Renee Ross Books

Gothic Romance the Way You Remember...

Cassandra has never been denied anything. Her father’s wealth ensured that. So when she marries Jeremy Thorne and arrives at his storm‑lashed cliff‑top manor, she expects the same obedience from fate itself. But there is one thing she cannot command into existence: an heir.

As the cradle remains empty and Jeremy grows distant, Cassandra’s longing twists into obsession. The echoing corridors of Thornehaven seem to close in, each shadow a reminder of her failure, each silence a taunt.

Then, a letter arrives—irrefutable proof of betrayal, and of the child that should have been hers. In that moment, her world shatters.

But her will does not break; it sharpens. She devises a plan—calculated, necessary, temporary. But lies, once planted, take root in dark places. They demand tending. They demand sacrifice. Now, bound to Thornehaven by a deceit growing more perilous each day, Cassandra discovers that the most dangerous thing in the house is not the wind, or the shadows, or the secrets locked behind its doors.

It is her.

If you are a fan of original Gothic fiction--the kind that made the genre famous--then you will love this novel. Excellent characterization, vivid setting, and perfectly placed suspense make this a page-turning and fascinating journey. The character of Cassandra is both sympathetic and unreliable (in the best possible sense). Her plight of infertility coupled with the hardship of a merciless husband may lull the reader into a false sense of pity, but Cassandra is no shrinking violet. Her actions may surprise you (they certainly shocked me). Like all good Gothic novels, the questions, twists and turns, and chilling plot points culminate in an engaging and eerie story that will transport you to another time and place--one that harkens back to mysterious mansions, distressed damsels, and dissonant family relationships. ~Megan Lee