Customer Reviews

On the Edge of the Woods

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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.

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

Brand had wanted to buy the house on the edge of the woods, but the chance was taken when Stacy buys it first. The rambling old place perfectly suited her, though it had need of more repairs than the Addam's family manor.

Soon, her problems become more complex than a leak or a closet that needs to go. Someone is leaving creepy messages and sabotaging her plans. The pranks have a deadly edge, and she wonders if Brand might go to extremes to get the house after all. Yet, she finds herself attracted to the virile neighbor, reluctant to believe he might harm her.

***** Those who have missed the gothic genre, take heart. All the classic elements, a spooky house, woods, a pretty heroine and mysterious almost anti hero are to be found herein. On the Edge of the woods is a commendable debut. ***** Amanda Killgore

I just finished "On the Edge of the Woods". Since the other reviewers have detailed the plot, I'll just tell you what I thought about it. I *loved* it.

It has that John Grisham, Danielle Steele stay-up-til-2 a.m.-reading-when-you-really-should-be-sleeping quality to it.

I have to admit, when I first saw it, I was mainly drawn by the picture of the old house on the cover. I love old houses, and unlike a previous reviewer, I enjoyed the in-depth details of the main house and the other dwellings on the former estate.

I'm not usually one for romance novels other than an occasional Danielle Steele, but this one had me hooked. I couldn't put it down. It had me dreaming along with the main character, Stacy. It had me laughing in a few spots, and even had me peering over my shoulder nervously while reading the creepy parts. Delicious suspenseful fun.

I'm kinda bummed out that I finished it already, but it's the kind of book that once you see how it ends, you want to read it again to see the connections completely.

Five stars for the book and for Diane Tyrrel. Diane, if you're reading this, please keep churning out the books! I'm your newest fan.

I've added her April 2005 release "On Winding Hill Road" to my wish list. I can't wait to get my hands on it.

A book billed as a gothic novel has a lot to live up to for me. I loved Phyllis Whitney, Victoria Holt, M.M. Kaye and the like as a young adult. ON THE EDGE OF THE WOODS does not quite live up to those old standards. It's Tyrrel's first novel, though, so comparing her to the best of the genre is hardly reasonable.

ON THE EDGE OF THE WOODS was good enough that I read all the way to the end in just a couple of days. At the opening of the book, architect Stacy Addison buys a huge, eccentric, turn-of-century confection of a house, despite its being far away from her city job. It is also something that her sophisticated city boyfriend, Justin, will almost certainly not like and not be willing to fix up with and live in with her. She chooses her heart and the house.

After moving in, she starts meeting a wonderful cast of neighbors. One of them, Brand Vandevere, is someone she finds powerfully attractive. However, she also worries that he has a hidden agenda -- getting her out of the house, which he had coveted. A gothic novel swirl of gossip ensues, as Stacy speculates on Brand's motives towards her and his feelings about the beautiful Callie, who seems to have already laid claim to him. It's a familar sort of plot, which Tyrell delivers with enthusiasm and love.

As Stacy's time at the manor continues to pull her away from her city life, a sinister element grows. Something if off about the house. Stacy researches the history of the house and the people who lived there, going through old letters and asking neighbors who do not seem to be telling all. She starts getting phone hang-ups, and her city clients are so harassed that they ask to have her removed from their jobs. As her work in the city dwindles, she moves more into the realm of the house, even as the threats escalate. Someone does not want her here. Someone has made it impossible for her to live her old life. Someone is out to hurt her, perhaps kill her. Is it the oh-so-attractive Brand? Someone else? Tyrell very comptenetly keeps those plot twists coming.

I don't think I'll ruin it if I tell you she survives, like all good Gothic heroines, though she has been... changed.

If you like gothics, give ON THE EDGE OF THE WOODS a chance!

I am glad I only paid $4 including shipping for this book. I too am a huge Victoria Holt fan and after reading the reviews, decided to give Ms. Tyrrel's book a try.

But whenever Brand and Stacy came together for one of those mysterious kisses / stares / hugs, I found myself laughing instead of becoming more intrigued with the characters. Why in the world would Brand believe everything Alana was saying about Stacy without asking Stacy herself and vice versa? They both acted like spoiled brats throughout much of the book.

I agree with others that Saul was not very well developed; he could have almost been written out of the book.

Overall, the plot dragged and when I thought some juicy bit of information was about to be revealed, it was a total letdown because it had nothing to do with why Stacy was being harassed. Very disappointing book.

I picked up this book by sheer luck, especially after realizing what a very good book it was. And people said gothic romance is dead.. hmm.. I'm glad I found this new author. This is definitely a kind of book that will grab you immediately and won't let go until you're finished with it.

I grew up reading authors like Victoria Holt, Mary Stewart and later Barbara Michaels. After reading ALL of their books, I've spent years looking for another romantic suspense author to fill the vacancy. I've found it with Diane Tyrell. Wonderful characters, nicely layered plot, lush descriptions of Northern California...fabulous! The romance between the two lead characters was sultry, touching and smart. Loved it!!!

In 1994 San Francisco architect Stacy Addison buys an old dilapidated house that at best can be labeled a fixer upper in the Sierras. Her neighbor who shares the county access road, Brandon Vandvere, is irate that he was not offered first buy from the elderly former owner now in a home.

Since purchasing the house, Stacy finds someone leaving crank calls at her San Francisco apartment and sending threatening letters telling her to leave her new home. Her clients are also receiving nasty nutty untrue innuendos and disinformation about Stacy that ultimately costs her jobs. Still she refuses to give up the home that she cherishes with the bigger threat being falling in love with Brandon. Alas poor Stacy wonders if her beloved could be the "Creeper" behind the attack on her well-being as everyone insists he would do anything to gain ownership of her new home.

Readers will enjoy this absolutely enthralling modern day gothic romantic suspense that reads some what like a modern day Suspicion. Though Brand's behavior is intended to make him seem suspicious, fans will dislike his attitude towards Stacy. On the other hand, readers will fully appreciate Stacy, who displays courage though under siege. The support cast provides depth to the small somewhat isolated Sierra community that hopefully will lead to future stories starring several of them.

Harriet Klausner