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The Gothica Collection
The Sumerian Curse
Was it a tragic accident, or something more sinister?
After an accident in Persia left Evelyn Crowly and orphan, she was sent back to London and polite society. Ten years later, while volunteering at the British Museum, a strange missive arrives, requesting Evelyn's assistance with translating an ancient Sumerian book owned by the elderly Lord Craven. Evelyn's supervisor at the museum warns her not to take the job, but she can't refuse. She packs what she can and climbs into Lord Craven's carriage, bound for Carnarvon Castle.
Upon her arrival, however, she learns that it was not the elderly Lord Craven who requested her for the job, but his son, the handsome and dashing Alister Shaw, who wants Evelyn to translate the book in his father's honor. Even though she knows she should refuse–for the sake of her reputation–she cannot resist the chance to finally earn respect for her translation skills. Even if the only character she can read in the book initially is a single word– evil .
Will Evelyn decipher the book and learn its terrible secret before a past she longed to forget catches up with her? Or will she fall into disrepute when she can no longer resist her attraction to Alister Shaw?
The Sumerian Curse is a stand-alone Gothic romance.
After an accident in Persia left Evelyn Crowly and orphan, she was sent back to London and polite society. Ten years later, while volunteering at the British Museum, a strange missive arrives, requesting Evelyn's assistance with translating an ancient Sumerian book owned by the elderly Lord Craven. Evelyn's supervisor at the museum warns her not to take the job, but she can't refuse. She packs what she can and climbs into Lord Craven's carriage, bound for Carnarvon Castle.
Upon her arrival, however, she learns that it was not the elderly Lord Craven who requested her for the job, but his son, the handsome and dashing Alister Shaw, who wants Evelyn to translate the book in his father's honor. Even though she knows she should refuse–for the sake of her reputation–she cannot resist the chance to finally earn respect for her translation skills. Even if the only character she can read in the book initially is a single word– evil .
Will Evelyn decipher the book and learn its terrible secret before a past she longed to forget catches up with her? Or will she fall into disrepute when she can no longer resist her attraction to Alister Shaw?
The Sumerian Curse is a stand-alone Gothic romance.
196 pages, Paperback
First published September 4, 2018
2 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
About the author
Leigh Anderson
24 books662 followersLeigh Anderson loves all things Gothic and paranormal. She wrote her master’s thesis on vampire imagery in Gothic novels and met her husband while assuming the role of a vampire online. She currently teaches writing at several universities and has a rather impressive collection of tiny hats. She lives in a small town in the mountains where she raises bearded dragons and gives them wings for Halloween. She is currently working on too many writing projects, and yet not enough.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
September 14, 2018
A Tale From Arabia🐪🌴
London, Circa 1890
When Evelyn's mother dies, her father, a wealthy Lord, starts taking Evelyn💃📑 on his archeological digs to Egypt🐪🌴 and Persia🐪🌴, where she learns to speak Arabic, and translate Sumerian and ancient Greek and Latin.
At a dig in Persia🐪🌴, a crypt is found to contain a large papyrus book📑 written in a language even older than Sumerian. The local diggers say the place is cursed💀 and run out, but her father wants her to go into the crypt to read some of the crumbling text. The local Arabs stop her, saying the book📑 is cursed💀, too, and then a haboob(sandstorm) brews in seconds and her father is killed, leaving her an orphan.
Ten years later, she is an expert in Ancient Egyptian and Persian texts📑 and objects. She works at a museum, but her boss, a man, takes credit for all of her work.
Then a letter📃 comes from a Lord Craven, wanting to hire her to translate a Sumerian Text. When she gets to his estate, she finds old Lord Craven has died and the young Duke, Alistair🐺🍆🌋, is there. She also finds out the book📑 is the same one she saw in the crypt as a girl, and is supposed to be cursed!
She recognizes only a few of the symbols in the book📑🌋, so it will take her a long time to "break the code" . Lord Craven🐺🍆🌋 is happy to have her there for as long as it takes!
ARC Received from Booksprout
I also got the book with KU.
This is a wonderful, unique, Victorian age romance! So interesting with some paranormal👻 elements, too. Anyone that has ever read any of the "Tales of Arabian 🌙Nights", will love this book!
London, Circa 1890
When Evelyn's mother dies, her father, a wealthy Lord, starts taking Evelyn💃📑 on his archeological digs to Egypt🐪🌴 and Persia🐪🌴, where she learns to speak Arabic, and translate Sumerian and ancient Greek and Latin.
At a dig in Persia🐪🌴, a crypt is found to contain a large papyrus book📑 written in a language even older than Sumerian. The local diggers say the place is cursed💀 and run out, but her father wants her to go into the crypt to read some of the crumbling text. The local Arabs stop her, saying the book📑 is cursed💀, too, and then a haboob(sandstorm) brews in seconds and her father is killed, leaving her an orphan.
Ten years later, she is an expert in Ancient Egyptian and Persian texts📑 and objects. She works at a museum, but her boss, a man, takes credit for all of her work.
Then a letter📃 comes from a Lord Craven, wanting to hire her to translate a Sumerian Text. When she gets to his estate, she finds old Lord Craven has died and the young Duke, Alistair🐺🍆🌋, is there. She also finds out the book📑 is the same one she saw in the crypt as a girl, and is supposed to be cursed!
She recognizes only a few of the symbols in the book📑🌋, so it will take her a long time to "break the code" . Lord Craven🐺🍆🌋 is happy to have her there for as long as it takes!
ARC Received from Booksprout
I also got the book with KU.
This is a wonderful, unique, Victorian age romance! So interesting with some paranormal👻 elements, too. Anyone that has ever read any of the "Tales of Arabian 🌙Nights", will love this book!
March 8, 2020
Wow what a fantastic paranormal gothic read! It’s well written and addictive, has a fantastic storyline with a strong and independent female mc as well as some other fantastic characters and I just could not put it down! There’s drama, intrigue, suspense and romance and is like nothing I have read before!
June 29, 2020
ONE ROUGH AND TUMBLE JOURNEY!!!
Fabulous! Leigh unleashes one heart pounding, pulse racing, adrenaline pumping, page flipping, block busting bombshell, wrapping this baby up sleek, shiny and tight. Lines blur and boundaries crossed, limitations are stretched and manipulated, kicking it into overdrive, slamming this baby into a hissy with astonishing results. Crazy mishaps and stunning happenstance, swirl with the formidable trials and challenging tribulations, spinning alongside the shocking twists and wicked turns, putting our characters through their paces, testing them in ways they could have never imagined. Shenanigans, escapades and mayhem rule the roost, displaying the drama, misgivings, turmoil, intrigue, danger, spiraling suspense and intense situations, along with a boatload of havoc, you have one intoxicating adventure. The characters are complex and authentic with qualities and traits that add depth and diversity, transforming into amazing personalities. The scenes are so colorfully detailed and descriptive it paints an elaborate backdrop that makes the storyline pop. Fabulous job Leigh, thanks for sharing this little gem with us.
Fabulous! Leigh unleashes one heart pounding, pulse racing, adrenaline pumping, page flipping, block busting bombshell, wrapping this baby up sleek, shiny and tight. Lines blur and boundaries crossed, limitations are stretched and manipulated, kicking it into overdrive, slamming this baby into a hissy with astonishing results. Crazy mishaps and stunning happenstance, swirl with the formidable trials and challenging tribulations, spinning alongside the shocking twists and wicked turns, putting our characters through their paces, testing them in ways they could have never imagined. Shenanigans, escapades and mayhem rule the roost, displaying the drama, misgivings, turmoil, intrigue, danger, spiraling suspense and intense situations, along with a boatload of havoc, you have one intoxicating adventure. The characters are complex and authentic with qualities and traits that add depth and diversity, transforming into amazing personalities. The scenes are so colorfully detailed and descriptive it paints an elaborate backdrop that makes the storyline pop. Fabulous job Leigh, thanks for sharing this little gem with us.
September 28, 2018
As a child Evelyn saw the death of her father and a multitude of others at an archaeological site in Persia when she tried to translate a book in which the only word she could read was "evil", now as a grown up the only thing she wants is to go back to Persia, travel and study artifacts. But alas, women were not allowed to be anything but daughters, wives, mothers and mistresses in that period in England.
Working as a "volunteer" at a museum and wishing for a world of adventure she snatches at a chance for translating a book written supposedly in "High Sumerian" for Lord Craven.
As she struggles with the dialect of a language older than Sumerian, she falls for Lord Craven who is smitten by her.
Will she manage to transcribe the book before more people die?
Will she find the source of evil and vanquish it?
Will she find her place in the society?
Will she get her happily ever after?
This book kept me so engrossed that I could not keep it down till I finished it. A fast paced story full of suspense, history, love, longing, determination and courage I really enjoyed it.
Working as a "volunteer" at a museum and wishing for a world of adventure she snatches at a chance for translating a book written supposedly in "High Sumerian" for Lord Craven.
As she struggles with the dialect of a language older than Sumerian, she falls for Lord Craven who is smitten by her.
Will she manage to transcribe the book before more people die?
Will she find the source of evil and vanquish it?
Will she find her place in the society?
Will she get her happily ever after?
This book kept me so engrossed that I could not keep it down till I finished it. A fast paced story full of suspense, history, love, longing, determination and courage I really enjoyed it.
July 8, 2020
I had previously read books by this writer, but they were paranormal stories. I loved this book !! This book is initially a historical novel, but it is also filled with paranormal elements. A curse pronounced 5,000 years ago that causes a soul to jump from body to body in search of a way to obtain eternal life
A historical novel set at the end of the 19th century, in which the role of women still has fewer rights than men.
Evelyn's father dies during an archaeological quest. She witnessed the accident because her father took her on his travels where she developed her love of foreign languages and learned to read the ancient languages. 10 years later she lives in London and works as a volunteer in a museum when she is asked to research and translate the private collection of Lord Craven. And then the adventure begins
The story is beautifully portrayed. A lot of tension, mystery, the emergence of a love and a blood-curdling denouement. Highly recommended!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A historical novel set at the end of the 19th century, in which the role of women still has fewer rights than men.
Evelyn's father dies during an archaeological quest. She witnessed the accident because her father took her on his travels where she developed her love of foreign languages and learned to read the ancient languages. 10 years later she lives in London and works as a volunteer in a museum when she is asked to research and translate the private collection of Lord Craven. And then the adventure begins
The story is beautifully portrayed. A lot of tension, mystery, the emergence of a love and a blood-curdling denouement. Highly recommended!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 6, 2018
This is the first time I have read any of Leigh Anderson's work and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Anderson has managed to convey the frustration, ambition and yearnings of an intelligent woman confined by the rules and etiquette of the society of her time. My sympathies are with Evelyn and it is refreshing to find in Alister, a man who is prepared to give her a chance and recognise her abilities. Henry, her 'co-worker' and 'boss' is rightly described by Susan, her maid as "a pompous poof" and is annoying and condescending.
It is an interesting, well written story with a strong plot and well developed characters. The pace is good and captivating and it took a lot of effort to put it down mid-way in the early hours of the morning. I am glad that I have discovered Leigh Anderson and will be on the look out for more of her work.
I received an ARC and this is my honest opinion.
It is an interesting, well written story with a strong plot and well developed characters. The pace is good and captivating and it took a lot of effort to put it down mid-way in the early hours of the morning. I am glad that I have discovered Leigh Anderson and will be on the look out for more of her work.
I received an ARC and this is my honest opinion.
September 14, 2018
After the death of her mother, Evelyn Crowley traveled with her father finding artifacts in many cultures. One of the areas was lead her to be a Sumerian translator but as a woman not taken seriously until Lord Craven requested her service in translating an ancient book at Carnarvon Castle.
Upon her arrival she learns that Alister Shaw the Lords son actually requested her service and knows that it is improper to live in such as state but does not want to turn down the chance to make a name of herself.
Evelyn works night and day deciphering the book and the attraction between Alister and Evelyn grow. The twists and turns that follow are captivating and make it hard to put the book down. Great story and easy read
Upon her arrival she learns that Alister Shaw the Lords son actually requested her service and knows that it is improper to live in such as state but does not want to turn down the chance to make a name of herself.
Evelyn works night and day deciphering the book and the attraction between Alister and Evelyn grow. The twists and turns that follow are captivating and make it hard to put the book down. Great story and easy read
September 18, 2018
A book to nail you to your chair!
A great book that combines romance with the paranormal and archaelogy. Alister wants to have a book translated from High Sumerian and employs Evelyn for the job. Evelyn is more than happy to take on the task, being one of the few who can, although due to her gender she's vastly underestimated by her peers and the archaelogical society. Throughout the plot the author deals with issues of the women's place in Victorian society as well as archaeology ethics.
Wonderful read, that will captivate you from page one and keep on reading!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A great book that combines romance with the paranormal and archaelogy. Alister wants to have a book translated from High Sumerian and employs Evelyn for the job. Evelyn is more than happy to take on the task, being one of the few who can, although due to her gender she's vastly underestimated by her peers and the archaelogical society. Throughout the plot the author deals with issues of the women's place in Victorian society as well as archaeology ethics.
Wonderful read, that will captivate you from page one and keep on reading!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 8, 2018
This is an excellent story with mystical paranormal content crossed with a twist of romance. I really enjoyed it, apart from one thing - why oh why didn't they burn the book at the end?! (Sorry if that's a spoiler, but it's an important question!!) Loved the book and would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes a mystery with mystical paranormal leanings and a dash of romance.
NB I received a complimentary copy of this book, but I always give an HONEST review based wholly on my own opinions
NB I received a complimentary copy of this book, but I always give an HONEST review based wholly on my own opinions
September 12, 2018
This story starts with Evelyn once her mother died her father took her around the world on archeological digs, this time they end up in the Middle East where women have no rights at all. Evelyn is tempted into translating a book in Sumerian by Lord Craven in the book it’s a story of a great evil, but I will let you read about that yourself when you get this book. I loved Evelyn she’s a strong and sassy and with a bit of stubbornness that’s the best way to describe her. A fantastic story a 5 plus ⭐️ read and I highly recommend this book it’s definitely well worth the read.
September 30, 2018
'Sumerian Curse', an intense paranormal read by Leigh Anderson features a strong dynamic and intelligent heroine Emily, as one of the main characters. The other is Alister.
With a good plot and storyline, this well thought out story is intriguing, interesting and quite realistic, and includes romance, unpredictable twists and surprises.
Characters are well defined and the Author masterfully brings the story and character development in a way that is not forced and yet enthralls the reader to continue reading the story.
Recommended!
Gifted with a copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
With a good plot and storyline, this well thought out story is intriguing, interesting and quite realistic, and includes romance, unpredictable twists and surprises.
Characters are well defined and the Author masterfully brings the story and character development in a way that is not forced and yet enthralls the reader to continue reading the story.
Recommended!
Gifted with a copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
September 3, 2018
I loved reading this book! Leigh Anderson's The Sumerian Curse is well written and the characters are clearly delineated. The time period of this book is when women who are peers in England are expected to stay at home and not work which provides a feminist twist. I always love books with an archeological plot. The paranormal aspects make it even more captivating. I was given this book as an ARC and am voluntarily posting a review.
September 4, 2018
Evelyn's story starts when she was quite young and following her father around archaeological dig sites in the Middle East - at a time when women's education was frowned upon! She is lured into translating a book from (pre?)-Sumerian time period by Alister (Lord Craven) for his late father and the book seems familiar.... If I say more it will spoil the fun!!!
I received this book for my honest opinion.
I received this book for my honest opinion.
September 18, 2018
After her mother died she went with her father and she learnt so much. Then her father dies and she is sent back to London. The years later she gets the chance to translate a book and she is warned not to do it but she goes. She expected an old man but there has been a change. It is his son there now. See how she will get on with reading the book
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 1, 2018
As a child Evelyn traveled the world with her father on his expeditions seeking lost treasures. She became a skilled translator in many ancient languages. After a tragic accident leaving her the sole survivor she returns to London. Now 10 years later receives a request to translate a book but what will the book reveal. This is a fast-paced read with plenty of drama and suspense. Evelyn is a great character and the story really draws you in. I really liked it.
November 21, 2018
Evelyn is a strong woman who faces the obstacles in her life. She reads and speaks ancient language, and loves to study ancient cultures.. She takes the opportunity to translate an old book in ancient Sumerian. I like The feminist themes in the book. Evelyn fights evil and a society which wants control her life.
September 18, 2018
I loved reading this book cause I love to read about mysteries. this author is becoming one of my favorites,cause she make the book come alive for me and makes me feel like I am living the story instead of just reading it. I loved it,
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 22, 2018
Well created story with good background and reality. Good strong characters dealing with unexpected events A curse? No respected archeologist believes in such bs. But.... What to do when the bs strikes?
Good historical background. Nice read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Good historical background. Nice read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 10, 2020
I really loved this book. I loved the storyline and Evelyn. The characters are well developed and the story flowed well. I was pulled into this book and couldn’t put down. The author is very talented and I would definitely recommend reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 29, 2020
Great concept for a book. The twist and turns kept me guessing and the ending was fantastic and totally no what I thought was coming. Great suspenseful ending!! Loved the characters, hope there is more.
September 28, 2018
A great storyline! Hard to put down! Intense and Emotional! Hot Chemistry! I truly enjoyed this read! Get it and Read it!
"I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book."
"I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book."
September 28, 2018
A really wonderful book. It drew me in from beginning to. Evelyn is such a awesome character.
I loved reading this book.
I loved reading this book.
October 4, 2018
What a story. Evelyn travelled with her father after her Mother passed away. When her Dad asks her to read a document that is found, she reads death. Superb book
June 28, 2020
Good story with a strong main character who isn't afraid to stand up for herself and go against what is "normal"
July 6, 2020
Just what I needed the perfect stand alone! Well written great characters and the story I needed while I wait on a couple other to come out no cliff hanger with an amazing happy ever after!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews