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Paranormal Series I #1

The Silent Rose

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When bestselling author Devon James checks into a quaint bed-and breakfast in Connecticut, she hopes to put the spark back into her relationship with her fiancé. But her stay at the Stafford Inn offers other distractions. Deep in the night, Devon experiences a frightening vision that seems to speak to her. She awakes certain that long ago, something terrible happened there–and that it's a story she must tell.
From the moment Devon begins her research into the inn's past, she is challenged by its wealthy and magnetic owner, Jonathan Stafford. He will use any means–including seduction–to force her to abandon the project. But nothing will keep Devon from the truth ... not the dark shadows of her own past, not her increasing desire for Jonathan, not even her growing fear that everything she loves–and her very life–are in danger.

712 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1994

81 people are currently reading
610 people want to read

About the author

Kat Martin

188 books3,171 followers
Kathleen Kelly Martin (aka Kathy Lawrence, Kasey Mars)

Kathleen Kelly was born on 14 July 1947 in the Central Valley of California, USA. She obtained a degree in Anthropology and also studied History at the University of California in Santa Barbara. She was a real estate broker, when she met her future husband, Larry Jay Martin. A short time after the two became acquainted, Larry asked her to read an unpublished manuscript of an historical western he'd written. Kat fell in love with both the book and the author! Then, after doing some editing for him, she thought she'd try her own hand at writing. She moved on to become a full time writer.

Published since 1988, she signed her books with her married name, Kat Martin, but she also used two pseudonyms: Kathy Lawrence for a book in collaboration with her husband Larry Jay Martin, and Kasey Mars for her first contemporary romances. The New York Times bestselling writer, among her many awards, has won the prestigious RT Book Review Magazine Career Achievement Award. To date, Kat has over eleven million copies of her books in print. She has been published in seventeen foreign countries, including England, South Africa, Spain, Argentina, Germany, Italy, Greece, Norway, Sweden, Russia, Bulgaria, China, and Korea.

Currently residing with her husband, a Western-writer and photographer, in Missoula, Montana, USA. But when they are not writing, they also enjoy skiing and traveling, particularly to Europe.

"I've always loved books. I was an avid reader, with any number of my own stories rolling around in my head. Writing them down seemed a logical step."

"I love anything old," Kat says. "I love to travel and especially like to visit the places where my books are set. My husband and I often stay in out-of-the-way inns and houses built in times past. It's fun and it gives a wonderful sense of a by-gone era."

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5 stars
257 (39%)
4 stars
206 (31%)
3 stars
134 (20%)
2 stars
32 (4%)
1 star
17 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
Profile Image for Anita.
2,652 reviews220 followers
September 24, 2024
Jonathan is an expert on compartmentalization and Devon is a sensitive author with a core of steel. They both have secrets and yet see the truth in each other. At over 500 pages this book is bloated, to say the least. Melodramatic in parts, with martyr and a few TSTL moments thrown in. I never connected with either the plot or the characters.

Devon James is a bestselling author who had a rough time after her husband abandoned her. Several years later she finds that the prospect of life with her now fiancé, Michael, isn't as appealing as it should be. She has planned a romantic getaway but on arrival at the Stafford Inn, she is reminded of the time after her ex left and the anxiety that ensued. Just something about the place set Devon on edge. After a terrifying night, Devon is convinced that what she experienced was an encounter with the paranormal and the horrid happenings from long ago.

