Blackwell
by Alexandrea Weis with Lucas Astor
on Tour February 1 – March 31, 2019
Synopsis:
“… an intriguing, dark tale complete with vividly drawn characters, and a uniquely compelling character in Magnus … seamlessly blends mystery, magic and matters of the heart to create an enthralling read. Readers will be engaged from the start of the story to its climactic ending.” ~Melanie Bates, RT Book Reviews
“A dark story of passion and revenge … A guilty-pleasure read that kept me captivated knowing something sinister is looming in the plot and over the characters.” ~New Orleans Magazine
In the late 1800s, handsome, wealthy New Englander, Magnus Blackwell, is the envy of all.
When Magnus meets Jacob O’Connor–a Harvard student from the working class–an unlikely friendship is forged. But their close bond is soon challenged by a captivating woman; a woman Magnus wants, but Jacob gets.
Devastated, Magnus seeks solace in a trip to New Orleans. After a chance meeting with Oscar Wilde, he becomes immersed in a world of depravity and brutality, inevitably becoming the inspiration for Dorian Gray. Armed with the forbidden magic of voodoo, he sets his sights on winning back the woman Jacob stole from him.
Amid the trappings of Victorian society, two men, bent on revenge, will lay the foundation for a curse that will forever alter their destinies.
Book Details:
Genre: Historical Mystery with Supernatural Elements
Published by: Vesuvian Books
Publication Date: January 17th 2017
Number of Pages: 295
ISBN: 1944109242 (ISBN13: 9781944109240)
Series: A Magnus Blackwell Novel 0.5
Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
My Review
Blackwell latches onto your imagination and takes it on a dark, brooding, debased, and completely captivating journey. The story starts off simple enough, with two young architect students meeting at Harvard and forming an instant friendship. But everything that comes next is anything but simple.
The authors take the age-old human folly of envy and turn it on its head. The characterization is beyond exceptional. Magnus Blackwell is rich, malevolent, and full of anger. Jacob O’Connor is poor, a talented budding architect, and head over heels in love with the one woman both men want. What can go wrong?
While Blackwell’s cruel depravity with women can be a bit extreme and disconcerting, this behavior is an important aspect to this character. He takes what he wants, and standing in his way is not an option. When Blackwell travels to New Orleans for a quick getaway, he meets Oscar Wilde, who finds Magnus Blackwell the perfect inspiration for a story about a portrait that shows the true self aging, evolving, and decaying from the weight of sin. This trip to New Orleans is also the catalyst for Blackwell’s revenge against the friend who stole his girl. Voodoo, magic, a dragon cane, and murder propel the story to an even darker level.
But don’t be lulled into thinking Blackwell is a transparent tale about good versus evil. And don’t be fooled into thinking the story will be predictable because O’Connor gets the girl, and Blackwell gets revenge. This dark novel’s foundation constantly shifts and surprises and frightens, all the way to the last page.
If you like a dark mystery that entertains, repulses, keeps you guessing, catches you off guard at every turn, and ignites excitement for the next book in the series, then Blackwell is for you.
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Blackwell Trailer:
Read an excerpt:
“We all saw different spirits,” Emily surmised. “How is that possible?”
Katie rose from Jacob’s side. “We each saw the person we wanted to see. The person we felt most connected to on the other side.” She came around the table to Magnus, grinning like a proud peacock. “Do you still doubt my abilities?”
“No.” Magnus blew out a long breath. “I think we should not do this again, though. I got the impression what happened tonight may be only the beginning.”
“The beginning of what?” Emily pestered.
Magnus straightened his coat as he turned for the door. “Something very dangerous.”
***
Excerpt from Blackwell by Alexandrea Weis with Lucas Astor. Copyright © 2017 by Alexandrea Weis. Reproduced with permission from Alexandrea Weis. All rights reserved.
Alexandrea Weis:
Alexandrea Weis, RN-CS, CRRN, ONC, PhD, is a multi-award-winning author of over twenty-seven novels, a screenwriter, ICU Nurse, and historian who was born and raised in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Having grown up in the motion picture industry as the daughter of a director, she learned to tell stories from a different perspective and began writing at the age of eight. Infusing the rich tapestry of her hometown into her novels, she believes that creating vivid characters makes a story moving and memorable. A permitted/certified wildlife rehabber with the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries, Weis rescues orphaned and injured animals. She lives with her husband and pets in New Orleans. Weis writes mysteries, suspense, thrillers, horror, crime fiction, action, historical, and romance. She is a member of the Horror Writers Association and the International Thriller Writers Association.
Lucas Astor is from New York, has resided in Central America and the Middle East, and traveled through Europe. He lives a very private, virtually reclusive lifestyle, preferring to spend time with a close-knit group of friends than be in the spotlight. He is an author and poet with a penchant for telling stories that delve into the dark side of the human psyche. He likes to explore the evil that exists, not just in the world, but right next door behind a smiling face.
Catch Up With Alexandrea On:
alexandreaweis.com, Goodreads, Twitter, & Facebook!
Lucas Astor:
Lucas Astor is from New York, has resided in Central America and the Middle East, and traveled through Europe. He lives a very private, virtually reclusive lifestyle, preferring to spend time with a close-knit group of friends than be in the spotlight.
He is an author and poet with a penchant for telling stories that delve into the dark side of the human psyche. He likes to explore the evil that exists, not just in the world, but right next door behind a smiling face.
Photography, making wine, and helping endangered species are just some of his interests. Lucas is an expert archer and enjoys jazz, blues, and classical music.
One of his favorite quotes is: “It’s better to be silent than be a fool.” ~Harper Lee (To Kill a Mockingbird)
Tour Participants:
Visit these other great hosts on this tour for more great reviews, interviews, guest posts, and giveaways!
Great review. It has me intrigued and wanting to read this book and soon.
Thank you for sharing!!
That is terrific! Thank you for reviewing!