“Lock up your daughters and even their maids, neither are safe from that Bright Haired Scoundrel, Lord Greystowe’s uncivilized heir!”
So the London papers decree and notorious rake Kieran O’Flaherty flees to Ireland to hide from the scandal attached to his name. He’s tired of having his grandfather direct his life and wants to escape the life of a dependent heir as he settles into his ancestral home. At Roisin Dubh Castle, Kieran meets Rose de Lacy, a determined spinster who follows the philosophy of a revolutionary feminist writer.
For Rose, the joke is on the absentee English landlord as she is the steward in charge of his estates--a position traditionally held by men. Through correspondence to England, she's known only as The Honorable R. de Lacy. She's been assured that the elderly Lord Greystowe is too ill to come inspect his new property. When Baron Grey, his grandson, suddenly arrives, Rose is certain she'll be sacked for her deception because she's a woman.
Rose challenges Kieran O'Flaherty in ways he never expected. She cherishes her freedom and seems to be the only woman immune to his charms. Can he convince Rose love is not the life indentured servitude she imagines it to be?
As an adept in the magical arts, Kieran O’Flaherty struggles to win the hearts of his people, the Fierce O’Flahertys, and to free Black Rose Castle from a menacing evil that has taken up residence there. He encounters creatures of legend, including a clever fae hidden among his staff, an old druid sorcerer and the Banshee of the O'Flaherty Clan. Will they help him vanquish the evil abiding in his home?
Sequel to Dark Hero, A Gothic Romance by Lily Silver (includes first pages excerpt from Dark Hero)
I live in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, on the shores of Green Bay. I have always been a voracious reader of romances, mostly historical romances and sweeping historical sagas. I love researching different time periods and imagining what life was like back then so it seems only natural to write historical romances. My one vice, aside from reading romances, is coffee. I melt beneath the intoxicating sway of a strong white mocha latte promising to embrace my senses and carry me away. Mmmm . . . I can visualize the steam rising from that frothy cup as I sit here thinking of it.
I write Historical Romance novels and non-fiction essays on women and feminist movement throughout history. I have a Bachelors Degree in History and also in Humanistic Studies with an emphasis in Ancient and Medieval Research.
Aside from good romance, good coffee and history, I am also passionate about art and enjoy reading about the lives of artists through the ages.
Loved this book. First let me tell you that I was lucky enough to receive it from Lily thru a read and review program with The Choosy Bookworm. I really appreciate the authors that have made their books available thru this program, as I've been able to get several this way.
The only problem I have is that this is the second book in the series, and now I HAVE to get the first.
A bit about the book - It's the story of Kieran O'Flaherty, an Irish sorcerer and Rose de Lacy, a spinster (all of 27 years old) who is the executor of her deceased brother's estate which adjoins Roisin Dubh Castle, Kieran's ancestral home. Kieran's had a not too enviable past, and is currently in England living with his grandfather, being groomed to become the Tenth Earl of Greystowe. His past life, combined with the fact that he is half Irish (not a good thing in that particular time), magical, and a "chick magnet" causes his grandfather to deed the castle to him. His grandfather sends him to the Irish castle to remove him from London and the rumors of his womanizing, and hopes that this will convince Kieran to wed the English debutante that his grandfather has chosen for him.
Rose's life has not been a bed of roses either, and she is very much a blue stocking. She is the current steward of the castle, although the Earl had no inkling that his steward was a female, and she is just barely keeping the wolf from the door of her brother's estate. Her sister in law Bridget, her late brother's wife, is a spoiled darling, and fights Rose every step of the way when Rose tries to conserve money.
I like stories where I can become invested in the lives and futures of the protagonists, and this story immediately immersed me in the struggles of both Kieran and Rose, and made me very interested in what would happen in their lives. I'll admit that I don't need absolute accuracy to the period, I just want an great story and the author delivered it! We had the budding romance, mysterious smugglers, Rose's nephew's estate to be saved. Lots of things are happening, yet the story isn't overwhelming and Lily doesn't seem to rush any part of it to get to a very satisfying finish. And we do have a true ending, no cliff-hanger! Thank you Lily!!
If you like magical adventure, romance and HEA's, I think you'd love this book too!
I received this ebook for an honest review. Although this is the second in this series by Lily Silver, it is the first book of hers I have read. It certainly will not be the last. Set in the early 1800's in Ireland, the storyline combines so many wonderful things, great characters, ancient magic, good and dark, ghosts, sinister characters, mystery and intrigue, and of romance. It is one of those hard to put down and stop reading books, but it is also very fast paced with a lot happening from different directions. Black Rose Castle is haunted and will continue to be until it's rightful Irish family - the O'Flahertys-are again in residence.The first book in the series told Kieran O'Flaherty early story and that of his family. This book does give enough information that it can be read and enjoyed without reading them in order but certainly makes you want to go back and read it. Our introduction to Kieran in this book paints him has a "playing" type, just out to have a good time, however there is much more to him. His grandfather buys the old Irish family castle for him and does think it is good for Kieran to get out of London for a while. At Black Rose Castle there is evil afoot, ghosts a plenty, a banshee, and a dark evil living in the lord's rooms. Here Kieran also meets his estate manager, a woman named Rose. Well, what lies ahead for these two? Who or what is the mysterious Pearl? Will Kieran ever be able to use his druid good magic to rid his castle of the evil? I really loved this book especially the fact that for a change the hero was red haired and green eyed and not the heroine. The only criticism I have is the use of unnecessary four letter foul words...add nothing to the story and the story is great without them. The storyline is quite unique compared to some others of this type. Highly recommended reading.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I loved this book and can't wait to go back and read book one of this series. Very good story line and strong characters too. Kieran is a descendant from the O'Flaherty clan and has gone home to claim his old home as his own. Rose is the manager of his estate. Soon sparks fly when this comes to light. Kieran has some hidden powers that Rose has only heard about but not seen but soon learns. They have an instant chemistry between them that just grows the more they spend together. There are also spirits that are among them at the castle who scare every one away. Will Kieran be spooked like all the other owners or will he stay and rid the castle of it ghost? Will Rose quit being a spinster and fall for Kieran even deeper then she wants everyone to know? Will she lose her independence in the process?
A well done sequel to Dark Hero that holds its own independent of the first book. Plenty of paranormal, plenty of romance, decently developed characters with 'character' and some really good storytelling to boot.
I did love Dark Hero, but Bright Scoundrel is better yet.
So, I read this book before I read book 1; then I discovered that I had book 1 too, and read it as well. I find I like book 2 much better than book one. Don't get me wrong, they're both good books, but this one is a good bit less violent than book 1. There was a element or two of book 1 that I didn't care for, but I totally loved book 2.
The characters are excellent, and so is the storyline. There's a definite thread throughout this book of ghosts and paranormal, but it's well done. A book I would heartily recommend.