Hi, friends. I hadn’t planned to blog today, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to share news of a limited time sale. My publisher has placed A Thousand Yesteryears, book one of my Point Pleasant series on sale for 99c. You can read this as a stand-alone novel, or as the first of three books comprising the series.
New York Times best-selling author, Kevin O’Brien called this book “Masterful, bone-chilling fiction…one intense thriller. A Thousand Yesteryears will keep you guessing, gasping and turning the pages for more.”
I honestly don’t know how long the sale will last (it’s likely a 1-2 day flash sale), so if you’d like to sink into a novel where “A woman’s homecoming is met with death threats, a treacherous killer, and a legendary monster” now is your chance.
I’ll be taking a closer look at the urban legend behind this book in 2022, as part of a new series I’m planning called Mae Clair’s Cabinet of Curiosities.
A Thousand Yesteryears is a fictional account of historic events and established folklore, involving the tragic collapse of the Silver Bridge in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, and sightings of the Mothman. I made two weekend trips to the actual town and surrounding areas while writing this series in order to visit areas firsthand and talk to the locals. I’ve been honored to have many book reviewers who live/lived in the area remark on how well I captured the town.
I’ve closed comments, but invite you to meet the Mothman and learn the history of a once thriving river town!
Oh boy, oh, boy, oh boy! Once a year, Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child make it possible for readers to escape into the dangerous and eerie world of Special Agent Aloysuis Pendergast, a highly unorthodox FBI agent who specializes in unusual cases. If you’ve followed my blog for a while you know I’m crazy-mad about this series and, most especially, Pendergast. Needless to say, I devoured the latest release, Bloodless. The only down side of finishing this enthralling book is now I have to wait a year until a new release!
BOOK BLURB:
Agent Pendergast faces his most unexpected challenge yet when bloodless bodies begin to appear in Savannah, GA, in this installment of a #1 New York Times bestselling series.
A fabulous heist: On the evening of November 24, 1971, D. B. Cooper hijacked Flight 305—Portland to Seattle—with a fake bomb, collected a ransom of $200,000, and then parachuted from the rear of the plane, disappearing into the night…and into history.
A brutal crime steeped in legend and malevolence: Fifty years later, Agent Pendergast takes on a bizarre and gruesome case: in the ghost-haunted city of Savannah, Georgia, bodies are found with no blood left in their veins—sowing panic and reviving whispered tales of the infamous Savannah Vampire.
A case like no other: As the mystery rises along with the body count, Pendergast and his partner, Agent Coldmoon, race to understand how—or if—these murders are connected to the only unsolved skyjacking in American history. Together, they uncover not just the answer…but an unearthly evil beyond all imagining.
MY REVIEW:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Combining the mystery of D. B. Cooper with a series of odd murders in which the victims are drained of blood? Only Preston & Child could pull off a plot like that, and they do it exceptionally well in the twentieth outing for FBI Special Agent Aloysius X. L. Pendergast. If you’ve never read a Pendergast novel, Bloodless is written in such a way that you can go into it fresh without worrying about what came before.
Pendergast and his sometimes partner, Coldmoon, are diverted to Savannah, Georgia, accompanied by Pendergast’s ward, Constance Greene. Call me a happy camper as other than Corrie Swanson (who now stars with Nora Kelly in their own series), Coldmoon and Constance are my favorite supporting characters.
The haunted setting is perfect for a story that includes an unethical ghost-hunting reality TV host, a slimy politician, and an eccentric wealthy woman who lives in isolation on the upper floor of a luxury hotel. There’s also a collection of local law enforcement for Pendergast and Coldmoon to interact with. I particularly loved Delaplane, the Savannah commander who gets to shine in her own right.
The book starts out with a slow build of eerie killings, then explodes in the last half as all hell breaks loose. The story is so different than any that have preceded it—downright bizarre—I had to pause for a day to examine how I felt about it. I stayed up reading past bedtime on a work night just because I had to know how it ended.
It’s near impossible to put the book down once the action really kicks in and pieces begin to slot into place. The pace is frantic, and the descriptions vividly portrayed. This is another five-star read in a series that never grows stale and features one of the most unique characters in modern fiction. I can’t wait for the next Pendergast adventure—especially with the hint provided in the closing chapter of what is to come. One of my top reads of 2021!
Hello, and welcome to the first Book Review Tuesday of June—and the first day of June. Pretty clever how that fell into place, huh? 🙂 Today’s review is for a novel that releases next Tuesday on the 8th, but is available for pre-order now. The author provided me with an ARC, which I quickly devoured. I think you’ll want to as well.
BOOK BLURB:
Without your memories, who are you?
