The Enchanted Rose
Misty Hills, Book One
Nadia Nader
YA Paranormal
January 14, 2015
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When Vivian’s mother dies in a
tragic accident, Vivian’s world is turned upside down. Her life, as she knows
it, is over. A new life, full of her mother’s secrets, begins…
Sent away by her father to live
with two eccentric aunts on the mysterious Tremaine Estate, Vivian comes to
learn that a powerful curse lurks over her family – one that only she may have
the power to break. With each day she spends in Misty Hills, Vivian uncovers
more unsettling discoveries about the town, her reclusive family, and herself.
Can Vivian let go of every truth
she’s ever believed and discover who she really is, before the dark secrets
hidden within the supernatural town threaten to consume her and those she
loves?
Guest Post by Nadia Nader
The Story Behind the Story
Hello, my name is Nadia Nader and my debut novel The Enchanted
Rose is a paranormal story set in the fictional town of Misty Hills. The book
starts with Vivian having to move to the mysterious town due to her mother’s
sudden death. She’s distraught as she’s sent to the small town she’s never
heard of to live with two aunts she didn’t know existed.
The seeds for The Enchanted Rose were planted during a
family gathering several years ago. My parents and I were visiting our
relatives. It was a small family gathering composed of my aunt, uncle, and two
cousins. There was also a girl there, one that I had never met before. However
my parents seemed to know her very well. They kept asking her detailed questions
about her life. The more knowledge they showed about her life, the more curious
I became about how they knew her. After we were done with lunch, I pulled aside
my cousin and asked her who the girl was. With a surprised look at me, she
replied, “My sister.”
I was shocked. How could I not have known of the existence
of her sister? My world shifted slightly off its axis and rearranged itself. I
began asking myself, “What else don’t I know?”
When telling my friends the story, we bounced ideas around
asking each other what would be the strangest thing you could find out that
would change the way you viewed your world. What event would have you
questioning your life?
I knew then that I wanted to write a story about that and
explore the emotional aspects of your whole life turning upside down and having
to question every truth you’ve ever known. I liked the idea of Vivian having to
return to a town her mother ran away from and discovering family secrets. Especially
when those secrets turn out to be paranormal in nature.
Writing The Enchanted
Rose was a wonderful experience and I am currently working on the second book
in the series. Vivian has had an interesting start to life in Misty Hills but
she has more secrets to uncover. Life is going to be a little rocky for her in
the next couple of months but I know she can handle it!
Excerpt
A couple of pots
were bubbling atop the stove emitting delicious smells. My mouth watered, and I
realized how long it had been since I'd had a home-cooked meal. My father and I
had lived on ready-made meals since mother’s passing. I briefly wondered how my
father would manage without me there to make sure he ate. I blinked back the
tears that threatened to spill over.
“Have a seat at
the table.” My aunt gestured to a cozy table along the wall. Two places had been
set. With an efficient stride and swoop, she took a seat. “I’ve made beef stew
with vegetables and rice.”
“It smells
delicious.” Despite the lump in my throat and rock in my stomach, I salivated.
With a serving
spoon, Aunt Agnes scooped rice onto my plate and added a healthy helping of
stew alongside it. She did the same for her plate and then sat watching me as I
raised a spoon to my mouth.
I took a bite
and reveled in the taste. She smiled at my blissful reaction. The smile
softened her face, making her appear kinder.
“This is
amazing.”
“Thank you.” The
smile disappeared as suddenly as it had appeared. Her face clouded over again.
“We take turns cooking here. Beatrice actually made that. Of the three of us,
she’s the better cook.”
“I can cook too,
if you like. I used to cook for my parents sometimes. Mom taught me some family
recipes.”
Aunt Agnes
studied me for a few seconds. “That would be nice. It’s good to give Beatrice a
break from time to time.”
We ate the rest
of our meal in silence. The beef stew filled my stomach and warmth spread
across my body. In the cozy atmosphere of the kitchen, with pots bubbling
across the countertop, I almost felt content for the first time that week.
Before I could enjoy it for too long, my aunt spoke.
“You won’t be
expected to go to school tomorrow. I’ve told them that you’ll start on Friday,
so no reason to go and mix them up.” She frowned at me. “I don’t normally
encourage slothfulness, but I supposed you could take the day to recover from
your travels. If you’d like, you can explore the grounds. You can also go down
to town if you wish.”
I nodded
gratefully.
“Is there
anything you would like to ask me?” Aunt Agnes peered at me down her thin nose.
“Yes.” I
hesitated, not sure it was the right time to ask. Then I decided to take the
plunge and pose the question that had been bothering me since I'd found out I
was being sent to live with them. “Why didn’t my mother ever mention she had
sisters?”
If I hadn’t been
intent on observing her reaction, I would have missed the fleeting expression
of anger and grief that crossed her face. But I was watching closely.
That expression
disappeared quickly, and she looked back at me in disapproval, her face
becoming more pinched looking. Her lips thinned to a white line until they almost
disappeared. The silence went on long enough for it to become awkward. Soon,
all I could hear was the loud ticking of the grandfather clock.
When I thought I
couldn’t bear the tension any longer, my aunt finally spoke. “Your mother never
mentioned us because she was desperate to break free. Mentioning us would have
made her escape futile.” She looked at me with an intensity that made me
lightheaded. “As it is, you are back with us, so she never managed to truly
escape.”
About the Author
Nadia Nader lives in Kuwait with
her family.
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