Once Upon a Midnight Dreary (ebook)

A story within a story.Marigold’s Aunt Hilde was aged but she loved her so much she had to see her before, she feared, something would spirit her away. Skipping school, she found herself at the institution where her aunt was now residing. What she didn’t know about her aunt or even herself was that they were both different and not from this world? What she did know was that her aunt told the best stories. Now, Aunt Hilde was offering to share one more tale with her today….Gabriel wasn’t a beast by day nor night, he wasn’t a ghost though, he was haunted by his past. The house held him captive and Lenore would never allow him to be free of her vengeful control.He had hoped she would never return to Ravenfell, the child he had so long ago tried to protect from this cursed place. The house would recognize her as one of them, hold her as its own. The child had seen him all those years ago, had recognized him even now after two decades. He hadn’t changed. He was just as she remembered him, he hadn’t aged a day. How could he protect her from the evil that had cursed them all, decades ago.At the advanced age of 28, Victoria’s Aunt Eloise, her dead mother’s sister, and Uncle Hubert had taken her in at the death of her parents but now was insistent that she, Victoria, needed to marry. She feared she had no where to go and would eventually be forced into an unpleasant and unwanted marriage with a man of her aunt’s choice. That is, until she was notified she had inherited her father’s family estate, along with the funds which would allow her to live freely on her own. Much against her aunt and uncle’s wishes she moved to Ravenfell. The estate had been in her father’s family for well over a century, only to find the house in disarray, with only one caretaker and a presence that would do anything to prevent Gabriel from falling in love with Victoria and ending its reign of terror.I enjoyed this twisting tale with shades of Edgar Allan Poe’s poem “Lenore.” Its tale of deadly grief, need for blood and how it affected all who came within its power. There is history behind the family estate that lends itself to black magic, weaving spells and death. There is an HEA for our characters. However, there was a feeling that there is more to Marigold and Hilde’s story that is left untold. I recommend this tale to others who enjoy the gothic world of historical fiction, paranormal elements and romance.I was given an advanced readers copy for opinion and review of this tale.

This is an incredible, spooky, gothic fantasy story that draws you into the darkness and holds on tight as we follow Victoria as she returns to her family’s crumbling home, Ravenfell manor. A dark and gripping read full of curses and secrets, whispers and shadows and a mysterious caretaker with secrets of his own. It’s suspenseful, there’s twists and turns and a delightful slow burn romance. Loved it!

Victoria Ravenwood is grieving the deaths of both parents when she receives unexpected news: as their only child, she's inherited Ravenfell Manor, the sprawling and mysterious estate where Victoria had briefly lived as a child. Though the circumstances of the family's abrupt departure from Ravenfell remain murky in Victoria's memories, her mother's parting words are crystal clear: "Sell it. Burn it. Tear it down. Just get rid of it. I never want to return."Despite this admonition, Victoria's father had held onto the estate, and as its new owner, Victoria is both eager and anxious to return. She isn't sure what she'll find, or what kind of disrepair the estate has fallen into, but to her surprise, she finds it's in pretty good shape thanks to the enigmatic but devoted caretaker, Gabriel, who has maintained it in her family's absence.Victoria realizes there's something weirdly familiar about Gabriel, but she can't quite put her finger on what. And in relatively short order, she's distracted by unusual happenings inside her new home, including ghostly figures, mysterious noises, secret diaries, and hidden chambers. She comes to the conclusion that the house must be haunted, and whatever entity has staked its claim is the reason her parents fled years ago. Determined to solve the mystery and reclaim her birthright, Victoria sets out to unravel the secrets of Ravenfell Manor.Along the way, she contends with a meddling aunt who keeps trying to set her up with any eligible bachelor she can find, a tight-knit local community full of folks who don't want to work for her because she lives in a haunted mansion, and a growing attraction to the handsome, brooding Gabriel. As luck would have it, Gabriel holds the key to solving the mysteries lurking within the manor. Victoria just has to live long enough for him to share it with her."Once Upon A Midnight Dreary" is part of author Michelle Miles's Enchanted Realms romantasy series. It's a gothic romance that gives you all the Crimson Peak feels (but without that depressing-as-hell Crimson Peak ending). By turns dark, sinister, charming, and sweet, the story picks up speed quickly and is hard to put down.Victoria and Gabriel are dealing with a vindictive, vengeful spirit hellbent on seeking retribution from them both, and they must rely on each other if they're to survive and escape. Their romance develops slowly from what starts off as a mutual mistrust, then a tentative friendship. Victoria isn't a damsel in distress waiting for Gabriel to rush to the rescue, and Miles endows her with courage, fortitude, and wits enough to save herself when the going gets rough.Miles isn't a new author to me. I've enjoyed her work for years, but this was my first taste of the Enchanted Realms series. As a horror writer and a gothic fan, I was so excited to learn she was working on a this and I'd pretty much marked my calendar for the book's release date so I could snag a copy hot off the proverbial Kindle presses. And she doesn't disappoint: "Once Upon A Midnight Dreary" is a fun, fast-paced story with some genuinely chilling moments and characters you won't soon forget.

Received as an ARC, I am leaving my honest review. This retelling of Poe’s The Raven is truly incredible. Mysteries await the reader that are gripping with suspense, ghostly encounters and danger for the new heir of the mansion. Alongside the entities is a sorrowful story yearning to be discovered and a slow burn romance that will keep your attention as doors are opened, darkness vanquished and curses are lifted. Beautifully written and fast paced this story will have you reading well past midnight!

WOW! I sincerely cannot express how much I enjoyed this story! I could not put it down! The author builds the most intense suspense.... I would give it ten stars if I could!