The Ghostly Screams of Stormhaven - You had me at Ghostly Screams.

The Ghostly Screams of Stormhaven
by Clarawimberly
published by Zebra Gothic
Copyright 1992

"Don't go up there alone!"

Elizabeth Stevens knew she had been lucky to obtain a position with the wealthy Earl of Chesham at Stormhaven. She was awed by the magnificence of the manor house, and even more so by the master himself - the dark and brooking Derek Vanderworth.

But it was his golden haired daughter, Amy, who attracted Elizabeth's attention with her sad, sorrowful eyes. The little girl had not spoken since he mother's death a year ago, and Elizabeth was determined to befriend her and discover more about the tragic past ... even if it meant braving the fierce resistance of the arrogant Earl.

Yet, it was not until she saved Amy's life that Derek began to provide answers and admit to his love for Elizabeth. But by then it was too late. Mysterious crying in the night and strange noises from the fourth floor had aroused Elizabeth's suspicions... and her fear. There was a madness lurking in the shadows of Stormhaven, and Elizabeth wondered if the ghostly screams she heard might soon be her own.

Wow! This books sounds pretty damn good!

Firstly, it looks like we probably have a whole lot of Jane Eyre going on.

Secondly, we have the brooding and arrogant Earl. For brooding and arrogant I'm more than willing to throw aside by love of blondes. For some assuredly unhealthy reason I've always been drawn to men who are arrogant assholes. (That must be why I get along so well with my husband!)

And lastly, and most importantly, we have GHOSTLY SCREAMS! Awesome. I currently sleep with an alarm clock that makes it sound like a thunder storm is in progress all the time and I can't help but wonder if there is a ghostly screams version. And, if there is, would it help me sleep. I'd like to think it would.

Now it's true that I don't actually believe in ghosts (though I really, really want to) but I also don't believe that a human female's neck could hold up that much hair, but I'm certainly not going to let that ruin the story for me.

As so often is the case, I have tried to find an artist credit for this cover but have had no luck. I really find it strange that even as late as 1992 there are rarely ever artist credits inside the book and that signatures are rarely seen whether they are cropped or didn't exist on the piece to begin with. If I had enough artistic talent to have my art of the cover of a Gothic romance (and we all know that sometimes is just doesn't take that much talent to find yourself in that position) I'd freakin' have my heroine sporting a t- shirt with my picture on it.

The Pretty Ones

The Pretty Ones by Dorothy Eden
published by Ace Books
Copyright 1957

The
Pretty Ones

SHADOWS BEHIND SHADOWS; WHEELS
WITHIN WHEELS. THIS WAS
COURTLANDS, EMMA'S NEW HOME... (what
on earth are they talking about?)

It seemed that nothing would ever
upset the joys of marriage for Emma and
her husband Barnaby, even though she
knew little about the man she had met
and married in a matter of weeks. (so what
exactly are you basing this eternal optimism on?)

Then the unpleasant rumors started
-that Barnaby's first wife disappeared
under sinister circumstances; that no one
really knew what happened to the two
pretty young governesses who simply
ran off without cause or explanation.

Emma trusted Barnaby; there were
no questions she could or would ask him.
But when a pathetic, lonely grave turned
up in the field, her loyalty to her brood-
ing, secretive husband gave way to cold,
hard fear ...

Okay, I knew my husband (Aaron Bias - See Silver Age Gold) pretty well when we got married. In fact, I could, with all confidence say I trusted him completely. (Oh to be 21 and naive again) but I would have to say, I would not have had any hesitation is suspecting that he was responsible for a mass grave in my backyard even without all the suspicious circumstances surrounding this guy.

I mean really. Mysterious disappearances, brooding, secretiveness? Emma, that ugly shirt isn't going to save you from having your neck broken.

Woman in Black

Woman in Black by Monica Heath

published by Signet Books
Copyright 1974

Mansion of Terror-

Julie had come West expecting a loving reunion
with her father, wealthy John McKay. But McKay mansion
turned a foreboding face to Julie, for her father was
dead, and her step-family viewed with hostile suspicion the
newcomer out to claim the family fortune. And when
suddenly the shrouded figure of the woman in black began
to haunt her, warning her to leave the mansion,
Julie did not know who to trust.

But in spite of herself, Julie found herself drawn to
Greg Gallagher, the handsome, brooding man whose name
was linked with so many unsolved mysteries of
the town. Julie knew it was madness to harbor such ardent
feelings about the man who might have murdered
her father, but she found herself caught in a tightening
web of terror. Could she dare express her love, and
trust her fate to this strange but irresistible man who might
lead her to her doom...?

Assignment: Can Julie pick'em, or can she pick'em? Okay, I've never read this but it just screams Scooby Doo. And, so that you'll are never find yourself fooled by some old caretaker in a rubber mask, please watch at least 4 hours of Scooby Doo, Where Are You? and take notes.