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Dark Splendor #0.5
Dark Prelude
A chance encounter offers lovely young Silvia Bradstreet an escape from her miserable life in London. The Eastwind sails for the American colonies in two weeks. If Silvia chooses to accept the offer of a mysterious benefactor, she must be ready to risk her life for a chance at freedom.
A novella-length prequel to the sexy Gothic romance novel Dark Splendor. Siliva's dark fate starts here.
A novella-length prequel to the sexy Gothic romance novel Dark Splendor. Siliva's dark fate starts here.
ebook
First published June 22, 2011
27 people are currently reading
246 people want to read
About the author
Andrea Parnell
16 books30 followersI was always tying stories to places and objects so it was no surprise that should happen at a retreat on a coastal Georgia island where the ancient oaks dripped moss like secrets, the sun on the marshes captured all thought and the remnants of the early settlers tended to come alive in my mind. My book, Dark Splendor, formed in the mysterious atmosphere of summer days in such a place.
Dark Splendor was first published as the launch title for a line of Sexy Gothics, adding a much more sensual element to the classic Gothic novel. The book earned the Romantic Times Award for Best New Gothic Author and was my first of ten novels published. I have also published short fiction, articles. My works include Gothic, Western, and other historical and contemporary romances. I have received the Maggie, Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Awards and other awards for my novels.
I taught creative writing classes for many years through a local community college, am a member of Novelists, Inc. (NINC) and past president of the Georgia Authors Network. I am fond of cats, travel, overgrown gardens, and old houses with lots of crooks, crannies, and interesting shadows and just generally puttering around and ruminating.
Dark Splendor was first published as the launch title for a line of Sexy Gothics, adding a much more sensual element to the classic Gothic novel. The book earned the Romantic Times Award for Best New Gothic Author and was my first of ten novels published. I have also published short fiction, articles. My works include Gothic, Western, and other historical and contemporary romances. I have received the Maggie, Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Awards and other awards for my novels.
I taught creative writing classes for many years through a local community college, am a member of Novelists, Inc. (NINC) and past president of the Georgia Authors Network. I am fond of cats, travel, overgrown gardens, and old houses with lots of crooks, crannies, and interesting shadows and just generally puttering around and ruminating.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
April 4, 2015
Author Andrea Parnell recreates a convincing 1750s London, where a mysterious stranger offers a poor girl the chance to escape her fate, and rich sons battle and drink together, just for fun. Details entice the reader and make the patchwork of dark streets, gloomy houses, and docks, seem vividly real. Dialog is convincing, and characters, apart from the mysterious brothers, are nicely three-dimensional. The novella is a prequel to a longer tale, and it’s clear the brothers will become more real as history reveals their motivations.
Scary scenes of threat and escape accompany Sylvia’s flight, with nicely drawn details of the problems of running in a long skirt. Meanwhile, pleasing humor adds depth and intrigue.
The novella ends, at least in my copy, with excerpts from longer works, nicely advertising the author’s writing skills, and enticing readers to purchase more books. Occasional typos might have marred my enjoyment, but they’re probably fixed by now, and anyway, the storylines have got me thoroughly hooked. I would love to read more. (Can I download some time first please?)
Disclosure: I found that it was free and decided to try it.
Scary scenes of threat and escape accompany Sylvia’s flight, with nicely drawn details of the problems of running in a long skirt. Meanwhile, pleasing humor adds depth and intrigue.
The novella ends, at least in my copy, with excerpts from longer works, nicely advertising the author’s writing skills, and enticing readers to purchase more books. Occasional typos might have marred my enjoyment, but they’re probably fixed by now, and anyway, the storylines have got me thoroughly hooked. I would love to read more. (Can I download some time first please?)
Disclosure: I found that it was free and decided to try it.
May 29, 2018
Just what the blurb describes, a prequel that gives some backstory and in my case, makes me curious about book 1.
April 23, 2013
Well, I'm glad I snagged this as a freebie!
Actually, in this instance not because of the writing, which from the very short example of it, was just fine and dandy.
Having thought about it ..... if I paid the current price of 77p I would feel more that a bit cheated, as this piece of literature is no more than half a prologue. True, the author has provided a good "hook in", but there is absolutely no conclusion or satisfaction in reading it, other than to decide that it might be wroth seeing where she goes from there.
Pretty much better to have written a true short story or Novella setting the scene that was was offered. I read many authors who have nice well concluded prologues at the beginning of the books .... and they don't have the bare-faced cheek to make you pay for it.
