Customer Reviews

The Ravencliff Bride

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Without a doubt, Dawn Thompson's venture into the paranormal world should cause a big celebration for fans of this genre! With clean writing and a highly imaginative plot keeping you on the edge of your seat from first page to the last, this is a genuine treat and not to be missed!

Though she had been saved from debtor's prison and rescued out of the Fleet, by a fortuitous but unusual request for her hand in marriage; by proxy - from a man she'd never met; Sara knew she should be grateful. More than a bit anxious on the ride to meet her husband the new Baroness Walraven viewed a monstrous looking edifice bathed in darkness - Ravencliff. As she arrived at the front door of this ominous looking structure Sara could only think - she would finally meet the mysterious man who was her husband.

At first glance, Sara's imagination could never have conjured up the gorgeously attractive man that was Nicolas Walraven. Although she was certainly attracted, she could also tell from his burning eyes that he felt the same, so Sara found his `ground rules' of their marriage not only unusual but mystifying. The mystery of why he had plucked her out of prison, when he obviously could have had his pick of suitable brides was intensified. Told there would be no physical contact between them, Sara was more than willing to embrace the one living being that seemed to genuinely like her, the wolf-like dog Nero! When Nero saves her from being raped by Nicolas' childhood friend she is determined to keep Nero safe from the people who seem to want to see him gone - including her husband. It soon becomes apparent to Nicolas and his ever-present valet Mills, that Sara's attachment to Nero could get her killed or worse. Nicolas must now make a life altering decision, whether to trust and reveal his darkest secret knowing that it may lose him the woman he has come to love.

--- Impressive and moody, Thompson's book instantly intrigued me from the very beginning with dark tones and eerie imagery reminiscent of the great gothic novels penned by du Maurier and Holt. No doubt at all - this - is - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED reading offering the reader both a smorgasbord of emotions coupled with an absolute dream of a love story!

Freed from debtor's prison by a nobleman who asked only a marriage of convenience in return, Sara journeys to the Cornish coast to assume her role as Baroness. When she arrives at Ravencliff Manor, her new husband, Nicholas Walraven, is unfailingly polite, even kind, but he is also dark and brooding. Some hidden agony keeps them from crossing the space between them to act on the attraction they share. Sara's only true friend in the dark mansion is Nero, the huge dog who keeps watch over her and rescues her time and again. After Nero attacks and bites an evil man who would have attacked Sara, a second dog, a killer hound, begins stalking the grounds. This new development and the danger to Sara force Nicholas to tell her the dark secret that makes him fear to have a child ever.

***** This is a marvelous novel! Granted, it is fairly simple to figure out Nicholas' secret. Nonetheless, the impossible love theme combined with a chilling, eerie old house as the setting makes for an old fashioned, gothic thrilling romance. *****

Reviewed by Amanda Killgore, Freelance Reviewer.

I like paranormal romance novels, and this book seemed like it would be good based on previous reviews. The female lead, Sara, ruined this story for me. I have never hated a main character so much. She is hard-headed and has no common sense, repeatedly getting herself into situations that could have been prevented. I think the author was trying to make Sara look strong and independent, but she came across as an idiot who needed to be taken care of in an almost child-like way. I finished the story, hoping it would get better, but it did not. It's going in the trash, which I've never done before. I won't torment someone else by passing it on.

Dawn Thompson's latest is a true "keeper".
I LOVED THIS BOOK!
The Ravencliff Bride has, what could quite possibly be, the best first chapter I've ever read! Right from the beginning, Dawn reels you in and keeps you hooked! It tells the tale of brooding hero, Nicholas Walraven, and his new bride, Sarah, who cannot fathom why such a handsome, wealthy man would need to buy a wife. After her first few nights at Ravencliff manor Sarah, begins to understand that things, where her husband's concerned, are not what they seem. But will she learn too late that, in her quest to uncover the truth behind Nicholas's secret, she risks losing much more than just her heart in the process?
This book was a joy to read!
The characters, even the hairy ones, are well written and wonderfully developed. For anyone looking for an intriguing paranormal/gothic romance that offers a slightly different story line than what's available now, I highly recommend this book.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

I loved the characters, loved the plot and the book kept me up way too late. I just had to finish it. I can't wait to read another of Dawn Thompson's books.

The Ravencliff Bride has one of the most sensual covers out this year. But even the best cover cannot prop up a shoddy book. So it's up to the writer to deliver and Dawn Thompson does. This is a Gothic Historical Romance, with a strong paranormal theme, that should thrill those who cut their romance teeth on Gothics or those just learning their fascinating style.

Sara Walvern is traveling along the coast of Cornwall in early 1800s. She has just made a pack to marry a man she has never seen. Quite understandably, she is getting cold feet, but knows she has no choice, but to honor the agreement. She accepted the offer of marriage in order to escape debtor's prison. Only what sort of rich man has to buy a bride? What awaits her at the end of the journey? Will he be deformed, aged or worse - a lunatic?

Sara is shocked when she meets her groom to be. He is handsome, young and displays no tendency toward madness. So why would this handsome man need to purchase a wife?

Though Nicholas is attracted to the wife he bought, that much is clear, he shows no inclination in consummating their marriage, only increasing the mystery to Sara. Sara's one solace in the early days of her new home is Nicholas's dog Nero. Sara is not content to accept life as Nicholas sets as the pace, and despite all, she is falling in love with the mysterious man.

Soon Sara learned there is a curse that hovers of Nicholas life. Only Sara is not going to let that triumph and is willing to fight for her love.

The book is very atmospheric, evocative of the great black and white films of the 50s such as Jane Ayer, Dragonwick etc.

So those who love Gothics, you will want to get this new author a chance to dazzle you.

Winner of Best Debut Book RIO Award Winner 2005

I thoroughly enjoyed this book from cover to cover. Ms. Thompson has woven an intriguing tale with an unusual twist. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good gothic, or just a good read. You won't be disappointed.

In the bowels of debtor's prison, Sara Ponsonby receives a most unusual offer. By 'arrangement,' she will be freed from prison if she agrees to marry Baron Nicholas Walraven. The proposal, however, is not rendered by the Baron, but by his steward Alexander Mallory, who will marry her by Proxy in Scotland, such marriages now forbidden in England. Loathe to remain in the disgusting confines of prison, she accepts.

All too soon, Sara finds herself ensnared in another type of prison. One she must use every ounce of cunning and love within her to escape.

In an otherworldly tale of suspense, intrigue, and deception, Dawn Thompson delivers a never-to-be-forgotten thrust into the unknown. Good and evil, love and hate abound within the pages of The Ravencliff Bride. A wonderfully written story by Ms. Thompson assures that this reader will be watching for more stories by this marvelous writer.

There are not many writers that can keep me up to the wee hours of the morning when I need to get up early, but Thompson did. I loved the quality, beautiful writing, the suspenseful story, the amazingly sensual tale that is skillfully woven to where I just could not put the book down. I was exhausted all day, but I just kept being haunted by this book.

It's the best of this new breed Gothics, that gives you the old dark house chills, but it's more so much more. I love the very human heroine, the dark and menacing hero...sigh.

This book has it all. I just ordered The Waterlord and the Falcon's Bride. And I cannot wait to sleep more sleep.

I would have given this book 5 stars, but I felt the heroine, Sara, was a bit snippy at times. She has been rescued from prison by the hero, Nicholas Walraven, who has a few secrets, but after being married to him by proxy, she gets a bit shrewish at times. I cringed when I read where she snapped an answer at him. I felt, golly, the guy rescued you from a terrible fate, he's gorgeous and kind. Okay, he doesn't want a real wife, but is that any reason to be snappy? I just thought that for someone who came to him with nothing, she could have been a bit more gracious. Other than that small quibble, I really like this book. Loved Nero--thought he and Mills were great. Like I said, Nicholas was one terrific hero.
I had read this author's Falcon's Bride previously and really didn't care for it. But this one is head and shoulders above that one.