PERIL AT SOMNER HOUSE by Joanna Challis (Book) - 8/10/2010 10:21:54 PM
After her adventures in MURDER ON THE CLIFFS, young Daphne du Maurier travels to a remote island off the coast of Cornwall to visit the estate of Lord and Lady Trevalyan. Somner House, enchanting amidst lush exotic wilderness and only a moment's walk to the sea, beguiles Daphne, but just as looming winter storms begin to envelop the island, the Lord is found murdered while the Lady is found in the arms of a lover. Even Daphne with her torrid imagination could not have dreamed that she would become ensnared in the vile, villainous schemes being hatched within the walls of Somner House--or that a handsome stranger would inspire her to plumb the depths of a great mystery.
MURDER ON THE CLIFFS (Book) - 11/22/2009 5:23:49 PM
“All Joanna Challis’ books - Silverthorn, The Secret of the Phoenix and The Pendragon Legacy - are excellent historical romances with strong storylines and likeable characters that you come to care about what happens to them. I loved reading all of these books, and I can honestly say that having not been a romance genre fan before these books have changed my mind. I’m now a fan, well at least a fan of this author and her books. Highly recommended! I hope that the author writes more very soon!” ~ Charlotte Morgan, Round Table Reviews
The Secret of the Phoenix (Book) - 11/22/2009 5:22:30 PM
_____________________________________________________________________
The Secret of the Phoenix
"Sigh… What can I say about Joanna Challis’ writing style that I haven’t said in a previous review? I was raised on Victoria Holt, Mary Stewart, romantic suspense and gothic tales, and it is rare to find a skillfully written page-turner in this sub-genre these days. But Ms. Challis does it with panache and style and I drum my fingers, impatiently waiting for her next book. The Secret of the Phoenix does not disappoint and from chapter one feeds your curiosity till you can’t wait to find out what happens next." ~ Torie West, The Romance Studio
Eye of the Serpent (Book) - 11/22/2009 4:16:09 PM
PROFESSIONAL REVIEWS:
*** Editor's Top Pick -- Historical Novel Society
EYE OF THE SERPENT
Joanna Challis, Hale, 2006, £18.99, hb, 224pp, 9780709081302
1870: Christabel Brown leaves England, becoming governess to the teenage daughter of an Austrian count. Liesel von Holstein is a difficult charge; her last governess came to an untimely end. Max von Holstein, handsome, widowed, rich, with a mysterious past and an impossibly beautiful castle, is the kind of man romantic dreams are made of. Christabel, beautiful, brave, forthright and honourable, is both entranced by her new employer and bewildered by the secrecy surrounding him. Before Christabel left England, her Grandma entrusted her with the safekeeping of a precious family heirloom, an unusual bracelet in the form of serpents entwined. When Christabel realises this same serpent is the insignia of the Von Holstein family, she wonders about the history of her bracelet. Can it truly be hers? Or was it stolen? Before long, death occurs. Dark forces are gathering, and Christabel is plunged into danger, along with the Count. A not unusual pattern of events, the Von Holstein family history is littered with tragedies. Is history about to repeat itself? Or is Christabel strong enough to claim what is rightfully hers? An achingly beautiful tale, incurably romantic in every sense. Perfect from start to finish, deliciously pleasurable, and highly recommended. -- Fiona Lowe
SILVERTHORN (Book) - 4/30/2003 9:16:07 AM
This tale captures readers with murder, suspense, love and deceptions, readers won’t know what to expect next! Joanna Challis is a new author for me and one that I will be on the lookout for, I don’t want to miss any of her future work. SILVERTHORN is a definite keeper!
