Originally from Lyon in France, Marie has lived in the Rossendale Valley in Lancashire for the past few years. She writes both contemporary and historical romance. Her novels include best selling contemporary romantic suspense novels Little Pink Taxi and Escape to the Little Chateau, which was shortlisted for the 2021 RNA Jackie Collins Romantic Suspense Awards, as well as A Paris Fairy Tale and Bluebell's Christmas Magic.
Her latest novel, Angel of the Lost Treasure, was released in February 2021. Marie also contributes to the best selling Miss Moonshine's Emporium anthologies together with eight author friends from Authors on the Edge. Follow @MarieLaval1 on Twitter, on Facebook
An ancient secret hidden within a mother’s song ... When young widow, Marie-Ange Norton is invited to Beauregard in France by the mysterious Monsieur Malleval to collect an inheritance, she has no choice but to accept.
But when she embarks on the voyage with her fiery-tempered travelling companion Capitaine Hugo Saintclair, little does she know what waits for her across the sea in turbulent nineteenth-century France on the eve of Napoleon’s return from exile. When she arrives, she is taken aback by Malleval’s fascination with her family – seemingly inspired by his belief they are connected to a sacred relic he’s read about in coded manuscripts by the Knights Templar.
As it becomes clear that Malleval’s obsession has driven him to madness, Marie-Ange is horrified to realise she is more the man’s prisoner than his guest. Not only that, but Hugo is the only person who might be able to help her, and he could represent a different kind of danger.
Marie-Ange has a certain degree of naïve innocence that makes her susceptible to anyone who tries to take advantage of her, and there seems to be plenty of them. She is being escorted to France to learn more about her mother, her roots and her inheritance. Hugo Saintclair is a dashing man who becomes her rescuer in many situations.
The two of them represent the division in France, the royalist and the Bonapartist. One enamoured by her mother's heritage and the other very much aware of the differences between the two of them. As Marie-Ange slowly realises how much danger she is in she relies on Saintclair to help her, but are his loyalties divided between the beautiful stranger and the man who has the power to destroy him.
I don't think Laval left out anything when it comes to this story. It has sort of dual timeline, romance, magical realism and a pinch of the supernatural, and the historical fiction element has an 80s regency vibe, but put together it may seem like a bit chaotic - it works though.
It's historical fiction that goes all the way back the Knights Templar, to unexplained powers and the possibility of immortality. It's certainly a creative read.
Buy Angel of the Lost Treasure at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher : Choc Lit pub date 23 Feb. 2021. Buy at Amazon com. At Kobo.
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