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Dark Curtains
When Claire and James move into a beautiful Victorian home together, she soon discovers that he is being seduced by a secret from his past, one thought buried long ago.
(Previously published as the out-of-print CURTAINS FOR LOVE)
(Previously published as the out-of-print CURTAINS FOR LOVE)
41 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2012
2 people are currently reading
285 people want to read
About the author
Evans Light
35 books415 followersEvans Light is author of Screamscapes: Tales of Terror, the upcoming I Am Halloween, and more. He is editor of
Doorbells at Dusk
and the ongoing
In Darkness, Delight
horror anthology series, and is co-creator of
Bad Apples: Halloween Horrors
and Dead Roses: Five Dark Tales of Twisted Love.
Evans lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, surrounded by thousands of vintage horror paperbacks.
Author links:
Amazon Author Page: https://tinyurl.com/EvansLight-AmazonUS
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheEvansLight
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EvansLightAu...
Corpus Press: https://www.corpuspress.com/authors/e...
Evans lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, surrounded by thousands of vintage horror paperbacks.
Author links:
Amazon Author Page: https://tinyurl.com/EvansLight-AmazonUS
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheEvansLight
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EvansLightAu...
Corpus Press: https://www.corpuspress.com/authors/e...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
March 20, 2014
A man buys the house across the street from where he grew up and moves in with his girlfriend. But what's the significance of the curtains in the tower room and why was him never removing them a condition of his buying the house?
This is the second Kindle Short by Evans Light I've read. Kindle Shorts are great for quick lunch break reads, aren't they? And free in the bargain!
Dark Curtains is a ghost story and is pretty spooky. Since it's a short story, I won't be divulging much more than that. Light's prose sets the mood and the revelation of the curtains was about what I expected. Like Crawlspace, I wasn't exactly crazy about the ending but I can't really complain that much.
Three out of five stars. I'm inching closer to actually giving Evans Light some of my money.
This is the second Kindle Short by Evans Light I've read. Kindle Shorts are great for quick lunch break reads, aren't they? And free in the bargain!
Dark Curtains is a ghost story and is pretty spooky. Since it's a short story, I won't be divulging much more than that. Light's prose sets the mood and the revelation of the curtains was about what I expected. Like Crawlspace, I wasn't exactly crazy about the ending but I can't really complain that much.
Three out of five stars. I'm inching closer to actually giving Evans Light some of my money.
July 9, 2014
I polished off this book during a long flight to San Diego. I had finished reading a much longer book, and I was looking for something short and different. This book filled that role perfectly.
Dark Curtains is a very brief haunted house story. It had the gracious old Victorian home that hinted at mystery and something else. It had a creepy older family who sold the place at a steal. And it had a hidden past. All of which broke the hapless young couple that purchased the house.
Was it a great story? No. Was it fun? Yes. Was it creepy? Yes. All in all a good little book.
Three stars out of five.
Dark Curtains is a very brief haunted house story. It had the gracious old Victorian home that hinted at mystery and something else. It had a creepy older family who sold the place at a steal. And it had a hidden past. All of which broke the hapless young couple that purchased the house.
Was it a great story? No. Was it fun? Yes. Was it creepy? Yes. All in all a good little book.
Three stars out of five.
February 16, 2015
When James and his girlfriend move into the home of his childhood friend,will he be seduced by the ghost of his past? Well written short story,I will be reading more of this Authors work.
February 20, 2013
Dark Curtains is an excellent short story by Evans Light. Once again the author has managed to weave in just enough back story and character development to satisfy my wants, but he has done it in such a concise way that it serves to emphasise the plot as opposed to drawing from it.
Its mystery really pulled me in, and I found both the plot and characters intriguing. I realy enjoyed the way that events progressed, and would recommend this to all who love a good short horror story. It's not terrifying in the traditional sense, but it is truly creepy, and is guarenteed to send shivers down your spine and cover your skin with goosebumps!
