Review: Lady Anne and the Howl in the Dark by Donna Lea Simpson

by on June 20, 2011 · 2 comments

in 4.5 Stars, ARC, Blackmail, Counts, Marquis, Viscounts, Georgian, Gothic, Great Britain, Paranormal, Revenge, S-U, Spinster, Survival, Suspense/Thriller, Werewolf

ladyannehowldarkI have a funny story with this book and by story I mean an epic fail. I was returning some books back to the library and somehow Lady Anne went back with them. When I realized what I’d done it was as if I’d been amputated! So painful. Of course I returned the books on a Sunday; the only day in the week the library isn’t open until late in the afternoon or early in the day.

After a pretty good freak out, I waited until I could call. Ended hanging up once because I was on hold for five minutes and called back. Then I had to wait on the phone for twenty plus minutes before somebody from circulation got to me. They either forgot me or they were busy. I told them about the book and the person I talked with probably never got a call like this before because I was given a hard time.

Finally, I managed to convince them that the book was mine and not a library book. I don’t understand how this was so difficult as 1) it is not stamped with the library name nor was it 2) tagged with a detector strip or that pocket thing and 3) clearly says advance review copy on the cover! This is why I write in books to identify and claim them.

In the end they put the book on hold for me and now it was a matter of getting back over there. The library where I dropped the books off while on errands was all the way across town. I really didn’t make this easy on myself. Luckily I got there, but it was close! One more red light and it would have been better luck next time. Needless to say I was very, very pleased to get this book back and finish it… which I did later that night.

Review: What I liked best about Lady Anne and the Howl in the Dark was its tribute to Gothic romance, followed swiftly by a capable and highly intelligent heroine. The hero liked that best about her too, so how could you not fall in love with him? Lady Anne is very plain and a spinster to boot, which are some of my very favorite things to read in romance.

Simpson writes in a witty and engaging voice. I loved Lady Anne. She was such a treat. Her musings on Lord Darkefell are particularly fabulous:

It was either that or go back to pondering the feel of Lord Darkefell’s too-perfect lips pressed against hers. And his too-perfect body against hers. He was entirely too perfect—if there was such a concept as overabundant perfection—in a physical sense and entirely too maddeningly imperfect in every other way.

Without giving anything else away I will say this: if you like mystery, intrigue, werewolves, and Gothic you will love this book! Oh and chances are you're going to jump to conclusions about the mystery and be totally wrong - I was!

Rating: ★★★★½

Buy: Lady Anne and the Howl in the Dark

This post was written by...

– who has written 1166 posts on Love Romance Passion.

Keira's favorite type of heroes are blind, scarred, and tortured... yes, she understands those should be separate, but all 3 at once is also nice! She enjoys historical romances best and adores audio books because great narrators turn books into auditory/mental movies (and she loves her romantic dramas like Pride and Prejudice/North and South!) Learn more about Keira in My Instant Turn Ons, Offs, and Ifs.

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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }

1 heidenkind March 15, 2010 at 4:07 PM

I actually have dreams about this and almost did it once. Luckily the book drop was so full (since it was a Sunday and they’re closed on Sundays) that I was able to reach inside and pull my book back out. It almost took off my hand in the process, though.

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2 Keira March 15, 2010 at 4:55 PM

Yeah most of the libraries around here have cut back on hours. Sundays are now closed days too. At least you had the option of reaching in – though you’re hand may not thank you for it. lol :)

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