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An Excerpt from my new release, Napoleon's Elysium, by Diane Scott Lewis

 

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Amelie is caught singing in her garden at St. Helena, a ruse to attract Napoleon's interest. She's shocked when it works. Her father drags her into the house to confront the emperor.

Light-headed, Amélie sucked in her breath and managed a smile. “How do you do, Your Majesty.”

She realized too late the emperor was supposed to speak first. Aware she should curtsy, her mind went blank, leaving her at a loss as to which foot went where. She dipped her head.

“Mademoiselle, the little gardener. Is that you I heard singing so spiritedly out in the courtyard?”

“You did listen? Oh, I’m sorry if I disturbed you, Your Majesty.” She grinned wider and didn’t glance at her father who stood rigid near the door.

“No, no, you misunderstand. You haven’t disturbed me.” Napoleon laughed softly. “I find your voice very interesting. Have you had formal training?”

A rush of awe heated her from the inside out at this praise from the one man their entire world revolved around. Her knees trembled. “Very informal training, Sire, and self-study recently...from the books I borrowed from...I—”

“You learned to sing like that from books?” His sweet smile and flashing blue-gray eyes illuminated his pallid features.

“No I...but I do love to read. You learn so many different things. It opens up the world...” She broke off, ashamed of her babbling, twisting the ribbon under her chin with nervous fingers.

“Quite right, Mademoiselle. Would you mind singing that song again for me, now?”

She blinked at him. “Of course...I wouldn’t mind, Sire.” The idea of singing directly in front of the emperor with her limited knowledge of music made her toes curl in her muddy shoes. A voice in the wind might not sound so melodious in the confines of a house.

“Tres bien. Come into the reception hall. It has the most space.” Napoleon strode from the room.

Passing her father, she barely looked at him as she followed the emperor through the house to the front. The green reception salon was Longwood’s largest chamber. A mahogany billiard table the British had brought up in the first months of their residence took up a fifth of the space. An old piano stood in the far corner. Two lumpy sofas and several chairs slumped against the walls. Two globes, one of the Heavens, one of Earth, flanked the door from the drawing room.

Amélie stood in the realm she’d been eager to explore. The wind rattled the window panes as she felt her nerves rattling beneath her skin.

She hid her dirty hands behind her back and waited for some signal to begin. Napoleon sat and nodded his head.

Amélie anxiously cleared her throat and started to sing. Tentative at first, her voice sputtered and crackled as she grappled for control. Now gathering momentum, she hoped her singing exuded a rich tone. She closed her eyes, trying to regulate her breath, hitting the high drawn-out notes and concentrating on doing her utmost—fearful of making a mistake.

When done, her body quivered at the exertion. She took another slow inhale before meeting the emperor’s gaze.

Diane lives in western Pennsylvania with her husband and one naughty puppy.

A new release, "Napoleon's Elysium, Desire and Betrayal on St. Helena", by Diane Scott Lewis

 

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I worked over ten years on this novel, in between writing another novel, and starting a third. I kept revising, honing it down to an acceptable word count. I had to take out actual historical personages I wanted to keep, and some of the fictional, which was no great loss. I published it in 2011 under the title Elysium, but this is a totally revamped version thanks to the editorial help of Joanne Renaud, who also painted the beautiful front cover. The cover design is by Karen Ronan.

I hope you enjoy this restructured work.

In 1815, after the battle of Waterloo, Napoleon Bonaparte is exiled to Saint Helena. On this remote, volcanic island, Amélie Perrault, the daughter of Napoleon’s head chef, is fascinated with the fallen French Emperor. She’s secretly writing an erotic romance novel, gleaning the finer details from books.
When her beautiful singing voice catches Napoleon’s attention, she is drawn into his clash with their British jailers, court intrigues, and a burgeoning sexual attraction. She’s eager to experience the erotica she writes about.
Napoleon is soured on love, yet this young woman’s devotion tugs at his heart. After political maneuvers fail to release him, he desires freedom no matter the risk—but he regrets deserting the only woman who loves him for himself.
Amélie suspects someone in their entourage is poisoning the emperor. Will she uncover the culprit in time and join in Napoleon’s last great battle plan, a dangerous escape?

Check out a new site for readers, by Diane Scott Lewis

  Her Vanquished Land

Long and Short Reviews:
A well-written story, produced by an author who knows the era. Details of espionage and intrigue keep those pages turning. This is an exciting historical novel well worth the read.

I've recently joined a new site in its infancy, where authors recommend books under a certain heading, along with one of their books. Mine is Courageous Women in Authentic Historical Settings.

