And now back to our regularly scheduled program

The Potter Experience is now behind us
well at least as far as this blog is concerned.........but we will continue with Potter at our house forever.

Today I would like to talk to you about a wonderful book that I read

It is The Lantern by my blog friend Deborah Lawrenson
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book from the publisher Harper Collins

This is Deborah's first book published in America. The official release date is August 9th, 2011

Some background......

I stumbled upon Deborah's blog way back when I started mine.
I believe I found her from the She Writes group
I became enchanted with her use of words
Her blog reads like poetry
Everything she describes becomes almost three dimensional as you find yourself lost in her description.
Upon learning she had an upcoming novel I was very excited to read it.

Here is the synopsis from Harper Collins:

A modern gothic novel of love, secrets, and murder—set against the lush backdrop of Provence

Meeting Dom was the most incredible thing that had ever happened to me. When Eve falls for the secretive, charming Dom in Switzerland, their whirlwind relationship leads them to Les Genévriers, an abandoned house set among the fragrant lavender fields of the South of France. Each enchanting day delivers happy discoveries: hidden chambers, secret vaults, a beautiful wrought-iron lantern. Deeply in love and surrounded by music, books, and the heady summer scents of the French countryside, Eve has never felt more alive.

But with autumn’s arrival the days begin to cool, and so, too, does Dom. Though Eve knows he bears the emotional scars of a failed marriage—one he refuses to talk about—his silence arouses suspicion and uncertainty. The more reticent Dom is to explain, the more Eve becomes obsessed with finding answers—and with unraveling the mystery of his absent, beautiful ex-wife, Rachel.

Like its owner, Les Genévriers is also changing. Bright, warm rooms have turned cold and uninviting; shadows now fall unexpectedly; and Eve senses a presence moving through the garden. Is it a ghost from the past or a manifestation of her current troubles with Dom? Can she trust Dom, or could her life be in danger?

Eve does not know that Les Genévriers has been haunted before. Bénédicte Lincel, the house’s former owner, thrived as a young girl within the rich elements of the landscape: the violets hidden in the woodland, the warm wind through the almond trees. She knew the bitter taste of heartbreak and tragedy—long-buried family secrets and evil deeds that, once unearthed, will hold shocking and unexpected consequences for Eve.

The minute I received the novel I started reading it. Instantly I found myself transported to Provence......where I have never been but feel like I have now after reading. Her descriptions are so detailed that I longed for the scent of Lavender. It was just there I could almost smell it. In the end I went out and purchased a lavender candle which I lit every time I sat down to read. The story was haunting in a way that when you put it down you found yourself thinking about the characters and wondering where the story was leading you. Deborah's use of words is truly inspiring an amazing talent that I will forever be jealous of.
The story itself is told from the main character Eve's perspective as she meets Dom falls in love and then learns his secrets. The discoveries they make while living in their beautiful home made me wish I had bought an old home instead of new construction (well fairly new). How awesome would it be to find these treasures. I admit to not liking Dom at first but he redeems himself in the end and I love when an author has the ability to change my mind. Mixed in with Eve and Don's story is the story of the original owner of the home Benedicte....I loved this it was easy to fall in love with Benedicte's story.

I don't think my review.....as I have said in the past I am not a professional.....can give this book the praise it deserves.
So I will just say....trust me this book is beautifully written and you will be as enchanted as I was.

Now I want to go to Provence!

Have a magical filled Monday!