With This Curse

by Amanda Dewees

Overview

The haunting gothic romance that "hits all the right notes" (Publishers Weekly) and won the 2015 Daphne du Maurier Award in historical mystery/suspense!

Can a curse strike twice? In 1855, Clara Crofton was dismissed from her chambermaid position at Gravesend Hall for falling in love with the younger son of the house. When he died soon after in the Crimean War, she blamed the Gravesend Curse.

Now, eighteen years later, she has the chance to return to the sinister manor in triumph through a marriage of convenience to Atticus Blackwood, the twin brother of her dead sweetheart. But as gentle as her new husband appears, Clara knows that he has hidden motives for marrying her. And when another death occurs, she fears that the curse has struck again...and that this time she will not escape.

With This Curse captures all the intrigue, romantic tension, and sumptuous Victorian atmosphere of gothic romance in the classic tradition, enhanced by the sly humor and wit for which Amanda DeWees is renowned. Publishers Weekly says, "Readers who enjoy a little shiver with their romance will appreciate this historical," and InD'Tale magazine calls it "a feast for the eye and a joy to devour!"

If you love mystery, poignant romance, and richly immersive historical fiction, or if you're a fan of Victoria Holt or Barbara Michaels, prepare to be captivated by With This Curse. And when you're ready for more romance and gothic adventure, be sure to read the thrilling sequel, Cursed Once More!

Includes book club discussion questions.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781078776844
Publisher:	Barnes & Noble Press
Publication date:	02/16/2020
Pages:	298
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.67(d)

About the Author

Atlanta author Amanda DeWees wrote her doctoral dissertation on 19th-century vampire literature, the perfect training (although she didn’t realize it at the time) for writing Victorian gothic romance novels. These include With This Curse, which won the 2015 Daphne du Maurier Award for historical mystery/suspense, and Sea of Secrets, a reimagining of Shakespeare’s Hamlet that won the 2012 RONE award. Her other works include the Ash Grove Chronicles, a young adult paranormal romance series. Visit her website, amandadewees.com, to learn more about Amanda and her books.

Editorial Reviews

"Clara's time as Atticus' wife was fun to read, mainly because she used to be the servant of the house she becomes the head of. Her witty remarks and her easy banter made this book an easy read. There were many surprises."

A Whisper of Thoughts - Zed Whisper

"As with any DeWees book, you are treated to beautifully written prose, excellent plotting and great characterization. . . . [Clara is] a little older and wiser than most Gothic heroines, which makes her even more fun to read. Atticus quickly became one of my favorite Gothic heroes. He's one of few heroes in the genre who is genuinely funny, kind and delightful. . . . There's a curse at work here, all right. The kind that makes a book impossible to put down."

Sweet Rocket - Miss Ruby Jones

"Ms. DeWees has woven her words with such beauty as to almost seem poetic at times. The characters are developed with a depth and understanding that allows readers to become a part of the very story themselves. . . . [A] feast for the eye and a joy to devour!"

InD'Tale magazine (InDTale.com) - Ruth Lynn Ritter