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Cristabel Brown is to be the new governess to the daughter of Count Max von Holstein. Most people say that Cristabel is too pretty to be a governess, but the Count had hired her sight-unseen, so she bravely makes her way to Austria to fill the position. And, even if she hadn’t wanted a job so far away, she has no other choice - her family needs the money.
The Castle of Dreams, which will be her new home, is not what Cristabel expected, and neither is the handsome Count Max. Her charge, Max’s daughter Liesel, is quite obstinate, flawed by the tragic death of her mother when she was younger, and may prove to be a difficult pupil for Cristabel. However, the Count has been quite generous with the salary.
As the days pass, mystery seems to slither from every corner of the castle and sinister plots unfold to threaten Cristabel’s job and possibly her very life. Her growing concerns are coupled with her growing feelings for Max, placing her in an untenable position. And what of the serpent bracelet that her grandmother has hidden amongst her possessions? Did it really belong to her as her grandmother insisted, or were the true owners the von Holsteins?
EYE OF THE SERPENT is an excellent gothic novel. Peppered with madness, murder, sinister plots, secrets and hidden villains, EYE OF THE SERPENT takes readers on a wild gothic romp that they won’t soon forget. The characters are exquisitely written, with Cristabel being exactly what a gothic heroine should be and Count Max von Holstein filling the shoes of a slightly sinister hero. Author Joanna Challis has chosen to write the novel in first-person, with Cristabel herself telling the tale. This feature seems to make the heroine’s feeling all the more intimate, drawing readers deep into the mystery and suspense of this outstanding novel. EYE OF THE SERPENT is a book I would highly recommend!
Reviewed by Janean Nusz
for The Road to Romance
January 4, 2007
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