The Shadows of Stormclyffe Hall

Dark Seductions #1

by Lauren Smith

Haunted, schmaunted.
Bastian, infamous playboy and the current Earl of Weymouth doesn't believe his English castle is haunted. So what if a few windows and lightbulbs shatter? That happens. OK, bleeding portraits are hard to explain… But he is not going to be deterred. Not even by Jane, a seductive-as-sin grad student who has assigned herself the task of ghost hunting at Stormclyffe Hall. All Bastian wants is to restore his ancestral home, not be distracted by her curvy hips, bedroom eyes and gorgeous smile-

Fine, maybe he does want to get naked with Ms. GhostBuster, but that's only because she practically follows him around, nosing into his daily life. And yes, because she looks so damnably sexy, however, he refuses to give into lust. No matter how much she tempts him.
But when the ghosts up the ante and try to kill them, Bastian realizes he will have to keep Jane close. Very, very close. Purely to protect her, of course.

At least that's what he tells himself. All bets-and some clothes-are off, as he shows her what a real earl is made of.

*This book was previously published in 2014 by Entangled Publishing and has been re-released.

Genres: Romance, Paranormal, Paranormal Romance, Gothic, Ghosts, Historical, Contemporary

232 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 29, 2014

About the author

Lauren Smith is a USA Today Best-Selling author and an Oklahoma attorney. She knew she was destined to be a romance writer when she attempted to re-write the entire Titanic movie just to save Jack from drowning. Connecting with readers by writing emotionally moving, realistic and sexy romances no matter what time period is her passion. She’s won multiple awards in several romance subgenres including: New England Reader’s Choice Awards, Greater Detroit BookSeller’s Best Awards, Amazon.com Breakthrough Novel Award Quarter-Finalist and a Semi-Finalist for the Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley Award. To connect with Lauren, visit her at www.laurensmithbooks.com or twitter at @LSmithAuthor.

Reviews

[Kat valentine ( Katsbookcornerreads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fabulous gothic romance!!! Gothic romances are some of my fave romances and I love them so much!!! Lauren Smith's The Shadows of Stormclyffe Hall is a sensual oddesy with awesome characters and just the right amount of mystery and ghostly lovers kept apart by a witchs curse that has brought nothing but tragedy to all the males of stormclyffe hall, but when Jane seyton comes to stormclyffe to finish her dissertation and meets Bastian the earl of Weymouth it sets off a chain of events and a hunger for each other that is building into a glorious and passionate,soul burning love that even time and a curse could not destory!!! I love a good paranormal romance and Lauren Smith delivered! I have not read a book by this author that wasn't amazing!!! She's a awesome storyteller and I hope theirs more gothic romances to come!!😉💖

[Nicola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed for Read Your Writes Book Reviews.

"Evil rules the castle. Stalks the halls and torments those who dare to live inside."



I was drawn to The Shadows of Stormclyffe Hall from the moment I read the synopsis. The mystery, the history, the ghostly happenings, the noble gent and the scholar - it appealed on so many levels and not for one second did it disappoint.

When Jane Seyton arrives at Stormclyffe desperate to discover its secrets, Sebastian Carlisle, ninth Earl of Weymouth is far from impressed; the last thing he needs is a nosy American woman prying into his family history when he is trying to restore his home to it's former glory. The Carlisle name may have been plagued by tragedy, however he doesn't believe it to be anything more sinister than devastating bad luck. But Jane unleashes something from deep within the castle walls and from Bastian, and it soon becomes apparent that there is more to the bloody history of his home than he could've imagined. The past and the present collide.



This book is like nothing I've ever read. Lauren Smith has written an enthralling modern paranormal romance with a historical atmosphere and twist. Her words captivate, transporting you to idyllic Southwest England and to a castle which is as eerie and haunting as it is bewitching and beautiful. Every image and scene set is so visually descriptive that the reader will live and breathe Jane and Bastian's journey. They have a chemistry which is magnetic, and both were characters I adored.

"I've had the most wicked thoughts about you. I'm betting a few of them are illegal in some countries."



The romance seduced me, the paranormal spooked me and with flashbacks to the 1800's detailing the story of Bastian's ancestor Richard and his love Isabelle, the history and happenings of Stormclyffe Hall bewitched me. It's an extraordinary start to the Dark Seductions series and I can't wait to see where Lauren takes it next.



Copy received courtesy of Entangled Publishing via NetGalley for an honest and unbiased opinion.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 - "What once was broken must be mended." Stars.

Entangled Publishing seems to have hit a rich and diverse seam of talent lately with regards to their current PNR releases. The last couple of months have been a veritable buffet of tempting treats for the discerning reader!

The Shadows of Stormclyffe Hall is no exception, and what makes it even more appealing to me is that it is the start of a new series (Dark Seductions) as well. Lauren Smith is a new author to me, but after finishing this book I would happily pick up anything else she has written without any worry about its contents or the quality contained therein.

”Any woman who dares to love a man of Carlisle blood has met a bloody end.”



I loved this story, in the modern day you have Bastian Carlisle, current Earl of Weymouth, and Jane Seyton, the American Graduate Student who is trying to access his private family archive in order to finish off her dissertation. Bastian is disinclined to allow Jane the access she requires and even more reluctant to let her spend time at Stormclyffe Hall, in view of the rumors circulating about everything that may or may not have gone on there in the past and currently.
It becomes clear very quickly that the Hall itself and the spirits and secrets contained in its walls and grounds have very different ideas for Bastian and Jane.

”I’ve lived my life on bad ideas, and it hasn’t failed me yet.”



There is a concurrent running love story and familial mystery running through Bastian and Jane’s tale, and we are transported back to the early eighteen hundreds regularly, to follow the coming together and falling in love of the previous Earl; Richard Carlisle and his Isabelle, their story is one of death, witch-craft and tragedy, and it had this reader sniffling into a tissue a couple of times as well. I loved how the past and the present comingled to produce this unique and absorbing book. I haven’t read anything quite like it before.

”Surrender to me, love. Ease this ache of mine, my broken heart.”



If you are looking for a love story, with a little intrigue, a lot of emotion, and you aren’t afraid of the dark, things that go bump in the night and some general hocus pocus. Then I urge you to give The Shadows of Stormclyffe Hall a try.

”Brave little bookworm.”

ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.

[Steph's Romance Book Talk · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars / 4 Steam Fans

Gothic Romance goodness!!

Video review available in Week 36: Aug 30 – Sep 5 weekly book reviews.

For other video book reviews, check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk.

