Customer Reviews

Dark Desires (Zebra Debut)

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4 star:		(5)
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Eve Silver's debut, DARK DESIRES, is a novel that lovers of wonderfully dark gothic reads are sure to find immensely entertaining and totally enjoyable!

Young Darcie Finch is desperate - she has found her way to Mrs. Feather's establishment, a brothel in the Whitechapel section of East London. Steppy, a man most dear to her heart, had betrayed her in the worst possible way. The Madame of the brothel was Darcie's sister but when Darcie asked her for help she was turned away. Instead of sanctuary the brothel could have held, rather than the back alleys she'd been living in, Darcie was told to go and seek out a man who owed Mrs. Feather a favor -- Dr. Damien Cole. Along, with the admonishment - "Have a care. Steer clear of his work and his secrets. He is a man to fear."

It was a strange household - the Cole residence - except for Dr. Damien Cole himself. Darcie thought of him as a golden angel when he had rescued her a short distance away from the brothel. As she began to settle in as a maid of all labors, she saw the dark moods that transformed him; heard of servants that disappeared; and saw strange goings on in the middle of the night.

After Damien discovered her artistic talent he offered to let her use her skills to assist him. The attraction that Darcie she had for him quickly ignited into an overwhelming desire where passions overcame any misgivings she had over his secrets. As more bodies started turning up in the Whitechapel area of London, all showing signs of having been surgically mutilated, Darcie felt an evil presence that seemed to be stalking her. Falling more in love with Damian, she began to wonder if she only `imagined' him to be a dedicated scientist, or was he in truth, a blood-thirsty madman?

-- I really love when an author knows just how to turn a phrase; with words that are so beautifully put together they evoke emotions, smells, surroundings and feelings. In this fabulous debut novel, Ms. Silver has done just that. She creates a wonderful heroine in Darcie who though in the beginning beaten down and desperate, turns into a strong woman ready to fight for the man she believes in when everything pointed to his guilt. Damien, initially a mystery, is portrayed as complicated and tortured, with the author doing a fine job of stripping everything away to discover his motivations. As to the identity of the madman - I was guessing right up to the end (I thought I knew, but I was wrong). Lovers of dark gothic type romances are sure to enjoy, both the suspense and the lovely and tasteful sensuality of this one! Not only do I highly recommend this book, but alert readers to keep an eye on this new very talented author. ---- Marilyn, for www.romancedesigns.com ---

Eve Silver has written a breakout debut novel!
Dark Desires is a wonderful, sensual, thrilling Gothic romance. I'd forgotten how much I love this genre, until I read Eve's book!
It tells the story of a young, destitute woman who almost
falls victim to the murderer prowling the streets of White
chapel. But she escapes, and finds employment with a
handsome, yet strange doctor. The time they spend
together becomes wrought with sexual tension. However,
when she sees him leave his lab covered in blood, she
begins to wonder if perhaps she hadn't gotten so far away
from the killer afterall.
Oohh...I get goosebumps just reading that! This is a
great read to curl under the covers with on some lonely,
stormy night.

Darcie was no stranger to the better things of life; a loving family, fine living in clothes and food, but all that changed in a twinkling of an eye and Darcie was thrust into a world of darkness; one of fear, horror and need. She had but one hope, to reach her sister who had taken up a less than noble position as a Madame who was now known as Mrs. Feather. Her tender loving sister had learned to survive by submitting to the lowest of low by using herself and others in giving perverse pleasure to men. Darcie, even in her state of starvation and need runs from this women, a shadow of the sister she once knew, and finds herself in the employ of a Dr. Damien Cole. Was this a dream come true, or a nightmare that would devour her?
Dr.Cole had many secrets but he was drawn to Darcie and she to him as Darcie searches to know who this man truly is. Darcie is an artist, one whose talent to sketch is recognized and needed by our mysterious Dr.Cole who is secretly dissecting dead bodies to learn the mystery of human organs. He needs Darcie to help draw what he sees, but can Darcie work side by side with him?
The author throws in another catch as a serial killer is stealing the lives of women and is cutting up their bodies, perhaps the work of a doctor they say. Could it be her doctor? Time moves on and all the evidence seems to lead to Dr.Cole as the killer. Darcie is torn between the love that now flows between them and the realization that he could be a cold blooded killer. What is the truth?
This book is very well crafted, characters well defined and the plot well thought out.
The author takes you into the deep need of the human soul and what it will do to survive, she allows you to taste forbidden love and works upon the emotions of untruth, fear and horror; while threading in loyalties, love and kindness among the characters.
We have murder, suspense, mystery and a dark undertone in this read; it's almost as if the entire book is written in a shadow that does not lift until the very end.
I enjoyed it and feel it is well worth your time in a read.

