Please help me welcome one of my absolute favourite authors–seriously, I met Leanna and she is absolutely wonderful–Leanna Renee Hieber. The Season Blog is one of the many stops on Leanna’s The Darkly Luminous Haunted London Blog Tour. Thanks so much for taking over blogging duties today, Leanna, and congratulations on the release of your second book in The Strangely Series, The Darkly Luminous Fight For Persephone Parker.
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Hello Season belles of the ball, thanks to Beverley for the chance to be here with you!
About the Tour:
I’ve been busy telling ghost stories here on this tour as I celebrate the recently released sequel in the Strangely Beautiful series of Gothic Victorian Fantasy novels; The Darkly Luminous Fight for Persephone Parker. And we’ve come to the part of the tour where I share some of my own ghosts that I’ve made up along the way. All the London ghosts within the book – save for my ghostly residents of the fictional Athens Academy and the grim Whisper-world- are taken from real, documented London haunts. But here at The Season I thought I’d share my sweeter side of ghosts. After all, there’s nothing so lovely as a ghostly entourage on your wedding day!
About the book:
“Death-pale Percy Parker was a beacon for Fate. True love had found her, in the tempestuous form of Professor Alexi Rychman. But her mythic destiny was not complete. Foretold by ghosts with which she alone could converse; a war was coming. Victorian London would be overrun by a spectral host. Yet, within mighty Athens Academy, alongside The Guard who shielded mortals from the agents of the Underworld, she counted herself among friends. Wreathed in hallowed fire, they would stand together, no matter what dreams or nightmares—may come.”
From The Darkly Luminous Fight for Persephone Parker:
“Come, dear, it’s nearly time.” Josephine rustled in the garment box to reveal a pearl tiara, set with blue glass flowers, and a veil of pale blue. Percy gasped, as if it were the final touch of absolute reality. “Yes, my dear, he really is going to marry you,” the Frenchwoman promised softly. “He really is.” Marianna was quiet but smiled.
The train hooked and the crowning veil set, Percy stared in the mirror and her eyes watered. She had applied just the faintest hint of rouge to her cheeks and lips, and had lined her white eyelids with the thinnest grey, which caused the ice blue slivers of her irises to jump forth. Feeling beautiful, she plucked her phoenix pendant out to hang not against her skin but proudly in the open, a mark of the fate-forged bond of long ago.
The journey across the Athens courtyard was a spectacle of whispers and gaping mouths. Josephine and Marianna looked like proud family, escorting her. Percy could hear faint strains of a stringed instrument from inside the chapel, and fainter still, the ghostly trace of what she could only liken to an angelic choir.
If The Guard wondered why none of the harmless, gamesome spirits of Athens had wafted into the chapel, it was because they were all clustered at the outside door, awaiting the bride. A living gentleman stood among them, a handsome youth with wild, curly hair and a dimpled grin, blissfully unaware of the floating dead nearby.
“Oh, Percy, you are incredible!” said Edward Page, the young lad smitten with Marianna, who slid her arm onto his with unconscious ease. “Congratulations! As surprising as this is, congratulations on this most auspicious day!”
“Go on, you two.” As Percy stepped away from view, Josephine ushered the young couple through the doors. Marianna turned to blow her friend a kiss, and they shared a familiar giggle—the last of their maidenhood.
There was a box at the door, and Josephine opened it to place a cluster of perfect white lilies wrapped in blue satin in Percy’s trembling hands. Percy smiled at the bouquet, and at the misty-eyed Josephine, before returning her attention to the dead who’d come to see her wed.
“Leave this to us, Percy,” said the boy with the soft brogue who usually kept to the main foyer chandelier. “We know you’ve no father to give you away, and so we wish to walk you down the aisle.”
“Thank you all,” Percy murmured, her eyes glimmering with tears. “That’s very kind of you.” She turned to Josephine. “You may go on, thank you. The spirits wish to present me.” The Frenchwoman sighed in appreciation and slipped into the chapel.
The spirits encircled Percy. While she felt the air around her grow freezing, she was lost in the excitement on their faces. Their entire spectral strength amassed, they were just able to manipulate the door. Percy came in full view, and the crowd was rendered breathless. A ghostly radiant goddess, she moved forward, floating in loving and spectral procession to the haunting sound of Jane’s strings.
Percy and Alexi were stunned by the sight of each other, overwhelmed by the magnetism that seized their hearts. He stood awaiting her at the base of the altar, and energy surged between them as they took hands. Percy took her place opposite him and, to her, the rest of the chapel disappeared.
Leave a comment to win one signed copy of The Darkly Luminous Fight for Persephone Parker (Strangely Beautiful #2).
The Strangely Beautiful saga will continue again with “A Christmas Carroll” (Strangely Beautiful #2.5) novella in Dorchester’s A Midwinter Fantasy anthology this October! And did you hear there may be a Strangely Beautiful musical?! Please join me via any of the sites below for ongoing updates, contests and more!
“Strangely Beautiful” Blessings! – Leanna Renee Hieber
Visit / Join in:
www.leannareneehieber.com
www.twitter.com/leannarenee
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Blog: www.leannareneebooks.blogspot.com
I look forward in starting this series; it sounds great.
I’m still trying my very hard to win this book 🙂 enter me in !
Awesome . I’ve been wanting to read this series for quite awhile.
Great! I am so glad to have the opportunity to win this book 🙂
Oooooh, I have been drawn in just by reading the teaser. My question (to myself) is….why did I wait so long to pick this book up? Also, I will be getting the first one, which somehow I do not have…LOL!
Here’s wishing you continued success, Leanna!
This sounds like nothing I’ve ever read before, how wonderful.
Leanna, thanks for being here today. I was wondering how you came up with the titles for your books esp the parts “Strangely Beautiful” and “Darkly Luminous?” I love your work, I am looking forward to see what you comes from you in the future. Count me in on the giveaway! 🙂
This sounds like a great series and I would love to read it!
Oh, a new author to read – sounds wonderful.
Have seen this book around the net. Am looking forward to reading it.
I’ve read great reviews for this series. I have yet to start it but have the first book.
thanks for the chance to win the second.
The first book was an absolute joy to read so I definitely would love to win a copy of this one! And I’m so excited to see how the musical comes out. How intriguing to take a romance novel and musicalize it.
I loved the first book and have heard nothing but amazing things about The Darkly Luminous Fight for Persephone Parker and i can’t wait to read it!
I thoroughly enjoyed the first book and can’t wait to read The Darkly Luminous Fight for Persephone Parker and find out what happens next to Percy, Alexi and The Guard.
Count me in. I’m interested to read this series.
I would love to win a copy of this book. I’ve been reading all the snippets this week and it sounds great.
The first book in this series is amazing. If you haven’t had a chance to read it, you should RUN and buy it because its awesome. I can’t wait for a chance to read this second story.
🙂 Please count me in. I enjoyed the first book in this series so much. I honestly was surprised at how well thought out the plot was and how enjoyable the characters were. Congratulations on the new release!
I’d love to win these! Count me in. Thanks for the giveaway
I’d love to read these books. I usually get books handed down to me, but I’m always looking for something new.
I’d love to win these for my daughter and grand daughter. They love to read so much, I’m afraid my eyes are to bad to read much these days. Thanks for the contest!
I L O V E D STRANGELY BEAUTIFUL! Have been waiting for Book 2 and by the look of it, it will not disappoint. This past week, I was surprised when I heard Strangely Beautiful was to be made into a musical. The more I think of it though, it should work pretty well. It will be interesting to see how they do it.
Leanna, I sincerely hope DARKLY LUMINOUS is not the end of the series. There are many good stories in The Guard and Victorian London just waiting for your gifted treatment.
I hope the release of DARKLY LUMINOUS goes well for you.
My critique partner has been bugging me to read the first in this series as she really enjoyed it! I’ll definitely have to do so as I LOVE a good ghost story!
Hi Leanna!
I enjoyed reading your blog post! I just recently bought a copy of THE STRANGELY BEAUTIFUL TALE OF MISS PERCY PARKER and I’m really looking forward to reading it! I’d love to win a copy of your next book, THE DARKLY LUMINOUS FIGHT FOR PERSEPHONE PARKER!
And how exciting it must be for you that there may be a “STRANGELY BEAUTIFUL” musical!!
Thanks for stopping by at The Season! 🙂
Hello friends! I’m SO thrilled to make new friends of the Strangely Beautiful series and to hear from those of you who loved the first book – I can’t tell you how much that means to me, I dearly appreciate your interest and support as this series has been a nearly decade long labor of love.
To answer questions: Lisa – hello my dear! Re: titles – my agent said the first book needed a long title to describe it to readers and give a sense of what was in store. With that long title, it branded the series with needing similar titles to maintain continuity. This second title was a back and forth work between my editor and I to come up with what we both really loved. I use the phrase “Darkly Luminous” in book one to describe possessions with intent to harm, which really describes the high danger quotient in this book. Thank you for your support!
Library Pat, your words are such a blessing. There will be 4 books total in the series, plus Rebecca and Michael’s novella called “A Christmas Carroll” in Dorchester’s A MIDWINTER FANTASY out Sept. 28th. I hope I can give Elijah and Josie the same treatment. So 4 books total with novellas. Book 3 is a prequel, Book 4 continues with the Rychman family and all our Guard friends up into World War I.
Thanks Bev and thanks readers!
I love fantasy and historical romance mixed together.
Sounds great! Thanks for the givaway 🙂
I canNOT wait to get my hands on Percy & Alexi’s second story!
Sounds great. I would love to read this book.
I been dying to read book #2!
love Victorian London and love the idea of ghosts!
Hello Leanna Renee,
I absolutely cannot wait to read “Darkly Luminous”. I enjoyed the first book immensely. It just so happens that I am a ghost hunter and my favorite era is the Victorian era. I have had a lot of experience with the paranormal and have lots of stories to tell. I sometimes visit people’s homes to help them with their ‘visitors’.
It would be wonderful to win your book. I hope lady luck is with me. Oh and she said to tell you choosing me would be a fantastic idea. *g* Enjoyed the excerpt! Nice to see you here on The Season blog.
I would love to read this series!
Good luck a Strangely Beautiful musical would be awesome! Who would you love to have in the cast?
I have been wanting to read this book! Thanks for the giveaway!
bangersis at msn dot com