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Dark Regency #5
A Passion So Strong
Alternate cover for ASIN B01LXWY8SC.
When an old acquaintance asks Lord Sebastian Strong to look into the strange goings on at a remote family property, he agrees, naturally…. for a price. After all, as a younger son, he has to make his own way in the world. If that means convincing a gaggle of spinsters in the throes of senility that their ancestral home isn’t haunted, he’s game for it. But when he arrives at Evenwold Manor, the woman who greets him looks like no spinster he’s ever encountered. And the ghosts prove a great deal more real than he ever imagined. But if investigating the haunting gives him an excuse to remain in her presence, he’ll do it happily and for as long as he is able.
Lady Anne Everleigh had more problems than she knew what to do with. Between her aunts dabbling in what they liked to call the craft, and a neighbor who was a bit too zealous in his pursuit of her and his interest in the reported treasures hidden at Evenwold, she was forced to seek outside assistance. When she asked her nephew for help, she’d assumed he’d have a talk with the Squire and put him in his place. Clearly, they’d prioritized her list of problems differently as he’d sent a man to investigate the growing ghost problem at Evenwold. No, not a man. A rogue. A charming, impossibly handsome and sinfully tempting rogue. In short, he’d created an entirely new problem for her.
With her lecherous neighbor, her craft-dabbling aunts who are busily playing mystic and matchmaker by equal turns, she finds herself thrown together with Sebastian again and again. Even though she fears he will break her heart, she succumbs to temptation… but is it lust or love? And what will happen once he has the answers he came for?
When an old acquaintance asks Lord Sebastian Strong to look into the strange goings on at a remote family property, he agrees, naturally…. for a price. After all, as a younger son, he has to make his own way in the world. If that means convincing a gaggle of spinsters in the throes of senility that their ancestral home isn’t haunted, he’s game for it. But when he arrives at Evenwold Manor, the woman who greets him looks like no spinster he’s ever encountered. And the ghosts prove a great deal more real than he ever imagined. But if investigating the haunting gives him an excuse to remain in her presence, he’ll do it happily and for as long as he is able.
Lady Anne Everleigh had more problems than she knew what to do with. Between her aunts dabbling in what they liked to call the craft, and a neighbor who was a bit too zealous in his pursuit of her and his interest in the reported treasures hidden at Evenwold, she was forced to seek outside assistance. When she asked her nephew for help, she’d assumed he’d have a talk with the Squire and put him in his place. Clearly, they’d prioritized her list of problems differently as he’d sent a man to investigate the growing ghost problem at Evenwold. No, not a man. A rogue. A charming, impossibly handsome and sinfully tempting rogue. In short, he’d created an entirely new problem for her.
With her lecherous neighbor, her craft-dabbling aunts who are busily playing mystic and matchmaker by equal turns, she finds herself thrown together with Sebastian again and again. Even though she fears he will break her heart, she succumbs to temptation… but is it lust or love? And what will happen once he has the answers he came for?
242 pages, ebook
First published November 22, 2016
128 people are currently reading
148 people want to read
About the author
Chasity Bowlin
142 books527 followersUSA Today Best Selling author and Winner of the 2019 Romance Through the Ages Award for Georgian/Regency Romance, Chasity Bowlin is the author multiple bestselling historical romance novels, both independently and with Dragonblade Publishing. She lives in central Kentucky with her husband and their menagerie of animals. She loves writing, loves traveling and enjoys incorporating tidbits of her actual vacations into her books. She is an avid Anglophile, loving all things British, but specifically all things Regency.
Growing up in Tennessee, spending as much time as possible with her doting grandparents, soap operas were a part of her daily existence, followed by back to back episodes of Scooby Doo. Her path to becoming a romance novelist was set when, rather than simply have her Barbie dolls cruise around in a pink convertible, they time traveled, hosted lavish dinner parties and one even had an evil twin locked in the attic.
Growing up in Tennessee, spending as much time as possible with her doting grandparents, soap operas were a part of her daily existence, followed by back to back episodes of Scooby Doo. Her path to becoming a romance novelist was set when, rather than simply have her Barbie dolls cruise around in a pink convertible, they time traveled, hosted lavish dinner parties and one even had an evil twin locked in the attic.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
January 17, 2018
3.5 stars...this was a way better book than the first one in the box....lots of intrigue and mystery but quickly resolved which is important for an impatient reader like me...and likeable characters all around.
April 5, 2020
I DNF'd this halfway through chapter 4. The author has some serious internalised misogyny that she's working through in these books. Look to your choice of stereotypes in each story and ask yourself some deep navel-gazing questions, Chastity.
