What secrets lie beyond the mists that shroud Trevelyan Manor and the death of
its first mistress. Some whisper of madness and others of murder. In 1873 San
Francisco, spirited Ann Lovell disturbs the dark shadows surrounding Benedict
Trevelyan, putting the lives of everyone around her in danger when she takes a
position no one else dares—as governess to the motherless sons of the enigmatic
Benedict Trevelyan. As Ann grows to cherish her young charges, she finds
herself powerfully drawn to the handsome Benedict, whose passionate persuasion
introduces her to a new world of sensual pleasures. But even while falling in
love with the master of Trevelyan, Ann wonders if his attentions are intended
to blind her to the secrets of the past. Will her passion for him be the key
to her destiny or to her destruction?
THE MISTRESS OF TREVELYAN
Jennifer St. Giles. Pocket, $6.99 (384p)
ISBN 0-7434-8625-0
Set in late 19th-century San Francisco, this conventional but well-crafted gothic romance from first-time author St. Giles is full of spooky suspense. Lowly laundry worker Ann Lovell, the book's narrator, will do almost anything to snag the position of governess at Trevelyan Manor, even face off with forbidding Benedict Trevelyan, who's
rumored to have killed his wife. Ann succeeds in persuading Benedict to hire her, despite her lack of formal teaching experience, but as she settles into her new position, she can't shake the sensation that someone is watching her. That feeling only intensifies as her relationship with Benedict escalates from a chaste but sensual encounter to a full-blown affair. Convinced that Benedict didn't murder his wife, Ann realizes the culprit must be one of the manor's residents, who are all members of Benedict's family. St. Giles has a tendency to overwrite ("I was a mere grain of sand upon the shore of an ocean of pleasure, and Benedict was the tide of that new world"), but her story ripples with tension. This tension and the author's skill at creating the book's brooding atmosphere make this an engrossing read. Agent, Deidre Knight. (Aug.) 150 Publishers Weekly
THE MISTRESS OF TREVELYAN - Jennifer St. Giles
A Perfect 10
Pocket
ISBN: 0-7434-8625-0
August 2004
Gothic Historical Romance
San Francisco, 1873
Since the death of her mother a few weeks ago, Titiana "Ann" Lowell is alone in the world. Ann grew up under her mother's loving care, and greatly misses her. With no husband to support her, Ann's mother took in laundry to earn a living. It was a hard life, one Ann has no desire to continue. Ann decides to answer an advertisement for a teacher for Benedict Trevelyan's two young sons. She is qualified for the position thanks to the education her mother insisted she get. Trevelyan Manor sits high on a hill in the city, and Ann has always been fascinated by it and the people who live there. Despite her reddened washerwoman hands, Ann is determined to obtain the position of governess at Trevelyan.
From the moment Ann enters Trevelyan, she feels as if she is being watched. Benedict Trevelyan proves to be a problem she hadn't expected. For the first time, Ann is attracted to a man and feels a woman's desire -- yet Benedict is the last man she should love. He's suspected of killing his wife, and even though Ann doesn't believe he's guilty, Benedict's aura of despair and sensuality frighten her. There can never be anything between them; they are too far apart on the social ladder, but sometimes the heart doesn't care, and passion leads where intellect dare not.
Ann immediately becomes enamored of Justin and Robert, Benedict's children, but the rest of the household remains elusive, and often frightening. Is Trevelyan Manor cursed and haunted by Benedict's deceased wife, or is someone human trying to drive Ann away? Is Benedict the honorable and passionate man Ann loves, or is he a cold-blooded murderer? Ann will have to learn the truth before the darkness that shadows the manor destroys her.
Fans of gothic romance in the tradition of Charlotte Bronte, Victoria Holt, and Phyllis Whitney, read no more -- just go out and get this book; you are going to love it! For those of you who are novices to this exciting and romantic genre, read on.
THE MISTRESS OF TREVELYAN is an absolutely wonderful tale from debut author Jennifer St. Giles. The pages are filled with tension, shadows, and the sense of expectation found in all truly great gothic romances. In addition to the superb storytelling, the author has created a cast of characters as fascinating as they are varied. Ann is a woman of great compassion and common sense. She is practical about all things in her life, but is overwhelmed by the attraction and passion that fill her in Benedict's presence. She's smart and never acts stupidly; even her decision to enter an intimate relationship with Benedict is carefully considered before she acts.
Benedict is a man with shadows in his eyes and darkness in his heart. His actions are those of an honorable man, but the reader is fully aware that he has secrets he does not reveal. He is enigmatic, fascinating, and captivating, as well as exceedingly sexy in the way of all dark, brooding heroes. Stephan Trevelyan, Benedict's younger brother, initially appears to be lighthearted and irresponsible, but he too has secrets and shadows on his soul. In addition to Benedict's two adorable and lonely son's, Robert and Justin; his mother; sister, Katherine; and sister-in-law, Constance Oretega, also live at the manor. Mrs. Trevelyan is a bitter and angry woman and makes no bones about the fact that she does not welcome Ann into her home. Katherine is deaf and spends her time painting in her room, rarely interacting with the rest of the family. Constance is a young woman who appears more concerned with fashion than anything else. None of the characters' surface personalities reveal who they are underneath the gloss, however, so the reader is not sure who is friend and who is foe. This uncertainty helps to create a high level of tension throughout the story. The dialogue flows smoothly and the narrative paints a vivid portrait, not only of the manor and its surroundings, but also of the dark and often menacing atmosphere which permeates Trevelyan.
For a story that will entertain from beginning to end, as well as send a chill or two down your spine, I highly recommend THE MISTRESS OF TREVELYAN. It's an outstanding tale and a Perfect 10 as well as the winner of the Daphne du Maurier Award for both Best of the Best, and Best Historical.
Jennifer St. Giles must most definitely be a descendant of the famous Bronte sisters. By no other manner could she be gifted with such ageless skill as to write a gothic romance, which fascinates even the most discerning of contemporary readers. From the very first page, The Mistress of Trevelyan calls to the reader as Trevelyan Manor had always beckoned to Ann. As Ann could not resist the mystery, neither can the adventurous soul who obsessively turns the pages of the book in search of the truth which lies within.
The story is enthralling, and the characters are captivating, especially the brooding Benedict who shares many likeable character traits with the great Heathcliff of Wuthering Heights. Ann is an unselfish heroine whose admirable quest for truth and love is a rarely seen reflection of the immense talent of Daphne du Maurier's extraordinary writing gift.
The Mistress of Trevelyan is destined to become a classic romance novel; one readers will reach for again and again.
Despite the dark rumors that prevail about Trevelyan Manor and its grim master, Benedict Trevelyan, Ann Lovell seeks a position there as governess for Benedict's two young sons. As Ann settles in, she finds herself teaching not only the boys about love and life but also the other inhabitants of the house, including Benedict and his two tormented siblings, Stephen and Katherine. All the while Ann finds herself falling harder and harder for Benedict.
But the secrets of Trevelyan Manor are dark and dangerous, and Ann's search for the truth about Benedict's wife's death may cause her very own.
Jennifer St. Giles must most definitely be a descendant of the famous Bronte sisters. By no other manner could she be gifted with such ageless skill as to write a gothic romance, which fascinates even the most discerning of contemporary readers. From the very first page, The Mistress of Trevelyan calls to the reader as Trevelyan Manor had always beckoned to Ann. As Ann could not resist the mystery, neither can the adventurous soul who obsessively turns the pages of the book in search of the truth which lies within.
The story is enthralling, and the characters are captivating, especially the brooding Benedict who shares many likeable character traits with the great Heathcliff of Wuthering Heights. Ann is an unselfish heroine whose admirable quest for truth and love is a rarely seen reflection of the immense talent of Daphne du Maurier's extraordinary writing gift.
The Mistress of Trevelyan is destined to become a classic romance novel; one readers will reach for again and again.
ST. GILES, JENNIFER, The Mistress of Trevelyan, Pocket: S&S. Aug. 2004. c.384p. ISBN 0-7434-8625-0. pap. $6.99. GOTHIC
The beautiful, mist-shrouded house on Trevelyan Hill has always called to bright, bookish Ann Lovell. So when the position of tutor for Benedict Trevelyan's two young sons is announced, Ann applies and, surprisingly, gets the job. But dark mysteries lurk beneath Trevelyan's elegant surface, and as Ann grows closer to her young charges, she attracts the admiring attention of their brooding, troubled father. Following closely in the footsteps of Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre, Daphne Du Maurier's Rebecca, and Victoria Holt's Mistress of Mellyn, this intriguing, well-crafted romance adds a level of sensuality not found in these earlier works. While this may offend Gothic purists, it is very much in keeping with current tastes. St. Giles has won a number of awards, including two Daphne Du Maurier awards for The Mistress of Trevelyan, and lives near Atlanta.
HIS DARK DESIRES
Pocket
ISBN: ISBN 0-7434-8226-9
November 2004
American Historical Romance
You are in danger. Trust no one. The terrifying words from a mysterious letter echo in Juliet Bucheron's mind. Destitute ever since her husband disappeared in the Civil War, Juliet has turned her New Orleans ancestral home into a boarding house—despite the rumors of ghosts, the whispers of scandal, and the stain of murder. But even more unsettling is Juliet's new tenant, a handsome stranger named Stephen Trevelyan. Wealthy, educated, and seductively compelling, Stephen fills Juliet's heart with uncontrollable longing—and her head with suspicion. Something, she senses, is lurking beneath the surface. And someone is stalking the hallways after midnight. As the danger draws nearer, Juliet wonders if she can really trust Stephen. But as he pulls her closer, she knows she cannot resist him . . . no matter what the price.
4 Star Review From Romantic Times Book Club! A riveting sequel…a sexually charged romance that satisfies whether they're seeking suspense or passion---Romantic Times Book Club.
With its dark, dangerous hero and sexy storyline this historical romance will appeal to contemporary romantic suspense fans who enjoy danger and intrigue. -- True Romance Magazine, Nov 05.
Wonderful Americana romantic suspense thriller"
In 1874, widow Juliet Boucheron and her two sisters Ginette and Mignon operate a B&B at their family home La Belle du Temps in New Orleans. Juliet has heard rumors that her spouse actually lives in Europe, but though she assumes he died trying to run a Union blockade a decade ago, she has hired an investigator Goodson to look into this. Goodson warns her to trust no one as her life is danger at the same time attorney Mr. Latour pressures her to sell her home to the Packert Investment Company.
Writer Stephen Trevelyan rents a room from Juliet insisting he is a writer who needs quiet. He hides his true agenda from his hostess, which is to find stolen gold that he assumes her late spouse buried in the house. However, he soon changes his objective when he falls in love with Juliet; now his goal is to keep the three sisters safe from an unknown assailant who wants them dead and has already poisoned Ginette.
HIS DARK DESIRES is a wonderful Americana romantic suspense thriller that is driven by the three sisters and Stephen, who appeared as a key support character in the gothic delight THE MISTRESS OF TREVELYAN where he learned a lesson in life. Juliet is a courageous person as she not only takes charge of the B&B, her sisters, and her son; she bravely perhaps stupidly refuses to be bullied into a sale she feels is wrong though she is unsure how much longer heritage can hold out in a southern world turned upside down in the past decade. Jennifer St. Giles provides a fabulous Reconstruction Era tale.
Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted October 10, 2005
Rendezvous Review Magazine's September 2005
Rosebud of the Month!
This month's Rosebud goes to:
Jennifer St. Giles
of
POCKET BOOKS
for
HIS DARK DESIRES
ISBN 0-7434-8226-9
HIS DARK DESIRES by Jennifer St. Giles
Pocket Historical Romance 9/05
The Civil War left many victims, including Juliet Bourcheron who in order to keep her home, changes it into a boarding house. There has been a dark cloud hanging over the family and those who were her friends now turn their backs on her, whispering that her husband was a traitor who stole the confederate money and kept it for himself. Juliet receives a letter saying “Do not trust anyone,” and now she has a mysterious boarder who is cloaked in mystery and who claims he wants to help her.
Trevlyan is compelling man and she feels drawn to him. She's really confused after someone poisons her sister and they discover they have a resident ghost. Together, Juliet and Trevlyan begin to unravel the mysterious happenings on her estate.
Powerful and emotional, with complex characters whose essence seems to jump off the pages, HIS DARK DESIRES contains deep secrets, adrenaline high tension, and awesome conflict. The author molds characters like a potter, then breathes life into them. An excellent journey into the past, one you won't forget. WK
ROMANCE JUNKIES REVIEW
Juliet Boucheron is a beautiful woman desperately trying to hold on to her property after her husband was labeled a traitor in the war. She senses in her heart that her husband was killed for the gold he allegedly stole. While she hires an investigator to find out if her husband is alive, murder is afoot and strange occurrences are happening. When Stephen shows up at her house, as a potential border, she detects he is not telling her the truth, but the sizzling passion between them is clouding her judgment. As the accidents turn deadlier, she turns to the man who has captured her heart to help her figure out who wants her dead. Will Juliet find a rare love in a stranger amidst murder and mayhem? Or will her heart be broken when she learns the real truth of who Stephen truly is and why he is there?
Stephen Trevelyan is a mysterious man who cannot let go of the past. He vows never to fall in love again. When a friend of his is murdered, he must find out the truth, but he does not know who to trust, including the intriguing Juliet. As he spends time with her, he feels the walls crumble around his heart. When a woman is murdered at the house, he must step up the investigation and find out who wants Juliet dead before it is too late. Will Stephen finally open his heart to Juliet and let her love heal his wounds? Or will he lose her when she learns of his deceit?
HIS DARK DESIRES will leave you glued to the edge of your seat while turning every sizzling page from cover to cover. Jennifer St. Giles draws her readers in with vivid imagery, an intriguing plot that will keep you guessing and tremendously passionate characters. Juliet is strong, stubborn, and sassy. Her devotion to her family is unwavering and commendable. Stephen captured my heart for his ability to finally let go of the past and go after the woman he was meant to be with. The secondary characters in this enchanting tale are very colorful and add a lot of pizzazz to the intrigue. I will definitely be looking forward to more of Jennifer St. Giles' work. Billie Jo
All About Romance Review
Desert Isle Keeper Review
His Dark Desires
Jennifer St. Giles
November 2005, American Historical Romance (1874 New Orleans)
Pocket, $6.99, 336 pages, ISBN 0743486269
Part of a series
Grade: A-
Sensuality: Warm
Though His Dark Desires takes place in the midst of a sultry New Orleans summer, it represents something quite the opposite for romance readers: a welcome breath of fresh air.
Don't get me wrong – I'm a bonafide Regency girl from w-a-a-a-y back. But somewhere along the way, a steady diet of All-Regency-All-The-Time, interspersed with an occasional dip into Victoriana, numbs the palate of even someone like me – so much so, in fact, that these days only the best writers working in the Regency (and we all know who I'm talking about) can overcome my, to use a true Regency word, ennui.
Enter Jennifer St. Giles. A few months ago, a romance-reading friend of mine (with excellent taste, I might add) pressed upon me The Mistress of Trevelyan, a rip-roaring Gothic tale of a governess (yes, a governess!) and a mysterious, widowed, and, of course, devilishly attractive Master of the House whose wife just might have died under equally mysterious circumstances. When the sequel featuring the brother of the previous book's hero popped up on the list of books available for review, I jumped on it.
Set in 1874 in war-devestated New Orleans, His Dark Desires is a vigorously written, intelligent, and gripping tale set in a fascinating city in an equally fascinating time. And, believe it or not, though this book features fewer Gothic overtones and more classic romance elements than its predecessor, there's not a Regency miss anywhere in sight.
Widow Juliet Boucheron struggles to keep herself, her young son, and her sisters together by taking on boarders in their formerly stately home just outside New Orleans. With at least one skanky predatory type attempting to coerce her into selling the home she dearly loves, Juliet is understandably more than a bit disconcerted when the investigator she's hired to look into the rumors that her husband might still be alive sends her a telegram telling her to “trust no one.”
Equally disconcerting is Juliet's attractive new boarder, one Stephen Trevelyan. Quite understandably, Juliet wonders why the richly dressed young man claiming to be in New Orleans on business for his family's successful trading company might choose to stay in Juliet's somewhat rundown home instead of a first class hotel. But with rumors (and the vultures) circling, her sister's mysterious illness, and nighttime attacks that just might be ghostly in nature, Juliet simply doesn't have the time or inclination to think too much about the appealing young man – and her attraction to him.
