I really would have given this book 2.5 stars if I could give half stars. There is a kernel of a good book inside. The story is original - a supernatural element that does not involve vampires or werewolves, for a change, plus a reasonably compelling main character. It's a historical romance meets unusual supernatural element, with a touch of eroticism. The story at the heart of the book is okay.

But the book desperately needed editing and restructuring, in my mind. I kept mentally reorganizing it, picking out flaws, removing entire characters who seemed to hold the story back rather than furthering it. When a book has my attention, I don't do that; I look past any flaws and am just eager to read the story. The result, to me, is a book that feels like a draft that still needs revising. For that to be the end result...well, it's mediocre.