Librarian Lana Brighton is too shy to get a date let alone travel to Venice Italy, home of her ancestors. Surviving a head-on collision that kills her family, she inherits a beautiful antique garnet and diamond necklace she thinks is just a pretty locket. But is it more than that?

As Lana lay unconscious in the ambulance, a mystery man saves her life. Months later, she is unable to erase his fleeting vision from her mind.

16th century Venetian Count Marco Banelli promised his dying grandfather to keep their family treasure safe and to recover the key to unlock the box in which it was stored, but he was murdered by intruders hoping to steal the treasure. After Marco’s death, a wizard keeps his spirit alive to find the missing key.

This mission sends Marco to the present and the beautiful Lana Brighton who may hold the key to the greatest treasure of all, his heart.

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Release Date: December 15, 2025
Genre: Historical | Time Travel Romance

~ A PINK SATIN ROMANCE ~

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Excerpt

Chapter One 

I raced inside the Naples Florida Public Library hoping to avoid a sudden afternoon shower. Once inside, I closed my umbrella and looked around. It’s been a couple of years since I was here last, but everything looked and smelled the same. I was just about to take my wet raincoat off, when I spotted an older woman pointing her finger and shaking it directly at me as she hurriedly approached. She came so close that her finger almost poked my eye, and I had to take a couple of steps back. Still shaking that finger in my face, she spoke in the angriest of tones.

“You have some nerve, Lana Brighton, coming back to this your former library to promote a book you claim you wrote about your personal love story. Ha! What could a librarian, especially you, possibly know about love and romance? I remember how you ignored my wonderful son who told me you declined his invitation for a lunch date. You broke his heart, something I’ll never forget. Let’s face it, Lana, you are as boring as an old spinster who is much too shy to even talk to a man about a book never mind a date. I’ll bet you probably have never been kissed because that nose of yours is always buried in some volume. But you don’t fool me, Missy, with any of your author claims about romance. I intend to sit close to the front for your talk, to call you out as a liar and a cheat, and to boo!”

With that the irate woman stopped pointing her finger, turned, and huffed off to find her seat in the meeting room. I stood there speechless still needing to take off my wet raincoat.

A member of the library staff I remembered, Cheryl, rushed out to assist me. As she helped me with my raincoat, she advised, “Don’t give that old lady a second thought. That’s Mrs. Hertly, a constant troublemaker and complainer. Our adult library monitors must escort her out of whatever meeting she attends because of her rudeness and unnecessary comments. I can see two of them guiding her outside now because I’m sure she has accosted everyone and anyone entering the meeting room for your book presentation. But don’t worry, the attendees I’ve spoken with are all anxious to hear about your book.”

I smiled. “Thanks for the pep talk. You know, come to think of it, I do remember her son, Stuart Hertly. One afternoon, he grabbed me and tried to kiss me while I was shelving books. Then he had the nerve to ask me to lunch. Of course I turned him down. A bit too aggressive for my taste. Must take after Mom.”

“You have no idea how caustic she can be. One of our patrons said she reminded him of a witch and dubbed her The Hag of the Hardcovers since she always hung around the hardcover book aisles and stared at our patrons.” We shared a quick laugh over that nickname before I followed her into the meeting room. As soon as I entered, I was overwhelmed to be greeted by a standing ovation from the attendees. 

 

* * *

 

As the applause continued, my mind drifted back to two years ago when my unique love story began. As Mrs. Hertly correctly remembered, my name then was Lana Brighton, and on one sunny warm afternoon on my way home from my job at this library, I sensed someone following me. This was not the first time, nor would it be the last. When I turned and blinked, I saw the same shadowy vision of a man I had experienced many times before. His presence was brief, but oddly didn’t frighten me, because this shadow had slightly blurry but familiar facial features while his height and build appeared to be the same as a man I hoped to meet again, the man who had rescued me and saved my life after my family’s recent fatal car accident. From the moment I met him on that tragic day, I knew I could fall in love with him.

I took my time going home hoping this shadow would reveal himself to me again, but unfortunately, no such luck. I realized I was the only one who could see him because whenever the shadow appeared, passers-by paid no attention to him. When I spotted him in the library, I’d ask “Who’s there?” but no one responded. Library patrons who knew about my recent trauma dismissed my odd behavior as lingering psychological problems related to it.

I reached my small apartment building and walked up the front steps alone. My dream hero did not follow. I still couldn’t grasp why this shadowy image continued to follow me. Was he a ghost? A spirit? Or a remnant mental effect from my near fatal crash? Did my desire to see this handsome man again seize control of my mind and my imagination?

Once inside, I plopped down on my couch and sighed from my frustration. I glanced at my coffee table but didn’t remember leaving the morning newspaper open to the feature section and I sure didn’t remember seeing this article about a local Psychic Faire before I left for work.

After all my encounters with this shadowy vision, I needed to find out if he was real or if I was losing my mind, so I confided in my best friend since grade school, Sara. Yesterday, we met for coffee after work, and I asked, “You seem so much calmer and look healthier than the last time we met. How did you cope with those terrible nightmares after your divorce?”

She took a quick sip of her cappuccino. “Lana, I know this will seem unusual especially to a sensible person like you, but I went to the Collier County Psychic Faire last weekend and met with a psychic named Aurellia. Her sign advertises that she helps ‘The Most Troubled.’ That fit me to a T. She listened to my angst and took care of my problem. Believe me, she helped me understand my nightmares and find my inner peace after my heart-breaking divorce. You know, the Faire continues through this next weekend, maybe you should go and find Aurellia. Give her a chance to explain your visions. I’m walking proof that you can trust her, and she’ll do her best to help you.”

Knowing how particular Sara was about any kind of service, I agreed to go and find that psychic. I didn’t have to work today and was curious as to why I still had these visions. I couldn’t let a shadowy figure control my life. I’m better than that, so I decided to seek help from Aurellia to explain who this vision was, if he was real, and if I’d ever encounter him again.

That night, I hardly slept a wink wondering what my meeting with Aurellia would reveal. Determined to find out, I got out of bed early, my stomach filled with those same butterflies which had plagued me all night. I dressed in a blue and white striped skirt and white silk blouse, and left for the Faire, checking behind me all the way. I blinked and blinked but experienced no sightings. I so wanted him to be real and for us to meet again.

Once there, I scanned the Faire grounds looking at all the tents until I spotted that one sign Sara had mentioned. “Aurellia—Psychic for the Most Troubled.” With Sara’s advice in mind, I headed straight for that tent. I composed myself and took a deep breath before pushing aside the heavy gold canvas drapes to enter the psychic’s tent. I was anxious about what this meeting might reveal.

At this point, I wanted to see that shadowy vision in the flesh so badly, I would have resorted to any kind of help to find him, especially since he haunted my dreams every night. No point second guessing since I was already in her tent. I might as well hear what Aurellia had to say.

The entrance to the main part of the tent was dark except for multiple strings of tiny flashing lights in lavender and rose. Their rhythmic flashes lulled me into a trance-like state, while the fading scent of incense irritated my nose. As I reached into my pocket for a tissue, I also grabbed for my cell phone before proceeding any further. Never having consulted a psychic before, I didn’t know what to expect and didn’t know if I would have to call for help. Besides, it was dark, and the phone’s light would help me see.

I walked further until I saw a light shining between the panels of two emerald- green brocade curtains. I paused to steady my shaking hands before separating them to enter this next part of the psychic’s tent with trepidation and hope. Never having done anything like this before, I stopped to ease my pounding heart, wondering if I should continue.

I took a few more steps forward before I stopped again this time surprised by the sight of two beautiful white Russian Wolfhounds. They lay on either side of a small square table covered by a purple lace tablecloth. An elegant-looking woman whom I thought to be Aurellia sat between the dogs. She stood when I entered. The wolfhounds sat up and growled in such a loud and frightening manner, I had to cover my ears. Were they there to protect her? They looked so fierce, I wondered if I should reconsider my visit.

“Take it easy, my good, sweet puppies. Everything’s all right.” The woman’s voice made them settle down and wag their tails.

Big babies, I thought, and proceeded.

Aurellia sat with the posture of a queen. I stared into her kind and inviting deep brown eyes and studied this beautiful olive-skinned woman with waist-length black curly hair. She looked to be in her late forties and dressed like the Romani royalty of Eastern Europe with a rose-colored satin gown beneath a wine-colored brocade and sequined mid-length coat. She smiled and greeted me from her seat at that small square table which held a large glowing crystal ball at its center. “Please, my lovely lady, come sit down next to me.”

Her layers of silver bracelets jingled as she motioned for me to come toward her. Her kind dark eyes beckoned me to obey. The more I studied her, I wondered why I even considered taking Sara’s advice about coming to this Psychic Faire and if this total stranger would be the right one to help me.

Was my blurry shadow that of the handsome man who saved me? I needed answers since these visions had interrupted my life for the past nine months, making me more anxious to meet him. Finding him would give me inner peace. I shouldn’t admit that. I pride myself in being an independent woman. I have a respectable job, my own apartment since I lost my family, and thought I would be able to manage this by myself. I wondered if I should have consulted a doctor or a psychiatrist instead of visiting a psychic. This entire episode may be related to my unusual dreams, but it could be indigestion, my grief, or even stress.

Aurellia sensed my angst at once. She shot me another kind smile and welcomed me again in soft tones. “Please, my lovely lady, come. Come sit down next to me.”

I hesitated but Aurellia continued to plead. “Please, my beauty, come. My darling companions Boris and Bohdana will not harm you. Don’t fear them. They are big puppies, not yet one year old. Come sit here next to me.” She patted the chair next to hers.

I walked over still reluctant to bare my soul to a total stranger and sat on the edge of my designated chair in case I had to bolt out of there. Maybe seeing a psychiatrist was not such a terrible idea. My face flushed. I felt the burn as I jumped up to leave. The psychic gently grabbed my arm and pulled me back down.

“Please stay. If your visit involves a spirit or any unusual visions, tell me about them, about you, and your problem, so I may be of assistance. My name is Aurellia, and I have assisted many over the years with all sorts of psychic problems.”

Her intuitive comments startled me enough to sit down and answer her questions.

“Please tell me your name and how I may have the pleasure of helping you. It will be my honor because you could have chosen another psychic.”

I nervously cleared my throat before beginning. “My name is Lana Brighton. I am and have been a librarian in the history section of the Naples Florida Public Library for the last five years. I consider myself an independent woman, pay my own bills, and take history classes around my work schedule. I live alone since I lost my entire family in a tragic auto accident nine months ago.”

Aurellia’s dark eyes remained focused on mine. She leaned forward attentively as I continued. “I adore reading about sixteenth century Europe and will even sneak a read at work. My job requires long hours of silence. There is little or no time for conversation. I’m beginning to think all that solitude may be at the root of my problem, so I discussed my predicament with my best friend, Sara, who suggested I visit the Faire this weekend. She recommended you because you helped her understand her nightmares from her recent divorce and said you would take the best care of me.”

Aurellia reached across the small table and touched the top of my hand. Her touch felt so warm and gentle, I didn’t pull it away. “I’m glad you’re here, Lana. Please tell me more about how you are troubled.”

Aurellia’s soft voice mesmerized me, but for some unexplainable reason I felt the need to blink. When I did, that handsome shadow appeared before me. I stood and blurted out his presence. “He’s here! My shadow’s here in your tent!” I pointed to what anyone else would consider thin air. I sat back down in my chair puzzled. “Who is that handsome man…that shadowy figure? Why won’t he leave me alone?”

Aurellia turned her head and looked directly at him. When I blinked again, he disappeared. Surprised that she could see him as well, I asked. “What does he want from me? He follows me everywhere.”

She touched my shoulder to calm me. “Lana, he’s harmless. Pay no attention to him. I will explain later in our visit. Please my lovely lady, go on with your story.”

I couldn’t believe what she’d just said. I fumbled for words. “Did I hear you right? Pay no attention to him? How can I do that when he is the reason I came for help? I see him everywhere, with every blink of my eyes. He’s at the library when I put away books. I see him outside my apartment. You just said, ‘Pay no attention to him.’ Do you know him or anything about him?”

Before I could finish my sentence, I blinked, and my shadow returned. I blurted out. “Do you see him just now? You don’t appear to be surprised. On the contrary, you seem so calm.”

As soon as he left, Aurellia nodded. “Yes, indeed I did see him. We shall remain the only two who can until his shadowy figure takes human form.”

My heart pounded. I was relieved beyond belief that I wasn’t crazy but also frightened that this image of a man was real and might harm me. Still in disbelief, I blurted out. “Please Aurellia, tell me again that you saw him, too, and that he is a real person and not a shadow.” 

Aurellia shot back a kind smile. “Yes, I did see, him and his shadow is one of a real person. As I advised earlier, pay no attention to him for now.” Aurellia cleared her throat as if anxious to change the subject. Her gaze zeroed in like a laser on my necklace. “That’s an exquisite antique pendant you have on, quite an unusual shape with such a deep colored garnet. I sense it belonged to someone in your family. Am I correct or did you purchase it from an antique dealer?”

Her questions made me forget about that shadow for a few seconds to answer them. “This pendant belonged to my mother who passed it down to me. I’m proud to wear it and proud of its place in my family history. It originally belonged to my ancestral grandmother, Marchesa Genolli, on my mother’s side. She was Italian and lived during the sixteenth century in the Venetian Republic. When she was nineteen, she became betrothed to a young Council Member who served as an advisor to The Doge. Marchesa, herself of royal lineage, was a countess, and considered a beauty. The pendant was a gift from her future husband to solidify their engagement.

“When their two families feuded, The Doge cancelled the young couple’s engagement and determined Marchesa should keep the pendant since it was a gift. Besides my pendant, Marchesa also passed down a puzzling legend about its value. She claimed its worth was immeasurable, that men would kill for it. That statement has always perplexed me, so I had it appraised. The jeweler said it was worth $1700.00. That’s a lot, but hardly an amount worth killing for.”

Aurellia’s eyes remained fixated on my pendant. Its stones sparkled in the dim candlelight. Aware I had her attention, I continued. “The locket has a three-carat garnet at its center surrounded by tiny diamonds and is set in platinum. Mother told me Venetian jewelers, noted for their artisanship, made the intricate lace-like setting. I love it and am proud to wear it, but I have remained perplexed by its unusual shape. I’ve always wondered what if anything was inside; that’s remained a mystery to me. Perhaps it held a lock of my ancestor’s hair or a valuable tiny trinket which once belonged to my ancestor and possesses that immeasurable value she mentioned.”

Aurellia asked. “You have never been able to open it?”

“No, and I’ve been afraid to take it to a jeweler for fear he might damage it. The eldest daughter in each generation since Marchesa has inherited it. When I marry and have a daughter, it will be hers. The pendant has more meaning for me since I lost both my parents and only sister in a head-on collision. It is my only remaining connection to my family.”

Aurellia’s kind gaze focused on me. “I understand and am sorry for your loss.”

I wiped tears from my eyes. “Something odd happened the day of the accident. I was truly fortunate to suffer only minor scratches and bruises but had passed out from stress. I woke up in the ambulance surprised to see a man sitting next to me. Most of the other EMTs were taking care of my family, but he stayed with me. I looked into the kind eyes of a very handsome man dressed in a white shirt similar but not exactly like those worn by the other emergency responders. At that moment, to me, he looked like a Roman god with sculptured black hair that framed his face and strong, chiseled facial features. Since he took care of me, I assumed he was a paramedic. Leaning over the gurney, he had an accent as he whispered in my ear. ‘My lovely lady, you are incredibly lucky to be alive. Someone must be watching over you.’ After that, everything became blurry, and I passed out.”

Since I had just relived the most difficult day of my life, tears formed in my eyes again. Aurellia handed me her embroidered lace handkerchief. Fur as soft as silk rubbed against my ankle followed by a quick lick. I looked down before continuing. Boris must have sensed my angst. He made me smile.

“I came to after a few minutes anxious to see how the rest of my family was, but that proved impossible since a sea of paramedics and flashing red lights continued to surround them. When I looked for my paramedic, he was gone like he had vanished into thin air. His kind face still haunts me. I think my mind has been playing tricks since the accident to deal with the tragedy. He may have been that good spirit who my mother believed stopped by to escort people to heaven or my mind trying to deceive me, but I did survive and didn’t leave for heaven with him. Oh, how I miss my mother.” I said, covered my eyes, and started to cry.

“I am sorry for your loss and deeply saddened by it. I feel your soul’s profound sense of grief. When you are able, Lana, continue to describe your paramedic to me.” Aurellia responded squeezing my hand trying to encourage me. Thinking about that kind man made me forget about my grief for a few more minutes.

“Well, to begin with he was very handsome, the handsomest man I’ve ever met. He had olive skin, light brown eyes like those of a lion, and black curly hair. His smile was magical, calming me the second I saw him. While he was with me, I believed everything was going to be all right. As he adjusted my pillow, I could see how muscular he was. He was polite and spoke using old fashioned terms which at the time struck me as charming.”

Aurellia sat back. “Would you like to see him again?”

I laughed, blushing at my response. “Haven’t laughed like that in months. Well, honestly, I would,” I added coyly. “I can’t get him out of my mind.”

Aurellia nodded. “That’s understandable. Now may I examine your pendant?” I agreed so she reached over and dangled the long platinum chain from her hand. She then held my pendant in the air by its chain to closely examine the gemstones against the flickering candlelight before she pressed it in her hand and closed her eyes. “I sense your ancestor Marchesa knew what secret this locket holds. I also believe her secret will reveal itself to you soon.”

I sat back in disbelief as she opened her eyes and continued. “This is exquisite workmanship. The jeweler selected the garnet for a reason. The garnet is meant to bring a newfound energy to your life. Filled with regeneration, some claim its stabilizing powers will bring order to your life and help you or the loved one you choose to get through the toughest of times. It sounds to me like your life can use these powers. Let the stone’s aura and powers take charge so they can go to work for you but remember never to take your pendant off. Always wear it even to bed. There may be others with bad intentions who seek to find what secrets Marchesa’s locket holds.”

Aurellia gently placed the pendant and its filigree chain back down on my white silk blouse. I stopped crying and composed myself. She faced me with the most intense look. “Lana, it’s time to talk about your shadow.”

I leaned forward eager to listen and learn. Aurellia spoke in a deep serious tone. “There are many paranormal entities present in our universe. Most remain inconspicuous but others beg for our attention in a constant visible form such as ghosts, spirits, or aliens. Some who only take a temporary visible form are known as Shadow People. Have you heard of such beings?”

I shook my head. “No. I’ve never heard of such a thing. Of course, I live such a sheltered life, refuse to watch any of those conspiracy channels on the TV, read only history and the classics, and don’t have much of a social life outside the library.”

Aurellia had stumped me, but I needed to know more. I asked. “You said ‘entities?’ Yet you classify spirits, aliens, or ghosts separate from these Shadow People as you call them. Is there any correlation between them?” My trained librarian mind tried to make sense of this whole thing by categorizing them.

“Not exactly,” Aurellia answered. “Aliens are from another world. Ghosts and spirits have passed on. If you see one, their apparition takes a lasting shape and form like in its former life. Shadow People have not reached that point. They are but a fleeting form in the blink of our eyes. Something or someone is keeping their presence in a state of limbo in our world. They appear as you described as a flash or a shadowy figure across the corner of your eye. Skeptics say they are just a figment of our imagination; some believe they are the precursor to a ghost. Others believe they are Time Travelers who are searching for someone or something from their own time and may assume a temporary human form to complete their quest. Do not be afraid of that shadow. He is stuck in a world that is neither ours nor that of a ghost. Once he gets what he needs, he will leave, and his spirit will pass on to the next world.”

I sat back stunned by her answer. “What does he want from me? Am I just to ignore him?”

Aurellia took my trembling hand. “I know this must be difficult for you to hear. We may have to let his visits play out. If you want, we can meet again at my residence. I know the library closes at five so I would be available to see you in the evening. At the very least, don’t panic, he will not harm you. He’s a lost soul looking for guidance. You must not fear him.”

I shrugged my shoulders, finding her advice hard to accept as she handed me her card. “That’s easier said than done. I’ll call you if the need arises. This may prove too complicated to process alone. I appreciate your time. Thank you for your help.”

Aurellia flashed another encouraging smile. “I’ll try to contact him on your behalf after the Faire closes tonight. That may be difficult because of the nature of his being. He is not a ghost and may not respond. I may have to reach out to him through a fellow medium named Othero who is more familiar with Shadow People.

“If either one of us makes contact, we’ll ask that he identify himself, before asking if he was the EMT who sat with you in the emergency vehicle. If he was, we’d advise him that you want to meet him. Remember there are no guarantees. Call me anytime. My card has my home phone number and address on it. My fee for today is twenty dollars. I’m sure I can be of more help with a longer exchange. The Faire ends tomorrow. If you need me during that time, I will be here.”

I nodded as Aurellia shot me a sympathetic smile. I remained tongue tied by her revelations. I had hoped for better news. I studied her reactions again. Could I even trust this woman’s judgement and who was this Othero? I took her card, put it in my purse, and paid her fee before adding, “Thank you, Aurellia. I hope you’re right.” 

I stood and left wondering if her intervention would work.

 

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