SERENDIPITOUS TUESDAYS: INTROS/TEASERS — THE HEIR — OCT. 9

Welcome to another Tuesday celebrating bookish events, from Tuesday/First Chapter/Intros, hosted by Bibliophile by the Sea; and Teaser Tuesdays hosted by Should Be Reading.

Today I’m excerpting from The Heir, by Barbara Taylor Bradford.

 

 

Intro: (Chapter One – Ravenscar, 1918)

It was a compulsion, the way he came down to this stretch of beach whenever he returned to Ravenscar.

A compulsion indeed, but also an overwhelming need to recapture, in his mind’s eye, their faces…their faces not yet cold and waxen in death, but still warm.  Neville, his mentor, his partner in so many schemes and adventures; Johnny, his beloved companion of their youth.  He had loved them well and true, these Watkins brothers, these cousins of his who had been his allies.

At least until a mixture of hurt feelings, overweening ambition, flaring emotions, and dangerous elements had intervened and pried then apart.  They had become sworn enemies, much to Edward’s chagrin, a pain that had never ceased to trouble him.  And now Johnny and Neville were dead.

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Teaser:  Cecily Watkins Deravenel sat alone in the library.  She had positioned herself on one of the large, overstuffed sofas near the fireplace and was enjoying a cup of coffee, thinking about her little grandson. p. 16

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Amazon Description:  At the age of thirty-three, Edward Deravenel, having survived harrowing years of betrayal, threats from ruthless enemies, countless lovers, and a war that ravaged his country, is finally king of his company. It’s 1918, an influenza pandemic is sweeping the country, and Edward has a family and a business to protect. He must thread his way between his loyal brother, Richard, and his treacherous middle brother, George, an alcoholic bent on self-destruction . . . but not before he tries to ruin Edward and his good name. Meanwhile, the wrath of his ever-jealous wife, Elizabeth, is reaching a boiling point as suspicions about Edward’s relationships with other women arise.

Politics of inheritance are intense, and different family factions vie for honor over the years. An heir is needed to keep the Deravenel name alive, but tragedy and death remain obstacles at every turn. The choices include a loyal caretaker, a jealous rumormonger, a charming young woman, a sickly boy, and the scion of the family Edward ousted from power years before.

Barbara Taylor Bradford triumphs once again with a novel about passion, treachery, marriage, and family, and the compromises we’re forced to make for power and love.

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So…would you keep reading?  I know that I have thoroughly enjoyed Barbara Taylor Bradford’s books, especially the Harte series.  This one is taking me a bit to warm up to…but I’m going to give it a try.

What are the rest of you sharing?  I’m now off to check your excerpts.