Creature Feature

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If you’re a regular follower of my blog, it’s no secret I have a love affair with creatures—a passion I developed early, thanks in part to my older brother. He had a Creepy Crawler maker when we were kids. Remember those? You poured colored goop into a metal mold, then heated it up in a toy oven. After the mold baked, you ended up with rubbery scorpions, spiders, and snakes. My parents eventually got me a Flower Power maker, and although it was fun, I was partial to the slithery things (this from someone who detests bugs).

When I was seven, I remember my mom taking me to the opening of a new mall. Something on that scale was a big deal back in those days. There were kiddie rides in the parking lot and cotton candy machines, but what I treasured most was going home with a plastic blue brontosaurus. I still remember that thing. I was so smitten with my toy creature.

Not long after that came telescopes and fanciful tales of space creatures. I fell in love with the Gothic soap opera Dark shadows, thanks to my older sisters, and learned about werewolves and ghosts. When I hit my teen years, I discovered folklore, fantasy novels, and reruns of Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea. There’s nothing like giant squids, lobster men, or mutant plants for creature nirvana!

silhouette of creature in the woods at night, full moon in backgroundMy love for creatures eventually found its way into my writing. To date, I’ve told tales involving a werewolf, a sea monster, a changeling, and a notorious cryptid—the Mothman. With my upcoming release, Cusp of Night, I have a new monster to foist on readers, a Spring-Heeled Jack like being known as The Fiend. If that isn’t enough, I’ve tossed in a few ghosts for good measure. 😊

Cusp of Night releases on June 12th, and I’m doing everything I can to launch this one successfully. Several friends have already volunteered to host me on their blog. I’ve pre-written posts in preparation of book touring and have more posts simmering on the back burner. I rarely if ever reblog, but this time I’m going all out. You’re likely to see multiple posts and reblogs in this space over the next several weeks as I push Cusp into the world.

If you’d like to help spread the word, I’m looking for blog hosts with availability in June and July (or heck, even later). Please email me at maeclair (at) maeclair (dot) com if you’re interested. And no worries if you can’t help out—we all have crazy juggling acts of family, writing, and jobs. I get that there just aren’t enough hours in the day.

As for Cusp of Night, the story goes something like this:

book cover for Cusp of Night, a mystery/suspense novel by Mae ClairBLURB

Recently settled in Hode’s Hill, Pennsylvania, Maya Sinclair is enthralled by the town’s folklore, especially the legend about a centuries-old monster. A devil-like creature with uncanny abilities responsible for several horrific murders, the Fiend has evolved into the stuff of urban myth. But the past lives again when Maya witnesses an assault during the annual “Fiend Fest.” The victim is developer Leland Hode, patriarch of the town’s most powerful family, and he was attacked by someone dressed like the Fiend.

Compelled to discover who is behind the attack and why, Maya uncovers a shortlist of enemies of the Hode clan. The mystery deepens when she finds the journal of a late nineteenth-century spiritualist who once lived in Maya’s house–a woman whose ghost may still linger.

Known as the Blue Lady of Hode’s Hill due to a genetic condition, Lucinda Glass vanished without a trace and was believed to be one of the Fiend’s tragic victims. The disappearance of a young couple, combined with more sightings of the monster, trigger Maya to join forces with Leland’s son Collin. But the closer she gets to unearthing the truth, the closer she comes to a hidden world of twisted secrets, insanity, and evil that refuses to die . . .

Cusp of Night is already available from all booksellers for pre-order through this link:  PURCHASE HERE

If you’re thinking of grabbing a copy, pre-ordering is a huge help for a successful book launch. I know we all have gargantuan TBRs but there’s no harm in padding them a little more, right? 😊

Thanks for considering, and thank you if you’re able to help with my book launch.

Exciting times!

I’m starting a new series *gulp*

I’ve got a new creature *gulp*

I’ve got dual timelines and dual mysteries *gulp, gulp*

Now if I could just find a plastic blue brontosaurus as a good luck charm! 😊

80 thoughts on “Creature Feature”

  3. I was a huge fan of Dark Shadows, too! Love your blue brontosaurus and hope you find one for good luck! I am looking forward to reading this and meeting a new creature! My kindle hasn’t told me its full yet…will add! I would love to help, will email you!

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Thank you, Denise. I appreciate the help!

      My Kindle still has plenty of room too, LOL. I just can’t say no to books…or a blue brontosaurus! And as corny as Dark Shadows could be at times (looking back on it now) it was still soooo good! I have so many fond memories of that show. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

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  4. I remember Creepy Crawler makers. Never had one but my friends did and we had loads of fun making them. And I was a die-hard fan of Dark Shadows. My friends and I used to play “make believe” during school recess and acted out Dark Shadows. Of course, I always had to be Josette!

    Congrats on the upcoming release!

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Joan, my friends and I used to play Dark Shadows, too. There was a gray stone house two doors down from where I lived that everyone was sure was haunted (it was actually a business). It was great for conjuring up Gothic make-believe, especially with a bump-out with a trio of stained glass windows under the eaves.
      I also had the Dark Shadows game with glow-in-the-dark skeletons. Such silly fun and wonderful memories.

      And thanks for the congrats on the release. I am so excited about it!

      Liked by 1 person

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    • I definitely agree our childhoods have a hand in shaping where we are today as writers. I may never have a blue brontosaurus in my books, but that spiffy guy helped pave the way for my other creatures 😉
      Thanks for the congrats, Sue!

      Liked by 1 person

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  15. I loved this post! Your book sounds SO good! I can’t wait to read it. I reblogged it and good luck with your launch! I had so much fun writing about vampires and werewolves when I wrote urban fantasies, but mixing them with eerie instead of battles makes them even more appealing:)

    Liked by 1 person

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    • I’m so excited you’re looking forward to the book, Judi. There is something about the eerie side of creatures that works well with mysteries and suspense. I know not everyone is a fan of the paranormal, but it’s a blast to be able to mix those elements into everyday settings. Your enthusiasm makes me smile! 😀

      Liked by 1 person

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  16. Lol, Mae. You cracked me up about the blue brontosaurus. 🙂 I know this book will riveting! But, I’ll have to wait and see if there is another creature as endearing as the Mothman. 🙂 Best wishes for a huge success with this new book. I’m emailing you.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • I did make some really great flowers—but I missed those wiggly jiggly legs on the critters 🙂

      Thanks so much, Jacquie. I’m thrilled to have so many friends helping me with this book launch!

      Liked by 1 person

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  20. Pingback: Creature Feature – Mae Clair | Sue Vincent's Daily Echo

    • Wow, I couldn’t ask for more than that. Thank you, thank you!!! I need to catch up with your stuff, too. According to Judi you write wonderful books. If you would like to promo any of them here, I would be delighted to host you. Just shoot me an email if you’re interested, and many thanks again!

      Liked by 1 person

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      • About the only genre I write that would interest you would be the fantasy Seasons of Time trilogy. (Lots of monstrous creatures.) I will keep you in mind when I finish another one and really appreciate the offer!!!

        Liked by 1 person

      • Monstrous creatures? Ooooh, I’m intrigued! Although I love thriller/suspense/mysteries, I read all kinds of genres from romance to sci-fi and even nonfiction. And definitely keep me in mind—even if you’d like promo on something you’ve had out for a while 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  24. Pingback: Creature Feature — From the Pen of Mae Clair – The Angry Scribbler

  27. Hi Mae. Sorry I’m late for this creature feature. I’d been watching for a new post from you — yet I didn’t see this one until Rob reblogged it. Oh well, my Monday always needs a boost and I found it here! I remember Creepy Crawler makers and Dark Shadows (fondly).
    Your new book sounds terrific. Now I need to google all about that kind of “Jack”… Love to learn about new creatures! Hugs.

    Liked by 1 person

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  30. Yikes! You have me scared from the mention of The Fiend … and reading the blurb I’m positively shivering. I’m a wuss at anything like this but so impressed by anyone who can write so vividly in this genre – sounds like you nailed it! I wish you the very best with your launch and will see you around on WordPress. Owing to work and family commitments I’m having to take it a lot easier than usual on the blogging front for a while… popping in and out! BTW, who knew that innocent plastic blue brontosaurus would lead to a lifetime interest in the gothic etc, to you writing your own novels…. Fantastic!! Best of luck. hugs xxx

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Thanks, Annika! And I have a confession to make….despite writing about creatures, I am a true wuss when it comes to anything supernatural. I won’t even have my fortune told, much less go on a ghost tour or step in a haunted house. I know….weird, right? I don’t like anything occult, but I do love Gothic, illusions, and beasties. I’m such a contradiction, LOL.

      I’m sure you’ll be seeing me all over the blogospehre for the next few weeks. I’ve got a few tours planned. I just need the energy to pull them all off 🙂

      Enjoy your break from blogging. We all need to take those from time to time. And family always comes first!

      Liked by 1 person

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    • There was a set that made monsters?!??! Oh, how did I miss that, LOL.
      We are indeed alike in so many ways, Lauralynn. Dark Shadows ruled my childhood. Even today,w hen I stumble over an old episode I’ll switch it on for a while 🙂

      Like

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