Hi romance lovers,
Today I’m sharing a look at my Gothic historical romance,
Redemption from a Dark Past. This full-length novel is set in the kingdom of
Hungary in 1723 and blends a sensual romance with mystery and suspense.
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.
Here’s the summary, a mild excerpt, 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.
The Excerpt:
Katarina stood in the parlor doorway, clutching her skirts.
The large room was lit with three candles, and firelight cast long shadows on
the walls. One story about His Lordship seemed to be true; he did live in the
dark. She heard a low growling noise coming from the corner. What was that? Did
Lord Adrik have a vicious dog?
She stepped into the parlor and spotted a figure slumped in
the throne-sized chair near the fire. A white ruffled sleeve hung over the
armrest. A moment later, she realized the noise was coming from Lord Adrik. He
was fast asleep and snoring.
Had she kept him waiting too long? She had eaten her fill of
meat and potatoes and even tried the greens and biscuits. His Lordship hadn’t
been interested in talking to her before, so why he had summoned her here?
She touched his arm. “Lord Adrik?”
He jerked awake. “What is it?”
She reeled back. “I finished eating and—”
“Your name again?”
“Katarina.” Had he forgotten about her already?
“Yes, Katarina.” He blinked up at her. “Sit here, next to
me. I wish to ask you questions.”
She balanced herself on the padded arm of the chair as he
instructed. Even from her perch, she couldn’t see him clearly—he was still
cloaked in shadows. Why did he hide himself? Was he deformed or disfigured in
some way?
“Are you afraid of me?
How should she answer? She wasn’t afraid, but she was
nervous. The last thing she wanted was to make a mess out of things and displease
him. “No. I’m not afraid, merely curious. I’ve never met a lord before, and I
haven’t been around such finery, My Lord.” She hoped her answer would satisfy
him.
“Tell me about yourself. Where do you come from? How old are
you? Are you a virgin? How many lovers have you had?”
“What?” The questions surprised her, and she spun toward
him. As she did, she lost her balance, toppled off the arm of the chair, and
fell into Lord Adrik’s lap. She yelped and gazed up at him.
“From the expression on your face I imagine I’m not what you
envisioned. What did the villagers tell you? That I had horns? That I was a
troll?”
“No, nothing like that. Nobody ever mentioned your looks,”
she replied.
Lord Adrik was anything but malformed. In fact, he was the
most handsome man she’d ever seen. His black wavy hair hung to his ruffled
white collar, his clean-shaven face was long and lean, and his green eyes
sparkled in the firelight.
“Do you wish a glass of wine or brandy? It may settle your
nerves.”
“No, Your Lordship. My… my… nerves are fine,” she stammered.
“For now,” he said, wrapping his arms around her shoulders
and pinning her close to him. “But in a little while you may wish you had a
healthy dose of liquor in you. It would dull the torment of being sacrificed to
the Dark Gods.”
What did he mean by that?
***
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
Happy Reading,
Kelli
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