Perilous
Confessions
The
Possession Chronicles Book 1
by
Carrie Dalby
Genre:
Supernatural Southern Gothic Family Saga
Their
love brought scandal and demons.
Lucy
Easton, an aspiring novelist, will do anything to help boost her
chances at publication—including betraying her family. But when she
crosses paths with the charismatic Alexander Melling, her aspiration
for success pales in comparison to the attraction she feels towards
him.
Alexander
is a young lawyer from a powerful family, striving to free himself
from his father’s shadow. The more time he spends with Lucy, the
more desperate he becomes to shed the secrets of his past—a past
which can destroy the both himself and the woman he’s falling in
love with.
While
Alexander struggles with his past sins, Lucy must decide whether
loving him is worth risking her own safety…and her heart.
From
gossip magazines to gleaming Mardi Gras balls, Lucy and Alex navigate
the Edwardian era in the Deep South with both passion and guilt.
Lucy
knelt and stood throughout Mass, but her heart and mind were set on
one person and it wasn’t the Lord. Toward the end of the service,
she removed her notepad and pen from her reticule, quickly fingering
Alexander’s handkerchief tucked inside. As reverent as possible,
she made her way to the portico.
“Taking
notes on my church attending habits?” Alexander, dressed in a smart
grey suit with a coordinating derby, stepped out from between two of
the monstrous Doric columns that flanked the front of the cathedral.
“More
like the lack thereof.” Lucy returned her items into her pouch and
accepted Alexander’s arm.
“I
was there, Lucy.” As they descended the steps, the smell of his
sandalwood soap wafted over her like the first smell of peppermint at
Christmas—delicious and invigorating. “I sat a few rows back,
making sure you prayed when prompted, but I left twice as early to
avoid any suspicion of us leaving together.”
They
exited the wrought iron gate that enclosed the church yard and paused
on the sidewalk.
“And
just how discreet is strolling through town?”
“It’ll
take the congregation a little while to catch up with our
activities.” Alexander winked. “Would you like me to walk you all
the way home or bring you to my house where we can pick up an
automobile?”
“I’m
fine with the two mile walk. It’ll give us more time together,
though I’m sorry we live so far out of the way. My parents wanted a
bigger lot than those in the city for all of us to run around freely
when we were young. But don’t worry about me, I planned ahead.”
She stuck the toe of one of her sensible black boots out from the hem
of her dress.
“I’m
pleased to know you aren’t a slave to fashion.” They went around
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and headed west on the
paved sidewalk on Dauphin Street.
“When
dealing with clothes passed down from three sisters from the previous
century, it’s difficult to be picky.”
“You
always manage to look beautiful, though I’ve often wondered why you
don’t wear gloves like other ladies. Did your sisters wear them all
out?”
Lucy’s
laughter rang like a silver bell. “I have several new pairs, but my
mother gave up trying to force me to wear them when I turned
eighteen. I need my fingers free to hold my pen.”
Alexander
smiled. “There’s nothing less personal than the touch of a gloved
hand. I liked being able to feel you last night.” He placed his
right hand on top of hers on his arm, allowing his fingers to briefly
intertwine with hers. “I love how you shirk societal regulations,
going to church gloveless and wearing old boots under a fine dress.
Things like that shouldn’t matter, though they are often all that
are discussed by women in your social circle.”
“My
circle is smaller than most.”
“And
that’s just the thing! It’s refreshing to see that you don’t
fill your life with hollow relationships and cram your calendar with
worthless events. Lucy, I’m honored you allowed my foot in the door
of your cozy life.”
If
they weren’t walking down the sidewalk midday, she would’ve
kissed him. As it was, she waited until they passed another couple
walking toward them, Alexander tipping his hat and nodding to them.
“Your
whole self is invited into my world, Alexander,” she whispered.
A
mischievous smile lit his face as Lucy gave him a look that
communicated she wanted more of the passion he’d spoken to her
about. He brushed his thumb over her cheek. “Soon.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Murmurs of Evil
The Possession Chronicles Book 2
The Possession Chronicles Book 2
by Carrie Dalby
Genre: Supernatural Southern Gothic Family Saga
During
the spring of 1906, Magdalene Jones is hired to be a companion to
Ruth Melling at Seacliff Cottage, the Mellings' second home on Mobile
Bay. Magdalene's simple country upbringing is no match for high
society banter and a manor hour infested with demonic activity.
Alexander, the Mellings' bachelor son, and Magdalene find themselves
oppressed by demons playing upon their lusts. Claudio De Fiore--a
young Italian deacon training to become a priest--and newly arrived
from Scotland, Douglas Campbell, seek to protect Magdalene from the
evil within the walls but they themselves might be part of the
trouble.
Carrie
Dalby, a California native, has lived in Mobile, Alabama, since 1996.
She’s published several non-fiction articles in national and
international magazines, served two terms as president of Mobile
Writers Guild, worked as the Mobile area Local Liaison for SCBWI from
2012-2017, and volunteers with Metro Mobile Literacy Council’s
annual Young Author events whenever possible. When Carrie’s
not reading, writing, browsing bookstores/libraries, or
homeschooling, she can often be found knitting or attending concerts.
Carrie’s two young
adult novels are Fortitude(historical) and Corroded
(contemporary). Fortitude is listed as a “Best History Book for
kids” with Grateful American Foundation for its historical
accuracy and being an engaging read for fifth through tenth graders.
Her current project
is a historical Gothic family saga for adults, The Possession
Chronicles. The first book in the series, Perilous Confessions,
released in January 2019 from Bienvenue Press and the second book,
Murmurs of Evil releases June 11, 2019.
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Wow! What fantastic covers. I may have to break my no starting a series rule for these books. In fact, what the heck ... I'm away to add them to my wish list now.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by. The Possession Chronicles series (8 books) are all written, just in various stages of editing. They will be published about every four months. Book three releases in November, so the wait isn't too long.
ReplyDelete