When grad student Savannah Evans is accepted to a prestigious art colony, she’s thrilled. When else would she be able to hone her poetry--writing craft in a medieval-style castle? More than that, the remote New England island provides a respite from her hectic city life. But her benefactor, a mysterious French sculptor, throws her expectations of carefree days writing near the ocean out the window. Soon, she becomes consumed by unprofessional fantasies about her mysterious sponsor.
Antoine Chevalier built Les Beaux Arts on DeRoche Island to bring purpose back to an existence that had long ago lost meaning. He’s wandered the earth for decades, and still, his only solace is his art.
When Savannah applies for a residency, something about her words touches him. After her arrival, a physical attraction grows between them, one he must fight against. She deserves more than someone of his kind.
Despite his misgivings, Antoine proposes they become lovers during her stay. But the situation turns complicated when Savannah discovers his secret. She had suspicions about his identity, but the truth is even more overwhelming. Consumed by her desire for Antoine and faced with a tough decision, Savannah is soon at the mercy of the newest danger to arrive at DeRoche Island.
EXCERPT
Several times over the course of the evening, Savannah caught Antoine’s dark eyes watching her. Her emotions roiled in confusion while the performers played Barber’s Adagio for Strings. The way he held her gaze without blinking made her squirm in the burgundy armchair. The rising tension and resolution from the violin and cello underscored her tumultuous emotions.ABOUT Lisa Carlisle
She smiled at him briefly and focused on the musicians, aware of how her heartbeat had escalated. When she glanced again at Antoine, he still watched her unabashed, as if unconcerned about what the others would think. He took a sip of Porto, nodded her way, and then returned his attention to the musicians. She sat up straighter and crossed her legs at the ankles, then uncrossed them, and crossed them again.
The attraction was becoming more difficult to ignore. In light of how he breached the physical distance by touching her so earlier, she feared she’d be unable to keep her desires hidden much longer. She’d developed an instant crush since she arrived at the castle three months before. How could she not be—he was a renowned sculptor with a devastating, dark appeal. What was she to him than just another young resident who would be gone in three months, replaced by another.
Was she reading more into the brief exchange than was warranted?
It’s just a look. Only a casual glance her way. Even as she attempted to fool herself, she knew she was full of shit.
USA Today bestselling author Lisa Carlisle loves stories with dark, brooding heroes and independent heroines. Her romances have been named Top Picks at Night Owl Reviews and All Romance Ebooks. When she was younger, she worked in a variety of jobs, moving to various countries, before returning to the U.S. She’s now married to a fantastic man, and they have two kids, two kittens, and too many fish.
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