All in all, because I feel that this is no more than an excerpt that they are expecting to be paid for, not a satisfactory prelude/prologue ... the writing alone justifies a 2 star rating overall. This could so easily have been much higher (the quality of the actual writing was better than a lot of others) if it could be perceived as better value for the money.
Don't get me wrong, I would probably read the book attached to this at some point ... but now won't be making it a priority due to my perception of having been ripped off a little (even though I got it for free). I'm all for "hooking readers in", but expect slightly more usually to make it worth while picking up the Kindle.
Actually, in this instance not because of the writing, which from the very short example of it, was just fine and dandy.
Having thought about it ..... if I paid the current price of 77p I would feel more that a bit cheated, as this piece of literature is no more than half a prologue. True, the author has provided a good "hook in", but there is absolutely no conclusion or satisfaction in reading it, other than to decide that it might be wroth seeing where she goes from there.
Pretty much better to have written a true short story or Novella setting the scene that was was offered. I read many authors who have nice well concluded prologues at the beginning of the books .... and they don't have the bare-faced cheek to make you pay for it.
All in all, because I feel that this is no more than an excerpt that they are expecting to be paid for, not a satisfactory prelude/prologue ... the writing alone justifies a 2 star rating overall. This could so easily have been much higher (the quality of the actual writing was better than a lot of others) if it could be perceived as better value for the money.
Don't get me wrong, I would probably read the book attached to this at some point ... but now won't be making it a priority due to my perception of having been ripped off a little (even though I got it for free). I'm all for "hooking readers in", but expect slightly more usually to make it worth while picking up the Kindle.
April 25, 2012
Okay, I'm hooked. I have to know what happens next in Silvia's life. Have to know.
This prequel follows Silvia, a young woman who lives with her Uncle Hollister. He's a terrible drunk, steals from her and treats her poorly, and Silvia is tired of living only to maintain his home. She's unhappy, but she doesn't know what to do about it.
Uncle Hollister sends her out into the cold night to buy meat from the butcher so she can prepare him a good meal, and Silvia takes her time as she's not in a hurry to get back home. While out, she spots a sign advertising that able-bodied men and women are needed, and Silvia is intrigued though she understands this is for an indentured servant position.
The position requires travel by boat as it's in the colonies and Silvia lives in England, and the story ends just a few scenes after she boards the ship. A few characters are introduced who seem to be very two-sided, and maybe one is a potential love interest.
Looking forward to the book!
This prequel follows Silvia, a young woman who lives with her Uncle Hollister. He's a terrible drunk, steals from her and treats her poorly, and Silvia is tired of living only to maintain his home. She's unhappy, but she doesn't know what to do about it.
Uncle Hollister sends her out into the cold night to buy meat from the butcher so she can prepare him a good meal, and Silvia takes her time as she's not in a hurry to get back home. While out, she spots a sign advertising that able-bodied men and women are needed, and Silvia is intrigued though she understands this is for an indentured servant position.
The position requires travel by boat as it's in the colonies and Silvia lives in England, and the story ends just a few scenes after she boards the ship. A few characters are introduced who seem to be very two-sided, and maybe one is a potential love interest.
Looking forward to the book!
December 3, 2012
I have no idea where I found this book or why I chose to download it. It's not my usual genre, but a period piece and a prelude to a historical romance at that (my least favorite genre).
That being said, this novella was amazing. Parnell created Silvia's world with an unencumbered flare for detail. I easily immersed myself in her world - a world I could practically see, it was so clear. The characters were engaging and likable. The scenes were real, smooth, and pulled the reader into the moment, feeling tension and anxiety for Silvia.
I finished this novella and immediately wanted to go out a get the next installment, Dark Splendor. Totally brilliant and I entirely encourage you to pick it up. I just wish I could pick up the next book and read it now!
That being said, this novella was amazing. Parnell created Silvia's world with an unencumbered flare for detail. I easily immersed myself in her world - a world I could practically see, it was so clear. The characters were engaging and likable. The scenes were real, smooth, and pulled the reader into the moment, feeling tension and anxiety for Silvia.
I finished this novella and immediately wanted to go out a get the next installment, Dark Splendor. Totally brilliant and I entirely encourage you to pick it up. I just wish I could pick up the next book and read it now!
January 6, 2018
Dark Prelude is a start for a series that sets up a situation for Silvia Bradstreet to leave her drunk uncle and agree to become an indentured servant in the American Colonies to escape her hopeless home.
On the same voyage to the Colonies two nephews of the shipowner are traveling to too. Roman and Morgan are brothers, competitive, very handsome and just wait until they find out the other stateroom holds a young lady.
Dark Prelude is a good start and hook to make the reader want to know what happens to unsuspecting Silvia on her adventure to the Colonies. I just prefer the whole story at one time and not in teasing pieces.
On the same voyage to the Colonies two nephews of the shipowner are traveling to too. Roman and Morgan are brothers, competitive, very handsome and just wait until they find out the other stateroom holds a young lady.
Dark Prelude is a good start and hook to make the reader want to know what happens to unsuspecting Silvia on her adventure to the Colonies. I just prefer the whole story at one time and not in teasing pieces.
December 14, 2012
This is a short story that continues on to the novel Dark Splendor. Adventure/Romance
Sylvia is tired of living her life under her drunk uncles thumb and wants to find a way out of her miserable existence. One afternoon good fortune falls into her lap when she sees a notice posted for passage paid bond servants. She is sorely tempted to run away to the new colonies and seek a better life, but can she do it? She has nothing left in London besides her drunken uncle, but if she leaves she won't even have that.
Dark Prelude is a great intro for Dark Splendor, it makes the reader want more.
Sylvia is tired of living her life under her drunk uncles thumb and wants to find a way out of her miserable existence. One afternoon good fortune falls into her lap when she sees a notice posted for passage paid bond servants. She is sorely tempted to run away to the new colonies and seek a better life, but can she do it? She has nothing left in London besides her drunken uncle, but if she leaves she won't even have that.
Dark Prelude is a great intro for Dark Splendor, it makes the reader want more.
January 10, 2014
Historical romance/suspense set in London, to be trite, is not my usual cup of tea. But Dark Prelude definitely kept me reading. I am invested in the character, Silvia Bradstreet, and am anxiously following her voyage via ship from England to a new life in the colonies, the obstacles she encounters, and I trust will continue to encounter in the continuation, Dark Splendor (already on my "to read" list), and the romantic choices and complications that await her. No spoilers here, because you really have to read this! I, for one, want to know what happens in Dark Splendor!
November 11, 2012
Reading this will get you to buy the full story, but you will be beyond pleasently surprised with that too. I recomend this prelude, but its not needed to fully enjoy Dark Splendor. Nitpick: St. Nick is a term never used in England at that time, its always Father Christmas. St Nick is an Ameican term. It took the reality away for me, details are important, especially in period pieces. You will enjoy this one though.
February 3, 2016
This is supposedly a prequel to a novel length book about the girl in the colonies. The prequel itself was rather dark, but well paced, exciting and interesting. You actually learned some new stuff about her background story and how she came to be on the ship sailing for the colonies, as well as her new beau.
September 24, 2012
This could be the beginning of a great series but through events so far it could become rather steamy.
This would not be recommended to Young Adults but it is written fairly clean.
It is in an old England setting and involves those intending to embark a voyage to the colonies.
I enjoyed the prelude and can only hope the next in the series is cleanly written.
This would not be recommended to Young Adults but it is written fairly clean.
It is in an old England setting and involves those intending to embark a voyage to the colonies.
I enjoyed the prelude and can only hope the next in the series is cleanly written.
November 21, 2013
I tend to read more current day erotica, but decided to expand my readership by selecting the prelude to Dark Splendor. I was not disappointed, and can't wait to begin reading Dark Splendor now.
The Prelude is short, but sets the stage very well. The scenes were descriptive enough I could imagine myself in that time period in walking beside Silvia watching what she was experiencing.
The Prelude is short, but sets the stage very well. The scenes were descriptive enough I could imagine myself in that time period in walking beside Silvia watching what she was experiencing.
December 10, 2013
A truly nice easy read that got me invested in the characters and their plight.
I loved the historic setting and the main protagonists are well enough crafted that the reader is soon engaged in the story.
Really a nice fast read.
WaAr
I loved the historic setting and the main protagonists are well enough crafted that the reader is soon engaged in the story.
Really a nice fast read.
WaAr
October 10, 2011
This was a freebie for my Kobo but it hooked me! It's more than a romance story . . . there's a mystery and I'm intrigued enough to read the next book to find out is going on!
April 8, 2012
Dark Prelude is just a taste of Dark Splendor. It's not required for the story but is sure to draw you in!
October 19, 2012
They call this a prequel...I'd call itr a prologue.
That's it nothing else.
That's it nothing else.
December 30, 2012
Will consider reading the rest of the series. Like the attention to detail and building atmosphere
April 24, 2013
I'm hooked and buying the novel now!
July 30, 2016
I liked it. But it had are difficult time holding my interest. Definitely intrigued me to wanting to read the first book of this series.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews