Behind the Scenes: Redemption from a Dark Past (A Gothic Historical Romance) By Kelli A. Wilkins

 

Behind the Scenes: Redemption from a Dark Past (A Gothic Historical Romance)

By Kelli A. Wilkins

www.KelliWilkins.com

This “Behind the Scenes” blog is part of a series examining my romance novels. In each blog, I’ll talk about why I wrote the book, share my thoughts on the plot and/or characters, and reveal what I loved most (or least) about writing the book. Warning: Blogs may contain spoilers.

Hi everyone,

When I sit down to write an historical romance, I never know where (or when) my story will take me. I’ve written romances set in the Old West, the Minnesota wilderness, Colonial Pennsylvania, and Celtic Scotland. Redemption from a Dark Past takes place in another unique locale—the Kingdom of Hungary.

For me, the setting conjures up images of brooding castles perched on treacherous mountaintops, tiny villages, medieval stone cities, vampires, and Prince Vlad. Although the book does not take place in Transylvania specifically, this atypical location appealed to me. It seemed like the perfect place for a Gothic novel filled with secrets, danger, deception, and superstition. 

I enjoyed creating the cast of unusual characters and setting the stage for the drama that’s about to unfold. Right from the start, we meet Lord Sebestyen Adrik and learn that he’s a troubled hero who has hidden himself away in his isolated castle. He’s depressed, guilt-ridden, has an unsavory reputation, and is the subject of nasty rumors spread by superstitious villagers. 

The heroine, Katarina, is feisty, clever, and anything but superstitious. She dismisses tales of evil spirits and ghosts, and doesn’t have time for old wives’ tales. She’s ambitious and wants to leave her pathetic existence on a goat farm for better things. 

When she learns that she’s about to be forced into marriage to a much older man, she jumps at the chance to be Lord Adrik’s companion—despite all the terrifying stories she has been told. Katarina’s boldness and intelligence make her the perfect person to free Sebestyen from his dark past.

I wanted to make the mysterious Lord Adrik a flawed and sympathetic hero. He has two physical ailments (one most romance heroes never have) as well as several psychological scars. And as if they weren’t enough problems, he also has a reputation as a murderer (among other things). At the start of the book, he has just about given up on life and any hope of being happy. By giving Sebestyen all this “baggage” I made him vulnerable and provided him with lofty goals to reach. 

As I wrote, I added layers of secrets, built suspense, and created numerous plot twists and turns. Readers follow Katarina’s adventures and are not sure what—or who—to believe. Can Magda the surly, gossiping cook be trusted? How did Lady Adrik die? Is the castle really haunted? What happened to Lord Adrik’s previous companions? Are the rumors about him true? Katarina is left alone with Sebestyen every night, should she fear for her safety? Everyone says she should…

In time, Katarina draws Sebestyen out of his shell, and just when she thought she knew him, she uncovers a disturbing secret he’s been hiding from her. Katarina tries to make sense of it all, while following her heart.

Not everyone in this story is exactly what (or who) they seem to be, and this adds another level of mystery and intrigue to the book. Combining all these elements into a sensual, Gothic romance was a lot of fun, and I hope readers will enjoy this trip into “the Dark Lord’s lair.”

Here’s the book summary and links.

Redemption from a Dark Past

Lord Sebestyen Adrik has an unsavory reputation as a madman, murderer… and worse. Lonely and searching for love, he seeks the companionship of local young women, hoping one of them will ease his torment and bring him the happiness he longs for. Katarina is his last chance—but will she fear him like all the others? Or is she the one who can lift his curse?

Desperate to avoid a forced marriage, Katarina agrees to become Lord Adrik’s latest companion, despite the rumors she has heard about him. She discovers the “Dark Lord’s” secret past and realizes he’s not the monster everyone thinks he is.

As their love blossoms, she renews his passion for life—yet they cannot escape the ghosts of the past.

When a meeting of the nobility goes horribly wrong, Sebestyen’s world unravels, and his enemies plot to destroy him. As all seems lost, a mysterious stranger arrives at the castle. Sebestyen must decide if he is a friend or a foe…and if he can find redemption in his love for Katarina, or lose her and everything else that he holds dear.

* * *

Order Redemption from a Dark Past here:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DL1FXYW/

All other platforms: https://www.books2read.com/u/3R1aYD

Read reviews here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/redemption-from-a-dark-past

I made a Facebook page for my historical romances. Check it out here: https://www.facebook.com/Historical-Romances-by-Kelli-A-Wilkins-1703805359922371/

I hope you enjoyed this look at the making of Redemption from a Dark Past. I welcome comments and questions from readers. Be sure to follow my blog for the latest updates and visit me on social media!