[Sissy's Romance Book Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

'The Shadows of Stormclyffe Hall' by Lauren Smith is the story of Sebastian 'Bastian' Carlisle, the Earl of Weymouth and Jane Seyton.
Jane is an American Historical Student who besides needing to finish a paper about Stormclyffe Hall also wants to do research for her on personal reasons. Jane has been taking with the Stormclyfee Hall for about six years. The dreams she has of Stormclyfee Hall have also caused a broken engagement for her. So she goes forward with getting close to Stormclyfee for her research. But Bastian is adamant about not having her look at the families personal papers.
Bastian has come to Stormclyffe Hall a few months ago to start trying to fix the home back up after such a long time of it being left alone. Bastian has been thinking of the Hall for several years but didn't move forward with going there until now. The town's people swear the house is haunted and Bastian has seen strange things happening there. When he learns that Jane is coming he set his mind to dismissing her and keeping the family personal things off limit to her. But from the start he finds he is drawn to her but still tries to keep with his plan.
The Hall is surrounded with mystery at what caused the death of Isabelle and Richard the original owners and family members. This was such an exciting story from the start...I couldn't put it down. Loved it!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A2H...
https://www.facebook.com/RomanceBookR...
https://www.facebook.com/groups/17091...
https://twitter.com/soapsrus68
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1...
http://sissymaereads.blogspot.com/
https://romancebookreviewforyou.wordp...
http://booklikes.com/blog
https://www.tumblr.com/blog/romancebo...
https://plus.google.com/+SissyHicks
https://www.pinterest.com/u2soapsrus/

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like the mist off of the sea this book is a breath of fresh air, I love the blending of the regency with the paranormal, this one was deliciously intense, not only with the romantic story but the creepiness factor. Without giving away too much because the finding out the plot twists is half the thrill ride in this book! You will root for the characters, feel like you are in the room with them, the writing is very descriptive so you can almost feel the wind on the cliffs or see the lights when a spirit is close. I thought the pairing of the 2 main characters was very intriguing, I kept picturing Bastian as Daniel Craig, (could be the Aston Martin) and Jane as Olivia Wilde if that helps anyone's mental picture. Just two magnetic people, you know there is gonna be some steamy, romantic moments between these 2 from the get go, but the reader never feels like the rest of the book falls away just to get to those moments which is where it is a breath of fresh air from other romance novels. I loved it!

[JoRead · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story truly has so much to grab your attention and keep you turning the pages. It has your usual elements of your typical romance story but with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing what’s going to happen next. For a while I wondered how the story would find a happy ending or if there was going to be a happy ending at all.
We have our heroine Jane Seyton, an American graduate student tormented by nightmares of a place in ruins that seems to call her name and of a woman in white seeking her help. She knows she has to find out more about the place but when trying to do so her love life takes a turn for the worst and she feels she may not be able to trust her heart to another for a long while.
Then we have our hero, Bastian Carlisle, the Earl of Weymouth and the owner of Stormclyffe Hall, trying to reestablish the glory of the place and peace to his family while battling rumors of a curse and haunting spirits. He has not been able give his heart to anyone and feels there is no need to.
The chemistry of this couple is amazing from start to finish. There is no rush in their story. There is insta-attraction obviously, but there is a clear explanation as to why. Their connection goes more than just the physical, it’s emotional, intellectual, and good old I-got-punched-in-the-face-for-you, and put it all together made it more than great. It was perfect

[Patty McKenna Van Hulle · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the early 1800s, Richard Carlisle, the Earl of Weymouth, shocked all when he married an innkeeper's daughter, Isabelle, & a local woman, Cordelia, was insanely jealous & felt scorned, so she cursed all Carlisle males. Their pure love was so powerful, all encompassing & unbreakable, but after Isabelle gave birth to their only child, she mysteriously jumped over the cliff & Richard felt his heart ripped out his chest, drank 24/7 & then he disappeared with only a shattered left in his place.

For 6 long years, sassy southern grad student Jane Seton has lived, breathed, ate & slept all the things Stormclyffe Hall. She has study the tragic history of Stormclyffe Hall & how it affected the village of Weymouth for her PhD dissertation. Once she looked at an old photo of Stormclyffe Hall, she felt this invisible pull & became so obsessed with it, that her fiancé ditched her & her nightly terrors started. Now all she has to do is get the Earl of Weymouth to open the Hall & family history to her!

Sebastian, Bastian, Carlisle, the Earl of Weymouth, hides behind his scandalous rogue reputation for fast cars & even faster women, but he's actually lonely, super intelligent & over the last 6 years has felt compelled to bring the Hall back to it's original glory. He is also honoring his dead grandma's words, "What once was broken must be mended!" & no more so called family accidents. So that is why he is living in absolutely REMOLDING HADES & everything that could go wrong has gone wrong, so when an American historian shows up uninvited, he gets PISSED & can't wait to toss her back across he Atlantic!

As Bastian walks into the drawing room, he sees the portrait of Isabelle & when Jane turns around, it like looking at Isabelle's twin & Jane seems just as shocked at the resemblance. Bastian has no time for her nonsense & he refuses her request to stay, but Jane pleads with him & offers to help in any way she can. As they stare at 1 other, a strange blinding light fills the room & they just attack each other, like they are on a powerful aphrodisiac on steriods, as Bastian slams her against the wall, his pantie dropping kisses make her girlie parts explode, as his strokes her to ecstasy & the next thing they know they wake up on he floor. Bastian & Jane felt possessed, helpless & living out someone else memories, so instead of a sexual harassment case, Jane is welcomed into his cursed home, but the family archives are off limits, so when Richard's mystical dairy seems to mysteriously FINDS her, her lips are sealed.

Supernatural mayhem erupts, as the restless spirits seem to influence the shadows that invade the eerie Hall, otherworldly happenings go on overdrive, Jane's nightmares seem to be saying something & Richard's mysterious dairy acts like a dusty Fairy Godthingie, as it continues to pop open & change its locations. Destiny gives them both a much needed beotch slap, their self-restraint crumbles, Jane wants to lick Bastian like a lollipop & Bastian keeps igniting an uncontrollable forest fire between her legs! Can they solve the curse before it's to late? Will Jane's nightmares hold the key? When will Bastian accept that Jane is his 1 & only? Can they keep their clothes on long enough to drop kick evil's a$$? Is their love strong enough to banish the evil in Stormclyffe Hall? Most importantly, can I kick the witch's bootie back to hell?

I have been a huge fan of Ms. Smith since I read the 1st book from her League of Rogues series, Wicked Designs. She hook me with that hilarious historical romance, so I was scared that this gothic read wouldn't work for me, but she still made me leap before I looked with this paranormal ride. Jane was a true southern girl with her sassiness, determination & her need to take each challenge by the horns, until it submitted to her will. Jane did have an inner BAD GIRL, but the inner Jane finally got to play with sex-on-a-yummy-stick Bastian. Bastian had an inner Knight-in-shining-armor that was tarnished due to lack of use, but Jane made him want to whipped out the Brasso (with a lot of help from Randolph) & polish it until it shined! I also love the dusty Fairy Godthingie, Richard's dairy, & I mean is that a original, kooky & strange character, but also adorable on so many levels! This book also had my 1st ghostly possession pantie dropping scene, so thanks for popping that cherry for me, Ms. Smith! The utterly decadent, hard up against many walls & passions erupting like a geyser made my tablet spark, sizzle & I am so glad I restocked my FIRE EXTINGUISHERS, before I cracked open this romance of NAUGHTINESS! Bastian & Jane were COMPELLED to go to Stormclyffe Hall & didn't know why, but they had to go there so they could freely breath! Ms. Smith also made me insanely obsessed, while I read this tale & I couldn't put it down, so no potty or snack breaks! Ms. Smith can weave a spooky tale filled with things that go bumping down the castle halls, creepy shadows so real (my nightlight was on, but rat me out) that send chills down my spine, dragged me (out from under my blanket) into the ghostly quest! Ms. Smith totally earns my top score of 5 fingers up & 10 toes for a paranormal ride filled with intrigue mysteries, some evil a$$ kicking, many orgasmic moans galore & I so WANT more of these Dark Seduction books, ASAP!