I am an avid reader of Historical Romance. Lately, all of the books on the market for this gener are basically the same, same kinds of characters based around the same story lines. I have found myself becoming very bored.

Alas, I picked up "Dark Desires' by Eve Silver! I am very impressed!! This book is one of the best books I have ever read!!!!!!

I absolutely fell in love with Damien, "Dr. Cole". He is mysterious and hides behind a dark wall. Darcie brings him out of the dark into the light. I found the gothic elements intreging and fealt as if I was really there with Darcie on the streets of East London. The way Eve Silver depicts the elements of the lightning storms, were so realistic, I fealt like I was Darcie.

BRAVO! If you are looking for a book above the typical daily read, this is a book highly recommended and one to keep on your shelf as a keeper! I eagerly await Eve Silver's next Historical Romance!!!

I don't remember when I last enjoyed a book this much! Ms. Silver has a genuine gift with words, and I was completely and utterly hooked from the first paragraph. Told in third person, entirely from the heroine's point of view, the book kept me on edge the entire time, eagerly anticipating the happy ending for characters I really came to care about. Excellent sexual tension! All in all, a fabulous read, and I'm eagerly looking forward to Ms. Silver's next book!

Dark Desires was one of the best books I have read this year. I truly did not put it down. I was spellbound and couldn't wait to see what would happen next. It had everything--a great heroine, a yummy hero, and outstanding secondary characters. I would love to see what happened to Poole and Mary and to Abigail. She was not my usual kind of heroine--soiled dove and all that--but I would love to see what happens to her. Maybe something to do with Inspector Trent??
My earliest romances were Gothics--I grew up on Mary Stewart and Barbara Michaels. Gothics nowadays aren't all that easy to find, but I believe they are becoming more popular. I love traditional historical romances, but that extra edge of mystery and danger really spices up a book for me. Dark Desires had it all. I find it hard to believe this was a debut book. I can't wait for the next one. Eve Silver better get busy!!

In a word this one is a WINNER! I keep collections, and I noticed this Zebra debut line is a collection. I have the entire one. I read them and loved them - some more than others, and I have to tell you, Ms. Silver can write! This book is such a complete gothic delight that I finished it and looked at the cover in wonder. And then I started reading it again. I read this book twice in one sitting, cover-to-cover. Ms. Silver has put together the perfect blend of shiver-inducing suspense, gorgeous-but-dark hero, and a heroine I'd have given anything to be. I disappeared. That's what I want from a romance. I want to disappear into it. That's why I wasn't going to write a review on any of these debut novels. I love them. All of them. I just find some of them to be extra-ordinary to the point that I'm awed. This is one of them. Give it a read. I dare you.

"Stay out of his way. Stay clear of his work. And keep your nose out of his secrets."

Darcie Finch intended to heed her sister's words of warning when she set out to seek employment from Dr. Damien Cole. But the handsome, mysterious doctor exerts a fascination that Darcie can't ignore. Especially after he discovers her skill as an artist and elevates her from a housemaid to his assistant. Despite her better judgment, Darcie soon finds herself sharing his work, his life...his bed. She's too far beneath him in station for their relationship to last, so why can't she resist him? She's taking a big risk that could cost Darcie her job, her heart, and quite possibly, her life. For Damien harbors secrets. Dark secrets. Rumors abound of servants disappearing and unnatural laboratory experiments, peculiar deliveries arrive at strange hours, but worst of all is Damien's furtive behavior. What does he know about the murderer stalking the streets of Whitechapel? Is he the tender lover and devoted doctor he seems, or a cold-blooded killer?

In Eve Silver's debut novel, DARK DESIRES, characters, location, dialogue and tone expertly combine to create a riveting story you can lose yourself in. By alternately increasing and decreasing the tension level, the author builds the suspense towards the nail-biting climax. From the very beginning, Darcie's fortitude in the face of desperation elicits admiration. Neither ridiculously Pollyannish nor chafingly cynical, she is instead sensible, purposeful and caring. Dynamic, dedicated and darkly seductive, Damien appears the perfect hero. But shadows lurk in his eyes and heartache haunts his soul. The past consumes him, driving him down a path leading to emptiness, isolation and madness. The connection between Darcie and Damien is immediate, electric and can be felt in every scene they share, which deepens the overall tension.

There's an automatic safety net in every romance novel. No matter what dark crime the hero stands accused of, the reader knows that he will ultimately be found blameless. The reader can safely experience the heroine's doubts and fears while always knowing that everything will come right in the end. It's one of the reasons I myself read romance. I like the happy endings. I must admit, however, that there came a time while reading DARK DESIRES that I found myself in unfamiliar territory, wondering about Damien's guilt or innocence. I can't go into details for fear of spoilers, but I admire the author's ability to jolt me from my comfort zone.

DARK DESIRES perfectly captures the menacing, complex, goose-bump inducing mystery that marks the best in gothic romance. I look forward to Eve Silver's next book, HIS DARK KISS, with great anticipation.

Courtesy of Love Romances

This stunning debut novel by new author Eve Silver is sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats in captivated interest.

Darcie Finch is desperate. She has no money, no food, and no place to live after the death of her stepfather. She arrives in Whitechapel, on the doorstep of the well-known Madam, Mrs. Feather, for help. Though sent away from the house, she is given the name of one man who will give her a job. Now Darcie is out in the cold dark night in search of the home of Dr. Damien Cole.

Fortunately for her the man himself whisks her off of the dank streets. Damien takes her in, no questions asked after hearing the reference Darcie provides him. She is thrilled to have a job and a dry bed, swearing to do a wonderful job. She should be quite content, but strange occurrences plague this household. Maidservants seem to disappear, unusual people show up at all hours, the kind doctor has been seen in questionable circumstances... and of course who can forget for even a moment that a deadly stranger stalks the shadowy streets?

Then there is the fact Darcie has a strong attraction to Damian, and he to her. Who is the real Dr. Cole? Is he the caring man who will help anyone in need? Or are these late night visitors combined with those niggling thoughts in the back of her mind hints that he is a ruthless murderer? Will Darcie and Damien's passion be their salvation... or their undoing?

What a read! Ms. Silver strikes at the very center of readers with this story. One will feel the dark cold of late night London streets, sensing the evil pervading Whitechapel. The chill of fear and the heights of passion will invade the reader's heart. The story is fraught with tension, keeping the pages turning late in to the night. The plot gradually picks up pace as it progresses, gearing up for the exciting climactic moments that will make readers hold their breath in anticipation.

Darcie is a strong woman, who changes from the young privileged girl she was into a young lady who is confident in her abilities and her strong mind. One sees how she adapts to her new life with ease, winning the esteem and friendship of her fellow servants and the heart of Damien Cole. Damien is a tortured man, agonizing over his inability to protect and aid the one person who needed him most. He is lost in the dark world of his perceived failure, unable to see the light until Darcie arrives in his life. Their mutual respect for one another first grows from friendship to an all-consuming desire they are helpless to fight. They need each other to be complete.

The cast of secondary characters is full and varied, with people from all walks of life. Darcie's friend and fellow maid Mary is a sweet girl who has her own issues with which to deal. There is Poole, the head servant, who come across as abrupt and cold, but hides a tender side as well. Readers will find they can't help but like Mrs. Feather, who hides her own broken heart behind the life of a well-known Madam. Of course, one can't forget Inspector Trent who is on the trail of a killer, the suspicious late night visitors to the Cole home, and the frightening monster stalking the streets.

If Dark Desires is any indication, Eve Silver is on the path to a great future in the gothic romance genre. Readers will become engrossed in the story immediately. The conclusion to this tale leaves readers with a feeling of eager anticipation for the next novel from this promising writer.

© Kelley A. Hartsell, September 2005. All rights reserved.

Eve Silver has written a breakout debut novel!
Dark Desires is a wonderful, sensual, thrilling Gothic romance. I'd forgotten how much I love this genre, until I read Eve's book!
It tells the story of a young, destitute woman who almost
falls victim to the murderer prowling the streets of White
chapel. But she escapes, and finds employment with a
handsome, yet strange doctor. The time they spend
together becomes wrought with sexual tension. However,
when she sees him leave his lab covered in blood, she
begins to wonder if perhaps she hadn't gotten so far away
from the killer afterall.
Oohh...I get goosebumps just reading that! This is a
great read to curl under the covers with on some lonely,
stormy night.