Bequeathed took a few years to write and I read many books in that time. These novels that I have listed, are some of my all- time favourite in paranormal/fantasy/mystery genres. Bequeathed has been said to have The Vampire Diaries vibes, not surprising when TVD was one of my favourite shows.
Top Ten Books that you may like if you like Bequeathed:
1. The Raven (The Florentine Series) by Sylvain Reynard
2. The Shadow (The Florentine Series) by Sylvain Reynard
3. The Roman (The Florentine Series) by Sylvain Reynard
4. A Discovery of Witches by Doborah Harkness (The All Souls Trilogy)
5. Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness (The All Souls Trilogy)
6. The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness (The All Souls Trilogy)
7. The Wicked Deep by Shea Earnshaw (no vampires but lots of witchy goodness)
8. Hunting Prince Dracula by Kerri Maniscalco
9. The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
10. Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice (my all time favourite novel and book).
These are the songs that either inspired scenes in Bequeathed or since have made me have flashbacks of certain scenes. I wanted to create a fantasy in the real world feel in Bequeathed, where the reader could imagine themselves in certain locations where it could be possible for the story to take place. Bequeathed is predominantly set in Rome, so the mixture of history, mystery and romantic elements play a big part in the development of the story. It was not hard to world build when the city of Rome is steeped in history.
Music Playlist to listen to whilst reading Bequeathed
1. Youngblood by 5 Seconds of Summer
2. Can’t Feel My Face by The Weekend
3. Dangerous Night by Thirty Seconds to Mars
4. Don’t Let Me Down by The Chainsmokers (last scene walking down the grand staircase)
5. New Way to Bleed by Evanescence
6. Call Out My Name by The Weekend
Bequeathed
Melinda Terranova
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Date of Publication: 10th July 2018
ISBN: 978-1719274036
ASIN: B07DPMK7RQ
Number of pages: 293
Word Count: 85 000
Cover Artist: Lee Ching at Undercover Designs
Tagline: Could I embrace the curse bequeathed upon me?
Book Description:
Katalina is haunted by graphic nightmares in which she bathes in the blood of violently murdered young girls. Sent to Rome to visit her aunt, she discovers her family’s grim past. A past that involves a secret curse that catapults the women in her family down a path of eternal darkness-a curse she wants no part of.
In the romantic surrounds of Rome, Katalina finds herself inexplicably drawn to the secretive and broody Dominic, and their holiday romance flourishes. When Katalina forms an unlikely friendship with the dangerously charismatic vampire Toby, she finds herself in a tangle of violent secrets and crossed alliances.
Now that she is exposed to a world her mom and grandmother fought hard to keep her from- a world brimming with royal vampires, powerful witches, and dangerous hunters-Katalina must choose her fate or lose her heart forever.
Excerpt:
“Have you heard the grim fairy
tale?” A deep voice from behind me echoes around the room.
I
spin on my heels and Toby is standing in the doorway, the only exit available.
I feel trapped. A sudden sense of danger saturates the darkened room.
“Yes,” I reply.
His
gaze is fixed on me, eyes glistening in the small amount of light that seeps
through the window.
“I
have heard she still roams these parts on occasion.” He takes a step through
the door.
“Did
you follow me?” I step back as he steps forward.
“Would
it bother you if I said yes?” He pauses for a moment before he stalks toward
me.
I
stand my ground knowing fully well that I shouldn’t fear him; he has saved me
twice now from other vampires.
“Would
it bother you?” he repeats.
I
stare up at him. His face truly resembles a vampire; his skin is translucent in
the dim light and his pupils are dilated.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
He leans closer to me.
“Why?
Because that’s just weird.”
“What
if I told you that I can’t stop?” he whispers.
Alarm
bells ring in my head and I look at the door behind him.
“I
won’t hurt you, Kat. Don’t be afraid.” His voice has turned to velvet.
“I’m
not afraid.” I stare up at him.
He
steps closer to me and his proximity is dizzying. I can see the vein in his
neck pulsing and the dark danger in his eyes as he stares at me through black
lashes.
“Aren’t
you? Your heart rate seems to disagree with you.”
I
swallow the lump in my throat. “I’m going back down to the festival.” I step
around him, and as I pass, he takes my hand in his. His skin is cool and
smooth. His touch alights me with anticipation. I turn to look up into his
beautiful face, confused as to where this exchange is leading. His carnal gaze
sets me on fire.
Leaning in to whisper in my ear,
he inhales. His voice changes from a purr to something deeper, more dangerous.
“Do you know what it takes for me not to taste you? Your sweet blood sings to
me. I am possessed whenever I am near you. I seek you out and resist the urge
to hunt you, like the predator I am. It is a game I play unbeknownst to you.”
His breath tickles my neck.
I
close my eyes and hold my breath waiting for something to happen. Wanting
something to happen.
“You
don’t have to be afraid of me,” Toby whispers against my cheek before I feel a
gush of wind and he is gone.
About the Author:
Melinda resides on the sunny Gold Coast, Australia with her husband, two boys and two dogs. When she is not writing or reading, she works as a registered nurse. Her other loves include: coffee, tea, delicious pastries and the beach.
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