This ARC given for my honest review.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Shadows of Stormclyffe Hall by Lauren Smith- (Dark Seductions#1) is a 2014 Entangled Select Otherworld publication. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Jane is hard at work on her dissertation which requires she study the Weymouth family history, a family riddled with untold tragedies since the 1800's. She is so excited to travel to abroad and to Stormclyffe Hall and uncover it's sordid secrets. But, it's also a calling, something about the castle that Jane connects to, dreams about even. Unfortunately, Jane is going to have to deal with the Earl of Weymouth, Bastian Carlisle, who is adamant that the pushy American stay out of his family's dark secrets.

Bastian is trying to restore Stormclyffe Hall and doesn't have time to deal with the young American. She can't stay at the castle and she can't look at the family papers. Period. Until a strange bond with Jane occurs that leaves them both very sexually aroused and unsettled at the same time.

In the 1800's Richard married a innkeeper's daughter, Isabelle, for love. In the process, he deeply offended a woman who thought she was certainly the best choice for an earl's wife. From that point on the family suffers great loss, especially for the women who marry into the family. Now it seems the family line is about to fade out since Bastian is not interested in marriage.... or so he thinks.

Gothic literature is something I actually study. I am a huge fan of the genre, so these days when someone tacks the word Gothic onto their book description, my first thought is excitement, but skepticism follows quickly after that. Why? Many labor under the impression Gothic novels are supernatural in tone and usually this means vampires. Don't get me started on that misnomer. I won't give my standard lecture here, but suffice it to say it's a sore spot with me and I feel those novels should be labeled as Paranormal or Fantasy since they really do not adhere to the standard rules of Gothic fiction.

However, in this case, the author has followed the rule of Gothic fiction by setting the story in an old storied castle, the women are the target mostly, and the hero has a dark, brooding, and moody personality which is perplexing to the female protagonist. The supernatural elements to the story do not romanticize the forces which are reeking havoc on the lives of the characters. Instead these forces are dark and sinister, if not outright evil.

The romance is woven through time with the present day Bastian and Jane and with Richard and Isabelle from the past. These passages are some of the most powerful in the book and I could almost feel the spirits of the past forging their way through to the present, to save lives and a family heritage, and using their strong love for one another to accomplish their goals. The intimacy is deeply sensual and has a strong erotic pull, although the scenes are not all that explicit. I was thankful to see that someone out there is still capturing Gothic elements and staying true to the genre while making the story modern and appealing to the contemporary reader.
Overall this is an excellent start to the series and I am eager to read more stories like this one. 4.5 rounded to 5

[Aimee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! It's been a while since I read an awesome Gothic romance like this! A family curse, a haunted man, a broken woman, ghosts . . . or are they? Fantastic. I sat on the edge, waiting and watching. This isn't just a modern day love story but one that spans centuries--one that breeds from tragedy. Ugh! Slay my heart! I seriously get goosebumps thinking about it.

Bastian, makes for one super hot and dominant hero. He is an Earl after all. I loved him one minute and wanted to throttle him the next, but don't get me wrong I fell for him every second. Sometimes, he even took me by surprise and well *fans myself* . . . you have to read it for yourself. ;) I loved Jane too. She was real with natural flaws. However, she was still determined, intelligent, and strong willed. But, the way they found out the secrets to Stormclyffe . . . well, let's just say it's quite eerie and brutally steamy at the same time. ;)
That's my Bastian. :)
I'm so excited that this will be a series. The incredible writing combined with the beautiful prose was very moving. It was almost like a PNR and Historical wrapped up in one package. Awesome! Can't wait to read the next.

[Traceys · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cleverly intertwined romance of today, but also set in the past too.

Bastian comes from a weathy family his an earl, unfortunately his family has a lot of bad luck, some say his family is cursed........

Jane is a major in History, she is drawn to a country house in Weymouth to do some extra research, not expectintg the earl to be so hot!

Almost immediately there's a pull between Jane and Bastian, a passion that they can't seem to control..... The pull between these two grows fast, but should it, is it safe? Some very strange things are happening.

Bastian has a hard outer, but inside his just a dream. Jane is American, but loves the uk history and feels very at home, she's an open book, what you see is what you get, that means you get an intelligent, bubbly, loving woman. I thoroughly enjoyed these characthers and their story, there was love, passion, danger and ghosts!

I read this book in one sitting, I had to finish it. Bastian really met his match in Jane.

5 sexy and spooky stars

**i was gifted a copy of this book for an honest review**

[Stacy Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review coming. Loved it

[Alessandra]

The Shadows of Stormclyffe Hall
by Lauren Smith

SPOILER HEAVY

To defeat a dark evil, they must face his family’s past…

Bastian Carlisle, the Earl of Weymouth, doesn’t believe in ghosts. Even though tragedy and mysterious hauntings have driven his family away from his ancestral home, Stormclyffe Hall, he is determined to restore the castle to its former glory. His plans are disrupted when a stubborn American shows up on his doorstep hoping to pry into his family’s tragic history.

Jane Seyton, an American graduate student, is convinced there’s more to the tragedy of Stormclyffe Hall than history claims. Ever the scholar, she is determined to discover the truth, even if it means putting up with the arrogant, yet sexy, Bastian.

Although Bastian wants nothing to do with the pushy American, it soon becomes clear that something evil is in the house—and that something is targeting both Jane and Bastian. The two must join forces to purge the ghosts of Stormclyffe Hall once and for all—even as they try to fight a physical attraction between them that grows more and more impossible to deny.

Lauren Smith's The Shadows of Stormclyffe Hall begins in Regency England, where Richard, the handsome Earl of Weymouth, wakes to find his weak bride out of bed during the rampage of a storm. Concerned, he checks on their month-old son, Edward, and tempers the little heir's sounds of distress. Not long after, he spies his much beloved bride standing in the cliffs near the castle, braving the weather, and in her apparent suicide. Heartbroken beyond repair at his Countess's, Isabella's, untimely passing, and confused by her reasons (or lack thereof), the Earl falls in a drunken stupor for months before succumbing to his death.

Thus so, we find ourselves at present day England following American grad student Jane Seyton. After years (6, to be exact) of horrible nightmares all regarding her fascination with the dark and imposing Stormclyffe Hall, estate of the Earls of Weymouth, and home to many paranormal-loving fans tales and urban legends, her academic life reaches its pinnacle when the current Earl of Weymouth allows her access to visit his family's haunted manor, and so allowing her to make a detailed and researched dissertation on her topic -- The tragic stories of some of Britain's ancient castles and manor houses with a particular emphasis on Stormclyffe Hall and its effect on modern day Weymouth England. His sole condition was for her to wait until renovations were completed. Jane, having estimated that 4 months is time enough, decides to brave the lion's den and heads on over to the feared hallowed walls of the castle.

Here she meets Sebastian Carlisle, Earl of Weymouth and playboy-academe extraordinaire. Having long since forgotten about his promise to the American scholar, Bastian is not thrilled to find himself having to deal with a nosy American chit hellbent on exposing his family's dark secrets and tragic pasts, on top of personally overseeing a renovation to a cold manor home with seemingly insurmountable problems (and plumbing), and managing a staff that trembles at the mere sight of their own shadow.

At wits end, he comes face to face with his great great grandmama's spitting image in his drawing room. Great. Rankled and with no good humor in the near future, he girds himself to kick the striking scholar out of his home and away from his family's private business. With a heart broken from her months-long failed engagement, the firecracker of a miss is determined to see her research through and refuses to kowtow to the arrogant Earl's demands that she leave. Sparks immediately fly between the two and both are left to wonder if it was just an immediate case of lust that threatened their just-promised co-existence or if something otherworldly permeates the air.

Without giving too much away (as well as the various plot twists!), I bow down to Lauren Smith's amazing aptitude for spinning words into tales that enchant and ensnare the reader in its trap. The chemistry between our h/h is sizzling at its lowest and scorching at its best. With none of the propriety strictures of Regency England between the two, we are instead given a realistic take on two people determined to avoid each other fall prey to their strong attraction.

Jane is no milk-and-water miss and isn't afraid to go out there, guns blazing, for what she wants. It must be the American in her. Bastian, on the other hand, is every girl's dream come true. A dark and brooding hero one moment, and a charmingly teasing rake the next, he embodies the term dreamboat. A perfect blend of what we love with the arrogance of regency england's titled peers mixed with a modern day playboy, he hits every fantasy come to life. The good, the bad (and I mean baaaaaaad), the beautiful, and the ugly. A real man with real concerns and burdens.

As the two explore the inexplicable pull they have for one another, they also explore the manor's history and secrets. It is no surprise that with so beautiful a setting, the two find themselves falling deeper and deeper in its trenches, as well as each others'. That is exactly what TSoSH does to the reader. It takes you to the edge of your seat, fingers locked in a death grip, and you feel yourself getting lost deeper and deeper in Smith's work.

A truly wonderful read, you can't help but be glad you picked up Lauren Smith's gothic romance. And like the winds whispering, calling your name, you follow gladly. And you will be all the better for it.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jayne Seyton, in her quest to become Doctor Seyton, PhD History/Cambridge, embarked on a sojourn to Weymouth England. She will do her dissertation on the myths, or was it curse, surrounding Stormclyffe Hall, family home of the Earl of Weymouth. She was introduced to this particular subject matter when, in the stax at Cambridge, a book fell and opened to a picture of the castle. Further research piqued her interest.

In 1811 the Earl of Weymouth, Richard Carlisle, fell in love and married Isabelle Braxton, the local inkeeppers daughter. This was viewed as beneath his station. They had one son, Edward. Shortly thereafter Isabelle died under strange circumstances as did Richard, and a family friend Cordelia Hawthorne, a couple of months later. Since then the wives of the Earl of Weymouth have died under similar questionable circumstances.

Upon intruding on the restoration of the castle, she meets the outstandlingly handsome, charming and uber-rich playboy Earl Sebastian Carlisle. He was not open to her coming to do research, hoping to get access to family documents, but a couple of chance encounters convinced him she...no they...are in danger. The attraction between Jane and Bastan was immediate and passionate, as were his efforts to quell in interloper. Instead they fell into one another's arms and made love on their first meeting. It was as if they were inhabited by other beings. Bastian was resistant to the possibility ghosts were involved, let alone witchcraft. The repeated appearance of Richard's journal, opening to specific pages the provided clues to free the castle of the curse. But their journey doesn't stop there because they also had to rid the castle of the spirit that made the curse.

Initially, I thought I had the next chapter figured out but the twists and turns surprised me. Richard's journal added the intrigue. The relationship between Jand and Sebastian guided each to answers about their families and the constant danger developed their guidance to save their lives and the memory of their ancestors. The constant danger and Hane's willfulness to find the answers kept me turning the pages. I read it in two days.

*NOTE: I was sent this manuscript by an outside source to review only. I received no favours or compensation. The review is my true opinion.
Nancy Qualls

[Lesia Chambliss · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing love story that expands time. Yes, most of the story takes place in this century, but it really does NOT feel like it. It is about romance, timeless love, tragedy, mystery, and yes a ghost or two! Take it from a die-hard historical romance reader and just try this book out. I am SO glad that I did! I haven’t been this absorbed in a book from beginning to end as I was with this book. The book begins in 1811 England, and introduces you to the history of Stormclyffe Hall and the tragedy that begins it all, with Richard, the fifth Earl of Weymouth and his Countess Isabelle, then we go to current day England, with the ninth Earl of Weymouth, Sebastian “Bastian” Carlisle. For more than 200 yrs bad luck and tragedy have struck Stormclyffe Hall and those who call it home. The villagers of Weymouth call it haunted and want nothing to do with it or its Earl, but Bastian just wants to call it home, and has set out to fully restore Stormclyffe. An American Phd. student at Cambridge, Jane Seyton is writing a paper about Stormclyffe Hall and hopes to uncover all its secrets, that is, if the current Earl will let her. Bastian decides to let her into his library and those books it holds, if it will keep her out of his hair, and out of the way of the workmen. However, he makes it clear that any and all private documents are off limits to her. Well, soon enough things begin to occur at the Hall that defy explanation. Jane herself sees the mysterious lady in white that villagers have claimed to have seen for many years now, and even Bastian himself can’t claim that there are not strange things happening. Soon he finds himself spending more time with her and the more time they spend together the more strange things happen. It’s not so much seeing things as it is feeling and hearing things. It’s as if Richard and Isabelle are speaking to them, and maybe guiding them to find the answers they seek, but danger seems to be around every corner. I just can’t say more. Honestly, I don’t want to give anything away, I want you to read this story and experience it for yourself! Thank you Lauren Smith for a wonderful not-historical romance…..(I am laughing at myself. Never say never!)

