Hi everyone,
Today I’m sharing a look at the making of my latest
historical romance, Redemption from a Dark Past.
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 job
on the 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.
When I set about creating the mysterious Lord Adrik, I
wanted to make him 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!
Over the course of the book, 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, a short 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:
Sebestyen winced as he propped his right leg on the padded
footstool. He had a crackling fire before him, his belly was full, he’d drunk
almost an entire bottle of wine, and yet he was not content.
Another girl had arrived. He had another chance to find
happiness, but he didn’t dare get his hopes up. She would probably be another
sour disappointment like all the others. Each failure drove a dagger deeper
into his heart, and yet, he persisted.
But why? Why did he put himself through the pain, the hurt,
and the humiliation of buying another companion? Perhaps it would be best if he
accepted the fact that he was cursed. He’d never be happy, never know love
again.
He watched the flames and sipped his red wine. The rumors
about him had spread throughout the countryside. Lukacs was right when he’d
told him that the villagers would not allow their daughters to come here, no
matter what enticements he offered. He’d almost given up, but then Lukacs had
written with the news that Katarina had volunteered to be his companion. Why?
Surely she knew the stories about him.
Despite the tales circulating in the villages, he had never
harmed any of the young ladies who came to the castle. If anything, he was
generous. He bought them new clothes, fed them, and paid them well. He
certainly wasn’t a rapist or a drinker of virgin blood as he was portrayed in
the stories.
“But am I the monster they say I am?” he wondered aloud.
He stared at a painting on the far wall. Two boys in formal
dress, one with light blond wavy hair, the other with black hair, posed with a
black and white dog. He raised his glass in a silent toast to Tristan. The
portrait was commissioned when he’d been, what? Ten? And Tristan was nearly
fifteen. Those were good times, when life was easy.
Now he was all alone, trapped in this miserable castle and
forced to suffer with the boring duties he had inherited from his despicable
father. It wasn’t fair. He’d had different plans for his life, plans that
included travelling, marrying a woman he loved, and being happy. Instead, he
sat here every night drinking himself into a stupor, hating his life, hating
his very existence.
He closed his eyes and leaned back in the leather chair.
Perhaps Katarina could redeem him and lift his curse. If she did, she would
earn riches beyond her wildest dreams. If not, he would suffer bitter
disappointment yet again. “Why do I even try?” he whispered. “I’m doomed.”
* * *
Order Redemption From a Dark Past here:
Next week, I’ll be sharing news about my new horror novella,
Nightmare in the North. Stay tuned!
Happy Summer Reading,
Kelli