January 30, 2017
Not as good as the others in this series
I really love this author and have liked all her books but this one fell a little short. Not as much romance and more paranormal. Witches, spells and ghosts to be exact. And her Aunts were definitely weird. The romance was just meh. I liked the main characters but it just lacked passion. I look forward to the book about Ambrose though.
I really love this author and have liked all her books but this one fell a little short. Not as much romance and more paranormal. Witches, spells and ghosts to be exact. And her Aunts were definitely weird. The romance was just meh. I liked the main characters but it just lacked passion. I look forward to the book about Ambrose though.
July 31, 2017
1-3 have connected characters - the Hero's are friends and make appearances.
4-6 are not connected in anyway to any of the other books in the series.
4-6 are not connected in anyway to any of the other books in the series.
May 29, 2018
Yay for Ambrose - liked him, and felt bad for his situation. Hoped to see a story about him, but it's not in this series, so if you think the next one is about him, you're doomed to disappointment. Sorry!
The author has certainly included enough stereotypical, judgmental vicar types in this series, so I guess Ugh.
The way Anne's aunts strike me is the same way these two do in "Death Becomes Her":
In other words, shallow, bitchy, selfish, manipulative, and all while pasting on a facade of care and love. Perhaps if they'd actually been old crones, they would've been at least funny and wicked, but no -- had to try and break the stereotype and set up a new one as super-horny, magically youthful, with "good intentions." My ass!
Frankly, this book left me cold. Not in a good, "oooh, creepy" kind of way. Nope. Just cold, as in dead cold. I kept waiting to really feel something for the characters, because I so wanted to. Really, I did.
It also felt like there were so many weird loose ends, or things that were brought up and then dismissed, I couldn't tell if I was supposed to care or remember some of it as plot points or not. Scattered, in a word. For example, so much was made of
And in the last bit of the book, suddenly the super-sibs are So, tiresome.
I got to read the series for free, although time does have value, and I wasted enough on the last three books to sour me on anything else by CB.
Rumple was right...
The author has certainly included enough stereotypical, judgmental vicar types in this series, so I guess Ugh.
The way Anne's aunts strike me is the same way these two do in "Death Becomes Her":
In other words, shallow, bitchy, selfish, manipulative, and all while pasting on a facade of care and love. Perhaps if they'd actually been old crones, they would've been at least funny and wicked, but no -- had to try and break the stereotype and set up a new one as super-horny, magically youthful, with "good intentions." My ass!
Frankly, this book left me cold. Not in a good, "oooh, creepy" kind of way. Nope. Just cold, as in dead cold. I kept waiting to really feel something for the characters, because I so wanted to. Really, I did.
It also felt like there were so many weird loose ends, or things that were brought up and then dismissed, I couldn't tell if I was supposed to care or remember some of it as plot points or not. Scattered, in a word. For example, so much was made of
And in the last bit of the book, suddenly the super-sibs are So, tiresome.
I got to read the series for free, although time does have value, and I wasted enough on the last three books to sour me on anything else by CB.
Rumple was right...
November 2, 2021
This is my review of the audio version as posted on Audible:
The fifth installment in the series is pretty nice to listen to, though I've found a little less chemistry between the main characters there than in the previous books. Not that they are not nicely written or uninteresting as people, but the mystery behind Anne's birthright and heritage overwhelms the romance and the sparkle between her and Sebastian feels a little dimmer, if you know what I mean...:)
That said, I like the "witchy" mystery, the shadowy villain and the mystical "powers" that fill the pages of the book. And although I feel the ending a bit rushed and kind of "that was almost too easy", I generally liked the story a lot.
As for the interpretation, I liked the parts read by Vincent Lee Grayson a bit more than Lillian Yves' narration; I felt she tended to make her heroine sound on the brink of hysteria a little too often for my liking. On the other hand, Sebastian in Mr Grayson's interpretation did sound like a menacing predator on a hunt a few times, so....:) But overall it's a nice interpretation of the book and it's a solid 3.5 start for it for both narrators.
DISCLAIMER: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
The fifth installment in the series is pretty nice to listen to, though I've found a little less chemistry between the main characters there than in the previous books. Not that they are not nicely written or uninteresting as people, but the mystery behind Anne's birthright and heritage overwhelms the romance and the sparkle between her and Sebastian feels a little dimmer, if you know what I mean...:)
That said, I like the "witchy" mystery, the shadowy villain and the mystical "powers" that fill the pages of the book. And although I feel the ending a bit rushed and kind of "that was almost too easy", I generally liked the story a lot.