When Judy Angel opens her eyes, the nightmare begins. Every shred of the past has disappeared from her mind. Without the help of memories, she must navigate her past and trust that friends and family are truly what they seem.
Finding a message from her younger self, Judy follows the breadcrumbs, sending her down a frightening path, and changing her life forever.
Why did she run away so many years before? Can she trust the visions that haunt her nights?For Judy Angel, every memory is On the Tip of Her Tongue. But will that be enough to save her?
MY REVIEW:
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
As noted in the blurb, the main character in this story has to reconstruct her life through a trail of breadcrumbs. When the novel starts, she has no memory of her past or the people who have factored into her life. Judy is married to Johnny Macklemore, a famous novelist who has asked her to hand-deliver his latest manuscript to his publisher while he attends to other business. Instead, Judy ends up in a hospital, questioning how she got there and failing to recognize her own parents.
When she returns to her childhood home, she discovers her younger self—Judy Angel—has left a series of clues enabling her to begin piecing her life together. Along the course, she will reconnect with past friends and a former fiancé, now a detective. She’ll also encounter Johnny’s parents, and a sister-in-law she never knew existed. Her in-laws are nothing as expected, and Johnny’s sister, Tessa, exists in a non-commutative state, unaware of what takes place around her.
This story has a lot of “legs”—both in the past and present. The plot threads meander, take detours, circle around, then come together in a deftly constructed conclusion. The suspense is slow-build and parts of narrative are woven with magical realism. I have a strange fondness for books that use damaged minds and mental facilities devoted to odd or unusual experimentation. Both lay at the heart of this story, but it’s also a tale of sacrifice, betrayals, and starting over. Particularly touching is Judy’s relationship with her father, Bud, something the reader doesn’t grasp in entirety until the last quarter of the tale.
Two things I positively loved were the author’s use of Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird, and Billy Joel’s song, “Lullaby.” Both show up more than once in the narrative, as does a small stuffed mockingbird that carries meaning for Judy. If you enjoy supernatural suspense with forays into magical realism, this is an intriguing story with plenty of surprises waiting along the way. 4 Stars.
I received a complimentary ARC of this novel for an honest review.
This book was so different and unique in so many ways. I hope you’ll help Jerry spread the news On the Tip of Her Tongue is available for pre-order by using the sharing buttons below. Then hop over to Amazon to reserve your own copy. As always, I wish you happy reading!
NEWSFLASH UPDATE !!!
As per his comment below, Jerry has a special THANK YOU offer for everyone here: Use the DISCOUNT CODE: TIPOFHERTONGUE21 The code is good on all print versions of “On the Tip of Her Tongue” only on http://www.Jerryrothauthor.com
Hi, friends. Welcome to a new feature you’ll likely see on my blog once or twice a month for the foreseeable future. Sunbury Press is a traditional publishing house located not far from where I live in Central Pennsylvania. Their marketing assistant reached out to me to see if I would be interested in sharing occasional releases on my blog. I’ve asked for those books that may appeal to my followers, mostly mystery/suspense or in the supernatural vein.
Today, I’m sharing the first selection they’ve sent, Bottom Feeders by Jerry Roth. This book is tearing up the charts on Amazon. Take a look and let me know what you think in the comments below.
Book Blurb:
Would you recognize the Devil if you met him?
A decaying prison hides a dark secret. Robert Deville, the youngest prison warden in the history of the state, never expected to feel a supernatural connection in a prison. After discovering a diary, Robert learns a prisoner, rumored to be the Devil, was hidden away under his feet.
Was this prisoner responsible for a fire that killed hundreds of prisoners? Did he play a part in the murder of a local family years earlier? Robert must learn the prisoner’s true identity and unravel why he hasn’t aged in decades.
Surviving a relationship with an abusive ex-husband, Jenny Deville is dealing with the pain of her past. Noticing a sudden change in her son’s behavior, and his horrifying drawings of murders, no child should ever witness, she must discover the cause.
As local children mysteriously disappear, there is little time to prove who the killer really is.
Author Bio: Jerry Roth is a graduate from The Ohio State University where he studied English Literature. He has written for Ohio newspapers and sports articles for the Disc Golf Pro Tour. His fiction career began as a screenwriter. He lives in Moxahala, Ohio with his wife Tricia and his three children Jesse, Lea, and Nick. After reading The Stand by Stephen King, he became passionate about creating his own work of fiction. Bottom Feeders is his debut novel.
