Dark Torment [Paperback]

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Unknown (2004)
• ASIN: B0022B6UHM
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)

More About the Author

Karen Robards is the bestselling author of twenty-seven novels. The winner of six Silver Pen awards for favorite romance novelist, as well as numerous other awards, she lives in Louisville, Kentucky, with her husband, Doug, and their sons Peter, Christopher, and Jack. She says, "I read, I write, and I chase children. That's my life."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Heady & Luscious, May 8, 2001

By 

Abbys (Moreno Valley, CA United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dark Torment (Mass Market Paperback)

The book description of Australian setting, farms and convicts didn't really appeal to me at first. Inasmuch as I have enjoyed Karen Robards books in the past, this one initially didn't peak my interest. I prefer historical romances in England/Scotland settings (only few American Settings). I have this book in my possession since Dec. 2000 only because I was holding it for my sister. I really didn't have any intention of reading it. To my dismay, I ran out of reading materials on my day off :-( Since I didn't feel like rereading my old novels, I forced myself to start this one. I convinced myself that this book couldn't be as bad considering I like Karen Robards immensely. First few chapter of this book is somewhat slow and wordy. Too much detailing... but as soon as the story picks up and as soon as the heroine (Sarah) and the hero (Dominic) developed their relationship with each other, the story becomes exhilarating. Then, you definitely would want to finish reading it in one sitting.

Dominic is proud, handsome and rebellious. He is mysteriously delectable. The more you read and learn about him, the more you'll get hooked! He is seductive and manly. Dominic's childhood and his life before he arrived in Australia was an interesting one. Meanwhile, the plain & simple looking, Sara, is a typical Mistress - Uppity, bossy and feisty...but she's fair and kind hearted too. I understand her confusions and her difficulty in accepting her feelings for Dominic, he was a convict and was considered beneath her station afterall. The consequences would be dire and scandalous. She wasn't prepared to acknowledge it. She always treat convicts and servants with respect. She is always patient & level headed except to one person, Dominic. He just seems to know the right button to push to infuriate her. I like the way Dominic teases her. I like the way he seduces her, to help her lossen up and feel the passion. Karen Robards created a well developed characters in this book (esp. the H/H) --> They are both very different in so many ways yet perfect for each other. The ending of this book is wonderful.

Aside from the H/H love story, the action twist is very stirring. This book is well blended-passionate romances, humor, action thrills, heart warming situations, unexpected twist, luscious detailed sex scenes, and even a wholesome father-daughter story. It sure is worth my time! My only regret is that I should have read it sooner.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a can't-put-it-downer, February 22, 2001

By 

"chrissiey57" (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dark Torment (Mass Market Paperback)

DARK TORMENT starts with an unusual scenario. To begin with, there is the brutal flogging of (gasp!) the hero. Then, defying norms of romance novels, Ms. Robards has the helplessly powerless hero saved by the brave heroine.

Dominic Gallagher is an Irish convict transported to Australia. His failed attempt to escape has earned him 200 lashes that would have cost his life had Sarah Markham not intervened in time. Sara is appalled at the sight of a convict lashed to the ship's mast, tortured; she convinces her father to buy Dominic and bring him back to their ranch. And thus begins a series of cat-and-mouse games between our hero and heroine.

Initially, the proud Dominic has to obey (well, sort of) Sara as she is his owner. Sara tries to maintain the proper boundary between herself and the blue-eyed Irish who, despite being a most arrogent and disobedient convict, attracts her strongly. Dominic, too, finds himself desiring Sara although he hates the fact that she is a constant reminder of his forced servitude and a bossy and infuriating one at that.

Then, the table turns when Dominic escapes from the ranch and returns to abduct Sara....

Wow. The sexual tension between these two is wonderfully taut, and I held my breath whenever they cross each other's path. Ms. Robards has certainly done a good job in presenting to readers a hero with a sense of mystery/danger and a pair of amazing blue eyes! I just love how she describes Dominic's eye color and how his eyes unsettle Sara. Sara is a very likable heroine in her own right--independent, definitely not missish, resourceful, and passionate. There is also lots of action, and the story moves along farily quickly.

So why the 4 stars? Well, Sara's behavior after their first morning-after is unpardonable and somewhat unreasonable. See, she feels so ashamed that she's given her virginity to a convict that she is disgusted even to look at him. Now, this annoyed and upset me so (considering that Dominic has treated her so lovingly during the act)that I wondered if the two could ever get their happily-ever-after if the heroine can't transcend her class consciousness........

In addition, sometimes Ms. Robards's prose gets a bit purple and verbose--I confess that I did feel the need to simply skim through certain pages to get to the next good part.....And some plot twists are just absurd to me.

That said, DARK TORMENT still is a highly entertaining romance. I don't regret reading (or buying)this book, and I think you won't, either.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars She saved his life. She purchased his freedom. Could she win his heart?, November 16, 2001

By 

Suzie Housley (Oak Ridge, Tn United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dark Torment (Mass Market Paperback)

She saved his life. She purchased his freedom. Could she win his heart?

At the age of twenty-two, Sarah Markham is highly unlikely to receive any offers of marriage because of her plain exterior. She is mortified when she stumbles upon the brutal flogging of convict Dominic Gallaher. Realizing that she alone holds the key to his survival, she ultimately makes the decision to intervene and stop the savage beating. She then enlists the aid of her father to purchase Dominic's freedom.

Life has hardened his heart . . . Fate has torn at his soul . . .Can one woman shed light on his dark future?

Dominic Gallaher was convicted to serve fifteen years for robbery. A reclusive troublemaker, he finds himself the unlucky recipient of 200 deadly lashes. He is surprised, however, by the plain spinster, Sarah Markham, who spares his life. Having purchased his freedom, she now "owns" him. Could she be the one person capable of taming the dark demons that have taken hold of his savage heart?

Karen Robards' descriptive words flow effortlessly off the pages. With highly enriched passages, smoothly enhanced dialogue, and a superb plot, this story will carry you away to a lush, primitive land. I found myself dreading the last page because I knew it meant that my pleasurable journey had come to an end. This one comes highly recommended -- WARNING: Be prepared to read in one sitting.