Lee Allen's Blog - Posts Tagged "the-possession-chronicles"

Perilous Confessions by Carrie Dalby

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A consuming gothic romance laced with desire and demons of the mind.

Aspiring writer Lucy is preparing for her society coming out at the New Year's Eve ball, while furiously working on her novels and poetry.

At a Christmas party, she meets the dashing Alexander Melling. Their attraction is instant, and he sweeps Lucy off her feet as their romance blooms.

But society has no place for the passion of a love story, while Alex's demons lurk beneath the surface, threatening to doom their relationship before it's even begun.

'Perilous Confessions' is the first novel in 'The Possession Chronicles' by Carrie Dalby, a Southern Gothic family saga set in Mobile, Alabama during the early twentieth century. Set at the end of 1904 into early 1905, the novel introduces us to the Easton and Melling families and charts the beginning of a relationship that may alter the fates of both dynasties. Impeccably researched, the novel is rich in historical detail, with particular attention to the structure, attitudes and beliefs of society during this time.

The romance between Lucy and Alex, the two lead characters, sweeps us away, with their chemistry and passion, the intensity of their connection. At a time in history when displaying affection or succumbing to desire before marriage was forbidden and sinful, we witness their struggle during those early days of courtship when it entirely consumes you and anything feels possible. Tragically, Alex is damaged and haunted, his emotion and desire for Lucy at war with his natural instinct to run from her in the belief she will be better off without him. His trauma has nurtured a dark side, one that succumbs to weakness and cruelty, engulfing him and threatening to destroy what he cherishes most.

Through its delicious gothic prose and a brisk-paced plot, the novel perfectly portrays both characters and evokes the heart of their relationship, leading to some incredibly moving, emotional scenes that many will find relatable, some elements desirable while others potentially triggering. We may all crave such a connection, the fortunate amongst us may experience it, but it is undeniable that something so potent is as dangerous as it is beautiful.

Impassioned and tragic, 'Perilous Confessions' immerses us in a tale of love and longing, and the impact of the ghosts that haunt us; a fantastic opening installment to a gothic saga.

Next chronologically in the series is novella 'Mosaic of Seduction', shifting the focus to Alex's sister, Eliza, whom we met in this first novel.



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Mosaic of Seduction by Carrie Dalby

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A tale of forbidden lust and demons of the heart.

Eliza Melling appears to have all that one could wish for – creative brilliance, flawless beauty, daughter to a wealthy family, her entire life ahead of her expected to be charmed.

Yet she possesses a rebellious spirit that refuses to be tamed. She longs for more than life can offer her – a life of freedom and pursuing all that her body, heart and soul may desire.

As she plays the heartstrings of two men and plots an escape from her tyrannical parents, Eliza’s fearless tempting of fate may prove to be her undoing.

‘Mosaic of Seduction’ is a Southern Gothic historical fiction novella by Carrie Dalby, part of her Gothic family saga ‘The Possession Chronicles’, taking place between the first novel ‘Perilous Confessions’ and the second ‘Murmurs of Evil’. Enriched by historical detail and descriptive prose, Dalby paints a vivid portrait of early twentieth century society, exploring themes of romance and morality, through a fast-paced, character-driven narrative. Set across the year of 1905 and into January 1906, we follow the tale of Eliza’s passions and temptations, in a pivotal chapter in the history of the Melling family.

Picking up following the final scene of the first novel, Eliza attends Mass at The Church of the Assumption with her brother Alexander, where she meets deacon Claudio De Fiore for the first time, becoming immediately enthralled with his beauty and charm, determined to tempt and seduce him. Yet the passion between them is forbidden, not only by society’s views of female chastity, but also by De Fiore’s commitment to the Roman Catholic priesthood. Eliza’s pursuit of her forbidden desires for the trainee priest is soon sidetracked by her passion for Sean Spunner, a young solicitor whom her parents deem a suitable match.

Eliza is a superb character – rebellious, artistic, and beautiful, she’s intensely captivating; simultaneously endearing and flawed, making many questionable choices that we would really prefer her not to make, but relishing how it drives her story. She feels trapped under her parents’ control and expectations, crushed by their vile attitudes and behaviour, wishing only to pursue her art, choose whom she loves, and live a carefree and happy life. But this is not the life that society or her family has mapped out for her, and she becomes increasingly desperate to escape.

Alexander continues to suffer heartbreak at his separation from Lucy, his distractions and his demons enabling Eliza’s freedoms to thrive. We get to know Sean a little better, our sympathy for him growing as it becomes clear he genuinely cares for Eliza, after having suffered the despair of losing someone he loved in the past (more of Sean’s backstory is explored in ‘Malevolent Hearts’, the first in ‘The Malevolent Trilogy’). One also cannot help but feel enormous sympathy for Claudio, the challenges to his faith and his conflict at choosing between God and the woman he loves all the more devastating as we wonder if Eliza truly returns the affection of either man, her desire to escape eclipsing any genuine emotion she may feel. Her love affairs and desperate bid for freedom build to a bitterly tragic climax, leaving us poised to delve into the haunting darkness of the second novel.

A thrilling chapter in the saga, ‘Mosaic of Seduction’ is a tale of forbidden romance and desperate desire, fraught with tragedy.



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