Customer Reviews

Dark Temptation: A Novel of Blackheath Moor (Signet Eclipse)

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4 star:		(2)
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This is the second book in a series by this author--this book far outshines the first book in this series. I liked the first book but it was not as captivating as this book. The hero and heroine are both very well developed and the story has twists and turns that made it very hard to put the book down--one wishes to know what will happen next to the couple. This is a good gothic mystery/historical romance book-- I highly recommend it.

Passionate characters, mysterious happenings and an old haunted estate are the ingredients for the delicious gothic novel Dark Temptation. Set in Cornwall, this is the second novel of the Blackheath series and is even better than the first novel.

Chad Rutherford, Earl of Wycliffe returns to Edgecombe Manor in Cornwall under some coercion. When his father died at the Manor in a mysterious fire two years earlier, Chad was left with massive debts and no money. To recoup his losses he financed a smuggling operation in Cornwall but Chad was rather ignorant of the violence behind such an operation and when authorities uncovered Chad's shipments and Chad truly discovered all the murder and greed happening in the trade, he assisted authorities and was spared jail time. But now he is told by one of the captive smugglers to go back to Edgecombe and wait for further instructions.

Fleeing her own scandal is Sophie St. James. Rumors flew around London about her, all untrue, but her family insists that she spend the summer with her aunt and uncle in Cornwall. Sophie is a newspaper reporter and Edgecombe Manor holds all kinds of interest for her.

Chad and Sophie meet one night when Sophie believes she sees harbor lights placed in the wrong area and Chad is following an apparition. Instantly Chad and Sophie are drawn to one another. Sophie learns that Chad is living at the manor house and wants to explore the coast line near his home. Chad is also looking for evidence of smuggling so they join forces, somewhat reluctantly (rather Chad is reluctant since Sophie could be in danger) to determine what is behind the strange happenings in the area. Sailors wash ashore dead, and a mysterious ghost haunts Chad.

Even though this mystery is good and even a bit spooky and surprising at times, the interaction between the lead characters is what makes this novel so refreshing. Right from the start they like and respect each other. Chad is a man trying to reform and feels unworthy of Sophia. He does not want to reveal his past associations with smugglers for fear of losing her good opinion. That doesn't stop him from being her protector and hero. Sophia is curious and knows something is amiss, even within her uncle's home and even though she is impulsive, Sophia is quick to recognize that she needs Chad as more than her bodyguard. Both of the leads were multi dimensional, passionate and just plain likeable.

Ms. Chase has written both a sweet romance and a fine gothic mystery. I hope she continues to create these wonderful novels set in Blackheath.

For those who like eerie gothic tales with intrepid heroines, a hero to be redeemed and ghostly machinations, "Dark Temptation" should be just what you've been looking for. Allison Chase's second Blackheath Moor novel is just as brooding and mysterious as the moors themselves.

Sophie has been carted off to Cornwall after her efforts to get a scoop on a story for her grandfather's newspaper resulted in a scandal. But the nearby estate of Edgecombe harbors dark secrets that thrill and enthrall Sophie...especially after she meets the lord of Edgecombe, Chad.

Chad has come to his father's favorite retreat to try and pay penance for his unknowing involvement in a murderous scheme. On his way there, he's accosted by a ghost he assumes is a reminder of his guilt. But there are more secrets hiding in this remote area of Cornwall and Chad will have to face his nightmares and new opponents to win both Sophie and peace.

Very gothic, with NC-17 sexual overtones, "Dark Temptation" pulled me back to my preteen reading days when 'horrid novels' were my guilty reading pleasures. Ominous weather, dark secrets, danger in shadowy corners, hidden passages, ghosts, stormy seas, stark cliffs, abandoned mansions, etc are all the hallmarks of these stories and Allison Chase managed to include them all. Not a book for my personal keeper shelf, but not one I'm sorry to have read.

Sophie St. Clair sneaks out of her aunt's house to check out an abandoned house with a romantic history. Centuries ago, the house was home to married pirates. Sophie is a writer, but always under a masculine pen name. Her grandfather publishes her articles in a London newspaper. Her family wants her to pursue activities that are more suited to a lady.

