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Blackheath Moor #1
Dark Obsession
They wed in haste-Nora Thorngoode, to save her ruined reputation, and Grayson Lowell, to rescue his estate from foreclosure for unpaid debts. Yet passionate flames soon arise between them-and they are quickly engulfed in a sensual obsession. But soon the lover that Nora married becomes a dark stranger to her, a man torn apart by guilt over his brother's recent, mysterious death-and driven half-mad by ghostly specters who demand that Grayson expose the truth. Can Grayson and Nora discover what really happened that terrible night-and in setting free the troubled ghosts, free themselves as well?
368 pages, ebook
First published May 6, 2008
2 people are currently reading
189 people want to read
About the author
Allison Chase
8 books52 followersAllison Chase enjoys a busy life in the South Florida sunshine with her husband of more than twenty-five years and their two wonderful and very talented daughters. Allison is a member of the RWA and the Florida Romance Writers, and in large part credits both organizations for her success as a romance author. Originally from New England, she grew up with a deep appreciation for the rich history of her surroundings, and admits that, If living in the past is a bad thing, then Ive been bad all my life! She and her family love to travel, especially throughout the British Isles and Ireland, and shes never happier than when exploring historic sites such as castle ruins, ancient abbeys, or the rambling gardens of old country manors. Readers can visit Allison at www.allisonchase.com."
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
dnf
October 18, 2016Cuando uno lee un libro y no deja de rodar los ojos y pasarse páginas... bueno, hay algo ahí que te dice DÉJALO. Así que lo dejé.
No se si fue la historia a la que no le entendí o el hecho de que los protagonistas nomás se acaban de conocer y ya sienten celos HELLO!!!! ¿es en serio? y que decir del drama fantasmagórico... ufffffff ya mejor ni digo nada!
No se si fue la historia a la que no le entendí o el hecho de que los protagonistas nomás se acaban de conocer y ya sienten celos HELLO!!!! ¿es en serio? y que decir del drama fantasmagórico... ufffffff ya mejor ni digo nada!
December 19, 2014
Well, the book was not bad. On the other hand, it was not especially good either; like the GR rating says, it was ok.
The hero and heroine are forced to marry; he needs her money, she needs respectability after a nude portait of hers is publicly unveiled in an exhibition. Soon however they discover that they're really attracted to each other. Could this marriage work after all? Perhaps, but the hero's sense of guilt over his brother's death won't let him rest until he can clear the mysteries surrounding it. Needless to say he feels inadequate for her love so he pushes her away, only to realize that he can't resist her and submits to his feelings for her at a later time. The heroine isn't sure if she can trust him or not, this brooding, dark stranger she's married but whose touch she craves. Sounds cliched? You're dead on it! And so it goes on, they're attracted, they make love, the next day he won't even talk to her but later he will be kind and thoughtful and then push her again... You get the picture.
The focus in the second half of the book is mainly on the mystery anyway. The Cornwall setting, the storms, the caves in the cliffs, the hidden rooms, the mysterious housekeeper, all make it a rather gothic setting that fans of the genre will probably appreciate. To be honest, I couldn't guess the 'who-dunnit' thing and it came as a complete surprise when the mystery was finally solved. Still, the fact that it took me about a month to get this finished, speaks volumes by itself:)
The hero and heroine are forced to marry; he needs her money, she needs respectability after a nude portait of hers is publicly unveiled in an exhibition. Soon however they discover that they're really attracted to each other. Could this marriage work after all? Perhaps, but the hero's sense of guilt over his brother's death won't let him rest until he can clear the mysteries surrounding it. Needless to say he feels inadequate for her love so he pushes her away, only to realize that he can't resist her and submits to his feelings for her at a later time. The heroine isn't sure if she can trust him or not, this brooding, dark stranger she's married but whose touch she craves. Sounds cliched? You're dead on it! And so it goes on, they're attracted, they make love, the next day he won't even talk to her but later he will be kind and thoughtful and then push her again... You get the picture.
The focus in the second half of the book is mainly on the mystery anyway. The Cornwall setting, the storms, the caves in the cliffs, the hidden rooms, the mysterious housekeeper, all make it a rather gothic setting that fans of the genre will probably appreciate. To be honest, I couldn't guess the 'who-dunnit' thing and it came as a complete surprise when the mystery was finally solved. Still, the fact that it took me about a month to get this finished, speaks volumes by itself:)
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July 1, 2017
This book had a good storyline (Gothic toned with paranormal happenings - a combo I generally love!). I also liked the writing style, however too much melodrama between the characters ruined it for me. There were times I wasn't sure whether I should SMH or roll my eyes. *sigh*
October 20, 2008
I absolutely loved this book! Ghosts, eerie moors, and true love battling to survive! Definitely a keeper! I'm waiting for November 4 to come around so I can buy the second book by this amazing author!