Her research into the Inn and the Stafford family puts her in direct opposition to the owner and wealthy industrialist, Jonathan Stafford, who doesn't want anyone mucking around in his family's past. But some truths are meant to be told and the deeper Devon digs, the more convinced she becomes that evil reigns at the Stafford Inn, an evil that Jonathan is more than aware exists.
Profile Image for Donna.
180 reviews
March 15, 2013
I quit reading it. I refused to waste any more of my previous time.
The supposed "hero", in my opinion, is a jerk. Also, there are too many scenes with him & his mistress.
This was written in the early or mid-90's & that's the timeframe the book is set. I found all the characters to be too self-absorbed, too concerned with material things, buying things they can't afford, worried about their status in the public eye & wearing the "right" clothes (meaning the label).
I do realize a lot of people were like this in the 90's and many still are - but I just couldn't read anymore of it.
I don't even know why the "heroine" in the story really wanted to write the story she was so hell bent to write. I never really felt her motivation for wanting to do it. Maybe because everyone kept telling her not to do it? I have no idea.
I really can't recommend this book to anyone.
Profile Image for Diane Glover.
258 reviews2 followers
March 22, 2021
I liked the idea of this book... Ghosts, people who are able to sense things that are unseen. BUT This book is dated. I really would love it if the author was REVISE this and edit out all the discussion of the clothing that is being worn, and the incessant need to talk about NAME BRANDS. As if dropping all those names is impressive. I don't care if the main characters have an affinity for the "finer things". Get on with the action, the mystery, etc. Otherwise. This book was OK. If you removed all the EXTRA stuff... it would have been a better read too, as it was rather long. It took too long to develop certain things and character ideas before getting to a rather short and abrupt ending, with no real follow up... I mean what happened to the caretakers? Where they changed at all in the aftermath? NO ONE KNOWS... It was just a loose end that could have been tended. PG 13 rating overall. It could classify as a beach read except its too long.
Profile Image for Barbara.
98 reviews1 follower
July 5, 2024
What is it about paranormal romance that I like !? I don’t know !!!!! Strong FMC and fucked up MMC who is redeemed, all of this speaks to me even if it could have been said in 150 less pages :)
173 reviews
October 13, 2013
This book had so many problems, I may not get to them all. I found it to be unrealistic and madly unreasonable. I don't believe that the reasons given for institutionalizing a young boy in a wheelchair are valid, even in the mid 90's. Especially given that his father was more than able to afford the absolute best care.

I also don't believe that the general population were so against the belief in the paranormal as to make it imperative to hide away a child who had a paranormal experience.

The hero's over the top and abusive response to the heroine's secret visits to the child was the act that finally put the kibosh on this novel.

The fact that the man had a mistress was never explained, much less defended. In fact, it was treated as a normal by the minor characters. Eww.

I suspect that this was an aborted novel that Martin had hidden away in a drawer for 20 to 30 years and dug out in desperation when she needed something quick to send to her editor. It was so out of date.

I gave up on it. The abusive attitude of the hero is so wrong that I will carefully vet any more Martin books I pick up, if I ever pick up another one.

1,362 reviews17 followers
November 7, 2017
This book needed some tighter editing. Over long and not in the author's current style. I did enjoy it, except for the one part where Jonathan takes her coat and then her clothes. That smacked a little too much like abuse, to me.
Profile Image for Tammy Pickens.
264 reviews1 follower
February 12, 2015
This was a big book. 507 pages!! I could not wait to see how it ended!! Good read!
104 reviews2 followers
April 8, 2012
It surprised me with how good it was. I really enjoyed the author.
Profile Image for Dolores of Course.
379 reviews
May 20, 2023
I disliked this book so much, it’s hard to pick a single point to begin. This book is nearly 30 years old and when I started reading, I gave it some leeway. That being said, there is NO EXCUSE for the obvious xenophobic descriptions of the Japanese mistress. She’s tiny, tiny with little brown hands and long black hair. Then long descriptive scenes of her working that sexual geisha magic on her sugar daddy because that’s his kink. There is zero reason why her character even exists in this book, she had nothing to do with the plot. The same with Jonathan’s invalid son. All that was pointless.

The same never ending over-the-top descriptions for all the characters. Devon is tall, with green eyes and white blonde hair. Make a drinking game of how many times her appearance is described. I need the multiple descriptions of Jonathan’s best hair scrubbed from my brain. Extensive descriptions of everyone’s appearance and every outfit change, including people that are literal walkbys. My favorite is the description of Devon walking by the guy roasting chestnuts in a barrel to sell. The sights and smells and the fact his clothes looked dirty and tattered. Dude obviously could have used some coin, but Devon in her designer boots and fur coat walks on by. Martin specifically calls this out “she kept walking”. WTH was that scene even included? The entire book is like this. Scenes with no bearing on the story and scenes repeated over and over.

All the character in this book are unlikable. By the end, I was rooting for the ghost to knock them all off. But, let’s talk about that plot. Out of 500 pages, there are around 40-50 that have anything to do with the history of the house and the supernatural. This book was obviously a trashy romance that the publisher made Martin make into a ghost story to sell it to the paranormal loving crowd. I can literally see the PostIt notes throughout the manuscript where they wanted her to insert the historical intrigue and paranormal elements.

Let’s step back to the beginning at the inn and how the author discusses people with anxiety issues. Seriously? Then we have the threesome with a ghost. Devon suffers anxiety but is cool when another pair of hands start pawing at her while her fiancé is giving her the business? Makes total sense. Then she senses things in the room and has a couple bad dreams. This is the plot element that compels her hell bent on writing a story about this place and uncovering all the secrets. She throws everything to the side to steamroll for this story, even turning down a million dollars to walk away. Just for the sake of argument, does the character of Devon strike you as the kind of person who successfully follows through on projects and is a semi-famous published author? That would be NO.

Man, do I hate this book. It’s just so BAD and the fact it has been republished over the years galls me.
3,519 reviews
July 30, 2022
Devon James felt an otherworldly presence at the Stafford Inn and believes a young boy was murdered. As a well-known author, she is determined to find out what happened at the building. But the owner, Jonathan Stafford, wants her to stop her investigating and says it will reflect adversely on his company and family. The truth is his son was badly hurt in a fire at the old Stafford home and Jonathan saved him but he said he saw a man’s face in the flames. Devon wants to talk to Alex but Jonathan is adamant that she stay away from his son even if that means he will have to seduce her. The more he is around her, the more he believes this will not be a punishment to either of them.

Devon and Jonathan fall in love. His business has always come first in his life but, with Devon, he changes and becomes more personable. He is with her when she learns the truth of what happened and the evil spirit is erased.
Profile Image for Susan Ross.
Author 8 books7 followers
November 26, 2024
This was a paranormal thriller with two very hot leads who have a steamy sexual attraction. Jonathan is a multi-millionaire and Devon is a fiction author. They meet when Devon is investigating a paranormal incident that happened when she was staying in an inn owned by Jonathan.
Jonathan tries to stop her investsigation and the book she intends to write to protect his son and his name from unwanted publicity.

The amount of fur that Devon wore was cringe worthy and the description of the clothes everyone wore dated a book that could have been timeless.

I knocked off a star because there were some phrases that were repeated constantly and because I wanted to know what happened at the inn in the end.
32 reviews
September 27, 2023
Couldn't put it down

I loved this book with one exemption. They're are typographical errors sprinkled throughout that are jarring. Otherwise I will probably re read this again. It is compelling and terrifying and filled with hope. Perhaps there is more to our lives than we realize.
Author 3 books1 follower
May 17, 2025
It was fun reading a romance written in the 90s. There was a nostalgia to it. Also, it features a haunted Bed and Breakfast in Stafford Connecticut and there's a note by the author in the book saying she had a similar experience that inspired the story.
21 reviews
August 2, 2017
Tragedy and love - what a great combo. Include a few ghosts and spirits, gives a sense of humor and horror.
Profile Image for Pamela Marshall.
57 reviews
October 16, 2022
I picked this book up out of a LFL. It’s about 350 pages too long. It’s a bodice ripper with evil spirits.
428 reviews4 followers
March 12, 2024
Good Book

