Ashburne Chronicles, 2
Five years after fleeing her hometown, Bianka returns broken and scarred by the accident that nearly killed her. Hiding behind sweaters and silence, she believes her beauty—and her chance at love—are gone forever.
But someone has been watching.
Griffin has loved Bianka since they were teenagers. For the past year, he’s stalked her from the shadows, torn between giving her time to heal and the unbearable hunger to finally claim her. What Bianka doesn’t know is that Griffin isn’t alone in his obsession, he is haunted by Thomas, a ghostly presence who feeds on desire and refuses to let Griffin’s love remain buried.
On Halloween night, the line between fear and longing shatters. Driven by his own need and Thomas’s dark push, Griffin steps out of the shadows and into Bianka’s life … forever.
Be Warned: forced seduction
Excerpt:
She doesn’t know I’m here. But then again, she never does and that’s exactly the way I have wanted it. Until now.
For the past year, I’ve kept myself in the shadows, watching her every move since the moment she returned to Ashburne. At first, I told myself it was just curiosity—she was back, a scared and broken shell of the girl I remembered. I told myself I needed to keep an eye on her, make sure no one hurt her, to make sure the cruel bastards in this town didn’t get the chance to carve into her with words sharper than the accident ever could.
But that was a lie. The truth is much simpler and so much uglier. I can’t stop. That’s a lie, I don’t want to stop.
Bianka has owned me since we were teenagers. Back when she used to sit two rows ahead of me in math class, her hair shining in the sun that came through those cracked, dirty windows, laughing at jokes that weren’t even funny. I used to count the freckles on her nose. I memorized the sound of her voice.
I thought five years might be enough to kill the obsession, but it wasn’t.
The day she came back, limping slightly, her face half turned like she was trying to hide what was left of her beauty, my chest cracked open all over again. I fell back into the same hell—wanting her, craving her, needing her—only this time there’s no excuse. I’m not a teenager anymore. I’m a man, and men don’t spend their nights crouched in the dark watching women through curtains.
Except I do.
I’ve become the thing they warn you about in late-night horror stories. The shadow in the corner of your eye. The breath on your neck when you know you’re alone.
And tonight, I’ve finally snapped.
Halloween. The one night in Ashburne where the veil between the living and the dead supposedly thins, where madness takes root and no one questions the screams in the dark. I’ve heard the stories since I was a boy … possessions, hauntings, people giving in to urges they buried deep. In this town, you can get away with murder if you pick the right night.
I lean against the rough bark of the oak at the edge of her backyard. Her kitchen window glows, throwing a slice of golden light onto the damp grass. She moves inside, her back turned to me, a silhouette I know better than my own reflection. Her long dark hair is tied up in a bun and all I want to do is let it down and run my fingers through it. Tangle it up in my fist and hold her tightly exactly where I want her. She wears a loose brown sweater, the collar slipping down enough to reveal the ridged, angry scar that snakes over her shoulder and disappears down her back.
It kills me.
Not the scars themselves—they don’t make her ugly, no matter what she thinks. They make her real. They tell a story of survival, of fire and pain, of a girl who crawled out of a wreckage when most would have stayed buried.
What kills me is that she doesn’t see it. That she hides. That she folds into herself, believing she’s unworthy of love. She’s wrong and I’ll show her.
For a year I’ve stayed quiet. For a year I’ve told myself that just watching is enough. Tonight, something in me refuses to wait anymore. I can almost hear the town itself whispering to me, the dead pressing close, urging me to claim what I’ve always wanted.
That’s when I feel it. A cold pressure, like fingers slipping beneath my skin, wrapping tight around my bones. I shiver, clenching my fists, but I don’t pull away from it. The darkness isn’t foreign. It feels … familiar. Like it belongs to me. Like it’s been waiting all along.
The voice comes next. A low murmur threading through my skull.
“Don’t watch. Take. You’ve wasted enough time.”
I stagger, bracing against the tree, my breath ragged. I should be afraid … of losing my mind, of becoming like the old drunks who rant about demons after Halloween passes. But I’m not. Because the voice isn’t wrong. I have wasted time. Years.
Her window creaks open and she leans out, blowing into the night, watching her breath fog. She always does this, like she’s testing the air before deciding if she dares step into the world.
The sight of her lips parted, her scar catching the moonlight, pulls at something deep inside me. I want to touch her. I want to taste her. I want to bury myself in her so deep she forgets every ounce of pain she’s ever known.
And I will. Not tomorrow. Not in a week.
Tonight.
This is a kind of dark and erotic story. It is a great Halloween read. For several years Griffin has been stalking Bianka and she has no idea of it. On Halloween, the stories in the town tell of hauntings and possession. Griffin feels something driving him to claim Bianka and quit putting it off. I enjoyed this book, it is a bit scary and super hot. Excellent short read.
Loved this one. A great addition to the series. Griffin has loved her for years and hasn't said anything, I was hooked and couldn't put it down. A wonderful chemistry and a story that has twists and turns.
Loved this super hot and dark read. This book really hits on all levels. Does keep you hooked and on the edge of your seat for sure. So hot--loved it.
This was an exciting read!!! I love that Griffin and Bianka were pining away for each other...although Griffin was a football star in high school he had the hots for the nerd, Bianka. But when she came back home from leaving she was "damaged but Griffin saw her beauty. To him, she was just as beautiful if not more from the scars. "Thomas" made Griffin act on his desires fro Bianka and "thomas" also knew what Bianka needed to surrender to Griffin. Ms. Marshall got skills!!! And she flew the flag on this one!!!!!!
This is a short dark read. It was not quite what I was expecting from the title and blurb. I kind of expected more stalking instead of chasing. The author draws you into the book through well written words and descriptions. I felt her terror and desire, his otherworldly desire and hunger for her. I thought at one point it was going a bit too dark until the FMC stopped fighting her own deep desires and gave in to the love she felt for him.
Some love stories whisper. Others scream. This one haunts. From the first page of The Stalker, I knew I wasn’t stepping into a typical romance—I was entering a dark, obsessive, beautifully twisted tale of longing, pain, and the kind of devotion that walks the razor-thin line between desire and possession. Bianka’s return to her hometown after five years is anything but a quiet homecoming. Scarred—physically and emotionally—from a near-fatal accident, she carries the weight of shame, self-doubt, and loss. Jade Marshall paints her so vividly, with a raw vulnerability that made me ache. I felt every ounce of her hesitation, every guarded breath she took around people who once knew her… and around Griffin. And then there’s Griffin. He’s intense. He’s protective. He’s been watching her for a year. Yes, this book lives up to its title—Griffin is a stalker. But in the way only dark romance can pull off, it works. His obsession is laced with reverence. He's never stopped loving her, not even when she disappeared. Not even when her appearance changed. Not even when she didn’t believe she was lovable anymore. He sees everything she’s become—and he wants all of her. And just when you think the story can’t get more eerie… enter Thomas. A ghostly presence. Not just any spirit, but one with his own dark craving for Bianka. The supernatural thread adds a chilling, Halloween-worthy edge that feels both unsettling and strangely beautiful. It’s not just Griffin who’s obsessed—Bianka is quite literally being haunted by longing. What makes this story so unforgettable is the emotional contrast: trauma and tenderness, fear and desire, darkness and redemption. Griffin’s love isn’t soft, but it’s steady. It demands. It claims. And in that wild, messed-up, deeply emotional way, it’s exactly what Bianka needs to start believing in her worth again. If you’re drawn to: ? Stalker romance with obsessive love ? Haunting Halloween vibes with a paranormal twist ? Broken heroines finding healing through darkness ? Possessive alpha males who never let go ? Romance that explores love beyond the surface …The Stalker will grab you by the heart—and never let go. This is not a love story for the faint of heart. It’s for readers who understand that sometimes, love hides in the shadows, watches from the corners, and waits patiently for the moment to finally be seen. And when that moment comes? It’s terrifying. Beautiful. And impossible to forget.