February 13, 2023
The heroine suddenly finds herself shamed and disgraced by society after a fellow artist lies about an affair and paints her nude. In a bid to save face, her family arrange her marriage to a titled gentleman.
The hero reputation isn't much better after the death of her brother and guilt that convinces society that it was he who murdered him. Though their marriage was a hasty arrangement, they instantly find comfort in each other and develop feelings for one another after their wedding night.
The hero receives many ghostly visitations by her dead brother and his sister in law who are contacting him in order to save the life of their child. But the hero is convinced that they only want him to atone for his sins and it puts a dark atmosphere and strain on his new marriage. He has periods of severe anger and aggression, never directed towards the heroine or his nephew but he does break things or lash out at others. It's when these fits start to appear in an otherwise calm, sane man that the heroine becomes nervous around him. She loves him enough to work through it and help him find peace but there were times during the beginning that she doubted the hero's innocence. Also, it's quite clear though that despite the hero’s guilt, he had nothing to do with the death of his brother.
Instead it was the typical story or the character being a martyr and punishing himself. Honestly, he brought most of their problems on himself and if he'd only confided in his wife earlier, the easier it all would have been. I loved that in their arranged marriage, the hero started out as being the less fortunate one. He's broke, he's shunned by society due to the rumors and his new wife is said to be a whore who seduces men. He felt better about himself knowing his wife is just as bad as he was. But when it comes out that everything being said about her is a lie and she's a virgin, he suddenly realizes just how lucky he is. The heroine finds her problems disappearing with her marriage yet it's her husband’s problems that linger for much longer. The hero is tortured over the idea that he doesn't deserve this kind woman who brings light into his dark world. It's a nice story, a little over kill with the angst but a good read.
The hero reputation isn't much better after the death of her brother and guilt that convinces society that it was he who murdered him. Though their marriage was a hasty arrangement, they instantly find comfort in each other and develop feelings for one another after their wedding night.
The hero receives many ghostly visitations by her dead brother and his sister in law who are contacting him in order to save the life of their child. But the hero is convinced that they only want him to atone for his sins and it puts a dark atmosphere and strain on his new marriage. He has periods of severe anger and aggression, never directed towards the heroine or his nephew but he does break things or lash out at others. It's when these fits start to appear in an otherwise calm, sane man that the heroine becomes nervous around him. She loves him enough to work through it and help him find peace but there were times during the beginning that she doubted the hero's innocence. Also, it's quite clear though that despite the hero’s guilt, he had nothing to do with the death of his brother.
Instead it was the typical story or the character being a martyr and punishing himself. Honestly, he brought most of their problems on himself and if he'd only confided in his wife earlier, the easier it all would have been. I loved that in their arranged marriage, the hero started out as being the less fortunate one. He's broke, he's shunned by society due to the rumors and his new wife is said to be a whore who seduces men. He felt better about himself knowing his wife is just as bad as he was. But when it comes out that everything being said about her is a lie and she's a virgin, he suddenly realizes just how lucky he is. The heroine finds her problems disappearing with her marriage yet it's her husband’s problems that linger for much longer. The hero is tortured over the idea that he doesn't deserve this kind woman who brings light into his dark world. It's a nice story, a little over kill with the angst but a good read.
February 25, 2009
A great combination of all the elements I love in a romance novel. Plenty of Gothic intrigue laced in here: a stately manor, wind-swept shores, a seemingly pure wholesome heroine (and a fine artist at that), an irresistibly handsome, tortured hero, an ambiguously evasive housekeeper, a mute little boy and even a couple of ghosts lurking about and appearing in strange places.
Nora and Grayson are hastily wed, she to cover up her tattered reputation following a decadent painting debacle, and he to save his estate from bankruptcy, and more importantly to quell gossip that he murdered his own brother. In spite of this marriage of convenience, the underlying passion isn't lost between these two people, and soon they are swept away in a feverish love affair.
However, it's not all jam for the lovebirds. Grayson grows increasingly detached from his wife, haunted by images of his late brother and sister-in-law who demand he discover the truth to their deaths. Nora isn't swayed, having seen these vivid visions herself. The suspense is quite gripping, although I chuckled a bit at the absurdity of ghosts talking (I suppose I would have liked it better if they were more forbidding and frightening).
