Historical Romance Book Club discussion

Dark Desires by Eve Silver

Betrayed by those she trusted, penniless and alone, Darcie Finch is forced to accept a position that no one else dares, as assistant to dangerously attractive Dr. Damien Cole. Ignoring the whispered warnings and rumours that he's a man to fear, she takes her position at his eerie estate, where she quickly discovers that nothing is at it seems, least of all her handsome and brooding employer. As Darcie struggles with her fierce attraction to Damien, she must also deal with the blood, the disappearances ... and the murders.

With her options dwindling and time running out, Darcie must rely on her instincts as she confronts the man she falling in love with. Is he an innocent and misunderstood man ... or a remorseless killer who prowls the East End streets?

Note: All books in the Dark Gothic series can be read as stand-alone novels.

I plan to read 10/24 - 10/31. Everyone welcome to join!

ooh this sounds awesome!! I will plan.to read during this same time as well leading right up to Halloween! Thanks!!

I'm in!

Yay! Welcome. :)

I am going to start reading today and complete 2 - 3 chapters per day to finish by Halloween.

I just downloaded the book. As soon I finished the one I'm reading, I will star this one.

I game to read 3 chapters a day

I read the first two chapters today. I'm enjoying it thus far - true gothic. The scenery is so descriptive. I experienced Whitechapel and Mrs. Feathers' place through the eyes of Darcie, yet there is still much mystery - both to her own past but even more around her angel Dr. Cole. I liked the scenes with his kindness to her and her thoughtfulness of him. I'm looking forward to reading more tomorrow.

Mariana wrote: "I am going to start reading today and complete 2 - 3 chapters per day to finish by Halloween."

The 2 -3 chapters per day are mandatory?

Sandra wrote: "Mariana wrote: "I am going to start reading today and complete 2 - 3 chapters per day to finish by Halloween."

The 2 -3 chapters per day are mandatory?"

No, of course not! I will always post what chapters I read before writing my comments. I will add spoilers if I mention a true surprise, but sometimes (like above) I reference what happened in the chapters without a spoiler.

All right, tomorrow I'll start reading

Sandra wrote: "All right, tomorrow I'll start reading"

Great! :)

Chapter 2. I'm enjoying the way the doctor is nice to Darcie before he knows who she is, or sister of whom and despite (view spoiler)[the corpse in the front seat!!! :D (hide spoiler)]

Sandra wrote: "Chapter 2. I'm enjoying the way the doctor is nice to Darcie before he knows who she is, or sister of whom and despite the c. in the front seat :D"

Yes, agreed.

Sooo...I'm behind my own schedule. I only read chapter 3 yesterday. What a cold character the butler Poole is! I don't like him a bit, but I don't think he's the villain.

(view spoiler)[I really enjoyed the entire night scene from the moment Darcie saw the specter that was actually her own reflection in the mirror to the end of the chapter! All the descriptions are so gothic. The book was rated highly by some GR friends, and I am not disappointed so far. (hide spoiler)]

Mariana wrote: "Sooo...I'm behind my own schedule. I only read chapter 3 yesterday. What a cold character the butler Poole is! I don't like him a bit, but I don't think he's the villain.

[spoilers removed]"

I liked that a lot!

Talking about the butler... (view spoiler)[the part where someone talks about is teeth reminded me of iron teeth of Frankenstein (hide spoiler)] I´m not much of a murder and mysteries reader but this book allready made me think in some of the horror classics, I don't know if it's my imagination or if it's propositaded :)

Yes, (view spoiler)[definitely a Frankenstein and horror classic vibe mixed in with the Jane Erye gothic mystery. (hide spoiler)]

I read chapters 4 through 6 today.

(view spoiler)[These two are definitely attracted to each other but masking it most of the time. I enjoyed the scene when Darcie spied on Damien when he was preparing for bed. The trip back to Mrs. Feathers' place was great - all the various thoughts running through Darcie's mind. The anticipatory erotic energy between them is well done. (hide spoiler)]

damn I'm have to catch up

I'm in chapter 10, I couldn't stop reading. The book is very good and very well written, it takes us thinking in all possibilities... did he do it, did he din´t do it...