I really enjoyed reading this book . There were scary moments and Jonathan and Devon were made for each other. Really enjoyed the ending.
185 reviews1 follower
May 13, 2025
I loved this, but the ending felt rushed and didn’t tie things together quite as nicely as I had hoped it would
26 reviews
August 11, 2025
I liked the story overall but it did drag and the detailed clothing descriptions were unnecessary.
Profile Image for ShyAnn64.
287 reviews
February 10, 2023
When bestselling author Devon James checks into a quaint bed-and breakfast in Connecticut, she hopes to put the spark back into her relationship with her fiancé. But her stay at the Stafford Inn offers other distractions. Deep in the night, Devon experiences a frightening vision that seems to speak to her. She awakes certain that long ago, something terrible happened there–and that it's a story she must tell.
From the moment Devon begins her research into the inn's past, she is challenged by its wealthy and magnetic owner, Jonathan Stafford. He will use any means–including seduction–to force her to abandon the project. But nothing will keep Devon from the truth ... not the dark shadows of her own past, not her increasing desire for Jonathan, not even her growing fear that everything she loves–and her very life–are in danger.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Maura.
3,883 reviews113 followers
March 4, 2017
Devon James is a famous fiction author who stays overnight at the Stafford Inn with her fiancee and has a rather traumatic experience involving ghosts and psychic visions. Immediately, to prove that she isn't crazy, she sets out to get to the bottom of it and write a book about it. Jonathan Stafford, the owner of the inn and ruthless business tycoon, is less than pleased to hear it. He sets out to do anything he can to stop her, including seduction.

This is a dated novel, and therefore doesn't really hold up to the test of time. There were many descriptions about clothing that people were wearing which had my laughing out loud at the image...who dresses casually in a red wool jumpsuit, red pumps and gold hoop earrings? There needed to be a lot less of such description because it really threw me back in time. And maybe even some of the attitudes were 90's - like the fur coats, the spending money on things we don't need (indeed, even buying a painting when the heroine is worrying about money) and the "We didn't think about safe sex!" comment after sex and the hero responding that they didn't have to worry about STDs, but not a single mention about the possibility of pregnancy. That being said, these things didn't really detract from the story itself, but did a bit from the reading experience as they jar the reader a bit. This most likely was not the case when it was written, but no 20 years later, it certainly does.

The story itself is less than stellar IMHO. I liked the ghost story aspect. I liked how the heroine did her digging and research and found out so much about the ancestor who was causing the haunting and all these steps. That for the most part, held my interest and earned the 3-stars (more like 2.5). The characters themselves and their romance - not at all. Devon was quite selfish really, seeking to uncover the truth at ANY cost. Even after she finds out that Jonathan is trying to protect his son, she keeps on digging. And I couldn't really see her claimed motivation as sufficient enough to risk it. And then she gets wishy-washy about it and I have to wonder if she even knows why she's doing this. Jonathan is an ass. He's charming sure, but he's pretty ruthless and has a Machiavellian attitude towards getting what he wants. And throughout this story he wants two things: Devon to stop writing the book and Devon herself. And I just couldn't like him - he felt too cold and impersonal. I hated how he pressured Devon into having sex and just kept pushing her, even getting angry and calling her a tease (this from a modern man...). I hated that he had a kept mistress, as if this was a regency novel or something. I hated that even after he'd worked so hard to earn back her trust so they could be together again he was still contemplating ending it because he felt they were becoming too close. This man just did not have a warm, fuzzy side that makes him likeable. And why, oh why do we have to get explicit scenes of the hero and the heroine with their initial lovers? I don't want explicit detail of her having sex with her fiancee or him having sex with his mistress - there's no need for that kind of detail.

This was a pretty long book, and I kept getting the urge to put it down and do something else because I didn't feel like I had the stamina it took to get through it. I would have liked this much more with more likeable characters and a bit less description.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
882 reviews3 followers
January 17, 2016
When author Devon James spends the night in a historic bed-and-breakfast in Connecticut, she is completely shocked and frightened by the evil presence she senses in the small third story bedroom she and her fiance have been given. She is even more surprised to feel the overwhelming sorrow of a small boy and a young girl in the room, children who she is sure have died many years ago, but for reasons unknown have been unable to cross over to the other side and appear to be trapped in the BNB. Although Devon has never been involved in the paranormal in any way, she feels that she has been chosen to help the two young spirits gain their freedom from the dominating presence holding them hostage. When Jonathan Stafford, the owner of the BNB, learns of Devon's research into the possible haunting taking place there, he is determined to do whatever it takes to keep Devon from making the story public. Falling in love with her is definitely not part of his plan.