I'm wary of book covers that have half naked men nowadays, but it's my contention now that they're the stories I enjoy most. Poor objectified men. xD
Nora and Grayson are hastily wed, she to cover up her tattered reputation following a decadent painting debacle, and he to save his estate from bankruptcy, and more importantly to quell gossip that he murdered his own brother. In spite of this marriage of convenience, the underlying passion isn't lost between these two people, and soon they are swept away in a feverish love affair.
However, it's not all jam for the lovebirds. Grayson grows increasingly detached from his wife, haunted by images of his late brother and sister-in-law who demand he discover the truth to their deaths. Nora isn't swayed, having seen these vivid visions herself. The suspense is quite gripping, although I chuckled a bit at the absurdity of ghosts talking (I suppose I would have liked it better if they were more forbidding and frightening).
I'm wary of book covers that have half naked men nowadays, but it's my contention now that they're the stories I enjoy most. Poor objectified men. xD
July 5, 2008
Dark Obsession by Allison Chase is a well thought out story with fairly descent characters. The storyline was good and the book did have great potential to be classified as running in the “true gothic” genre. The author failed to find that high degree of suspense that I find lacking in a large majority of historical romantic/suspense. This author has a second title coming out in November, Dark Temptation, which is going on my to-read list. Allison Chase shows such good promise in her work; this title is worth picking up!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 25, 2010
Mystery due to vagueness and self deception. Hero did not kill his brother but keeps saying he did (out of guilt).
STORY BRIEF:
An artist painted a nude picture of Nora from his imagination. People falsely believed Nora had a love affair with him, and she was ruined. Nora’s father was wealthy and arranged her marriage to Gray by giving Gray a large amount of money. Gray needed the money to support his estate. Nora and Gray immediately fall for each other, but Gray is back and forth about it. One moment he is close to Nora and the next he is brooding and distant because he is haunted with guilt related to his brother’s death. Gray’s brother Tom fell off a cliff and died several years earlier.
REVIEWER’S OPINION:
I did not like it. The voice and writing style did not work for me. The main mystery is about Tom’s death. The ghost of Tom’s wife has conversations with Nora, but when Nora asks how Tom died, the ghost won’t say. Instead the ghost talks in riddles and says Nora and Gray need to discover the answer for themselves. Of course, if the ghost answered Nora, that would end the book. Throughout the story people suspect the wrong people, and Gray keeps saying he did it (which was not true). The story feels like one long vague misunderstanding. I couldn’t get into the characters or events.
Some examples of things I did not like are listed below.
Page 169: An example of the ghost’s riddle: “You must find the truth that will free you all. You must see it with your own eyes, know it, believe it with your mind and heart and soul.” This riddle was not linked to anything. All they needed to learn was who was with Tom when he died. Once someone confesses later, the mystery is solved and the book is over. There was no reason for someone to believe with their mind, heart and soul.
Page 163: Gray tells Nora that he killed his brother (which was a lie). Then he says “Tell me now how you feel about your husband. Will you defend me to the gossipmongers? Will you write your mama about how wildly happy we are? Will you welcome me into your bed at night?” Nora runs off.
Gray loves Nora but he writes a note telling her to leave. Nora loves Gray but she locks her doors so he can’t visit her at night.
I did have a favorite line on page 347. Nora says “My love, an artist sees the world with remarkable clarity.”
DATA:
Story length: 350 pages. Swearing language: none. Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: 6. Total number of sex scene pages: 15. Setting: 1830 London and a Cornwall Estate. Copyright: 2008. Genre: historical romantic mystery.
STORY BRIEF:
An artist painted a nude picture of Nora from his imagination. People falsely believed Nora had a love affair with him, and she was ruined. Nora’s father was wealthy and arranged her marriage to Gray by giving Gray a large amount of money. Gray needed the money to support his estate. Nora and Gray immediately fall for each other, but Gray is back and forth about it. One moment he is close to Nora and the next he is brooding and distant because he is haunted with guilt related to his brother’s death. Gray’s brother Tom fell off a cliff and died several years earlier.
REVIEWER’S OPINION:
I did not like it. The voice and writing style did not work for me. The main mystery is about Tom’s death. The ghost of Tom’s wife has conversations with Nora, but when Nora asks how Tom died, the ghost won’t say. Instead the ghost talks in riddles and says Nora and Gray need to discover the answer for themselves. Of course, if the ghost answered Nora, that would end the book. Throughout the story people suspect the wrong people, and Gray keeps saying he did it (which was not true). The story feels like one long vague misunderstanding. I couldn’t get into the characters or events.