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Excellent Review by Terry Newman VINE VOICE, by Diane Scott Lewis

 

To purchase, click HERE

Prepare to fall in love with To Entice a Spy

Intrigue. Espionage. Romance.
If you love these elements in an historical novel, then you’ll fall in love with to Entice a Spy by Diane Scott Lewis. Widowed Countess Eseld Trehearne has returned to England following an extended stay in France during the tumultuous French Revolution. She’s determined to avenge the death of her female companion.
Eseld finds herself deep in the world of espionage when she agrees to root out a French rebel spy. A woman with a mind of her own, she doesn’t heed the pleading of her childhood love, and now widower, Baron Robert Penhale, to leave the spying to the men. Eseld doesn’t realize that he’s working in an official capacity to protect England from French terrorists.
Her actions not only put her own life at risk, but also that of her 14-year-old daughter.
Within all this, a romance between her and Robert blossoms.

Lewis deftly transports the reader to another era, highlighting both its pageantry and perils filled with well-developed characters who come to life on the page. You’ll especially love Eseld’s precocious daughter, Clorenda, who’s kindness to and love of animals deserves a special place in your hearts.
A remarkable story with twists and turns, To Entice a Spy will keep you turning the page. Five Stars

by Terry Newman, Vince Voice

Enter into the past with two mystery novels, time travel and spies, by Diane Scott Lewis

 

In a neglected cemetery, Tamara falls two hundred years into the past. Will she find her way home, or stay with the rebel farmer who is capturing her heart?

"A fabulous and compelling time-travel romance that 

readers will revel in. Full of twists and turns... The character development is skillful and impressive.

An original work of fiction written with a unique and 

extraordinary voice."

~ Reviews, ChickLit Cafe

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Countess Eseld returns to England in the midst of the French Revolution, determined to catch a spy. But will her old love Robert, now working with the Secret Services, complicate her mission? Or could their passion revive?

"The author's research into the period shines through in every paragraph of this tale. I was never pulled out of the story by a tidbit that didn't ring true. Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres, and To Entice a Spy ranks among the best." *Gina Rae Mitchell*

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Diane Parkinson (Diane Scott Lewis) grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, joined the Navy at nineteen, married in Greece and raised two sons all over the world, including Puerto Rico and Guam. A member of the Historical Novel Society, she wrote book reviews for the Historical Novels Review. Diane worked from 2007 to 2010 as an on-line historical editor. She has had several historical and historical-romance novels published between 2010 and 2021.

Her first Time-travel, Beyond the Fall, was published by The Wild Rose Press in 2018. To Entice a Spy was published in 2021.

Diane lives with her husband in western Pennsylvania.

This Tarnished Light by Laura Strickland reviewed by Diane Scott Lewis

 

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In Victorian London, Polly lives in comfortable poverty with her parents and baby sister. Her father fashions dolls, and her mother sews their garments. Polly helps her. Then one day her father grows ill and soon dies. Her mom has no way to pay the rent. The landlord preys upon her, favors for rent. Soon the woman has no choice. The baby becomes ill and also dies. Polly and her mom are moved to a smaller apartment in a worse part of the tenements.

Polly, now twelve, is disgusted by the landlord's actions with her mom. She huddles in the freezing yard to save herself from the ugly ministrations. A boy notices her and they talk. His name is Albert and he's friendly and kind. They become close friends. Albert says he'll marry her one day. He brings her food but she has no idea where he gets the money to buy it.

Polly's mother finds she's with child but the landlord orders her to get rid of it. She drinks a drought and it kills her. Polly is now out on the streets. Albert is arrested for thievery, leaving her all alone in the world. She tries to find work but no one will hire her. She meets Darcy who promises her a better life if she gives herself to men, men sick with the Pox who hope a virgin will cure them.

At fifteen, she soon finds her choices are few. Will Albert return once his sentence is up? Will he still marry her if she sullies herself?

Strickland writes a heartbreaking tale of desperation, extreme poverty, and the love of two young people who scrounge to survive. The novel reminded me of Charles Dicken's tales, but without the overly descriptive prose. I rooted for Polly to prevail in a world set against her. Albert is always her hero, he never judges her. Sadly, the poor have limited options.

An interesting aspect is that Polly perceives "light" in certain people, especially her mom and Albert, and this helps her grasp onto hope.

Holding on to the fact the heroine is speaking from the grave would have been a great twist. But this comes out quite early. And I wished Polly could have found more happiness.

Some may not like the grim atmosphere of the story, but I found it very Dickensonian, so it reads a bit like one of the classics.

Diane lives in Western Pennsylvania with her husband and one naughty dachshund. 

To find out more about her novels, check out her Amazon page:

DianeScottLewis