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Blackheath Moor #2
Dark Temptation
On desolate Blackheath Moor, made treacherous by swirling mist and ghostly cries, a young woman finds refuge in a mystical churchyard—and in the arms of a handsome stranger.
Exiled to her aunt's home in Cornwall after provoking a London scandal, irrepressible Sophie St. Clair knows that something is wrong in the village of Penhollow . Mysterious lights, phantom ships—are smugglers once again plying their illegal trade along the coast? Or, as local legend insists, have the spirits of long-dead pirates returned to wreak their vengeance? Too much remains unexplained to satisfy Sophie, including her passionate response to the rakish nobleman whose help she seeks, whose embrace she can't resist.
Following his father's death, Chad Rutherford, Earl of Wycliffe, returns to his family estate near Blackheath Moor tormented by guilt for his reckless past and haunted by terrifying ghosts that demand retribution for their innocent murders. When Sophie St. Clair materializes out of the mist one fateful night, he is drawn to her with a desire beyond reason. But as Chad and Sophie embark on a dangerous quest to uncover the secrets of both past and present, they must fight powerful specters working against them. Will the spirits of Blackheath Moor hold them in their eternal grip.or can they vanquish the evil-doers and claim their future together?
Exiled to her aunt's home in Cornwall after provoking a London scandal, irrepressible Sophie St. Clair knows that something is wrong in the village of Penhollow . Mysterious lights, phantom ships—are smugglers once again plying their illegal trade along the coast? Or, as local legend insists, have the spirits of long-dead pirates returned to wreak their vengeance? Too much remains unexplained to satisfy Sophie, including her passionate response to the rakish nobleman whose help she seeks, whose embrace she can't resist.
Following his father's death, Chad Rutherford, Earl of Wycliffe, returns to his family estate near Blackheath Moor tormented by guilt for his reckless past and haunted by terrifying ghosts that demand retribution for their innocent murders. When Sophie St. Clair materializes out of the mist one fateful night, he is drawn to her with a desire beyond reason. But as Chad and Sophie embark on a dangerous quest to uncover the secrets of both past and present, they must fight powerful specters working against them. Will the spirits of Blackheath Moor hold them in their eternal grip.or can they vanquish the evil-doers and claim their future together?
359 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 4, 2008
5 people are currently reading
167 people want to read
About the author
Allison Chase
8 books52 followersAllison Chase enjoys a busy life in the South Florida sunshine with her husband of more than twenty-five years and their two wonderful and very talented daughters. Allison is a member of the RWA and the Florida Romance Writers, and in large part credits both organizations for her success as a romance author. Originally from New England, she grew up with a deep appreciation for the rich history of her surroundings, and admits that, If living in the past is a bad thing, then Ive been bad all my life! She and her family love to travel, especially throughout the British Isles and Ireland, and shes never happier than when exploring historic sites such as castle ruins, ancient abbeys, or the rambling gardens of old country manors. Readers can visit Allison at www.allisonchase.com."
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 24, 2009
For those who like eerie gothic tales with intrepid heroines, a hero to be redeemed and ghostly machinations, "Dark Temptation" should be just what you've been looking for. Allison Chase's second Blackheath Moor novel is just as brooding and mysterious as the moors themselves.
Sophie has been carted off to Cornwall after her efforts to get a scoop on a story for her grandfather's newspaper resulted in a scandal. But the nearby estate of Edgecombe harbors dark secrets that thrill and enthrall Sophie...especially after she meets the lord of Edgecombe, Chad.
Chad has come to his father's favorite retreat to try and pay penance for his unknowing involvement in a murderous scheme. On his way there, he's accosted by a ghost he assumes is a reminder of his guilt. But there are more secrets hiding in this remote area of Cornwall and Chad will have to face his nightmares and new opponents to win both Sophie and peace.
Very gothic, with NC-17 sexual overtones, "Dark Temptation" pulled me back to my preteen reading days when 'horrid novels' were my guilty reading pleasures. Ominous weather, dark secrets, danger in shadowy corners, hidden passages, ghosts, stormy seas, stark cliffs, abandoned mansions, etc are all the hallmarks of these stories and Allison Chase managed to include them all. Not a book for my personal keeper shelf, but not one I'm sorry to have read.
