Beyond Midnight (ePub)

SALEM. WILL HISTORY REPEAT ITSELF?

In 1692, Salem, Massachusetts was the setting for the infamous persecution of innocents accused of witchcraft. Three centuries later, Helen Evett, widowed mother of two and owner of a prestigious preschool in town, finds her family, her fortunes, and her life's work threatened -- all because she feels driven to protect the sweet three-year-old daughter of a man who knows everything about finance but not so much about fathering. Helen's feelings toward little Katie's handsome father are decidedly mixed, and it will take more than knocks in the night, perfumed air, and bone-chilling cold to convince her otherwise.

Nathaniel Byrne is willing to consider Helen's advice and help. But he does it grudgingly, because the woman is by far the most determined, pushy force he's ever encountered. Recently widowed, tormented by the circumstances, and at sea about being a single parent, Nat is not inclined to hand over his daughter to just any preschool -- not when he has an accomplished, London-trained nanny who's more than willing to help make those decisions with him.

And the nanny herself? Peaches Bartholemew is as clever as she is beautiful, as efficient as she is soothing. Peaches can do anything. The trick, for Nat's dead wife, will be to keep her from doing it.

REVIEWS

"BEYOND MIDNIGHT has a terrific plot, a wicked villain, and a sexy hero. But the novel ventures beyond sheer entertainment, and it is easy to see why Stockenberg's work has won such acclaim. The theme and setting create a terrifying scenario, even without the supernatural elements: a chilling correspondence between the events of Salem's witch-hunting hysteria and contemporary allegations of ritualistic abuse in preschools. A good read that makes you think. Comes awfully close to—dare I say it?—literature."
—Katherine Hennessey Wikoff, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

"Full of charm and wit, Stockenberg's latest (following Time After Time) is truly enthralling."
—Publishers Weekly

"A pair of well-matched protagonists, a precocious three-year-old, a relentless ghost, and a conniving nanny combine to produce an engrossing, well-written story that should keep readers captivated to the end."
—Library Journal

"Entertaining and fun. BEYOND MIDNIGHT'S shining strengths are its insights into parenting and relationship issues, its brazen humor, its writing style, its to-die-for hero, its cunning villain, and its intriguing supernatural overtones."
—Kristi Lyn Glass, editor, Gothic Journal

"When it comes to unique, eerie and engrossing tales of supernatural suspense, author Antoinette Stockenberg is in a league of her own. BEYOND MIDNIGHT is a gripping and chilling page-turner outlining two families' courageous battle against an insidious evil with a charming face. Outstanding reading!"
—Romantic Times

"Antoinette Stockenberg creates another winner with this fast-paced and lively contemporary romance with a touch of the supernatural thrown in to make an interesting storyline even more exciting. Contemporary romance at its best. Five stars."
—Harriet Klausner, Affaire de Coeur

"Ms. Stockenberg is a marvelous story teller who writes with humor, wit, and real experiences that we can relate to. Totally absorbing ... a superior tale with just the right combination of greed, hysteria, obsession and romantic passion. Spectacular! A terrific story that had me anxiously turning the well-written pages."
—Literary Times

"BEYOND MIDNIGHT is typical of Stockenberg's excellent paranormal romances, with extremely strong characters, and an intriguing and original plot."
—Melinda Hughes, Gothic Journal