New Release: The Memory of Roses

The Memory Of Roses (novel with strong romantic elements)

If you enjoyed Under the Tuscan Sun you will love The Memory of Roses.

It has been a joy to work with Rebel Ink on on this my first full novel. The switch from academic writing to writing fiction has been a challenge, but a wonderful learning experience. The Memory of Roses takes place on the Greek Island of Corfu, one of my favourite travel destinations. I have included here the back cover description of the book and a short excerpt. The Memory of Roses will be available from Amazon.com in e-book on October 3^rd and in paperback on November 17^th.

When renowned archaeologist Ian McQuaid dies he leaves his daughter, Brit, a villa on the Greek Island of Corfu.  He asks that she deliver a package to a woman he once loved there.  Brit had known nothing about either the villa or the love affair her father had while married to her mother.  At thirty-two, after a disastrous love affair, Brit finally admits to herself that she is desperately unhappy.  Left with only questions, Brit has a dawning sense that to live her own life free of shadows she must trace the path of her father’s past.  

Her journey takes her from San Francisco to Athens, to the villa on Corfu, and, finally to Venice, where she discovers a truth, long hidden, with the power to destroy lives.  During the course of her odyssey she meets Andreas Leandros, a young Greek archaeologist, and while uncovering the secrets of her father’s past, she discovers her own future. 

Excerpt:

From the distance there was an ominous rumbling. Andreas went to the door. Great thunder clouds were blotting out the horizon, moving rapidly toward them. The sky was almost black. A streak of lightening illuminated the sky, followed closely by a loud clap of thunder. Then the rain came in great sheets.

He turned back to Brit to discover that she had turned quite white.

“I’ve never liked thunder storms,” she confessed. “When I was little, my father told me that Zeus was angry, and was throwing thunderbolts. He always assured me they were not being thrown at me, but, to this day,” she gave a small mirthless laugh, “to this day, I always want to run and hide when I hear thunder close by.”

Andreas pulled her close. “I’ve done nothing that could anger Zeus. Just stay here safe in my arms until the storm passes.” He kissed the top of her head. “Brit, I love you so. Why do you keep resisting me?”

Brit nestled her head against Andreas’ chest. “After what happened last night between us, how can you possibly say I resist you. You are without a doubt the most irresistible man I’ve ever known.”

He shook his head in frustration. “That’s not what I mean, and you know it. I’m not looking for a short affair, however sexually satisfying. I want marriage. I want a home, a wife, children.”

Brit pushed him away with a short, sarcastic laugh. “That’s the woman’s line, Andreas. That’s what the woman always says, isn’t it? I want a home, a husband, children. But I’m not saying that to you. You have never heard me say those words to you.”

Her voice took on a harsh, angry edge. “You’re too young to even know what you want. You think you’re in love with me? What will you think when I’m forty and you’re only thirty-four? When I’m sixty and you’re still a man in his prime?”

Andreas looked at her, shock written on his face.

With a sob, Brit turned and ran outside into the storm. Swearing, Andreas ran after her. By the time he reached her they were both soaking wet. He scooped her up effortlessly into his arms and walked swiftly with her the rest of the way back to the villa”¦.

He murmured, “I will want you when I am eighty-five and you are ninety-one. I will go to my grave wanting you.”
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Blair McDowell

Rebel Ink Press,

Available in E-Book, 3 October 2011

Available in paperback, 17 November 2011

See more about Blair McDowell’s upcoming releases on www.blairmcdowell.com“¦”¦”¦”¦”¦