DARK NOTES by PAM GODWIN

‘I want you.

I wait for you.

You have me.’

It’s been a while since we last read a Pam Godwin book so when this forbidden teacher-student romance came our way we were both like; YES please! So, not only do we love our forbidden but we also love our dark. Now, let us tell you that Dark Notes was not what we expected. It was so far beyond that. It was dark, harrowing, messed up and cold with moments of intense scorching heat. It was so addictive we actually couldn’t put it down. We HAD TO KNOW! It was crazy, it was unbelievable and it was heart-breaking and tragic. Dark Notes was brilliantly written and whilst part of it were reminiscent of other work we did find the story quite unique as a whole.

‘Ivory’s an intoxicating dream, the kind that visits a man at night, veiled by the darkness of dusk and safely pursued in the secret corners of the mind. But in daylight, she’s a dangerous fantasy, tempting a man to do things with his eyes wide open.’

Ivory, goodness, this girl is a walking survivor of tragedy and hatred. However, she has real strength, courage and conviction. Ivory has ambitions and with the help of her late Dad’s benevolent actions she is trying to achieve greatness to fulfill her passion and to lift herself out of a dire situation which brings actual pain and emotional scarring. This girl has not received much love nor affection in life. For her riches are made up of tender loving care. Ivory is quite the clued up seventeen year old. After all, she had to grow up pretty quickly at the age of 13 when her life changed.

“You’re the kind of man that sets his sights on something and doesn’t let go till he possesses it.”

Ivory’s now 17 and life takes a complete turn in the road when Emeric Marceaux, 27, turns up as the new teacher. Her eyes are opened to a whole new world when lust, passion and love – the forbidden kind – rears its head. Emeric is one of the most captivating characters we’ve read. He’s actually so screwed up – such an arse – it became part of his appeal. Luscious and wicked. Cruel and Conniving. Passionate and loving. A master pianist with credentials as long as his…well this is one talented man, let us tell you. Every one of his actions or emotions is exaggerated and intense. Their relationship is fraught with perils both legally, morally and emotionally. However, despite how messy it all gets we absolutely loved it. We loved the pair of them.

‘He’s strumming a better song, our song, set to the tempo of our breaths and beating hearts.’

Emeric introduces Ivory to a Master – sub lifestyle which opened her eyes and changed her mind-set on love and sex. We have to warn you that these scenes are blazing hot and you may need a breather and or a lie down. You pick. It sure was one hell of an erotic thrilling ride wrapped up in beautiful writing.

‘That’s when I hear it. The tempo of our breaths. The drum of our heartbeats. The crackle in the air. The exquisite cadence pulses through me, awakening sensations I’ve never felt, composing a melody I’ve never heard. Our hypnotic, dark notes. This is so much more than punishment or forbidden pleasure.’

Pam Godwin wrote a timeless loving romance of; wealthy hero saves poor heroine in distress yet she dressed it up in a veil of gloom so evil that the intensity of the well-placed music teamed with the hero’s protection and obsession as well as the love and the tenderness spoke volumes. It was poetic beauty veiled in haunting filthy shadows. It was at times a bit of a love-hate relationship….we bloody loved it.

‘I’m his Ivory, and he’s my darkest note.’