A very different read but not in a bad way. Sometimes people in love need a little push to achieve their happily ever after, and on Halloween that push can come in a very different way.
In this book, I've met the shadow-of-love-denied. The story has a nice twist. I thought there was something horrible and scary in the story, something sinister, but it was the opposite. It was the very thing that pushed MCs to reveal what was hidden and to claim what was theirs.
Fast Paced Dark Novella! He’d waited in the shadows watching, stalking until the moment he was ready to claim. Bianka was tormented by what she now looked like, but Griffin only saw her depth and inner beauty. A hot dark read with a Halloween vibe as Griffin is determined to claim the love of his life with a little help from Thomas.
Griffin has been following Bianka for a year since she returned to her hometown, but now he's finally decided to step out of the shadows and WOW does he ever! I loved this darkly delicious story!
The second installment to the Ashburne Chronicles, The Stalker, a Halloween short read. Griffin has been in love with Bianka since high school, and since returning back home to Ashburne a year ago, he’s been stalking her. On Halloween night, the veil thins in this small haunted town, and one’s truest desires become a reality. Bianka is going to find out just how much Griffen pines for her, scars and all. This was an exceptionally fun and spicy read to get your spirits in the mood for the holiday season!
Book 2 of Ashburne Chronicles does not disappoint. I love the characters. Its dark,intense,suspenseful. I was hooked from the start. Plus I wish it was a little bit longer.
The Stalker was a dark romance. About Bianka and Griffin. Griffin has been stalking Bianka and the night of Halloween he stops hiding his obsession.
Bianka is scared both physically and emotionally. She is very broken. Griffen, he is most definitely a stalker. He is not a scary stalker. He’s full of love, tender moments and obsession. Then comes the paranormal twist. Thomas. This novella will have you drawn in and cheering for the stalker. Bianka is so vulnerable and her character is so well written you can feel how broken she is. The storyline is amazing, the characters are full of depth, you won’t want to miss this book.
Oh. My. God. What. A. Read. Griffin is the ultimate stalker. He’s been watching her for a year (after being in love with her in high school) since she returned to town. Bianka has shut herself off from the world, and is scared to let anyone in. The supernatural element of this book was awesome. The tension built so well, and I was on the edge of my seat the entire time! And the plot twist? Amazing! Readers, please check your trigger warnings, because this stalker romance is dark, twisted, and so good!
Wow, what a emotional ride! I read the first book in this series and really enjoyed it! This novella did not disappoint. I was excited to jump back into this series, this novella did not let me down. From the first chapter this novella pulled me in and held on tight. My heart hurt for Bianca and all she had been thru. It captured my heart. I loved Griffin. I loved how he looked after Bianca. Their chemistry was so good! Once I started reading I could not put this novel down. I can hardly wait to see what this author has coming next. It took me on such a emotional journey. So good!
It's Halloween in Ashburne and that means the veil between the living and the dead things and urges once thought buried deep are given into. Griffin has been obsessed with Bianka since they were teenagers, but has always been afraid to act on his feelings. Bianka has always had a crush on Griffin. She left town but has returned after five years. Things have changed for her both mentally and physically... Will the mysteries of Halloween encourage them to give into their desires?
A bit of a ghost story, a lot of a love story and primal hunting blend together beautifully in this book. Two characters that were always meant to be get just the push they need to bring them together. I loved it!
This is a totally different take on a stalker vibe. Its a very fast paced book all about the chase with a halloween touch added in. If your not into a dark read with a bit of a darker theme into it this wouldn't be for you, but if you just enjoy the whole watch and wait for your moment to make that person yours this you would like. It was an interesting read for me for something different. I did like that they both had liked each other when they were younger, and now this story brings them back together.
Griffin and Bianka have had feelings for each other since high school. Now years later Griffin has been watching over Bianka but to afraid to pursue her. One night changes everything and it’s a dark tale of a twisted pursuit that ends in HEA
The Stalker The Stalker Book 2 of Ashburne Chronicles by Jade Marshall eBook Full review will be completed and posted shortly
“Obsession. Hunger. Worship” if this ain’t the sum of this idk what is. I really enjoyed this short read it was a first for me, I had never read anything like this and I liked it. Is there something wrong with me?This a very detailed quick read.
This is the second in the series The Ashburne Chronically and it follows much like the first, titled The Hunter. The series centers around the town of Ashburne, where on Halloween night, spirits from beyond the vail to possess people who haven't found the courage to go after their love interests. In this book, we have Griffin, who was popular in school and secretly yearned for Bianka, who thought herself fat and not popular enough to interest someone like herself. Neither told the other their feelings. After getting into a car accident that left Bianka with burn scars on the left side of her face, neck and shoulder, she flees the town due to shame 8n her looks. 5 years later, she returns and lives in her childhood home. She is ashamed of her scars and tries to hide from people to avoid the staring. Griffin has been waiting this whole time for her return. He spends a year just watching but never approaches. That is until Halloween night changes everything for the pair as they find their voices and learn about courage and acceptance. The writing is well done and the pacing perfect. Steam level is on point and the characters appealing. I did want to learn a bit about Thomas but there are only so many pages in a novella. Fingers crossed we might get a third book.
This was another great and spooky romance with a 'dark' stalker theme. Bianka is scarred, inside and out, and now hides in her home as much as she can. Griffin has been in love with her since they were teens and sees to the heart of her, not her scars. Well, you know how it is for Halloween in this town... ;P Expect to get caught up in the suspense, chase and spicy goodness that will have you madly flipping pages to see how it all works out. These two both needed a push to get their HEA and they sure got it, thanks to Thomas. Lol! I really enjoyed this one and look forward to more Ashburne stories :D
The second story in the Ashburne Chronicles. Bianka is scared both physically and emotionally after an accident that nearly killed her, so she goes back to her hometown. Griffin, who has loved her since they were teens is waiting, he becomes her stalker. But there is also Thomas, a paranormal entity, who wants her. The story grabbed my interest and kept me turning pages.
This was the perfect Halloween novella! It moved quickly and held my attention all the way through. Griffin was determined to make Bianka his... This was a delicious read, with a bit of suspense, a chase, and spicy goodness.
A raw and emotional story. Bianka was in a car accident a few years ago that nearly killed her, leaving her scarred and broken both mentally and physically. Now that she's back, Griffin is there, waiting for her, as he has for years, until his time is right. To give him the final push, he gets help from Thomas, whose presence within him ensures he finally gets his wife. A wonderfully spooky Halloween story with plenty of steam. A page-turner.
It's a fast-paced, dark, sexy, exciting haunting good time. With an OTT protective stalker alphahole and paranormal twist it was an addictive page-turner. The story grabbed my attention from beginning to end.
This is the second stand alone story in the "Ashburne Chronicles". It is a fairly short and quick read that is fast paced and steamy. The story is about Bianka, Griffin and a little ghostly intervention. It may have a trigger for some, so beware. I enjoyed the story although it did push a boundary of comfort at first.
Ohhhh, I loved this! I liked the first one in this series as well. I can't wait until next Fall so we can get another! lol The whole concept of it is really interesting and something different than I've seen again and I love that it has that element pushing them together.
Bianka left after a near death accident made her scarred and broken, but now she returns 5yrs on and Griffin had never stopped lovong her or following her the past year buts hes not alone, with a ghostly presence in Thomas demanding her too. Well written steamy, Halloween quick romance
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