Sophie has been carted off to Cornwall after her efforts to get a scoop on a story for her grandfather's newspaper resulted in a scandal. But the nearby estate of Edgecombe harbors dark secrets that thrill and enthrall Sophie...especially after she meets the lord of Edgecombe, Chad.
Chad has come to his father's favorite retreat to try and pay penance for his unknowing involvement in a murderous scheme. On his way there, he's accosted by a ghost he assumes is a reminder of his guilt. But there are more secrets hiding in this remote area of Cornwall and Chad will have to face his nightmares and new opponents to win both Sophie and peace.
Very gothic, with NC-17 sexual overtones, "Dark Temptation" pulled me back to my preteen reading days when 'horrid novels' were my guilty reading pleasures. Ominous weather, dark secrets, danger in shadowy corners, hidden passages, ghosts, stormy seas, stark cliffs, abandoned mansions, etc are all the hallmarks of these stories and Allison Chase managed to include them all. Not a book for my personal keeper shelf, but not one I'm sorry to have read.
May 14, 2025
When her pursuit of the truth and the hunt for a story lands the heroine is hot water and in the midst of a scandal to her reputation, she's sent to the Cornish countryside to live with her aunt and uncle. But the heroine has the nose for trouble and she soon sniff out mystery in the quiet fishing town.
The hero, grieving the loss of his father and struggling under the debts he'd inherited made the mistake of involving himself in a snuggling ring. Charged with the crime, he turned on the men he sponsored but still, he'll do anything to make amends for the pain and death his actions have caused. He's sent home, back to where he spent his childhood and into the house where his father burned to death to uncover the underground snuggling ring and expose those responsible.
One night, the hero and heroine each find themselves wondering the countryside and lost in the magical mist around them, they take shelter in a church. Drawn together by fate and more than a little attraction, they find themselves tied together by the ghost and spirits all around them. Despite the hero's valid attempts to both prevent the heroine from involving herself in matters that very well result in her death or serious injury or the ill-advised notation of involving herself with a man with such guilt upon his soul, the heroine's pride and stubborn naivety keeps her from listening to reason. On numerous occasions she stubbles into one perilous situation or another and the hero must rescue her. He soon realizes that in order to keep the woman safe, he must keep watch over her. But the plan comes with it's one danger. Mainly because no matter how hard he tries he finds himself drawn to her and the sense of completeness she inspires within him. And she doesn't help matters with her open readiness to surrender to him. But soon it's apparent that the smuggling ring goes deeper than imagined and spans the entire town they live in.
Lost in the chaos of secrets and myths and two-faced characters, the hero and heroine must battle not only for truth and justice but for the love that could be if they survive.
I enjoyed this book to an extent but found it dragged it's butt on more than one occasion. I thought the hero was a bit whiny and I found the heroine to be obnoxious at times. Yes, she had the thirst for adventure and the idea of feminism to urge her to insert herself in dangerous situations but I found her to be too stubborn to be likeable. I like my heroine's to be intelligent enough to realize that in the time period they live in, it's a matter of fact that a woman just can't do things a man can do. And she was from London. Even if she was not the typical well-bred lady, she should know enough that a single unwed woman just shouldn't wonder the beach or the countryside alone at night! It's frustrating when her stupid choices result in the near death of the hero as he tries to save her. It just reiterates the fact that the woman is silly and recluse and in need of a man to help her out of problems. Over all I thought the story was meh.
The hero, grieving the loss of his father and struggling under the debts he'd inherited made the mistake of involving himself in a snuggling ring. Charged with the crime, he turned on the men he sponsored but still, he'll do anything to make amends for the pain and death his actions have caused. He's sent home, back to where he spent his childhood and into the house where his father burned to death to uncover the underground snuggling ring and expose those responsible.
One night, the hero and heroine each find themselves wondering the countryside and lost in the magical mist around them, they take shelter in a church. Drawn together by fate and more than a little attraction, they find themselves tied together by the ghost and spirits all around them. Despite the hero's valid attempts to both prevent the heroine from involving herself in matters that very well result in her death or serious injury or the ill-advised notation of involving herself with a man with such guilt upon his soul, the heroine's pride and stubborn naivety keeps her from listening to reason. On numerous occasions she stubbles into one perilous situation or another and the hero must rescue her. He soon realizes that in order to keep the woman safe, he must keep watch over her. But the plan comes with it's one danger. Mainly because no matter how hard he tries he finds himself drawn to her and the sense of completeness she inspires within him. And she doesn't help matters with her open readiness to surrender to him. But soon it's apparent that the smuggling ring goes deeper than imagined and spans the entire town they live in.
Lost in the chaos of secrets and myths and two-faced characters, the hero and heroine must battle not only for truth and justice but for the love that could be if they survive.
I enjoyed this book to an extent but found it dragged it's butt on more than one occasion. I thought the hero was a bit whiny and I found the heroine to be obnoxious at times. Yes, she had the thirst for adventure and the idea of feminism to urge her to insert herself in dangerous situations but I found her to be too stubborn to be likeable. I like my heroine's to be intelligent enough to realize that in the time period they live in, it's a matter of fact that a woman just can't do things a man can do. And she was from London. Even if she was not the typical well-bred lady, she should know enough that a single unwed woman just shouldn't wonder the beach or the countryside alone at night! It's frustrating when her stupid choices result in the near death of the hero as he tries to save her. It just reiterates the fact that the woman is silly and recluse and in need of a man to help her out of problems. Over all I thought the story was meh.
May 4, 2019
I always like a good story with ghostly elements. This was entertaining with likable characters and romance.
December 17, 2008
Another excellent novel by an outstandingly talented author! Definitely a keeper!
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August 12, 2017
3.5 stars but I really thought this one's gonna make at least 4 stars. The story was rather interesting with the usual paranormal activities that were creepy and intriguing at the same time. And I really liked the H, who was a secondary character in book 1; a friend of the H there. I didn't like him in book 1 much but in his own book, I got to know him better so all in all, I thought this one's gonna be better.
However, the h of the story completely ruined it for me. She was an idiot, extremely stubborn and super irresponsible. If someone said 'don't do this, it's dangerous', she'd simply ignore that warning and do exactly that; all because she fancied herself a 'journalist', a detective too, by the looks of it. *eyeroll* I lost count of just how many times she had put herself in danger throughout the book and in the process, put the H in danger too cause he was always rescuing her. -_- Even though she'd later acknowledge some of her blunders, I don't think she learned much from any of it. Either way, by 70% I began losing interest and didn't care how it ended. I wished I could replace the h with someone smarter, more responsible. No idea what the H saw in her anyway! Meh.
I had high hopes for this series. Too bad. *sigh*
However, the h of the story completely ruined it for me. She was an idiot, extremely stubborn and super irresponsible. If someone said 'don't do this, it's dangerous', she'd simply ignore that warning and do exactly that; all because she fancied herself a 'journalist', a detective too, by the looks of it. *eyeroll* I lost count of just how many times she had put herself in danger throughout the book and in the process, put the H in danger too cause he was always rescuing her. -_- Even though she'd later acknowledge some of her blunders, I don't think she learned much from any of it. Either way, by 70% I began losing interest and didn't care how it ended. I wished I could replace the h with someone smarter, more responsible. No idea what the H saw in her anyway! Meh.
I had high hopes for this series. Too bad. *sigh*
February 28, 2021
The plot:
When Sophie’s reputation is compromised (by a complete douche) while trying to get a story for her grandfather’s paper she’s shipped off to Penhollow where pirate ghosts haunt the sea, and something even more sinister is afoot. Sophie meets Lord Wycliffe and together they set about to find who, or what, is the cause of the bodies showing up in Penhollow.
The Good:
This tale is gothic, and ghostly, but not scary. The mystery kept me going until the truth was revealed. I admit I thought I saw it coming, but the author did a good job of leading me astray.
Sophie’s character is brave, defiant, and a little bit annoyingly reckless, but not unbearably so.
The bad:
This book could have happened in six chapters. I found myself extremely bored nearing the end, and very annoyed when I was more than halfway through the book and nothing had happened.
