The Staircase Review

Title:  The Staircase
Author:  Deryn Lake
Genre:  Historical Romance (PNR)
Publisher:  Endeavour Press
Release Date:  Nov. 2, 2017
Buy Link:  Amazon

My Rating:  4 Magical Hearts

*Many thanks to Endeavour Press for a copy of this book via Netgally.

Synopsis:

Helena had always been haunted by the dream of the staircase.

It prevents her from forming any real relationship with a man, because who could live up to the haunting, handsome figure that awaits her at the top of the staircase?

When her on-off boyfriend and childhood sweetheart Hal takes Helena on a romantic trip to Paris, he offers her a final ultimatum, and she is suddenly forced to decide between dreams and reality.

But, as her two worlds begin to collide, Helena begins to realise that everything is not as it seems – and that some dreams are nightmares…

Review:

The Staircase is a haunting, mystical, historical romance novella that spans centuries.  The dream-like atmosphere sets a chilling, surreal tone throughout the story.  Helena's sleep is disturbed repeatedly by her eerie dream of a dark, handsome man in eras-past clothing standing at the top of a staircase in what appears to be an ancient castle.  His dark, compelling eyes beckon her to come to him, and her body wholeheartedly responds.  At the same time, she is issued an ultimatum by her "boyfriend" Hal to commit to marriage or let him go.  They agree to take a week-long romantic trip to France to explore historical sites and their relationship, and after that, Helena will have one week to give him her answer.  Little does she know that magical forces beyond her control are at work, and what she discovers in France will change her life forever.  Is it her dream come true?  Or her worse nightmare?

A spooky, eerie tone settles over this story early-on and continues through the ending.  I found the writing and story to be compelling and, much like Helena, I found myself hypnotized and drawn in by the mysterious stranger on the stairway.  The story that unfolds is a vivid historical journey through time, spanning five centuries as it introduces several famous historical figures.  But are they real or a dream?  The author does a beautiful job with descriptive passages throughout and easily transports readers inside the mysterious Chambord Castle in France alongside of Helena.  I wish the author had chosen to write a longer story, giving readers a more in-depth introduction and understanding of the main characters, but I think Lake does a nice job given the book is only 80 pages long.  I did note a few errors in the book which is always disappointing, but even so, they didn't distract from my reading pleasure.  All in all, I found The Staircase to be a good, haunting novella with beautiful descriptive passages, compelling characters, and an unique, intriguing plot line.  A Must Read!

My Rating:  4 Magical Hearts . . . And that's the truth!

Cross My Heart . . . xxx

Sandra