Book Title: Charlotte Ann's Coven (The Master of Whitehall Book 4)
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Pages: 259
Author: Rick H. Veal
Date Published: 2 October 2015
Synopsis:
In the long awaited prequel to the award winning Epic Saga of The Master of Whitehall, Charlotte Ann Erickson, an enchanting but deadly immortal, and the acknowledged matriarch of the Charleston coven, has decided after much soul searching that at long last she must tell her story. A decision reached primarily because the natural and supernatural worlds are coming in contact with each other more than ever before in the past. Her main consideration is that she feels it is long overdue for humans to hear some hard truths about the reality of the immortal world … especially after the veritable flood of books and movies in recent years.
Her story, having been a closely guarded secret in the past, begins before the first English settlers came to America. It’s a story that spans across four centuries, shrouded in the fog of myths and imaginations. She was the last of six children born into a prominent shipping family in seventeenth century London, England … and the forerunner of a well-known immortal coven in twenty-first century Charleston, South Carolina.
Charlotte Ann bares her soul, giving insights into the life of a vampire unlike any today. She was made in the days when life was cheap and immortals were hunters and killers. Look through her eyes as she relates her story, dispelling modern misconceptions of immortals. Step into her shoes and recognize humans as she does … easy prey, weak and pathetic … creatures of no real importance outside of sustenance. Listen as she tells of her evolution over the centuries into a modern predator … and when her story is told, watch, as once again, she quietly fades away, back into the mists of folklore and fantasy.
Review:
Charlotte Ann's Coven: The Beginning by Rick H. VealMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
I received a complimentary copy from the author in return for an honest review.
This is the fourth book in The Master of Whitehall Saga. I loved it!
Charlotte Ann Erikson is a fantastic character. I liked her very much. We were first introduced to her in the first book, The Master of Whitehall. This is her story and follows her journey from being a young daughter of a sea faring merchant in 1625, to one of the most enchanting but deadly immortals still alive today. I really liked getting to know her better, and enjoyed watching her growth as a character worthy of respect.
Having read the other three books in the series, I was excited when the author contacted me and asked if I would be interested in reading this one. I jumped at the chance and was not disappointed.
I was quickly pulled into the story and was swept away into the past. The author has done a lot of research into the history of not only countries, specifically the European continent and the United Kingdom and lastly America, but the important events within those countries through the centuries. His descriptions brought the past to life, as well as certain characters. I loved meeting Ferdinand, Charlotte Ann’s future mate, though his history is a bit of a mystery even to this day. He seems to be warm and loving though, so I hope his story will be told one day. I also loved meeting Jemison. He may be a mortal, but he (along with his family) plays an important role in Charlotte Ann’s life. Immortals’ seem to have no concept of time, unless certain events or people they meet interact with their normal day to day existence. Jemison’s character definitely makes an impact on Charlotte Ann’s life and gives her a reference point for time. Another character that makes an impression on her life is James Dubois (The Master of Whitehall, book one in the saga). He becomes her child, lover and friend. However, her heart still belongs to her mate and one true love, Ferdinand.
This book is told through the eyes of Charlotte Ann and it took me on a roller coaster ride of emotion. I found myself empathising with Charlotte Ann as she dealt with the terrible loss of a parent. It is not easy to lose someone you love. I also felt her happiness in finding Ferdinand and the sadness at their parting. I also was a little envious of her for finding a wonderful companion and friend in James. But I was totally ecstatic when a surprise visitor makes a return. Charlotte Ann has lived a long and sometimes turbulent life, and I have thoroughly enjoyed taking a journey through history and her memories of them with her. I hope that she will have many more years to make new memories in the future.
Rick Veal has written an intriguing series of love, loss, friendship and emotional growth that will take the reader on a roller coaster ride of emotion. His characters are lifelike and likable. His writing style has improved a lot and is faster paced than ever before. The flow of the story is wonderful, and this kept me turning the pages. I do not know if there will be any more books in this series, but even if there are not, I would definitely read more of this authors work in the future.
There are some scenes of a sensual nature that are a little on the hot side (although not as explicit as some books I have read), so I do not recommend this book for younger readers. I do, however, recommend this book (and series) if you love paranormal romances with sexy vampires or immortal beings. - Lynn Worton
View all my reviews
Rick H. Veal was born sometime during the last half of the twentieth century in the upstate of South Carolina and has spent the majority of his life there. He joined the Navy immediately out of high school becoming an aircraft mechanic. During a six year span he sailed four times around the world and had the pleasure of visiting eighteen different countries. He says of that time that he did about two thirds of everything there was to do and was accused of taking part in the other one third.
After returning home he attended The University of South Carolina graduating with a double Associates Degree with Honors. He completed his education at Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in History and Education. Since that time he has worked in the education field as a teacher and in various management positions in industry. He currently lives alone and shares his home with his 'daughter', a six year old Tuxedo cat who graciously allows him to think he actually owns the house. Her name is 'Daddy's Pretty Girl' but she will actually answer to anything except 'Late for Dinner'.
His two favorite authors are Anne Rice and Clive Cussler. He enjoys Cussler's storytelling ability and Rice's attention to detail. He considers Anne Rice, The Grand Dame of Vampire Writers, to be the architect of the modern vampire genre. Her works are the foundation on which current writers continue to build and expand the field. He believes that current writers of vampire lore owe her a huge debt of gratitude for laying that foundation. Clive Cussler, his other favorite author, is the quintessential American storyteller, one who is able to spin a yarn that draws the reader in from the very beginning. Both of them have a way of bringing their characters to life so that you feel as if you personally know them. Veal hopes that his readers will be able to see the influence of those two great writers in his writing as he tries to convey the same believability with his characters.
He has been a reader for most of his life and enjoyed much of what he's read. He has always enjoyed reading about and watching movies on the subject of vampires. He was completely hooked by Barnabas Collins in 'Dark Shadows' way back in 1966. After reading all the vampire books he could ... Rice, Smith, Harris, Craine, Meyer ... he decided that if they could write a vampire story, then so could he and he set out to do just that.
He decided that a setting with a rich history surrounding it would be ideal for a paranormal love story. Charleston and the surrounding Low Country of South Carolina, replete with an abundant history of ghosts and the unknown, combined with the lore of Vampire stories just seemed to be made for each other. So tying the two together he formed the initial idea and built on it from there.
The result of his efforts is The Epic Saga of The Master of Whitehall, a sweeping three volume narrative set in historic Charleston and the surrounding Low Country of South Carolina. A forth novel, the first of a two volume prequel to The Master of Whitehall, is in progress with one more planned for a total of five volumes in the series.
His other works include Jennifer's Ghost, a short story set in beautiful Beaufort, South Carolina and Hannah's Heartache, a Master of Whitehall novelette, set in Savannah, Georgia.
It has been said that that if you want to write, you should "write the book you want to read, and then others will want to read it too". That is exactly what he hopes he has accomplished in his own writings.
All of his books, Katelyn's Chronicles, Lexi's Legacy, Dale's Descent, Jennifer's Ghost and Hannah's Heartache are available at Amazon.com in both print and e-book formats.
Should you wish to receive a personally inscribed and signed copy of any of his books please contact him directly for more information. He can be contacted via e-mail at author@prtcnet.com, his website, TheMasterOfWhitehall.com, or on Facebook at Rick H. Veal.
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