Cross and Curse

Gothic Mystery. Venturing Through 17th Century Terneuse: Love, Valor, and Salvation Amid Supernatural Pursuits and Historical Turbulence

By: Cassandra Monson

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

A historical fiction book set in 17th century Netherlands and other vivid geographical locations during the tumultuous era of the mid-1600s.

"Cross and Curse" sweeps you off to the small town of Terneuse, situated on the tranquil bank of the Scheldt river. Here, in a forlorn cottage, resides a widow on the descent of her days and her spirited son, Kevin Rosemont. This sweeping saga follows Kevin's journey as he unearths a suppressed family secret linked to an age-old maritime curse - a legacy tied to his father, a sailor believed to have perished at sea.

Sail into the Darkness

As the plot sails forward, Kevin's life takes a treacherous turn when he discovers that his father, Captain Rosemont, is doomed to navigate the ominous seas on the Phantom Ship until the world's final judgment. Battling his way through adversities, Kevin's quest to uncover the truth leads him into encounters with dubious characters such as the avaricious doctor, Mynheer Poots, and horrifying confrontations with the Holy Inquisition.

The Trials of Love and Inquisition

Anchoring amidst the storm is a tragic narrative of forbidden love. Kevin meets Dora, a woman condemned by the Inquisition. Their doomed love story resiliently unfolds against the ruthless backdrop of public punishments and the tyrannical horrors of the Holy Inquisition in Goa.

Unraveling the Maritime Curse

After years of strife, Kevin finds himself in the twilight of his journey where he locks horns with his old adversary, French. Their complicated relationship sends a powerful message about forgiveness; a necessary step towards redemption and lifting of the insidious maritime curse.

The Final Unfolding

On his relentless journey, Kevin sails onto the cursed Phantom Ship to fulfill his father's last wish, setting the stage for the touching conclusion. As Kevin and his father confront their destinies, they break the ties with the haunting maritime curse and find their serenity.

"Cross and Curse" unveils Kevin's heroic struggle against a condemning legacy and the long-standing pursuit of spiritual deliverance. The book, infused with invigorating themes of faith, maritime folklore, and the brutal atrocities of the Inquisition, paints a vivid historical panorama where the characters' dramatic lives unfurl. This gripping narrative of faith, family, and redemption will captivate lovers of historical fiction and maritime folklore.