Welcome to a new Guest Author Thursday! Today, I’m pleased to have Story Empire colleague, John Howell, as my guest. John has dropped by to give us a glimpse of his latest release, Eternal Road. I’m rolling out the red carpet and chanting “one-click, one-click!” 🙂 You can read my 5 star review of John’s book HERE.
And now . . . take it away, John!
New Book Launch – Eternal Road – The final stop.
Thank you so much for having me on your blog, Mae, and thank you for helping me launch this book. I know you have your hands full with your current projects and I am pleased you could make time to help with this launch. Speaking of the book, let me describe it. Eternal Road is the story of two people finding their way through the selection process leading to the place where one will spend eternity. Yes, it is true. They both have passed away. James Wainwright just died in an auto accident. Samantha Tourneau died seventeen years before. Sam is James’s guide to help him decide where to spend eternity. This is not your usual thriller or paranormal romance. It is a piece of fiction that is a combination of inspiration, adventure, time travel, sci-fi, a touch of erotica, and a dash of spiritual. In short, it is a lot of things, but hopefully, a story that will make you happy to have read it.
It is now available on Amazon in paper and Kindle. The Kindle edition is introductory priced at 99¢ until October 15th
James Wainwright picks up a hitchhiker and discovers two things 1. The woman he picks up is his childhood sweetheart, only Seventeen years older. 2. He is no longer of this world.
James began a road trip alone in his 1956 Oldsmobile. He stops for a hitchhiker only to discover she is his childhood sweetheart, Sam, who disappeared seventeen years before. James learns from Sam falling asleep miles back caused him to perish in a one-car accident. He also comes to understand that Sam was taken and murdered all those years ago, and now she has come back to help him find his eternal home.
The pair visit a number of times and places and are witness to a number of historical events. The rules dictate that they do no harm to the time continuum. Trying to be careful, they inadvertently come to the attention of Lucifer, who would love to have their souls as his subjects. They also find a threat to human survival and desperately need to put in place the fix necessary to save humankind.
The question becomes, will James find his eternal home in grace or lose the battle with Satan for his immortal soul and the future of human life with it? If you like time-travel, adventure, mystery, justice, and the supernatural, this story is for you.
An Excerpt
They each cradle their musket. James winces when his weapon comes to rest. “Can you please grab the pouch? My shoulder’s killing me.”
Sam nods. “Sure enough. What will happen in a fight?”
James gives her a stern look. “I thought about that.”
Sam locks eyes with him. “Tell me.”
James glances away. “Don’t you think it would be wrong for you and I to kill people? I mean, we’re not supposed to alter history. What if someone we killed would have been spared in the actual fight? On top of that, taking a human life is not something I would think appropriate for a dead person. Especially one looking for an eternal home.”
Sam walks around until she once more has James fixed in her sight. “You bring up two good points.” She pauses and takes his chin in her hand. “Maybe we should go on our way before the fighting begins.”
James places his hand over hers. “That’s what I think. I don’t want to be responsible for anyone’s death.”
“I hear you. I just wish the reason we came here would become apparent. That we don’t know bothers me.”
James lowers his hand, and Sam does the same. He looks toward the mission. “We haven’t found out what the date is either.”
Sam rests her musket against a tree. “Oh, that’s right. If we knew the date, we would know how much time we have until the actual shooting starts.”
James places his musket next to hers. “When did the shooting start in reality?”
Sam doesn’t have to think. “The first shots were fired on February 23rd at nighttime.”
James wipes his brow. “Okay, then. We just have to ask someone the date.”
Sam holds out her hand. “And broadcast to the whole group that we are so out of it we don’t know?”
James looks at the mission again. “Don’t you think it happens a lot in these troubled times? After all, they don’t have radio broadcasts and such.”
“Okay. You convinced me. Let’s ask the sentry.” They pick up their muskets and walk to the main gate. They both go up to the sentry on duty.
Sam breaks the ice, “Excuse me.”
The sentry stood watching them from the moment they went to the woods. “Yeah, what is it?”
Sam looks down. “We wondered if you knew the date.”
The sentry appears surprised. “The date? Well, it’s a Tuesday, so maybe it might be the 23rd or the 24th. Hold on, let me ask someone.”
Sam shakes her head. “Oh, that’s okay. You’re close enough.”
The sentry smiles. “Okay, then. How’d the practice go?”
James answers, “Just fine, thanks.”
“How’s that shoulder?”
James laughs. “I think I’ll live.”
The sentry grins. “It takes a while to get used to. Get yourself something to fold up. It’ll lessen the shock.”
The trailer
John’s bio
John is an award-winning author who, after an extensive business career, began writing full time in 2012. His specialty is thriller fiction novels, but John also writes poetry and short stories. He has written five other books that are on Amazon in paperback and Kindle editions. The paperback versions are also available in the Indie Lector store
John lives in Lakeway, Texas, with his wife and their spoiled rescue pets.
