Tormented by guilt. Haunted by scandal. Freed by love.***
Austria, 1804
Eight years ago, composer Arie De Voss claimed his late mentor's final symphony as his own and became an icon. But fame has a price: fear of discovery now poisons his attempts to compose a redemptive masterpiece. Until a new muse appears, intoxicating and inspiring him...
Mathilda Heidel renounced her own musical gift to marry, seeking a quiet life to escape the shame surrounding her birth. Sudden widowhood finds her tempted by song once more. An unexpected introduction to her idol, Arie De Voss, renews Mathilda's passion for the violin--and ignites a passion for the man himself.
But when lust and lies reach a crescendo, Arie will be forced to choose: love or truth?
I'm pooped from writing blog posts for the last two weeks! If you want to see what I've been up to, please check out the list of lovely topics I've covered thus far.
For Unusual Historicals, however, I thought I'd do something a little different. Here I present a selection of photographs of Salzburg, Austria that are important settings in SONG OF SEDUCTION. I've never been to Salzburg, much to my heart's lament, but these pictures have nearly convinced me otherwise...
In snowy winter Salzburg, where we set the scene...
Mathilda Heidel, a doctor's widow, leaves her plain working-class home on Steingasse (Stone Lane) to live with friends. 
Across town, on Getreidegasse (Grain Street), lives renowned musician Arie de Voss, who composes and broods in near-seclusion.
Mathilda once saw Arie conduct his symphony, Love and Music, in Rittersaal (Knight's Hall) inside the royal palace. 
She meets him again beneath the Dom (Salzburg's main cathedral), beside a fountain featuring the Virgin Mary, during Carnival celebrations.
Curious about Mathilda, who is now his student, Arie walks through Petersfriedhof (St. Peter's Cemetery), the oldest Christian graveyard in Salzburg, with his mentor, Michael Haydn.
Later, after many flirtatious escapades and a few fights, Arie and Mathilda make out in a Durchgänge (foot path) off Getreidegasse. 
But their happy ending slips away! Mathilda crosses the River Salzach to make peace with her past and find her future: Arie. 
By performing together in Carabinierisaal (Carabineer Hall) inside the royal palace, they conquer the final obstacle that threatens their love.***
Obviously I left a lot out! You'll want to read the whole book...
If you'd like the chance to win a copy of SONG OF SEDUCTION, leave a comment or question for Carrie. Maybe: Where would you visit, if you could visit anywhere in the world? Why? And what would you like to know about beautiful Salzburg? I want to chat about what I've learned! I'll draw a winner at random in one week. Void where prohibited. Best of luck!
