Monday Give Away: THE DARKLING BRIDE

Welcome to Monday Give Away!  As the days grow shorter and the air crisp, what could be better than a strong cup of tea and a little gothic atmospehere?  (Or a lot of Gothic atmosphere.)  This week, I have for you… an ARC of Laura Andersen’s The Darkling Bride.

Here’s the official blurb:

Three generations of Irish nobles face their family secrets in this spellbinding novel from the award-winning author of the Boleyn King trilogy.
 
The Gallagher family has called Deeprath Castle home for seven hundred years. Nestled in the Wicklow Mountains of Ireland, the estate is now slated to become a public trust, and book lover and scholar Carragh Ryan is hired to take inventory of its historic library. But after meeting Aidan, the current Viscount Gallagher, and his enigmatic family, Carragh knows that her task will be more challenging than she’d thought.
 
Two decades before, Aidan’s parents died violently at Deeprath. The case, which was never closed, has recently been taken up by a new detective determined to find the truth. The couple’s unusual deaths harken back a century, when twenty-three-year-old Lady Jenny Gallagher also died at Deeprath under mysterious circumstances, leaving behind an infant son and her husband, a renowned writer who never published again. These incidents only fueled fantastical theories about the Darkling Bride, a local legend of a sultry and dangerous woman from long ago whose wrath continues to haunt the castle.
 
The past catches up to the present, and odd clues in the house soon have Carragh wondering if there are unseen forces stalking the Gallagher family. As secrets emerge from the shadows and Carragh gets closer to answers—and to Aidan—could she be the Darkling Bride’s next victim?

For a chance to win my ARC of The Darkling Bride, here’s your question: what’s your favorite autumn read?

The winner will be announced on Wednesday.

84 Comments

  1. Clara Bauer on September 24, 2018 at 10:51 am

    Need this for Halloween.

  2. Valerie Steinwart on September 24, 2018 at 10:58 am

    This sounds nice and creepy!!!

  3. AngrlB on September 24, 2018 at 10:59 am

    I have a soft spot for Jane Eyre this time of year. Can’t say if it’s a fall book, just that the first time I read it was in the fall and it changed me. It’s the first book I truly remember staying up all night reading. Reading at my desk underneath what I was supposed to be reading, etc. I even read it in the dugout of my softball game. (Hey, it’s AZ, too hot to play softball in summer).

    • AngelB on September 25, 2018 at 3:35 pm

      Ha…just realized I misspelled my name. It was a Monday. LOL

  4. Valerie Steinwart on September 24, 2018 at 11:01 am

    My favorite autumn read is The Haunting of Maddy Clare. I love all Simone St. James books, but the first is my favorite!

  5. Donna J Collett on September 24, 2018 at 11:01 am

    Another Woman’s Husband, Gill Paul…just devoured it!

  6. Lauren Willig on September 24, 2018 at 11:06 am

    p.s. I have to say, I am so amused that a discussion about seasonal reads happened spontaneously on last Friday’s Weekly Reading Round-Up! I’d already programmed this post when that went up, and thought, hmmm… clearly, we’re on the same wavelength!

  7. Car on September 24, 2018 at 11:16 am

    September by Rosamunde Pilcher

  8. Diana Hall on September 24, 2018 at 11:18 am

    This may be odd but I love reading my Autumn cookbook every year!

    • Lauren Willig on September 24, 2018 at 11:36 am

      The opposite of odd! I always get the urge to make butternut squash soup and apple crisp around now-ish….

  9. Clemmie Jackson on September 24, 2018 at 11:18 am

    My favorite autumn read is a good book with a good mystery to it especially around this season.

  10. Trude Vandine on September 24, 2018 at 11:20 am

    I love dark historical romantic suspense

    • Eirene Ritznore on September 24, 2018 at 4:42 pm

      I do, too. When ch ones would you recommend?

  11. Diana Hall on September 24, 2018 at 11:20 am

    I love rereading my Autumn cookbook by Susan Branch.

  12. Holly on September 24, 2018 at 11:21 am

    Favorite autumn read is probably Harry Potter. Some Stephen King. Anything you put in front of me really 😂

  13. Sue on September 24, 2018 at 11:23 am

    This year, The Glass Ocean AND The Forgotten Room!

    • Lauren Willig on September 24, 2018 at 11:37 am

      Three Ws love your choices!

  14. Jamie on September 24, 2018 at 11:25 am

    I love to get cozy with anything by Jane Austin and a cup of tea. My favorite is Pride and Prejudice.

    • Lauren Willig on September 26, 2018 at 10:44 am

      Congrats, Jamie!! You’re the winner of the ARC of THE DARKLING BRIDE!

  15. Rachel Richardson on September 24, 2018 at 11:28 am

    The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield! Perfect combo of autumn and a little gothic/creepy element.

  16. Kelliey Chavez on September 24, 2018 at 11:29 am

    My fav Autumn read is anything by Lauren Willig.

    • Lauren Willig on September 24, 2018 at 11:37 am

      Awww, thanks!

  17. Jan Siler on September 24, 2018 at 11:31 am

    The Mark of the Midnight Manzanilla is a favorite (who doesn’t like a dark, brooding hero who doesn’t seem to be a hero), and I always loved reading Mary Stewart books….

    • Lauren Willig on September 24, 2018 at 11:37 am

      Love Mary Stewart so much!

  18. Geralyn Perney on September 24, 2018 at 11:31 am

    I love to curl up with a great mystery especially Agatha Christie, Anthony Horowitz, Louise Penny or Sophie Hannah. My favorite time of year! ❤🎃🍂🍁🍃

  19. LynnS on September 24, 2018 at 11:36 am

    Drums of Autumn. Hmm. That’s almost too obvious isn’t it?

    • Lauren Willig on September 24, 2018 at 11:37 am

      : )

  20. Bridget Lopreiato on September 24, 2018 at 11:47 am

    Northanger Abbey!

  21. Lori Herpich on September 24, 2018 at 11:52 am

    It’s hard not to think of Stephen King during the fall season. Love to fix a cup of tea and curl up with a good book!

  22. Toni Laliberte on September 24, 2018 at 11:52 am

    I like to read mysteries, in the fall. Like Nancy Drew and Agatha Christie. Thanks for the chance!

  23. Ann Hutter on September 24, 2018 at 12:00 pm

    This year several of my favorite authors have new books out or coming out. Susanna Kearsley, Kate Morton, and the three W’s (Willig, White, & Williams). It will be one of these this year soon as I get my hands on the books!! But I can make room for this one too! thanks for the chance and for all your books. Love!!

  24. Sheila Churchill on September 24, 2018 at 12:02 pm

    Kelly Chavez beat me to it! Actually, I do very little rereading. Whatever I am reading at the time is usually my favorite, unless it is awful, like For Whom the Bell Tolls, just couldn’t do it.

  25. Joanna Spanos on September 24, 2018 at 12:13 pm

    The scenes in “Anne of the Island” where they are getting ready for fall and the cooler weather. I have always loved the way Montgomery described the weather by describing the clothes.

  26. Mary Ann Brady on September 24, 2018 at 12:17 pm

    Consider the Lily by Elizabeth Buchanan. One of my favorite books!

  27. Elly Craig on September 24, 2018 at 12:20 pm

    anything by Stephen King!

  28. Michelle Springer on September 24, 2018 at 12:22 pm

    Well… considering that I just revisited Frankenstein (scary gothic novel), it might be time for me to revisit Dracula (another scary gothic novel) to see if that one is as cerebral as I remember it.
    I don’t usually do seasonal reading (except at Christmas time), so this could be a new thing for me. 😉

  29. TJ Hulsey on September 24, 2018 at 12:26 pm

    As a kid, I loved reading Little House in the Big Woods in the fall. That book is so seasonal because the chores were so seasonal back then. I wanted to live in their house and make butter with them (as I type on my phone in my air-conditioned house).

  30. Melissa Crawford on September 24, 2018 at 12:27 pm

    Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier is one of my favs.

  31. Betty Strohecker on September 24, 2018 at 12:27 pm

    Irish nobles and Gothic – sounds great. The Haunting of Maddie Clare was great. I’m going to reread a favorite this year – Nocturne by Syrie James.

  32. Daniele K on September 24, 2018 at 12:34 pm

    I enjoy fall themed cozy mysteries this time of year.

  33. Valerie on September 24, 2018 at 12:39 pm

    First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen is always up there.

    • Rachel Adrianna on September 24, 2018 at 7:18 pm

      Oh my goodness, ALL OF THE SAA BOOKS 🙂

  34. Evelyn Mummey on September 24, 2018 at 12:40 pm

    Anything Stephen King!

  35. Ashley Peter on September 24, 2018 at 12:47 pm

    Harry Potter!

  36. Dawn Swarthout on September 24, 2018 at 12:51 pm

    The Passion of the Purple Plumeria with my book club!

  37. Meghan on September 24, 2018 at 12:58 pm

    I love to re-read the Barbara Michaels trilogy – Ammie, Come Home; Shattered Silk, and Stitches in Time. I love the creepy autumn ghost story feeling!

  38. Piepie on September 24, 2018 at 1:00 pm

    I’m looking forward to The Spellbook of Katrina van Tassel, by Alyssa Palombo.

  39. Laurie blum on September 24, 2018 at 1:06 pm

    The Air You Breathe by Frances De Pontes peebles

  40. Linda Robertson on September 24, 2018 at 1:28 pm

    Whatever book on my pre-order list arrives first.

  41. Judith Barnes on September 24, 2018 at 1:34 pm

    Bring on the mysteries by Alex Kava.

  42. Regina Garza Mitchell on September 24, 2018 at 1:42 pm

    My favorite autumn read is Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury…or a good gothic romance. I have Wildfire at Midnight on my TBR pile for October.

  43. Winter on September 24, 2018 at 2:05 pm

    Fall weather brings the Bronte Sisters. ❤️
    Love all the tales woe

  44. Pat Dupuy on September 24, 2018 at 2:13 pm

    If I were going to go back and read some favorites instead of reading some new books it would be Karen White’s Tradd Street series. Spooky!

  45. EB on September 24, 2018 at 2:44 pm

    Not much of a rereader but always up for a cozyish mystery book.

  46. Amanda Bulkeley on September 24, 2018 at 3:04 pm

    I don’t really have a favorite “fall read” per se, but this fall I’m looking forward to reading Dracula and Frankenstein for the first time!

  47. Ellen Sheffer on September 24, 2018 at 3:09 pm

    This sounds very intriguing! I don’t know that I have a favorite Fall read but I just got the latest Simone St. James from the library and I can’t wait to get to it!

  48. Beverly Summers on September 24, 2018 at 3:36 pm

    Autumn is my favorite time of year to reread Jane Eyre.

  49. Gena Jeselnik on September 24, 2018 at 3:57 pm

    Wuthering Heights! Gotta love those Bronte sisters. Also, Autumn/Fall in Georgia doesn’t last very long 😂

  50. Laura Hartness on September 24, 2018 at 4:01 pm

    Favorite autumn read… I’d love to say one of the classics, but in reality I’m usually trying to finish up reading so that I can get to Christmas readings in December! I’m in school, so much of my reading in the fall involves textbooks…

  51. Cara Buoncristiano on September 24, 2018 at 4:20 pm

    I’ve been feeling the itch to reads some suspense ala Ruth Ware, Gillian Flynn, etc.

  52. Bridgette Brigham on September 24, 2018 at 4:36 pm

    Stephen King’s 11.22.63

  53. Joanne Mielczarski on September 24, 2018 at 4:40 pm

    This sounds like a great Halloween read.

  54. Eirene Ritznore on September 24, 2018 at 4:46 pm

    I like Dean Koontz in the fall- a little suspense and horror fit just nicely. This fall I’m looking forward to Sherry Thomas’ third Sherlock Holmes novel, though.

  55. Amanda on September 24, 2018 at 5:07 pm

    Anything by Daphne du Maurier, the Bronte sisters, or by Simone St James. Nothing too terrifying but something with its little bit of lingering darkness.

  56. Alice on September 24, 2018 at 5:23 pm

    The Sharpe and Donovan series by Carla Neggers. They’re usually set in Maine or Ireland and several during Autumn. I love New England Fall weather!

  57. Celeste on September 24, 2018 at 6:06 pm

    Cider House Rules by John Irving or ‘Salem’s Lot by Stephen King.

  58. Dianne Casey on September 24, 2018 at 6:10 pm

    I love Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier. Fall is such a great time to read!

  59. Maria on September 24, 2018 at 6:48 pm

    I’ll second September by Rosamunde Pilcher

  60. Jennifer johnson on September 24, 2018 at 7:10 pm

    I don’t know if you can call it an autumn read but my favorite book besides the carnation series of course is summers at castle auburn by Sharon shinn

  61. Susanne Lercher on September 24, 2018 at 7:28 pm

    The Autumn Bride by Anne Gracie

  62. Dawn Volkman on September 24, 2018 at 7:35 pm

    Anything by Stephen King or Neil Gaiman

  63. Brenda Mason on September 24, 2018 at 8:09 pm

    The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Dracula are a must as Halloween approaches!

  64. Kimberly Mussell on September 24, 2018 at 10:47 pm

    My favorite Autumn read is Little Women. Crisp fall air, a scarf, coffee and the women!!

  65. Karleen Mauldin on September 24, 2018 at 11:22 pm

    I guess I’m out of the loop….I don’t read by the seasons! May have to try that! LOL

  66. DJL on September 24, 2018 at 11:37 pm

    The Dead Travel Fast by Deanna Raybourn is the perfect Autumn read: gothic setting, vampire overtones, spunky independent British heroine–this one’s got it all!
    I also have to second (third? fourth?) du Maurier’s Rebecca, which is also perfect fall literature!

  67. Jessica C on September 24, 2018 at 11:54 pm

    I tend to read more in categories than to a strict theme. This autumn just gone (I live in the southern hemisphere) I went through a determined effort to knock some books off my toppling ‘to be read’ pile. I tackled a lot of the shorter books on my list, to maximise the effect. There was a lot of Lemony Snicket and Neil Gaiman, and some fluffy romance books. Not that it did much to dint the pile – just bought home 2 books from the op shop today (oops!)

  68. Tara on September 25, 2018 at 4:50 am

    My fav autumn read is Bertrice Small’s A Dangerous Love.

  69. Maureen Connolly on September 25, 2018 at 7:59 am

    The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton

  70. Maureen Connolly on September 25, 2018 at 8:01 am

    The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton

  71. Amy M on September 25, 2018 at 8:34 am

    Autumn is prime Barbara Michael’s re-reading time for me.

  72. Liz D. on September 25, 2018 at 3:30 pm

    Ooh, this sounds good! I read Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley which feels like the perfect autumn read – history, mystery, some windswept locations, and romance!

  73. Julie on September 25, 2018 at 10:31 pm

    I have several, but for the sake of brevity will name just two: Anne’s House of Dreams by L.M. Montgomery and Jackaroo by Cynthia Voight.

  74. Lynn on September 26, 2018 at 10:11 am

    This sounds perfect for the fall!

  75. Karen M Lemmon on September 26, 2018 at 5:27 pm

    Getting ready to read The Drowned Village by Kathleen McGurl. Loved all her books! Have loved yours Lauren my favorite is still That Summer.

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