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Wednesday, May 9, 2012

THE DARK LADY

Isn't this one of the loveliest covers ever?
And to show my thanks to Máire for sharing her cover with me, I'm asking you to tweet the link to this cover to all of your followers. 
Why am I showing my appreciation?
Because it's been a long, dark winter.  

I know it's a strange thing to say since the weather has been so mild and my garden is in full bloom a week before Mother's Day.  
But as many of you already know in February my CP and best friend Karen Johnston was diagnosed with brain cancer,
and for months I've blocked out the world and stayed silent.

Then yesterday something amazing happened to draw me back to blogs, loops, and all things Social Media. One of my Golden Heart sisters and fellow Duchess, Maire Claremont, sent me a link to the cover of her dark Victorian debut novel The Dark Lady. It is one of the most beautiful covers I've seen in a long, long time, and it reminded me of why I spend so much time at my desk writing stories.


A cover like this makes all the rejections worth it. 

This cover proves that if you don't give up amazing things can happen. Unpublished authors can achieve their dreams and sometimes friends can recover from cancer.
The bonus is that Máire's fabulous cover is only eclipsed by the story itself:


The Dark Lady
Childhood affection leads to adult romance in this haunting love story and captivating debut that shifts from the wretched hell of a cruel insane asylum to the lavish ballrooms of London’s high society. 

Lord Ian Blake failed to keep the oath he made to his childhood friend Eva that he would bring her husband Hamilton back from India. Though his heart longs for her forgiveness, he knows he doesn’t deserve it, as he is responsible for Hamilton’s death. And not only has Ian failed Eva, he has returned to England too late. Eva’s brother-in-law has locked her away in a madhouse. Nothing will stop Ian from saving the beautiful, independent girl he’s always loved and claiming her—at long last—as his wife.


Lady Eva Carin doesn’t think she deserves to return to society, not after the death of both her husband and young son. When her childhood friend appears in the dismal asylum for women to save her, she cannot ignore the hope that sparks in her heart. Against all odds, fate has reunited her with the one man she has ever loved, but he turned his back on her once before. How will she be able to trust him again?

And for those of us with little patience, Pocket Books has put up a sample chapter for The Dark Lady, and the sexy, lyrical writing (yes, those two words do work well together) will pull you in and not let go. 
Like I mentioned above I have a huge favor to ask. Please send The Dark Lady link to your favorite Social Media sites. Twitter, Facebook, and anything else you can think of. I know Máire will appreciate it as much as I do.
And, I humbly ask again, please keep Karen and her three children in your prayers. They mean more than you can know.

14 comments:

  1. My Darling Sharon,

    I saw this and I am so honored and my heart goes to you. My own mother has cancer. She is dying even as I write this. And your post has touched me to my core.

    Amidst the pain and sadness, and dying flowers, dying loved ones, there will always be new blooms, and new loves. Friendship never ever truly goes away.

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    1. Thank you, Maire. I had no idea your mother was sick and am so sorry for it. All I can offer is the faith that when the pain ends she will walk with angels.

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  2. Sharon, what a beautiful post. My heart goes out to your friend and her family. And Maire, I'm keeping your mom in my prayers, too. Cancer sucks. My stepfather is also battling cancer, and his long-term prognosis isn't good. Did I mention cancer sucks?

    xoxoxo

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    1. I'm so sorry you step-father is battling cancer. My father succumbed to cancer years ago and I still remember how difficult the disease is on the entire family. I will keep him in my prayers.

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  3. What a lovely post in the spirit of renewal. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Sharon, as well as Maire's lush and wonderful cover.

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    1. Thanks, Tracy. I wish you could've met Tracy at the WRW retreat. She was supposed to be there (as my roommate) but was too weak to make it. And isn't that cover beautiful? I'm sure yours--ALL of them--will be lovely as well. I am so happy for your success.

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  4. A very beautiful post...and, yes, a very beautiful cover!

    The story sounds just wonderful. I can't wait to get my hands on it!

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    1. Thank you, Elisa. I can't wait to read it either! I was completely hooked by the excerpt--both the story and the writing.

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  5. What a beautiful post, Sharon. And you're right, covers like Maire's fabulous one, make it all worth it. I'm so sorry to hear about Karen as well as Maire's mother. My heart goes out to all of you.

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  6. Thank you, Valerie. I know good thoughts and prayers make all the difference.

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  7. Welcome back! And thanks for sharing the lovely flowers. Pray makes all the difference. We may not always like the outcome, but God's plan always has a point. We have to find it.
    Lovely cover and I"m off to post it on my Facebook page.
    Get back to writing and share your thoughts again.
    Jean

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    1. Thank you, Jean. I just sent you the cover photo and hopefully it will work on FB. And thanks for the encouragement--it's funny how much we need in this business.

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  8. That is an absolutely gorgeous cover. And a lovely post to go with it Sharon:) Thinking of you, Mary and Karen and missing you all so much!

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  9. i've missed you, Juliette! I wish you were still here, but I know you're happy in CA. I can't wait to see you this summer at RWA.

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