AUTHOR:
ANDREA PARNELL
The
Colonial Period in American history is a time of fascination for me. I love
meeting and creating characters who play out their lives and adventures in that
era. You’ll meet a few of them in my novella,
DARK PRELUDE
Handsome sea
captain Roman Toller and his irascible brother Morgan make their appearance in
London some days before boarding the Eastwind
for a journey to their Uncle’s private island off the Georgia colony of
1751. Their days are spent indulging in
food and drink, their nights in debauchery with the maid of the day.
Across
London, lovely and resourceful Silvia Bradstreet is scrapping to keep her life
together until she can escape on the same ship.
Her days are occupied with work and worry, her nights with fear and
dread of her Uncle Hollister who has made her a servant in his home.
That
the three of them should meet is inevitable, but how and when becomes a study
in fate, a glimpse of how a single event can change everything.
Continue
the adventure in DARK SPLENDOR.
DARK
SPLENDOR
She crossed an ocean to find a new start in life.
Instead, she was caught in web of danger, seduction, and deceit...
At Serpent Tree Hall, nothing is as it seems and no one can be trusted—including the man she loves.
Lovely young Silvia Bradstreet comes from London to an isolated estate off the coast of colonial Georgia to be an indentured servant. But a far different fate awaits her. Clothed in finery and pampered like a queen, she finds herself a pawn in the devious schemes of Wilhelm Schlange, master of Serpent Tree Hall, as he manipulates the family members who hope to inherit his vast fortune.
Haunted by ghostly dreams and threatened by the island's deadly secrets, Silvia cannot trust her own senses, nor anyone around her. Most of all, she dare not trust her growing passion for Schlange's nephew, handsome sea captain Roman Toller. His lips move like a hot flame over her flesh and draw the very breath from her body. She wants to believe Roman cares for her, but how can she be sure? Is he Silvia's only hope of escaping her dark fate—or is Roman leading her to destruction?
Instead, she was caught in web of danger, seduction, and deceit...
At Serpent Tree Hall, nothing is as it seems and no one can be trusted—including the man she loves.
Lovely young Silvia Bradstreet comes from London to an isolated estate off the coast of colonial Georgia to be an indentured servant. But a far different fate awaits her. Clothed in finery and pampered like a queen, she finds herself a pawn in the devious schemes of Wilhelm Schlange, master of Serpent Tree Hall, as he manipulates the family members who hope to inherit his vast fortune.
Haunted by ghostly dreams and threatened by the island's deadly secrets, Silvia cannot trust her own senses, nor anyone around her. Most of all, she dare not trust her growing passion for Schlange's nephew, handsome sea captain Roman Toller. His lips move like a hot flame over her flesh and draw the very breath from her body. She wants to believe Roman cares for her, but how can she be sure? Is he Silvia's only hope of escaping her dark fate—or is Roman leading her to destruction?
PRAISE
FOR DARK SPLENDOR
“An entertaining blend of eerie shadows and romantic
interludes. An excellent Gothic romance.”
—Publishers Weekly
—Publishers Weekly
AVAILABLE
READ AN EXCERPT
A cry of admiration came from Silvia's lips. She had never
dreamed of such elegance. Suspended from the wall on each side of the foyer
were large gilt-and-crystal candelabra. They were formed of golden snakes,
heads carved to hold the candles and tails twisted together against the leafy
design of the base which fastened to the walls.
Silvia stared questioningly at the woman who had shown her
in. She could not imagine that any place in Europe could be more beautiful.
A slight, brief smile formed on the other woman's thin lips.
A look of satisfaction gleamed faintly in her narrowed eyes as if she were
pleased with Silvia's reaction. A rustle sounded from her taffeta skirts as she
moved to stand in front of Silvia.
“I am Vivien,” she said. Her eyes were little black lights
set deeply in her face. “Mr. Schlange instructed me to take you upstairs where
you can rest and get settled.” She started to move away but added briskly, “Mr.
Schlange apologizes but he is ill and cannot greet you himself.”
Silvia lifted her brows sharply and turned her attention to
Vivien at that pronouncement.
“I trust his illness is not serious,” she stated, the
concern showing in her eyes as they met Vivien's.
Now that they were near the stairs and in the full flood of
light, Silvia noted the pale contrast of Vivien's skin with the darkness of her
hair. She wore it tight against her scalp and fashioned into a ball neatly
covered with a black mesh at the back of her head. Her simply styled dress was
of a green color so dark as to be almost black. With it she wore a crimson
rope, a sort of belt, around her waist, and from the jangle when she walked,
Silvia thought it must hold a number of keys which were hidden in her pocket.
“Mr. Schlange is old and tires easily,” Vivien responded as
they stood at the foot of the stairs. She paused. “And all must wait until he
is strong again.”
Silvia waited, expecting Vivien to explain what all must
wait for, but was disappointed when instead the woman spun around and began to
climb the stairs. Silvia quickly followed, her mind filled with unanswered
questions. Who was Vivien and what was her position? Perhaps she should ask,
she thought reflectively.
She had climbed only three or four steps when she caught a
glimpse of someone in a room that opened off the foyer. His back was to her,
but instantly she knew the sweep of his broad shoulders, the aloofness of his
carriage. Roman Toller.
Her body stiffened in shock, but not before a sound of
surprise escaped her lips.
“You!” she cried out.
More about Andrea
Always a romantic, Andrea Parnell enjoys creating characters whose passions for life and for matters of the heart run deep. When she isn’t at work on a novel or learning the inroads of social media, she is taking a walk in the woods, tending her flowers or enjoying the serenity of a cup of tea on the patio.
She is the author of twelve novels. Her works include historical and contemporary romance. Additionally, she has published short fiction and articles. Her books have received the Maggie, Romantic Times Reviewers Choice, and other awards, and have been favorably reviewed in Publishers Weekly.
Andrea lives in Georgia with her husband and two cranky but indispensible cats. She invites everyone to download a free copy of her novella Dark Prelude, available at major eBook stores.
Connect with Andrea
Blog AndreaParnell.com
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