4.3 (24 ratings)

The Darkest Waltz

Name: The Darkest Waltz
Rating: 4.3 (24 reviews)
Author: Ashley R. King
ISBN: B0D9DGJYBG

by Ashley R. King

ghosts

About this book

It’s 1927 and twenty-two-year-old Evangeline Ward rules the Georgia marshes as Queen of the Bootleggers. One night during a liquor drop, a rival bootlegger ambushes her gang and finds the secret tunnel to her stash. In just one night, her entire life is threatened to go up in flames.

Just when she thinks her empire may crumble, a strangely familiar man appears to offer her a deal. Weston Abernathy needs a wife to gain his inheritance and his family’s company, Abernathy Railroad. Evangeline needs a place to live and hide her alcohol and the isolated island he calls home is perfect. Seizing the seemingly perfect opportunity, she hastily accepts his terms and his hand.

But dark whispers of curses follow them to the island. The odd deaths of Weston’s family members and visions of a woman in the mansion’s windows haunt Evangeline’s steps to the altar. When Evangeline wakes to find dirt beneath her nails and a locket with another woman’s picture in it, she begins to question her sanity—and the man she’s slowly falling in love with.

Even as Weston’s touch sets fire to her body and soul, dragging her further in, Evangeline begins to uncover the dark truth surrounding the Abernathy family and begins to wonder if this deal really was too good to be true.

Publication Date: May 25, 2026
ASIN: B0D9DGJYBG

Reader Reviews

From the first page

October 20, 2024

This book had me hooked! I loved the dark and mysterious feeling I got from this book. I loved the absolute strength of the female E, Evangeline, Queenie. The male character was just mysterious enough for me to not like him at first, and then fell in love with his protectiveness and strange ways. The description of the homes had me picturing the whole scene in my head. Overall, very well written and great story! ) One person found this helpful

An immersive Southern Gothic ghost story

October 3, 2024

A Southern Gothic tale about a lady bootleggers in the 1920s, a mysterious railroad heir, and the things that haunt them, The Darkest Waltz is a fun debut from Ashley R. King that’s a great addition to any spooky season reading list. The story follows Evangeline Ward, a young woman whose bootlegging empire in Georgia is being threatened, and Weston Abernathy, the heir to a massive railroad fortune that was left to him after the tragic and mysterious demise of his family – but he needs a wife to...

Absolutely a perfect October read! 🦇🥀🖤

October 27, 2024

A captivating, spooky tale with a nice and slow burn! Not only are the main characters riveting with their hot as hades attraction but the build up is edge-of-your-seat. Author Ashley R. King weaves a story peppered with longing, excitement and even some comical relief leaving you all wound-up entranced as you tear through the book, page by page at top speed! )

Perfect read for spooky season!

September 23, 2024

ARC Review, thank you Ashley R King and Pen Pal PR! I really liked the writing of this book and think Ashley R. King is excellent with her words :) I enjoyed how dark and gloomy it was, and I always like a little paranormal dark romance. My biggest issue with this was the pacing. It felt like it was happening mind-blowingly fast. Like, Evangeline and Weston's marriage happened so quickly, and the story explains why, but Evanegline's feelings for Weston literally make no sense to me. She doesn't...

Perfect for Spooky Season

September 23, 2024

I found this book to be unique and so much fun! This is a perfect read for spooky season. It has gothic vibes, haunted manor, ghosts, etc. that provides a lot of excitement. I also liked the time period this was set in. It was a nice change for historical romance. I liked the FMC a lot. She's an infamous bootlegger which I found to be really cool. She gets into a marriage of convenience with a mysterious man from her past which was added a lot of intrigue to the story. I found the FMC to be a...