I enjoyed the supernatural aspects of this story, although it did move somewhat slowly at times. It was also nice to see Devon's self-confidence increase as the story progressed.
502 reviews6 followers
May 19, 2014
It has been several years since I read this book and I will admit it was a little hard to get back into almost like historical romance, very detailed, scenic. less like todays wham bam impact sexual books that are coming out. But it was good, he was a workaholic father, who fell for a wounded woman, the generosity of this character is apparent over and over and that is what he loves about her, so she knocks him back and makes him fight for her but its a slow realization ( I mean for most men it is right?). I am a lover of Kat Martin, it's been a while since I've read her I'm on a quest for new authors so I'm exploring a million others right now as she use to be my go to once upon a time but her righting is great. The only slip up I could see is she used the word breeches to describe his pants but other than that it's sweet, hot, sexual, tender and the ending is a little bit fast but the relationship is built over four hundred pages so the creepy ghost part is summed up in a quick wham bam thank you mam but it's okay because it's a good book!! She's a must read author of my past I will never hate on her.
Profile Image for P.
991 reviews59 followers
September 6, 2015
Before i started to read this, with the first few pages i just decided it was just another book about manipulative seduction and revenge and i'd almost turned my back from this wonderful novel. But something made me want to give this book a chance and I'm happy that i did. This book held my attention in ways very few books have managed to, so far. And it intrigued me so much that I'm surprised by the effect this book holds over me,still. Its been hell of a long time since a book has surprised me and the day is better spending reading it. I don't think I'm going to forget Devon or Alex anytime soon.

Thank you Kat for writing this book and especially about your accurate agreedness about anxiety and panic attacks. Most people get it wrong, but you didn't. Good to find a book to relate to, instead of just one character. In fact every character in your book is amazing and there was nothing better in this rainy day to sit and read this novel and i'm sure i'll remember this day for years to come :)
Profile Image for Dana.
201 reviews4 followers
October 4, 2013
I have read and enjoyed Kat Martin's "Against" series. Those books tend to have interesting and likable characters and the heroine's are strong and confident. If you like that kind of thing then this is not for you. The heroine was weak and wishy washy and not what I've come to expect from her books at all. I can't remember reading a book where the heroine cried so much! And I know this was written 20 years ago but why did she keep wearing jumpsuits?!? I remember the early 90's and I recall no jumpsuits (though I'll allow as how I could've blocked it) The only ones who should wear them are toddlers or Catwoman. But I digress. The book could've been better with a stronger heroine with better taste in clothes.
Profile Image for Debbie Heaton.
Author 4 books20 followers
September 4, 2013
In Martin’s romantic suspense novel, bestselling author Devon James checks into a quaint B&B hoping to put a spark back in her engagement. But the Stafford Inn offers other distractions—visions that speak to her. Soon it is clear that something long ago happened and it’s a story she must tell.

Once Devon begins her research into the Inn she is challenged by the owner, Jonathan Stafford. He is determined to do anything it takes to prevent this story from being told. As the danger grows, so does Devon’s determination to finish what she started.

A unique and sensual story.


3,332 reviews42 followers
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May 27, 2016
I think I read the second in this series (in no way related) and this one was certainly better than that. This being said, I had difficulty not with the premise of the story, but with the heroine who grated on my nerves. Her inability to set limits, particularly with her ex, seemed a bit wimpy, while going behind the back of the person she reproaches for having gone behind her back, in order to question the son, seemed inconsistent and disappointing. Despite these annoyances, it was a good story, even if it was a bit saccharine at times.
Profile Image for Erika.
322 reviews
July 15, 2016
I loved this book! I really enjoy reading Kat Martin's book. I think that this book is by far my favorite. I loved the characters and the struggles that the had to survive due to what happened to Devon at the Inn and the way that Jonathan's character grew to understand her and be there for his son. I highly recommend this book!
Profile Image for Linda.
1,638 reviews
January 18, 2014
This was an amazing story about Devon James and her quest to release two lost soles. Jonathan Stafford fought every move she made because he did not want his son hurt during the process of digging up the history of the Stafford Inn and the fire. This book will grab you and won't let you go until you have finished every word. Great Book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews

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