This book was quite the collection of romantically Haunted stories. Overall it was a great collection, but my favorites were the stories by Meara Platt, Elizabeth Johns, and Kathryn LeVeque. I recommend this set to anyone that likes ethereal beings and romance.
I received this book from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for an honest review.

I find it rare in an anthology to find so many superb stories, usually only one or two are 5* but not in this case. This boxset is highly recommended.
Nevermore 5* by Kathryn Le Veque - An unwilling postulate at Whitby Abbey fights for her life.
Into the Night 5* by Chastity Bowlin - A creepy inn, two strangers pledged to marry and two very scary nights.
The Stones of Ard Cairn 5* by Hildie McQueen - A druid descendant guardian, evil infested stones and an unemployed knight.
White Lady Lost 5* by Maggi Andersen - A ghost infested ruin, a missing body and two young people determined to solve a mystery.
The Others of Ochil 5* by Mary Lancaster - Long lost tragic lovers are reunited in death by brand new lovers.
Moonstone Landing 5* by Meara Platt - A deceased Captain and a young lady form an attachment.
Belware Bridge 4* by Violetta Rand - Age old murders, superstition and appeasement on the eve of Summer’s End.
The Bridge to Love 5* by Alexa Aston - Sad and sweet tale of betrayal, murder and death with lovers reunited at last.
Blind Faith 5* by Anna Markland - Blinded at Waterloo, Boyd shuns company but an old friend persuades him to engage Amelia Southwell as both housekeeper and teacher of night writing. And it appears that his resident ghost approves.
Percy’s Perdition 4* by Aubrey Wynne - A man who’s only redeeming feature is his love for his wife, is given the chance to atone for his sins.
The Ghost Bride 5* by Elizabeth Ellen Carter - Jealousy and murder is uncovered centuries later.
Haunted Knight 5* by Elizabeth Johns - A runaway, a fake ghost and a real one.
The Grey Lady of the Manor 5* by Elizabeth Keysian - A temper riddled ghost, accident-prone maid and an apprentice thatcher feature in this spooky story.
A Governess of No Fear 4* by Emily E K Murdoch - A meddling matchmaking ghost pushes master and governess together.
Haunted Hart 5* by Emily Royal - Lilah angers a ghost who then decides she wants her husband who looks like her missing lover.
Rohaise the Red 5* by Heather McCollum - Abigail runs to avoid an unwanted marriage. Pursued she is helped by a ghost who later becomes dangerous to her.
Once Upon A Haunted Heart 5* by Anna St. Clare - A ghost causes accidents to happen in order that her dying curse is upheld.
The Lair of the Burrells 5* by Lynne Connolly - Saved by loyal ghostly retainers.
Guardian of Midnight Manor 5* by Maeve Greyson - A ghostly guardian dog and a story with a humorous ending.
The Dauntless Boy 5* by Whitney Blake - A maid solves a decades old mystery and in so doing frees her master from his guilt.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you for an eARC in exchange for a honest review :)

I personally love historical and romance books so these two combined in a book is just *chefs kiss*

The plot was good however I wished it would be more thilling but I guess I gave too much attention to the cover of the book because I was expecting much more spookiness.

I enjoyed the book but probably wouldn’t reread it BUT I‘m looking forward to the other books of the author!

Also reviewed on goodreads

I dont usually go for romance, but this time I made an exception. Some tales are really, really good. As in the horror, and romance is mixed to perfection. Some tales are more romance than horror. Honestly this would be one of those books I read during a reading slump, and needed a filler book. It's not fantastic, but its not terrible either. Thanks Netgalley for the book.

I will be posting a review on my goodreads as well.

I was lured into reading this book as many of my favorite authors participated in the anthology. However, I am still not a fan of gothic historical romance even though there were some really enjoyable novels in between the ghoulish, macabre, and hauntings. I did read the entire boxset and particularly enjoyed those books that had a background in archeology and the origins of night reading. Although some of the specters were evil to the core, others just wanted justice for the wrongs done to them. I found Moonstone Landing particularly sweet as love crossed over from two worlds. I received a copy of this anthology as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest review.

Upon A Midnight Dreary: A Halloween Anthology

The perfect way to read favorite historical romance authors and meet new ones. I have seen many of these names in the past but realized, while looking through the list of authors, that I have only read a few of these authors’ work. I have read four of the twenty stories and each one was interesting and well written. I am looking forward to reading one or two per night until Halloween.

The stories span the centuries, are wonderfully told, had paranormal disturbances of the nice and not so nice ghost type, and all that I read made me want to read more.

Rohaise the Red of Delgatie Castle by Heather McCollum was scary for more than one reason. Glad I didn’t read IT before I went to sleep because that ghost was a nightmare in the making though the romance between Abigail and Kerrick was a delight!

Nevernmore by Kathryn Le Veque was first up in the anthology but second that I read. The evil abbess was someone I really didn’t like but I was thrilled with the romance between the night and his lady.

Blind Faith by Anna Markland was a sweet story with a ghostly presence that encouraged the blind soldier and the new housekeeper that came to his home. Liked this story quite a bit though not necessarily as scary as some of the others.

Into the Night by Chastity Bowlin had a mail order marriage with the couple meeting at an Inn only to have a rather horror filled night to contend with. This one was scary but in a different way that the first two.

I am eager to read the other books in this anthology and have told my sister that we might need it for our ereaders so we can revisit the stories again…or at least I can. Maybe I should have my daughter buy them for me as a Christmas gift? Hm…

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by the authors in this anthology? Definitely

Thank you to NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for the ARC – this is my honest review.

5 Stars

A wonderful anthology of novellas featuring 20 brilliant authors. Whilst I’ve not yet read all of the stories the ones I have read have been so good
The Bridge to Love Alexa Aston a bridge joins two properties it's also where lovers meet centuries apart. I loved this story which was an emotional read.
Moonstone Landing Meara Platt a haunted seaside cottage. Another brilliant novella I loved Brioc & Lady Henleigh
The Dauntless Boy Whitney Blake a new author to me & this very spooky read was SO entertaining
Entertaining, well written short stories ideal for whiling away a couple of hours
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

A wonderful anthology filled with romance and haunting tales. So many stories and diverse locales with lots of heroes and heroines for everyone. This collection delivered a hauntingly romantic time for me.

There are some really great novellas in this collection. Most of them take an hour or less to read, so they are perfect for when you just want to get a quick read in! There is such a wide variety of stories which means there is something for everyone. I also loved the little Author's Notes that explain the origins of the story. I will say that out of them all, there is one that really stuck with me. I just couldn't stop thinking about it, Moonstone Landing by Meara Platt. It is simply heartbreaking. I don't really know why that story stuck with me, but it definitely left it's mark on me.


I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

You will want to have this collection for your very own. This is a collection of short stories, maybe 30 or so pages each all having a spooky or Halloween vibe to them. Each one is written by an author signed with Dragonblade Publishing. And if you know this publisher or any of the authors, you know these are novels worth having, stories that will thrill you, stories you won't be able to put down.
Each story here in this collection is different, the steam levels vary, and for sure there is something for everyone in here.
I was super excited for this collection of some of my favorite authors and some new ones I will be looking more into. I received an advanced copy in exchange for my review but I also have purchased the collection to have in my library. Highly recommend this huge book!

Kathryn's story about Atreus and Marianna was definitely spooky. The Abbess was definitely better suited somewhere else. She was mean and evil. Thank goodness Atreus and Markus figured out something was wrong when she didn't show up to meet him like she was supposed to. But a HEA for them anyway.

Who doesn’t like a scary story during the Halloween Season! This compilation of spooky short stories is perfect for this time of year. The stories are very eclectic, from hints of Edgar Allan Poe’s iconic prose, to friendly ghosts, those with lost loves and just the ghosts that need to move to the next realm.
A few of my favorites were, of course, the story based on Poe’s, the lost loves and the story set in The Ancient Ram. (A setting I don’t think I want to even visit during the day.)
Settle in for a spooky but fun time!

When doors creak and ghostly whispers can be heard throughout the halls, this stunning collection of haunted Historical Romance novellas is sure to leave you breathless with ethereal, romantic tales…
Welcome to UPON A MIDNIGHT DREARY anthology!
Many of your favorite Historical Romance authors have come together for a collection of never-before published stories inspired by true, legendary hauntings of the British Isles. These tales will give you a chill, a thrill, and have you reading them over and over. From the moors of Devon to the ballrooms of Regency London, and far north into the Scottish Highlands, these stories will bring you wistful dreams of legendary and haunting romance. You’ve never before experienced a collection like this by some of the very best authors in Historical Romance.

Authors in this anthology include:

Kathryn Le Veque

Chasity Bowlin

Hildie McQueen

Maggie Andersen

Mary Lancaster

Meara Platt

Violetta Rand

Alexa Aston

Anna Markland

Aubrey Wynne

Elizabeth Ellen Carter

Elizabeth Johns

Elizabeth Keysian

Emily E K Murdoch

Emily Royal

Heather McCollum

Anna St. Claire

Lynne Connolly

Maeve Greyson

Whitney Blake

Light your candle, lock your doors, and settle down to this smashing collection of darkly-tinged romantic stories with unforgettable heroes and magnificent ladies. Romance has never been so daring… or so haunting!
And if you hear a knock on your door… don’t answer it unless you are prepared to welcome a wandering wraith in a tattered wedding gown…
Many of these stories have been previously published. I did find a few new stories among the anthology.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

Halloween Treat!

A feast of gothic type historical tales with a romantic twist by a host of our favorite authors. From Medieval times to Regency. All centered around British tales from places where the paranormal is no surprise. Here’s a few I enjoyed.

“Nevermore” by Kathryn Le Veque. This is a medieval romance. The scene is near Whitby Abbey in 1295. A religious order ruled by an intractable, brutally righteous Mother Abbess.
Atreus de Norville a young knight has fallen in love with Mariana Prendwick de Allerston daughter of a noble house, banished to the Abbey for her involvement with a servant. Knight and postulant have met and fallen in love. But at the Abbey, Mariana is threatened, punished and abused by the Abbess to drive the demons of wildness out of her. Will Mariana and Artreus’ love survive?
“Into the night” by Chasity Bowlin
This set the hairs standing straight up on the back of my neck. A young woman and her intended (and how that came to pass is fascinating!) find themselves in an inn with a malevolent spirit.
“The Others of Ochil” by Mary Lancaster
A young woman who can talk to ghosts helps a Scottish Earl.
Moonstone Landing by Meara Platt
Love across the divide. Gorgeously gentle.

For those who wish to explore the divide when the veil is thin, it’s well worth the read!

A Dragonblade ARC via NetGalley
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

Thoroughly captivating romances!

This is a fabulous set of short romances with something for everyone who loves a little spooky edge to their stories. Twenty separate tales by twenty different authors ensure that there's something here for everyone. This is a huge collection, well over a thousand pages, chock full of steamy romances that cross over the veil and inject a bit of mystical magic into each couple's story.

My favorite was "Rohaise the Red" by Heather McCollum, where Abigail and Kerrick have a complicated relationship with the ghost haunting his castle, all while they're trying to figure out if there's a future relationship in store for themselves as well. The bravery shown by Abigail was inspiring, and Kerrick rises to every challenge and proves to be the hero she needs. I loved the inventive solution at the end, where the worst thing that happened to her turned out to be the best in the end.

I also adored "Nevermore" by Kathryn Le Veque. Atreus and Mariana have been separated by evil forces long enough, but when her life is threatened the solution is horrifyingly justified.

"Into the Night" by Chasity Bowlin brings Simon and Clara together at a haunted inn. I guarantee this story will make you think twice about even modern hotel accommodations.

"Blind Faith" by Anna Markland is a sweet story about a hero facing impossible challenges. Its insightful look at vision impairment was nothing short of amazing, and I enjoyed it very much.

These are only a few of the many wonderful stories included. There's a lot of references to real-life legends and ghost stories, so if you're like me and love the history behind it all there's plenty here to get you started. I highly recommend this collection for anyone who loves romance with a slice of spine-chilling supernatural phenomena. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥
💋💋

Brilliant reading material, your going to love these stories, I swear they are some of the best around.
Here are a few contained in this anthology, hope this gives you a taster.

Kathryn Le Veque
Nevermore
Excellent, Poe type novella, that is scary, spooky, and a little disturbing too.
Atrius de Norvill and his postulate love, are finally going to make a run for it to start their new life, but will all go smoothly or is there a more sinister end in sight.
Great read with tense moments.

Meara Platt
Moonstone Landing

I really adored this story.
A beautiful and sensitive lady Henleigh, moves into a seaside cottage with a resident ghost all of her own.
Brioc is a Captain who has always loved the sea and his home, now he has one more thing to occupy his heart.
He’s a ghost who slowly realises he can feel again, but why, what is so special about this lady that he can feel her kisses.
So bittersweet and passionate, Meara has a gift for stunning stories.

Alexa Aston
The Bridge to Love

This story begins with a beautiful tale of two lovers who meet at the bridge between their properties, they marry on the bridge, but sometimes things don’t got the way you’d expect.
Hundreds of years later is the love story repeating itself, and can these two lovers help the pair from the past fulfil their destiny.
I loved this tale, it made me feel both emotional and satisfied.
Great reading

Elizabeth Johns
Haunted Knight

Sweet haunted house tale.
Getting a message to travel to your estate because it’s haunted is not what Sir Martin expected, but on arrival he finds his servants will no longer work there and his estate manager is at the end of his tether trying to make them.
There is obviously and extremely good explanation for all the noises and visions. Or is there?
Very quick and easy read that keeps you entertained.

Emily E K Murdoch
A Governess of no Fear

A ghost story set in a real haunted house, that exists in England, and a real ghost thought to exist as well.
It’s beautiful and thoughtful and entertaining.
Full of emotion and romance.
An extension of The Governess Bureau Books

Emily Royal
Haunted Hart

A creepy and somewhat sad tale, of a white lady waiting for her lover to return from war. He doesn’t. And hundreds of years later she still waits in her ruined palace.
Our now couple are staying at a local inn, family in tow, when they encounter the apparition.
But does she have any power over them, and can they free themselves from her hold.
Excellent and entertaining read, great story.

Whitney Blake
The Dauntless Boy

I thought this one was very spooky, a maid who went missing generations ago is now haunting both the house and the descendants.
It’s a beautiful love story too with the now maid falling for the man of the house.
Intriguing, entertaining and satisfying read.

I very much enjoyed reading this anthology, some awesome authors are involved in its making.
If you love living on the spooky side, do not miss this.

I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review

Short, spooky romance stories that put me in mind of the anthologies published in the 1980's and 90's. Nostalgic fun