Beyond Midnight
Táto e‑kniha
In 1692, Salem, Massachusetts was the setting for the infamous persecution of innocents accused of witchcraft. Three centuries later, little has changed. Helen Evett, widowed mother of two and owner of a prestigious preschool in town, finds her family, her fortunes, and her life's work threatened -- all because she feels driven to protect the sweet three-year-old daughter of a man who knows everything about finance but not so much about fathering. Helen's feelings toward little Katie's handsome father are decidedly mixed, and it will take more than knocks in the night, perfumed air, and bone-chilling cold to convince her otherwise.
Nathaniel Byrne is willing to consider Helen's advice and help. But he does it grudgingly, because the woman is by far the most determined, pushy force he's ever encountered. Recently widowed, tormented by the circumstances, and at sea about being a single parent, Nat is not inclined to hand over his daughter to just any preschool -- not when he has an accomplished, London-trained nanny who's more than willing to make those decisions for him.
And the nanny herself? Peaches Bartholemew is as clever as she is beautiful, as efficient as she is soothing. Peaches can do anything. The trick, for Nat's dead wife, will be to keep her from doing it.
Reviews
"BEYOND MIDNIGHT has a terrific plot, a wicked villain, and a sexy hero. But the novel ventures beyond sheer entertainment, and it is easy to see why Stockenberg's work has won such acclaim. The theme and setting create a terrifying scenario, even without the supernatural elements: a chilling correspondence between the events of Salem's witch-hunting hysteria and contemporary allegations of ritualistic abuse in preschools. A good read that makes you think. Comes awfully close to—dare I say it?—literature."
—Katherine Hennessey Wikoff, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"Entertaining and fun. BEYOND MIDNIGHT'S shining strengths are its insights into parenting and relationship issues, its brazen humor, its writing style, its to-die-for hero, its cunning villain, and its intriguing supernatural overtones."
—Kristi Lyn Glass, editor, Gothic Journal
“When it comes to unique, eerie and engrossing tales of supernatural suspense, author Antoinette Stockenberg is in a league of her own. BEYOND MIDNIGHT is a gripping and chilling page-turner outlining two families’ courageous battle against an insidious evil with a charming face. Outstanding reading!”
—Romantic Times
"Antoinette Stockenberg creates another winner with this fast-paced and lively contemporary romance with a touch of the supernatural thrown in to make an interesting storyline even more exciting. Contemporary romance at its best. Five stars."
—Harriet Klausner, Affaire de Coeur
"Ms. Stockenberg is a marvelous story teller who writes with humor, wit, and real experiences that we can relate to. Totally absorbing ... a superior tale with just the right combination of greed, hysteria, obsession and romantic passion. Spectacular! A terrific story that had me anxiously turning the well-written pages."
—Literary Times
"BEYOND MIDNIGHT is typical of Stockenberg's excellent paranormal romances, with extremely strong characters, and an intriguing and original plot."
—Melinda Hughes, Gothic Journal
"Helen Evett, owner of a thriving pre-school in Salem, becomes the object of a modern witch hunt that endangers her family, her business, and her enchanting newfound love. This is the sort of paranormal romance that draws you in—a believable, emotionally involving ghost story, with an appealing story of love."
—B. Dalton's Heart to Heart
"Meticulously researched and detailed, BEYOND MIDNIGHT brings Salem and its history to striking life. Antoinette Stockenberg, a premiere voice in paranormal, gives us yet another keeper."
—Linda Opdyke, New Reality Reviews
Hodnotenia a recenzie
O autorovi
USA Today bestselling novelist Antoinette Stockenberg grew up wanting to be a cowgirl and have her own horse (her great-grandfather bred horses for the carriage trade back in the old country), but the geography just didn't work out: there weren't many ranches in Chicago. Her other, more doable dream was to write books, and after stints as secretary, programmer, teacher, grad student, boatyard hand, office manager and magazine writer (in that order), she achieved that goal, writing over a dozen novels, several of them with paranormal elements. One of them is the RITA award-winning EMILY'S GHOST.
Stockenberg's books have been published in a dozen languages and are often set in quaint New England harbor towns, always with a dose of humor. She writes about complex family relationships and the fallout that old, unearthed secrets can have on them. Sometimes there's an old murder. Sometimes there's an old ghost. Sometimes once-lovers find one another after half a lifetime apart.
Her work has been compared to writers as diverse as Barbara Freethy, Nora Roberts, LaVyrle Spencer and Mary Stewart by critics and authors alike, and her novels have appeared on bestseller lists in USA Today as well as the national bookstore chains. Her website features sample chapters, numerous reviews, many photos, and an enchanting Christmas section. www.antoinettestockenberg.com
