Black Adagio
Wendy
Potocki
Genre: Horror, paranormal
Book Description:
Melissa Solange is presented the chance of a lifetime. Chosen as a member of a
new dance company, she works tirelessly perfecting the one element of ballet
she's never mastered—the adagio. As she rehearses, a dark force watches.
Resurrected by the surprise addition of a classic ballet to the repertoire, the
sinister work is thought to be cursed—destroying anyone who attempts to dance
it.
When the production's lead dancers begin to disappear, the old warning is taken
more seriously. A death worshipping cult called The Innocents is blamed, but
she is not so sure. They may be the scapegoat for an ultimate evil living in
the woods of Holybrook. Desperate for an answer, she searches for what lurks in
the shadows of the old trees before she becomes the next victim of the Danse
Macabre.
Excerpt
Keeping
track of the passengers that departed, all the stops in town were completed.
The last one at the outskirts of town remained. Trying to figure out why
Barbara was traveling into the middle of nowhere, he ruled out that she could
be headed to the school. She wasn’t a dancer, and evening was much too late to
be wandering around in the dark. Then there were those woods. It made no sense
for her to be going near there. No one in their right mind would be going into that
forest alone.
Alone! That was it! She was going to meet
someone, but why was she doing it at this time of night? Perhaps she was
cheating on the man she’d left him for. If so, his heart went out to the
cuckolded husband. He hated to admit it, but he could well imagine her engaging
in this kind of betrayal. If she could do it to him, she was capable of doing
it to anyone.
Out on the
open highway, the vehicle raced at a clip. Its windshield wipers batting away,
the smattering of snow drove into the glass. He stepped on the gas, his car’s
tires digging in. Gripping the wheel, the heat was now shooting out and thawing
his frozen extremities. His thighs still tensed, it wasn’t from the cold, only
the gravity of the situation. Certain that he could press them into further
action, they wouldn’t fail him. He was old, but not dead. There was no way he’d
miss this opportunity.
His palms
were sweating, his brow becoming moist. Old feelings surged up from the soul
holding his sanity like fragile glass. His eyes already tearing up with
regrets, he wondered if there was a promise of a future. While he was
interested in hearing her explanation, what he really wanted was for her to
change her mind.
He was
being a fool. His friends and family had told him that over and over again.
Even with drumming it into his head, all his chances to be happy were let go
like grains of sand from a hand opening on a beach. He didn’t want to be with
anyone else. It wouldn’t be fair to pretend someone else was her.
Easing
down on the brake, the final stop was up ahead. Pulling to the side of road, he
parked, waiting for the inevitable. Withdrawing from the car like a cobra from
a basket, he wrapped his arms over his chest, beating his arms slightly for
warmth. Hopping from leg to leg, the bus came to a halt. His eyes level with
the passenger that emerged, he finally saw her.
“Barbara!”
he screamed, the sound covered by the loud rumble of the bus resuming its
rounds.
Spinning
her head around, she met his eyes. Her face taking on an expression of fright
mixed with determination, she took off for the woods. Her high boots easily
cutting through the deep snow, his legs had trouble lifting, but he nonetheless
tried to follow the footsteps that carved out a trail.
“Barbara,
please stop! I only want to talk to you!” he pleaded, “You owe me that much!”
Arms
flailing from a slip, he recaptured his balance. The lip of the woods ahead,
Barbara was surprisingly fleet of foot. Only a few feet ahead of him, with a
tremendous effort, he shifted into a higher gear. His legs pumping forward, his
arms aided in him catching up with his elusive muse.
At the
foot of the path leading into the forest was where he caught her. His hand
groping forward, he snatched a hold of the synthetic white material, not
letting go. His other hand joined in, gaining even a better hold on her wrist.
Spinning her around, he stared in horror. Unable to speak, he broke the silence
with a scream.
Review:
Picking this book up, I had a really hard time putting it down and for a writer with several deadlines looming, that can be a dangerous thing. So, while I may not know a whole lot about dance, I found myself hooked by this dark supernatural tale about a sinister force lurking at Holybrook. There were a few grammatical things from time to time, but I was so engrossed in the story, they didn't phase me much at all. Those things are minor compared to a story with subtle dark forces and a plot that made me want to stay up long hours. It reminded me a little of Black Swan, but not too much. :) I also felt a little of the menacing element of Phantom of the Opera lurking and that just made my heart happy. Creepy story, beautifully written prose, especially as the book began. You felt for the character and understood this was a make or break moment for her. The description of the seasons made me smile and I think I fell in love with the story right then.
4/5 Great story. Very enjoyable!
Q: I’m delighted to
introduce Zoe Ryan, a supporting character in the wonderful new book BLACK
ADAGIO by …
A: Excuse me, but I am NOT a supporting character.
Q: I’m sorry, Ms.
Ryan, but I’m reading through the press release and it says …
A: Look, I don’t
care what it says. I’m the freakin’ star of BLACK ADAGIO. Everything revolves
around me, okay? Just consider it an extension of Zoe’s world.
Q: But this press
kit was written by the author, and Wendy Potocki states, “BLACK ADAGIO combines
two of my passions: horror and ballet. In this paranormal thriller, Melissa Solange’s
resolve is tested—both by dance and a jealous, spiteful fellow student named
Zoe Ryan …
A: Clearly the
names are reversed. Melissa is the one who caused me the problems. She’s whiny and needy and a complete mess. She
even conspired with her boyfriend Todd Cavanaugh to frame me for a crime I
didn’t commit, but I’m not surprised she would use him that way. She never
really cared about anyone but herself. She’s a user/loser.
Q: I apologize for
the mix-up, Ms. Ryan. Why don’t we begin again by you telling a little about
yourself? How old were you when you started ballet?
A: I started at age
7. Of course, I was instantly recognized as a child prodigy. I mean, look at
the proportion of my limbs. This is the kind of physical perfection needed to
excel at ballet, and luckily, I was born with it.
Q: But doesn’t
talent have anything to do with it?
A: Talent? You mean
the commodity that Melissa Solange is missing? *Zoe laughs hysterically* Excuse
me, but it’s just so funny really. I suppose you’d have to see her in the flesh
to appreciate the witticism. Anyway, what did you want to know?
Q: About talent?
Isn’t that a necessity for a career in professional dance?
A: It is and I have
that, also. And it’s not just me saying it; it’s every teacher I’ve ever had.
They go nutso when they see me, and who can blame them? It’s why the rest of
the girls at Velofsky’s Ballet are so jealous, but none more than little Missy
nobody. Why are we talking about her? Isn’t this interview supposed to be about
me?
Q: Actually, you
were the one that brought her up. I was just talking about dance.
A: Then let’s talk
about it! I’m the best there is. Anyone who appreciates the art can see that.
I’m going to set the world on fire. Before I’m done, everyone will compare
themselves to me. Just as soon as I get rid of my competition, I can …
Q: My, that sounds
ominous. Exactly what do you mean by “get rid of your competition”? Aren’t
planning on murdering them in the Holybrook woods or anything, are you?
A: Why, I didn’t mean
anything! I was just talking … and you’re putting words in my mouth! Are you
sure you’re not friends with that idiot Melissa?
Q: Never met her.
I’m just trying to conduct this interview. Now it says in the press kit that
you’re going steady with a Justin Tortini?
A: Yes. Justin is
dreamy. We make the perfect pas de deux—on and off the stage. Put simply, he’s
hot. He’s so lucky to have me.
Q: I see, but can
we just go back to Melissa Solange for a moment?
A: Must we?
Q: Yes, we must.
I’m just wondering why, if she’s as talentless as you say, she was chosen by
Velofsky’s to attend their school. After all, isn’t that invitation going to
lead to her being a member of their company?
A. It can possibly
lead to a contract, but if I were Melissa—and thank God I’m not—I wouldn’t hold
my breath. As for the first part of your stupid question, I don’t know why she
was selected. There are a lot of curious choices—like Missy’s roommate Brandi
Cappella for instance. Have not a clue as to why that mess is here.
Q: Well, as talent
goes, I hear you tell a pretty mean ghost story. Mind confessing where you got
that skill?
A. Ehm. Obviously,
you didn’t even try to figure that one out on your own. I suppose it is easier
to ask than actually think, but maybe that’s me. I’m not the lazy type while
you are. The answer is that I’m an artiste. If you’re truly an artiste, you are
creative to the extreme. It’s why my story was so compelling.
Q: Ms. Ryan, about
this supreme self-confidence you seem to possess, have you always been this in
love with yourself?
A: What’s that
supposed to mean?
Q: Nothing.
A: A
passive/aggressive, huh? You’re just another jealous byotch. I can’t help that
you’re not young and beautiful like me.
Q: Perhaps if I
rephrase the question …
A: Nope. Too late.
This interview *Zoe takes off microphone* is officially over. Say hello to that
pathetic little nothing Melissa when you see her. You two will make quite the
team. Buh-bye! *Zoe storms away*
Q: Well, that
abruptly concludes the interview with the artist known as Zoe Ryan. Hey, Zoe,
don’t let the door hit you in your tutu! Cheesh!
About the Author
Wendy Potocki lives and writes in NYC. If that isn't scary enough, she writes
in the genre of horror. She feels creating good horror is an art form. She
religiously devotes herself to pursuing it over hill and dale -- and in the
crevices of her keyboard.
Named one of the Top Ten "New" Horror Authors by Horror Novel
Reviews, she has six self-published novels. Book trailers for many of her works
may be found on her official website wendypotocki.com/. Her next planned
projects are Thrill, The Virgin, and ZaSo, a Gothic tale of horror.
In her spare time, she loves to go for long walks, drink Starbucks Apple Chai
Lattes, make devotional offerings to her cat named Persephone, and be stilled
by the grace, beauty and magic of ballet.
web:
http://www.wendypotocki.com/
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/WPotocki
Facebook Author page:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wendy-Potocki-Author/100285326834525
Book Trailers
Black Adagio:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFNRk8IBKoI
The Vampire's Game
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJUWiA55w5U&feature=related
The House of Cards
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWtb1DU2XpU
The Man with the Blue Hat
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgQalpFtQuY
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