 |
| Welcome to my Blog! Wander through worlds real and fictional, meet interesting people, visit exciting places and find good books to enjoy along the way! |
 |
| About the Book |
 |
| read an excerpt |
Years later, when Alexander allowed himself the memory of that first visit to Venice, he would recall the moment when he left the steamy bustle of the station. His body was stiff from the rattling, jolting train, and his mind was weary of the misery he had left behind in England. He eased himself into the waiting gondola, bobbing by the steps, and he reclined back onto the scarlet, velvet cushions as the early morning winter mist shrouded him.
The water lapped lazily against the sleek, black boat, with the slow rhythm of the pole pushing through the surface, hitting the unseen mud below, as they made their way through the narrow canal. Only the gondolier’s harsh voice echoed off the enclosing walls, breaking the eerie silence. ‘Beware,’ he seemed to cry, ‘I am coming.’ The early morning fog slowly lifted, revealing Venice in all its famed beauty. Alex took in the vibrant, painted walls; tall, Gothic windows looking down at him with their ornate balconies; and the slimy water steps leading to large wooden doors of the Palazzos. A tired old woman, in a faded dressing gown, leant on a crumbling sill, smoking a cigarette, oblivious to their boat below. As they slowly progressed, Alex glimpsed little white bridges crossing smaller canals where people scuttled to and fro, hurrying to get to work. There were no tourists at this early hour who would have paused and taken their time, enticed by what lay ahead.
A pigeon, disturbed by the movement in the water, flapped upwards towards the weak February sunshine which began to tinge the walls pink breaking through the gloom, reflecting on the green sheen of the water. The faint odour of the canal tickled Alex’s nose, repugnant and unsettling. Then suddenly they were upon the Grand Canal itself. The gondola rocked alarmingly as Alex gripped the sides of the low boat tighter, feeling the cold spray of water on his hands. But the gondolier, a capable expert, steadied them as they moved against the current. They avoided the numerous other craft traversing the main waterway of the city, but he could almost reach out and touch the succulent fruit and vegetables on the barges touting their wares to the hotels, the boarding houses, and the residents along the banks. Behind him in another gondola, Alex hoped, followed his valet, George, with all their tottering luggage. By now his senses were fully alert to the bustle that was happening around him in the city. The long journey from London temporarily forgotten and the arguments with his father pushed to one side as he enjoyed the vibrant life around him.
He laughed as
the gondolier ducked to get under the Rialto Bridge then smiled as children
called out and waved to him from above. He listened to the shopkeepers
animatedly greet each other as the shops on the bridge began to open for the
day. He marvelled at the magnificent Palazzos lining along the water’s edge,
each seemingly more beautiful and grander as they edged closer towards the
hotel. He did not register the decay beneath the silken, green water – the
rottenness of the city’s foundations, nor the ugliness which tarnished its
beauty. A beauty that was a façade, a Carnival mask covering the dark truth
that nothing was as it seemed.
scroll down to leave a comment
thank you!
*
 |
| New release anthology by various authors |
 |
| available from Amazon https://mybook.to/GhostEncounters |
| The story of the events that led to The Battle of Hastings in 1066 Harold the King (UK edition) I Am The Chosen King (US edition) AND 1066 Turned Upside Down an anthology of 'What If'' 1066 tales  |
(subscription reminder available)
PLEASE:
LEAVE A REVIEW
FOR YOUR FAVOURITE AUTHORS ON AMAZON!
 |
Amazon Author Page: |
Just a 4 or 5 star rating and a brief
"I thoroughly enjoyed this book!" will make such a difference!
THANK YOU!
Thanks so much for hosting Samantha Ward-Smith today, with an enticing excerpt from her fabulous new Gothic novel, Ravenscourt.
ReplyDeleteTake care,
Cathie xx
The Coffee Pot Book Club