Behind The Raven Mask

by Cherime MacFarlane

Son of a Russian adventurer, Dmitri Bressoff stays in Alaska after the purchase of Seward's Folly by the United States. Mauled by a bear as a young fur hunter, he is a widower with a ten year old girl to raise. Dmitri is feeling his age. The year is 1881 and he is headed home to his island and his difficult daughter. Dmitri cannot forget his first wife, a half Russian half Tlingit girl. He has no wish to remarry.
Camille is the niece of the captain of the steamship Dmitri is sailing home on. Her uncle is not happy being saddled with her. Camille is a widow suffering from nightmares. She is on the verge of being addicted to laudanum.
A drunken mistake gives the captain the means to get rid of Camille and make her Dmitri's wife.
The couple tries to come to terms with an arranged marriage but find themselves under the threat of murder. Someone wants Camille dead. They must cut through the lies to find the way to safety.

ebook

First published February 2, 2013

About the author

Although born in New Orleans, I am proud to call myself an Alaskan. I have lived here for 37 years, I have survived -40 degrees, hauled water, made bear bacon and live in a cabin. I used a fish wheel to catch salmon coming up the Copper River. I was my second husband's chief mechanic's helper and only roadie. I cut firewood on shares, worked as a cocktail waitress, then as a paralegal for over 26 years. I hold the #80 press card as a reporter for the Copper Valley Views newspaper which ceased publication in the 1980s. I've been writing stories since junior high. Retired now, I can devote my time to what I love.
I came to Alaska by way of Arizona and California. I experienced the building of the pipeline up close. Then my second husband and I moved to Wasilla to get warm. It hardly ever drops past -25 in South Central Alaska. I never thought I would love it so much I never want to leave. The beauty of Alaska is a draw I cannot resist. I love the people and the history. I have been captured by a place I came to under duress. Life does play some interesting tricks on one. I lost my first husband to alcohol. My second husband, the love of my life died as a result of disease. We were not apart more than 24 hours for 20 plus years . I never wanted to be anywhere but with him. He was a man to run the river with.

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read a few of the author's romances and must say she has a wonderful way of telling love stories. It's so much more than what you'd expect from a romance. The stories have substance and the romance, while an important aspect, does not dominate the tale. You get to see in this story the life of a Russian community in the land of Alaska, which now was part of the U.S. The setting is wonderfully described.

Although she's not the main character, my heart goes out to ten-year-old Anya, wanting so badly to have her father's attention the way she did before he re-married. She unwittingly causes trouble for her step-mother by words she speaks to her uncle. Death and despair are destined to be the result.

Altogether, a great story, one filled with adventure and eventual love.

[James Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a very realistic portrayal of life and marriage in the 19th century between a merchant count and his young bride who live on a island between Seattle and Alaska. From an inauspicous beginning to their marriage, the couple cope with sexual tensions, desires, betrayal, and eventually find their love for each other. The author has done an artful job of laying out the story and plot, and developing the characters with pithy dialogue and revelation into their thoughts as they go through their personal trials. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to lovers of historical literary fiction.

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read

This is a great read if you are looking for a relaxing staycation. It will sweep you away from the first few pages. It will carry you for a long time. This author never disappoints. Enjoy as I did this very enticing read.

[Lisanne Lombardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a unique romance story about Camille and Dmitri who are forced to marry aboard the ship called the Laurie after only a brief introduction due to unfortunate circumstances.

The story is set in the Alaskan Frontier on a small island owned by Dmitri, telling the tale of their trials and tribulations as they begin to learn about eachother and trust one another. It is a rocky road, let me tell you! Dmitri is quite a bit older then Camille and to him, she seems but a child, though she is well of age. To Camille, Dmitri seems a bit frightening at times, but at other times he seems very caring.

Adding interest to the plot the author weaves in the culture of the local Native American tribe and provides a truthful view of what life was like for pioneers at that time. I especially loved the detailed description of how to build a log building.

There are plenty of emotional upheavals to keep the plot interesting. Dmitri’s daughter from a previous marriage is less then thrilled with the aspect of a new stepmother. Another woman is trying to sink her evil claws into Dmitri despite his being married. But most engaging of all is the attempted murders of Camille, who for all the world, is an innocent girl just trying to make her way in the beginnings of her new marriage.

This is definitely not a cookie-cutter romance and I think you will enjoy this story.

[Ellie Midwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Behind the Raven Mask” is a beautiful love story of two people, who were not meant to be together as it seemed at first, but yet fall in love and eventually help each other heal old wounds. Both Camille, a young beauty from New Orleans, and Dmitri, a Russian count, are widowers. Both lost their loved ones and had not fully recovered from it. And still, after an unexpected circumstances sealed their fate in marriage, they start harboring the most genuine feelings towards each other.
What really makes this novel stand out among similar ones in the same genre is the exotic Alaskan location, where the events take place, and the male protagonist – not your typical knight in shining armor at first, but a deeply troubled man with quite a volatile temper. That’s another thing I appreciated about the novel: I’m not quite fond of purely positive characters, and find the troubled ones much more interesting and appealing. So kudos to the author for creating such a wonderful male protagonist with a great story behind him.
Overall, it really is a brilliant novel that I highly recommend to everyone. 5 stars!

[Tammy Lindey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazingly heartfelt story. Poor Camille has recently lost her husband and has no choice but to follow her uncle wherever he goes. Dmitri has been a widow for 10 years, lives with his young daughter and he prefers it that way, or so he thinks. As it would have it, fate brought them together. Dmitri, aiming for another woman's room, accidentally finds himself in Camille's room and what follows leads to him having to marry her and bring her to live on his island.

Through trials and tribulations, the two finally manage to fall in love and are prepared to begin their lives together with Anya (his daughter) and their unborn child. But just when they think things are good and safe, unknown to them, someone is plotting Camille's death. Who is behind the Raven mask? You will have to read it to find out. You won't be disappointed!

[Judith Lucci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cherime McFarland has written an amazing novel - the story of Camille and Dimitri- whose beginnings are tenuous at best - but work to make it work. Set in beautiful Alaska, the story provides great adventure and suspense. The description is vivid, the scenes well-written and the characters, while a bit quirky and imperfect are believable and honest. All in all, a great read. Will follow this series. Highly recommended.