Review: His Dark Kiss by Eve Silver

His Dark Kiss by Eve Silver
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Within the ancient walls of Manorbrier Castle, a haunting desire envelops Emma Parrish. Undeterred by rumors of madness and murder, she boldly accepts the position of governess to Lord Anthony Craven's son, despite the castle's foreboding atmosphere. As Emma explores the castle's depths, she becomes aware of unseen eyes watching her and eerie laughter that echoes through its halls. She is also drawn irresistibly to the enigmatic Lord Craven, despite the warnings and shadows that surround him.

Lord Anthony harbors dark secrets within the forbidden Round Tower of the estate. Mysterious lights flicker at night, and whispers of impending death circulate among the servants. He cautions Emma that his embrace holds danger, even as she finds herself irresistibly drawn to him.

As Emma succumbs to the seductive allure of Lord Craven, she cannot escape the whisper of evil that emanates from his hidden past. The deeper their connection grows, the more she is entangled in the web of darkness that surrounds him.

I found it to be overly dramatic and weighed down with excessive inner thoughts. The instant love between the characters lacked genuine chemistry, which left me wanting more development in their relationship. I didn't connect with the hero, Lord Anthony, as his secretive nature seemed more like an attempt to appear sinister rather than intriguing. While Emma eventually falls deeply in love with him, I struggled to buy into their connection when it initially happened in the story. The focus on the mystery would have made it more compelling.

I did enjoy aspects of the book, particularly the lighter approach to the Gothic elements. Both the hero and the heroine are tormented souls, and the eerie tower on the estate added an intriguing element. One highlight for me was Emma's character, who displayed compassion, directness, and intelligence without being frustratingly naive.

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