Juliet is a complex heroine who is likable right from the start. Determined, capable, and with her sights fixed firmly on protecting her family, Juliet is the kind of stalwart, no-nonsense heroine I adore. Stephen, on the other hand, is one of those gently teasing and flirtatious young men the reader knows is actually far more complex – and capable – than he initially appears. In the author's skilled hands, both Juliet and Stephen are original, intriguing, appealing characters who are as complex and layered as any reader might wish.
To put it simply, any historical romance reader with a palate in need of cleansing will likely find His Dark Desires to be as invigorating as I did. I loved the time and setting, both of which are brought vividly to life by the author. I loved both Juliet and Stephen. I loved the Gothic elements that bring a whiff of the paranormal to an already rich tale. But, most of important of all, I loved the freshness of this book – a freshness that even this diehard Regency reader found especially welcome.
In an era of overwhelming sameness when it comes to historical romance, His Dark Desires easily stands out from the crowd. If you love historical romance and haven't yet tried Jennifer St. Giles, you've got a treat in store. She writes smart. She writes sexy. She writes differently. And, wonder of wonders, she doesn't write Regency. -- Sandy Coleman
FRESH FICTION
Juliet Boucheron struggles to maintain and keep her ancestral home despite the threat of high taxes and a rash of unexplained break-ins. As a widow, she works hard to protect her son and younger sisters. Juliet hides the reality of their situation from her family until a telegram arrives warning her of impending danger. Terrified of trusting anyone, Juliet once again starts searching her home for the gold her late husband was accused of stealing before the war ended.
Stephen Trevelyan arrives at the Boucheron mansion hiding his own secrets. Unable to contend with his involvement with his sister-in-law's death, Stephen needs a place to write. Appearing at the Boucheron mansion, he obtains a room as a boarder. Intermingling with the other boarders, Stephen perceives the darkness and turmoil that permeates the inhabitants. His growing attraction to Juliet distracts him from his real purpose in being there.
Juliet tentatively accepts Stephen's aid, but cannot give him her full trust. There are still too many unanswered questions surrounding him. The consequences of her trusting the wrong person would harm not only her, but also her family. The suspense mounts until a murder occurs and Juliet has no choices left.
Teeming with menacing atmosphere, this sequel to MISTRESS OF TREVELYAN continues along the Gothic path. St. Giles captures that Gothic essence with a sinister plot, complete with unusual twist and turns, while maintaining a strong sexual tension between the protagonists.
Reviewed by Suan Wilson
Posted October 19, 2005
Buy it! | Read it! | top
Midnight Secrets
"When two are born together, one will die by the other's hand..."
--The Dragon's Curse
In a rage of suspicion and accusation, twin brothers Sean and Alex came
close to killing each other the night the woman they both loved was
murdered. Eight years later, they still don't agree on anything--except the
need to remain alone and unwed, to keep from passing the Dragon's Curse on
to another generation. And when another woman disappears from the Killdaren
TOUCH A DARK WOLF - Jennifer St. Giles The Shadowmen, Book 1
Pocket
ISBN-10: 1-4165-1332-9
ISBN-13: 978-1-4165-1332-2
September 2006
Paranormal Romance
Twilight, Tennessee ~ Present Day
Erin Morgan's sixth sense is telling her to hightail it away from Sno-Med Corporation and Dr. Cinatas. Initially, Erin was excited to be working for a corporation that specialized in blood transfusions for cancer patients. But then one night, she saw something she shouldn't have, and now her life is in danger. Driving along a mountainous road, Erin runs into some fog and can't see a thing. All of a sudden there's a thud and her windshield cracks. Did she hit an animal, a person? To her horror it's neither. The evil thing looking back at her is nothing she's ever seen before. The big silver wolf that comes out of nowhere to fight the creature is another story. However, when the wolf looks at her and tells her to "leave now," Erin wonders if she's going crazy before she passes out. When she wakes, it's daylight, and instead of a black monster and a silver wolf, Erin finds the most gorgeous naked man on the hood of her car.
A Blood Hunter, protector of the human race, Jared Hunter saves Erin Morgan from death at the hands of a Tsara, a poisonous creature and a minion of Heldon. But, in the process, Jared is bitten, and in that moment, he knows his soul is damned and waits for his brethren to come and kill him. Instead of sweet death, Jared wakes to find the Tsara poison working through his mortal body. Aragon and the others have sealed the poison within him, and pain wracks him every moment with only Erin's touch easing the fire raging inside. Her Elan blood calls to him demanding he gorge himself on it. Does she know the danger she is in every moment she stays by his side? No matter. He will protect her from the Vladarian Order -- an army of evil warriors -- and from the beast within. There is an old legend that one who is damned can be saved by true love. Is Jared willing to risk all to see if Erin can break the curse?
Erin and Jared are on a dangerous and treacherous road with so little time to stop Dr. Cinatas and the vile creatures seeking to destroy Erin. When their journey leads them to Dr. Emerald Linton, a clinical psychologist who claims she's been waiting for Jared and Erin, Erin is even more confused. How did Emerald know they would be in the mountains at the Sacred Stones? Is Jared really dying because he saved her?
Author Jennifer St. Giles begins a new series of shapeshifters and otherworldly creatures with TOUCH A DARK WOLF. Readers meet a group of warriors, the Blood Hunters, who fight for the safety of us mere mortals with no recognition of their heroics. Erin and Jared are intriguing, well-written characters who draw the reader into the story. Jared is a sexy, powerful male who doesn't understand the feelings welling up inside him for Erin. He understands the need for her Elan blood, but this other stuff is beyond him. Of course, he gets the hang of it pretty darn quick. Erin is a nurse who finds helping people a fulfilling career. However, when she finds dead bodies drained of their blood, Erin knows something isn't right with the lab or Dr. Cinatas. Secondary characters include Emerald, a strange lady but one worth having on your side; Annette Batista, who has a hard time believing in the supernatural, and vaguely mentioned are the other Blood Hunters, Aragon, Sven, Navarre and York.