I loved both endings, the 'real' one and the 'alternate' (or original) one alike. Light recommends that if you enjoy the story with it's traditional (new) ending, you shouldn't read the alternative (original) one. I, on the other hand, recommend you do - I imagine you will love both equally as I have and will spend quite some time in internal debate, trying to decide which one comes out tops for you!
Its mystery really pulled me in, and I found both the plot and characters intriguing. I realy enjoyed the way that events progressed, and would recommend this to all who love a good short horror story. It's not terrifying in the traditional sense, but it is truly creepy, and is guarenteed to send shivers down your spine and cover your skin with goosebumps!
I loved both endings, the 'real' one and the 'alternate' (or original) one alike. Light recommends that if you enjoy the story with it's traditional (new) ending, you shouldn't read the alternative (original) one. I, on the other hand, recommend you do - I imagine you will love both equally as I have and will spend quite some time in internal debate, trying to decide which one comes out tops for you!
May 1, 2014
Not wanting to end a month on a dud, looked for something short and fun on my kindle and Dark Curtains certainly did the trick. Entertaining short story about a couple moving into a house with a lonely spirit. Haunted fabric, possessed window adornments ripple at night with promises. The author included an afterword and an alternate ending, which I thought was better in every way, more imaginative, stronger writing, spookier. For some reason the story got published with a way more generic blander ending. Be sure to read both and decide.
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August 30, 2016(Previously published as CURTAINS FOR LOVE. Title and cover updated to better indicate genre - this is not Danielle Steele!)
DARK CURTAINS came to me like a bolt of lightning - it was all I could do to write it down before it evaporated away. It's a strange tale, yet traditional in many ways.
This was the first time I re-wrote an ending to make it more satisfying (and commercial), due to mixed feedback on the original draft.
It didn't feel like a compromise because I like both both the new and the original ending quite a bit; I made the decision to include the original alternate ending as a "bonus feature" of sorts, along with a warning not to read it if you already love the story the way it is - because the original alternate ending takes a hard left turn that changes everything completely.
DARK CURTAINS came to me like a bolt of lightning - it was all I could do to write it down before it evaporated away. It's a strange tale, yet traditional in many ways.
This was the first time I re-wrote an ending to make it more satisfying (and commercial), due to mixed feedback on the original draft.
It didn't feel like a compromise because I like both both the new and the original ending quite a bit; I made the decision to include the original alternate ending as a "bonus feature" of sorts, along with a warning not to read it if you already love the story the way it is - because the original alternate ending takes a hard left turn that changes everything completely.
April 23, 2013
I hated that this was a short story because I can foresee so much more to the tale. Despite that, it is a fun ghostly tale that will keep you glued till the end. I loved the description of the house, you could actually envision it and made you feel like you were living in the old Victorian days. I thought it was a tad bit predictable though, but being a short story it did not really affect it much at all.
August 9, 2013
A dream house.
"Young man, those curtains are not to be taken down, not altered, not covered - nothing...."
James and Claire were eager to begin their new life together. They moved in and marveled at the beauty of their new home. It didn't take long for Claire to begin to realize that something wasn't right.
4 STARS - Would Highly Recommend To Others
The cover is awesome. I feel the hairs standing up on the back of my neck as I stare into her eyes. I just know she is up to no good.
I have read some of the Light Brother's books and I expected Dark Curtains to be good and creepy.
This is a short story, but Evans Light has no problem with packing the action into the pages. He does capture my attention and hold it throughout the book. He built the suspense and kept me guessing what was going to happen and when until the end.
I loved it when he talked about the house flipping off the inferior houses around it. Never hurts to have a laugh along with the creepy.
I love ghost stories and this one didn't let me down. I had an idea of what was going to happen very early on. BUT, Evans has to add a twist.
It seems like Evan Light is going to let us choose which ending we like best. There is an alternate ending at the end of the book. I like them both. To me, the first was predictable and what I thought it would be. It was very good. The second, I didn't see coming, so I'm more inclined to go with it. I like surprises in my books.
I picked the book up on a free Amazon day. Thank you Evans Light.
"Young man, those curtains are not to be taken down, not altered, not covered - nothing...."
