Shadows of the Past by Carmen Stefanescu
Publisher: Wild Child Publishing
Genre: paranormal/light romance/light historical/light horror
Blurb:
Anne’s relationship with her boyfriend Neil has disintegrated. After a two-year separation, they pack for a week vacation in hopes of reconciling. But fate has other plans for them.
The discovery of a bejeweled cross and ancient human bones opens a door to a new and frightening world–one where the ghost of a medieval nun named Genevieve will not let Anne rest. This new world threatens not only to ruin Anne and Neil’s vacation but to end all hopes of reconciliation as Anne feels compelled to help free Genevieve’s soul from its torment.
Can Anne save her relationship and help Genevieve find her eternal rest?
A touching, compelling story of tragedy, loss and the power of endless love and good magic.
The twists and turns in this paranormal tale keep the reader guessing up to the end and weave themselves together into a quest to rekindle love.
Buy Links: Wild Child Publishing
Amazon All Romance Barnes & Noble
Excerpt:
The peal of the church bells from the abbey tower startled Genevieve. The sound added to her mounting anxiety.
The massive abbey loomed over the stone paved path. All the nuns were at evening mass. With a bit of luck her disappearance would go unnoticed for a few more hours. The Abbess would assume she was cleaning the toilets as ordered.
Fear skittered through Genevieve when she turned away from the abbey towards the path leading to town. Nothing stirred. She hesitated. Evil emanated from the forest surrounding the abbey. With a shiver, she leaned against the solid oak gates that flanked the abbey’s main path. They had hidden her from detection for the past couple of hours, but how much longer would she be safe?
The mountain shadows grew thicker and closer.
She moved her weight from one leg to the other. They ached from so much standing, but she lacked the strength to return to the gardener’s cottage and wait for Andrew’s arrival as planned. Genevieve closed her tired eyes. The image of old Ryan, slumped dead in his chair in his cubicle, caught life in her mind and made her whole body ripple with fear.
She’d rather wait for Andrew here, outside.
Had he forgotten his promise? What if something terrible befell him during the last three days, or he had changed his mind? Why should he risk all for an ordinary nun?
Had his folks talked him into giving her up, made him see reason? Helping her out of her predicament meant a huge risk for him — losing his family, his friends and his position among his peers. His words echoed in her mind. “I will risk everything for you, even life, if necessary.”
* * * *
“Anne, Anne, wake up. Wake up, please,” the insistent voice whispered next to her ear. The touch of a hand, on her shoulder, startled Anne.
She opened her eyes, still half between sleep and reality. Her gaze stopped on a stranger, a woman, by her side.
The moon’s pale face, the only light, filtered through a small gap in the tent’s entrance; yet the stranger’s whole body emanated a kind of soft ray, a yellowish halo making her figure and face easy to discern.
A long, dark robe, similar to those worn by nuns in monasteries centuries ago, covered her body. No traditional headdress covered the woman’s red hair, which fell loosely over her shoulders in long, heavy tendrils and continued down her chest and back.
Anne stood up and studied the intruder with open curiosity. The stranger’s wax pale face looked corpse like. Anne opened her mouth to ask her who she was. She looked Anne straight in the eyes, placed her forefinger on her lips and whispered, “Hush, come. Follow me.”
Anne’s eyes widened.
The woman, moving away from the sleeping bag, appeared to glide above the ground. Her bare feet didn’t make a sound.
As if hypnotized, Anne followed the illuminated silhouette heading into the forest, without questioning her own actions.
An onrush of sensations unfamiliar to her followed. Dizziness and a malevolent feeling of unreality suffocated her. The presence of evil, creeping up and enveloping her, became almost palpable. Her throat turned dry, and she gasped for air.
* * * *
You can find more about the author Carmen Stefanescu and her works on her Website.
Join me right here a week from today for the next segment of the Paranormal Romance Thursday- Tour, featuring author M.S. Kaye.
Authors in the tour are:
Cassandra Ulrich – http://cassandraulrich.blogspot.com/
Kimbra Kasch – http://www.kimbrakasch.com
Lyndi Lamont – http://lindalyndi.com/reading-room-blog
Carmen Stefanescu – http://shadowspastmystery.blogspot.ro/
M S Kaye – http://booksbymsk.com/
Penny Estelle – www.pennyestelle.blogspot.com
Margo Bond Collins – http://www.MargoBondCollins.com
Daisy Banks – https://daisybanks.wordpress.com/
Adrienne Woods – https://woodsadrienne.wordpress.com/
Julie A. D’Arcy – http://juliedarcystoryweaver.blogspot.com.au/
N. N. Light – http://princessofthelight.wordpress.com
And me – Flossie Benton Rogers – http://flossiebentonrogers.com/blog
Cheers & Happy Reading!
Flossie Benton Rogers, Conjuring the Magic with Paranormal Romance
Shadows of the Past sound very exciting! thanks for sharing the excerpt.
I’m glad you liked the excerpt!
You’d enjoy the whole story, I’m sure.
Shadows of the Past is a wonderful blend of history and modern day with a lovely dose of paranormal, mystery and romance. It’s not every author that can pull off a complex mix like that. I loved this novel. It’s great to see it featured here!
Oh, Mae! Thank you, thank you for your kind words!
I have just begun reading this story and it has me hooked already. I will be reading late into the night.
I will wait anxiously for your opinion. Thanks for reading Shadows of the Past!
Thank you, Flossie, for showcasing Shadows of the Past today!
I agree with Mae. Shadows of the Past is a rich, complex story with two sympathetic pairs of lovers. Perfect for the season.
Very beautiful cover
It’s the cover artist’s merit. Thank you!