The
Guardian of Blackbird Inn
Kerry
Adrienne
A
Wicked Tale
ARe
Books
Genre:
M/F, Horror/Suspense
About
the Book:
Saving
the inn might mean losing her life.
Sophia
Yates travels to the famed and haunted Blackbird Inn to help its
mysterious owner, Garren Amsel, research its history. The state wants
to claim eminent domain and take the property, but the historical inn
has been in Garren’s family for generations and he can’t bear to
lose it.
After
learning the truth behind the inn’s biggest mystery, and why Garren
stays, saving Blackbird Inn may cost Sophia her life. How far will
she go to protect him?
Available
at ARe
Excerpt:
“Welcome
to Blackbird Inn, Miss…”
Sophia
pushed her rain-soaked hair behind her ears and studied the tall man
a moment before replying. He stared, probably at the frizz her red
hair took on when wet. Either he hadn’t been expecting her, or he
wasn’t used to guests at all. Being that this was a popular tourist
inn, she assumed the former.
With
his good looks, he didn’t appear to be the desk clerk type, and he
seemed really uncomfortable, picking at pages on the desk and
fidgeting as he talked. A chill rolled through her and she stepped up
to the small registration desk and stuck her hand out. “Sophia
Yates. I’m here to help with the research. Oh, and I have a
reservation.”
“Ah,
yes.” He grasped her hand and squeezed, his gaze lingering on hers
a moment. Lightning flashed outside, illuminating him in blue and
searing his image in her mind. Tall, dark, and mysterious didn’t
even begin to cover it. Handsome was too common a word. The man was
divine, his features aquiline and his hair jet black.
She
licked her lips and pulled her hand from his, certain he’d felt her
palms dampen. “And you?” She fidgeted with the handle of her
wheeled suitcase, noting the trail of water she’d brought in with
her.
The
storm hadn’t let up since her bumpy landing in Philly a few hours
ago. Good thing the rental car had fog lights because the remote inn
had been difficult to find, even after stopping for directions in the
tiny town nearby.
She
looked back at the man behind the desk. Why wasn’t he answering? He
smiled, the sort of crooked smile a man might give you before he tied
you up and…
“Garren.”
Thunder boomed outside, and the vibration traveled through the inn,
rattling the foyer windows. “Garren Amsel. I’m the owner of the
inn, but you probably know that by my name.” He paused. “And I’m
the desk clerk, occasionally.” He pushed his hair out of his eyes.
She
shivered. You’ve been reading too many scary stories. Driving
through a thunderstorm to the rocky inn on the side of a mountain in
remote Pennsylvania didn’t help. The place looked like something
straight out of a horror movie, with its stone façade and overgrown
hedges. A movie where the girl dies. “Nice to meet you.” I think.
“Likewise.
I hope we can get this issue taken care of quickly.” He shuffled a
stack of papers then set them aside. “But I can see you’re cold,
and probably exhausted from travel. Let me show you to a room. If you
want some hot tea, I can have it brought up to you.”
She
nodded. Cold and tired explained her nervousness. That, and a day of
traveling. Her unease had nothing to do with all the research she’d
done about how Blackbird Inn was haunted, or about the disappearance
of a young woman almost a hundred years ago. All stories to drive in
business to the isolated inn, she was sure of it. She was here now on
business, nothing more. Not to solve a mystery or be afraid of a
ghost.
It
didn’t matter that Halloween was in two days. The only sign of
decorating she’d seen was a pumpkin and haystack arrangement on the
front lawn. The inn didn’t need anything added to be spooky.
“Arturo
Beck will be in tomorrow night.” She gazed around the small foyer,
taking in the dark woodwork and high ceiling. “I hope we can find
something useful before he gets here.” The inn was over a
hundred-fifty years old, but seemed to have been well maintained.
Ancient navy blue silk wallpaper lined the foyer, making it appear
smaller than it actually was, and an antique clock rested against one
wall. In the center of the tall ceiling, a chandelier draped in small
crystals dangled on a lone cord. One bulb was out, and dust concealed
the refraction of the prisms.
“He
told me you’d be here first.”
About
the Author:
Kerry
loves history and spends large amounts of time wondering about people
who lived and walked on Earth in the past. She’s a mom to three
daughters, six cats, and various small animals. Her husband says
she’s a marketer’s dream, as she often believes everything she
hears—at least initially. Her shoe horde will attest to her fine
shopping skills.
Her
new love is her Mini Cooper Convertible, Sheldon, and they have
already gone on many adventures.
Repped
by the fabulous Marisa Corvisiero with the Corvisiero Literary
Agency. http://www.corvisieroagency.com/
Giveaway 2 winner’s choice of any ARe Imprint ebook
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