Happy Monday, everyone! I’m not usually a fan of the first day of the work week, but today is a special Monday. Denise (D.L.) Finn is making her first author appearance on my blog with her latest release, The Button. She has generously helped me with promotion in the past, and I am delighted to be able to return the favor. I’ve also read several of her works and always find them enjoyable. Knowing her latest is a paranormal thriller is a win-win for me. I’ve already downloaded my copy and look forward to curling up with my Kindle—just maybe not on a dark and stormy night 🙂
Please welcome Denise . . .
Thank you, Mae, for inviting me on your blog to help celebrate the of The Button!
Blurb:
Lynn Hill left a difficult childhood behind when she turned eighteen. The 1980s were going to be the beginning of a great life. Then what started as an ordinary evening out with her best friend, Stacy, turns into a nightmare. Lynn hears warnings: “Go!” “Leave!” Believing she is hearing things after partying too much, she goes back for one more drink before going home. That decision sets off a chain of events that nothing could have prepared her for. While humans and not-so-human beings are attempting to either help or harm her, Lynn risks everything to find the only person she trusts, Stacy. Who can help her? The stepbrother who shows up right when she needs him or the attractive, helpful bartender who gives her his phone number? Lynn must learn to trust again. Her survival depends on it in this paranormal thriller.
Excerpt:
PROLOGUE
Castro Valley, California, 1976
Lynn was suddenly aware of her surroundings. It was tranquil floating above her still body next to angels. She felt indifferent at seeing her pale form hooked up to wires and IVs, although the beeping machines indicated that her body was still alive.
“You have to go back—you have more to do,” the female angel informed her.
Lynn met the angel’s steady gaze. While she was in awe of her beauty, it was the angel’s silver dress that drew her attention. It reminded her of how the water in her grandmother’s pool had wrapped her in serenity when she sat at the bottom. She’d loved doing that for as long as she could hold her breath. It was one of the few times she felt safe, cocooned in water where no one could hurt her. That dress, flowing like water around the angel, affected Lynn in the same way as the pool did—it made her feel safe. The angel pushed her hair back, causing it to cascade over her peacock-green wings.
Lynn turned her attention to the male angel. His smile was mesmerizing—like a lava lamp, hot and fluid. What a babe! With his long brown hair, strong chiseled features, and green eyes she could get lost in, she felt she could totally spend eternity with him. He smiled broadly at her, but the smile quickly disappeared when the female angel scowled at him. Wait a minute—do they know what I’m thinking? Not cool! Lynn felt her face redden.
The embarrassment was quickly erased as both angels smiled at her again. Lynn wished they’d say more, but she wanted to continue to hang out with them. She was feeling a peace she’d never felt before.
She started to express her desire to stay. “I don’t—” was all she got out before images of an older version of herself filled her mind all at once. Then she was thrust back—into her life and that pallid body hooked up to the beeping machines…
Random Finn Facts:
My fear of bees used to be extreme. I once jumped out of a moving car (in a parking lot) to prove that point.
I’m afraid of the dark. Nightlights are a must.
I write poetry while riding on the back of my husband’s Harley.
D.L. Finn is an independent California local, who encourages everyone to embrace their inner child. She was born and raised in the foggy Bay Area, but in 1990 relocated with her husband, kids, dogs and cats to the Sierra foothills in Nevada City, CA. She immersed herself in reading all types of books, but especially loved romance, horror and fantasy. She always treasured creating her own reality on paper. Finally, being surrounded by towering pines, oaks and cedars, her creativity was cradled until it bloomed. Her creations vary from children’s books, young adult fantasy, adult paranormal romance to an autobiography with poetry. She continues on her adventure with an open invitation to her readers to join her.
Hi, everyone. What a wonderful way to kick off the week! I get to share the cover and blurb of my forthcoming novel, End of Day, book two in my Hode’s Hill series. But even more than that, I’m overwhelmed. I put out a call asking for help in splashing this baby throughout the blogosphere and twenty-seven awesome friends volunteered to provide me with space. Twenty-seven!! You guys are the best! 🙂
I also know that many of you routinely support me by commenting on the posts I share on other sites. I certainly don’t expect anyone to comment on twenty-seven sites, so I’m going to say thank you in advance because your support means the world to me. If you see the post and want to give it a like, that will surely make me smile. I also recommend clicking the follow button on the bloggers supporting me. There’s a reason these people are so amazing and helpful.
Twenty-seven!! Did I mention I’m overwhelmed? And humbled. Thank you, thank you!