The romance is sooooooo 1990s romance novel. The naked man in the front should have been a sign I guess. It could have only been better if the words sword and sheath were use for genitals, alas, they were not.
Overall, if you love cheesey 90s romance novels, but are in need of a ghostly mystery, and don’t mind reading pages of bullish, then you’ll love this book.
When Sophie’s reputation is compromised (by a complete douche) while trying to get a story for her grandfather’s paper she’s shipped off to Penhollow where pirate ghosts haunt the sea, and something even more sinister is afoot. Sophie meets Lord Wycliffe and together they set about to find who, or what, is the cause of the bodies showing up in Penhollow.
The Good:
This tale is gothic, and ghostly, but not scary. The mystery kept me going until the truth was revealed. I admit I thought I saw it coming, but the author did a good job of leading me astray.
Sophie’s character is brave, defiant, and a little bit annoyingly reckless, but not unbearably so.
The bad:
This book could have happened in six chapters. I found myself extremely bored nearing the end, and very annoyed when I was more than halfway through the book and nothing had happened.
The romance is sooooooo 1990s romance novel. The naked man in the front should have been a sign I guess. It could have only been better if the words sword and sheath were use for genitals, alas, they were not.
Overall, if you love cheesey 90s romance novels, but are in need of a ghostly mystery, and don’t mind reading pages of bullish, then you’ll love this book.
April 2, 2022
Decent nighttime reading material. I could have done without some of the tropes, especially the one about pushing through the barrier of virginity (just, no, that is not how it works, please do better).
June 14, 2013
You couldn't help liking Chad and Sophie. From the moment these two met they were drawn together by forces that they were unaware of. Chad was trying so hard to run away from his wrong doings in his past and Sophie being so headstrong was just what Chad needed.
I love the way the men in these stories try so hard in protecting the ones they love and care for from mistakes they have made in the past only to find no matter how much they try to push them away they are always drawn back to one another.
I love the way the men in these stories try so hard in protecting the ones they love and care for from mistakes they have made in the past only to find no matter how much they try to push them away they are always drawn back to one another.
June 26, 2012
I love a good historical novel once in a while and one that involves pirates (actual bad ones, not the sexy kind) and ghosts is my kind of book. This book had a lot of twists and the person I was convinced was the bad guy ended up not being, so kudos to the offer for making it a good mystery as well. Wonderful historical romance for anyone crazing a bit of a gothic touch in the English countryside.
March 28, 2009
Having quite enjoyed Chase's first Blackheath Moor (what is it with these moors and dark mysterious heroes that get our hormones in a twist?) I prepared to be swept away with Dark Temptation.
It's got the gothic setting down to an art, but I guess my issue is the couple, Chad and Sophie, both of whom I couldn't really empathise with or even like, though I desperately wished to.
It's got the gothic setting down to an art, but I guess my issue is the couple, Chad and Sophie, both of whom I couldn't really empathise with or even like, though I desperately wished to.
September 21, 2013
This book was pretty good! Gothic, including creepy houses, almost entirely rainy weather, and romantic with a bit of mystery, and a few ghosts thrown in. I had not read the first book and this series, but this book very easily stands on its own. I almost put it aside 100 pages in. It moved a little slow up to then, but it picked up at that point and I flew through the rest.
December 22, 2014
This was on the cheap pile at the store and I thought I'm in the mood, I could go a little romance. Think again! It's hot and heavy. I didn't mind it, it's just not what I opt for when thinking of everyday reading. It is a quick read though.
April 21, 2010
Very good book!
March 7, 2011
well, this book is kind of neat looking and neatly read and written as any kind of book would be in a store that u go to every so often.
July 10, 2013
The dialog felt forced in this one. The characters didn't seem to interact well, nor could I connect with them very much. :(
December 6, 2023
Entretenido pero el primero de la serie es mejor. Le falta algo aunque no se explicar exactamente qué
May 21, 2021
This has been one of the best books I've read this year.
You´ve to read this book.
You´ve to read this book.
November 28, 2012
Un intento de crear una novela gótica pero sin la suficiente garra.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews