Book picks similar to
Dark Cloister by Sharon Wagner
gothic
gothic-romance
zebra-gothic
wishlist-gothics
The Doctor's Estate
Heather Quinto - 2019
The story takes you on a wild ride into the world of the paranormal and the fight between good and evil. It is the story of a man named Ted who moves into a new home, not knowing the dark secrets that lie within its walls. He is a man who never believed in an afterlife. The mere mention of ghosts or even religions were enough to give him a laugh. However, he finds himself in a home where shadows lurk at every corner ready to attack him, along with terror-filled visions. Ted is taken down a path that makes him question everything-even his sanity. Demons, satanic rituals, and death are what awaits him as he slowly unfurls the hidden secrets of the doctor’s estate.
The Mistress of Trevelyan
Jennifer St. Giles - 2004
It has long been whispered that Trevelyan Manor hides dark secrets and sinister deeds -- including the murder of Benedict's wife. But Ann refuses to pay heed to spiteful rumor.As she grows to cherish her young charges, Ann also 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 -- and if Benedict holds he key to her destiny...or her destruction.
The Vanished Bride of Northfield House
Phyllis M. Newman - 2019
Times are hard. Anne Chatham is a clever, modest young woman with little money, no prospects for marriage, and a never-shared secret—she can see spirits. Anne finds employment as a typist at Northfield House, the grand country manor of the Wellington family. Her employer, the wheelchair-bound Mr. Wellington, is kindly. His haughty wife is not. He has two handsome sons, the wry and dashing Thomas and the dark and somber Owen. Anne feels sure her prayers have been heard. Until the terrifying night she stumbles upon a tortured spirit roaming the dark halls of Northfield, a spirit that only she can see. In a search for answers, she finds herself drawn to Owen as they unearth a tragic story from the Wellington family’s past—a beautiful young bride gone missing on her wedding day. Then tragedy strikes again on the night of a glittering masquerade ball...
Nothing Like a Ravishing Governess
Emily Honeyfield - 2020
When Laura's family is in the midst of financial ruin, she decides to change her identity in order to avenge her father's name. This fiery Lady thought she could do anything to avoid revealing her double life, as a spy and a governess, but is she ready to have her plans turned upside down? How much is she willing to sacrifice to protect her secret?The dashing Callum Burke returns devastated from India to grieve the deaths of his brother and sister-in-law, who've left behind six-year-old twin boys. That's when he meets their seductive governess and desire flickers inside of him. The couple is off to a rough start, as Callum quickly senses that Laura isn't entirely truthful. But when mistrust is not the only emotion growing between them, will his mission to find the truth turn out to be a quest for love?Callum's suspicions burn, as does his lust for her, but will Laura's secrets lead to their ultimate separation? Laura finds herself slowly falling for the wild-eyed and volatile Callum, even if she knows that her emotions might get in the way of her mission. Will she be able to avenge her father οr will she ultimately fail, in the wake of a truly passionate love?"Nothing Like a Ravishing Governess" is a historical romance novel of approximately 80,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.
Above All Others
Karen Ranney - 1996
The notorious, sinfully handsome nobleman has deposited the babe at a crumbling country estate, to be raised by servants. Although it is more than many an aristocrat would do for a child born on the wrong side of the blanket, Katherine disdains his selfish arrogance...even as she finds herself falling beneath his sensual spell.For Freddie Lattimore, Earl of Moncrief, his illegitimate child is a constant reminder of a life he would rather forget. But the exquisite Katherine tempts him as no woman ever has. When he devises a scandalous scheme for conquest, Katherine doesn't merely accept his outrageous proposal, she astonishes him with a passion that exceeds his own.
A Fearless Governess For The Forsaken Duke
Emma Linfield - 2020
Her silver lining comes in the form of a governess position in the employ of a Duke.Still traumatized by his wife’s accidental death, Benedict De Clare, Duke of Tradegrove, has become obsessed with collecting perfect portraits of women that resemble her. That is until he finds himself falling in love with the most disheveled governess he has ever met.With the Duke slowly mending his relationship with his estranged son, Lucretia and Benedict’s blossoming love bridges the social chasm between them.However, as tensions rise among the staff and Lucretia finds herself on the receiving end of vicious threats, up-until-then hidden clues are tied to the late Duchess’ accident. And the only person who can save Lucretia's life has no tongue to speak…Emma Linfield's 25th book is a historical Regency romance novel of 80,000 words (around 400 pages). No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a sweet happily ever after.
Shameless
Rosanne Bittner - 1993
First Lieutenant Clay Youngblood didn't need a Mexian outlaw--especially a beautiful one like Nina Juarez--to stir his sympathies and sidetrack his mission. But regardless of the risks, Clay knew that he must help Nina--for her gentleness filled his heart with more love than he ever thought was possible.
Drums of Darkness
Marion Zimmer Bradley - 1976
About to face another winter in New York, without work and facing a divorce, welcomes an invitation from his great-aunt to visit Haiti. It is with real astonishment that perceives to be the descendant of a rich woman, whose property serves as a backdrop to the filming of an exciting epic. In the romantic setting of the island, a willful Mardee native lion, becomes involved with three very different men: Sebastian Wright, the filmmaker and passionate Scorpio, the handsome actor Kip Tybalt, a native of twins who seem to embody the whole mystery and Haiti's own ambivalence and Brian Dawes, a beautiful journalist and pragmatic, native rock, which seems to be the only anchor that secures it to reality. But the tropical splendor in suspense becomes deadly when a sinister voodoo ritual corners Mardee a frenzy of supernatural horror from which escape might not ever.
Wishwood
E.B. Wheeler - 2020
The family members talk about a curse, lights move through the ruins at night, and Kate’s maid won’t spend the night in the house. Thomas is hiding something from Kate as well, but as she grows closer to him, a series of accidents makes her suspect that someone is willing to kill to keep Wishwood’s secrets buried in the past.
Stealing Away the Governess
Abby Ayles - 2021
There is nothing he wouldn’t do to secure her services at first, but later he will settle for nothing less than her heart…Nearly 7 years ago, Susan Langdon was well aware that her actions would ruin her marriage prospects. Now she is content with being a governess and taking care of her twin charges, even if there’s a void in her heart that will never be filled…When her employer’s brother, the widowed Duke of Kent, arrives in the manor, Susan will get the feeling that he isn’t there just for a social visit. And she is absolutely right!Eldridge Johnson is in dire need of a governess and his brother seems to have the perfect candidate for the job! And with the twins departing for Eton soon, she should be ripe for the picking!But what the Duke will find upon meeting Susan is that her qualities are far more precious than those of a mere governess, and though the course of action is clear in their heads, the unexpected obstacles brought on by a family member will perplex things quite a bit…
Stormcrow Castle
Amanda Grange - 2007
Helena takes on the role of the new housekeeper and it is not long before strange incidents begin to unnerve her. The castle's owner, Simon, Lord Torkrow, frequents the graveyard at night; the portrait gallery conceals a secret room; identities are hidden at a masked ball; and the key to the attic is missing. As the secrets unravel, Helena finds herself drawn into a world where nothing is as it seems and she must fight for her chance to love—and survive
A London Season
Patricia Bray - 1997
Here is a chance to find a wealthy husband and get the entire family out of debt. But the upper crust of London bristles at Jane's blunt country ways—everyone but Lord Glendale. The handsome Lord, not in the market for a wife, finds himself amused by Jane's frank manner and wagers that—within the month—even provincial Jane can be brought into fashion.His plan succeeds only too well, as Jane blossoms into the most popular young lady of the season. Now will Lord Glendale relinquish Jane to her newfound admirers? Or will he take the biggest gamble of all– and risk his heart in a challenging game of love?
Dragonwyck
Anya Seton - 1944
A classic gothic romance, the story features an 18-year-old Miranda Wells who falls under the spell of a mysterious old mansion and its equally fascinating master. Tired of churning butter, weeding the garden patch, and receiving the dull young farmers who seek her hand in marriage, Miranda is excited by an invitation from the upstate New York estate of her distant relative, the intriguing Nicholas Van Ryn. Her passion is kindled by the icy fire of Nicholas, the last of the Van Ryns, and the luxury of Dragonwyck, and a way of life of which she has only dreamed. Dressed in satin and lace, she becomes part of Dragonwyck, with its Gothic towers, flowering gardens, acres of tenant farms, and dark, terrible secrets. This compelling novel paints a marvelous portrait of a country torn between freedom and feudal traditions; a country divided between the very wealthy and the very poor. Poor tenant farmers at Dragonwyck, the European royalty who visit, and American icons such as Edgar Allan Poe, Herman Melville, and the Astors are vividly brought to life. This is a heart-stopping story of a remarkable woman, her breathtaking passions, and the mystery and terror that await her in the magnificent hallways of Dragonwyck.
Dungeon Deposed: Compilation: Dark Lord's Landing
William D. Arand - 2019
All for the chance to get back at a handful of people. It isn’t as if they didn’t deserve it either. They had driven him from his home. Chased him physically from the very guild house itself. All the way to the gates of the city. Simply because he wasn’t as strong as they expected him to be. As strong as he’d expected himself to be. He’d returned to the city the next day and left with his means for revenge. Something he’d hidden away and told no one about when he found it in one of his few Dungeon Dives. An inactive Dungeon Core. A crystal the size of a fist with a soul inside. One that could create anything from mana it wanted to. From monsters and complex cave systems to gold coins. Years spent in planning, and unfortunately farming, as he waited. Now it felt like his moment was finally here. The Dungeon Core had been acting strange lately. As if it were finally… coming to life. Watching over the crystal like a hawk for this very event, Ryker impatiently waits. Any day now, it'd start. And he could set about taking his vengeance. Starting with ripping the soul of the Dungeon out. Warning and minor spoiler: This novel contains graphic violence, undefined relationships/harem, unconventional opinions/beliefs, forced political marriage (and consummation), and a hero who is as tactful as a dog at a cat show. Read at your own risk. (Product Page for Book 1: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07... Page for Book 2: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07... Page for Book 3: https://www.amazon.com/Dungeon-Depose...)
Wildfell
London Clarke - 2018
But a chance meeting on an international flight leads her to Wildfell, a gothic mansion north of London. At first glance, Wildfell seems like the perfect place to hide out, and Anne is intrigued by its strange atmosphere and history of disappearances and deaths. But echoing voices, ghostly mists, a mute girl with a sketchbook full of murders, and a possessive landlady force her to confront her deepest fears. Anne's budding romance with gorgeous Irish actor Bain Tierney holds her to the house. But when Wildfell tenants begin disappearing and dying, Anne must decide if she trusts Bain. Is anyone in the house who they claim to be? Or are there are other forces at work inside Wildfell? And will they ever let her leave?