Dark Desires

Dark Desires was one of the best books I have read this year. I truly did not put it down. I was spellbound and couldn't wait to see what would happen next. It had everything--a great heroine, a yummy hero, and outstanding secondary characters. I would love to see what happened to Poole and Mary and to Abigail. She was not my usual kind of heroine--soiled dove and all that--but I would love to see what happens to her. Maybe something to do with Inspector Trent?? My earliest romances were Gothics--I grew up on Mary Stewart and Barbara Michaels. Gothics nowadays aren't all that easy to find, but I believe they are becoming more popular. I love traditional historical romances, but that extra edge of mystery and danger really spices up a book for me. Dark Desires had it all. I find it hard to believe this was a debut book. I can't wait for the next one. Eve Silver better get busy!!

"Stay out of his way. Stay clear of his work. And keep your nose out of his secrets." Darcie Finch intended to heed her sister's words of warning when she set out to seek employment from Dr. Damien Cole. But the handsome, mysterious doctor exerts a fascination that Darcie can't ignore. Especially after he discovers her skill as an artist and elevates her from a housemaid to his assistant. Despite her better judgment, Darcie soon finds herself sharing his work, his life...his bed. She's too far beneath him in station for their relationship to last, so why can't she resist him? She's taking a big risk that could cost Darcie her job, her heart, and quite possibly, her life. For Damien harbors secrets. Dark secrets. Rumors abound of servants disappearing and unnatural laboratory experiments, peculiar deliveries arrive at strange hours, but worst of all is Damien's furtive behavior. What does he know about the murderer stalking the streets of Whitechapel? Is he the tender lover and devoted doctor he seems, or a cold-blooded killer? In Eve Silver's debut novel, DARK DESIRES, characters, location, dialogue and tone expertly combine to create a riveting story you can lose yourself in. By alternately increasing and decreasing the tension level, the author builds the suspense towards the nail-biting climax. From the very beginning, Darcie's fortitude in the face of desperation elicits admiration. Neither ridiculously Pollyannish nor chafingly cynical, she is instead sensible, purposeful and caring. Dynamic, dedicated and darkly seductive, Damien appears the perfect hero. But shadows lurk in his eyes and heartache haunts his soul. The past consumes him, driving him down a path leading to emptiness, isolation and madness. The connection between Darcie and Damien is immediate, electric and can be felt in every scene they share, which deepens the overall tension. There's an automatic safety net in every romance novel. No matter what dark crime the hero stands accused of, the reader knows that he will ultimately be found blameless. The reader can safely experience the heroine's doubts and fears while always knowing that everything will come right in the end. It's one of the reasons I myself read romance. I like the happy endings. I must admit, however, that there came a time while reading DARK DESIRES that I found myself in unfamiliar territory, wondering about Damien's guilt or innocence. I can't go into details for fear of spoilers, but I admire the author's ability to jolt me from my comfort zone. DARK DESIRES perfectly captures the menacing, complex, goose-bump inducing mystery that marks the best in gothic romance. I look forward to Eve Silver's next book, HIS DARK KISS, with great anticipation.

Eve Silver's debut, DARK DESIRES, is a novel that lovers of wonderfully dark gothic reads are sure to find immensely entertaining and totally enjoyable! Young Darcie Finch is desperate - she has found her way to Mrs. Feather's establishment, a brothel in the Whitechapel section of East London. Steppy, a man most dear to her heart, had betrayed her in the worst possible way. The Madame of the brothel was Darcie's sister but when Darcie asked her for help she was turned away. Instead of sanctuary the brothel could have held, rather than the back alleys she'd been living in, Darcie was told to go and seek out a man who owed Mrs. Feather a favor -- Dr. Damien Cole. Along, with the admonishment - "Have a care. Steer clear of his work and his secrets. He is a man to fear." It was a strange household - the Cole residence - except for Dr. Damien Cole himself. Darcie thought of him as a golden angel when he had rescued her a short distance away from the brothel. As she began to settle in as a maid of all labors, she saw the dark moods that transformed him; heard of servants that disappeared; and saw strange goings on in the middle of the night. After Damien discovered her artistic talent he offered to let her use her skills to assist him. The attraction that Darcie she had for him quickly ignited into an overwhelming desire where passions overcame any misgivings she had over his secrets. As more bodies started turning up in the Whitechapel area of London, all showing signs of having been surgically mutilated, Darcie felt an evil presence that seemed to be stalking her. Falling more in love with Damian, she began to wonder if she only `imagined' him to be a dedicated scientist, or was he in truth, a blood-thirsty madman? -- I really love when an author knows just how to turn a phrase; with words that are so beautifully put together they evoke emotions, smells, surroundings and feelings. In this fabulous debut novel, Ms. Silver has done just that. She creates a wonderful heroine in Darcie who though in the beginning beaten down and desperate, turns into a strong woman ready to fight for the man she believes in when everything pointed to his guilt. Damien, initially a mystery, is portrayed as complicated and tortured, with the author doing a fine job of stripping everything away to discover his motivations. As to the identity of the madman - I was guessing right up to the end (I thought I knew, but I was wrong). Lovers of dark gothic type romances are sure to enjoy, both the suspense and the lovely and tasteful sensuality of this one! Not only do I highly recommend this book, but alert readers to keep an eye on this new very talented author. ---- Marilyn, for www.romancedesigns.com ---

I am an avid reader of Historical Romance. Lately, all of the books on the market for this gener are basically the same, same kinds of characters based around the same story lines. I have found myself becoming very bored. Alas, I picked up "Dark Desires' by Eve Silver! I am very impressed!! This book is one of the best books I have ever read!!!!!! I absolutely fell in love with Damien, "Dr. Cole". He is mysterious and hides behind a dark wall. Darcie brings him out of the dark into the light. I found the gothic elements intreging and fealt as if I was really there with Darcie on the streets of East London. The way Eve Silver depicts the elements of the lightning storms, were so realistic, I fealt like I was Darcie. BRAVO! If you are looking for a book above the typical daily read, this is a book highly recommended and one to keep on your shelf as a keeper! I eagerly await Eve Silver's next Historical Romance!!!

Darcie was no stranger to the better things of life; a loving family, fine living in clothes and food, but all that changed in a twinkling of an eye and Darcie was thrust into a world of darkness; one of fear, horror and need. She had but one hope, to reach her sister who had taken up a less than noble position as a Madame who was now known as Mrs. Feather. Her tender loving sister had learned to survive by submitting to the lowest of low by using herself and others in giving perverse pleasure to men. Darcie, even in her state of starvation and need runs from this women, a shadow of the sister she once knew, and finds herself in the employ of a Dr. Damien Cole. Was this a dream come true, or a nightmare that would devour her? Dr.Cole had many secrets but he was drawn to Darcie and she to him as Darcie searches to know who this man truly is. Darcie is an artist, one whose talent to sketch is recognized and needed by our mysterious Dr.Cole who is secretly dissecting dead bodies to learn the mystery of human organs. He needs Darcie to help draw what he sees, but can Darcie work side by side with him? The author throws in another catch as a serial killer is stealing the lives of women and is cutting up their bodies, perhaps the work of a doctor they say. Could it be her doctor? Time moves on and all the evidence seems to lead to Dr.Cole as the killer. Darcie is torn between the love that now flows between them and the realization that he could be a cold blooded killer. What is the truth? This book is very well crafted, characters well defined and the plot well thought out. The author takes you into the deep need of the human soul and what it will do to survive, she allows you to taste forbidden love and works upon the emotions of untruth, fear and horror; while threading in loyalties, love and kindness among the characters. We have murder, suspense, mystery and a dark undertone in this read; it's almost as if the entire book is written in a shadow that does not lift until the very end. I enjoyed it and feel it is well worth your time in a read.