Have you ever felt as if your life is a never-ending series of to-do lists? That’s me. I work as many hours as I possibly can as a caregiver, which doesn’t leave a lot of time or energy to squeeze in shopping, cooking, cleaning. . .you know, the basics of life. But that’s okay. I live with my sister, two cousins, and my aunt and uncle, so we all pitch in.
My life is about to get a whole lot less busy, though. If I take the job the agency has just offered me, I’ll be living at a remote house in Maine, virtually snowed in all winter with two tween cousins, the father of one, the mother of another, and a housekeeper. It doesn’t sound particularly difficult for all the money they’re offering, but two caregivers have already left.
Maybe it’s just that the younger girl, Liza, has selective mutism. I can see how that might worry some people. I know very little about it myself, just what I learned from my child psych classes before I had to leave college to help support my family, but it doesn’t scare me. It’s just an anxiety disorder. No doubt all the changes in her life are ramping up her anxiety. After all, her mother committed suicide just a few months ago.
Of course, then there’s the fact that before she stopped speaking entirely, Liza insisted that she was seeing her mother’s ghost. Liza’s dad thinks that’s ridiculous, as does my boss. I wish I could be so sure, but my heritage won’t let me completely rule it out. My dad’s family has been in America for generations, but my mother was raised Romani. What if the child really is haunted? What if that is why two previous women left?
I’ve never seen a ghost. I’m not sure I even believe in them. But I’m not sure I don’t, either. Certainly, I still talk to both my parents, even if I don’t hear them answering. Not that what I believe matters in the long run. I have to go to Maine, or I’ll never forgive myself. I promised my mother I’d take care of my sister, and this is the best way to do it. Even if Liza’s mother really is haunting her, how bad could it be? Mothers love their children, after all.
Laura is giving away one (1) print copy of A Darker Shade. Leave a comment below for your chance to win. Contest ends October 7, 2019 and US entries only. Good luck everyone!
You can read more about Molly in A Darker Shade, a gothic fiction novel, released October 1, 2019.
What is haunting young Liza Prescott?
Molly Allworth has been in service since leaving college when her mother died. Still, her situation is getting desperate and when the agency offers her a position that sounds too good to be true, she cannot resist.
Soon she finds herself in a remote house in Maine, caring for a little girl who swore she saw her mother’s ghost…before she stopped speaking entirely. Nathaniel Prescott, the child’s father, thinks any belief in the supernatural is absurdly credulous. Molly’s history and heritage, however, have given her a wider view.
There’s a significant bonus for Molly if she lasts the year. But as winter closes in and mysterious, often creepy events begin to occur, even her growing affection for Nathaniel and Liza may not be enough to make her stay.
Purchase Link
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Meet the author
Laura K. Curtis gave up a life writing dry academic papers for writing decidedly less dry genre fiction. A member of RNA, MWA, ITW, and HWA, she has trouble settling into one lane. While she is best known as a writer of romantic suspense, she has also written contemporary romance novels and short crime fiction. A Darker Shade is her first gothic novel.
To learn more about Laura, visit her website at laurakcurtis.com.
All comments are welcomed.
It sounds like a very interesting read.
Thanks, Lois! It was fun to write and interesting to research.
Sounds like a scary read that will keep you up at night.
I hope it turned out nice and creepy. 😀
I love gothic novels, and A Darker Shade sounds very good. Thanks for the giveaway ~
Me, too. I grew up on Mary Stewart, Victoria Holt, and Phyllis A. Whitney. 🙂
I am interested. Thank you for this chance to win.
Good luck!
Oh my goodness this sounds intriguing! Totally different from anything I’ve read, but I’d love to give it a chance. Thanks for this opportunity.
Glad to hear you’re up for trying some different! Good luck!
I’m particularly interested in reading this because it takes place in Maine where my family was from way back. Also I’d love to pass this along to my best friend who is a caregiver. Thanks for the opportunity.
Fran, tell your friend that she’s a real life saver. I dedicated this book to the four caregivers who took care of my father while he was ill, because I think our family would have fallen apart without them.
A haunted house in Maine with winter closing in? Yes!
Nothing like a haunting just in time for Halloween! 👻
A Darker Shade sounds intriguing, captivating and the setting is wonderful.
Thanks, Anne!
The locale, and the story are enthralling and unique.
Good luck, Ruth!
A novel which has captured my interest. Winter, Maine, and a mystery.
Good luck, April!
Sounds very interesting.
Thanks! Good luck!
I don’t usually read gothic novels but in case I am looking forward to it! And a big thank you to Dru for taking the time and energy to provide us readers with great information and insight on new books and authors!! Love seeing your emails in my inbox!!!
Karyn,
They aren’t as common as they once were. Dru’s the best, isn’t she?
thank you
Dru’s the best, isn’t she??
I love gothic novels. I was in high school in the late 70’s, and that was the genre everyone was reading. My favorites were Phyllis A. Whitney, Dorothy Daniels and Carola Salisbury; also Madeleine Brent. They went out in popularity in the 80’s. Now today there are different authors writing sort of gothic. Deanna Raybourn, Laura Jo Rohland, Rosemary Simpson. I love those books that give you goosebumps. A Darker Shade sounds like it will. The setting sounds creepy.
Linda,
That was my era, too. My absolute favorite was Mary Stewart, but I loved Phyllis A. Whitney and Dorothy Daniels, too. And there were so many! Ever time you turned around there were a dozen more turning up in the drug store or the bookshop.
Sounds like a good read for October
Sandy,
I love a ghost story as the nights get cooler and we head into Halloween!
Sounds intriguing
Good luck, Mary!
Sounds very good and intriguing. Look forward to reading.
Thanks, Debra! Good luck!
This sounds creepy in a totally good way–looking forward to it.
LOL! “Creepy in a totally good way” is exactly what I was aiming for, Rochelle! Thanks!
Sounds like a very good read. Thanks for the chance to win it.
Good luck, Leeza!
This sounds like a great book..
I hope you get a chance to read it and find out for yourself, Kathy!
Looks like an interesting read!
Thanks, Jaime! Good luck!
Sounds like a fascinating story. Looking forward to reading.
Thanks, Dianne! I hope you get a chance to read it!
Thank Dru Ann for introducing me to Laura and her book. I’ve added it to my want to read list. Fingers are crossed.
Good luck, Robin!
**** WINNER ****
The Darker Shade is Barbara Hackel
Congratulations!