Some examples of things I did not like are listed below.
Page 169: An example of the ghost’s riddle: “You must find the truth that will free you all. You must see it with your own eyes, know it, believe it with your mind and heart and soul.” This riddle was not linked to anything. All they needed to learn was who was with Tom when he died. Once someone confesses later, the mystery is solved and the book is over. There was no reason for someone to believe with their mind, heart and soul.
Page 163: Gray tells Nora that he killed his brother (which was a lie). Then he says “Tell me now how you feel about your husband. Will you defend me to the gossipmongers? Will you write your mama about how wildly happy we are? Will you welcome me into your bed at night?” Nora runs off.
Gray loves Nora but he writes a note telling her to leave. Nora loves Gray but she locks her doors so he can’t visit her at night.
I did have a favorite line on page 347. Nora says “My love, an artist sees the world with remarkable clarity.”
DATA:
Story length: 350 pages. Swearing language: none. Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: 6. Total number of sex scene pages: 15. Setting: 1830 London and a Cornwall Estate. Copyright: 2008. Genre: historical romantic mystery.
May 31, 2008
"Dark Obsession" by Allison Chase has a very gothic feel to it. There is plenty of passion and a few fairly frank love scenes for a gothic novel. The story is set in 1830s England and most of the plot takes place on the heaths of Cornwall. There is a scandalous, yet innocent woman who marries a scandalous, maybe innocent man. He is tormented by ghosts and guilt and will need all of her passionate belief in him to overcome the mysteries surrounding the death of his brother. There's a nasty housekeeper, a possibly murderous peer, and a pair of spooky ghosts. If you enjoy gothic novels and wished they had a bit more spice, this one should be right up your alley.
Chase's next gothic novel will be released in Nov08, "Dark Temptation".
Chase's next gothic novel will be released in Nov08, "Dark Temptation".
May 7, 2010
Pretty typical stuff - male meets female, attraction ensues, she keeps doing idiotic things that he has to rescue her from, they indulge in their passion, uncover conspiracy, defeat bad guy, and everyone's happy. Things particular to this volume: ghosts, a male wardrobe that seems to consist of nothing but tight black pants and white see-through linen shirts, and a complete lack of normal daily activities that would keep our two lovers apart (they seem to have nothing but free time to get in trouble and/or meet each other).
August 29, 2008
Besides the appalling cover this was a good read and I look forward to the November release of the next Blackheath Moor book. After an unconventional and rushed marriage artist Nora and nobleman Grayson retreat to his haunted estate Blackheath Grange to solve the mystery of Grayson's brothers death. The author Allison Chase is overly wordy which is annoying, some descriptions went on for pages. Overall a good gothic read.
May 11, 2009
Dark Obsession by Allison Chase was a great read. The novel is an historical romance with just enough Gothic overtones to send chills down the spine and keep you reading well into the night. The book contains it all: the tortured hero, the wronged heroine, the creepy manor house near the equally creepy headland of a moor and, of course, a couple of ghosts thrown in for good measure.
Very recommended.
Very recommended.
June 9, 2013
This was a really good read with a great twist to the story. Nora was such a strong capable young lady that was just what Grayson needed. Grayson was such a hurt man when he met and married Nora. Made to wed one another to try and stop rumours and make honest people out of either of them but turned out they were just what one another needed.
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July 28, 2016It took me so long to read this book because it starts off so slow. It did not catch my complete interest. Grayson Lowell is a little too tortured by his brother's suicide, and Nora Thorngood is too keen on fixing her husband due to a forced marriage to cover a scandal. The love scenes are great, but the actual story was lackluster.
June 30, 2009
Ms. Chase knows how to craft a dark romantic hero - very very compelling!
January 11, 2011
Decent. Enjoyed the twists a bit, but the character interaction annoyed me, put it down and picked it up multiple times though I finally did finish it.
September 26, 2011
I only wish there was more after the climax. I wanna know how Mrs. Dore acted when they came back from the cliffs. I don't wanna say any spoilers but I just wanted one more chapter...
March 5, 2012
Un libro que no me ha convencido del todo.
May 13, 2012
it was mind blowing and riveting i couldn't put it down
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March 19, 2015Couldn't get interested in this one. Gave it 70 pages.
December 28, 2021
I prefer the second book but this is ok. I didn't feel at all the history, the only thing that I like was Chad.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews