Reviews (XXV)

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting read, December 29, 2013
By
Lynne Connolly

This review is from: Shadows of the Past (Kindle Edition)

Shadows of the Past is an interesting book, not a romance, as I first thought, but a story of two couples, one doomed and one possibly not, linked by paranormal elements, a kind of mix of Golden Dawn style Wicca and sympathetic magic.

The first couple is a young novice nun and a confessor. Much of the story follows Genevieve, who was born a peasant girl and by a series of disasters and doom-laden histories comes to the abbey in the forest. She meets Andrew, the confessor, and they fall for each other. There is a wicked abbess, who reminded me forcibly of one of my favorite Disney villainesses, Maleficent. She has absolutely no redeeming features. None. She's debauched, she doesn’t like wearing the wimple (which is the bit worn under the chin, not the bit over the head, which is the veil), and she eats and drinks sinfully rich food. The nuns hate her.

The modern heroine, Anne, has had a bust-up with her boyfriend, Neil, after finding him in bed with her best friend. I didn’t like that all the blame was put on the best friend when the couple decide to reconcile. Gillian didn’t exactly rape the hero, but since this isn’t a romance, it doesn't have to follow romance conventions. However, they decide to go on a hiking holiday.

Although the story is set in England, the details are a bit shaky. I don't recognize the England in the story, one which has mountains, forests and chalets in the present day, or has forests where oaks and pines grow side by side, or has bluebells, poppies and wood anemones all flourishing at the same time of year. However, once I decided that the story was in the nature of a fairy tale, I could relax into it more and just enjoy the narrative. The style is a little wordy, and the adjectives could be winnowed out a bit, but I soon got used to it.

Similarly, the historical details were somewhat inaccurate, but I got over this by using my previous tactic - it's a fairy story, a legend. On that basis I enjoyed it very much and it passed the time agreeably. Recommended.

Reviews (XVII)

Cassandra Ulrich's review   
Posted on Goodreads and rated 5 stars
This review is from: Shadows of the Past (Kindle Edition)

“Shadows of the Past” by Carmen Stefanescu is a riveting story about souls reborn in a plight to overcome evil. Genevieve, a nun living at an abbey in the 1400s, did the one thing she promised would never happen. She fell in love. What’s worse, the man, Andrew, was a priest. Even more surprising is that he had also fallen in love with her. He promised he would return for her so they could renounce their vows and marry. Fear gripped her heart when he didn’t show up on time, especially after finding the resident gardener dead in a small house on the premises. She had to get away from Sister Clementa, the Abbess who only meant her ill and the cursed forest that brought death to anyone who entered.

By itself, this plot spiked my interest, but the next chapter introduced another couple, Anne and Neil, with their own drama in the present time. Anne separated from Neil for two years after she caught him with her best friend, Gillian. In an effort to reconcile, Anne agreed to join Neil on a special trip to the country where they could rekindle their love. Wandering around the side of a mountain, unable to find the hotel where Neil had made reservations, they set up camp for the night. That was when Anne experienced her first dream of a mournful Genevieve. Soon after Anne attempted to help this sad nun from the past, the mean Sister Clementa arrived in spirit form to destroy anyone who dared connect to the man she could never have – in this case, Neil the reincarnate Andrew.

With each chapter, the story revealed more secrets which kept me turning each page. I enjoyed that each era had its own chapter, helping me connect how the past events affected the present day relationships and supernatural occurrences.

I recommend “Shadows of the Past” to anyone interested in a meaty story with twists and shocking turns. Genevieve’s story does not leave one’s heart untouched. The cast of characters are definitely memorable.
Buy links
Amazon 
wildchildpublishing

Review XIV

Read from July 19 to 23, 2013

Julia Hendrix's review 5 of 5 stars

BLURB

When Anne and Neil leave on a one-week holiday hoping to reconcile after a two-year separation, little do they know that destiny has other plans for them. Their discovery of human bones and a bejeweled cross in the hollow of a tree open the door to the supernatural realm and the anguished life of Genevieve, a nun from medieval England.

Can Anne save her relationship and help Genevieve her eternal rest?

The twists and turns in this paranormal tale keep the reader guessing up to the end and weave themselves together into a quest to rekindle love.

Review

I enjoyed reading this book, Shadows of the Past. Following the Anne's life and the newly found knowledge of her connection to her past. It was a unique page turner, one that kept you guessing and wondering what was to happen next. There were moments where I wanted to cringe and turn away from what was happening. Other times where I wanted to scream at the characters to run away.

