Reality imitating art? Triptych, my tale of legend, history and romance intertwining in a triptych of suspense, eerily foreshadows this intriguing news item.
Julian Radcliffe, chairman of the London-based Art Loss Register, calls it “the biggest cache of illegally stored art since the end of the [[second world] war.” He’s talking about the discovery in Munich, Germany of more than 1400 artworks, including previously unknown paintings by Matisse and Chagall. The paintings were found in the apartment of an 80-year-old man whose father had acted as an agent for the Nazis to collect art and sell it abroad. It’s not yet clear whether the man was protecting the art or wanted it for himself. At any rate, his son kept the paintings, only selling one now and then to live on. One investigator described the collection as “professionally stored and in very good condition.”
The only thing missing in this story is romance. That’s where Triptych has the upper hand.
Miranda Cabot lost all interest in love after her husband Edward crashed into the Potomac River rocks called the Three Sisters. Her sister Honor likewise prefers her tower and her writing. Not so the third sister Sybil, who longs for romance with a dashing Frenchman. She advertises for said hero on Craig’s List and is rewarded with the Chevalier du Bon Arnaque, who comes to Washington from Alsace claiming to be an art dealer.
She asks her neighbors Dieter Heiliger and his grandson Corey, to act as chaperones. With three beautiful, strong-willed women in a house filled with three handsome, virile men, the inevitable result is an intricate web of jealousy, sex, and intrigue. Add in long-lost master artworks, stolen prototypes, and a resident genius and you have a recipe for romance. Who will end up with whom, and will the Three Sisters take another life as the legend calls for?
You can read more about the German discovery here:
http://www.wsj.com/articles/more-works-found-at-german-collector-gurlitts-apartment-1406208293
http://www.vanityfair.com/news/2014/04/degenerate-art-cornelius-gurlitt-munich-apartment
And in April of this year, treasure hunters claimed to have found nazi treasure on a long-lost train:
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/men-claim-find-nazi-treasure-train-poland-loaded-art-gold-n413131
Triptych, by M. S. Spencer
Ebook 67,300 words; Print 213 pp.
Romantic suspense/Adventure
M/F, 2 flames
Blurb:
Take lost masterpieces, brilliant inventors, and stolen prototypes. Add the Three Sisters, Indian spirits who guard the Potomac River. Stir in three sisters and their lovers. Result? Jealousy, sex, genius, larceny and love. Who will end up with whom, and will the Three Sisters take another life as the legend demands?
Buy Links:
Triptych is available in both eBook and Print-on-Demand.
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Triptych-M-S-Spencer/dp/1519142102/
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/triptych-m-s-spencer/1106339037?ean=2940152457995
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-ca/ebook/triptych-17
IBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/triptych/id1057493922?mt=11
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/591713
AllRomanceEBooks: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-triptych-1923917-149.html
Createspace: https://www.createspace.com/5846670
Excerpt (G): Luc Arrives
Miranda heard the pounding of excited feet on the stairs. She checked her hair and dress, and prepared herself not merely to meet the Chevalier du Bon Arnaque, but to dislike him intensely.
She called to Honor and stepped sedately down the long formal staircase to the central hall, where Sybil was taking the coat of a very tall, black-haired man. As she stood on the last step, he turned and glanced up at her. A long pause ensued. Did my heart just stop beating? The house, the hall, Sybil—everything but the man, faded into the background. She examined his face minutely, as though she had all the time in the world. Ringlets of thick, glossy black hair twined over his forehead, the light catching highlights of silver at the temples and deep in his ebony eyes. Tanned skin stretched tight over his high cheekbones, reminding her of the portrait of a Highland chieftain that hung in her study. She could just make out a tiny upturn at the end of his nose that lent a fanciful air to his appearance. Perhaps not a clan chief but an elvish prince?
Slowly she grew aware of Sybil’s chattering. “Monsieur le Chevalier—see how well I pronounced it, monsieur? I’ve been practicing. I promise to be your best student ever! Oh, and this is Miranda, my sister. Honor? Honor! Are you coming down?”
Miranda took the last step into a new world. She faltered before this man who turned her inside out with a single look, and words failed her. As she struggled with an unaccustomed shyness, he held out a friendly hand to her. She mustered up a firm shake from somewhere, noting the hard calluses that lined his palm. A work-hardened hand. Could it be he’s not a leisure-loving gigolo after all?
The chevalier seemed undismayed by the two sisters’ presence. “You are, I presume, Mademoiselle Miranda?” A Gallic accent tinged his words, lending an old-world aroma reminiscent of cognac and espresso to his voice.
She heard a voice that sounded like her own coming from some distance away. “It is Madame. How do you do?”
“I beg your pardon.” He looked helplessly at Sybil. “You did say your sister’s name is also Cabot?”
Behind her came Honor’s voice. “My sister reverted to her maiden name after the loss of her husband, monsieur. I am Honor Cabot. Welcome to our home.” He bowed. Honor indicated the housekeeper. “Dodie will take your luggage up for you.”
Dodie, who had been standing stiffly by the door, came forward. Behind her impassive face the three sisters knew there lay strong opinions, which she intended to share at an appropriate time. Just then, Dieter and Corey came in from the kitchen. The Frenchman started, but caught himself. “I did not know I would have the pleasure of meeting such a beautiful…and…er…large family.” He winked at Sybil.
Honor made the introductions. “Mr. Heiliger and his grandson Corey will also be staying with us.”
Whatever the chevalier thought of this turn of events, he took care not to reveal. As Dodie moved toward the suitcases, he stepped around her hastily. “Oh, no, please, I can carry them myself. If you would be so kind as to show me to my room?” He skirted the small gathering, picked up two suitcases and a large box, and followed Dodie up the stairs.
Dieter stared up at the Frenchman’s back. Without a word he took Corey’s elbow and steered him out the door.
The three women stood in a tight circle. Finally Sybil broke the silence. “He’s…er…he’s rather more handsome than I expected.”
Honor’s laughter rang. “You could say that, dear. So we have even more cause for suspicion, don’t we?”
Sybil flushed. “No one that handsome could be a crook, Honor. It isn’t kosher.”
Her remark brought Miranda back to the present. “What a preposterous thing to say, Sybil. I agree with Honor—men who look like that will undoubtedly use the effect they have on women to wicked purpose. I’ve seen it before.”
Sybil was too young to realize how much her next words would hurt. “You’re talking about Edward. But Edward was scum. We all know that. I never understood how you could let him bamboozle you for so long.”
Miranda bit her lip to keep the words back, but Honor had no such compunction. “Keep your cruel thoughts to yourself, Sybil,” she said sharply. She pursed her lips. “Edward can serve as an example though. Sybil, I want you to take care. This Monsieur du Bon Arnaque could be a criminal. I’m glad Miranda persuaded Dieter to stay with us.”
A step on the stair kept Sybil from retorting.
“The ladies Cabot, may I join you?” Luc Rever, Chevalier du Bon Arnaque, gracefully descended the curving mahogany staircase to the entrance hall, an enigmatic smile playing across his full lips. His long-fingered hand slid effortlessly down the banister and his black eyes twinkled in the sunlight pouring through the open front door. “Dodie has been most helpful, but before settling in I wanted to properly thank you all for receiving me.” In his left hand he held a basket. “I have taken the liberty of bringing you some of the delicacies of my country.” He held it out to Miranda, but Sybil grabbed it and pulled the red and white checked napkin from the top.
“Ooh, ooh. Cheeses and sausages…and wine! Wait, is this a plum tart?”
He gave her a delighted grin and turned to Honor. “I presume she will share. Mademoiselle Honor, it gives me great pleasure to meet Sybil’s elder sister. You are the writer, non?” Honor nodded, clearly taken aback. Apparently he not only knew Sybil had sisters, he knew quite a lot about them. He turned to Miranda. “And you, madame. Sybil tells me you work at the great Smithsonian Institution, but she neglects to tell me in what office. Perhaps you will enlighten me at dinner?”
Miranda nodded along with Honor, feeling like a couple of bobble-head dolls. As the rather uncomfortable silence lengthened, the chevalier turned his gaze to the door. “I look forward, Sybil, to seeing the grounds you have so eloquently described. May we?”
Sybil giggled and took his hand. “Come along then, monsieur.”
The man said, “Please, I beg of you, call me Luc.” He opened his arms wide. “I do hope we may all use our given names? I would hate to stand on ceremony with three such exquisite creatures.”
More idiotic nodding. Sybil led Luc out the back door into the formal flower garden. Honor and Miranda waited until they disappeared, then burst out laughing. They were still laughing when Dodie came in from the kitchen. She waited patiently for their snorts and sniggers to subside. “There will be six for supper then?”
Honor squeezed Miranda’s hand. “Oh, yes,” she panted. “Six.” She ran up the stairs to her tower, her chuckles trailing behind.
Dodie turned to Miranda. “May I enquire as to the cause of your merriment, young lady?” she asked stiffly.
Miranda wiped the tears away and shook her head, not sure if she could maintain her composure. “Do I have to explain, Dodie? You saw him. Even Sybil was speechless.” Ignoring Dodie’s disapproving glare, she too fled to her room.
About the Author
Although she has lived or traveled in every continent except Antarctica and Australia (bucket list), M. S. Spencer has spent the last thirty years mostly in Washington, D.C. as a librarian, Congressional staff assistant, speechwriter, editor, birdwatcher, kayaker, policy wonk, non-profit director and parent. She has two fabulous grown children, one fabulous grandchild, and currently divides her time between the Gulf coast of Florida and a tiny village in Maine.
Contacts
Blog: http://msspencertalespinner.blogspot.com
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AUTHOR PAGES:
I Heart Book Publishing:
http://www.iheartbookpublishing.com/m-s-spencer.html
Romance Books 4 Us: http://romancebooks4us.com/Romance%20Author%20M.%20S.%20Spencer.html OR
Amazon Author Page:
http://www.amazon.com/M.S.-Spencer/e/B002ZOEUC8/
GoodReads:http://www.goodreads.com/msspencer
Look for two different (hot) excerpts 11/18 at Sherry Gloag’s site: http://sherrygloagtheheartofromance.blogspot.com
and 11/20 at Chris Redding’s site: http://chrisreddingauthor.blogspot.com
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