22 September 2011

Excerpt Thursday: Rondeau by Jennifer Linforth

This week on Excerpt Thursday, we're welcoming historical author and regular contributor, Jennifer Linforth, with an excerpt from her upcoming novel, RONDEAU. Join us on Sunday, when Jennifer will be here to talk about the book and give away a copy! Here's the blurb:


The Madrigals continue...

While on the run and hiding in Germany, Erik lives like anyone else—until one nobleman strikes back...

When Anna’s secret past is revealed and she is captured by Raoul’s bounty hunter, Erik is forced to avenge her. This time the madness of the Phantom cannot be freely unleashed.  Erik must rein himself in for the sake of his genius son and hideously deformed daughter.

With few allies as he takes to the streets of Paris in pursuit of Anna and his nemesis, Raoul, one man, The Persian, seeks to help while Christine seeks to keep Erik at large. Forced to turn over his control while spinning out of it, Erik’s past as The Phantom of the Opera roars to life before Paris and his unsuspecting children and only The Persian tries to talk sense to him.

But talk is senseless when speaking to a madman.

Overcome by his history and desperate to keep the past from destroying his life, Erik takes Paris by storm...

Two guns.
One bullet.
And a result that changes everything...

**An Excerpt from RONDEAU**

Vahid rubbed at his temple nervously, making his scrutiny of the lamplight below waiver. The monster trembled with some unarticulated frustration. He sensed it. It manifested in the slight twitches to Erik’s hand. That letter made matters worse—far worse. He cursed himself for delivering it.
 “Do you have any idea what risk you put your children in? You made the choice to put them first when you took them out of the security of that monastery. You can’t run off half-crazed right now.”
 Erik touched his temple. He leaned in slightly. “I am half-crazed. What would you suggest I do?” With one graceful leap he pounced upon the railing and began to walk, stabbing the air with a finger. “My fuse is smoldering and every minute that passes without her is a minute of absolute agony. I am growing angry, Daroga.”
“You’re not in the position you used to be—”
 “Daroga—”
“You go running out onto those streets right now after her and you are as good as dead!” Vahid uneasily eyed Erik’s twitching hand. “There is not a shadow in this city that doesn’t know the Phantom, regardless of this fair.  You have children here to think of and clearly your state of mind can’t handle a thing right now.” His eyes shot from Erik’s hand, to his mask and back to his hand. Erik balanced precariously on the edge of the rooftop. The wind snapped his cloak sending arrows of tension up Vahid’s neck.
And the raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting, On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door; And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming… 
He swallowed hard. “You stay here. I will return to the comte and attempt to leave with Anna.” Erik’s eyes shifted abruptly, moved, and glowed at him from an even higher spot. Vahid spun, searching high and low for his evaporating specter. “I will Erik. When have I ever backed down on my word to you? You can’t have the control when you are the one out of it. Don’t do anything stupid. Do you hear me, Erik? Stay burrowed like the mole you are until I come to you to let you know all is clear. You have children to consider, you colossal fool!”
A disembodied voice filled with all the surge of a rising tide and floated menacingly around him.
“Get off my roof, Daroga.”



RONDEAU: A Novel of Gaston Leroux’s The Phantom of the Opera
ISBN:  978-0-9833960-8-6  

See the trailers for this series!






Praise for Madrigal and Abendlied:

 “If you long for an evocative heart wrenching tale and are prepared to pour a little of yourself into it, Madrigal is for you” ~ Long and Short Reviews on Madrigal

“Ms. Linforth’s prose is phenomenally beautiful and hauntingly breathtaking.” ~Coffee Time Romance on Madrigal

Jennifer Linforth's latest work is sweet and tender, dark and decadent, a treat to be reached for again and again. For anyone who read Gaston Leroux's The Phantom of the Opera and wanted more, this is the book for you! ~ Night Owl Romance on Abendlied

Jennifer Linforth expands the classics by continuing The Phantom of the Operaand her books are available now. Look for future books based on the classics, in addition to her unique historical romances. "Ms. Linforth's prose is phenomenally beautiful and hauntingly breathtaking." ~ Coffee Time Romance