Today I’m hosting Mae Clair, who is finishing up a blog tour for the first book of her new series. If you like past/present timelines, fiends, and sinister happenings, you’ll enjoy not only Cusp of Night, but Mae’s other books as well. Take it away, Mae!
Julie, thank you so much for inviting me to your blog today. I’ve been making the rounds with my latest novel, Cusp of Night, the first book in my new Hode’s Hill series. Although the first book in a three-book series, Cusp of Night is also a complete standalone read offering two mysteries in one. It features past and present timelines that ultimately converge at the end, tying both plots together.
Lucinda Glass, my main character in the past, becomes a renowned medium in the late 1800s. She’s lauded by the elite of society for seances and producing “automatic writings” in which she communicates with the dead.
In the present, Maya Sinclair, a recent transplant to Hode’s Hill rents Lucinda’s old brownstone home. Once she moves in, odd occurrences start to take place—ghostly visitations that correspond with attacks and disappearances in Hode’s Hill. Residents fear the “Fiend”—a nightmarish creature said to have killed Lucinda and others in the late 1800s—has returned. Maya finds herself at the center of the mystery when she witnesses the creature attack Leland Hode, one of the town’s leading citizens. Soon, she and Leland’s son, Collin, are working together to get to the bottom of the attacks and how they tie-in with Lucinda’s life in the past.
I brought along a short excerpt today in which Collin takes an early morning jog and makes a grim discovery.
EXCERPT:
Collin slowed as his path led him closer to the river. The end of the bank was rife with reeds and cattails, knots of vegetation that sprouted in untamed clumps. Normally, he would turn back, but there was something lumped among the snarl of weeds that looked like a blue tarp. He could ignore it and let the current carry it down river, but the conscientious thing would be to haul it out and toss it. Every now and then his mother got on a kick about saving the planet. Recently, she’d joined a committee for environmental beautification.
Collin suspected she was secretly more interested in the attention she’d reap as a result.
Deciding he couldn’t leave the thing snagged in the water and weeds, he clambered down the bank. Up close, he realized it was a large piece of fabric, not plastic. His foot sank into the muck, and he knotted his fingers in the waterlogged material. It resisted when he pulled, far heavier than he’d thought. Another, stronger tug and it rolled like a fish, bobbing belly upright.
A bloated face framed by a hunk of blond hair popped to the surface.
“Shit!” Collin tripped in his haste to get away, nearly landing on his butt. “Oh, shit. Hell, no.” He could see it clearly now, the body of a young woman, her clothing in tatters. Scrapes and abrasions marred her exposed flesh, chunks of skin gouged from her arms and legs as if every scavenger in the river had nibbled on her corpse. Wide, sightless eyes stared upward, frozen in an unanswered plea for help.
The stench hit him.
Collin dropped to his knees and vomited.
BLURB:
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 . . .
You can find Mae Clair at the following haunts:
Website | Blog | Twitter | Newsletter | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon | Other Social Links
June 27, 2018 at 7:57 am
Julie, thanks so much for hosting me today. It’s great to be here on your blog with Cusp of Night! I think Mr. E. is around here somewhere too—probably off chatting with your muse, LOL!
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June 27, 2018 at 9:19 am
I expect the two of them are off causing trouble somewhere 😉 Glad to have you stop by, Mae!
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June 27, 2018 at 8:01 am
Reblogged this on From the Pen of Mae Clair and commented:
It’s been a whirlwind, but my tour for Cusp of Night ends with today’s stop at Julie Holmes blog. Julie is a fun and friendly writer who will be celebrating with her debut release soon. I love visiting her blog, where her muse often takes center stage in her posts. If you’re not following her already, I highly recommend changing that.
Today, I’m sharing a short excerpt from Cusp of Night (set in the present) in which Collin Hode makes a grim discovery. Come on over and check it out. And for everyone who has followed along with my tour, a huge “THANK YOU” for all of your wonderful support! You guys rock!
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June 27, 2018 at 9:28 am
Great scene! I loved this book.
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June 27, 2018 at 10:48 am
I love the excerpts Mae used on her blog tour. Very enticing!
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June 27, 2018 at 11:44 am
Thanks so much, Judi!! I thought Collin deserved a little time in the spotlight 🙂
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June 27, 2018 at 9:29 am
What an excerpt! Yikes. I’d be knocked back on my butt too. Wonderful to see Mae over here, Julie. Congrats on the tour, Mae. You certainly reeled me in. 🙂
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June 27, 2018 at 10:49 am
I know, right? Nothing like ruining the rest of your day (and appetite 😮 )!
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June 27, 2018 at 11:44 am
Yay! So good to hear, Diana. I don’t know why but I always have a hard time choosing excerpts. I’m glad this one worked!
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June 27, 2018 at 9:39 am
That would kind of ruin your day. Time to crack open the bourbon, close the blinds, and call in sick.
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June 27, 2018 at 10:50 am
I like the way you think, Craig!
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June 27, 2018 at 11:10 am
Thanks, Julie.
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June 27, 2018 at 11:45 am
Heeheee. Sounds like a plan! 🙂
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June 27, 2018 at 10:30 am
Wicked excerpt, Mae. That would probably knock me on my butt, too.
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June 27, 2018 at 11:46 am
And me. Of course, then I’d get up and run screaming at the top of my lungs!
Glad you liked it, Teri! 🙂
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June 27, 2018 at 10:31 am
This looks wonderful, Mae. I love the crossover of past and present. Will be checking it out!
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June 27, 2018 at 11:46 am
Awesome! So great to hear! It was fun–and challenging–writing two timelines, Jacquie. I’ve got three books in this series and they’re all going to follow that theme!
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June 27, 2018 at 12:04 pm
Enjoying your book and tour at same time! Thanks for hosting Julie:)
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June 27, 2018 at 2:36 pm
Thanks, Denise. So good to know!
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June 28, 2018 at 6:38 am
Thanks, Denise! I love Mae’s stuff, and it’s a pleasure to have her here.
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June 27, 2018 at 12:39 pm
I just started this book! I’m always excited when a new Mae Clair book comes out!
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June 27, 2018 at 2:37 pm
YAY! That’s fabulous to hear, Lauralynn. I hope you enjoy this one. I was so intriguing to write!
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June 28, 2018 at 6:39 am
I’m with ya, Lauralynn! I always love a new Mae Clair book ❤
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June 27, 2018 at 12:43 pm
Powerful! Great excerpt, Mae. Can’t wait to start this one!
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June 27, 2018 at 2:38 pm
So good to hear, Jacquie. And I’m so glad you enjoyed the excerpt. They are always so hard to choose!
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June 28, 2018 at 6:41 am
It’s great, isn’t it? I’ve just started it, but I’ve got some RL stuff coming down the pipe, so I’ll be slowed down by that, but it’s supposed to be tropical heat warning this weekend, so a great excuse to stay in and read 🙂
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June 28, 2018 at 11:18 am
Rainy here, also perfect for reading 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend!
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June 27, 2018 at 12:58 pm
Mae, the excerpt is a huge hook! A definite must read book! And there are more like this one! Congrats on the book tour. 📚 Christine
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June 27, 2018 at 2:39 pm
Hi, Christine! Many thanks for visiting and checking out the book and excerpt. I’m thrilled to hear you think it’s a “must read.” The research was fascinating and I thoroughly enjoyed spinning the tale–or tales in this case, LOL!
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June 28, 2018 at 6:42 am
If you haven’t checked out Mae’s Point Pleasant series, Christine, I highly recommend it. Thanks for stopping by!
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June 27, 2018 at 1:15 pm
I adore Collin. Glad to have seen him here.
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June 27, 2018 at 2:39 pm
Thanks, Staci. I got attached to him, too. 🙂
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June 27, 2018 at 7:25 pm
😊Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water! lol … Loved this extract from your fabulous book, Mae! Thanks so much for hosting Mae Clair today, Julie.
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June 28, 2018 at 6:43 am
You’re welcome, Soooz! I always enjoy having Mae visit 😀
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June 28, 2018 at 7:54 am
LOL! Thanks for that fun comment, Soooz.
I’m thrilled you loved my books. Thanks for all your support during the tour, too. You rock! 🙂
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June 28, 2018 at 5:44 pm
😎Yup, I do. And humble … don’t forget humble. rotflmao. 😂
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June 28, 2018 at 7:13 pm
😀
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June 28, 2018 at 2:29 am
Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
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June 28, 2018 at 7:55 am
Thanks so much for the reblog! 🙂
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June 28, 2018 at 2:32 am
Stunning excerpt and one of my favourites. I loved this book!
