Source: Received eBook from publisher for review.
Genre: Historical Suspense/Romance
Book Description: What happened to Irene?
When Anna Coughlin, a modern 1920’s woman, travels to the secluded hills of Virginia to work for wealthy Lawrence Richardson, she discovers that the previous secretary, Irene, has mysteriously disappeared. Upon arriving at the castle-like mansion, Anna finds that Lawrence’s handsome, but antagonistic son, Tyler, wants nothing more than to have her gone. And he isn’t the only one—
Caught up in a maze of intrigue in a tormented and troubled household, Anna sets out to find the truth behind Irene’s disappearance. She is helped—and often hindered—by the temperamental Tyler Richardson, who—despite her best intentions—begins to steal her heart.
But even as Anna begins to uncover dark secrets, she must continue to hide a significant one of her own. Then, her life is threatened, and Anna is left to wonder if she’ll be able to unravel the mystery before she disappears as mysteriously as the unfortunate Irene—
My thoughts: Another book that I hate to admit that I haven't finished yet. Something huge is happening in my family in the next couple of months and it has controlled my thoughts and time this week. I will have more info to share, hopefully, within the next couple of days.
This book is very interesting. I love the sense of mystery. Even though it is written in New England it has a Gothic feel to me. It probably is because it is set in a castle, and there is a young woman who has disappeared under mysterious circumstance.
This is a book that I will continue to read. My apologies to Marlene Bateman for not finishing her well written book at the time of my scheduled post.
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Read an Excerpt:
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The tallest parts
of the mansion—fanciful turrets and a circular tower—were visible
only in glimpses Anna caught between lofty oaks and towering pines as
her cab wound through the knolls and hills of eastern Virginia.
When the cab turned up the long driveway lined with dogwood trees in
full bloom, Anna Coughlin reached for her handbag, gripping it with a
tension that had knotted her muscles ever since getting on the train.
The vast estate stood on a hilltop, like a castle—and she craned
her neck to better view the starkly impressive gray-stone mansion of
Ashton Hall—where she hoped to be hired. With its arched, leaded
windows and slate roof with numerous chimneys, the house rivaled
pictures she’d seen of castles in Europe.
Instructing the driver to wait, she climbed out, patted her hat in
case it was askew, then smoothed her gray suit with gloved hands in
hopes of presenting a professional appearance. Anna had no confidence
she was clever enough or bold enough to pull this off, but she had to
try.
Her eye was drawn by a tall man—more than six feet—who came from
the side of the house. Since the man was striding toward her so
purposefully, Anna stopped and waited. As he drew near, Anna noted
his deep-set eyes were as black as his hair. His skin was tanned, his
thin, long-fingered hands brown and strong.
“Miss Coughlin?” He stretched out a hand and shook hers, but
there was no warmth for her in his eyes. “I’m Tyler Richardson.
Unfortunately, your services are not needed after all.” A touch of
arrogance marked his manner, as though he was long accustomed to
command those around him.
“Your father called only last week to have someone come out,”
Anna blurted in dismay. “May I ask what caused him to change his
mind?”
A fleeting glimpse of discomfiture crossed Mr. Richardson’s face.
“I wasn’t consulted about his hiring another secretary to replace
the one who left so suddenly. My father isn’t in good health, and
the last thing we need is someone coming in and upsetting him by
making a muddle of things.”
His words kindled a fire that glinted
in Anna’s eyes. How dare he make such an assumption? It was
difficult to hang on to her temper, but there was too much at stake
to let his boorishness sidetrack her. “Since I’m here, I’m sure
you won’t mind if I keep my appointment. After all, your father is
the one who requested my services. I’m sure he’s expecting me.”
Her words hit home.It took a few bitter seconds, but he finally
acquiesced. “Come in, then,” he muttered ungraciously before
leading the way up the steps and opening the door.
Following his rigid back down the narrow hall, Anna’s brows
furrowed as doubts crept in. How wise had she been to come to this
remote place? Especially when the previous secretary had disappeared
so mysteriously? Even her employer thought it odd that no one in this
mansion seemed to know where Irene had gone or where she was now. It
was as if Irene had vanished into thin air.
*******************
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About the Author: Marlene Bateman Sullivan grew up in
Utah, and graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor's
degree in English. She is married to Kelly R. Sullivan and they live
in North Salt Lake, Utah with their two dogs and four cats. Marlene
has been published extensively in magazines and newspapers and wrote
the best-selling romance/suspense novel, Light
on Fire Island. She has written
three other cozy mysteries; Motive
for Murder, A
Death in the Family, and
Crooked House, as well as the
romance, For Sale by Owner.
Marlene has also written a number of
non-fiction, LDS books: Latter-day Saint Heroes and Heroines, And
There Were Angels Among Them, Visit’s from Beyond the Veil, By the
Ministering of Angels, Brigham’s Boys, Heroes of
Faith, Gaze into Heaven; Near-death Experiences in Early
Church History, and The Magnificent World of Spirits; Eyewitness
Accounts of Where We Go When We Die.
Life happens! I cannot wait for you to finish though because it's awesome!
ReplyDeleteThanks, I am still working on reading it, I hope to have it done today! :)
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