Massachusetts, 1692Everyone thinks they know about Salem. The claims of witchcraft and the black arts. But, hidden by all the hysteria, there was real wickedness occurring not more than fifteen miles away from the hardened gaze of the Puritans of Salem Town.Notley Village was small, peaceful and quiet. At least, it appeared to be. But hiding beneath the façade was an evil that would have shocked … would have shocked a nation… and turned the hair of the goodly Reverends of New England pure white.
Jane Givens has just arrived from England. She has lost everything she knew and is forced to accept a position with a distant relative in Massachusetts. She’s never met the Keynes brothers before and isn’t really sure what her position will be, but she has no other options. She’s too old to hope for marriage and has never much wanted to be ordered around by a husband anyway. Coming to Notley she finds she likes her cousins, and the women they love.
Taking her place in their household isn’t all plain sailing though. Wilson and Rachel Keynes have a secret, and it isn’t long before Jane finds out all about the coven meeting in one of their barns. But Jane is surprised to find that the local magistrate is part of it – and that despite all her intentions she is very attracted to him. He wants her too, but he has desires that most people would frown upon. But Jane finds that what he needs suits her just fine. She wants control and he just wants her to tell him what to do.
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What a very different novella from Ms. Noir! Jane has to travel to the colonies to stay with her cousins. Secrets, intrigue, steamy scenes cover the pages. A definite one sitting read that kept me intrigued and ready to read the first two books of the series. Very much enjoyed this, as I have other Noir books.
Set during the times of the Salem Witch trials, our heroine finds the need to take control.
This is a fascinating combination of history and BDSM that I did not foresee, but I am glad to have encountered. The story skillfully blends the two into a fascinating, and very steamy, story with an unusual backdrop. The characters are well developed and fit well into the historical context, with all the prejudices of the era. I found the story to be very entertaining.
Recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes.
I love the history in this series in the Salem colonies! The control she has over him yet he is enjoying himself too! Enjoyable!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
In this version, the women of Salem are very much in control! Just in time for a steamy, wicked Halloween read – Alexandra Noir serves up the Femme Dom with a side of witchcraft. Delicious!
Jane’s mother was third or fourth cousins to the Keynes Brothers mother so she didn’t know them well. But after her parents died and she lost everything she knew, she sailed to America to stay with “family” and start a new life. She was not in a position to be choosy regarding from whom she accepted assistance. She was too well-bred to become a common or garden servant, but she was too strong-willed for any man to ever wish to make her his wife. And so, now that her dear parents had passed away, she found herself in need of the kind of position that a genteel woman might take without giving up her dignity. I’ve read many of Alexandra Noir’s books and series and have to say, I have enjoyed this series more than any of the others. Not that the others aren’t good, but this one has a bit of the forbidden, a dash of intrigue, BDSM, and romance. Bringing Jane into the mix and having her meet Mr. Johns, the Magistrate, was brilliant. These personal storylines just get better and better with each telling. I was fortunate enough to be given a copy of this book. I enjoyed it so much I bought my own copy and am pleased to give my voluntary and honest review.
Jane Givens, whose parents recently passed away, travels to the colonies to find a position a woman in her late thirties, too well-bred to become a common or garden servant but too strong-willed for any man to ever wish to make his wife could take to maintain her dignity. What she does find, about others and herself, surprises her.
I have not yet read the first two books in this series but having finished this one, I will. This is well written with just enough of the style of the era to seem authentic without being stilted. There is also a bit of an historical component as some of the characters are based on real people. It’s short, leaving me wanting to know more about Jane and her family and friends.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Quick book about jane moving to a new town to live with her cousins. She finds out that there are alot of secrets. what will happen to her? Has lots of secrets, mystery, and suspense. The story draws you in
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.