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June 28, 2018 at 6:44 am
Thanks for the reblog! I’ve just started the book, but I can’t wait to get some time to really settle in with it. 🙂
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June 28, 2018 at 8:27 am
Thank you so much! I’m thrilled by how much you enjoyed it. Thanks for visiting with me and Julie today!
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June 28, 2018 at 9:22 am
Reblogged this on Viv Drewa – The Owl Lady.
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June 28, 2018 at 10:25 am
Thanks for the reblog!
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June 29, 2018 at 7:11 am
You’re very welcome!
Hugz on owl wings! @v@ ❤
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June 28, 2018 at 11:45 am
Thank you for the reblog, Viv!
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June 29, 2018 at 7:12 am
My pleasure, Mae!
Hugz on owl wings! @v@ ❤
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June 29, 2018 at 7:46 am
You’re very welcome, Mae!
Hugs on owl wings! @v@ ❤
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June 28, 2018 at 9:43 am
LOVE this book! Bravo to Mae. Thanks so much for sharing, Julie.
Cheers to you both! 🙂
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June 28, 2018 at 10:24 am
Thanks, Natalie! I’m so looking forward to reading it!
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June 28, 2018 at 11:48 am
Thanks so much, Natalie! It’s soooo appreciated hearing that! 🙂
Thanks for visiting and wishing you an awesome day!
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June 28, 2018 at 11:09 pm
Way to go, Mae! Julie, you’re such a good blog buddy.
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June 29, 2018 at 6:42 am
😀 Aw, thanks, Betsy!
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June 29, 2018 at 12:13 pm
Please, gurrrrrl! You know it! Snap, snap of my fingers, yo.
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June 29, 2018 at 7:05 pm
Thanks so much for visiting and checking out the post, Betsy!
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June 30, 2018 at 2:20 pm
My pleasure, Mae. It’s probably about time we became blog friends anyway. We can’t keep jealously sharing Julie forever. 😉
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June 30, 2018 at 2:25 pm
LOL!
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July 2, 2018 at 8:49 am
LOL! Or her muse 🙂
So nice to hear!!
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July 2, 2018 at 11:16 am
Yes, her muse! Bring me some chocolate and beer, would ya, muse?
Or her cat!!
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July 2, 2018 at 2:54 pm
I’m with you on the cat, too. I have OCD–obsessive cat disorder, LOL!
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July 2, 2018 at 2:57 pm
THAT… is awesome. I have no doubt I have it too.
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July 3, 2018 at 8:07 am
🙂
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June 29, 2018 at 6:24 am
Yikes! A terrific excerpt and I was hooked! Lovely to see Mae on your blog, Julie. Wishing you both well with your writing and books! 😀
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June 29, 2018 at 6:43 am
Thanks, Annika! I love hosting other writers, and I’d be happy to have you over any time 😀
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June 29, 2018 at 6:47 am
Ahh…thank you so much. I’ve got three hectic weeks before I disappear for the summer so early Autumn would be great if that suits you? xx
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June 29, 2018 at 7:10 am
Early autumn works just fine 🙂
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June 29, 2018 at 7:06 pm
Thanks so much , Annika. Julie is a fantastic host. It’s been great having everyone stop in and visit!
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June 29, 2018 at 9:30 am
Winning excerpt, Mae. I love the whole premise.
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June 29, 2018 at 9:35 am
It’s a great premise. Reminds me a little of her PP series with the Mothman (which is a great series if you get a chance to read it 🙂 )
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June 29, 2018 at 7:07 pm
Aww, thanks, Julie!
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June 29, 2018 at 7:07 pm
Fantastic to hear, Jacqui.Thank you!
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June 29, 2018 at 11:38 pm
Reblogged this on Art by Rob Goldstein and commented:
from Facets of a Muse
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June 30, 2018 at 5:30 am
Thanks for the reblog!
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June 30, 2018 at 11:13 am
You’re welcome!
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June 30, 2018 at 2:28 pm
Thanks! And thanks for stopping by!
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July 1, 2018 at 7:27 pm
You’re welcome!
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July 2, 2018 at 3:29 pm
I have enjoyed all Mae’s titles and am sure this one will keep me on the edge of my seat, judging by past experience and that excerpt! Great title too.
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July 3, 2018 at 6:49 am
It sounds great, doesn’t it? I’m just getting into it, but I’m enjoying it (so much to read, so little time 😀 ) Have a great holiday week, Flossie!
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