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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A New Voice In The Genre Of Gothic Romance!!, May 31, 2004
This review is from: On the Edge of the Woods (Paperback)
This was a well written gothic romance by a very talented and new voice. I look forward to reading Ms. Tyrrel again in the future. In the style of old gothic romances from the past Ms. Tyrrel takes us to the Sierra Nevada mountains to a beautiful turn of the century manor that needs more then it's fair share of repairs. But there is more then meets the eye when it comes to the house on the edge of the woods. There's a mystery that Architect Stacy Addison walks into when she purchases her dream house. Someone is stalking her and making threatning phone calls. She starts experiencing accidents and other scary incidents. She trys to play it off but she can't help but think that Brand Vandevere her neighbor, that also wanted the manor house is up to no good, and that he may be behind the calls and accidents. Problem with that is Stacy can't help but feel drawn to the handsome but secretive man. Is he just what he seems or is he more? Who is trying to scare her and why? This was a fun read one that kept me glued to the pages. Ms. Tyrrel has a very sensual way of writing. Her characters are engaging and fun and at the same time you truly never really feel as if you know them. I highly recommend this read and suggest that you add this to your summer reading list.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Crafty Novel of Gothic Suspense, May 27, 2004
This review is from: On the Edge of the Woods (Paperback)
Ms. Tyrrel's debut novel is filled with sensual romance set against the backdrop of an old home replete with a haunting history. When San Francisco architect Stacy Addison decides to buy a mountain home away from the bustle of the city, she finds the perfect property in the Sierra Mountains. Though in a state of disrepair, the price is right, and Stacy purchases the beautiful rambling home whose former elderly owner, Mrs. Shapiro, is now residing in a nursing home. Stacy is immediately attracted to her new neighbor, photographer Brand Vandevere, who lives in a nearby remodeled barn with his cousin Tess and housemate Saul. Upon learning that Brand had originally wanted Stacy's home for his own, Stacy remains conflicted about her feelings for him, as his moody, brooding nature confuses her. The suspense continues to escalate when Stacy receives threatening phone calls at her apartment and architectural firm in San Francisco, and she is forced to permanently relocate to her new home. The attraction between Stacy and Brand ignites in a sizzling love scene at a fourth of July picnic, but Brand leaves for a hiking expedition soon afterwards, and his off again/on again girlfriend Alana is a constant presence at the barn. Stacy alternates between missing Brand and wondering if he is the person behind the vicious phone calls, even as she becomes disturbed by the constant premonition that someone is coming into her home while she is absent. This crafty novel of romance and suspense culminates in a breathtaking conclusion that will leave the reader eagerly anticipating this new author's next novel.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good Modern Day Gothic, February 22, 2004
This review is from: On the Edge of the Woods (Paperback)
It was the house of her dreams, or at least the possibilities that with her architectural training she could see. Stacy Addison, had been looking for some time to find just the right home and knew that this big turn of the century manor house sitting in the Sierra mountains would be the one, the moment she saw it. Of course, it would need an enormous amount of work, but Stacy knew, accepted it and walked in with her eyes wide open. What she did not count on were threatening notes, phone hang-ups and the harassment that would ultimately cause her to doubt who she could trust of the new and intriguing neighbors she inherited, including the very handsome and virile neighbor Brand Vandevere. The stories she had heard about him told her to stay away, but her gut feelings of wanting him warred with any sensible emotions she should be feeling. As more and more incidents seemed to occur with the finger seemingly pointing at Brand, Stacy would have to trust more than her gut feelings - she'd have to trust her heart and hope she survived to tell the tale. This was told in the grand gothic traditions similar to Victoria Holt featuring a wonderful old manor house as its center. The two protagonists were well developed with Stacy as an intrepid heroine showing a lot of spunk and courage as the threats and intimidations would have sent most females running. Brand's characterization of distrust and longing were tedious at times and a bit harder to swallow, but I do admit to loving a man who can cook! The numerous secondary characters added substance to the story, but I felt that she could have developed the character of Saul more as he had more of a menacing aspect in the story and seemed to have just been overlooked in the end. The pace was acceptable but not a page-turner that would have kept me up all night. This was a good solid gothic type read but predictable. --- Marilyn, Official Reviewer for www.historicromancewriters.com
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