A new romantic suspense...my favorite kind of read!
Anna Coughlin is a modern 1920s woman, armed with a college education and a partiality for numbers. Now, within the walls of a fantastic castle-like mansion in the hills of Virginia, her skill will be tested as never before. Hired to serve as financial advisor to wealthy Lawrence Richardson, Anna finds the welcome she receives anything but warm. Lawrence's handsome but antagonistic son Tyler wants nothing more than to send her packing. The household staff isn't much better, but who can blame them, considering the way Lawrence's last advisor, Irene, disappeared . . .
Convinced that one of the enigmatic members of the household had something to do with Irene's disappearance, Anna doesn't dare trust anyone—not even temperamental Tyler Richardson, who, despite her best intentions, is beginning to steal her heart.
A series of frightening incidents ensnare Anna in a maze of intrigue, putting her life in peril. But even as Anna begins uncovering the secrets hidden within the mansion's stone walls, she harbors a secret of her own. Now, the only question that remains is whether she will disappear as mysteriously as Irene.
Excerpt; Searching for Irene
The
tallest parts of the mansion—fanciful turrets and a circular tower—were visible
only in glimpses Anna caught between lofty oaks and towering pines as her cab
wound through the knolls and hills of eastern Virginia.
When
the cab turned up the long driveway lined with dogwood trees in full bloom,
Anna Coughlin reached for her handbag, gripping it with a tension that had
knotted her muscles ever since getting on the train.
The
vast estate stood on a hilltop, like a castle—and she craned her neck to better
view the starkly impressive gray-stone mansion of Ashton Hall—where she hoped
to be hired. With its arched, leaded windows and slate roof with numerous
chimneys, the house rivaled pictures she’d seen of castles in Europe.
Instructing
the driver to wait, she climbed out, patted her hat in case it was askew, then
smoothed her gray suit with gloved hands in hopes of presenting a professional
appearance. Anna had no confidence she was clever enough or bold enough to pull
this off, but she had to try.
Her
eye was drawn by a tall man—more than six feet—who came from the side of the
house. Since the man was striding toward her so purposefully, Anna stopped and
waited. As he drew near, Anna noted his deep-set eyes were as black as his
hair. His skin was tanned, his thin, long-fingered hands brown and strong.
“Miss
Coughlin?” He stretched out a hand and shook hers, but there was no warmth for
her in his eyes. “I’m Tyler Richardson. Unfortunately, your services are not
needed after all.” A touch of arrogance marked his manner, as though he was long
accustomed to command those around him.
“Your
father called only last week to have someone come out,” Anna blurted in dismay.
“May I ask what caused him to change his mind?”
A
fleeting glimpse of discomfiture crossed Mr. Richardson’s face. “I wasn’t
consulted about his hiring another secretary to replace the one who left so
suddenly. My father isn’t in good health, and the last thing we need is someone
coming in and upsetting him by making a muddle of things.”
His words kindled a fire that glinted in Anna’s eyes. How
dare he make such an assumption? It was difficult to hang on to her temper, but
there was too much at stake to let his boorishness sidetrack her. “Since I’m
here, I’m sure you won’t mind if I keep my appointment. After all, your father
is the one who requested my services. I’m sure he’s expecting me.”
Her
words hit home. It took a few bitter seconds, but he finally acquiesced. “Come
in, then,” he muttered ungraciously before leading the way up the steps and opening
the door.
Following
his rigid back down the narrow hall, Anna’s brows furrowed as doubts crept in. How
wise had she been to come to this remote place? Especially when the previous
secretary had disappeared so mysteriously? Even her employer thought it odd
that no one in this mansion seemed to know where Irene had gone or where she
was now. It was as if Irene had vanished into thin air.
on July 15, 2017
Format: Kindle Edition
Amazon; https://goo.gl/zAQVFd
Author website;
www.marlenebateman.info