For a spine-tingling and engrossing read, pick up a copy of Jennifer St. Giles's TOUCH A DARK WOLF. I can't wait to see which warrior's story is told next.
"Dazzling start to new romance series inhabited with shapeshifters and other mystical beings."
Erin Morgan loves her job at Sno-Med Clinic, working for Dr. Cinatas, until the day she discovers the dead bodies of innocent people murdered for the treatment of Sno-Med's wealthy clients. Fleeing to the Tennessee Mountains, she is nearly attacked by a feral wolf, only to be rescued by a second wolf. She runs her car off the road, and when she awakens it is to discover the most beautiful man she's ever seen lying on the hood of her car, gloriously naked.
Jared Hunter has only been a human for a few hours, having lost his immortality saving Erin. Now he is condemned, the poison from the battle he fought for Erin turning him into the very evil he has dedicated his existence to fighting. He is consumed by a horrifying bloodlust, a craving for the lovely Erin that will soon lead to his death. With Erin's touch the pain recedes, and though he finds himself attracted to her, he fights the attraction, fearful of hurting her. When Dr. Cinatas comes after her, Jared vows to protect her and keep her safe from the evil he brings.
Jennifer St. Giles has crafted a dazzling world of shapeshifters and mystical beings, overseen by the mysterious and heroic warriors known as The Shadowmen.
Erin and Jared's relationship is sensual and intense, each needing the other to survive, and the evil of Dr. Cinatas is truly frightening. Ms. St. Giles has created a wonderful supporting cast of characters and an exciting battle between good and evil that will entertain to the last page.
When Erin Morgan arrived for work one day at the Sno-Med Clinic, the last thing she expected to step into was a murder mystery. Running from her boss, Dr. Anthony Cinatas, Erin finds herself even deeper in mystery as she learns that there are more creatures lurking; and she’s appealing to a host of them. While seeking a hiding place in Tennessee, Erin gets into a strange car accident, involving a black creature and a silver wolf. Upon rousing after the accident, she finds herself in a pasture, with a naked man on the hood of her Tahoe, and only a minimal recollection of what happened.
Erin learns that the man’s name is Jared and decides right away that she has to help him recover, whether she caused his wounds or not. Jared explains that he was a Blood Hunter from the spirit world and has been condemned to a mortal life after battle with a Tsara. At first Erin thinks Jared is delusional because of his injuries or a mental instability, but soon after their meeting she begins to believe in his version of reality. The Tsara bite infects Jared slowly with an evil force, threatening to take over.
Erin and Jared are rescued by a psychic who says she’s known of their arrival for months and has been waiting for them. With the help of their savior and a few other locals, Erin and Jared attempt to get the goods on her boss and Jared tries to reign the evil attempting to take over his body. Is love enough to save him?
Touch a Dark Wolf was a fascinating take on werewolf lore. Fast paced, full of mystery and a touch of danger, I couldn’t put the book down. While Erin and Jared feel an almost immediate attraction, Erin is not willing to get lost in her desires so quickly, while Jared, new to the mortal world, struggles to understand his feelings. As Erin teaches Jared about the world and her, he also learns more about himself and desires to be able to stay with Erin. There is a very intimate trust between these two so powerful it can be felt throughout most of the story, even before they are willing to admit it. The plot was ingenious and very well mapped out, while the majority of the story focused on the plot, Erin and Jared’s romance was not downplayed. I would absolutely recommend Touch a Dark Wolf to any paranormal fan.
Reviewed in August 2006 by Kristen.
Darkest Dreams
Love can unite what ri val ry attempts to tear apart. Or so Andromeda thought when she journeyed to Dartmoor 's End to be with her sister, recently wed to the legendary Sean Killdaren. Andromeda is hopelessly drawn to Sean's estranged twin brother and ri val , Alexander Killdaren, Viscount Blackmoor. The talk of a curse won't keep her from seeking employment from Alex, cataloguing the Killdaren family antiques. She hopes to use her gift of thought-reading to learn more about him—if only he will let her in...
What Andromeda sees in Alex's wicked mind arouses both fear and attraction. But there are other dangers lurking in Dragon's Cove. Women are falling prey to a deadly Druid ritual in which innocents are sacrificed. With her gifts, Andromeda knows she is bound to be the next victim—and with Alex's reputation, he's a likely suspect. Can what they feel for each other be strong enough to reveal the truth? Or will the shadow over Dragon's Cove eclipse their hearts forever?
In 1879 Andromeda Andrews comes to Dartmoor's End to see her recently married sister Cassie, who wed Sean Killaren. Her arrival upsets the cold war balance between Sean and his twin Alexander as it reminds both of the prophesy curse in which one will kill the other and the "accident" in which the Andrews' cousin Mary dies at sea near Dartmoor's End.
Andromeda is attracted to Alexander who cannot hide his bitterness towards Sean. Like Cassie she wants to know more about Mary's death and the sibling she is falling in love with though also like her sister she fears her beloved is a cruel soulless killer who she has doubts on whether she can trust him with her heart, her life, and her soul.
DARKEST DREAMS, the sequel to the magnificent MIDNIGHT SECRETS is a superb paranormal Victorian romantic suspense thriller with gothic overtones. The story line is action- packed, but as with Cass' saga, Andromeda is the key to the wonderful plot. Her "sight" skills tell her to run away and towards Alex especially in light of her belief that she is the next Druid sacrifice and he might be the one to perform the ritual. Fans of gothic and paranormal romances will want to read this beguiling tale.
Harriet Klausner
Darkest Dreams by Jennifer St. Giles
"Well-told Gothic romance that's tension-filled and sexy."
The Andrew sisters descended upon the Cornish coast to uncover their cousin's murderer. Instead, Cassie fell in love and married Sean Killdarren, a man surrounded in controversy and scandal. Andromeda promises Cassie that she will help her disprove the Killdarren curse that shadows Sean and his twin brother, Alex. The curse prophecy says twin Killdarren brothers are fated to kill one another. Trying to forestall the prediction, the brothers isolate themselves from each other.
Andromeda takes a job with Alex cataloging the artifacts in his castle. Acting as a Trojan horse, Andromeda invades Alex's home looking for a solution to the curse within the castle. Blessed or cursed, Andromeda has the talent to read peoples' thoughts. She uses her "gift" hoping to find the answers.
Alex Killdarren, Viscount Blackmoor, lives a lonely isolated life. An accident eight years ago that left his brother permanently injured haunts him. He believes the curse nearly came true. Trying to keep his brother safe, Alex immerses himself in his horse breeding. His title will pass to Sean and his children. Alex will not fulfill the curse's legacy. His plan goes awry when Andromeda occupies his home and fills his thoughts with uncontrollable lust.
Haunted mansions, abandon ruins and a murder hover over the Killdarrens. The Andrew sisters will need every one of their special gifts to keep the men they love safe.
Ms. St. Giles writes a good Gothic romance, which has evil stalking amid the shadows ready to appear at any time and cause destruction in its wake. Interspersing curses and Druid tales keeps the tension high, while the sexy encounters between Andromeda and Alex heat up the pages.
Andromeda hides a secret. With the touch of her hand she can read another’s thoughts. Journeying to Dartmoor’s End to be with her recently wed sister, Andrie meets Alexander Killdaren, the twin of her brother-in-law. What she sees in Alex’s mind arouses both fear and attraction. Hopelessly drawn to him, Andrie takes a job in his household, cataloguing Killdaren family antiques. Despite the growing attraction, she has an ulterior motive for being there - to find out what really happened at Dartmoor’s End eight years ago, and reunite Alex with his estranged brother, Sean.
But danger is ever present at Dragon’s Cove. Women are being sacrificed to a deadly druid ritual. Along with her sisters, and the other women on the Killdaren Estate, Andromeda sets out to solve the brutal murders. But with her gifts she is bound to be the next victim. And Alex the prime suspect. Can love be strong enough to reveal the truth? And can love unite a rivalry that has been in place for thousands of years?
Darkest Dreams is the second instalment in Jennifer St. Giles’ Killdaren series, and continues where Midnight Secrets left off. This reviewer did not believe Ms St. Giles could outdo the first book, but this proved to be untrue! Darkest Dreams is a sensual, suspenseful, historical romance. One that is guaranteed to keep you reading late into the night.
Both Andrie and Alex hide secrets from their families, carrying the burden with them constantly. When they find solace in each other, the scenes are so emotionally charged that they provide a seductive, erotic feast for the reader. With a fascinating range of secondary characters, this reviewer was pleased to see all of them making an appearance.
If you are looking for a love story that warms the heart, passion that sizzles and a suspenseful who-dun-it, you cannot go wrong with Darkest Dreams.
Reviewed in October 2006 by Donna.
Jennifer St. Giles
November 2006, European Historical Romance (1870s [Victorian] England)
Berkley Sensation, $6.99, 320 pages, ISBN 042521303X
Part of a series
Grade: B+
Sensuality: Hot
My love for romance reading is based on many things, but I must admit that alluring heroes top that list. It seems that I seldom find one of those perfectly desirable heroes these days, but Jennifer St. Giles serves up such a delectable one in her latest release that I fear most other heroes will fall short by comparison for some time to come.
The Dragon’s Curse has held the Killdaren family in its grip for over a thousand years and history has shown that any time twins are born, one twin eventually kills the other. Twins Alexander and Sean Killdaren are living the nightmare after a fight eight years ago between the two ended with Sean crippled from the brothers tumbling over the side of a cliff. Although both live in Dartmoor's End, they neither speak nor see each other, but their game is one of avoidance, resentment, and a desperate attempt to hamper the curse. Lord Alexander Killdaren, Viscount Blackmoor, is the elder of the two and he chooses to pay his penance for his part in the crippling fight by leaving no legitimate heir, thus allowing the title to pass to Sean and his heirs.
Andrie Andrews lives in Dartmoor’s End with her sister, who recently married Sean Killdaren (Midnight Secrets). However, it is progressively difficult to live with the newly married couple since Andrie sees a lot more of their lives than they realize. Gifted with the ability to read another’s thoughts when she touches them, Andrie knows her gift is increasing and the burden of seeing the thoughts of those around her, despite her efforts to tune them out, is almost too much to bear. Long ago she made the decision to live her life alone without inflicting her gift on another and she knows the time has come to support herself. She believes her knowledge of antiquities and her ability to catalogue them will provide her with the needed income and she seeks to gain local employment. The forbidden twin, Alexander, has a large estate close by filled with such antiquities and Andrie bravely asks him for employment cataloging his artifacts.
In Andrie’s mind, Alexander is the most dynamic person she has ever met, as well as the most intriguing. Added to her intense attraction to him, she has yet to “see” into his mind although she has touched him several times. The added benefit to working in his home is the pact she and Cassie have made to reunite the brothers. Now that Cassie carries Sean’s child, her fear is great that the curse will affect her child as well. Both Andrie and Cassie agree that the brothers must come to the realization that they have the power to stop the curse by refusing to believe in it.