[Sissy's Romance Book Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review For: The Shadows of Stormclyffe Hall by Lauren Smith 'The Shadows of Stormclyffe Hall' by Lauren Smith is the story of Sebastian 'Bastian' Carlisle, the Earl of Weymouth and Jane Seyton. Jane is an American Historical Student who besides needing to finish a paper about Stormclyffe Hall also wants to do research for her on personal reasons. Jane has been taking with the Stormclyfee Hall for about six years. The dreams she has of Stormclyfee Hall have also caused a broken engagement for her. So she goes forward with getting close to Stormclyfee for her research. But Bastian is adamant about not having her look at the families personal papers. Bastian has come to Stormclyffe Hall a few months ago to start trying to fix the home back up after such a long time of it being left alone. Bastian has been thinking of the Hall for several years but didn't move forward with going there until now. The town's people swear the house is haunted and Bastian has seen strange things happening there. When he learns that Jane is coming he set his mind to dismissing her and keeping the family personal things off limit to her. But from the start he finds he is drawn to her but still tries to keep with his plan. The Hall is surrounded with mystery at what caused the death of Isabelle and Richard the original owners and family members. This was such an exciting story from the start...I couldn't put it down. Loved it! https://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A2H... http://sissymaereads.blogspot.com/ https://romancebookreviewforyou.wordp... https://www.tumblr.com/blog/romancebo...

[T.M. Payne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book: The Shadows of Stormclyffe Hall (Dark Seductions #1)
Author: Lauren Smith
Publication Date: 9/29/2014
Reviewed by: Tammy Payne- Book Nook Nuts
My Rating: 5 Stars

REVIEW
This book is by a new to me author.

The book is excellently written. It gives us so many twists and turns.
Ghosts oh yes we have ghosts and curses.

We have American Jane Seyton who has come to Weymouth to do research for a thesis she is writing although the Earl of Weymouth lets her know now is not the time to visit.

The last heir to Stormclyffee Hall is Bastian Carlisle. There is a dark cloud and tons of horrible rumors surrounding his family and ghosts supposedly who walk the halls of Stormclyffe although Bastian does not believe in them.

Every single couple through the centuries have had death and darkness surround them. Bastian is no fool however he does believe something is happening although he does not have the time to worry with it as he is rebuilding his family home Stormclyffee Castle it was his fathers dying wish to see it finished.

So many things happen and of course Jane ends up at Stormclyffe and Bastian although he doesn’t want her there with the happenings and weirdness he thinks it best he protect Jane. Something is pulling him to her. Can they work together to break the curse?

We have a Witch , a Curse and Death and a Love that stretches centuries in this book.

Pickup your copy and find out what happens and what lies ahead for Jane and Bastian. Fantastic book I read the entire book in one setting.


I was gifted a copy of this book for my honest review
The Shadows of Stormclyffe Hall

[Susan K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gothic story with a sweet, sexy romance

The story starts out in 1811 Weymouth, England on a stormy night. Richard, Earl of Weymouth was awoken by a crash of thunder and realized his wife, Isabelle, Countess of Weymouth was not in bed. She was still recovering from giving birth to their son, Edward. Richard checks on the baby then proceeds to look for Isabelle. He spies her at the edge of the cliff in the middle of the storm. In the next moment she is gone. He runs out of Stormclyffe Hall only to see her at the bottom of the cliff. At that moment Richard knows he has lost his only love.

Now, we are in present day Weymouth, England. Jane Seyton is an American who is starting her dissertation for her PhD in History and who want to uncover what really happened to Richard and Isabelle. She is to meet up with the current, ninth Earl of Weymouth, Sebastian Carlisle aka Bastian at Stormclyffe Hall.

The story takes off from there. I fell in love with Bastian and Jane. Some force is pulling Jane to Stormclyffe Hall other than gaining information for her dissertation for her PhD. Bastian has also been pulled back to his ancestral home.

Bastian and Jane, although reluctant at first, realize there is more to Stormclyffe Hall than just learning what happened to Richard and Isabelle. As the story progresses, strange things start to happen to both Bastian and Jane, including some sexy intervals, which neither can control. I enjoyed watching Jane and Bastian trying to fight their attraction to one another. It's a loosing battle. You could feel the attraction right from the start.

If you are looking for a good gothic, Regency/Contemporary, sexy romance, ghost included, pick up a copy of THE SHADOWS OF STORMCLYFFE HALL.


I was given an ARC for an honest review.

[N.N. Heaven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever since she first saw a photograph of Stormclyffe Hall, Jane’s been obsessed with it. The history, the hauntings, the strange deaths, the nightmares all pull her to the Hall. She’s gone so far as to make it her grad school project. She needs first-hand evidence and so hops a plane to visit the Hall and the Earl of Weymouth. What she doesn’t expect is to find a drop-dead gorgeous man who ignites her body with just one look.



All Bastian wants is to fulfill his father’s dream and restore Stormclyffe Hall to its glory. He doesn’t believe in ghosts and refuses to believe his ancestral home is haunted. Sure, strange things happen he can’t explain but that doesn’t mean it’s haunted.



But all that changes the more he’s around Jane. Desire courses through his veins whenever she’s around him. He can’t explain his feelings of possession, attraction and protection, considering they’ve only just met. All he knows is that he has to be around her. But when something (or someone) puts Jane in danger, he realizes his grave mistake. Can he save her in time or are they repeating history?



I love gothic romance and this one is one of the best I’ve read. Historically accurate with a supernatural family curse, eerie hauntings and an all-encompassing romance, this book is a must-read. I was captivated from the very first page. Parts of it scared me but that could just be me reading it at 3:00 am. The ending was heart-stopping brilliance and showed me once again why I love Lauren Smith books. Highly recommend!



My Rating: 5+ stars



Reviewed by: Mrs. N



This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/si...

[Kahea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received from NetGalley for an honest review

A curse that has plagued the Weymouth’s for centuries has drawn Jane to Stormclyffe Hall, despite Bastian Carlisle’s, the Earl of Weymouth, efforts to keep her away, and what starts out as a research trip soon turns into a battle to save their lives.

This is the first book I have ever read from this author and it won’t be the last. I thought the story was well thought out and executed and the way she weaved the present day with the past was done seamlessly. There was never a moment where I felt the story going off on a tangent. Every piece of information, whether it be about the characters or the overall story arc, fit well and helped to move things along at a very good pace.

I also really liked both Jane and Bastian. They both appeared so opposite on the outside, Bastian is a noble from England while Jane is a commoner from America, but the more time they spend together, the more you get to see how similar they are and how well they work together and it makes the chemistry between them even more real, even when the ghosts aren’t trying to have their way with them. I love Bastian’s humor and determination to set things right and that Jane is a bookworm but doesn’t get too fanatical about it.

This is a great start to a new series and I am looking forward to seeing what the author has in store for the next book.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bastian Carlisle, the Earl of Weymouth has been renovating his ancestral home, which has been plagued by tragedy. This has been since Richard and Isabelle's tragic story at Stormclyffe Hall. Bastian is determined to restore the castle to its former glory, but now he has to contend with a beautiful stubborn American who shows up and is prying into his family’s tragic history.

Jane Seyton, has been drawn to Stormclyffe Hall for a long time. She has dreams that haunt her about this former magnificent place. She knows so much about its history because of her extensive research and becauseof her vivid and frightening dreams. She is finishing up her dissertation, but needs to know more. She has just recently been abandoned by her betrothed after two years. He could not take any longer her nonscence about her dreams so he dumped her. She knows in her heart that there is more to the tragedies of Stormclyffe Hall than history claims. ,

But will these two lose their hearts and possibly their lives to try to undo dthe curse that has followed the males of Stormclyffe Hall? What is broken must be mended.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It is not normally what I read, but it was good. There was enough mystery and intrigue as there was brewing passion amongst the main characters. I truly recommend this book.

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

It all started in the 19th century, when the Earl of Weymouth, Richard Carlisle married a commoner, Isabelle Braxton. Both died under mysterious circumstances and it is said that the ghost of Isabelle still haunts the castle.

Jane Seyton is writing her Ph.D. dissertation on Stormclyffe Hall; besides her academic interest, the whole story fascinates her personally. She’s asked the current Earl, Bastian Carlisle, to have a look at his personal documents. He’s very much reticent, but upon seeing Jayne – who is not the bookish nerd he expected – he agrees to let her have a look and stay at his castle for a short time.

Jane had been having nightmares, which are getting worse once she’s at Stormclyffe Hall, but she soon discovers they’re much more than that!

THE SHADOWS OF STORMCLYFFE HALL is the first book in the Dark Seductions series, it definitely qualifies as a modern Gothic novel and it’s superb! At times, I literally had goose bumps! And it’s so, so, so beautifully written! The writing is fluid, elegant, and modern at the same time, the characters are well developed, and there are twists and turns that will make your head spin – in a good way! Excellent!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Missy · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!

This book was absolutely wonderful. Passionate, suspenseful, and entertaining. If you love Victoria Holt or Phyllis Whitney this would be a great read for you, a modern gothic romance.

Bastian and Jane share a sizzling hot passion but there are secrets and evil standing in their way. Bastian is determined to break the family curse and Jane is determined to help him......even if he doesn't want it.

For over a hundred years strange things have been happening to people in or around the castle.....lots of tragic deaths, shadows, voices, and a dark evil. If you believe in those things. The villagers blame the family for the bad luck.....and curse.

Bastian and Jane will need their wits about them and trust in their love to overcome the twisted evil that wants to destroy his family.....and Jane.

I liked both brave Jane and sexy Bastian, they were wonderful complex characters with depth and determination. A well written book that kept me glued to it until I finished, I just couldn't put it down. Page after page loaded with secrets and passion......mystery and suspense. Loved it!

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of The Shadows of Stormclyffe Hall in return for an honest review, and loved it.

The story captivated me from page one. I fell in love with the h/h and couldn't wait to see how, or if, they got a happily ever after. As is typical for me, I loved Bastien one minute and then was totally frustrated that he wasn't making their situations any easier. However, all turned out for the good, and I laughed & cried before I closed the book on the last page.

Make a space on your shelf for The Shadows of Stormclyffe Hall - it's a keeper.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I loved it! This story was a great mixture of romance and a ghost story. I just loved everything about it.

[Kiltsandswords · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Shadows of Stormclyffe Hall (A Dark Seductions Novel) by Lauren Smith
Overview by Amazon:
A thrilling gothic romance from Entangled’s Otherworld imprint…
To defeat a dark evil, they must face his family’s past…
Bastian Carlisle, the Earl of Weymouth, doesn’t believe in ghosts. Even though tragedy and mysterious hauntings have driven his family away from his ancestral home, Stormclyffe Hall, he is determined to restore the castle to its former glory. His plans are disrupted when a stubborn American shows up on his doorstep hoping to pry into his family’s tragic history.
Jane Seyton, an American graduate student, is convinced there’s more to the tragedy of Stormclyffe Hall than history claims. Ever the scholar, she is determined to discover the truth, even if it means putting up with the arrogant, yet sexy, Bastian.
Although Bastian wants nothing to do with the pushy American, it soon becomes clear that something evil is in the house—and that something is targeting both Jane and Bastian. The two must join forces to purge the ghosts of Stormclyffe Hall once and for all—even as they try to fight a physical attraction between them that grows more and more impossible to deny.
I have never read a Gothic novel before. I read this one well past midnight, alone in my house and let’s just say that I have never noticed how many creaks and groans there are to my house! This book was w wonderful adventure, with enough paranormal activity to make a non-believer feel shivers as they read this story.
When the book opened, I thought I was going to be reading a historical romance novel, but then it jumps to modern day. Although it is set in Modern day England, the story weaves back and forth between the present and the past. In some respects, it made me think of the movie Possession with Gwyneth Paltrow and Aaron Eckhart as scholars who are researching the past of Victoria poets, though the similarities end there. This book is like a much darker and somewhat scarier version of Suzanne Enoch’s book Twice the Temptation, where a cursed necklace haunts the past and the future. But once again, these two examples only tickled my memory when I was reading this book. This book is nothing like them, with the exception of the past and present colliding.
Stormclyffe Hall has called to Jane for years. She inadvertently started her dissertation on it because a book fell off a shelf all the way in America and she was captured by the photograph. This castle and the history of Weymouth has been her life for the past four years. Finally granted permission to visit the property, but not the personal family documents, she is eager to get away.
Leaving behind a life in America to study in England is helping her mend her heart over her broken engagement. Her former fiancée just couldn’t understand her obsession with this old pile of rocks.
The minute Jane gets to Weymouth; it seems like electricity runs through her. It’s that feeling of a bit of déjà vu, but also that you are exactly where you are supposed to be at the right time.
She meets playboy, scholar and owner of Stormclyffe, Bastian, the current Earl and within moments the plot goes into overdrive. She has been put in parlour where she views the portrait of the beautiful Isabelle. The story centers around the love match of Isabelle and Richard in 1810. Jane wants to know why Isabelle killed herself, Richard follows soon after due to drinking and since that time the family has been cursed. Fires, deaths, car accidents, hangings and very strange events that can’t logically be explained occur to this family and the estate.
While gazing at this portrait, she realizes that she is a very, very close resemblance to the late Isabelle. When she meets Bastian, within moments they are passionately attached to each other whispering love words that neither of them would dare know. This is the first of many creepy and sometimes special moments that the past reveals itself through these two new acquaintances. They are promptly horrified that they were making out once the spell is broken; in fact Jane has to fasten her pants. They are drawn to each other with a magnetic pull, one that they can’t seem to deny.
Bastian has every intention of humouring Jane and showing her the library and then sending her on her way. This changes after he’s has her in his arms. He doesn’t quite know what’s happened, but his need to restore the castle is like the drums of battle. He can’t fight it.
More creepy things happen. More things jump out at night and during the day. More visions of a ghostly woman in a white dress. More warnings to leave the premise before people are hurt. But the two of them can’t let go. When retrieving Jane’s possessions from her inn, they realize she had been staying at the former home of Isabelle. Creepy coincidences like that occur until they uncover that Jane is actually a distant descendant of Isabelle’s family. Now it’s like fate is sealed. She is meant to be there until they get to the bottom of this.
But the wicked and evil forces won’t let them be. As they dig further, the ghosts of Richard and Isabelle are very active, but so is the evil force that drove them apart and has cursed the family. Let’s just say that reading this book at night only highlights the suspense. I couldn’t put this book down until I knew the truth. What happened to Richard and Isabelle all those years ago, who is the evil stalking Jane and the castle, and what is going to happen with Bastian and Isabelle??? I really liked both characters. Bastian is not the reclacitrant playboy Jane assumes he will be. He is a hot, lusty, young Lord and with help from his ancestor Richard is claiming the woman he wants. I felt relived for Jane once I realized how inevitable it was that she would end up at Stormclyffe manor. It was her fate and thankfully Bastian was there to be her partner and saviour.
Through all the weird going on, Bastian can no longer feign that it’s nature or an odd wind blowing. He’s just as deep as Jane in this mystery, especially since it directly involves him. But what concerns him almost as much are the feelings her is developing for Jane. They laugh together (despite the setting), they dance, they listen to 70s rock and the genuinely get to know one another. The relationship may be very young (only a few days old), but it is as if they have old souls who recognize one another and won’t let go. Bastian does try to send Jane away to safety, but she feels just as invested as she is the target of the evil and a relation to Jane.
While most historical romance novels and contemporary have a mystery to solve, this one straddles the space between the past and the present. This book makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up and you want to leave the bathroom light on after reading!
We all want good to triumph over evil, love to win out in the end and there be a happily ever after. No wonder Gothic novels were so popular in the 1800s. After reading my first one, I see the appeal and the interest. Although this once was so well written, so well-conceived and plotted out that something after this may be a disappointment. I LOVED this book. It’s so exciting when you find a new author to read and you love all their work. Lauren Smith is so talented at weaving a well written story, full of outstanding characters, settings and plot.
Reviewed by www.kiltsanswords.com See a Q & A with Lauren about writing this book at http://kiltsandswords.com/2014/10/03/...

[Eileen Dandashi · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Thoughts: Bastian Carlisle was driven to repair his ancestor’s home. It had long been neglected by the family, because they were scared for their lives and the place was haunted, or so the story goes. Accidents occurred to those who ventured to live in the castle, suicides took place--it was all rather gruesome. The place hadn’t been inhabited for 50 years, but Bastian, like his father before him, wanted to return to his ancestral home. He would not be run off.

When the repairs started, there were delays, strange happenings. Some of the workers thought they saw ghosts. Bastian believed they were just hallucinating and influenced by local talk. They would only work during the day, leaving at dusk, slowing down the renovation. But the castle slowly was coming back to life. Bastian had had workers on the project for five months while he continued living in London, but for the last two, he’d lived on the premises.

After being hounded by Jane Seyton to come to the castle to do her research for her doctorate paper, he finally thought he got rid of her by saying she’d have to wait until after the renovations were complete. The reparations weren’t complete and he had no time to entertain or babysit an American tourist even if she seemed to know a lot about his family history. When she came to the castle, uninvited and unexpected, he was ready to turn her out. The butler had shown her in to the drawing room. Below is an excerpt. I loved this part. Jane Seyton had just received a scare when she approached the castle, she saw a woman in a white gown jump over the cliff and into the sea.

Excerpt:

When he reached the drawing room and laid a palm on the heavy oak door, it swung open revealing the rich red-and-gold-papered walls and covered furniture. He hadn’t had the chance to visit every room in the castle in the last seven months, since he’d been here sparingly, and he had definitely not been into this one. Randolph had been overseeing the cleanup of the rooms upon Bastian’s instructions and given the number of rooms, many had yet to be opened.

Personally, he had been avoiding this room, because it was the only one in the castle where a portrait of Isabelle hung. His grandmother had said looking upon Isabelle’s face was bad luck, and since Stormclyffe had been abandoned for longer than he’d been alive, he’d never had the chance to find out himself it was true. But now, seeing his ancestor for the first time…he was arrested at the sight.

There on the wall was the infamous woman whose swan dive off the cliffs had tainted his family’s lives forever. Bastian studies the portrait for a moment. A fair-skinned woman with a hint of rose in her cheeks gazed out from the layers of oil with serious gray eyes. Her pale blue gown molded to her curves, and waves of rich ebony hair tumbled down her shoulders to tease the tops of her breasts. There was a curious expression on her face. She was happy, but wariness lurked in the depths of her eyes, as though she expected to lose her joy at any moment.

Below the painting, a flesh-and-blood woman stood with her back to him. Windblown hair, dark as a raven’s wing, spiraled down her back in enticing waves. He had the sudden urge to thread his fingers through the silken strands and shape her full curves with his other hand. A curious burning settled deep in his bones, and a ringing filled his ears as visions of him pining her to a bed filled his mind. Wild, erotic thoughts tumbled through him, stealing his breath before he regained control and focused on his visitor again.

As though she’d heard his lustful thoughts, the woman turned to face him, cheeks flaming. She couldn’t have known what he was thinking. His hand dropped from the door handled, his jaw slackened in shock.

The dreamy gray eyes fixed on him were identical to the eyes of the woman painted above her. Noble, high cheek bones, curving brows, a sensual mouth made for kisses, and that nose, both delicate and impish, a perfect fit for the face of the woman before him. Her inky black tresses and curves designed perfectly for a man’s hands made her a living memory of a woman centuries gone.

Dear God… He repeated the words in his head over and over, mesmerized by the closeness of their shared features.

“You must be Lord Weymouth, I’m Jane Seyton.”

The woman strode over to him, hand outstretched. Without thinking, he took it. Heat flared between them. He inhaled sharply.

She dropped his hand and retreated a step, her eyes wide. Had she felt the same jot he had?

The scene continues and I don’t want to spoil it for you, but reader, it is just too delectable what happens next.

I loved the way we are in the present, a contemporary setting, with an earl who is intricately tied to an earlier version of himself, in a haunted castle holding all the history of the previous earls. Not only is this story a romance, but it’s also a mystery and suspense. It kept me reading well into the night where even my husband complained my eyes looked awful!

Jane Seyton was a fun character to follow. She was smart and from the very beginning she believed in ghosts. After all, she had been having these weird dreams for years that made her pursue her dissertation about Richard, the earl of Weymouth. She could not ignore taking this trip any further. She was totally dumbfounded when she saw how similar in features she and Isabelle were. When Isabelle tried to communicate with Jane, she didn’t shrink from what was happening, but tried to help ‘fix what needed mending’. She was a really good counterpart of the sexy, intelligent and very modern earl.

Bastian and Jane work together to unravel the past, although Bastian just wants her gone. He also wants her safe. So when he drops her off in town and finds where she is staying, he thinks the better thing to do is take her back to the castle. He could keep his eyes on her that way. However, in town, they don’t avoid mishap that shows the reader just what these two people are made of.

Where Bastian didn’t believe in ghosts at the beginning of the novel, there were too many occurrences that were ghost-like, so when Bastian actually saw his ancestor, Richard, he was a believer. The resident ghosts knew how they both died and were caught in anguish of the moment long past. We the reader, do not, nor do Bastian and Jane. The ghosts were unable to break the loop which kept them repeating their deaths to move on.