James and Claire were eager to begin their new life together. They moved in and marveled at the beauty of their new home. It didn't take long for Claire to begin to realize that something wasn't right.
4 STARS - Would Highly Recommend To Others
The cover is awesome. I feel the hairs standing up on the back of my neck as I stare into her eyes. I just know she is up to no good.
I have read some of the Light Brother's books and I expected Dark Curtains to be good and creepy.
This is a short story, but Evans Light has no problem with packing the action into the pages. He does capture my attention and hold it throughout the book. He built the suspense and kept me guessing what was going to happen and when until the end.
I loved it when he talked about the house flipping off the inferior houses around it. Never hurts to have a laugh along with the creepy.
I love ghost stories and this one didn't let me down. I had an idea of what was going to happen very early on. BUT, Evans has to add a twist.
It seems like Evan Light is going to let us choose which ending we like best. There is an alternate ending at the end of the book. I like them both. To me, the first was predictable and what I thought it would be. It was very good. The second, I didn't see coming, so I'm more inclined to go with it. I like surprises in my books.
I picked the book up on a free Amazon day. Thank you Evans Light.
March 15, 2014
I read this as part of the Screamscape collection last year as well as getting a copy of this individual short from the author. I loved how creepy the story was with the old couple still keeping their daughter s room exactly how it was when she was alive.
The story keeps the suspense up all the way through, you can never guess until the end which way things are going to go for the young couple who buy the haunted house. I felt a bit sorry for the woman as she didn't know what was happening to her. But out of anything its ghosts that scare me, so I really enjoyed reading this one. I'd say read it in Screamscapes which is Evans lights book of short stories. Its well worth getting as all of them are excellent.
The story keeps the suspense up all the way through, you can never guess until the end which way things are going to go for the young couple who buy the haunted house. I felt a bit sorry for the woman as she didn't know what was happening to her. But out of anything its ghosts that scare me, so I really enjoyed reading this one. I'd say read it in Screamscapes which is Evans lights book of short stories. Its well worth getting as all of them are excellent.
February 25, 2014
Another quick read from Evans Light, this time of the haunted house variety. Some creepiness and "ew-gross" factor with the explanation of the curtains in the tower room, but a satisfying story.
The author also provides the original ending to the story, which was changed based on some early reviews. Interesting to see the change. I liked the edited ending better, but would have been satsified either way. The original ending had a far-greater spookiness factor to.
I downloaded this for free on Amazon today (Feb 25, 2014). Not sure how long it's going to be free, so get it while you can! http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Curtains-E...
The author also provides the original ending to the story, which was changed based on some early reviews. Interesting to see the change. I liked the edited ending better, but would have been satsified either way. The original ending had a far-greater spookiness factor to.
I downloaded this for free on Amazon today (Feb 25, 2014). Not sure how long it's going to be free, so get it while you can! http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Curtains-E...
October 19, 2013
Downloaded a handful of freebies for the Kindle, this is one of 'em. I really liked this short story. It reminded me of those old-fashioned type of ghost stories, not needing blood and guts to make it. I thought the author did a good job with the descriptions, I could easily picture the house and the tower room. I was interested in the characters, wanted to see what was going to happen. I liked how it turned out in the end too. The original/alternate ending that was included after the story was neat too, more for the creepy factor, but I think I like the other ending better, though I felt bad for Claire. An interesting read, I'd like to check out another story by this author.
July 18, 2014
Love this creepy short story - there are two alternative endings offered and I am partial to the original.
The perfect amount of detail but not too much so you can allow your imagination to join in the party!
The perfect amount of detail but not too much so you can allow your imagination to join in the party!
October 4, 2014
A quick read with a slick, sneaky ghost. This was a well done story that only gets 4 stars because I wish it had been longer.
March 2, 2015
Wow, what a great storyteller ! Im looking forward to reading more of Evans Light's books.
March 4, 2015
A grand old house stands empty (or does it?). A young couple think they have their dream home. Think again!
This is a haunted house story with a difference, and it is good creepy fun all the way.
This is a haunted house story with a difference, and it is good creepy fun all the way.
April 28, 2013
I really liked this one. I can't decide which ending I liked better! Great story.
January 2, 2014
As usual, Evans Light has given us another really creepy book that leaves you wondering at the end. He has an amazing talent to leave you wondering what may have happened, or if what you think you read really happened.
This is the story about a couple who buys an old house at a good price. The house is from when James, the main character, was little. He grew up right across the street and always loved that house. But now it is his and his fiance Claire's.
But the house holds a dark secret. First the original owners of the house have one stipulation, that the curtains in the tower room never be taken down. They actually hire someone to come check on this.
The curtains are part of the scary secret the house holds. And James, at night keeps being drawn to the tower room and soon discovers the secret of the house and the curtains. It is nothing you expect.
I loved this short story and would recommend it especially to horror fans. And, as usual, do not read this author's work in the dark!
This is the story about a couple who buys an old house at a good price. The house is from when James, the main character, was little. He grew up right across the street and always loved that house. But now it is his and his fiance Claire's.
But the house holds a dark secret. First the original owners of the house have one stipulation, that the curtains in the tower room never be taken down. They actually hire someone to come check on this.
The curtains are part of the scary secret the house holds. And James, at night keeps being drawn to the tower room and soon discovers the secret of the house and the curtains. It is nothing you expect.
I loved this short story and would recommend it especially to horror fans. And, as usual, do not read this author's work in the dark!
February 25, 2014
I found this short story as a free download. It is a preview for the author's collection called Screamscapes.
James is totally surprised when an elderly couple offer to sell him their house. He lived across the street from them when he was a child. Their daughter had been his best friend until she suffered a tragic accident. The only condition they give him is that he never takes down the curtains in the tower room. But strange things start to happen as soon as he moves himself and his fiancee into his new dream home.
From his endnote, the author says that this story jumped into his mind fully formed and he felt more like a scribe than writer. But he did change the original ending on the suggestions of early readers. He includes both endings so new readers can make up their own minds. I felt that both endings worked. They each had good and bad points as far as I was concerned.
I found this story sufficiently creepy and well written. But I also knew everything that was going to happen from practically the first page of the story. So a good but predictable story.
James is totally surprised when an elderly couple offer to sell him their house. He lived across the street from them when he was a child. Their daughter had been his best friend until she suffered a tragic accident. The only condition they give him is that he never takes down the curtains in the tower room. But strange things start to happen as soon as he moves himself and his fiancee into his new dream home.
From his endnote, the author says that this story jumped into his mind fully formed and he felt more like a scribe than writer. But he did change the original ending on the suggestions of early readers. He includes both endings so new readers can make up their own minds. I felt that both endings worked. They each had good and bad points as far as I was concerned.
I found this story sufficiently creepy and well written. But I also knew everything that was going to happen from practically the first page of the story. So a good but predictable story.
January 10, 2013
Review of Dark Curtains by Evans Light
5 stars
If you didn’t already realize Evans Light is an excellent writer, you know now. “Dark Curtains” (and I am including BOTH endings) is perfectly done, as far as I am concerned. No wasted motions, no dropped stitches. From beginning to end (ends), Mr. Light has this story well in hand. He knows his characters, his plot, his apparitions, he knows what they want and whether or not their goals will result in success.
Sometimes a house is just a house, and sometimes a house is much, much more. Sometimes it’s a cauldron for unrealized hopes and dreams, for unrequited loves, for desires and plans truncated much too early. Then, sometimes, second chances occur. Read this strongly-structured novella and find out.
5 stars
If you didn’t already realize Evans Light is an excellent writer, you know now. “Dark Curtains” (and I am including BOTH endings) is perfectly done, as far as I am concerned. No wasted motions, no dropped stitches. From beginning to end (ends), Mr. Light has this story well in hand. He knows his characters, his plot, his apparitions, he knows what they want and whether or not their goals will result in success.
Sometimes a house is just a house, and sometimes a house is much, much more. Sometimes it’s a cauldron for unrealized hopes and dreams, for unrequited loves, for desires and plans truncated much too early. Then, sometimes, second chances occur. Read this strongly-structured novella and find out.
May 13, 2013
I have had 'Dark Curtains' stored on my kindle for a few weeks now, and tonight I finally got around to reading it. I am glad that I did so!
The story itself is well written, and with a narrative that carries the plot along at a decent pace. This, in turn, allows the tension to build nicely as the reader ponders whether the houses new occupants will make it through to see a happy ending.
Dark Curtains is an imaginative haunted house story, with a difference. I would recommend it for anyone who likes tales about 'creepy old houses', and perhaps the strongest compliment I can pay to Evans Light, is to say that I cared about his main characters.
Incidentally, the book includes an alternative ending, but I much prefer the current finish.
The story itself is well written, and with a narrative that carries the plot along at a decent pace. This, in turn, allows the tension to build nicely as the reader ponders whether the houses new occupants will make it through to see a happy ending.
Dark Curtains is an imaginative haunted house story, with a difference. I would recommend it for anyone who likes tales about 'creepy old houses', and perhaps the strongest compliment I can pay to Evans Light, is to say that I cared about his main characters.
Incidentally, the book includes an alternative ending, but I much prefer the current finish.
January 22, 2013
The second short story I've enjoyed in as many days... I might have to reevaluate my status as "non short story fan"
Although I had an idea from very early on where the story was going, that didn't spoil my enjoyment of it. The descriptive text was very good, I could really picture the main room that the story takes place in.
You are also given the option at the end of the book to read the original alternative ending, and I have to say, I think I preferred that one!
Although I had an idea from very early on where the story was going, that didn't spoil my enjoyment of it. The descriptive text was very good, I could really picture the main room that the story takes place in.
You are also given the option at the end of the book to read the original alternative ending, and I have to say, I think I preferred that one!
May 2, 2013
Dark Curtains is another very well written and enjoyable horror short by Evans Light. The story as written now is more of a Gothic horror story. That was until I read the original ending, which was included in this as well. That certainly would have turned up the horror element of this. Yet, I agree with the author's choice of endings that he used in this particular story. Very enjoyable, as have all of the Light brother's books have been.
February 24, 2014
A short and creepy read. I love haunted house stories, and this one was on the disturbing side – the description about human nails being a part of the decorative curtains? Gah, gross.
I particularly enjoyed the details of the grand Victorian house. If you like your ghost stories on the dark side, this one’s for you. The author also includes an alternative ending, which was great to read. I’m still not sure which ending I preferred.
I particularly enjoyed the details of the grand Victorian house. If you like your ghost stories on the dark side, this one’s for you. The author also includes an alternative ending, which was great to read. I’m still not sure which ending I preferred.
November 11, 2014
Another very good short story. This one creeped me out a bit and had me shouting "nooooooooo" a few times.
This review was written before I started to take my reviewing seriously. I would need to re-read the book to give it a serious and fair review so the above review was what I posted at the time.
This review was written before I started to take my reviewing seriously. I would need to re-read the book to give it a serious and fair review so the above review was what I posted at the time.
November 9, 2014
Pleasantly surprised by this story. A new author for me & I will definitely read more by him. A short tale that gave me chills. This rarely happens to me when I read a horror tale (2 thumbs up!). Two ending were given as well. The one that ended up in the story was good, but the original ending, woah!!!! THAT is the part that gave me the chills. Such an enjoyable time spent reading this.
July 12, 2012
I enjoyed this, but not to the extent of other Evans Light stories that I've read. I like that the alternate ending was provided in Stories, Inc.
January 24, 2013
Loved that this story had an alternate ending. Both endings were awesome! Great writing, fast, fun read in a horror kind of way :~)
March 10, 2013
This was a nice short story. Very subtle with a suprising ending. I liked the concept behind the story (don't want to spoil it here) and thought that it was well-written and inventive.
April 13, 2013
Good story. I liked the revised ending better than the alternate original ending.
May 27, 2013
This is second short story I`ve read by Evans Light and I'm becoming a big fan. Awesome story, effortless writing and a great imagination for stories. I will be reading more of his books!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews