Gossamer in the Darkness

A Fantasyland Novella (1001 Dark Nights)

By: Kristen Ashley

Narrated by: Stella Bloom, John Hartley

Length: 9 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's Summary

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kristen Ashley brings another story in her Fantasyland series...

Their engagement was set when they were children. Loren Copeland, the rich and handsome Marquess of Remington, would marry Maxine Dawes, the stunning daughter of the Count of Derryman. It’s a power match. The perfect alliance for each house.

However, the Count has been keeping secret a childhood injury that means Maxine can never marry. He’s done this as he searches for a miracle so this marriage can take place. He needs the influence such an alliance would give him, and he’ll stop at nothing to have it.

The time has come. There could be no more excuses. No more delays. The marriage has to happen, or the contract will be broken.

When all seems lost, the Count finds his miracle: There’s a parallel universe where his daughter has a twin. He must find her, bring her to his world and force her to make the Marquess fall in love with her.

And this, he does.

**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you'll enjoy each one as much as we do.**

©2022 Kristen Ashley (P)2022 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved. Foreword © 2014 by M. J. Rose.

The Fantasyland Formula

😌 3 stars😌
One KA series I haven't gotten jaded about or tired of, yet, is ...The Fantasyland series. I mean, sure, I didn't get through this series' by-product series quartet: The Rising-mainly because, with that, I did lose interest, but that didn't stop me from reading the HEA for Loren Copeland and Maxine "Satrine" Daws!

The Fantasyland Formula commenced: heroine from one world gets spirited to an Adult Disney 2.0 universe; she is forced or, with good reason, convinced to hide her identity, all-the-while being "arranged" to be with a Fantasyland hot-guy noble or prince! Yummy

Of course, with KA, this mixture of AU and arranged marriage trope is imbibed with-
◙ nefarious dealings,
◙ MAGIC,
◙ jargon, like "OK," "Right-y ho," and "AF," clashes with hot-guy nobleman's speech,
◙ KA-style heavy-petting that includes at least one exclamation of "honey," "beautiful," or "glorious," and
◙ a concoction of endearing family-hood, brotherhood, and/or sisterhood relations.

😩 Sadly, I had some hang-ups that kept this one from being a 4 stars. Mainly, I couldn't get over some character development and plot sequencing/pacing issues.

First, it took my man Loren too long to catch on or even challenge the obvious suspicious behavior, so I was miffed that he was not as savvy or quick-on-the-uptake-

Second, Loren's catching on, well, IS the plot (or becomes the plot). So, not only is the hero easily duped, but after the beginning conflict set up for both the heroine and hero, it fades or is conveniently neglected, until being neatly wrapped up in the end. No twists and turns, which could have made the story more interesting.

Yet, don't mind me! I still got my KA Fantasyland Fix, resulting in a mellow daze.

KA as Always.

This why KA is one of my favorite authors. She weaves a story from the depths of fun and imagination not to mention variety. This book gave an update of her previous fantasies. I would love to sit behind her eyes to see the world.

Fairytale

Was so glad to delve back into this world! I loved this story! KA does it again! She makes the characters come alive every single time! Can’t wait for more.

I wish

Although it was a Novella I do wish it was longer or like the old days of KA that there was another coming on this books heels.

Great

So the story was great! Always a one click for me.

I did miss the alpha hero acting alpha. There's not much of that. He was take charge and protective, but not uber take charge and seductively alpha. Tor, Lan and the other guys all were mega alpha males. And Lauren was missing that. I felt like he kind of gave up said saynara to the heroine at the end.

I love Kristen's audiobook. the male narrator was great but I missed Stella's male character voice. since we switched POVs we had less of Stella's voice. I would've loved the POV just been told by citrine but that's okay. However the male narrator was great. I just love Stella blooms differential in voices.

🌻I love this series!!!!🌻

🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻V from Kansas 🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻

Kristen Ashley is so incredibly talented. Most authors find a niche and all of their books are written in a single genre. KA always writes romance but, she writes stories in the realm of paranormal, fantasy, contemporary and combinations of such. This series combines all three, with a focus on fantasy.

This series is about a parallel universe, to a contemporary universe that has magic, talking animals, dragons, elves and more. It is also full of fantastic characters, including strong Alpha males and strong Alpha females that fight against evil, to protect their people and their beautiful world.

This is one of my all time favorite series and Any release, of this series, is an automatic download and compulsion listen. This listen could be listened to as a stand alone, however, start with the first book, of the series and consume this world, you won’t be disappointed.

This series does contain some violence and descriptive sex scenes, however, neither is overdone and add to the story rather than detracting from the story.

KA, I hope you love writing this series as much as I love reading/listening to every release. I don’t want this adventure to end!

Amazing book

I adored the previous books in which this book was set. To see old and favourite characters appear was truly a joy. Revisiting Hawkvale and Bellbryn was surreal. This story was captivating and compelling to read. I’m glad I did a complete reread be fore this one as it enhanced my pleasure with this wonderful book. As always fab narration too.

All that I needed

Loved this book so much. But, before talking about the story I have to mention the outstanding performances of Stella Bloom (she never ever fails to wow me) and John Hartley (his voice is sexy af and his performance amazing).
The story was short, steamy and sweet. My only issue here is that that world hasn’t changed nor developed in almost 3 decades. That doesn’t sound right.

love it

I loved it. As always k.ashley books are amazing. I loved performance of Stella bloom. any book she reads its catching.