Dark, Deadly Love: Welcome to Victorian London 1888 Back to Blog
Available July 13 at Samhain Publishing www.samhainpublishing.com
Update: Denise’s winner is…Viki! Congrats, Viki!!
Thanks so much to Cynthia Eden for inviting me to blog here.
As a writer I’m always thinking of new ideas. And I mean always. I have so many ideas for what to write next, my muse insists that I jot something down whether it be a blurb, a paragraph, a chapter, you name it. With DARK, DEADLY LOVE, my July 13 release at Samhain Publishing www.samhainpublishing.com, the story evolved over a very long time. Perhaps from the time I was a child.
With an avid interest in the Jack the Ripper murders, collecting stories, thinking about the man behind the gruesome crimes and his victims, I wanted to one day write my own account of these historical events.
As an anglophile, I’d always wanted to travel to England, and in 1996 I was fortunate enough to move there. My three year adventure, traveling through England with my husband and my muse, inspired me to write ‘Midnight Rose’ which was published in 2002. In 2006 the book went out of print. Fast forward to present day. I revised this story, got a new title, and am proud to announce the upcoming release of DARK, DEADLY LOVE at Samhain Publishing www.samhainpublishing.com.
I adore the new cover. It says sensuality, it says historical romance, it says London, it says scary. It captures everything I was trying to create.
DARK, DEADLY LOVE delves into the minds of the victims—the prostitutes that were killed. This book possesses elements of a dark, intense, gritty historical story. I wrote the story the way I love to read dark historicals, capturing a grisly time in England’s history.
When I submitted this story to Samhain, I was thrilled that I wasn’t asked to soften it up, thanks to my wonderful editor, Bethany Morgan! As with most of my work, there are high sensual elements, romance, but unlike a lot of my work, this book is more explicit with the danger and violence, and I didn’t pull any punches.
Enjoy the blurb and this small excerpt. I hope this story thrills you the way it thrilled me to create it.
A woman with secret powers and wishes…A man haunted by nightmares and his desires…A slayer without remorse…
When American Alexandra Watson travels to London as Ross Havenwood’s ward, her empathic abilities tell her that shadows haunt Ross and the city that becomes her new home. A killer stalks the streets, and Alexandra dreams of death. She is compelled to shelter a young servant who harbors a deadly secret. Ross challenges a relentless menace to learn the truth while fighting a desire for Alexandra that burns his soul. Someone is killing prostitutes in the East End, and as Alexandra and Ross draw closer to the identity of the murderer, they realize the executioner knows who they are.
* *
The back door opened without a squeak, and when Alexandra stepped into the dew-drenched garden, she realized a moment of paradise. Although the sky held a gray cast, the sun made a valiant effort. She heard sounds beyond, like that of horses’ hooves on cobblestone. With all the beauty before her, she could forget the noisy streets. A great walled enclose, built high on all sides, made the area feel isolated from the bustle of London. Brilliant flowers bloomed in profusion. An intoxicating blend of roses touched her senses, more colors than she’d seen anywhere, and more scents than she could remember.
Alexandra heard the noise before she understood what made the sound. Groans. Rhythmic and sure. Her brow wrinkled as she walked around some high, thick rosebushes and encountered the reason for the grunts.
Ross lay almost face down on the ground. He pushed up from the ground with effort, a count parting his lips as he shoved his body weight upward. Then lowered. Then up. His forearms bulged with muscle and his long hair dangled across his face. Hesitation held her immobile, and she waited until he breathed out his last count and sprung to his feet.
“Very impressive,” she said without thinking.
He swung about, his hair not obscuring either the surprise on his face, or the fact that his shirt wasn’t tucked in and laid open all the way to the waist. “Alexandra. What are you doing here?”
Her mouth opened as she took in the immediate shock of seeing his naked chest and stomach. Her gaze stayed riveted to hard musculature. “Osmond said you’d be here.”
Ross clenched his fists, and the movement caused muscles in his chest to move. “I told him I didn’t want to be disturbed.”
Disconcerted by the edge in his tone, she remained silent. He stalked toward her, his displeasure written in each taut line of his body. Once again her gaze snagged on his masculinity. A generous amount of dark hair sprinkled over his chest, tapering down to his stomach where it flared in a wide pattern. She’d never viewed a stomach like his, ridged and defined. Something sweet and hot burned low in her stomach, swirling and igniting.
Oh, my.
He stood so close she felt the heat off his body. For a moment, as he towered over her, she contemplated running. A man this large and strong could overtake any woman. She felt that authority running deep, connecting with her in a way she’d never experienced before. She didn’t know whether to be frightened or revel in the outrageous sensations winging through her body and mind. Then Alexandra understood why she felt this way about Ross, and the idea made her blush. No decent woman would be so improperly elated by the sight of Ross Havenwood’s naked chest. At least this would be what people would tell her. Since when had she listened to others when her instincts drew her toward something? Not often.