Happy Reading,

Kelli A. Wilkins

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has published more than 100 short stories, 20 romance novels, 7 non-fiction books, and 3 horror ebooks. Her romances span many genres and settings, and she likes to scare readers with her horror stories. 

She released Journaling Every Week: 52 Topics to Get You Writing in early 2021. This fun and innovative guide to journaling is filled with hundreds of thought-provoking prompts designed to get you writing about your feelings and emotions. 

In 2020 Kelli published Love, Lies & Redemption, a western romance set in 1877 Nebraska. This novel blends a sensual love story with mystery and danger.

Kelli posts on her Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins and Twitter: www.Twitter.com/KWilkinsauthor. 

Visit her website/blog www.KelliWilkins.com for a full title list and to find all her social media links.

Secret Never Told (A Lady Dunbridge Mystery) by Shelley Noble Book Tour and Giveaway!

A Secret Never Told (A Lady Dunbridge Mystery) by Shelley Noble

About A Secret Never Told

 

A Secret Never Told (A Lady Dunbridge Mystery)  

Historical Cozy Mystery 4th in Series 

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Forge Books; 1st edition (November 23, 2021) 

Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 336 pages 

ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1250750458 

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1250750457 

Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08PSNGTZF

Miss Fisher meets Downton Abbey in A Secret Never Told, the fourth installment in the critically acclaimed mystery series from New York Times bestselling author Shelley Noble.

 

Philomena Amesbury, expatriate Countess of Dunbridge, is bored. Coney Island in the sweltering summer of 1908 offers no shortage of diversions for a young woman of means, but sea bathing, horse racing, and even amusement parks can’t hold a candle to uncovering dastardly plots and chasing villains. Lady Dunbridge hadn’t had a big challenge in months.

 

Fate obliges when Phil is called upon to host a dinner party in honor of a visiting Austrian psychologist whose revolutionary theories may be of interest to the War Department, not to mention various foreign powers, and who may have already survived one attempt on his life. The guest list includes a wealthy industrialist, various rival scientists and academics, a party hypnotist, a flamboyant party-crasher, and a damaged beauty whose cloudy psyche is lost in a world of its own. Before the night is out, one of the guests is dead with a bullet between the eyes and Phil finds herself with another mystery on her hands, even if it’s unclear who exactly the intended victim was meant to be.

 

Worse yet, the police’s prime suspect is a mystery man who Phil happens to be rather intimately acquainted with. Now it’s up to Lady Dunbridge, with the invaluable assistance of her intrepid butler and lady’s maid, to find the real culprit before the police nab the wrong one . . .

A SECRET NEVER TOLD

Chapter 1 

Philomena Amesbury, Countess of Dunbridge, sat on the veranda of the Manhattan Beach Hotel sipping a glass of champagne and looking out at the dark ocean. To her right the rowdy display of lights from Coney Island beckoned the masses. 

But on the veranda of this jewel of beach hotels, the diners were enjoying a quiet decorum—some more quiet than others, depending on their losses and wins at the Brighton Beach track that afternoon.

Phil and her friend Bev Reynolds had been here for nearly a week. Bev, who had had two horses running this week, spent her mornings at the stable, then joined Phil for a day of sunbathing and dipping their feet in the ocean. They’d spent one day discovering the wonders of nearby Coney Island amusement parks. They’d drunk lemonade, hiked up their skirts to ride the Steeplechase Races, mechanical wooden race horse ride. Neither of them won. They’d bought tickets to see the Wild Men of Borneo. Even grabbed places on the Human Roulette Wheel.

They attended the races. At night they rubbed elbows with members of the Jockey Club, danced with dashing men in the moonlight to the hotel orchestra.

And yet Phil felt an overwhelming, innervating sense of ….boredom. 

There, she’d said it. The fact of the matter was, the Countess of Dunbridge was bored. 

Sea bathing, horse racing, even amusement parks didn’t hold a candle to uncovering dastardly plots and chasing villains. And there had been very little of that lately. She hadn’t had a big challenge in months.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a boisterous crowd carrying one of their members on their shoulders bursting through the doors of the veranda restaurant.

They gained more than a few disapproving looks. This was not the behavior considered de rigeur by the exclusive Manhattan Beach Hotel. But it was also the hotel of choice of the Brooklyn Jockey Club whose largesse was important to the hotel’s success and so a little leeway was accorded. 

Bev Reynolds led the way, looking resplendent in a teal blue gown, trimmed with silver spangles and sporting a train of black tulle. The ocean air had wound her blond hair into tight curls, barely restrained by a sequined bandeau.

Since they’d both given their maids a holiday, Phil had opted for a fitted silver sheath made from one of the new stretch fabrics and an organza mid length jacket, both designed for easy dressing. She didn’t mind “living rough” as Bev delightedly called anything that didn’t include “a retinue of people telling you what to do and when to do it.” 

Bev saw Phil, held out both hands in greeting and made a beeline for the table. “A celebration and a wake,” she proclaimed.

“A celebration of Devil’s Delight winning me an obscenely large purse this afternoon. And black,” she added, twirling to show off her train. “Since the anti-betting law has just passed and this will likely be the last week for gambling. Legal gambling anyway. How will anyone make a living?” 

She sighed, snatched up an empty glass and poured herself champagne from the bottle chilling in the ice bucket. “I’ll be forced to take the horses to Texas and Arizona and those other places out there.” Places she dismissed with a flick of her fingers and a shudder. 

She turned to her motley entourage, most of whom stood barely over five feet tall—being jockeys and not exotic entertainers from the Coney Island amusements a few blocks away. They crowded round the table; waiters appeared immediately with trays of champagne.

Bobby Mullins, Bev’s stable manager—formerly her deceased husband’s right hand man, now Bev’s—stepped forward.

Stocky and medium height, Bobby was a former boxing champion, reformed denizen of the city’s underworld, and unapologetic lover of chorus girls. He dragged his derby from his head, unleashing a mass of untamable orange-red hair which, Phil noticed, was now laced with silver. 

“To Miz Reynolds!” he exclaimed and lifted his glass.

“To Miz Reynolds,” they all agreed and drank her health.

“To Holly Farm Stables,” Bev returned. “And to all of you.”

They drank again. Glasses were hurriedly refilled.

“To Devil’s Delight,” yelled one of the crowd.

“Devil’s Delight!

“And Johnny D!”

The little man who still sat astride of a set of brawnier shoulders than his, bowed to his fellow revelers and waved to the other astonished diners. 

“And to Madame Zhora!” Johnny added.

“Madame Zhora!” they chanted.

“Okay, you lot,” Bobby said. “Off you go. They’ve got a fine dinner waiting over at the Pabst for you. Curfew is extended until midnight, but don’t forget there’s another big race tomorrow.”

With a final cheer, they emptied their glasses and took themselves off, noisier if possible than when they entered.

The restaurant sighed into quiet conversation. 

“Sit down, Bobby and have some more champagne,” Bev said.

Bobby chewed the inside of his cheek, looking like he wished he could join his men in a boisterous dinner and evening on the town, but he sat.

“Congratulations,” Phil said, rousing some enthusiasm. “Devil’s Delight was certainly a delight today. And Juan rode him perfectly. Kudos to you all. But who on earth is Madame Zhora?”

Bobby scratched his head, unleashing even more unruly wires of hair. “She has a place over at Steeplechase Park. The boys go to her to have their fortunes told. You know, predict how they’ll do in the coming races. If they’re gonna be rich or find themselves a wife.” 

“Really?” Phil asked. “What happens if she predicts a loss?”

“Gawd, Your—ness.” 

After a year of knowing her, Bobby still had never figured out exactly how to address her. And she was too entertained by his attempts to correct him. 

“She don’t never give them a bad fortune. She tells ‘em they’re gonna win, make lots of money and marry a beautiful wife. In return, I drop her the occasional betting tip. Everybody’s happy.”

Phil laughed. “Well, in that case….”

A bell boy paused at their table. “Telephone call for Lady Dunbridge.”

A ripple of excitement coursed through her that had nothing to do with winning horses. At last …. 

“I’m Lady Dunbridge.” Dowager if Phil was truthful, but she saw no reason to announce it—ever. It wasn’t her fault that the earl dropped dead shortly after her twenty-sixth birthday.

Bev frowned. “I hope it isn’t bad news.”

“Oh.” Phil hadn’t thought of that. Preswick and Lily? She’d left them both in the city to have a few days off. What if something had happened to one of them. They might be servants but she didn’t know what she would do without them. And here she’d been selfishly hoping for a murder. 

“Surely not. Excuse me.” She hurried after the bell boy.

She returned a few minutes later. Not grieving, thank heaven. And not excited, but perplexed. She sat down and reached for her champagne.

“Who was it?” demanded Bev.

Bobby’s eyebrows made question marks over his eyes.

“It was Godfrey Bennington.”

“Godfrey Bennington—the aeroplane enthusiast?”

Phil nodded. 

“The richer-than-J. P. Morgan, Godfrey Bennington? The Godfrey Bennington who has the ear of every major politician and industrialist in the country? That—?”

Phil nodded. “That one.”

“What did he want?”

“He needs me in the city—immediately.”

Bobby groaned. “Oh your Lady-ness, what are you up to this time?”

“Absolutely nothing.” At least not yet. She couldn’t wait.

About Shelley Noble

Shelley Noble is the author of the Lady Dunbridge Gilded Age mysteries beginning with ASK ME NO QUESTIONS, and The Newport Gilded Age mysteries. As Shelley Freydont she has written several amateur sleuth series.

She is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of nine novels of women’s fiction. WHISPER BEACH and BEACH COLORS, were Amazon and Nook bestsellers. The latest, LUCKY’S BEACH, was published in June 2020.

A former professional dancer and choreographer, Shelley lives at the Jersey shore where she indulges her passion for lighthouses and vintage carousels.

Author Links 

  Website - https://www.shelleynoble.com 

  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ShelleyNobleAuthor/ 

  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/shelleynobleauthor/ 

  GoodReads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5560617.Shelley_Noble

Purchase Links - Amazon - B&N - Kobo - Google Play - Indie Bound - 

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

November 18 – Novels Alive – GUEST POST

November 18 – Reading Reality – REVIEW

November 19 – Christy's Cozy Corners – CHARACTER GUEST POST

November 19 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT

November 20 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

November 20 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

November 21 – StoreyBook Reviews – GUEST POST

November 21 – Laura's Interests – REVIEW

November 22 – Elizabeth McKenna - Author – SPOTLIGHT

November 22 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT

November 23 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW

November 23 – Author Elena Taylor's Blog – REVIEW

November 24 – BookishKelly2020 – SPOTLIGHT  

November 24 – Celticlady's Reviews - SPOTLIGHT

  a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Have you signed up to be a Tour Host?

Click Here to Find Details and Sign Up Today!

 

Styled for Murder (Bad Hair Day Mysteries) by Nancy J. Cohen Book Tour and Giveaway!

 

About Styled for Murder

Styled for Murder (Bad Hair Day Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery
17th in Series
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Orange Grove Press (November 16, 2021)
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 286 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1952886228
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1952886225
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09DYN9YG6

Hairstylist Marla Vail flushes out a killer when murder disrupts her mother’s home renovation plans in this stylish cozy mystery.

When hairstylist and savvy sleuth, Marla Vail, gets a frantic call from her mother that there’s a dead body in her shower, Marla realizes this wasn’t part of the home renovation plans. The victim turns out to be the project manager, who had an untrustworthy reputation in town. Disgruntled customers, unpaid suppliers, and the design company’s staff are among the suspects. Which one of them wanted the foreman to pipe down about their shady dealings?

 

Meanwhile, the lead investigator sets his sights on Marla’s stepfather, Reed, who’s keeping secrets from his family. Reed has a past connection to the victim and won’t come clean about what he knows. As Marla drills deeper, she’s showered with suspicions, but nobody’s willing to leak any information. She needs to hammer down the prospects, or time will drain away and the murderer will strike again.

 

To flush out the culprit, Marla taps into her pipeline of resources. Can she assemble the clues and demolish the alibis to nail a killer? Or has someone designed the perfect murder?

 

Recipes Included!

About Nancy J. Cohen

Nancy J. Cohen writes the Bad Hair Day Mysteries featuring South Florida hairstylist Marla Vail. Titles in this series have been named Best Cozy Mystery by Suspense Magazine, won a Readers’ Favorite gold medal and a RONE Award, placed first in the Chanticleer International Book Awards and third in the Arizona Literary Awards. Her nonfiction titles, Writing the Cozy Mystery and A Bad Hair Day Cookbook, have also garnered numerous awards, including the FAPA President’s Book Award and the Royal Palm Literary Award. Active in the writing community, Nancy is a past president of Florida Romance Writers and Mystery Writers of America, Florida Chapter. When not busy writing, she enjoys reading, fine dining, cruising, and visiting Disney World.

 Follow Nancy Online

Website – https://nancyjcohen.com

Blog – https://nancyjcohen.com/blog

Twitter – https://www.twitter.com/nancyjcohen

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/NancyJCohenAuthor

Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/nancyjcohen

Pinterest – https://pinterest.com/njcohen/

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancyjcohen

Instagram – https://instagram.com/nancyjcohen

BookBub – https://www.bookbub.com/authors/nancy-j-cohen

Purchase Links – Amazon – B&N – Kobo – Google Play – IndieBound – 

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

November 15 – I’m All About Books – SPOTLIGHT

November 15 – My Journey Back – RECIPE POST

November 16 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

November 17 – Novels Alive – GUEST POST

November 17 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

November 18 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

November 19 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

November 20 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW, GUEST POST

November 20 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

November 21 – Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers – GUEST POST

November 22 – Literary Gold – CHARACTER GUEST POST

November 23 – Mysteries with Character – REVIEW

November 24 – BookishKelly2020 – SPOTLIGHT  

November 24 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

Have you signed up to be a Tour Host?

Click Here to Find Details and Sign Up Today!