Dark Obsession: A Novel of Blackheath Moor

by Allison Chase

The debut that will be a new obsession for fans of paranormal romance...They wed in haste—Nora Thorngoode, to save her ruined reputation, and Grayson Lowell, to rescue his estate from foreclosure for... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 045122387X
• Release Date: May 2008
• Publisher: Signet
• Length: 368 Pages
• Dimensions: 6.5" x 0.8" x 4.0"

Customer Reviews

Great

Forced into a marriage to save her reputation and his estate, Grayson Lowell and Nora Thorngood must trust that the rumors concerning each other are false. When their community refuses to let them reestablish their lives, they move to Blackheath Moor, Lowell's family's estate. Met by a mysterious housekeeper, a mute nephew, and two ghosts, the newlyweds forge into a mystery that has cost Grayson his finances and has his sanity teetering on the edge of an abyss. Ms Chase does a fabulous job of weaving her characters together in a story that will keep you glued to the pages. I rooted for Gray and Nora from the minute they entered the scene and held my breath until the end. The secondary characters enrich the story and will keep you offset as to who did the deed. Equally important is how and why it was done. I worried that I would get to the end and it would be an easy finish. Not so. The conclusion was very satisfying. I am not a fan of paranormal books, but I do enjoy a good ghost story. In the tradition of JANE EYRE, DARK OBSESSION will satisfy lovers of Gothic novels. This book is a must read. CarolASpradling.com author

Dark Obsession

This is an excellent Gothic historical. If you always read Victoria Holt, you will love this book. It is more sensual and has all the usual Gothic elements of a dark, brooding hero, Cornwall location, castles, and a mystery.

Beautifully written and hauntingly romantic

Want to read a fabulous twist on Gothic Romance? Well, you couldn't do better than Dark Obsession. Allison Chaise strikes all the right chords when creating mood, raising the tension of the storyline, and writing heroes who are lovable and flawed (sober, self-sacrificing, guilt-ridden and possibly dangerous). Her descriptions of 19th century London society and the ruggedly beautiful countryside and seacoast of Cornwall, especially when seen through the eyes of the artist/heroine, are engrossing and fill the story with you-are-there details. The romance that blooms tentatively in the face of possible madness, sorrow and mystery is marvelously written. The main characters marry in desparation and then learn to love, and, almost as importantly, trust one another through a series of set backs. But the heroine's gumption and her unflagging loyalty prove well-founded. There's an aura of Wuthering Heights afoot, with all the gloom and bad weather you'd expect but with more humor (which ultimately heightens the dramatic tension, shows the characters growing closer and elevates the reader's interest in the relationship). Even the minor characters (Nora's parents, Grayson's friend, nephew and servants) are well developed and potential suspects for mischief. I'm thrilled that Ms. Chase has another Dark novel being released soon. Here she's woven a tale of shadows and sensuality and I look forward to losing myself in her next breathtaking, romantic adventure.

gripping, well written and truly a treat for the reader

Dark Obsession is wonderful. I always liked historical gothic mysterious romance and this novel is spellbinding. I couldn't put down this book as it really draws the reader into a world of such aching love and real feelings between the main characters. It is not overblown,just sexy enough, and I dont really want to give too much away in this review about the true mystery and the satisfaction of a story that brings everything into a logical conclusion that made me really hate to come to the last page and bid adieu. I cant wait for the next novel this author writes and have already preordered it....Dont miss this book....

engaging late Regency gothic paranormal romance

In 1830 London, a nervous but ecstatic Nora Thorngoode looks forward to the showing of her Portrait of a Southward Madam at the Marshall Street Art Gallery. However, she and her outraged parents see a scandalous painting instead. Nora's mentor artist Signore Alessio di Paolo tells her this is proof of his love for her and informs her parents they must marry. He father says she will be a wife and widow in seconds. Grayson Lowell needs money for his dilapidated estate on Blackheath Grange. Though he loathes wedding the Paramour Painting model, he accepts her father's terms. Nora has no say in the matter while wondering if her fiancé killed his brother as rumored. They wed in a marriage of convenience, but Nora is attracted to her kindhearted spouse. That is until he takes her to his foreboding home on the Moors. There he becomes distant making her wonder if he did murder his sibling. However, she hears the whispers and sees the ghosts that only tickled his senses. She believes her beloved Gray is innocent and that the ghosts are begging her to prove he is and to uncover the real culprit. This engaging late Regency gothic paranormal romance with a touch of amateur sleuth suspense will hook sub-genre fans once the newlyweds leave London; as Gray becomes a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Nora is fabulous as the innocent heroine who comes to live in the foreboding home with her dark beloved. DARK OBSESSION is an enjoyable historical. Harriet Klausner