Exclusive song reveal for 'Suspicion' by Alexandra Monir

I love romantic suspense novels and Suspicion, the latest from author Alexandra Monir, looks absolutely tantalizing. I can't wait to read this murder, magic and mystery story, which releases on Dec. 9. I'm thrilled to be able to share a never-before-seen excerpt, as well as exclusively reveal a song Alexandra performed for the novel. Read her guest post below for all the details.

About Suspicion:

Mysterious. Magnificent. Creepy. Welcome to Rockford Manor.

"There's something hidden in the Maze."

Seventeen-year-old Imogen has never forgotten the last words her father said to her seven years ago, before the blazing fire that consumed him, her mother, and the gardens of her family's English country manor.

Haunted by her parents' deaths, Imogen moves to New York City with her new guardians. But when a letter arrives with the news of her cousin's untimely death, revealing that Imogen is now the only heir left to run the estate, she returns to England and warily accepts her role as duchess.

All is not as it seems at Rockford, and Imogen quickly learns that dark secrets lurk behind the mansion's aristocratic exterior, hinting that the spate of deaths in her family were no accident. And at the center of the mystery is Imogen herself--and Sebastian, the childhood friend she has secretly loved for years. Just what has Imogen walked into?

Combining a fresh twist on the classic Rebecca with a spine-tingling mystery and powerful romance, Suspicion is an action-packed thrill ride

An excerpt from Suspicion …

I should know this room. I've been inside countless times. But everything looks different now. The vibrant colors have all turned gray, the view out the windows is a foreign blur, and someone must have rearranged the furniture without telling me. Everything feels out of place, and as I move toward a favorite chair, I nearly sink into empty space.

I sense an arm hoisting me upright, gently steering me toward where the chair actually sits. Closing my eyes, I count to ten and promise myself that when I open them, the world will have returned to normal. But although the colors reappear and the furniture shifts back into position, I know there won't ever be such a thing as normal at Rockford Manor again.

I should have remembered what I learned firsthand years ago—that it only takes one night to transform a place; that a single event can crumble a stalwart structure and strip a home of a decade's worth of happy memories. But I never imagined it would happen twice. I let myself be taken in by Rockford once again, and even now, as I long to escape, I'm no match for the land. It pulls me under, seeping into my skin, until I don't know where I end and it begins. Maybe that's what it means to tie your identity to a place: it can betray you, shatter your illusions—and yet you can't stay away.

Alexandra Monir on the song …

While I was writing my new novel, Suspicion, I came across a song that amazed me, both for its simple beauty and its remarkable similarities to the story I was writing. I knew I had to feature the song in my book, and as I listened to it, I came up with a scene in Chapter 12 that became one of my favorites. When I shared this with my mom, she told me something incredible: it is the same song that my late grandmother — the prominent opera singer Monir Vakili, who I was named after — used to sing all the time. I'd found the song and written it into my book without even knowing! It seemed meant to be.

The song is called Autumn Leaves, and it is the English translation by Johnny Mercer of the French classic Les Feuilles Mortes. My longtime producer, Heather Holley, created a fresh, modern take on the track, and it was one of my favorites to sing. I hope you enjoy it!

(If you can't hear the song here, you can listen on YouTube.)

Pre-order Suspicion this week and receive a complimentary mp3 of Autumn Leaves and be entered to win a customized iPad Mini from Alexandra's publisher! Simply forward your order confirmation or proof of purchase to SuspicionPrizes@gmail.com before Dec. 9.

Meet Alexandra Monir on tour! Upcoming events include the Suspicion Launch Party on the evening of Dec. 11 at Barnes & Noble Santa Monica and an East Coast book party on Jan. 8 at Barnes & Noble Upper East Side.

About Alexandra

Alexandra Monir is an author and a recording artist. Suspicion is her third novel, following her previous books Timeless and Timekeeper, all published by Delacorte Press. Alexandra lives in Los Angeles, where she is working on her next novel, blogging for The Huffington Post, and composing an original musical. Her music is available on iTunes. For more information, visit alexandramonir.com and follow @TimelessAlex on Twitter.

Vilma Gonzalez is a blogger, reader, marketer, wife and mom. She has an insatiable appetite for happily ever afters and a deep love of the written word. You can find more about her and read full book reviews at Vilma's Book Blog.