Anne not knowing what she was getting herself into following the voice inside her head, visions and dreams.  She and Neil find themselves in a predicament where turning back is not an option. To solve the mystery of their own past, they must keep going.

Will Anne's past haunt her for the rest of her life? Will Neil and Anne get out of this alive? Genevieve is adamant about finding peace once and for all...

About the Author

Carmen was born in Romania, the native country of the infamous vampire Count Dracula.

She graduated the Bucharest University, the Germanic Languages Faculty. Teacher of English and German in her native country and mother of two daughters, Carmen Stefanescu survived the grim years of communist oppression, by escaping in a parallel world, that of the books.

Links

Goodreads

Amazon

B&N

The Next Big Thing Book Hop

I would like to give a big thank you to Leti Del Mar author of the delightful The Inadvertent Thief, for tagging me to be part of The Next Big Thing Book Hop.

This is where one Author tags another to talk a bit about his or her current project.  So read on to get an insider's look at my newest novel and discover the work of some fellow authors! Leti, thank you for giving me the opportunity to introduce: Shadows of the Past 

  

1. What is the title of your book?

 Shadows of the Past

 

2. Where did the idea come from for the book?

I read a small article in a Romanian newspaper about a haunted mountain in England. The souls of two sinners, a nun and a priest who break their vows and elope, can’t find their rest. The tourists visiting that mountainous area hear agonizing moans during the night.

3. What genre does your book fall under?

Paranormal - the genre I feel comfortable writing. I am attracted by everything that has a link to karmic retribution, to past lives. I believe in reincarnation and in special powers we, humans, possess even if we aren't aware of it and so can't put these powers to use. Genevieve, the leading character in Shadows of the Past, can feel if the person in front of her is a good or evil one, while Anne has premonitions and visions.  I do believe in ghosts. I consider them to be wandering spirits who can find no eternal rest, the same as Genevieve couldn't, because they have not fulfilled their mission during their existence in flesh and blood on earth.

4. What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?

 Jordana Spiro, playing the leading part in The Mob’s Doctor, is the best actress to impersonate Genevieve. Jordana is fragile in appearance, looks like a kindhearted person ready to help those next to her, yet she’s determined and brave. 

The Abbess should be played by Madeline Stowe from the series Revenge, while Dan Stevens from the series Downton Abbey is the perfect Andrew.

 5. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Shadows of the Past - the story of Genevieve and Anne. Jumping from past to present and back, it focuses on the lows and highs of the two, alternatively revealing the hardships, passion, truth or betrayal they meet. Their destinies seem to weave together, although they live in different epochs. 

 6. Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

The book is represented by Wild Child Publishing from the USA.

7. How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?

Not very long, I think. Around three months. Then I passed it through several beta readers, native English speakers, as vocabulary usage may become a bit tricky for me, a Romanian.

8. What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

I can't really say. Every author wants to consider her/his work as unique. However, if I think better, I would say Adam and Eve by a Romanian classic writer Liviu Rebreanu. 

9. Who or what inspired you to write this book?

I was telling you about the article I read. The moment I put down the newspaper I knew that I had to write the story of the two unfortunate lovers. I wrote a poem first, a ballad. Later, I thought that just a poem was not enough. I felt Genevieve’s story must be told in detail. This is how Shadows of the Past came to life.

10. What else about the book might pique the reader's interest?

The combination of paranormal elements with history and with Wicca beliefs and suspense. The twists and turns that keep the reader guessing to the end. And above all the romantic element that is the main thread all along the story.

Check out the next stop of this Book Hop and visit Cami Skiba and who talks about her project, Born in Sin

and

Ella Medler as she talks about her book, Eternal Island. 

 Make sure to check out these great reads!

Blog tour

I'd like to thank all the friendly ladies who accepted to host my virtual book tour for Shadows of the Past:

Liss on     28th February,

Amanda   1st March,

Ankita      2nd March,

Catalina   3rd March,

Amina     4th March,

Bianca     5th March,

Pamela     6th March 

and last but not least

Liliana      7th March!

Please, join me on this tour and let me know what you think about the book, reviews, interviews and even win one of the three copies I offer at the Giveaway!

Reviews (VII)

February 13, 2013 - by Ankita S (http://booklokcoffee.blogspot.in/2013/02/review-shadows-of-past-by-carmen.html)

 

Title: Shadows of the Past
Author: Carmen Stefanescu 

Pages: 231, ebook
Publisher: Wild Child Publishing
Genre: Historical/Paranormal
Release: December 4th 2012

MeThinks:

Well at first look you would think "I don't normally read this", that was my first thought as well. I normally read Young-Adult books and occasionally switch the genre. So when Ms. Carmen approached, after reading the synopses I was indeed intrigued with paranormal and historical theme so I gave it a chance. And I must say it was different and Amazing!! 

The Book cover may seem Adult but story isn't so much, Yes there is romance but the sweet one. As Carmen said that she like to keep the romance sweet in her books.

 ‘Our past and our future are tea leaves in the cup of our present.’

Shadows of the past starts in the 14th century, with a medieval times girl Genevieve and alternatively introducing the modern times girl Anne. As the story proceeds the connection between both the girls gets more intricate. Where Anne is strong business women determined to reconcile with her love Neil, Genevieve is a victim of fate, terrible luck and forced to face the horrid world. As the medieval times story proceeds it creates an eerie atmosphere with a cursed forest, a strange stream, dark magic and many such things. Genevieve has faced many tragedies time and time again losing the people she loves then finally when circumstances made her a nun, the tragedies didn't cease. She fell in love with a Priest Father Andrew and he also loves her back but fate has again planned something dreadful for her.

Genevieve's heart breaking story seems very real. Carmen did a fantastic job in creating her character with such fineness and giving life to so many other characters.
The villain in the book is scary, spooky and very well created, her presence is there through out the book making every page more interesting, The villain has ruined Genevieve and is now disturbing Anne immensely.

 Here, Anne is set on to have a nice time with Neil, to reconcile but she encounters a tormented soul and visions and that changed everything for her.
Being a strong headed women she is determined to solve the mystery of that ghost which leads to many revelations. Can she set that tragic soul free... or burn in the same magic!!

I love the ballad by almost the end describing the tragic destiny of Genevieve and Andrew.
“Shadows of the Past” is a real page-turner and a dark spooky romantic story that is crafted masterfully. Despite all the evil, love wins by the end. I really liked that.

Shadows of the Past – BLURB (part II)

Has destiny other plans for Anne?

Why, then, do the two lovers lose their way and have to spend the night in an odd forest? Whose is the human skeleton they find and why does the bejeweled cross laying under the bones trigger a strong feeling of apprehension in Anne? Is there a connection between the strange women who haunt Anne’s dreams and the ruins of a large building the two lovers come upon, deep in the forest? What is it that these ghostly apparitions want from her?

In "Shadows of the Past", revenge, witchcraft, desire and betrayal, clash and intertwine over the centuries in a passionate edge of your seat read.

Shadows of the Past – BLURB (part I)

Genevieve, a young nun at the St. Mary’s Abbey, is torn between her sacred vows to God and her guilty love for Andrew, the nuns’ priest. She hopes that one day people will forgive and forget their sins and accept them into society. If only the scorned and bitter Abbess will allow her to leave the clerical life.

Anne, a well-to-do young English businesswoman, leaves on a holiday, hoping to reconcile with her fiancé Neil, after their bitter separation. Still hurting from his betrayal, Anne suspects that Gillian, her former business partner and friend played a major part in it.

Has destiny other plans for Anne?

Keep an eye here to read when I post "Shadows of the Past" - BLURB (part II)

The countdown

The countdown is going on. The Wild Child Publishing already made public the link where the novel Shadows of the Past could be pre-ordered. (http://www.wildchildpublishing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=84&products_id=410) 

4th December is so close!

The release date

 I am happy to let you all know that I’ve been given the release date for Shadows of the Past!

The event will take place on 4^th December 2012.

At Wild Child Publishing  (www.wildchildpublishing.com)

Welcome to my pages!

    After a long period of only dreaming about it, after hard working and also of hard waiting, my dream of entering the world of prose writing in English comes true.

    Shadows of the Past will be launched soon at www.freyasbower.com. It’s my first novel, in e-book form. Lovers of passion and betrayal, revenge and witchcraft that clash and intertwine over centuries, will find the story appealing.

    Until the publishing moment, I invite you to watch the trailer of the book and also to keep an eye on my pages. Thus you’ll get news regarding the book and the moment of its release.