That night Sophie has trouble sleeping and thinks she sees the harbor lights at the wrong place on the shoreline, which would mean any ships coming ashore would be in danger of crashing. When her aunt and uncle don't react to her distressed warning, she sets out on foot, thinking to find someone in the village to help her. Somehow she gets lost in the thick fog and ends up in a small church where she meets the Earl of Wycliffe.

We first met the charming Chad Rutherford, Earl of Wycliffe, in Allison Chase's first book of the Blackheath Moor series, Dark Obsession. Now Chad is drawn to Sophie with a fierce passion and protectiveness, even though he doesn't feel worthy of her because of his past role in the smuggling ring. But Chad proves himself to be a true hero in every sense of the word. Together they'll uncover the sinister secrets hidden in and around Edgecombe.

This delightful book is filled with enough fiery passion, mystery, action and suspense to satisfy any romance fan. Charismatic characters and an eerie setting combine for an unforgettable tale. The conflict in Dark Temptation is real and believable, and the paranormal elements in the book make it deliciously edgy. Readers are kept guessing to the very end of the book. Although this can be read as a standalone, I enjoyed picking up the first book in the series and reading them in order. Dark Temptation was a terrific read, and I'm looking forward to future books in this series.

4 1/2 Kisses, 1 Pepper

~Lindy
Reviewer, TwoLips Reviews, LLC
[...]

Read Dark Obsession first. Handsome, romantic Chad Rutherford, Earl of Wycliffe is introduced in that book. He was much more fun and interesting in that book. This book is about him and for some reason, all the fun, charm and interesting parts of him were bleached out of him in this book. That is my only critique of the book. I really looked forward to him being the hero of his own story, but parts of him got lost in all the piracy, blackmailing and the general darkness of this story.
Chad is haunted by way too many ghosts in this story. It turns out that the Cornwall coasts have been the haunts of pirates for years and many ruthless pirates have scuttled ships and let innocent people drown off the coasts. Chad Rutherford inherits an estate that is bankrupt and he tries to make money by dealing with pirates. To his horror and shame, he finds out that his "deal" involved the death of many innocent people. He goes back to try and find out how and why his father was burned to death and his forays into the countryside are blocked by evil, filthy criminals. In comes Sophie St. Clair who has more than enough guts and gumption to help Chad through his guilt ridden odyssey to find out that most of the skullduggery has been done by a cunning tavern owning woman who has become mad with the memories of dead pirates.
Sophie captures Chad's heart with her spunk, bravery and intelligence. She saves him from being overwhelmed by his guilt.
I liked the first book better, but this is a good second installment.

Alison Chase has written another entertaining Gothic novel of Blackheath Moor. This has all the romantic elements of a true Gothic- brooding hero, Cornwall setting, lovely heroine, danger, and suspense. While not quite as good as her previous Blackheath Moor novel, this was still an absorbing read.

In 1829 Sophie St. Clair's misbehavior has her family sending her into exile to stay with to relatives in Cornwall in order to avoid a potential scandal. However, Sophie is unable to resist some sleuthing when she notices strange lights in the harbor; she ponders whether they can be connected to nearby Edgecombe Manor.

His father's fiery death two years ago has shaken Chad Rutherford, the fifth Earl of Wycliffe, so much so he avoids Edgecombe Manor as if it contains the plague. He knows he must go back one last time, but does not plan to hang around because he knows what "lives" there. Chad and amateur sleuth Sophie meet and are attracted to one another. He joins her on her inquiry into the mysterious lights and the corpses that come ashore even as matchmaking spirits encourage them so they can finally obtain peace.

The second Blackheath Moor gothic romance (see DARK OBSESSION) contains a strong amateur sleuth suspense subplot that enhances the lead couple's romantic relationship. The story line is filled with warm passion and terrifying events that will keep readers on the edge wondering who is chasing whom in this dangerous search for the truth.

Harriet Klausner

A pathetic attempt at romance, please Ms chase, don't take up anymore bookshelf space for more deserving authors.