Monday, June 30, 2014

Have a #RockingSummerRomance with Shadows of the Past


A few quickie questions first from Carmen Stefanescu.


Ice Tea or Lemonade?

Lemonade. I love the tartness of lemons.

Lake or ocean?

I prefer the lake. Shores are easier to reach in case of storm or any kind of incovenience.

Sandals or Flip flops?

Flip flops as they are typically worn in casual situations, such as outside or at the beach. Implying carefree time, holiday.

Sit in the shadow of a tree or on the front/back porch?

The shadow of a tree. I imagine myself reading a book under the crown of the tree, listening to the rustle of the wind in the branches and birds’s chirping. Simply, relaxation.

Ball cap or floppy hat? 

Floppy hat. It reminds me of DYLAN SCOTT’s song "Ball Cap": Baby got a ball cap on, sure knows how to pull it off, Sun out of them hazel eyes, looking so good...
Carmen Stefanescu was born in Romania, the native country of the infamous vampire Count Dracula, but where, for about 50 years of communist dictatorship, just speaking about God, faith, reincarnation or paranormal phenomena could have led someone to great trouble - the psychiatric hospital if not to prison.
            Teacher of English and German in her native country and mother of two daughters, Carmen Stefanescu survived the grim years of oppression, by escaping in a parallel world, that of the books. 
            She has dreamed all her life to become a writer, but many of the things she wrote during those years remained just drawer projects. The fall of the Ceausescu’s regime in 1989 and the opening of the country to the world meant a new beginning for her. She started publishing. Poems first, and then prose. Both in English.

Author Links
 Carmen Stefanescu's Site:
Twitter  @Carmen_Books
                      Shadows of the Past



Publish date: 4th December 2012
Publisher: Wild Child Publishing
Genre: paranormal/light romance/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.

                           Excerpt

"Come, we should leave at once," she said and glanced nervously over her shoulder. "Something terrible happened after you left for town. I think the Abbess found out about us. Our meeting in Uncle Ryan's cabin is no longer a secret. We have been overheard. For all I know someone spies on us even as we speak. I think the Abbess, or one of her 'friends,' is hovering somewhere nearby and listening to every word."

Andrew pulled Genevieve to his chest. "Do you regret you've come with me?"

Passion smothered Genevieve's doubt and guilt. "Never," she answered, aware of her body's response to his touch, and she succumbed to his embrace.


With her eyes closed and their bodies touching she became, for the very first time, simply a woman. She melted in his embrace in spite of the invisible vicious threat breathing around them. Aware they might never be alone again, she fought hard to silence the voice of conscience berating her.
"Oh, God. Please forgive me," Andrew muttered under his breath when he bowed his head to kiss her. Their lips met in a passionate first kiss.
Genevieve's spirits fell and her heart skipped a beat when, a couple of seconds later, she opened her eyes and her gaze fell on a knot strangers. 
                            … . . .
            Tears welled in Anne's eyes, blurring her vision. She couldn’t explain them, or the sudden sadness seeping into her heart. This should’ve been a moment of happiness or, at least, contentment. She was with Neil again, and the outcome of their trip together should, very likely, bring their reconciliation. Why then did she seem detached from where she stood?
Anne shivered. Why the deep feeling of having seen this place, this forest before? And why the eerie sensation of being present here only in the body, while her mind was far away?
Away from the forest.
Away from Neil, the man who'd betrayed her trust and her love.
            An onrush of sensations unfamiliar to her followed. Dizziness and a malevolent feeling of unreality suffocated her.
Anne edged cautiously closer to the rim of the bare cliff. Her foot tapped the edge. It seemed solid. She stared into the darkness of the abyss at her feet. It echoed the shadows in her heart.  An unusual curiosity took hold of her. Should she step ahead? What was down there? Other human bones? Another mystery? The presence of evil, creeping up and enveloping her, became almost palpable. The vines of fog folded around her, dragging her to the depth. Her throat turned dry, and she gasped for air.
Megan's face contorted, the voice no longer pleasant. A hoarse gurgle, spluttering distorted words, "Yes, come... I'm waiting... I've been waiting for you for such a long time..."

Buy Link: Amazon
Buy Link: Barnes & Noble
Trailer: Shadows of the Past
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LmY-9yDl5s


Thank you for Carmen, for sharing and have a great summer,


Tina

3 comments:

Unknown said...

Thank you Tina for hosting me and my promo for Shadows of the Past!
I really appreciate it!
Carmen

Mary Magdeline said...

I am glad Carmen was able to finally have the freedom to publish. I read Shadows of the Past and it was a great story to read.

Unknown said...

Thank you Mary for your lovely words!
Nothing gives me more pleasure than hearing from readers that they enjoyed Genevieve's story.
Have a glorious summer!