Sinners’
Opera is set in Charleston, South Carolina, one of my favorite cities in the
world (that I’ve visited). It’s
beautiful and on the ocean—two requirements of being a favorite. I’d simply
love to live in one of the Antebellum mansions along the Battery. If you ever
visit Charleston, take a buggy ride around the historic sights.
Charles
Towne was founded in 1670, during the reign of Charles II of England. This is important in the book because Morgan
(the hero) became a vampire in 1659, and in 1670, the King sent him to the new
colony to inspect its progress. Later, he returns to watch over a baby girl
(the heroine) as she grows to womanhood.
Charleston boasts cobblestone streets,
horse-drawn carriages, and pastel Antebellum houses, particularly in the
elegant French Quarter and Battery districts. The Battery promenade and
Waterfront Park both overlook Charleston Harbor. Fort Sumter, a federal
stronghold where the first shots of the Civil War were fire, lies across the
water.
Two beaches, Folly Beach and Isle of Palms, are
near Charleston. Another requirement for a favorite of mine.
In nearby Mt. Pleasant, you can visit Boone
Hall plantation. Some of the tours they offer are,
"Exploring The Gullah Culture", House Tours, Plantation Coach Tour,
Black History In America Exhibit, Slave Street and History Presentation, Garden
Tour, and a Butterfly Pavilion.
My personal favorite is the Dock Street
Theater, America’s first theater. On February 12, 1736, the Dock Street opened
with The Recruiting Officer. Flora, the first opera performed in America
took place at the Dock Street. Now, the Dock Street is owned and managed by the
City of Charleston. I was enthralled by it when I went for a concert. The
Dock Street looks like a 17th century playhouse with rows of wooden
benches in the orchestra seating. The boxes overlooking the floor are draped in
dark green, almost black velvet. The stage backdrop is an antique tapestry of
Charleston Harbor. Photo Credit: By
Frances Benjamin Johnston.
The Battery is a street along the seawall on
the Atlantic Ocean. The pastel and colorful Antebellum mansions cost in the
millions. When I was writing Sinners’ Opera, I drove up and down the Battery
until the residents must have thought I lived there…or was a stalker. I finally
chose a house for my hero. It’s Roper House, a brick structure with green
shutters and a Greek portico to the left. A beautiful house, but because the
main attraction, the portico, is on the side, it looks like the house has its
shoulder to the sea. A house with
secrets.
I’ve driven those cobblestone streets in my
little red Miata, eaten at some good downtown restaurants (never made Magnolias
for shrimp and grits), and have gone to the Dock Street for a piano
concert. Morgan is a concert pianist, an
English lord, and a vampire.
If I haven’t yet inspired you to visit Charleston
on your next vacation, what can I say?
Real movie stars are moving to Charleston, and it is one of the most
concentrated centers of wealth in this country. It’s also famous for art
(Spoleto), culture, and history—and entertainment galore.
~~~~~~~~~~~~![Sinners' Opera (Obsession) by [ Nightingale, Linda]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41c5B2vszbL.jpg)
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Sinners’
Opera
From The Wild Rose Press
Cover Artist: Debbie
Taylor
Editor:
Callie Lynn Wolfe
Release
Date: October 7, 2019
Digital
Price:
Rating:
Spicy
Buy
Link:
Blurb:
Morgan D'Arcy is an English lord, a classical pianist, and a
vampire. He has everything except what he desires most—Isabeau. As the Angel Gabriel
he’s steered her life and career choice, preparing her to become Lady D'Arcy.
Many forces oppose Morgan's daring plan—not the least of which is Vampyre law.
Isabeau Gervase is a brilliant geneticist Though she no longer
believes in angels, she sees a ticket to a Nobel Prize in Gabriel's
secrets—secrets that have led her to a startling conclusion. Gabriel isn't
human, and she fully intends to identify the species she named the Angel
Genome. Morgan is ready to come back into Isabeau's life, but this time as a
man not an angel. Will he outsmart his enemies, protect his beloved and escape
death himself? For the first time in eternity, the clock is ticking.
Excerpt:
Chapter 27
–
Confrontations
Do
not speak ill of society, Algie.
Only
people who can't get in do that.
Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest
As she strolled to the bathroom, she flung
over her shoulder, “I had a visitor today.”
My
attention snapped to matters other than her dynamite figure. I pictured John Payne daring to enter my
home. Fury and indignation ping-ponged
in my head. “Who?”
“Kirsty,”
she called. “We need to talk.”
Four
words that strike terror in the heart of every man. I fled to the window, opened the curtains,
the UV proofing and the shutters to listen to night song. A sea-scented breeze cooled my cheeks. Mortal
thoughts and voices washed over me.
Idly, I eavesdropped on young lovers strolling by the sea. A white horse and buggy rolled down the Battery. On the horizon, ship lights twinkled. The scene was peaceful. I felt I belonged with them, a part of the
simple beauty of everyday life. I’d
never been as content...and happy at long last.
The patter of the shower lured me to the
bath. Steam billowed from the brass and
glass enclosure. I’d had the glass
etched with the St. Averil griffin. The
black granite and gold fixtures were new.
While the outside kitchen was transformed into Issie’s lab, I’d had the
master bath renovated to remind me of my London Mews house. Feeling languorous, I joined Isabeau under
the warm spray.
“Wash my back.” She rotated her shoulders. “Kirsty was angry with me for
disappearing. She accused you of putting
me under a spell. Little does she know
you actually can.” The back I was
soaping turned to stone. “Did you? Am I enthralled?”
I bent to kiss her neck, and she wriggled
back against me. “I’ll never force you
to do anything against your will. You’re
not under any vampire enchantment of my making.”
“Oh, you are enchanting.” She turned, slid her arms around my waist and
kissed me, water sluicing over our faces.
“I believe you. I trust you. But my friend turning against me hurt.”
“I’m sure it did.” I ran the back of my hand down her cheek.
About Linda:
After
14 years in Texas, Linda just returned home to her roots. She has seven
published novels, four of which are available from Audible.com in audio. For
many years, she bred, trained and showed Andalusian horses. So, she’s seen a
lot of this country from the windshield of a truck pulling a horse trailer. Our
local author has won several writing awards, including the Georgia Romance
Writers’ Magnolia Award and the SARA Merritt.
She retired from a career as a legal assistant at MD Anderson Cancer
Center to write full time.
She
has 2 wonderful sons—one in Texas; one in England—and 4 equally marvelous
grandchildren.
Happy week, everyone!
Linda
