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Samantha A wrote this review Saturday, September 5 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Lady Anne goes to help her friend who believes that there are werewolves near the estate where she now lives with her new husband. While there, Anne meets the Marquess of Darkefell, who seems to have secrets of his own, as well as finding herself in the midst of a mystery. And could there really be a werewolf hunting in the countryside?
Likes?
I loved Lady Anne Addison's character. She was a strong woman who wasn't afraid to be herself. I also really enjoyed the historical setting of this mystery and found myself drawn into the story at once. The author succeeds in creating a slightly creepy atmosphere with hints of possibility towards the supernatural. The mystery itself would probably be considered a cozy mystery but it was a good one that kept me guessing.
Dislikes?
That is easy...the ending of the story. In fact, I about threw the book after I finished with it. I HATE when authors leave endings open and I am not expecting them to. But then I found out that this is the first book in a series and that there will definitely be a 2nd book. Well, that was another story and helped me to tolerate the ending with a bit more ease than I originally did. (Note: I do not seem to mind open endings if I am prepared for them or if someone warns me ahead of time...I'm kinda goofy like that)
Additional Thoughts?
All in all, I'm glad that I was given the chance to read this book and I will be picking up the 2nd book when it comes out...hmm...I should check on that. The author has a strong main character to base the series off of and I will be looking forward to more of Lady Anne Addison!”
“Jan's pick.
Purchase at www.katybooks.com”
Katy Budget Books wrote this review Wednesday, August 12 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“My grade for this one is a B-.”
Laurie Gold wrote this review Monday, April 13 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Lady Lydia Bestwick has sent a very disturbing letter to Lady Anne Addison. Lady Bestwick requires Lady Addison's help. Anne immediately heads for Yorkshire, particularly Darkefell Manor. When Anne arrives she gets the most unexpected welcome. She stumbles across a dead mangled body. Anne now understands why Lady Bestwick is so concerned. Anne knows that there has got to be an explanation for the wild beast attacked that Lydia is worried about. Someone who is not happy about Anne's snooping is the Marquess of Darkefell. The Marquess has a reason for being annoyed as he has a deep, dark secret that if uncovered could cause havoc.
Cheryl wrote this review Tuesday, April 7 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
I thought the concept for this story was a good one. It encompassed the best of both worlds... historical and paranormal. Plus the plot was a little on the dark and mysterious side. While I liked the storyline, I did have a small issue with the characters. I wished that they drew me in more to their world. Anne and the Marquess both seemed intriguing but for some reason I couldn't get into them that much. On the other hand I really enjoyed the location setting as I felt that it helped set the storyline. I do want to give kudos to Donna Lea Simpson for her book Lady Anne and the Howl in the Dark.”
“Lady Anne is not the typical "lady" of the late 1700's. She tried to be the hair-brained, I-need-a-husband lass, but when her fiance dies, it is a blessing for her. Having been left a considerable amount of money by her paternal grandmother, she decides she would rather be single and not have to hide her intelligence and quick wit. Not being a beauty, she doesn't have to worry about fending off any would-be suitors.
Kristi (Books and Needlepoint) wrote this review Thursday, April 2 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
When Lydia, a dear friend and her deceased fiance's sister, writes her and begs her to come, Lady Anne immediately responds. Lydia hinted at there being mysterious things going on at Darkefell Castle and the possibilities of a werewolf. Unfortunately Lydia fails to tell the rest of the household of Lady Anne's imminent arrival.
Since there is no carriage to take Lady Anne from the post house to the castle, and it is nearing dusk, she sets out on foot. As darkness descends, she hears a howl and a woman's screams. Trying to find the woman in the dark seems futile, until, as luck would have it, she stumbles over her body - but it is too late. She continues to make her way to the castle and arrives, unannounced, covered in blood with questions already arising.
The Marquess of Darkefell is a brooding handsome man who finds Lady Anne to be very bothersome. She insists on prying into his family's secrets - secrets he wishes to remain hidden. At the same time, her seemingly unflappable resolve and calm around him has him mystified. He has never met a woman who has been immune to his charms. He is also entertained by her quick wit and intelligence.
I highly recommend this book. Donna Lea Simpson's writing style is very engaging and draws you in immediately. She gives great descriptions of both countryside and characters.
She had dressed her bonnet with some of the purple tulips from her crushed bouquet, and as they nodded above her shadowed face, she looked both absurd and oddly adorable. He glanced at the path then back at her. It was true her nose was a little too long and her chin too pointed. There was a faint equine suggestion about the nose and generous mouth. Her color was good, though, and her dark hair glossy; she glowed with health and vivacity. (from Lady Anne and the Howl in the Dark, p 207, uncorrected copy)
"But cultivated gardens have their place, my lord," she said, ambling toward the eddy, a swirling, shadowed pool at the base of the waterfall. She stood on a humped hillock of moss and stared, admiring the sparkle of sunlight on the drops that scattered as a rivulet hit a rock. Mist billowed from the force of the falls and bedewed her cheeks. (from Lady Anne and the Howl in the Dark, p 215, uncorrected copy)
You can almost feel the tension that Lord Darkefell feels when he is around Lady Anne - and her optimism in the face of crises abounds. I really enjoyed Lady Anne and am glad that I will get to read more of her in the future. Donna Lea Simpson has two more books coming out with Lady Anne - Lady Anne and the Ghost's Revenge and Lady Anne and the Gypsy Curse.
”“I really wanted to like this book but I found I just could not get into it.
Debbie S wrote this review Saturday, March 7 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Lord Darkefell (this name was just a little too obvious for my tastes) and actually most of his household was so rude I found it surprising that Lady Anne would stay other than feeling an obligation to track down the murderer. Other than his kindness towards his secretary I do not see why Lady Anne starts to fall for Lord Darkefell. The other irritating part was the fact that there are constant references to Lady Anne wanting to draw this or that and goes into details about the arrival of her drawing supplies but halfway through the book we have yet to see her draw anything. In the end her drawing abilities really did not serve any purpose so I was not sure why it was brought up.
I do have to say Lady Anne was the bright spot of the book. As I got maybe half way through I really started to like her and her boldness not to let the men in the story treat her like an imbecile or coddle her like a weak woman. In fact, the one surprising factor of her character was that she fell for Lord Darkefell. I have to say it was also nice to see a heroine who wasn’t a great beauty with men tripping over their feet to be with her. Despite her plainness her personality and heart was what attracted Darkefell to her.
Stop here if you do not want any spoilers.
The most aggravating part about this book was there was no real resolution at the end. It seems as if it is a cliff hanger so you have to wait for the next book to come out to find out what happens. Darkefell proposes but Lady Anne runs away. Darkefell despite knowing that Lady Anne is an immensely sensible woman all of a sudden believes she is playing games and simply wants him to woo her. I do not see why he would think she is the stereotypical woman of this time despite all the time they spent together and him pointing out how she is unlike most women. I really would prefer this book just to have a conclusion to the romance in it rather than dragging on into another novel.”
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