The scenes between the two (view spoiler)[of them are pretty intense and leave us thinking that we can´t be what the book leads you to think, but at the same time we wonder. At the same time he´s the one who says is not goog for Garcie, that she should run... Very mysterious! (hide spoiler)]

Cpt 10 (view spoiler)[It was predictable that the questions that lead Darcie to Abigail would only get more questions and a way to get her more confused. Maybe she should ask Damien... but I think he will not answer the questions she would ask. Damien believes he is not worthy, so let´s see! (hide spoiler)]

Mariana wrote: "Yes, [spoilers removed]

(view spoiler)[Definitely, thinking also in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 11 (view spoiler)[of course the motives for Damien being near the murder of Whitechapel will be obvious and compeltely "inocent".

One thing it seems strange is, if Damien is a tormented soul, shouldn't he be tormented even with Darcie? Because with her he seems very light and humorous only with a few shadows of doubt of being with her is good to her or not?
(hide spoiler)]

I'm trying to catch up. chapter 3

I am through chapter 10.

Sandra, I agree. (view spoiler)[The scenes are very intense and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde! He acts like he cares for her one moment, passionately lusts after her another moment, and is coldly indifferent another.

I don't know how Eve Silver does it, but I am tied up in knots. This might be gothic, but it is still HR. I am hopeful for a happy ending, but I feel certain there is more pain and heartache coming.

Darcie had been through so much, but she had come through stronger and more empathetic. I am truly impressed that she not only escaped from her captors but also sewed her own hand, and it works! She may have been a but spoiled and haughty as a child, but she did not deserve the betrayal and pain she was dealt.

Damian had obviously experienced much pain as well, but we know nothing. We don't get his point of view, and he won't open up or trust Darcie at all. Although I don't think he betrayed the dead girl and I don't think he's the serial killer, I do think he is guilty of something. Foolishness maybe? He may be feeling more guilt than us warranted, but I think something he did wrong is going to come out. (hide spoiler)]

Yes, I agree.

(view spoiler)[I was also impressed about the way she sewed her one hand, everytime she touches the scar I was always hoping that some nice person had appeared to her and helped her, but we'll done Darcie!!! (hide spoiler)]

About Damien I also have this feeling, maybe he's bad or did something bad but maybe no that bad and even so I hope they get there HEA. I don't if that is suppose in gothic literature but I would like that!!

Except for the classics it's my first book in this kind of genre :)

“Darcie, my precious.” Spoooookie! :DDD

Sandra wrote: "“Darcie, my precious.” Spoooookie! :DDD"

Lol, yes, it is. :)

Eheheh!! I've finished the book. I'm looking forward for your thoughts about the end!

I went camping over the weekend and made only a little progress on the book, so I'm not sure if I will finish today.

Chapter 11:(view spoiler)[ I was not surpised the dark haired girl was his sister. I saw that coming. He seems regretful not only for not taking better care of her but also being a rake at the time. However, it seems to me he is setting up an unexperienced virgin like Darcie for a similar situation. They have had intercourse multiple times, and there has been no mention of precautions. (hide spoiler)]

I agree, (view spoiler)[I also wonder about that, that's also why I was talking about that Damien in some aspects was so profound and questioning everything and on the other hand he doesn't seem to acknowledge that with Darcie he wasn't having much careful, it could be because in his mind he wants to marry her, so, it was OK, or the author didn't think it was important explore that part. I think that was important and it's a lack in the plot. To the end it seems also a little bit fast and light the way everything happens. (hide spoiler)]

I finished. The ending was satisfying, but I agree it was a bit fast and light after such a dark tone beforehand. I definitely had my suspicions, but the killer was not obvious until near the end. Overall, it was very good and I think I will read more of the series. However. perhaps knowing more about the insane villain might have made it even better.

Exactly!! I also wondered (view spoiler)[ if the villain was also the same in Damien's sister story... I don't know but nobody knew who he was and the story looked familiar to the story of Darcie's sister...

The association with a vampire was a little bit stretched, I think! (hide spoiler)]

I liked and I think I will read more of this author.

Yes, I also wondered if he seduced Damien's sister! He definitely had a taste for virgins.

Thanks for the buddy read. :)

Thanks! It was fun!! We should do it more times!