The Chamber of Curiosities, a medieval fantasy, by Anastasia Blackwell is now available on all major podcast servers. The audio is narrated by the author and will be available in ten segments of a series.
‘The night of the blue moon’ is a rare event. The townspeople and visitors to Tressaria throng to the carnival, staged in an ancient fortress overlooking a vibrant seaport. But, not everyone is free to join the revelry. Darné Veskka, stands at the bars of a cage consumed by loneliness. In the late hours aerialist, Clare Dupree, breaks inside - armed with a razor and obsession. Her quest is to shave off his beard to see his face. The giant who has never felt a woman’s touch, threatens her - but ultimately succumbs. And, their pact marks the dawn of a new age in Tressaria, and plants the seed of revolution.
The dark fantasy is set in the fictional seaport, where ‘Coin is King’ and citizens pawns to whims of their debauched rulers. Mr. Beedro’s Carnival is a lucrative business, with games, flying shows, equestrian acts, feasts, flesh and alcohol for sale. The Freak Show lies at its heart and is a pleasant distraction for citizens, sailors, and visiting traders to gloat over those less unfortunate. It is here the giant of a man, Darné Veskka, billed as The Human Beast, lives in a cage with other ‘mistakes of nature’.
My soon to be published novel "The Chamber of Curiosities" explores the star-crossed love story of Darney Veska, a charismatic circus "freak" and the beautiful young trapeze artist, Clare Dupuis. Set against the back drop of a carnival in an ancient bastion perched above a vibrant seaport, it is a tale of obsessive, possessive, forbidden love.
More about the book, scheduled for publication in 2013 at:
In a series of interviews in historic Jacksonville, Oregon I was asked about the nature of obsessive possessive love and the character Ramey Sandeley. Here are my thoughts.
Please Note: The House on Black Lake Trailer may be viewed on Home Page.
A love scene in a novel (as in real life) reveals the innermost characteristics of the individuals involved. Physical strength or weakness, depth of passion, creativity, hidden fears and sorrows, need to control or degrade, to surrender or dominate, shame and pride, fetishes, tenderness, empathy, repressed memories, boldness, cautiousness, secrets, flaws and scars, deformity, and exquisite physical perfection can be revealed when the cloak of civilization is thrown off and humans revert to their animal nature. The circumstances of a mating can be highly romantic or base and ugly. No matter the social status of the individuals, age, nationality, relationship, or gender it is always a primal act, unscripted, and powerful in emotional resonance. Whether cruel and disgusting or highly gentle and romantisized love scenes are unscripted dramas that tear away the monotony of daily life. The act may result in the creation or transformation of life, that is its overriding power. There is an aura of spirituality to love scenes, and for those who seek a higher level of excistence making love to another is the key to another realm.
In The House on black Lake Alexandra is a world weary mother struggling through a devastating divorce. She has not had a lover since her husband, and has never experienced a deep and satisfying physical connection with a man. In her journey on Black Lake she encounters three men with whom she experiences powerful emotional reactions. Charismatic Ramey Sandeley awakened something deep and unknown years ago when she first took his eyes on a snowy night in the desert. Her life dramatically changed in that moment, but she has not been able to consummate her feelings as he is a married father of five. However, the intense attraction leads Ramey to lure Alexandra into increasingly dangerous scenarios. Andre Labat is a young French artist who seduces Alexandra into an afternoon of love in his bungalow where he teaches her about the nature of love and the power of trust. Georgie LaPointe is narcissistic rock God and Cousin to Ramey who grooms his hair in the eyes of his lovers and makes love to recordings of his singing. Georgie introduces Alexandra to the dark side of sensuality. As a repressed woman Alexandra's experiences with these powerful men are clothed in an atmosphere that may appear forced, but she is not necessarily an unwilling victim and reacts in a manner true to her desires. Through her journey on Black Lake Alexandra is transformed and empowered as she learns to accept "the beautiful freak" inside her, the lonely soul that seeks love without boundaries and the pursuit of passion at all costs.
Most rarely see acts of love, so novels offer opportunities to find inspiration in respectable forms of art.
The best love scenes in romance are featured in the following novels. The list was culled from talking to readers and through romance sites (including Amazon). They are in no particular order, although many believe "Flowers from the Storm" deserves first place. Some say Lisa Kleypas is the foremost master of of the romance novel love scene.
Please note - The House on Black Lake has been adapted to screenplay. Go to Home Page to see provocative trailer and music video based on novel.
A dangerously obsessive male can be both highly exciting and a nightmare for a woman. In reality few would desire such a challenge, but held at arms length - inside a novel or on a movie screen, such a man can be enormously intriguing.
The House on Black Lake features three such obsessive males, all very different. Ramey Sandeley's obsession with Alexandra Brighton leads him to the brink of emotional and physical cruelty. He can't help himself, as he has never heard the word "no". Rock God Georgie La Pointe, on the other hand, grooms his hair in the eyes of his lovers, but when he loses control over his conquest he becomes obsessional. Andre Labat, the sensuous young Frenchman has the same expectation of female surrender and a ruthless desire to level the playing field by seducing the object of his rivals' desire. All men are out of control, and that is what makes them so appealing.
The following top ten are taken from lists of romance lovers and are in no particular order.
1. Simon Boldevar -Crimson Kiss Series by Trisha Baker
2. Lucien de Malheur "The Scorpian" - Breathless - The House of Rohan by Anne Stuart
3. Judd - Caressed by Ice (Psy-Changelings book 3) by Nalini Singh
4. Dimitri - Archangels Blade (Guild Hunter) by Nalini Singh
5. Zsadist - Black Dagger Brotherhood - by J.R. Ward
6. Conrad Wroth - Immortals After Dark Seriesby Kresly Cole
7. Travis - Beautiful Disaster by Jamie Mcguire
8. Jake - Burning Wild by Christine Freehan
9. Baird - Claimed by Evangeline Anderson
10. Domenico - The Silver Devil by Therese Denys
Sean Culhane from Stormfire is a very controversial "hero" who is hated by most readers, but leaves a powerful impression, nonetheless.
Please Note: The House on Black Lake has been adapted to screenplay. Go to Home Page to view provocative trailer filmed by award winning cinematographer.
Scene From "The House on Black Lake" Trailer
The story of The House on Black Lake teems with jealousy and obsession. World-weary Alexandra Brighton travels with son Samuel to visit the man who has haunted her heart for years. She seeks resolution to an obsession that has brought her former life to ruin. But the fire is only stoked by charismatic Ramey Sandeley. Ramey is a man who has never heard the word "no" and expects life to give him everything he desires. But he has never tasted the drug of love or any desire beyond the physical. The feelings awakened in him by Alexandra are twisted to jealous rage when he learns she has given herself to seductive young French artist Andre Labat. When she returns to the house he confronts her and threatens to administer a whipping for her discretion. This is only the beginning of a battle of wills that will lead the couple to the edge of destruction and threaten the safety of those caught in their orbit.
Yet, they are not the only ones driven by obsessive feelings. The lake's inhabitants are caught in tormented web of frustrated desire and and the drive to create unity at any cost.
Christian Grey, of Fifty Shades of Grey is the latest in a long line of dark lovers. Crazy in love, jealous, obsessive, possessive males make intense romance heroes. The top alpha picks (taken from personal surveys and popular romance forums) can be found in the following novels, in no particular order.
1. A Rose to the Fallen by April Bostic
2. The Smoke Thief by Shana Abe
3. Queen of Dragons by Shana Abe
4. Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux
5. Dark Desire from the Carpathian's Series by Christine Feehan
6. Halfway to the Grave Night Huntress Series, Book One by Jeaniene Frost
7. The Game Series Complete Collection by Christine Feehan
8. Guild Hunter Series by Nalini Singh
9. Dangerous Games Tempting Seals Serices by Lora Leigh
10. Killer Secrets by Lora Leigh
11. Darkyn Series by Lynn Viehn
12. KGI Serices by Maya Banks
13. Dangerous Secrets by Lisa Marie Rice
14. Bitten, Women of the Otherworld, Book 1 by Kelley Armstrong
15. Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison
16, Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire
17. A Hunger Like No Other by Kresly Cole
18. Forever Mine The Moreno Brothers 1 by Elizabeth Reyes
18. Always Been Mine The Moreno Brothers 11 by Elizabeth Reyes
19. Under the Cowboy's Control by Lynda Chance
20. Blackmailed into Bed by Lynda Chance
21. The Madness of Lord Ian McKenzie by Jennifer Ashley
22. Tempt the Devil by Anna Campbell
23. Playing Easy To Get Immortals After Dark 1 by Kresly cole
24. Pleasure of a Dark Prince Immortals After Dark Series by Kresley Cole
25. Clockwork Angel The Infernal Devices, book 1 by Cassandra Clare
26. One Bite With A Stranger The Others Book 6, by Christine Warren
27. Submissive Desires by Carolyn Faukner - SD chronicles a woman's journey of complete submission under control of dominant ex navy seal. The book is erotic and too extreme for most, but well written for those who enjoy or desire insights into world of BDSM.
I was recently interviewed about obsessive, possessive love. Here are my thoughts.
The world has gone mad for Christian Grey in Fifty Shades of Grey. But he is preceded by a long line of dark lovers in film and literature.
Wade Gotwals and Anastasia Blackwell in Scene HOBL trailer
ATTENTION READERS: New Romantic Fantasy, The Chamber of Curiosities is NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER. The e-book will be delivered to your Kindle on Sunday, May 14, 2017. Be the first to read, review, and start discussions on forums. The epic story, set in a carnival in an ancient land, features an obsessive, possessive romance hero and heroine, as well as supporting characters with intense love obsessions.
Nothing is more rewarding than delving into the psyche of an obsessive, possessive, romance hero. A sexy, powerful man possessed with love has undeniable allure.
Ramey Sandeley from The House on Black Lake is an obsessive, possessive male who has never heard the word "no". Ramey first appears in the novel sweaty and burnt, fresh from branding animals with his custom tools. He believes his preternatural good looks, charm, wealth, and power afford him the right to own whatever and whomever he desires. But he meets his match with Alexandra Brighton, who, after having been possessed by her previous husband, and having made a vow at a shrine to be true to her manifest destiny, will no longer allow herself to be owned or controlled by anyone.
The night Alexandra arrives at Black Lake with her young son she is world weary from a brutal divorce, and in a highly vulnerable state. Soon after she is rowed out by Ramey and his wife to stay in a deserted Victorian in an island, with no way out. That night she dreams she is tied to a four poster, waiting for a burning brand to seal her wedding vows. Their battle of wills will lead them both to the brink of self destruction, and threaten the lives of those caught in their orbit.
To be adored to the point of obsession is truly a rare and beautiful thing. Possessed film heroes can be found in - Twilight, Legends of the Fall, The Phantom of the Opera, Cruel Intentions, Bram Stoker's Dracula, Meet Joe Black, Possession, King Arthur, The Last of the Mohicans, Ladyhawke, Tristan and Isolde, The Thorn Birds, A Streetcar Named Desire, The Man Who Cried features Johnny Depp as a gypsy who rides a beautiful white horse, and Original Sin offers some of the sexiest scenes on film as Antonio Banderas outplays Angelina Jolie at her own dangerous game, with her possessive brother played to perfection by Thomas Jane (of Hung). There are also notable darkly seductive tortured souls in literature, and many of the aforementioned tales began as novels.
Following are a few novels that feature such brooding males:
The Carpathian Series by Christine Freehan
An Independant Wife by Linda Howard
Immortals After Dark Series by Cresley Cole
The Madness of Lord Ian McKenzie, by Jennifer Ashley
The Misted Cliffs,by Catherine Asaro
The Silver Devil and The Flesh and the Devil, by Teres Denys - Note: These are cult classics and can be expensive
The Wolf and the Dove, by Cathleen Woodiwess
To Love an Earl, by Elizabeth Thornton.
The Devil's Embrace Catherine Coulter's first novel. Some have called it creepy, cruel, and disgusting, but everyone has their own tastes.
The Ground She Walks Upon, by Meagan McKinney
The House of Rohan- Ruthless, Breathless,Reckless, by Ann Stuart
Shadow Heart, by Laura Kinsdale
Uncommon Vows, by Mary Joe Putney
Double Standards by Judith McNaught
Gold Ring of Betrayal, by Michelle Reed
Murder Game, Ghostwalkers series 7, by Michelle Freehan
Into the Dark Lands, by Michelle Sagora
The Dark Jewels Trilogy, by Anne Bishop
Prince of Dreams, by Lisa Kleypas
The Twilight Saga, Stehanie Meyers.
Julie Garwood, J.R. Ward , Fallen Angel and Black Dagger Brotherhood SeriesGena Showalter- are other notable authors who specialize in the genre.
Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen
Wuthering Heights, offers the supremely perfect, dark, brooding hero, Heathcliff, Emily Bronte's masterpiece.
Gone with the Wind. gives us Rhett Butler, who is in a class of his own.
For those who desire a darker, more erotic experience the following are well written in this genre:
The Man in the Black Leather Mask follows a female attorney's transformation from powerful woman to submissive beneath the hands of a ten years younger dominent colleague
Kidnapped for Christmas by Evangeline Anderson - Average, overweight woman's skinny sister plans her own kidnapping as a sexual lark, but man takes wrong woman and the more conservative sister finds herself a submissive to a very sexy man
Surrender To Me, by Shayla Black - a woman's secret desire is met by her boyfriend in a Las Vegas trick where he consents to menage with friend, who also happens to be Navy Seal. An obsession is sparked between the woman and her new friend and nothing is the same for the two.
Master of the Mountain by Cherise Sinclair - an less than figure perfect ad agency artist complies with boyfriend's request to visit remote swinger's cabin. During her stay she sees boyfriend with other woman and realizes her relationship is over. However, she meets a man that is emotionally scarred and afraid of commitment who takes her on a journey into the underworld of dominence and submission.
Submissive Desires by Carolyn Faulker. Very severe story of a woman's five year journey to complete submission in the hands of a fiercely powerful and possessive ex Navy Seal.
What will it take to relieve him of his torture?
Obsessive, possessive, brooding romance hero
I was recently interviewed about obsessive possessive love and the character of Ramey Sandeley. Here are my thoughts:
