The Curse of Moonseed Manor by D. Lieber - review

A haunted hotel. A sceptical photographer. A deadly curse that could cost her everything.

Wren Mabry’s life is a disaster. Her last few years have been rife with tragedy and hardship. So when she’s offered a job at Moonseed Manor, a Gothic revival mansion that’s never welcomed visitors, it seems suspicious. Even so, this is her chance to finally turn her life around.

The gloom that hangs over Moonseed Manor is enhanced by its cold yet alluring owner, Mr. William Courtland Bennings. And the spooky tales of the flirtatious and sexy caretaker, Watt, play up that feeling.

Even though Wren doesn’t believe in ghosts or curses, she’s always had a flair for the darker side. And when she finds a handwritten book of poetry filled with longing, terror, and ghostly revenge, it
reawakens her very soul—or rather the unknown poet does.

Love, death, secrets, and lies await in this gothic romance.

Purchase Links

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CDMFFXJC

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-curse-of-moonseed-manor-d-lieber/1143881252?ean=2940167518445 

Universal: https://books2read.com/u/bOeZ0A

Author Bio – 

D. Lieber has a wanderlust that would make a butterfly envious. When she isn’t planning her next physical adventure, she’s recklessly jumping from one fictional world to another. Her love of reading led her to earn a Bachelor’s in English from Wright State University.

Beyond her skeptic and slightly pessimistic mind, Lieber wants to believe. She has been many places—from Canada to England, France to Italy, Germany to Russia—believing that a better world comes from putting a face on “other.” She is a romantic idealist at heart, always fighting to keep her feet on the ground and her head in the clouds.

Lieber lives in Wisconsin with her husband (John) and cats (Yin and Nox). 

 

MY REVIEW

 

From the moment Wren steps foot inside Moonseed Manor, we experience with her its mystery as well as its elegance and charm, together with a hint of the supernatural which gradually grows as the story progresses.. The rich descriptions of the furnishings and interior drew me in, so that I wished I could experience it for myself. Whilst looking like a typical Gothic manor, Moonseed Manor, sitting on  an island in the middle of a lake, seems like the perfect setting for a hotel with a difference. However, there is an atmosphere about the place - an air of impending doom that gradually surrounds Wren.  Her seemingly rather cold and distant employer, William 'Corrie' Bennings hides a secret which she is determined to discover, while feeling drawn to him as if they somehow have a connection. The other occupants of the house are outwardly friendly and she soon feels at home with them - but can they all be trusted? 

Soon Wren realises that the mansion itself also hides a secret, and wonders if her imagination is playing tricks with her or are there really deadly and vengeful spirits haunting its rooms.

I found this story to be a real page turner, the vivid descriptions brought the mansion and its surroundings to life. Even the furniture is beautifully described in such a way as to make it seem real and authentic, making me feel author either had first-hand experience of this kind of large, ancestral home, or had done a lot of research on the subject. The atmosphere reminded me a little of Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca and if you enjoy Ms du Maurier's brand of Gothic novel, with a gradually developing romance, I'm sure you will enjoy The Curse of Moonseed Manor.

I gave this story five stars.

  

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