Sunday Series VIDEO Review: House of Shadows by Darcy Coates
Today Kim is bringing you a Sunday Series VIDEO review of the House of Shadows duology by Darcy Coates.
Books in the Duology:
House of Shadows
House of Secrets
House of Shadows
Published: October 15, 2015
294 Pages
Sophie’s world is shattered when disaster bankrupts her family. She’s still reeling from the news when she’s offered an unexpected solution: Mr Argenton, a wealthy stranger, asks for her hand in marriage.
Marrying Mr Argenton will restore her family’s fortunes and save them from scandal, but condemns Sophie to a life in Northwood, a vast and unnaturally dark mansion situated hours from civilisation.
Sophie struggles to adjust to her new position as mistress over the desolate house. Mr Argenton’s relatives are cold, and Mr Argenton himself is keeping secrets. Even worse, the house is more than it seems.
The piano plays in the middle of the night. Blood drips from the ceiling. Sophie is pulled towards the terrifying truth: Northwood’s ancient halls are haunted. The malevolent spirits—produced by grisly deaths—resent her intrusion into their home.
Trapped in Northwood and desperate for an escape, Sophie’s fate is further complicated as she finds herself drawn to the tall, dark-eyed man she married. She suspects her feelings are returned, but Mr Argenton is hiding something… and his secrets are so dangerous that they might just be unforgivable.
House of Secrets
Published: May 12, 2016
246 Pages
Sophie and Joseph’s escape from Northwood is short-lived. The beast survived, and attached itself to Joseph’s young cousin, Elise. Garrett writes to beg for their help. Joseph and Sophie travel to meet him at Kensington, a long-abandoned mansion that overlooks a dead town.
The house offers a small hope: its original owner had dedicated her life to researching the monster that possesses Elise. Garrett hopes to find a way to kill the creature without harming his daughter.
But Kensington is a dangerous building. Once the carriage leaves, they’re trapped inside the collapsing walls and forced to confront the horrors within.
Shrouded figures stalk them. Whispers echo through the night. Unmarked graves dot the property. And the dead are not as restful as they seem..
Kim’s Ratings of the Series: 4 Stars
Kim’s Thoughts on House of Shadows Series:
Purchase Links:
Amazon US:
House of Shadows
House of Secrets
Short Story Sunday: A Christmas Crime by Tara Lyons
A Christmas Crime
Author: Tara Lyons
Published: December 9, 2019
Reviewed By: Jessica
Dates Read: December 12-13, 2019
Jessica’s Rating: 4 stars
Book Description:
With snow falling in a quaint Surrey Village, it’s the perfect setting for Holly and Christopher’s dream Christmas wedding. But instead of enjoying mince pies and mistletoe, their happiness is threatened by old secrets and someone harbouring a grudge. When the truth is finally revealed, can the couple enjoy the festivities with their family, or is their marriage doomed from the start?
Jessica’s Review:
This short story starts with quite the first line:
The blood splatter on the altar wasn’t the only sign that everything wasn’t right.
This is the first I have read by Tara Lyons and this short story gives us a taste of what she can write. I hope to read some of her full-length novels sometime!
The only negative for me was that I wanted to get to the ‘meat’ of the story, which did not happen until the wedding day. Despite being a short story, it did drag a little for me. I think I wanted to know what the crime was. And I did not see that ending coming, it was quite unexpected!
Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Short Story Sunday: Still Born by The Behrg
Still Born
Author: The Behrg
Published: October 13, 2014
38 Pages
Reviewed By: Jessica
Date Read: November 11, 2019
Jessica’s Rating: 4 stars
Short Story Description:
A grieving couple coping with the unimaginable loss of their child being stillborn discover a disturbing anomaly. They can hear their deceased daughter through a baby monitor.
But is it really their daughter they are listening to?
And if so, who are the other voices coming through on the monitor?
As this couple is about to discover, not all second chances are meant to be taken.
Jessica’s Review:
**I must first say anyone who has experienced a miscarriage, still birth, or lost an infant child should not read this short story.**
This short story is true psychological horror as it would be every parent’s worst nightmare. Sam and Joel’s heartache over their loss feels 100% real. Then they start hearing things through the baby monitor they don’t need anymore. This includes a crying baby. Thus begins a descent into despair, confusion, and more.
This one is free on Amazon for those in the USA if you wish to pick it up (99p in the UK).
Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK