A classic historical gothic romance in the grand tradition of the genre. Highly recommended!
Set in France at Chateau "Dark."

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Product Description

Summoned to the Marquis d'Arc's remote French chateau in 1882 as companion to his daughter Lucy, twenty-year-old American Ellen Edmon finds intrigue, romance, adventure, and danger there and in Paris, heart of the French fashion scene. Once there, Ellen discovers that everything is not as it appears on the surface, and also finds herself falling for the attractive estate manager, who carries secrets of his own. As the tension grows more unbearable, Ellen will have to risk everything she holds dear to discover the secrets that lurk in the shadows of the Chateau D'Arc.

Kay Cornelius grew up in Winchester, Tennessee. She and her husband Don, retired from NASA and Lockheed-Martin Missiles and Space, live in Huntsville, Alabama.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2762117 in Books
• Published on: 2005-08-05
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Board book
• 325 pages

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Customer Reviews

intriguing gothic historical romance
In 1882, before she dies, mama makes her daughter twenty years old American Ellen Edmon promise that she would write to the Marquis D'Arc. Mama wants Ellen to visit the chateau in Dreux, France where her mama spent some happy moments of her life. After mama passes away Ellen writes and the Marquis responds providing her with passage and a job as companion to his wheelchair bound sixteen years old daughter Lucy.

Ellen arrives at the Chateau D'Arc to find Lucy does not want her there, her older brother Jacques seems to only want to bed her, permanent guest Madame Albert hates her, her employer the Marquis is kind but distant, and the estate manager Philip Mailley is hostile. Ellen finds the tension between everyone quite excruciating, but tries to help Lucy while hiding her desire for Philip. Soon she finds herself wondering what happened to Lucy's mother ten years ago when she seem to just vanish and what was the cause of Lucy's horse riding accident at the same time that paralyzed her. Her snooping leads to someone amidst the household trying to kill her and she fears it is Philip who she loves.

SUMMONS TO THE CHATEAU D'ARC is an intriguing gothic historical romance starring an innocent newcomer, a mansion that is somewhat dark especially the upper floor and a brooding hero who wants nothing to do with the newcomer. The story line is action-packed though the killer seems to have hidden his homicidal history with some help to easily. Still fans will appreciate this fine tale due to the antics of the kindhearted courageous Ellen.

Harriet Klausner

Gothic Romance by Kay Cornelius
"Summons to the Chateau D'Arc" is a delightful read from start to finish. The story begins with Ellen Edmonds, a twenty-year-old American, receiving a summons from Jean Paul, Marquis D'Arc, requesting that she travel to France and assume the position as nurse for his sixteen-year-old crippled daughter, Lucy. Reeling from the death of her mother who had past ties to the Chateau D'Arc and the Marquis, Ellen decides to accept the position and embarks on a journey that takes her to the beautiful French estate. As the plot unfolds, there is romance and adventure as well as a great deal of mystery surrounding not only the chateau but also the Marquis and his highly tempermental daughter, Lucy. As the weeks go by, Lucy and Ellen become the best of friends while, at the same time, Ellen finds herself attracted to Philip Mailley, the estate manager. While living within the confines of the castle, Ellen is distrustful of Jacques D'Arc, Lucy's older brother. His flitatious and overbearing way make Ellen suspicious of his ulterior motives. The surprise ending solves a mystery that has long puzzled those living at the Chateau.

"Summons to the Chateau D'Arc" leaves the reader enthralled as a vast array of characters come to life and weave a story of mystery and romance.