A scene was simply delicious when both ghosts ‘used’ Bastian and Jane to communicate. I shall tell no more. You simply must read it! Highly recommended to all those who adore ghost stories, the paranormal, and historical romance as well as romance. Thank you Lauren Smith for another winner!

[Amy A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally posted at Vampire Book Club

Bastian Carlisle is trying to put the curse that has hovered over his family’s past to rest once and for all. It all began with his ancestors Richard and Isabelle. Upon Isabelle’s unfortunate and mysterious death, and the subsequent death of her husband Richard just months following, to say that family has had a bit of bad luck is putting it mildly. Every Earl of Weymouth from that moment on has suffered the loss of the woman he loves in a horrific way.

Bastian hopes that by returning to his family’s ancestral home and restoring it, he will rid it and his family of the “ghosts of the past.” Not that Bastian truly believes there are such things as ghosts.

There is one person who gives credence to the rumors. Jane Seyton, using Stormclyffe as the basis for her dissertation, is drawn to the old castle for reasons unknown. When Jane’s request for family information is denied by Bastian, she takes it upon herself to show up at Stormclyffe and impose herself upon the Earl. It soon becomes all too clear that something evil is indeed haunting the house, and when it starts to target Jane and Bastian, they’ll have to uncover what really happened in the past if they want any hope of having a future.

There’s something about reading a really good ghost story, especially this time of year that really gets me excited for Halloween. I guess one can argue that here at VBC with the vampires, shifters, etc. it’s like Halloween 24/7, but ghosts…. I don’t know. The feeling like your being closely watched when no one else is there, the hairs standing up on the back of your neck, things that go bump in the night! Excitingly chilling! In The Shadows of Stormclyffe Hall Lauren Smith sets all of these scenarios up with great success. It’s rare that reading a book can make me want to duck under the covers or make sure that the shadows aren’t moving, but Stormclyffe definitely has quite a few of those moments. Add in some sparking romance and we’ve got the perfect combination.

The attraction between Bastian and Jane is apparent from the very first moment they set eyes on each other. But the question is: Is the attraction of their own making, or are there other forces at work? I guess we could say a little of both. Because even though the scenes with Bastian and Jane were hot, it was the secondary story of Richard and Isabelle that truly drew my attention. Through letters, journal entries, and even a little possession, we learn their tragic story and that even in death they are trying to get back to each other (how sweet is that?!). I think their story was perfectly told within the confines of the whole book. Smith included just enough of Richard and Isabelle to give background information on the believed Weymouth curse and just enough to make us care without taking too much away from Bastian and Jane. It’s a great blending of the past and the present.

If you’re in the mood for a good mystery and ghost story, look no further than The Shadows of Stormclyffe Hall, pull up the covers and settle in. Paired perfectly with an undeniably sexy romance and you’ll be ready to find your own haunted castle to visit!

[Brandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book in exchange for my honest review.

The Shadows of StormClyffe Hall is a modern day and a refleflection on a historical romance with a mystery intertwined. A dark and haunting history had consumed Stormclyffe Hall and the present day Earl, Sebastian Carlisle, and his family, their predecessors, and even the guests and house servants. Throughout Weymouth, England the story had become something of a legend. Everyone was curious including Jane.

Jane Seyton was an American student working on her thesis. She was studying the mysteries of Stormclyffe Hall, but it was more than just that. She was drawn to it. She felt the pull. She was familiar before her arrival. Then there were the nightmares--which finally caused her last boyfriend to end their relationship. Between the nightmares and break-up, Jane throws herself into her thesis; and writes to Sebastian requesting a visit to Stormclyffe for research on her paperwork. Sebastian had been living in London but has recently returned to Weymouth to have restorations done on the hall, thereby denying Jane access to the Hall during restoration but extends the invite once complete with the strict understanding that all personal and private family documents are off limits.

Jane disregards Sebastian's denial and comes to Stormclyffe Hall. Upon her arrival, she sees her--the woman in the white gown on the cliffs. Though annoyed, Sebastian relents and shows her the library where three things happen: First, Jane is awed by a painting of Isabelle who bears a striking resemblance to Jane, Next, she and Sebastian witness a sort of shadowy occurrence and a romantic moment neither expected to happen, Third, a small book---which happens to be Richard's journal--somehow, lands open at Jane's feet! She decides to tuck the book away in secret, for fear Sebastian may take them from her. That afternoon he drives her into Weymouth, adhering to his word that she could not stay at Stormclyffe Hall--until he sees where she is staying...

This is where I as a reader began to fall in love with the story of Richard and Isabelle, and Jane and Sebastian. Isabelle and Richard are Sebastian's predecessors which were madly in love, despite her social class not being as high as his. Their story unravels as the attraction builds then ignites between Jane and Bastian, as she has affectionately taken to calling him. Amongst all this passion, there is destruction in both history and present stories. It threatens Jane and Bastian will do whatever he must to save her.
There are twists and turns and even when it seems the mystery may go unsolved at the last moment we learn of Cordelia Huntington. The secrets surrounding her and why things were the way they were.
The characters are human, both likable and frustrating and very capable of communicating their their feelings towards each other. I would consider this most appropriate for adult readers and although it is a mystery, it is primarily a romance story. It does contain several sexual scenarios and a couple are explicit.
The author has a very well written story, with complex characters, a multi-leveled plot, and an astute eye for detail I recommend this book!

[Miriam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just in time for Halloween comes a tale of ghosts, mysterious deaths, curses, and love. *smiles crookedly* After all, what's a great ghost story if there isn't a little bit of romance in there, right?

Jane's soul deep desire to see Stormclyffe Hall couldn't be explained. A look at one picture sparked her interest and sent her across the Atlantic Ocean to see it. Once there, she discovers it's where she's meant to be. It isn't just longer that's drawn her to this decrepit building and it's surly owner. It's a feeling of finally finding where she belongs.

Bastian can't believe the American who's shown up at the most inopportune time to see his crumbling home. It isn't her insistence that stuns him, it's her appearance. She's a dead ringer for the long-dead relative whose suicide sent his family name into the gutters. As much as he wants Jane gone while he renovates his home, there is something about her that calls to him, something that cannot be ignored no matter how hard he tries.

Bastian and Jane's pull to each other isn't just because of physical attraction. Their history is what brings them together. It intensifies that mutual attraction they share and makes it a hundred times sharper and brilliant. They're hard-pressed to ignore it, especially when they experience pleasurable kisses, caresses, murmurs, and heat because of it. Their resolution to work together to solve the mystery surrounding Stormclyffe Hall leads to several startling discoveries, which all lead to a fantastic ending complete with apparitions and revelations. After years of disquiet, Stormclyffe Hall is finally at peace.

I enjoyed every page of this story. It read like poetry, each chapter revealing something new that pulled me in deeper and deeper. It's a story I was lost in, one I didn't put down until I finished it, one I'll definitely read again.

4.5*
***Received from Entangled Publishing for an honest review***