Dartmoor’s End and Northrope, England – 1880

Gemini Andrews meets the handsome Captain Deverell Jansen when he performs the marriage ceremony for her sister and her new husband aboard his ship. Gemini sees two ghosts hovering over the captain -- two seamen who are laughing and joking. She hears the sea sirens calling her name, and knows that it is a sign that something bad will occur. Gemini is attracted to Deverell, and after his scorching kiss, she hopes to get better acquainted. When the captain sails away, Gemini awaits his return.

Several women had been murdered in the village of Dartmoor’s End a year ago, but with the disappearance of Constable Jack Poole, the murders have hopefully ended. But now, two murdered women have been found in the nearby town of Northrope. Deverell and Mr. Lincoln, an inventor, are trying to find the culprit. Gemini worries about her two sisters, Cassie and Andromeda, who were instrumental in identifying Jack Poole as the murderer. All of the sisters have paranormal powers. Gemini, able to talk to ghosts, wants to go to the site of the new murders to communicate with the victims, but her sisters vehemently refuse her request thinking it far too dangerous for their little sister. When Gemini talked to the ghosts of the women murdered the previous year, she became violently ill, but she is determined to save more women from being killed, and decides to stow away on Deverell’s ship and go with them to Northrope.

Will Gemini be putting herself in danger? Will she be able to help Deverell and Mr. Lincoln find the murderer? Will the handsome captain succumb to Gemini’s charms?

Written in first person from Gemini’s viewpoint, adventure on the turbulent sea, a hot and sizzling romance, and murderous dark deeds are all part of SILKEN SHADOWS. Jack Poole is fashioned from stories of the evil Jack the Ripper. Gemini is a determined young woman wanting Deverell to see her as an adult despite her diminutive size, and Deverell, accused of some dark deeds, does not want to sully her reputation despite his longing for her. He finds it difficult to believe she actually sees and converses with ghosts, and some of his sailors think she may be a witch.

SILKEN SHADOWS is partly a frightening gothic tale of vicious torture and murders of young women, but it is mostly a sexy romance between two likeable people who cannot deny their passion for each other. Secondary characters enhance the tale. Although SILKEN SHADOWS can stand alone, it is the third book in the series. MIDNIGHT SECRETS and DARKEST DREAMS, books one and two, are the stories of Gemini’s sisters, Cassie and Andromeda. They have all been trying to capture the murderer with help from their special powers, and in the process, find true love. Readers interested in a spicy romance with murders and ghosts thrown into the mix will enjoy SILKEN SHADOWS.

Marilyn Heyman