Review: Fascinating read!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 12 2, 2013
Mistress of Raghery is an eerie Gothic novel set in the victorian era on Rathlin Island, where there are rumors of ghosts and gossip of murder. It is an island laced with secrets. It was a chore having to sail for hours to reach civilization. For years, Rathlin had been plagued by smugglers. The shores of this rocky Island had been used to bring in whiskey and lace from Scotland.Sheeva Desmond's life had crumbled. She had been played a fool by Cedric, who called off their wedding one hour before they were to be married. It seemed her hope for the future was gone. All she ever wanted was to have a marriage built on love, just as her parents had. Her parents' deaths and Cedric's rejection of her had changed her life completely.Ronan Quinn was never able to free himself from the demons that haunted him. Six years had done little to soften the blow of his wife Catherine's death. He still had a cold, hollow feeling inside. Ronan rescued Sheeva after she'd hit her head on a rock, trying to avoid his carriage. Ronan takes her to Lady Kintara's estate for medical attention. He feels responsible for Sheeva's well being and at the suggestion of Lady Kintara, he takes her on as a governess for his son, Irial. There is an immediate attraction between Sheeva and Ronan, but he'd been deceived by a woman's beauty once before and he'd not make that mistake ever again. The common denominator between Sheeva and Ronan was that they both had lost a loved one.Sheeva agrees to accept the position of governess for a period of six months. She is in need of money and the job pays well and it is a respectable position. She travels with Ronan to Rathlin Island to become the new governess for his son. And the story unfolds ---The ghost of Catherine is often seen walking the ridge. What really happened on that ridge? Could Ronan have murdered his wife? Sheeva has so many unanswered questions and is determined to discover the cause of Catherine's death and win the trust and love of Irial.This book was well written with its lush descriptions of scenery, while spinning a tale of mystery and romance. The entourage of fascinating characters kept you guessing about their true demeanors right up through the end with a crescendo of suspense all the way through. A great read that I highly recommend! 4.5 stars.I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley to read and review. All opinions shared are my own.