As for the interpretation, I liked the parts read by Vincent Lee Grayson a bit more than Lillian Yves' narration; I felt she tended to make her heroine sound on the brink of hysteria a little too often for my liking. On the other hand, Sebastian in Mr Grayson's interpretation did sound like a menacing predator on a hunt a few times, so....:) But overall it's a nice interpretation of the book and it's a solid 3.5 start for it for both narrators.
DISCLAIMER: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
January 31, 2018
Bof ... I rather like the other books of Dark Regency series, but this one ... I don't really feel any implication of the personnages ... Her aunts are strange, spoiled, and not very likeable, and for Sebastian and Anne, I feel like after three quarters of the book, the author remembers that is a romance book, so she uses a magic wand, or rather here, , to make Sebastian and Anne fell in love with each other and dissolve any problem and doubt concerning their relation...
I feel that the story of Ambrose, the guardian of Anne and a friend of Sebastian, who just wed a woman he doesn't want, looks really more interesting.
I feel that the story of Ambrose, the guardian of Anne and a friend of Sebastian, who just wed a woman he doesn't want, looks really more interesting.
April 4, 2022
Another great short and sweet read by Chasity Bowlin. This is book 5 in the series and it can be read stand alone.
This is a regency romance with a dash of supernatural which was right up my street.
Lord Sebastian Strong is asked by long term friend Lord Ambrose Ravenner to check in on his ward Lady Anne Everleigh, who he sent along with her crazy aunts to manage Evenwold Manor.
It’s instant attraction between Sebastian and Anne but is it natural, or do they have a supernatural helping hand on bringing them together and experiencing an almost obsessive attraction to each other.
I thoroughly enjoyed the plot which has lots of twists and turns. I loved the supernatural elements of ghosts, witchcraft and curses.
Anne is head strong and independent and a perfect match for gruff and handsome Sebastian.
I was gifted the audiobook and I am leaving this review voluntarily. The narrators did a wonderful job bringing this mysterious story to life. The voices were a perfect match to the characters.
4/5 PNR stars
This is a regency romance with a dash of supernatural which was right up my street.
Lord Sebastian Strong is asked by long term friend Lord Ambrose Ravenner to check in on his ward Lady Anne Everleigh, who he sent along with her crazy aunts to manage Evenwold Manor.
It’s instant attraction between Sebastian and Anne but is it natural, or do they have a supernatural helping hand on bringing them together and experiencing an almost obsessive attraction to each other.
I thoroughly enjoyed the plot which has lots of twists and turns. I loved the supernatural elements of ghosts, witchcraft and curses.
Anne is head strong and independent and a perfect match for gruff and handsome Sebastian.
I was gifted the audiobook and I am leaving this review voluntarily. The narrators did a wonderful job bringing this mysterious story to life. The voices were a perfect match to the characters.
4/5 PNR stars
February 10, 2022
This is the fifth book in the Dark Regency series. Wow! I loved it! This is an excellent paranormal romance. Sebastian and Anne’s story is filled with mystery, suspense, and romance. Sebastian is handsome, supportive, and caring. Anne is strong, smart, and independent. They shared and instant and sizzling attraction. They are perfect together. I liked the twists and turns. The supporting characters are great and intriguing. Anne’s aunt is such a great addition to the story. The world building in the Evenwold Manor is enthralling. The storyline is captivating! Impossible to put it down! Lillian Yves and Vincent Lee Grayson did a fantastic job with the narration! They have an impressive range of voices, and the characters are easy to distinguish. I love their voices together. They are perfect as Sebastian and Anne. Looking forward to listening to more stories in the series. If you like paranormal romance with a gripping plot, this one is for you. I highly recommend it.
September 14, 2021
A Great Story!
Oh how I love this genre - gosh, I must have quite a twisted mind (Lol!) Never mind, its ok to like certain type of story.
Well, this one is well written, a page turner, romantic, intriguing and oh, so enjoyable. Chasity Bowlin always delivers a great story!
Then we have that wonderful pair of narrators, Lillian Yves and Vincent Lee Grayson. I really enjoy what they do and how they do it.
I listened to a promotional copy of the audiobook version and this is my voluntary review of it.
Oh how I love this genre - gosh, I must have quite a twisted mind (Lol!) Never mind, its ok to like certain type of story.
