The Devil's Breath

Andre Verlain is on top of the world. At the age of twenty-six, he is already a respected member of the medical field, in love with a beautiful woman, Rachel Hayot. But then, in 1902, he finds himself in France, where he learns how easy it is to fall from the highest height to the lowest low. While in Paris, Andre meets a mysterious fortune teller, and Madame Boulier has some bad news .

According to Madame, Andre must soon make a choice. It is foretold that the woman he truly loves is doomed to die in the city of St. Pierre on the island of Martinique-killed by the eruption of the volcano, Pelee. Andre is suspicious-until he sets foot on the destined island and realizes he has eight days before Pelee is fated to explode. Andre is in love with Rachel; the soothsayer must be referring to her ... but what of the enchanting island woman known only as White Flower?

Rachel is the daughter of a rich plantation owner; she is safety and comfort. White Flower is the sister of a voodoo cultist-a dangerous man, hell-bent on killing Andre. She is not a viable prospect for marriage, so why does Andre feel such strong connection to the island beauty? Time is running out. Andre can only save one woman-but which one? And will Andre survive long enough to love her?

DAHN BATCHELOR studied creative writing at York University, was a copywriter at the Winnipeg Tribune, a nationally syndicated columnist for the Toronto Sun, the editor of Police News and the producer and host of a television talk show. He is the author of the novel, The Second Appearance and has contributed articles and stories in five anthologies.