first. The question is can they overcome the obstacles and find true love? This story has a few intense, but moves along at a quick and steady pace. Cassy and Jack are strong main characters and the secondary characters are great; love the poodle and Toby, Cassy‰Ûªs younger brother. This one does not disappoint.

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by Elizabeth Essex
Nessa Teague and Harry Beck practically grew up together and studied at her father‰Ûªs school. Harry, now Captain Harry Beck, has returned to Bocka Morrow. His family has come for the reading of the late Earl‰Ûªs will. After twelve years of missing and longing for Harry, Ness is determined to find a way to marry him, even if she has to use magic. As in the other stories in the anthology, the love story here is touching. This one is a little funny, too, and we get a bonus ‰ÛÒ danger of a different kind. Instead of just ghost, there are spies, smugglers, and traitors. Harry teams up with Matthew Kent, another Navy Captain, to route out the traitor. Before you know it, Nessa and her sister Tressa join in. By the end of the operation, the whole town is involved. There are ships, smugglers, explosions, and bad guys floating in the water. And then, well you‰Ûªre really going to like Harry and Nessa‰Ûªs next adventure. Elizabeth Essex tells a really good story with bold characters and an exciting (explosive) plot that holds your attention. This one is a really good read.

I received and ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Dee Deacon Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romancing the Rogue – Erica Ridley
Miss Rebecca Bond had been through much in her short life – rejected by the only man she’s ever loved, having her first season completely ruined, losing her parents, and being thrust into living in a haunted castle with an old great uncle. She’s become so adept at not making a nuisance of herself she has basically been forgotten. Until the old earl dies and the new earl learns she is there. Given a choice of finding a husband immediately or the new earl will find one for her Rebecca sets out to learn the art of flirtation. Who better to help? Why the man who shunned her years ago. But can she protect her heart while learning how to attract a man?

Daniel Goodenham, Lord North Barrows, has done many things in his life but the stupidest was giving the one friend who cared for him and not his title the cut direct years ago. For reasons unknown, Daniel is summoned to the old castle for the reading of the old earl’s will. Can Daniel convince Rebecca how sorry he is? Can he honor her request to teach her how to flirt so she can find a husband?

I usually do not care for novellas – they can seem rushed in trying to get everything in in a short amount of time. This is NOT the case with Erica Ridley’s Romancing the Rogue. Very well written without seeming rushed. Absolutely love!!

On a Moonlit Pat – Ava Stone

Lady Cassandra Priske has spent most of her life trying to hide the fact she’s see has seen ghosts; after all no one in her family believes her and the past year avoiding a rake. Summoned to the haunted castle of her late great-uncle’s for the reading of his will has Cassandra on edge. A menacing shadow and the rake she’s avoided for a year only add to her nervousness.

Lord Jack St. Giles has spent a year trying to become acquainted with the only woman who has affected him beyond meaningless flings. Having invited himself to accompany his best friend to a will reading he may now get his chance. However, when strange things start happening will he continue to believe she’s the one for him?

Menacing ghosts, uncaring parents, a rapscallion of a brother, and a family challenged hero who doesn’t know what to believe make up the always entertaining Ava Stone���s story. To me, novella’s can seem rushed; however this is NOT the case with Ava Stone. She has a wonderful ability to tell her story without overwhelming the reader.

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea – Elizabeth Essex

From the time she studied alongside him while he was under her father’s tutelage Nessa Teague has been in love with Lord Harry Becks. Now twelve long years later and he has returned, more handsome than ever. Determined to get him to fall in love with her she plans to take advantage of the lore surrounding the local festival. When things don’t go as planned she delves a little deeper into the magic surrounding the area.

Lord Harry Becks would much rather be known as Captain Harry Becks not as Lord Harry Becks, his father’s spare heir. He much rather be at sea than locked on land much less in a drafty old castle for the reading of his great uncle’s will. A simple walk for fresh air reacquaints Harry with someone from his past and embroils him in the hunt for someone committing treason. When things point in a direction that Harry can’t believe will he be able to separate fact from fiction?

The first Elizabeth Essex story I have read and am completely hooked. Action, adventure, magic and mystery (not to mention love) abound in this novella. Ms. Essex made me feel Nessa’s despair and determination along with Harry’s fight to feel useful. She had me flopping back and forth as to who the culprit could be, keeping me on my toes. Loved this story!

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vexed: The haunting of Castle Keyvnor is a one in a series of 4 collections of novellas – all taking place at Castle Keyvnor and its neighboring area when a collection of relatives come to the Castle for the reading of the will of the deceased Earl of Banfield. Vexed contains stories by Erica Ridley, Ava Stone, and Elizabeth Essex.
The first story in the book is written by Erica Ridley. In it Rebecca Bond the Earl’s great-niece seems to float through the castle unnoticed by anyone. At first I thought she might be a ghost that didn’t realize she was dead. With the death of the Earl, Rebecca is left with no money and soon no place to live. The new Earl has given her an ultimatum, get married or he will choose a husband for her himself. One of the people invited to the reading of the will is Daniel Goodenham, Viscount North Barrows. Daniel and Rebecca had been childhood friends but once he became a viscount at the age of 17 he had ignored her. He came to the Castle early to see her again and to apologize for the way he treated her. Once they are together old feelings come back but he lives in London and she loves the country. There is no way she would make a suitable Viscountess. Erica Ridley uses the Castle as a backdrop for finding lost love. The story is a sweet tale of how women have little choice in their future but how a man in love recognizes her independence and gives her the options to choose her life – whether she would choose him or not.
Ava Stone’s contribution is more ghostly. Lady Cassandra Priske has come to the reading of the will with her family. From the moment she arrives, she keeps seeing a dark man who seems to get more and more threatening. Jack Hazelwood, Lord St Giles isn’t there for the will but for the girl. He accompanies his friend Michael (who is a family member). He’s had his eye on Cassy for 2 seasons and is hoping to take advantage of this time at Castle Keyvnor to get closer to her. She has been avoiding him because of his rakish reputation. While Jack loves Cassy, he begins to wonder about her sanity. She keeps seeing the man in black and Jack has been present at a few occasions when she has screamed and collapsed after a sighting. Will Jack be able to put aside his worry of her sanity in order to be with the woman he loves. Additionally, will Cassy’s parents overlook Jack’s reputation – is the prospect of a dukedom enough to overlook bad behavior? Ava Stone writes amazing well-rounded characters – one of the best in this story is a secondary character, Toby, Cassy’s younger brother who does a remarkable job as a troublesome baby brother. This is another fun story.
The third story in this book doesn’t take place at the castle at all. Elizabeth Exxex had provided a charming tale about young love and finding each other after years apart – will they still have feelings for each other. Captain Harry Beck is at the Castle for the reading of the will but he once was tutored by the Vicar in Bocka Morrow. The vicar’s daughter Nessa would help him with his lessons. Now, she decides to try to spell Harry into loving her. Bocka Morrow is a haven of smugglers and Harry inadvertently gets involved in trying to uncover a treasonous plan among the smugglers/villagers. He uses Nessa as a cover to visit the shore but he also enjoys her company. Will he fall in love with her? Will they be able to thwart the treasonous plans and find the spy? Elizabeth keeps us hanging until the last minute but the ending is worth the wait.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

​This is one of four books about Castle Keyvnor. Each book contains three romantic stories set against the spooky background of the Castle. The stories are slightly intertwined, yet each can be read as a stand-alone story.

Erica Ridley’s Romancing the Rogue:
Miss Rebecca Bond finds herself in need of a husband (and a new home)! The only problem: after years of being alone with no one to talk to, she needs to practice her flirting before she searches for true love. What better man to start with than the rake who broke her heart years before? Daniel Goodenham, Viscount North Barrows, knows this is finally his chance to apologize for his past behavior, but is surprised when Rebecca only wants him to teach her how to snag a husband. As the story progresses, Daniel finds that he wants to be the man she marries. But can she overcome the hurt he has caused in the past?

Ava Stone’s Once Upon a Moonlit Path:
What happens when you see ghosts, but no one else does? Lady Cassandra "Cassy" cannot wait to leave Castle Keyvnor. The ghostly man in black is not helping her reputation of being a sane woman. Jack Hazelwood, Lord St. Giles, finds himself falling in love with Cassy. However, she keeps having visions no one else does. Can he get past this (and the fact that her father hates him), or will these factors keep them apart?

Elizabeth Essex’s Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea:
Nessa Teague never stopped thinking of Lord Harry Beck, and she is delighted to see he has returned to Bocka Morrow. ​She attempts to enchant him, but her plan goes awry. Not only does she think of delving deeper into magic by contacting a local witch, but Harry finds himself in a mystery as well as he searches for smugglers. This one had more action that the other two, but still was a good read.

​I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. ​

[Kelly Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was provided a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Romancing the Rogue by Erica Ridley
Loved the start of this story! I was shocked that pretty much everyone in the castle forgot she was there and thought everything was a ghost. The new earl seems to not care what happens to her as long as she is gone and he doesn't have to take care of her. I loved the maze and how the back story.

You have to love Rebecca from the start. She kept herself busy by going over the estate books and correcting figures and she would stand up to anyone.She had no desire to marry and could actually make it on her own, she had proved that already. She is still angry at Danial but understood why he did what he years ago.

Danial did not come off as the rogue as much as I expected, but I loved him. He loved being in parliament and doing everything involved with it more than the parties. You fall in love with him the moment he leaves for the castle because what he did has bothered him for years.

I was expecting more from the haunted castle and for some reason, I want to know more about Danial's grandmother and why she acted like she did. Overall a good story to get you in the mood for Halloween.

Once Upon a Moonlit Path by Ava Stone
I always look forward to books like this from Ava Stone because she knows how to give you the chills with the ghosts along with a great romance. I got the chills from the moment they arrived at the castle and almost jumped whenever the ghost showed up. I loved the story of the first time Jack saw Cassandra and how they acted together.

I loved Cassandra and felt so bad for her with how her parents treated her like she was crazy. She is just so sweet and innocent and open to things that people didn't understand. I was glad to see her stand up for herself in the end.

Jack can charm anyone even a reader. He used his charm when needed to help Cassandra and it wasn't a show. He just was naturally charming, but also had a trick up his sleeve at times. The way he interacted with Cassandra's brother and her dog could melt your heart.

Oscar the poodle just adds to the fun of the story and so did Cassandra's cousins and the gypsies. The ending was unexpected and I loved it and didn't it to end! I really want to know who the ghost was.

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
This was my first time reading a book by Elizabeth Essex and it did not disappoint. I loved how this one was in the village and showed more about the free trade as they called it. I was excited to see the witch and the magic from back then. I did not expect the small mystery involving treason and Nessa's family and I had no clue how it was going to turn out until the end. I laughed when Nessa finally spoke her mind and told Cods off and almost thought a ghost was going to pop out in some areas. The ending was great and a bit of a surprise.

I just love Nessa's name and how sweet she is. She always was the good girl her father wanted until she had enough of doing everyone else's work. I liked that she was protective of her family but also used her mind and didn't make excuses for it.

Harry is an interesting man. You would never think he was a lord by the way he talked and acted because he was truly meant for the sea. He didn't hide things from Nessa and always said what was on his mind.

I wish there was more back story for both and I wanted to know more about Nessa's sister, but it was a great story. The squire's daughter was a very interesting person and a bit scary with her plans.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Haunting of Castle Keyvnor is a collection of 4 books, each containing three novellas by different authors, the stories all taking place in and around the notoriously haunted Castle Keyvnor during the gathering of the family and friends of the recently deceased Jonathan Hambly, the Earl of Banfield, for the reading of his will. The books can be read in any order, as all the stories take place concurrently. It's a charming device because while each story is a standalone complete unto itself, many of the same characters appear and reappear in each of the novellas, so we get to observe them in different circumstances. All the stories have a little (or a lot) of supernatural flavor, with ghosts, pixies, demons and the like either aiding, thwarting or trying to murder the main characters. Having a collection like this is as delightful as going to a Tapas bar and sampling fabulously prepared tidbits of food—the tastings make you want more! I definitely plan to seek out more works by some of the authors who I'd never read before. I thoroughly enjoyed each of the collections.

Erica Ridley’s "Romancing the Rogue"
Miss Rebecca Bond has been living unnoticed under the roof of Johathan Hambly since the death of her parents 5 years ago. Upon Hambly's death, his son and heir, determined to be rid of the inconvenient girl, demands that she be married off as quickly as possible. Unfortunately the only man she has ever loved, Daniel Goodenham, Lord North Barrows, rejected her publicly and humiliatingly years earlier. Knowing she must make an acceptable match of her own before the new earl chooses a husband for her, she begs Daniel to give her lessons in coquetry so that she can attract a suitable mate. Well written and enjoyable.

Ava Stone’s "Once Upon a Moonlit Path"
The self described scoundrel, Lord St. Giles, accompanies his friend to the reading of the Earl of Banfield's will with the express purpose of wooing the Lady Cassandra Priske, a woman he has been in love with for years. But when she alone appears to see ghosts in the notoriously haunted Castle Keyvnor, he fears for her sanity. And she is saddened that he doesn't believe in the ghosts she sees. The path to their HEA is a pleasurable romp filled with witty dialogue and beautiful descriptive passages.

Elizabeth Essex’s "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea"
Lord Harry Beck returns to Bocka Morrow to uncover a traitor amongst the smugglers rampant in the town. The local Vicar's daughter, Nessa Teague, the first girl he ever kissed and the one girl he can't forget, is desperate to make him her very own, even going so far as to resort to magic charms, which go strangely awry. But when Harry suspects the Vicar to be the traitor, a wedge is driven between the fated lovers, leading to an explosive, and satisfying HEA. There are enough twists and turns in the story to intrigue any reader.
Copy gifted by the Publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with most anthologies you're going to find some stories more to your liking than others. In this case they were all good, with one I loved (it teared me up which is hard to do in so limited a number of pages)! It was fun to read a group of novellas that were not only centered around the same place but also at the same time. A fun read.

**Thanks to the author for an e-copy of this book in return for an honest review.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The books are in different series as well they all fit together nicely in this series.

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by Elizabeth Essex - (not in separate book/series)
H:- Captain Harry Beck returns with family for reading of the will, father's request. He has an injured leg from a battle. (viscount Redgrave’s brother son’s of Marquess)
h: - Nessa Teague local vicars daughter, doesn't believe in magic but tries the apple thing for his love.
plot/storyline: Harry runs into an old friend/colleague Captain Matthew Kent who is investigating possible treason, Harry helps him. There is a connection with Nessa family she feels caught in the middle, through her help things were found out correctly. Passion and justice, action .
Ending- A good HEA: -this had Passion, justice, and a bit of action

Ava Stone’s Once Upon a Moonlit Path
H: Jack St. giles Came with a friend(her cousin) he has been infatuated with her.
h: Cassandra Priske sees some dead people, at the castle was an evil dude in black. she has a black poodle named oscar.
plot/storyline: Jack thinks he has to decide whether he should pursue his love for Cassy now that she claims to be seeing ghost.. He decided it was and eventually, then he saw the ghost in black as she did, and fled the castle. (spoiler to get married in Scotland because her dad did not approve of him one bit because of his bad rep of a rake.)
Ending- A great HEA,- Paul Hamby (5 yr boy dead son of the late earl) makes his debut here. Doesn’t do much, did encourage Cassy a bit.

Erica Ridley’s Romancing the Rogue
Hero:- Daniel Goodenham Viscount of North- Barrows- nephew on the late earl's sister side. Known to be a rogue, but wanted to be loved for himself not the title.
Heroine:--Rebecca Bond - orphan, a vicar’s daughter great niece of the late earl lived in the castle for past 5 yr unnoticed , a bluestocking, loves the library, plays billiards Really good:) and secretly kept the stewards books by letting him think she was a ghost. (stupid men believed ghost were better in math than women)
plot/storyline: Daniel gave her the cut in London 5 yrs prior. She feels rejected by him, the only man she ever loved. She was given the ultimatum of getting married by 3 months time by her uncle the new Earl of Banfield. She enlist him to teach her to flirt. Through open communication and situations love is conquered.
Ending:- A good HEA, He was giving and unselfish, was willing to give her the independence he thought she wanted.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a unique idea--three different authors writing about the same place in each with a different story line.

Romancing the Rogue, the first story, was so enjoyable. Characters whose situations were easy to relate to. Romance. Conflict. Set in early 1800s Cornwall. Oh, so lovely!

Ditto with Ava Stone's story, the second in the book, Once Upon a Moonlit Path.

I thought, wow, I can't wait for the last story, Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea.

Unfortunately, I did not find the last story to hold up to my expectations. The story line seemed out of place with the others. Yes, it was a romance, but the major conflict had more to do with smuggling and who was behind it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book for an honest review.

[Diana in SC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun blend of Regency romance and a spooky gothic castle. Perfect for Halloween.

This is a boxed set of 3 novellas, and it is part of a series of four boxed sets released at same time. For all of these boxed sets, the backstory is the same: a group of British nobility descend on a haunted castle on the shore of Cornwall to hear the reading of a will and perhaps find some husbands and wives. Then love and supernatural stuff ensue. Each of the individual novellas explores what is happening to 2 or 4 of these people.

I love how the authors of the different stories refer to characters from the other stories. For example, Deb Marlowe's story in the "Bedeviled" book refers to Lady Cassandra in Ava Stone's story in this book. Even if you were only interested in only one of these 3 authors, I recommend reading the whole boxed set because it leads to a more enriching and fun experience. I got the book primarily to read Ava Stone's novella, but I was also extremely pleased with Erica Ridley's story. Now I will separately review the two novellas that I have read so far.

1.) "Romancing the Rogue" by Erica Ridley: 5 stars! Utterly charming! Quirky and original. I loved Miss Rebecca and I loved this story; it was a perfect Halloween read.

2.) "Once Upon a Moonlit Path" by Ava Stone: Cute story. The spookiness of the castle was well described. The dog Oscar is adorable. However, I did not like how Lord St. Giles interacted with Lady Cassandra in the beginning. He seemed like he was just lustful and was not concerned with her well-being. That first impression stuck with me, so I never really liked the guy.

I was given a free ARC copy by Ava Stone through a review club, and I voluntarily reviewed it. All opinions are my own, and I was not paid for my review.

[Tracy Emro · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars!

What a great anthology!

I loved all three stories - I felt that Ava Stone's was the strongest in the trio and Elizabeth Essex was the most connected of the three. Erica Ridley's was the sweetest, but didn't connect the stories the way the other two did.

All three were well written but each was totally different.

Romancing the Rogue, Erica Ridley - 4 stars, this was a second chance at love story. Rebecca and Daniel have a past, but can they have a future? This story takes place before the other guests arrive so it lacks a common connection with the other stories. Of the three this one was the "sweet/clean" (I hate these expression because they imply that heated love scenes are dirty) it has no steam whatsoever and I felt Daniel's excuses were weak.

Once Upon a Moonlit Path, Ava Stone - 5 stars, Cassandra and Jack's story was more along the lines of what I was expecting in this collection - lots of steam, ghosts and interaction with other characters featured in the other books. The only thing I didn't care for was Jack's willingness to walk away from Cassy because he thought she might be mad. But he does redeem himself and I could almost forgive his stupidness.

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, Elizabeth Essex - 5 stars, this was my favorite in this book. Harry and Nessa also have a past. Harry is on a mission and Nessa has been dragged into it. While this story had no ghosts, it did have the most interesting story with a bit of a mystery. It wasn't as steamy as Ava Stone's story, but it had a bit of heat and I felt it had the most convincing love story.

I would definitely recommend this book and am looking forward to reading the other three books in this series!!

[Julia David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romancing the Rogue: Rebecca has lived at the castle for the past 5 years. No one remembers that she is there. She helps out when she can, but just pretty much exists. When the new Earl tells her that she must marry within the month, she panics. The only man she ever loved had rejected her. Daniel shows up for the reading of the will and is determined that he will apologize to Rebecca for his behavior and hope that they are still friends. Once he sees her, he feels differently. He knows he will never be able to be just friends with her. The question is whether she will feel the same.
Once Upon a Moonlit Path: Lady Cassandra doesn't want to go to the castle. She really doesn't like the ghost infested castle. She sees ghosts from the moment she gets there and no one believes her. Jack has wanted Cassandra for a while and found a way to get invited to the castle. Jack worries that maybe Cassandra isn't quite sane, but he loves her and is willing to overlook that. His biggest obstacle is her father. Her father doesn't approve of him and he will have to get around that.
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea: Nessa has loved Harry since they were children. Harry has been gone to sea for the last 12 years. He has come to town for the reading of the will at the castle and runs into Nessa. Harry realizes that he has loved Nessa for many years, but is her family mixed up in smuggling secrets to the French. He needs to be sure before he declares himself.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

These 3 novellas are part of a series of 4 books containing 12 novellas that have related characters, who are all attending the reading of a will at the estate of the deceased Earl of Banfield. Each novella can be read as a standalone story.
Erica Ridley’s Romancing the Rogue: The new earl tells poor relation Miss Rebecca Bond that she must wed immediately. The man she loved, a Viscount who rejected her, is summoned to the reading of the will. Rebecca decides the Viscount owes it to her to help her find a husband. Their story was sweet and fun.
Ava Stone’s Once Upon a Moonlit Path: Lady Cassandra Priske can see ghosts, and it terrifies her. But the last person, dead or alive, she expects to see at the estate of the late earl is the rakish Lord, St. Giles, who she spent the last season hiding from! This story was vividly described and had not only ghosts, but love and romance too. It was well-written and enjoyable.
Elizabeth Essex’s Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea: Nessa Teague has lived in the village near the earl's estate all her life. When Lord Harry Beck returns, Nessa decides she will do anything, including buying a magic potion from a witch in the village, to make him feel the same love for her that she feels for him. This was an imaginative, fun story.
Copy gifted by the Publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ava Stone's story is part of a trilogy book. I have not read the other two pieces in it. I received this copy in exchange for an honest review (of Ava Stone's piece only).

A cute spooky ghost story about Lord St.Giles who has loved Cassy for more than a year. He has invited himself along with his friend Michael to the reading of her Great Uncle's will just so he can see and woo her. She is a woman who is intimidated by his reputation and has tried a avoid him. St. Giles scheme to catch her at the spooky and haunted castle succeeds and he sets out to finally win her hand. The relationship blossoms but there is a problem, she can see ghosts and when she sees one very foreboding ghost she can't help but scream. Everyone there, including her parents and St. Giles, believe that she has gone mad. At first, he tries to believe her, but her ability to see ghosts that he cannot see causes him to wonder if maybe she isn't the wife for him. Will he throw caution to the wind and realize that life with her is worth a ghost or two? It was cute, sweet, and romantic. I enjoyed the chemistry between the two main characters and the struggle they face concerning her ability to see (or not see) ghosts.

[Patricia Wissore · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first story was about Daniel and Rebecca. They had known each other in the past and he had hurt her badly with his rejection. Daniel is going to have to step quickly and work hard to earn her forgiveness! She constantly surprises him with what she's capable of...
The second story was about Cassy and Jack. She can feel and see the spirits of the castle and sadly, they can feel her! No one believes that she's being "stalked" by an angry spirit and Jack even goes so far as to thing she's mad. I at first though Cassy was a wimpy heroine, but the more you get to know her, the more you realize how strong she actually is! Their outcome wasn't where I thought it was going!
The last story was about Harry and Nessa. Nessa didn't have a mean bone in her body and put everyone before herself. She had pined for Harry for 12 years and when he came home, he was hers! The twist and turns they had to go through were highly entertaining!
Loved all 3 stories written and can't wait to continue the series to possibly catch up on anyone!
I was given this book for an honest review, and Loved it!!

[Bernadette Long · Rating 4 out of 5]

This anthology continues the theme from Bedeviled with three more stories revolving around the heirs of Lord Banfield. In "Romancing the Rogue by Erica Ridley, Miss Rebecca Bond has been living alone at Castle Keyvnor these past five years without attracting any attention, until she attracts the attention of the new Earl of Banfield, and he decides that she must marry very soon. And finally, after those five years she encounters her old friend, Daniel Goodenham, Lord North Barrows, and events do change. In the story "Once Upon a Moonlit Path by Ava Stone, Cassandra Priske and Jack Hazelwood, Lord St. Giles, get along very well together and Jack realizes that she is the one for him. Nessa Teague is frustrated by her attraction to Captain Lord Henry Beck and wants him to want only her in "Between the Dead and the Deep Blue Sea."

I've learned that there are more stories in this series; I can hardly wait to read these new ones.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three good charming stories!
The first starts out with a mystery of how Rebecca has lived in the castle without being noticed for so long, that story line had more potential than was realized as she becomes assimilated very quickly into the family. This was a sweet love story about two seemingly opposites finding their common ground.

I enjoyed the second love story of Cassandra and St. Giles. They both share a deep attraction, but there are ghosts coming between them. The ending came too quickly for me.

The third story is a great adventure with danger, misunderstandings and intrigue. The nautical references are very well done and you really feel that both Nessa and Harry are comfortable on the waves.

Great continuity with all four of these anthologies! I was given an ARC to review this book.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Romancing The Rogue is a sweet second chance love story. It's has a great storyline, strong and likable characters and I loved the unique way that Daniel solved Rebecca's issue, it was way beyond the norm.
Once Upon a Moonlit Path is heartwarming and funny and entertaining. Jack and Cassy make a sweet couple. It's another great storyline that I really enjoyed.
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea is not as engrossing as the other two stories are. It's full of action and is entertaining, but lacks the depth of the other stories.
All in all, this is an interesting and enjoyable book.