Generations of Jillian Cley’s family have been tasked with a strange duty—tending the burial plot of Gabriel Vane, whose body was the first to be interred in the Hode’s Hill cemetery. Jillian faithfully continues the long-standing tradition—until one October night, Vane’s body is stolen from its resting place. Is it a Halloween prank? Or something more sinister?
As the descendants of those buried in the church yard begin to experience bizarre “accidents,” Jillian tries to uncover the cause. Deeply empathic, she does not make friends easily, or lightly. But to fend off the terror taking over her town, she must join forces with artist Dante DeLuca, whose sensitivity to the spirit world has been both a blessing and a curse. The two soon realize Jillian’s murky family history is entwined in a tragic legacy tracing back to the founding of Hode’s Hill. In order to set matters right, an ancient wrong must be avenged…or Jillian, Dante, and everyone in town will forever be at the mercy of a vengeful spirit.
What do you think? Once again, I love what Kensington Publishing did with my cover art suggestions. Should you choose to read the book, you’ll discover why that old church and cemetery are vital to the story.
End of Day is a mystery/suspense novel with a healthy dollop of supernatural thriller tossed in. Release date is January 15, 2019, but pre-orders are available now through this link. Naturally, I’d love if you moseyed on over and clicked 🙂
You can also add End of Day to your Goodreads to-be-read list (which garners the book additional exposure. Just saying 😉 You know how this stuff goes, right?).
Finally—yeah, there’s one of those—if you haven’t read, book one, Cusp of Night, you can find it here. Whew! All done with the promo stuff now, but I have to admit I’m pretty “gone” about the cover art for End of Day. Is it a winner?
Hi, friends. I am SO EXCITED! I’ve recently received the cover for End of Day, book two of my Hode’s Hill series. I can’t wait to share it with everyone. My publisher is doing a cover reveal on September 10th, so I plan on splashing it here the same day. I’m also looking for guest hosts who wouldn’t mind putting the cover and blurb on their blog.
End of Day is a mystery/suspense novel with a healthy dose of supernatural thriller tossed in. If you’re interested, I can send you an HTML file with instructions to make posting easy. All you have to do is open the file, copy, and paste into your WordPress text editor. Presto! All done 🙂
You can email me at maeclair (at) maeclair (dot) com or comment below if you have blog space available on September 10th and would like to host. If not, no worries! I know not every date works for everyone. I’d just like to toss End of Day out there on as many blogs as possible for added exposure. In the meantime, book one, Cusp of Night, remains available from all online booksellers. I’ve been blessed with wonderful reviews and can only hope End of Day is embraced in the same vein.
Now if September 10th would hurry up and get here so I can share the cover with the world, LOL!
After all the prep and behind-the-scenes pulling my hair out, the big day is here! Cusp of Night is now available from all booksellers.
I’ve got a crazy launch day, with an appointment that falls smack in the middle of the day, sure to keep me offline for a time. I’m apologizing in advance because I have so many wonderful bloggers helping me out, and I fully intend to make rounds and visit all my host blogs. I just may be a little late.
I’m also going to be reblogging posts here. I hope you don’t get sick of me, but I’d love for you to meet the wonderful people who have agreed to host me. These are fabulously supportive friends and excellent authors in their own right. I’ve also taken the time to write individual posts for this tour (eighteen at last count) so there should be something new to discover at each stop.
I’ve put a ton of effort into this book and have my fingers crossed all that work will pay off in the long run. There are a number of early reviews already floating around the blogosphere which have me giddy.
I have one more that I hope you’ll indulge me with. Yesterday, Anita Dawes and Jaye Marie shared a review post from a different blogger as part of my tour. Today, they’ve posted their own review (along with a short excerpt of their choosing—which incidentally I love 🙂 ). If you get a chance, check it out, and show them some blog love. You can find the review here.
I’m closing comments on this post because I’m going to be reblogging throughout the tour and the day. If you have time, I hope you’ll visit some of my stops and also scope out my host bloggers. They’re a fab group of friends 🙂
If you’ve pre-ordered Cusp, THANK YOU, and I hope you enjoy the tale. If you haven’t, and would like to, you can use this universal purchase link to discover the town of Hode’s Hill, and a mystery that lingers on the Cusp of Night and the cusp of a century!
Author Bio:
I’ve got a crazy launch day, with an appointment that falls smack in the middle of the day, sure to keep me offline for a time. I’m apologizing in advance because I have so many wonderful bloggers helping me out, and I fully intend to make rounds and visit all my host blogs. I just may be a little late.
From the Pen of Mae Clair 