Blog Tour: Rosewater by Mason Kuldinow

Synopsis

Rosewater is the story of six friends who embark on the adventure of a lifetime to mark the revival of the Druidic religion. Rosewater contains a well written balance of adventure, romance, horror, and comedy that will entice the reader to swallow the book whole and not put it down until the end.

Delia Dumont has just returned to New Destiny Village after completing her groundbreaking run on the Broadway stage. As she and her close friends gather for a summer of fun, they find out that they are heirs to a great culture of ideas that is about to be released. They share fantastic adventures as they partake in the rituals of friendship that will lead to the rebirth of Druidism. But when a shadowy figure comes to New Destiny Village, seeming to be a knowledgeable host to the coming events, trouble fills the air and strange occurrences plague the community. The events of the revival become monstrous in their scale and severity, while the village itself is unaware of what the shadowy host has in store for them or for their new awakening.

Will there be new paths of awareness for humanity revealed, or will there be damnation for all?

Excerpt

Chapter One

The Bosch Garden

In a quaint, spooky village called New Destiny, Suzanne Talus locked up the community center and then checked on the guest of honor to see if she was ready for the next event. The brunette beauty looked tired after spending the entire afternoon listening to people lavish her with praise. The village never had one of their own become a Broadway star before, and even though Delia Dumont’s part wasn’t the lead in the hit play, the gratifying review of her performance was reason enough to celebrate her return.

Suzanne guided Delia through the birch forest of the community park to reach Rimbaud’s Tavern, a rustic establishment that was definitely off the beaten path. From the road, the place appeared empty and Suzanne caught herself worrying about the owners. She had to remind herself how much money her friends and family spent there, and hoped that it was enough to keep Rimbaud’s open every day of the year. During the winter, when the village got snowed in, people would put on their snowshoes and cross country skis to visit the tavern, where they would have family dinners next to the blazing hearth, and listen to musicians play their guitars and sing. Suzanne had great memories of those secluded times. But in the peak season, she regretted having to share her village with the rest of the world.

Charlie Hodgkin sat alone at the bar. He smiled as the two women approached. “Hey darling,” he said, giving Suzanne a kiss on the lips that she quickly tore away from, even as he wanted more of her attention.

“Why did you leave so early?” she asked. “We had to do cleanup.”

Charlie smiled playfully. “I hope you didn’t make the guest of honor wash dishes.”

Suzanne became tense hearing his jocular tone. She brusquely replied, “No, the caterers took care of that. Delia and I had to carry all the chairs and tables back inside, and we could’ve used your help—”

Delia interrupted the couple. “Where’s Sarah? I thought she’d be here by now.”

“Andy is picking her up,” Charlie said. “She broke down in Albany and had to take a bus back to Plattsburgh.”

“I wish Isabel could have stayed longer,” Delia said. “It was really sweet of her to fly out here just for me.”

Reg the bartender approached the group and presented a bottle of Clos Du Val, the wine Suzanne had requested days earlier. “The dealer calls this stuff the rich blood of Napa Valley. I’ve got two bottles on the house for Delia’s party.” He winked at the guest of honor. “Congratulations kiddo. It’s good to have you back.”

Delia smiled graciously as she brushed back her wavy chestnut hair, exposing more of her long neck. “Thanks Reg. It’s good to be back.”

“We’d like to use our VIP room,” Suzanne requested.

The bartender chuckled. “It’s always available for you. Who else but the Talus girl would host parties in an archeological dig?”

Suzanne led Delia across the dining areas and into a dark hall, where a secret door led to the bowels of the building. There was a barely lit corridor leading to each set of stairs, descending lower and lower until they could barely tell where they were in relation to the tavern. From the cellar, they entered the stone ruins, and the site of Suzanne’s great discovery.

“What do you think?” she asked.

Delia examined her surroundings. The last time she was there, the site was covered in roots and briars, but after the careful excavation, the merging of several foundations became plain to see. “You’re right; the tavern and the grist mill were definitely not part of these older ruins.”

Suzanne smiled as Delia confirmed her theory. It was gratifying to hear after New York University had ridiculed her findings, telling her and her father that the ruins they had uncovered were no more than one hundred and fifty years old. “For us to prove that this groundwork was built by early French settlers, we have to reconstruct their original design.”

“What about carbon dating?” Delia asked.

“We’re talking about stones that were placed in this pattern three hundred years ago, although the stones themselves are millions of years old.”

Delia stopped her there. “We didn’t come here to discuss New France. You promised me a ghost story.”

Suzanne raised her eyebrows and grinned devilishly. “Oh, you’d like to hear more about the haunted paintings.” She took off her red wool sweater and tied it around her waist, gazing at Delia as she leaned her backside against an ancient wall. “Actually, there isn’t much to tell. Back in nineteen twenty, seven mysterious paintings appeared on the walls of Lake George Resort. A woman claimed ownership, testifying that they were works by her dead husband. Each one depicted a unique image of his boating accident. After she won her case, she sold the paintings for quite a lot of money. But then less than a year later, she died the same way her husband died; she drowned in the lake.”

“How did you come across this story?”

“You know Janice Pine, the art dealer? She invited me to the auction where it got sold.”

Delia was intrigued. “What was it like?”

“It was a picture of someone caught in rough waters. The notoriety of it being haunted worked well for the owner, because it sold for twenty thousand dollars.”

“So do you document urban legends and ghost stories?”

Suzanne laughed nervously. “The haunted painting only interested me because there is some documented truth behind it. It’s more likely that the wife was a con artist.”

“Remind me what the story is behind these ruins?”

“But you said you don’t want to hear about that stuff.”

Delia stood in a haughty thespian pose and spoke in a faux British accent. “I know this one. This is where Breton Fermier staged his last standoff with the British, before his mighty guild went into hiding.”

“I know what you’re trying to do.”

“Do you?” Delia ran her hand under the back of Suzanne’s shirt. “Maybe if I tickle it out of you….”

“Stop it!” Suzanne tried to dash away. She laughed uncontrollably as she felt Delia’s thin hands grasp her ribcage, just under her armpits. Delia called it her sweet-spot.

A young man surprised them when he called out, “What the hell are you ladies doing?”

Delia stopped tickling her friend. “Hey gorgeous man,” she said, and then went to embrace Andy where he stood. “Where is Sarah?”

“She said she’d be right down. I think she went to the bathroom.”

Suzanne kissed Andy on the cheek. “Thanks for going out there to pick her up.” She glanced down the stone corridor when she heard Charlie’s echoing footsteps. “Did you forget to bring the wine and glasses?”

“Reg is coming down with our drinks,” Charlie informed her. He looked back and scratched the top of his head. “Sarah was just behind me.”

Andy cleared his throat and then made a serious face as he looked at Delia. “I heard a rumor that you might be staying for the whole summer.”

Delia replied with an affirming nod, and then said “What would you like to do?”

Andy glanced at Suzanne and then focused back on Delia. “We want this summer to be memorable. We’ve been talking about it, and we plan to take full advantage of your presence. We should take some trips into Canada, like we did in our high school and undergraduate years. I’ll never forget those times.”

“Please, no more prepared speeches,” Charlie said playfully. “The homecoming fair is over.”

“Well now, the real party is just beginning.” Suzanne gazed down the empty corridor behind Charlie. “Where the hell is Sarah? I thought you were going to wait for her.”

“I told you, she was just behind me. She must’ve gone back to help Reg.”

***

“This place is really fascinating,” Sarah said, drawing everyone’s attention. She stood between two large oaks, her auburn hair draped over her shoulders.

“Come over here, you creeper,” Delia said to her, tearing herself away from Andy to greet Sarah with hugs. “I’m so glad you finally made it.”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t make it earlier,” Sarah replied. “I was in Albany when my stupid car broke down. I had to get on a bus to Plattsburgh, and then I was lucky that Andy agreed to pick me up.”

Delia unintentionally changed the mood of the conversation when she asked, “So what is your school situation now?”

“What?” Sarah asked. “Oh, here’s Reg.”

The bartender arrived with glasses and two bottles of Suzanne’s wine selection: Clos Du Val. The glasses were fairly large, so that one bottle was finished with the first toast. The bartender remained there with the New Destiny Village crew until they were ready for more. He then opened the last bottle and served it before heading back upstairs.

Sarah was relieved to avoid the subject of school. Eighty credits into chemistry as a major, she changed her mind and decided to study classical guitar. She majored in music for a year, and then suddenly switched to the journalism program at SUNY Plattsburgh, which she had recently dropped without telling anyone. “Delia! Tell me about New York. What was it like being interviewed on TV?”

Delia laughed in her flattered high-pitch. “You guys were so sweet to watch it together at the bar. It was pretty cool talking to Gabby Bradley, but I honestly can’t remember any viable questions. She goes ‘In the theater scene, with all of the celebrity audience members, do you lament the knowledge that you won’t be seeing your performance on the big screen?’ And I’m like ‘I’m not even going to gratify that with an answer.’ And she didn’t give a shit! But now I see how they do it, you know; the inanity was meant to loosen me up. She could probably tell it was my first interview.”

“It was an epic time,” Andy said. “That night at the tavern, watching with a hundred townspeople, I was really proud to know you. So was everyone else. And when you got us all comp tickets for the play, seeing you perform was incredible.”

“I liked the after-party,” Sarah inserted. “And you were so kind to bring us to your rooftop for drinks after it was through.”

“We’re all members of the early stock,” she replied. “That makes you all my brothers and sisters. When you guys came that night, I was embarrassed of all the haughty people—I wanted to make sure you didn’t feel like any of them were more important than you guys.”

Suzanne rubbed Delia’s back affectionately. “I really appreciated that.”

“But then you took us to the champagne bar, where those crazy theater people were glued to their lounge tables,” Sarah said. “One of your friends got really testy after I shunned his advances.”

“I didn’t really know that guy,” Delia said. “I’m sorry that sticks out in your memory.”

“I’m not much of a Manhattan girl I guess. Good thing you were there to protect me.”

***

Suzanne laughed hysterically as Delia chased her up the steps. When she reentered the tavern, she saw the bar occupied by someone she was very happy to see. “Mr. Fermier!”

The mature man dressed in a beige summer suit had striking dark eyes, and slightly greying hair. “Hello Ms. Talus.”

“How are you?”

“Well, now that I’ve finally caught up with Delia, I’m doing quite well.”

“Hello Walter.”

“Delia, it’s good to have you back in Nouvelle Destine. Burgeoning stars are not something we often have.”

“It’s not a big thing,” she replied coyly.

“Oh, I would not say that. The magazine article chose your play to review and left out dozens of hot plays throughout the city. And the review was fantastic. The article was mostly about your performance, and that brought on the interview, which we all got to watch.”

Delia laughed, relishing the attention of this charismatic older man who owned much of the town and carried himself like he owned every square inch. “It’s nice of you to say, but I’ve still got a lot to learn.”

“From what I saw, you are well on your way to becoming a star. Next will be leading roles in plays and movies that will make you famous. Oh, I can see it all.”

“Stop it!” she archly demanded. “I don’t know about any of that—there are so many actors on the circuit who are better than me.”

“Personally, I would never underestimate the providence of the truly gifted, because that’s who you are.”

Charlie asked, “Walter, are you still hosting parties at that beautiful house of yours?”

“Why yes—are you willing to come over for more drinks?”

“I can’t drink anymore,” Suzanne said, beginning to slur her words. “I can’t go into a haunted house while I’m drunk like this.” She leaned back against Charlie where he stood, using him as a support.

Delia asked teasingly, “Is this starting to sound like a bad horror movie? Coming to get you Suzanne….”

“I just wouldn’t want to miss out on anything.”

***

Ville Fermier sat on the edge of New Destiny Village, the fort style chalet surrounded by gardens and the undulating low stone wall that marked the boundaries of the general grounds.

“What I want to show you is my newest addition,” Walter Fermier said. “We opened the garden with the south facing view. You haven’t been here since last year, so this is new.”

Suzanne retorted, “I came to hang out with your sister last month.”

“You don’t count.”

“How is Isabel?” Sarah asked.

“She’s doing her best to make her own fortune,” Walter answered.

“Her Boston firm is doing great,” Suzanne added.

“And why isn’t she here?” Sarah asked.

Delia replied, “You missed her. She was here and then had to leave. We’ll be catching up with her next week.”

Charlie carried his beer as he silently snooped around amid the rich furnishings.

“Are you almost finished with that one?” Walter asked.

“Just about,” Charlie answered before sucking down the last of the bottle’s contents. And then he burped unabashedly. “There it goes.”

“Follow me folks.” Walter led the entourage through the center of the house and into the large kitchen, where the drinks refrigerator was bountiful, filled with juice, sodas, and bottles of wine and beer. He served everyone drinks and then said, “Now let’s go see my new masterpiece.” Two turns revealed the area that had been closed off for fifteen years; it was the room leading to the garden patio, redesigned into Walter’s own invention—The Bosch Garden. The main feature of the room was a large wall containing an exact replica of The Garden of Earthly Delights.

“I’ve never seen one so big,” Andy said. “Who made this for you?”

“A very talented architect in Boston,” Walter replied. “He does this kind of thing when economic growth is slow. It even contains the front cover of the triptych—the world overlooked by God.” He closed the wing panels and then opened them up again.

Andy studied the images closely. “But it’s some kind of refurbished print or something, right?”

“It’s a re-mastered duplicate of the original work, based on a high definition photograph, with some filtering and texture enhancement. So we get Bosch in natural 3D.”

Suzanne admired the work of art. “I remember how much you always loved this painting.”

“It’s flawless,” Sarah remarked.

Delia stared in fascination. “It’s like the characters are alive!”

Charlie burped again, and then apologized.

Walter sauntered over to the French doors and opened the room to the outside. The sky was filled with stars. He turned on the soft lights that underscored the finely manicured topiaries and flower gardens. The courtyard was arranged in the annular dance depicted in The Garden of Earthly Delights, complete with several intricate fountains.

“This is so beautiful!” Suzanne exclaimed, delighted as she kicked off her shoes and pranced out into the thick soft grass. It was three thousand square feet of low light exhibits before the backdrop of the moon bathed Adirondack Mountains. The lights flickered in many colors as Walter showed off his lighting arrangements and wireless controls. Depending on the setting, there were varying displays of scenes from the painting, with little statuettes and holographic figurines, the workings of which she had no clue. She looked up at the sky and saw subtle string lights overhead, mixing with the already bright stars.

Sprinklers shot streams of water at varying temperatures, delightful in their randomness, accompanied by cool mist that permeated the air. She heard Delia shouting for it to stop and Walter laughing as he joined in the circle game.

“You guys are crazy!” Delia shouted. She laughed in between her involuntary shrieks as water splashed all around her.

“See! The icy jets force you to circle the fountain!”

Further on, Suzanne found the quiet place off the edge of the garden, the smooth brick path leading to darkness and more light. The voices of her friends faded into babble as she found the entrance to the dark section of the painting portrayed, the burning castle and torturous hells, contrasted by ethereal light from an irresistible divinity—the scene of the prophet blessing the newborn spring.

Meet the Author

Mason Kuldinow studied creative writing at Naropa University and at the University of Colorado. His specialty is writing ghost stories and mystery novels, though he has tackled science fiction and horror with excellent results. When reading a short story or novel by Kuldinow, you can expect strong relationships between characters, and romantic elements that are integral to the plot. You can also expect to be led assertively through paths of intrigue and mystery that lead to mind blowing realizations, and spine tingling frights, that make the reader hold the book tighter and turn the pages faster. His sense of humor often shines through in the pages of his writing, where you will find yourself laughing out loud and begging for more. His writing is smooth and flows easily. You don’t have to struggle to read any of his works. And when it comes to keeping the reader’s interest, Mason Kuldinow does not disappoint.