Customer Reviews

Devil in the Dark (Candleglow)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I just finished reading Devil in the Dark by Evelyn Rogers. This novel is gothic romance at its best and one I recommend highly. As for the gothic style, it ranks up there with such classics as Rebecca and Jane Eyre. It is superbly written! The storyline is filled with twists and turns. As the reader, you never quite figure out who is the evil one. The element of suspense and yes, the menace, keep you on your toes.

Gideon Blackthorn known as the Devil Duke of Ravenswood, rides out of the Yorkshire mists. Upon a dark horse with his black cape whipping behind him, he encounters Lucinda Fairfax. As her gaze is snared by his black eyes, she instinctively knows that her life will never be the same. And it isn't. Even while she is given warnings to stay away, Lucina is drawn into Gideon's world. A world filled with shadows, secrets and menace.

Gideon tries to stay away from Lucina but he is helplessly drawn to her like a moth is to a flame. He is so afraid his darkness will taint her - will harm her. For he has harbored a terrible secret that is slowly eating away at the very core of him. His soul . . .

Devil in the Dark was a thoroughly enjoyable book. Evelyn Rogers brings to life the brooding almost sinister atmosphere of the gothic classics of old. Bravo!

As a long-time avid fan of Victoria Holt, I was thrilled to see a resurgence of the old gothics.

I picked up DEVIL IN THE DARK with a little trepidation, wondering if I would love it as much as my cherished oldies--and I did!

Tall, dark and enigmatic Gideon is the perfect tortured hero. And the not-quite-so-innocent Lucinda is his ideal counterpart as they race across the mist-enshrouded Yorkshire moors exploring their passion and unravelling a deep, dark secret.

All you Victoria Holt fans, rejoice! Ms. Rogers has penned a new classic--one you will place in spot of honor on your keeper shelf.

I truly love the old Gothics and have waited months to get my hands on this book. It was worth the wait. Ms. Rogers' book is a wonderful journey into the world of dark and delicious Gideon Blackthorn, the Devil Duke. His lady, Lucinda, is a perfect match for this mysterious hero, and their story will keep you guessing until the very end.

Evelyn Rogers DEVIL IN THE DARK can be compared to an artist with a brush. She paints a masterpiece with her broad, descriptive writing talent. It actually enables the reader to see each scene as it unfolds right before their very eyes. A very powerful Gothic romance which has all the elements to compete against other classic, well-known Gothic legends.

Gideon Blackthorne, Duke of Ravenswood, is a man of dark mystery. His eyes reveal the injustices life has forced him to endure. Nicknamed by townspeople as the "Devil Duke," he lives up to that name by taking midnight rides to escape his tormented soul. On one of his haphazard rides he meets his new neighbor, Lucinda Fairfax. In her he sees the one person who can save his soul from the demons which plague his body.

Lucinda Fairfax, abandoned by her father at the young age of five, seeks to claim her inheritance in the estate of Craven Manor. Leaving her New York home, she arrives in North Yorkshire, England where she is nearly run over by a wild horseman, Gideon Blackthorne. In Gideon's eyes and manner she sees a man which is full of secrets and so very deserving of love. Her goal is to unlock his secrets and learn of the real man trapped behind the cloak of darkness, which shadows his every movement.

Gideon and Lucinda who both having lost so much at very young ages formed an immediate emotional bond. Lucinda attraction to Gideon stems from his dark and elusive appearance. Gideon is heartened by Lucinda's bravery in facing obstacles which seem to haunt her at every corner. Together they create magic which will enable them to overcome the loneliness that has plagued each other their entire lives.

The thrilling Gothic love story of Lucinda Fairfax and Gideon Blackthorne, Duke of Ravenswood, will quickly enthrall you and make its way into your heart and linger LONG after you turn the last page of this breathtaking book!

I just finished reading Devil in the Dark and HAD TO WRITE. I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!!! Of all Ms. Rogers' wonderful books that I have read, this is my ALL-TIME FAVORITE! I was thrilled with and by it from beginning to end.

Without doubt, Devil in the Dark holds its own at the very top with such classic Gothic romances as Nine Coaches Waiting and Menfreya in the Morning.

Ms. Rogers has a definite flair for writing Gothics and I can't wait to read another one written by her. Devil in the Dark is definitely going on my Keepers shelf!

Ladies, if you love Gothic romance, whatever you do, DON'T miss this fantastic new book!

The author admits that this book has it roots in the dark tortured Bronte romances. Her devil duke is as brooding as Heathcliff and as passionate as Mr Rochester. Misty moors and dangerous secrets weave an excellent back drop for the love story of a reluctant American heiress. I enjoyed the fact that the author wastes no time in bringing the lovers together. Neither denied their passions only events outside their control built barriers to keep them apart. While the duke's secret was easy to guess I found the knowledge enhanced the suspence. The reader who guesses will be left wondering who is who and when making the most passionate love scene a possible disaster. I highly recommend this book to all gothic fans.

If you love paranormal romance, especially gothics, this is the book for you. Gideon is the perfect gothic hero - dark, mysterious and hiding a secret. Ms. Rogers hides that secret until the very end of the book and kept me guessing. Lucinda is a strong heroine who is not afraid to love Gideon in spite of the fear and hatred the townspeople feel towards him. She has the strength he needs to face his demons and he is the man who can be her other half to make them both whole.

In 1860, Lucinda Fairfax leaves her New York home to claim the estate of her late father, Viscount Westcombe, in North Yorkshire, England. Nearing the property for the first time, Lucinda is almost run over by a wild horseman, who she later learns is the Duke of Ravenswood Gideon Blackthorne. Better known to everyone in the area as the "Devil Duke," Gideon takes many midnight rides to escape the demons of his tormented soul.

Shockingly, Gideon and Lucinda are attracted to one another. She finds him fascinating in a dark, dangerous manner. He sees her bravery especially towards him as foolishness yet beguiling. Even as their initial feelings turn into love, both doubt that the other is the individual who can stop the haunted loneliness that erodes at their respective souls.

DEVIL IN THE DARK is a powerful Gothic romance that will thrill sub-genre fans. All the classic elements add depth to a wonderful Victorian tale. The lead couple is a charming duo struggling with their personal conflicting emotions. The story line is exciting as Evelyn Rogers takes her audience on a wild midnight ride into the souls of two deserving but hurting individuals.

Harriet Klausner

Gideon Blackthorne is my kind of hero - mysterious, tortured, prone to acts of incredible sensuality and while his actions may appear cruel, underneath it all he loves our heroine with this whole heart.

*sigh*

Someone gave me a whole stack of historical/timeswept romance novels recently and this has to be the best of the lot. The other I have reviewed have been lucky to get 2 stars but this one deserves all of the 4 stars it has received. The heroine is fiesty, beautiful and of course hopelessly out of place as an American in Yorkshire. Our mysterious Duke has secrets aplenty and a tendency to ride around Yorkshire in the middle of the night. The mystery is not revealed until the end (although truthfully I guessed it quite early on) and of course our hero and heroine live happily ever after.

This book is a textbook (ha ha) example of the Gothic Line - creepy mansions, busybody villages, brooding moors, creepy woods, crumbling secrets and the heavy weight of titles carried in families for hundreds of years. Props also go to the author for her explicit, yet very sensual sex scenes. It is always a pleasure to read about women who are embracing their sexuality as opposed to books about frightened virgins who never initiate so much as a chaste kiss.

This book is brooding, and takes some time to reach its conclusion but the ride is well worth taking.

Lucinda Fairfax's father had left her and her mother when she was only five years old, to return to Yorkshire and claim his title and estate. At age twenty-five and with her mother deceased, Lucinda traveled to Yorkshire. Her father, Viscount Westcombe, had died in an accident and Lucinda was the heir.

Here she would meet the famous "Devil Duke" named Gideon Blackthorne. Right away sparks would fly and a haunting obsession would begin. And Death would stalk the night.

***** This is the first in a new Gothic line from Love Spell! Mary Stewart and Victoria Holt fans, take heed! An excellent choice to show the world that Gothics are back! Dark, mysterious, just a touch of the supernatural, and some steamy romance. No one can tell a story like Evelyn Rogers! And I believe Gothics are right up her alley! Pre-order if you are able, to ensure that you do not miss out! It gets no better than Evelyn Rogers! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.