Please note - The House on Black Lake has been adapted to screenplay. Go to Home Page to see provocative trailer and music video based on novel.
A dangerously obsessive male can be both highly exciting and a nightmare for a woman. In reality few would desire such a challenge, but held at arms length - inside a novel or on a movie screen, such a man can be enormously intriguing.
The House on Black Lake features three such obsessive males, all very different. Ramey Sandeley's obsession with Alexandra Brighton leads him to the brink of emotional and physical cruelty. He can't help himself, as he has never heard the word "no". Rock God Georgie La Pointe, on the other hand, grooms his hair in the eyes of his lovers, but when he loses control over his conquest he becomes obsessional. Andre Labat, the sensuous young Frenchman has the same expectation of female surrender and a ruthless desire to level the playing field by seducing the object of his rivals' desire. All men are out of control, and that is what makes them so appealing.
The following top ten are taken from lists of romance lovers and are in no particular order.
1. Simon Boldevar -Crimson Kiss Series by Trisha Baker
2. Lucien de Malheur "The Scorpian" - Breathless - The House of Rohan by Anne Stuart
3. Judd - Caressed by Ice (Psy-Changelings book 3) by Nalini Singh
4. Dimitri - Archangels Blade (Guild Hunter) by Nalini Singh
5. Zsadist - Black Dagger Brotherhood - by J.R. Ward
6. Conrad Wroth - Immortals After Dark Seriesby Kresly Cole
7. Travis - Beautiful Disaster by Jamie Mcguire
8. Jake - Burning Wild by Christine Freehan
9. Baird - Claimed by Evangeline Anderson
10. Domenico - The Silver Devil by Therese Denys
Sean Culhane from Stormfire is a very controversial "hero" who is hated by most readers, but leaves a powerful impression, nonetheless.
Marianna Harutunian is clearly one of the best, if not the best Gothic jewelry designer in the U.S. The designer is of Armenian descent, but moved with her family to American when she was two years old, and is a true American Dream success story. Her designs have graced the fabulous bodies of Lady Gaga (Judas Priest video), Pink, Cher, Diana Ross, and a host of other celebrities and fashionistas. Most recently her designs will be seen on characters in vampire series, "True Blood". You too can wear her cuffs, necklaces, bracelets, and body designs. The Lady Gaga Judas cuff is available in 24 carat gold plate with Swarovski crystals. She also has bridal designs.
To view customs designs go to: ilovemariannas.com.
Be careful when wearing these pieces, men with dark desires are drawn to such art.
Please note: "The House on Black Lake trailer", filmed by Spirit/Sundance/Gotham/Venice award winning cinematographer Frazer Bradshaw, may be viewed on Home Page.
In The House on Black Lake there are dark forces at work. HOBL is the first of a trilogy that segues into the paranormal, although there is paranormal activity described throughout the first book. Alexandra Brighton has been educated by modern social systems and therefore is unwilling to acknowledge her own special gifts or to take seriously the wisdom of the mystics and gypsies who are her tutors in the underground. However, her host, Ramey Sandeley, is determined to expose her to certain "truths". Her journey of transformation on Black Lake is the beginning of her initiation into a world of dangerous beauty and terrible dark secrets.
Listed below are the top ten + 1 paranormal romance novels (listed most often by fans of the genre).
l. Vampires in America (Series) by D.B. Reynolds
2. Psy/Changling (series) - Nalini Singh
3. Immortals After Dark (series) - Kresley Cole
4. Dragon Bound (elder races series) by Thea Harrison
5. Ghost Walkers (series) - Christine Freehan
6. The Fever (series) by Karen Marie Moning
7. Shifter (series) - Rachel Vincent
8. Chicagoland Vampires (series) - urban fantasy by Chloe Neill
9. Broken Heart Oklahoma (series)- for those who prefer their paranormal splashed with humor
10. Magic Series - Ilona Andrew's - by Kate Daniels
+ 1 Shelley Laurentson's shape shifting series including Big Bad Beast, Beat Behaving Badly,Go Fetch, The Mane Attraction, and The Mane Squeeze are funny, filled with eccentric characters, and also very popular with paranormal romance fans.
The world has gone mad for Christian Grey in Fifty Shades of Grey. But he is preceded by a long line of dark lovers in film and literature.
Wade Gotwals and Anastasia Blackwell in Scene HOBL trailer
ATTENTION READERS: New Romantic Fantasy, The Chamber of Curiosities is NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER. The e-book will be delivered to your Kindle on Sunday, May 14, 2017. Be the first to read, review, and start discussions on forums. The epic story, set in a carnival in an ancient land, features an obsessive, possessive romance hero and heroine, as well as supporting characters with intense love obsessions.
Nothing is more rewarding than delving into the psyche of an obsessive, possessive, romance hero. A sexy, powerful man possessed with love has undeniable allure.
Ramey Sandeley from The House on Black Lake is an obsessive, possessive male who has never heard the word "no". Ramey first appears in the novel sweaty and burnt, fresh from branding animals with his custom tools. He believes his preternatural good looks, charm, wealth, and power afford him the right to own whatever and whomever he desires. But he meets his match with Alexandra Brighton, who, after having been possessed by her previous husband, and having made a vow at a shrine to be true to her manifest destiny, will no longer allow herself to be owned or controlled by anyone.
The night Alexandra arrives at Black Lake with her young son she is world weary from a brutal divorce, and in a highly vulnerable state. Soon after she is rowed out by Ramey and his wife to stay in a deserted Victorian in an island, with no way out. That night she dreams she is tied to a four poster, waiting for a burning brand to seal her wedding vows. Their battle of wills will lead them both to the brink of self destruction, and threaten the lives of those caught in their orbit.
To be adored to the point of obsession is truly a rare and beautiful thing. Possessed film heroes can be found in - Twilight, Legends of the Fall, The Phantom of the Opera, Cruel Intentions, Bram Stoker's Dracula, Meet Joe Black, Possession, King Arthur, The Last of the Mohicans, Ladyhawke, Tristan and Isolde, The Thorn Birds, A Streetcar Named Desire, The Man Who Cried features Johnny Depp as a gypsy who rides a beautiful white horse, and Original Sin offers some of the sexiest scenes on film as Antonio Banderas outplays Angelina Jolie at her own dangerous game, with her possessive brother played to perfection by Thomas Jane (of Hung). There are also notable darkly seductive tortured souls in literature, and many of the aforementioned tales began as novels.
Following are a few novels that feature such brooding males:
The Carpathian Series by Christine Freehan
An Independant Wife by Linda Howard
Immortals After Dark Series by Cresley Cole
The Madness of Lord Ian McKenzie, by Jennifer Ashley
The Misted Cliffs,by Catherine Asaro
The Silver Devil and The Flesh and the Devil, by Teres Denys - Note: These are cult classics and can be expensive
The Wolf and the Dove, by Cathleen Woodiwess
To Love an Earl, by Elizabeth Thornton.
The Devil's Embrace Catherine Coulter's first novel. Some have called it creepy, cruel, and disgusting, but everyone has their own tastes.
The Ground She Walks Upon, by Meagan McKinney
The House of Rohan- Ruthless, Breathless,Reckless, by Ann Stuart
Shadow Heart, by Laura Kinsdale
Uncommon Vows, by Mary Joe Putney
Double Standards by Judith McNaught
Gold Ring of Betrayal, by Michelle Reed
Murder Game, Ghostwalkers series 7, by Michelle Freehan
Into the Dark Lands, by Michelle Sagora
The Dark Jewels Trilogy, by Anne Bishop
Prince of Dreams, by Lisa Kleypas
The Twilight Saga, Stehanie Meyers.
Julie Garwood, J.R. Ward , Fallen Angel and Black Dagger Brotherhood SeriesGena Showalter- are other notable authors who specialize in the genre.
Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen
Wuthering Heights, offers the supremely perfect, dark, brooding hero, Heathcliff, Emily Bronte's masterpiece.
Gone with the Wind. gives us Rhett Butler, who is in a class of his own.
For those who desire a darker, more erotic experience the following are well written in this genre:
The Man in the Black Leather Mask follows a female attorney's transformation from powerful woman to submissive beneath the hands of a ten years younger dominent colleague
Kidnapped for Christmas by Evangeline Anderson - Average, overweight woman's skinny sister plans her own kidnapping as a sexual lark, but man takes wrong woman and the more conservative sister finds herself a submissive to a very sexy man
Surrender To Me, by Shayla Black - a woman's secret desire is met by her boyfriend in a Las Vegas trick where he consents to menage with friend, who also happens to be Navy Seal. An obsession is sparked between the woman and her new friend and nothing is the same for the two.
Master of the Mountain by Cherise Sinclair - an less than figure perfect ad agency artist complies with boyfriend's request to visit remote swinger's cabin. During her stay she sees boyfriend with other woman and realizes her relationship is over. However, she meets a man that is emotionally scarred and afraid of commitment who takes her on a journey into the underworld of dominence and submission.
Submissive Desires by Carolyn Faulker. Very severe story of a woman's five year journey to complete submission in the hands of a fiercely powerful and possessive ex Navy Seal.
What will it take to relieve him of his torture?
Obsessive, possessive, brooding romance hero
I was recently interviewed about obsessive possessive love and the character of Ramey Sandeley. Here are my thoughts:
ATTENTION READERS: New Romantic Fantasy, TheChamber of Curiosities, set in a carnival in an ancient land is now available. Be the first to read, review, and comment on the love story between a beautiful aerialist and a charismatic young giant. It is a tale filled with forced love, bondage, infidelity, betrayal, obsession, and self empowerment.
Kidnapping and forced love are popular themes in romance literature. Like with Beauty and the Beast and Hades and Persephone there is an allure to be desired, and drawn to vulnerability by a powerful captor. The House on Black Lake explores the provocative themes of confinement and forced love.
Following is a list of preeminent romance novels featuring forced love. Thanks to Amazon forum for input:
Regency:
My Dangerous Duke by Gaelen Foley - she is kidnapped for him as a virginal "gift" - very much a Beauty in the Beast type plot
Captured by Love by Amber Kaye - he kidnaps her based on a revenge plot
Beguiled by Heather Graham - very tame kidnap tale, he's a highwayman type that takes her off into the woods briefly
Silver Angel by Johanna Lindsey - she is kidnapped, sold into slavery, and he is her purchaser
The Last Highwayman by Katherine O'Neal - he kidnaps her to get the ransom money but her family doesn't pay - they end up working together, very passionate
The Devil Who Tamed Her by Johanna Lindsey - very tame kidnap tale, basically he absconds with her into the countryside to melt her heart of ice based on a bet
So Speaks the Heart by Johanna Lindsey - he takes her from her home, thinking she's a slave
Western:
Lakota Love Song by Madeline Baker - he is an injured Indian that she rescues from death, only to be kidnapped by him when he's better
The Bounty by Beth Williamson - he's hired by a psycho to find her for a bounty, so he finds her, kidnaps her and then falls for her
Diablo by Georgina Gentry - he kidnaps her based on a revenge plot but they fall for each other, very moving story
The Touch of Fire by Linda Howard - he kidnaps her to help heal a gun shot wound, but loses his heart to her
Contemporary:
Wild Orchids by Karen Robards - he's on the run in Mexico and she's in the wrong place at the wrong time, he kidnaps her to use her as a means of escape
Perfectby Judith McNaught - he breaks out of jail and uses her and her car as a means of escape
Unlawful Contact by Pamela Clare - he uses her to break out of jail, then abducts her- very moving passionate story
American Historical:
Star Keeper by Patricia Potter - they're already falling in love but she learns the truth about him - that he is an enemy pirate- to keep her quiet her abducts her
Relentless by Patricia Potter - she is kidnapped for him as part of a revenge plot- very moving and passionate
Sweet Fire by Jo Goodman - he kidnaps her as part of a complex plot- she is unaware because she has amnesia - but very good passionate moving story
HISTORICAL/PARANORMAL
The Pirate Prince(Ascension Trilogy), historical pirate romance, by Gaelen Foley
A Hunger Like No Other (Immortals after Dark, Book1) paranormal vampire intrigue, by Kresley Cole
The Devil Wears Plaid by Teresa Medeiros
Bodacious by Sharon Ervin
Lord of Fire by Gaelen Foley The Spymaster’s Lady by Johanna Bourne
Ruthless, (The House of Rohan), by Anne Steward
All Through the Nightby Connie Brockway
Honor Bound by Sandra Brown
Some Kind of Magic by Theresa Weir
Hawk O’Toole’s Hostage by Sandra Brown
Thanks to the Amazon romance forum for their input
Hungry Mature Twilight fans feed on new gothic suspense, “The House on Black Lake”
Twilight moms and closet fans have ached for a story that addresses adult desires, and Anastasta Blackwell’s debut novel, “The House on Black Lake” delivers the goods.
PR Log (Press Release) – Apr 14, 2010 – “The House on Black Lake” is a story of obsessive and forbidden love. But much more. It is an intoxicating journey into the underworld of Montreal society, where the power elite cavort with mystics, gypsies and soothsayers and create their own rules. The contemporary gothic suspense chronicles how a woman’s obsession with a charismatic man results in a dramatic transformation.
With her life falling apart around her, Alexandra Brighton escapes with you son, Samuel, to Black Lake – and into the home of the man who has haunted her thoughts for years. But little is as it seems in the idyllic world of Ruth and Ramey Sandeley, where modern luxuries co-mingle with ancient rituals. As the summer solstice draws near, Alexandra finds herself lured into a world of mystery and seduction that compels her to confront the forces that have shaped her life’s path. Ultimately she must decide where this journey will lead – if she and her son are to survive.
Set against the haunting backdrop of Montreal and its surrounding countryside, debut author Anastasia Blackwell’s novel explores how one woman’s pursuit of her divine path leads to a shadowy world of ruthless passion and dark secrets.
The journey to Black Lake is sensuous, erotic, romantic, and dangerous. Fasten your seat belt as you enter Zito Zahn 's cab and be prepared to take an odyssey into the unknown.
Author Anastasia Blackwell is an award-winning producer, writer, actress, voice-over artist. She collaborated with a noted cinematographer to produce a book trailer and created music videos based on scenes in book.
To learn more about the book, author, news, video, photographs and upcoming events go to www.houseonblacklake.com.
I have compiled a list from the Romance Community at Amazon.com to learn what women REALLY want - to read about. This does not necessary mean they really want the experience, but they either want to know or fantasize about it. Or, perhaps they actually desire the opportunity to experience it - at least once in their lives.
Asterisks are placed next to topics touched upon in “The House on Black Lake”.
You may want to add your own, cut and paste, and forward list to female/and or male friends. After all, we must let our men know what we desire from our partners.
The list is in no particular order, latest topic first.
l. A broken heart. The greatest reading choice for this seems to be "Stormfire.*
2. Man uses woman for revenge, kidnapped, seduced, etc. "Stormfire again, this must be a great read.*
3. Good sex scenes, either explicit or implicit.*
4. Heroine nearly dies, hero is terrified, realizes how much he loves her. Even better, is when hero is directly, or indirectly responsible for putting heroine in jeopardy...*
5. Second chance ex-spouses.
6. Cheating hero.* This one is very popular. But, some want him to realize he loves his wife and family and wants them back.
7. Less than perfect heroes – scarred or disabled.
8. Rugged cowboy-types.*
9. Hero helps deliver his baby.
10. Heroine saves or rescues hero from harm.
11. Bad Boys.*
12. Pent up sexual frustration – repression.*
13. Great grovel scenes – where rugged hero breaks down.*
14. H disappears and reappears years later.
15. Steamy AND emotional scenes between lovers.”
16. Romance – candlelit dinners, walks in the park. Etc.*
17. Obsessed or deeply in lust.*
18. Villain in love with heroine.*
19. Dominant, alpha males.*
20. Romance and thriller.*
21. Widowed hero grieving over first wife.
22. Vampire and paranormal love.
23. Vikings!.
24. Smutty historical romance.
25. H/H in historical garb.
26. Men with long (preferably dark) flowing hair*.
27. Alpha female who isn’t borderline abusive*
28. Hero bribes heroine to be with him.
29. Heroine playing hard to get.*
30. Drunken sex.*
31. Bad boy falls for nice girl.*
32 Virginal or repressed heroine who falls apart at the touch of the RIGHT man.*
33. Forced mate scenario in paranormal.
34. Jealous bad boy.*
35. Ménage romance.*
36.Incest.*
37. Two men competing for woman.*
38. Forced sex where h/h have strong connection.*
39. Sheik books and big hunky H’s and the feisty heroine.
40. Bad boy who bosses H around until they fall in love.*
41. Spanking/forced sex scenes.*
42. Love triangles.*
43. Bisexual love.*
44. Older women/younger men.*
45. Rugged/outdoorsy men.*
46. Heroine enjoys sex.*
47. Haunted places/ghosts.*
48. Tattoos, piercings, etc.*
49. Beauty and the beast themes.
50. Time travel – men in kilts, on island or anywhere ancient.
Well, that’s a beginning. This list says a lot about what women really want. Include your own. Think deeply and learn a little more about yourself.
When Alexandra Brighton enters Black Lake she only knows what she has been taught by contemporary society. The lessons she learns in the underground teach her about her deeper desires and instincts. Some of the topics are a bit disturbing, but I think we all just want to reconnect with our baser animal instincts and enjoy the powerful union between the sexes. Playfulness is the key!
Many have told me they believe "The House on Black Lake" is a ""Twilight "for adult fans of the popular books and movies. And, perhaps this is true. My book is about an obsessive love, a devious antagonist and the lure of another equally beautiful specimen. It is unclear what powers Ramey Sandeley, Georgie La Pointe and Andre Labat possess, if they bite or inhibit Alexandra's soul in ways that have not yet been explored. But, clearly Alexandra is "taken" by these men, betrayed and transformed. In the music video of the book, many are certain they seen between the pictures, and that she indeed has been bitten and transformed.
Transformation is a cruelly painful and ecstatic process. It drains the old blood and infuses new. We can all experience this, if we choose to take the path that passion lays down and open ourselves to receive the gift from others.
Are the men in the book vampires - blood suckers - or infusers? You be the judge - either way Alexandra , like Bella, will be entering a different realm at book's end.
Please note - The House on Black Lake has been adapted to screenplay. Go to Home Page to see provocative trailer and music video based on novel.
I have compiled a list from the Romance Community at Amazon.com to learn what women REALLY want - to read about. This does not necessary mean they really want the experience, but they either want to know or fantasize about it. Or, perhaps they actually desire the opportunity to experience it - at least once in their lives.