Danger seems to be lurking around every corner, but Andrie and Alexander’s romance remains the primary focus of the story. Although I prefer romances that are character driven and don't rely on the overused obligatory suspense element, I decided early on to accept this suspense plot and did not begrudge the scenes necessary to support it. I think I have already made clear my favorable opinion of the hero, but allow me to point out that Andrie was a pretty terrific heroine as well. Romance works so much better when you thoroughly like both leads!
In addition to the suspense element, there are numerous secondary characters and a total of four romances, one of which involves Sean and Cassie, whose story was told in the first book of this series. Theirs is not the sickeningly sweet, romance-laden relationship most often seen when past lead couples appear in a sequel, but rather a relationship that remains full of challenges. As the second of a series, Darkest Dreams suffers significantly from ongoing plot descriptions with many pages devoted to past events and character profiles. Before writing this review, I read Midnight Secrets for a better understanding of the entire story and am sorry to say that since it failed to hold my attention, had I had read it first, I may not have picked up this wonderful book. Ultimately, this heavy reliance on the previous book’s events reduced my final grade to the B range. If one is willing to work through the first four chapters, though, this book does perform well as a stand alone.
Although I can’t say I dislike stories written in first person, I can state that I definitely prefer to read the hero’s thoughts. However, first person works quite well here since Alexander’s hidden thoughts enhanced his mysterious sexy persona and when a few of those thoughts were later revealed - whew! - I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. And while Andrie can’t read Alexander’s thoughts, she picks up just enough to add considerable heat to a few of the scenes that may have tempered the first person voice as well.
Two people determined to never marry is a plot device I have read too many times to appreciate it much anymore, but St. Giles’s approach is rather refreshing. And, though there is a very satisfying HEA for Alexander and Andrie, Darkest Dreams most definitely does not end with its final pages. It is obvious that at least one other romance is in the works and you better believe, now that I have processed the background storyline, I will follow it through to the next HEA as well.
-- Lea Hensley
Kiss of Darkness
"A fantastic paranormal thriller, fraught with danger, thrills and sensual passion."
There's a battle brewing in Twilight, Tennessee, with Emerald Linton and Sam Sheridan caught in the center of a clash of epic evil. Emerald has been running from the evil that had her fleeing Ireland with her young daughter years earlier. William Wellbourne is determined to have his revenge on Emerald for killing his brother. Sam is dealing with the aftereffects of his imprisonment and torture at the hands of Vasquez resulting in Sam being bitten by the vampire. It takes all of Emerald's magic to keep at bay the evil creeping into Sam's soul, while at the same time keeping the protection around Haven.
Emerald, Sam and their small band of rebels are determined to save their town from the evil converging on Twilight. Cinatas and Wellbourne are gathering their forces to attack, and when one nearest to Emerald becomes a pawn in the battle, it will take all that they have, and the support of their friends, to defeat the monsters and save not only themselves, but the town.
KISS OF DARKNESS by Jennifer St. Giles is a fantastically written paranormal thriller, fraught with danger and thrills from page one. Ms. St. Giles has a gift for building the tension in her stories, and her gift is evident throughout this one. Emerald and Sam are beautifully written characters, struggling to make something of their attraction while up against evil forces threatening their very existence. Their relationship is sensual and captivating in its intensity. This latest installment in the Shadowmen series is the best, and I eagerly await the next installment.
Paula Myers Fresh Fiction 3/16/09
A vampire bite has Sheriff Sam Sheridan on the fast track to hell and demons are taking over Twilight Tennessee. He’s battling not only to save both his soul and his town, but also his love for one woman, Emerald Linton. Emerald has a secret that could destroy both her and Sam. She is an angel, and if she can’t save Sam from turning evil, then she’ll have to kill him, no matter how much of her heart belongs to him. Sam is determined to take as many demons and vampires down with him as he can and to protect Emerald, but as the seductive dark power in him grows will he condemn Emerald to share his doomed fate, or will they both find a way out of hell.
My thoughts:
Book 3 in the Shadowmen series and it certainly didn’t disappoint!
Continuing from the first two books in the series, Kiss of Darkness follows Emerald, the resident psychic as she battles to save Sam, her love interest. The story flows seamlessly from the previous book, Lure of a Wolf and picks up right where we left it. Emerald is my favourite character in the series.
A good mix of good versus evil with a nice twist of erotica. A sexy, fast paced must read book.
I would love the write more in this review but I don’t want to spoil the story or give anything away. Go read the book and see for yourself!
Nici ~ http://bcfreviews.wordpress.com/2009/03/14/kiss-of-darkness-jennifer-st-giles/
Romantic Times Book Club
KISS OF DARKNESS
by Jennifer St. Giles
RT Rating: **** (Four Star)
Category: PARANORMAL ROMANCE
Publisher: POCKET
Published: April 2009
In the first of back-to-back Shadow- men releases, St. Giles unleashes hell. With each successive chapter in this pulse-pounding series, the stakes increase. The lead protagonists have been snapping at each other since they met, and the author skillfully builds on that tension to up the sexual ante. St. Giles is on a roll!
Summary: Although the Shadowmen and their human and non-human allies have won a major battle against the evil demons and vampires, they haven't won the war, and they're now under siege.
After losing her husband to the creeping evil caused by a vampire bite, clairvoyant Emerald Linton has kept her true heritage a secret. Emerald and Sheriff Sam Sheridan have butted heads since meeting, yet the attraction between them has also grown. But Sam was bitten by a vampire, and Emerald fears she'll lose him to insidious evil. Then the apocalyptic menace of Cinatas and his dark forces arrive. (POCKET, Apr., 352 pp., $6.99) HOT
“You must read this series.”
Title: Kiss of Darkness
Author: Jennifer St. Giles
Genre: Paranormal
Hearts: 5 / 5 - Reviewer Top Pick
Reviewer: Robin
Six years ago Emerald left England in the dead of night with her daughter, after seeing a vision of their deaths at the hands of her husband. Now after another vision Emerald is living in Twilight Tennessee. There is a battle going on between good and evil and a battle will be fought in Twilight. It's down to a group of shadowmen, their human mates, and their friends. Sam Sheridan is the sheriff of Twilight and also in love with Emerald even though he does not believe in her "woo-woo" stuff. Now Sam and Emerald are not only in a fight to save the town but also to save Sam's soul. During a rescue mission a vampire bit Sam. Now he is fighting the growing darkness that is trying to take over his soul. Sam is fighting it, but the longer he is around Emerald, the more her blood calls to him. Emerald has angle blood running though her veins, and that is something the vampires want very much. With the battle coming down to the wire, Sam and Emerald cannot keep their feelings about each other under control. If they can live though the upcoming battle can Emerald save Sam's soul from the darkness?
This it the third book in Ms. St. Giles Shadowmen series. In my opinion this series is one of the best. It is definite a keeper. The struggle between good and evil is told in a way that holds your attention. I, for one, cannot wait for the next installment of this entertaining series. You must read this series. It is great.
Fallen Angel Review! 5 Angels.
Emerald Linton and her daughter, Meggie, have been on the run for the past six years from a vengeful vampire after she inadvertently killed his brother. She’s landed in the small town of Twilight, Tennessee, where sexy sheriff Sam Sheridan has been bitten by a vampire and demons are looking to take over the local populace.
A small band of fighters have gathered together, under the protective shield of the Sacred Stones, to discuss a strategy to reclaim the town and banish the evil that’s taken hold of its citizens.
Emerald has found herself attracted to the intense, brooding sheriff. But she’s half-angel, half-human and the good that resides in her shrinks from the evil grown in Sam. Likewise, Sam is drawn to the sensual Em. Yet he’s afraid if he gets too close to her, he’ll kill her. Emerald tells him of a sacred ritual that may cleanse him of the vampire venom growing in him. It can be done, but with great risk to their lives. They’ll cross that bridge if and when they get to it. But first they have to survive the evil that threatens to take them all.
Angels and Demons and Vampires, oh my! Author Jennifer St. Giles has created a wonderfully complex world with her Shadowmen series. Although the third in the series, Kiss of Darkness is my first foray into this world. I enjoyed the sizzling chemistry between the various sets of couples in the story, and was especially entranced by the push-pull relationship between Sam and Emerald. The constant internal and relational conflict between these two keeps the reader guessing about their resolution until the very end.
The suspenseful battle between good and evil throughout the story creates a fast-paced page-turner sure to magnetize and entertain not only the currents fans of Ms. St. Giles but will be sure to attract new ones, including this reviewer.
Reviewed by: Bella
The lives of several beloved characters hang in the balance while ruthlessly evil enemies continue their battle for domination of Earth in the enthralling third book of The Shadowmen series. Jennifer St. Giles has created an intriguingly fascinating and original world where each new set of circumstances is totally innovative and ingeniously depicted.
Twilight, Tennessee is a quaintly small town, but unfortunately there are those who want to use their powers to control all the inhabitants. The sheriff of the town, Sam Sheridan, knows about the supernatural demons and vampires who want to take over his community and is determined to stop them. Although he was recently bitten by a vampire during a rescue mission, Sam vows to not let the evil inside of him be in command of his life, especially when it might also concern Emerald Linton, a woman who has started to profoundly affect him in every way.
Ever since Emerald arrived in the mountains of Tennessee from Ireland, she and the sheriff have argued about numerous things, in particular when it deals with anything paranormal. There is also an extremely compelling attraction between them, one Sam desperately wants to deny. Emerald has psychic abilities plus is part angel, and she has firsthand knowledge of what may happen to Sam if he does not let her try to aid him. As the leader of the vampires puts his depraved plan in motion, Sam can feel the evil growing inside of him and tries to push Emerald away from him for her own safety, intending to win or lose his fight alone. Emerald is equally determined to save Sam from his potential destiny, resulting in a future for them both.
Believable realism makes the paranormal stories by Jennifer St. Giles come across as grippingly spellbinding. The situations arising all through KISS OF DARKNESS frequently take place because of extraordinary facts, yet Ms. Giles constructs these incidents to make them seem completely plausible. Supernatural beings, psychic abilities and wondrous events are portrayed in such a credible manner, the reader will not be questioning the validity of any scene. Starting with a creative premise for The Shadowmen series, this talented author has continuously added imaginative details to make each story inventively noteworthy. There are countless conflicts in this story, some concerning the physical takeover by merciless beings and other clashes which are only emotional. However, regardless of what is taking place during a certain moment, there is never a time when the reader does not feel connected to the featured characters as their sincere feelings are always clearly described through clever dialogue and genuine thoughts. The inner emotions of Sam and Emerald are especially detectable through the skilled writing of Ms. Giles, as their anguish or joy is always exceedingly palpable and definitely heartfelt. Any time these two are together, the scene is blazingly heated from the overwhelming steamy sensuality flowing between them, and their expression of these passions is intensely potent. The cast of characters is exceptionally outstanding, whether good or evil, and each one plays their part in the story to the fullest.. The ending perfectly sets up the next book, one I am eager to read. KISS OF DARKNESS is masterful paranormal storytelling which never disappoints with its striking images and stirring emotions.
Posted in April 2009, Pocket Books, Reviews.
The clutches of evil tries to overpower those who are good in KISS OF DARKNESS, where the line wavers from its controlling influence.
Kiss of Darkness