He crossed his arms. “What is it? Is something wrong?”
“I’m sorry to disturb your constitutional, but I felt I had to speak with you.”
“I exercise every morning. During that time no one comes here.”
She tilted her chin up, trying to minimize his superior height and his disturbing closeness.
“I didn’t realize in England exercise was so sacred.”
Alexandra realized her tone sounded snappish, but his nearness was sending her senses into a riot. She felt hot and flushed.
His gaze warmed, loosing the sharp tension from moments ago. He shrugged his big shoulders and laughed. “One day here doesn’t give you clear understanding of London, about England or about society here. I shudder to think how innocent you are of what goes on in the world out there.”
Her lips twitched. “Really? I know nothing about it? What would you know of my innocence, or anything about me? I haven’t seen, nor spoke with you in almost ten years. I am a grown woman, in case you haven’t noticed.”
Ross’s nostrils flared slightly as he took a breath. His searching gave traveled from her head to her toes. “Oh, believe me, I’ve noticed.”
Shivery warmth seemed to touch each place his gaze traversed. She sensed wildness within him, a deep restless spirit, like an animal on the hunt. Ross stared until his unrelenting attention almost sent her running. Almost. Instead Alexandra couldn’t help giving him the same treatment. Her attention locked on the tangle of his curling, shiny hair. A long tendril lay across his neck. Another stirring pushed through her belly. Their gazes tangled.
She struggled for control. “What are you staring at, Ross?”
“You.”
**
CONTEST: At the end of the day I’ll pick one winner from the comments to receive a paperback from my backlist! Be sure to check back here often. 🙂
Stop by my website at www.deniseagnew.com for excerpts of all my books, including yet another new release, DARYK HUNTER, which comes out on July 14 at Ellora’s Cave www.ellorascave.com. DARYK HUNTER is the first book in my DARYK WORLD TRILOGY.
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I have always been fascinated by Jack the Ripper and his ability to escape detection. I love your unique take-writing the victims side! What a great idea. I will definitely be getting this one.
Great excerpt!! And what a very interesting story concept–love dark!!! Thanks for blogging with me!!
Hi Denise,
WOW!!! That is a great excerpt!! Have read other books by you so I know I’m going to love this one 🙂
Fantastic excerpt!! This book’s concepts really has gotten my attention!! This will go on the top of my list. I have always been interested in Jack the Ripper and how they really could not catch him!! Great idea giving us the victim’s side!!
Hi Nancy! Thanks so much for stopping by. I do have some multiple POVs in this novel which isn’t always usual for historical romances. You tend to get the hero and heroine and that is often the extent of it. This story for me demanded the hero and heroines POV, Jack The Ripper’s POV, and the victims. It was one of the first books I wrote with so many POVs. But I tried not to overdo it, either. 🙂 Please let me know what you think of the story when you read it. 🙂
Denise A. Agnew
http://www.deniseagnew.com
Hi Nancy! Thanks so much for stopping by. I loved writing the multiple POV’s on this book. It just didn’t seem quite right without having the perspectives, especially Jack The Ripper. 🙂
Denise A. Agnew
Michele,
Thanks so much. Glad you like the excerpt and so pleased you’re planning on reading the book. 🙂 Music to an author’s ears. 🙂
Denise A. Agnew
Judy,
I’m so pleased you liked the excerpt. I loved writing this book, and it’s been a big thrill to have it out again. Please let me know what you think after you’ve read it. 🙂
Denise A. Agnew
Cynthia,
Thanks again for letting me blog with you today. I appreciate it. 🙂
Oh, this sounds dark, scary and AWESOME! This goes to the top of my list for sure! England has always intruigued me. I love the history of the land. Throw in some paranormal elements and Im hooked. 🙂
Great excerpt, really got hooked there!!!
I’m a Brit, but I left England and now live in Germany.
Valerie
valb0302qyahoo.com
in Germany
Wow, now that is an excerpt that grabs your attention! Thanks for sharing it with us! 😀
Hi Denise,
Congrats on the upcoming release. I’ve seen quite a few specials on the Ripper and still wonder who he could have been. Did you take the tour through Whitechapel?
Oooohhhh–great excerpt. I look forward to reading more.
Wow, this sounds good. You know the theory that Jack was driven around by Queen Victoria’s head coachman? Well, that man was my Great Great Grandfather. There has never been any word in the family that he did indeed do this.
Nikki, I was fortunate enough to live in England three years. 🙂 Lucky me! It also helped me formulate some ideas for this book. Nothing I like better than writing a dark, scary novel with tons of romance as relish. 🙂
Denise A. agnew
Hi Valerie! One thing I was terrified of when I wrote this book. Getting the accents all wrong. So I ran the book through more than one English person to search for anything that wasn’t correct (so far as they could tell). It was a great relief to me. LOL.
Denise A. Agnew
Colleen,
Awesome! I’m pleased the excerpt has got you hooked. 🙂
Denise A. Agnew
Hey LSU Reader,
Thanks for stopping by to say howdy. 🙂
Denise A. Agnew
Viki! Fascinating info. on your ancestor. I’ve done a ton of research on my own ancestors and the things you can find out can floor you. I knew that my ancestors had come from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. I found out just a few years ago that I also have ancestors from France. For the longest time I information back to 1634 in the U.S., but when I was able to go back farther than that into Europe I was thrilled. It certainly has been fantastic to learn so many things. I always had the feeling there was a reason for my extreme interest in castles. Ended up finding out one of my ancestors was born in Picton Castle in Wales (which is still owned by the same family).
Denise A. Agnew
I love the excerpt. Just added the book to my TBR list.
Great excerpt. Sounds like a great book. Love the cover.
Hi, Denise! I’ve always been intrigued by stories like Jack the Ripper but don’t know if I’m brave enough to actually delve deeper into what happened! Did you find stuff as you researched that scared you?
And I do have to say that your cover is amazing–it does convey all those things you mentioned, and is gorgeous as well!
Hey Denise – great name!:)
Great excerpt sounds like an awesome book!
Hello, Denise.
I loved the excerpt and have placed this book on my “must have” list…Hurry up July 13th!
Thanks!
Great excerpt and cover! I’m really digging the creativity of it! 🙂
Hi, Denise 🙂
Looking forward to this release *bg*
A dark and scary romance sounds very good right now 🙂
Hi! Great cover, very fitting!
When I was young, I used to read Sherlock Holmes stories and that whole era with Jack the Ripper was made quite memorable to me. I’m glad that this is a take on the Ripper stories and will be looking forward to it.
This sounds so intriguing! Definitely a prospective not touched on before. I like the mix of time period and suspense you’ve mixed together.
Great excerpt! I find Jack the Ripper a very interesting subject. I’ve always wondered, who he was.
I love your excerpt! Really great writing!
great excerpt – thanks for sharing.
Wow! Congrats on the release!
What an interesting excerpt! I think I might have to pick this one up!
I would never have thought of writing a story from the victims’ point of view; how hard was it to write it?
Stephanie,
So glad you’ve added my book to your list. 🙂
Denise A. Agnew
Hi Fedora! How are you doing? Yep, that is a fantastic cover. Spooky and romantic and mysterious all at the same time. As for finding out things that scared me, I have to say nothing scared me. At least not in a way that would make me want to stop researching or writing it. Great question!
Denise A. Agnew
Waving at Denise T!! All hail Denise! LOL.
Denise A. Agnew
Tracey,
So glad to hear my excerpt sucked you in. I am so evil. Bwhahahahahah!
Denise A. Agnew
Hi Chelsea! Digging creativity is a good thing. 🙂
Denise A. Agnew
Ali,
I love dark and scary romances any time of the year, even if it isn’t Halloween. And I love Halloween.
Denise A. Agnew
Hi Cories,
I read Sherlock Holmes, too, when I was a kid. But I used to grab anything Victoria that I could get my hands on. I loved Edgar Allan Poe, too.
Denise A. Agnew
Hi Joder,
Thanks much for stopping by today. 🙂
Denise A. Agnew
Marlene,
Hi there. :0 And I think we will probably never know who Jack The Ripper is. 🙂 Of course, if we found it it would sort of ruin things wouldn’t it? 🙂 On the other hand, it would be interesting to find out.
Denise A. Agnew
Edie,
Why thank you so much. And thanks for stopping by. Very much appreciated. 🙂
Denise A. Agnew
Hey Stephenia,
Thanks much for stopping by and thanks for the kudos. 🙂
Denise A. Agnew
Casey,
Thanks so much!
Denise A. Agnew
Christy,
Super! Hope you pick it up and enjoy it. 🙂
Denise A. Agnew
Sue,
Almost missed your note. 🙂 Thanks so much. 🙂
Denise A. Agnew
Diane,
Thanks much. The story is primarily told from the heroine and heros point of view, but you do get Jack the Ripper’s POV, and the POV’s of the prostitutes that were murdered. 🙂 As for difficulty, it wasn’t at all. I think it’s because I was so into the story!
Denise A. Agnew