Well, this one is well written, a page turner, romantic, intriguing and oh, so enjoyable. Chasity Bowlin always delivers a great story!
Then we have that wonderful pair of narrators, Lillian Yves and Vincent Lee Grayson. I really enjoy what they do and how they do it.
I listened to a promotional copy of the audiobook version and this is my voluntary review of it.
February 6, 2018
Little Boring
I bought this book after reading The Haunting of a Duke and The Enticement of an Earl. I really enjoyed those two so I decided to try this one. It was a little disappointing. It did not have the flow or adventure that the other two books had. I found myself skipping over parts. It had the paranormal aspect but I was expecting so much more. It was just boring. I would recommend the other two though.
I bought this book after reading The Haunting of a Duke and The Enticement of an Earl. I really enjoyed those two so I decided to try this one. It was a little disappointing. It did not have the flow or adventure that the other two books had. I found myself skipping over parts. It had the paranormal aspect but I was expecting so much more. It was just boring. I would recommend the other two though.
September 12, 2018
Great story!
The characters , deserved a 5 star rating.
They fit in with the plot of the story.
I liked that it began, with Anne,s ancestry,
It gave reality to the story itself.
And I luv a good love story. This book I would recommend to anyone who ,liked the supernatural.
Thank you!❤️
The characters , deserved a 5 star rating.
They fit in with the plot of the story.
I liked that it began, with Anne,s ancestry,
It gave reality to the story itself.
And I luv a good love story. This book I would recommend to anyone who ,liked the supernatural.
Thank you!❤️
January 14, 2021
5 STARS, HISTORICAL REGENCY ERA ROMANCE DRAMA
Anne & Sebastian, A delightful couple that found each other with help from Ambrose, & the ones lovingly referred to as the aunts. Obviously soul mates so any love spell didn't matter.
Wonderful characters that will show up again in this Series. Recommend
Anne & Sebastian, A delightful couple that found each other with help from Ambrose, & the ones lovingly referred to as the aunts. Obviously soul mates so any love spell didn't matter.
Wonderful characters that will show up again in this Series. Recommend
May 25, 2021
The story might surely benefit from a thorough editing process. Grammar is shockingly lacking due to the many missing words and misplaced words. It's like the author wrote it in a rush, then didn't bother to read it over before publishing it. I'm really disappointed because the story might be had merit if it hadn't been so rushed or so hard to read.
November 5, 2021
Sorry, I have read and enjoyed the previous books in this series - in spite of the copy edit issues. (spellcheck does not capture wrong words - than for that, I for is, etc., or missing words or sentences that don't end. This one had insta-love that I just couldn't quite get past. Characters are not as well defined as in previous novels. It's ok, but I think I'm done with the series now.
November 23, 2016
A curious read. Storey needed filling out. Confusing ending. Is there to be a follow on to this
Storyline?? I cannot elaborate as he further as I have started confusing story leaving me a little bewildered and disappointed
Storyline?? I cannot elaborate as he further as I have started confusing story leaving me a little bewildered and disappointed
June 6, 2017
Witches
This was a really fun book to be based on the tales of witches burned at the stake. Anne and Sebastian are the perfect couple with or without a spell. The aunt's are so much fun. The mystery was fun to watch unfold. Another great read by Chasity Bowlin.
This was a really fun book to be based on the tales of witches burned at the stake. Anne and Sebastian are the perfect couple with or without a spell. The aunt's are so much fun. The mystery was fun to watch unfold. Another great read by Chasity Bowlin.
March 2, 2019
Those Aunts are Hilarious!
I've read this whole series so far and have loved every story. I hope the author continues the humorous tones from this book to the next. Those aunts cracked me up to no end.
I've read this whole series so far and have loved every story. I hope the author continues the humorous tones from this book to the next. Those aunts cracked me up to no end.
December 26, 2023
Chasity has a lot of internalized misogyny😭 which is pretty usual in this genre but she just… she just doesn’t need to put it in yk?? Just kinda weird, it felt very rushed I feel like her pacing has been better. Also just the spelling errors like this is a published book, enjoyed enough tho
November 29, 2017
Great Read
Enjoyable book to read. Colorful characters and good plot twists. Another fine book from the author. Cannot wait to read the next one.
Enjoyable book to read. Colorful characters and good plot twists. Another fine book from the author. Cannot wait to read the next one.
January 22, 2019
Romance
Thank you for sharing these wonderful romance novels series books. Please keep writing more of these wonderful books. Thank you
Thank you for sharing these wonderful romance novels series books. Please keep writing more of these wonderful books. Thank you
August 19, 2019
A little short, but Chasity Bowlin wins again!
June 17, 2020
3 1/2 stars
Love vengeance and witchcraft, fun!
Love vengeance and witchcraft, fun!
Read
February 16, 2022Thank you!
March 5, 2017
A really good book by one of my favorite authors. I liked all of the characters and the plot was great. My biggest complaint is that everything felt extremely rushed. I'm all for love at first sight, but this was just a little too much, even with the spell being used to further things along.
It sounded like it would have more in common with the first three books in this series, but I was left disappointed. While those were novels, this almost felt like a novella.
And to be perfectly honest, I was dying to know more about the supporting characters. Especially the heroine's guardian and his new wife. Maybe they will eventually have their own story.
It sounded like it would have more in common with the first three books in this series, but I was left disappointed. While those were novels, this almost felt like a novella.
And to be perfectly honest, I was dying to know more about the supporting characters. Especially the heroine's guardian and his new wife. Maybe they will eventually have their own story.
June 11, 2017
Another great one
I've loved every book this author has written and this one is a great addition to them. She takes you a a wonderful journey with her words.
I've loved every book this author has written and this one is a great addition to them. She takes you a a wonderful journey with her words.
February 12, 2017
I voluntarily and honestly reviewed this advance reader copy and was not compensated in any way.
A town cursed. It's residents cursed to live on for centuries. Only when an individual carrying the bloodline of the one wronged is living in Evenwold Manor again, will the curse be removed. Some want the curse removed. But one wants the curse to remain because it gives him immortality. But he also wants the power of the one that was wronged centuries ago. He must find her book of magic spells. Unbeknown to her, Lady Anne Everleigh is of that bloodline. And when she comes to Evenwold Manor strange things begin to happen. A devote spinster she falls suspicious of he feelings for a man she has only known for a few day. An man that was sent to assist her in to rebuild Evenwold Manor. What power does this man have and why is she willing to give him everything he ask for after one kiss?
A town cursed. It's residents cursed to live on for centuries. Only when an individual carrying the bloodline of the one wronged is living in Evenwold Manor again, will the curse be removed. Some want the curse removed. But one wants the curse to remain because it gives him immortality. But he also wants the power of the one that was wronged centuries ago. He must find her book of magic spells. Unbeknown to her, Lady Anne Everleigh is of that bloodline. And when she comes to Evenwold Manor strange things begin to happen. A devote spinster she falls suspicious of he feelings for a man she has only known for a few day. An man that was sent to assist her in to rebuild Evenwold Manor. What power does this man have and why is she willing to give him everything he ask for after one kiss?
February 2, 2017
Historical romance is not my usual read but I really enjoyed this one. Anna was a ward of the Lord Ambrose Ravenner, who's family had adopted her as a baby. She lived with the Lord until his marriage and then she and her two Aunts were sent to Evenwold a nearby unoccupied estate to live and farm the land. But strange things happened there as Anna was now experiencing.
The paranormal storyline added mystery and intrigue to an already interesting story. Who was this Anne and what was it about this estate that was literally tying her up inside?
"But it was Miss Everleigh herself who claimed his attention...She drew him as surely as the snake charmers in India had held the cobras in their sway."
"They call themselves witches, but the truth is, they merely dabble in herbalism and love charms. They are very skilled, healers though."
"There was a quiet dignity about her, but also a fire that smoldered just below the surface."
Well written, and the perfect length for a quiet evening read. Very much enjoyed this book.
The paranormal storyline added mystery and intrigue to an already interesting story. Who was this Anne and what was it about this estate that was literally tying her up inside?
"But it was Miss Everleigh herself who claimed his attention...She drew him as surely as the snake charmers in India had held the cobras in their sway."
"They call themselves witches, but the truth is, they merely dabble in herbalism and love charms. They are very skilled, healers though."
"There was a quiet dignity about her, but also a fire that smoldered just below the surface."
Well written, and the perfect length for a quiet evening read. Very much enjoyed this book.
February 9, 2017
I absolutely LOVED it! I loved the story and the characters. I was really drawn into the story and was really interested to see what was going to happen. Chasity Bowlin's writing style always captures my attention. I am usually not a fan of historical fiction but I always love everyone that she writes. I really hope that we see more books having to do with the same family. If you like a steamy historical fiction than give this book a try!!
February 8, 2017
Chasity did it again! Another wonderful paranormal historical romance. I love the chemistry between Lord Sebastian and Lady Anne is perfect! I highly recommend!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews