I’m excited to welcome Mae Clair to today’s special book:
Many thanks for hosting me on your blog today, and allowing me space to chat with your readers, Denise. I’ve just rolled out a new mystery/suspense novel called Cusp of Night I’m excited to share. A book that uses dual mysteries—one set in the past and one in the present—the story also contains elements of the supernatural and urban legend.
My character in the present is Maya Sinclair, a woman who has recently relocated to the town of Hode’s Hill to accept a job as a reference librarian. The move comes at a good time because in many ways she’s starting over. Several months in the past she was the victim of a near fatal car accident. For two minutes and twenty-two seconds she was clinically dead. That time span plays a key element later in the story, but for now I want to hover on those numbers.
Did you ever click on your cell phone or look at the clock and have a perfect trifecta of numbers greet you? Think 1:11, 2:22, 3:33, 4:44, 5:55. I always get a little thrill when that happens. For some reason, 4:44 is a sequence I catch frequently. Maybe that’s why my favorite number is twelve. Hmm. I never made that connection until writing this post.
Like most writers, I’m a wordsmith. I tolerate numbers, but I’ve never had a love affair with them like I have with words. All of that aside, there’s something magical about 4:44 and its cousins. I don’t know if those perfect moments mean something—serendipity?—but I couldn’t resist playing off the thought in Cusp of Night. For Maya Sinclair, in her rented brownstone, the past comes calling at 2:22 AM. Not only her past, but that of a woman who once resided there and died over a century ago. A woman whose spirit has yet to move on.
Intrigued? I hope so. 😊
Here’s the blurb for Cusp of Night. I hope you find it captivating reading, whatever the time!
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:
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I’m looking forward to reading this. I read Mae’s two books and have others on my kindle. Adding this to my TBR.
Lizzie, that is wonderful to hear. Thank you so much!! 🙂
Thanks for stopping by Lizzie:)
Denise, thank you so much for opening your blog to me today. It’s wonderful to be here and share with your readers. Many thanks! 🙂
I’m excited to have you here Mae:) I just started reading Cusp of Night…loving it! And 2 is my favorite number so 2:22 is the time I get excited about–besides 11:11.
When I see a number like that on my bedroom clock (or any clock, really), I look away. It’s agonizing not to look back at it, but I’m convinced if I do before it changes, something bad will happen. (Just a weird OCD thing, I suppose.)
I’m no fan of numbers, either. Math was the bane of my existence in school, yet I somehow got a better math score on my SATs than the verbal score. Go figure.
That’s interesting how you feel about clock numbers in sequence, Staci. I always get a little thrill when it happens, like the world just fell beautifully into place for that fleeting moment. A bit like finding a four leaf clover, LOL.
Math and I never got along—still don’t unless it’s basic stuff. I always think of the quote “and then the Devil said, let’s put the alphabet in math.” I’m a goner when it comes to that!
I’m in complete agreement with you and that quote. I can definitely see Satan’s influence in Trig and Calc.
Thanks for dropping by Staci. Funny how numbers effect us all so differently.
I’m more intrigued than ever now. I want to join the cool kids who have read this one. I’ll get to it, I promise.
LOL! I know it’s on your reading list and can’t wait to hear what you think of it. I dumped a ton of plot threads in it 🙂
Thanks for all your support with the tour stops!
Thanks for dropping by Craig
This is fascinating, Mae. I’m one who regularly notices numbers – on hotel rooms, addresses, television, the big screen. Yep, sometimes they just stand out, and then I have to think about possibilities. Your new book rests on my Kindle, and I’m getting close to reading it. YAY!
Gwen, I love looking at numbers on mailboxes I pass and also on hotel rooms. I’m glad to know there is someone else intrigued by them too. Put them together in any kind of math problem, and well, that’s another story, LOL.
I’m glad you enjoyed the post, and I look forward to hearing what you think of Cusp of Night. When it surfaces on your TBR, I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
Thanks for dropping by Gwen:)
I really enjoyed the way you used 2:22 in your book. I love to write, but I love numbers, too. English and Math both revved me up in school. Algebra was like working puzzles:) Maybe why I love mysteries so much. And both of your mysteries were great, solid reading.
That’s an interesting way to look at algebra, Judi. Maybe if I’d approached it like a puzzle, I wouldn’t have disliked it so much. For certain, there’s no way I could do an algebra problem these days!!
Thanks for the testimonial on Cusp of Night, too. Those are always so good to hear. You’ve been wonderful supporter of my tour and I greatly appreciate it!
Glad you stopped by Judi:)
I have always believed there are messages in numbers, especially when I dream them. In this book, the 2:22 was very significant. Great post, Mae and thanks for hosting, Denise!
I think numbers must show up for a reason, Jan. Although I am not a fan of them, I do love when they appear in interesting sequences or seem to have an oddness about them. Dreaming about them would be a great plot thread for a novel! 🙂
I’m so glad you enjoyed the post—and the book! 🙂
Glad you came by Jan. Dreaming numbers is a whole new level isn’t it? And when we finally see why…
Denise, thank you for opening your blog to me today and taking part in my tour for Cusp of Night. It is wonderful to be here. Thank you so much for your support, my friend! 🙂
I must be more into round numbers. I often wake at 2 am on the nose, and can tell when it’s 4 pm without looking at the clock (and I’m usually right, lol)
I’ve heard of people ‘seeing the light’ and having it change their lives forever. Can’t wait to see how you tie all these threads together, Mae!
Thank you for dropping by Jacquie:)
That’s interesting about round numbers, Jacquie. I used to have an attachment to 3:00 AM for some reason. I’ve used it in several books. I’ve never really had a good sense of time though, although I find the concept of time utterly fascinating.
There are definitely a lot of threads in Cusp, LOL. I hope you enjoy the story! 🙂
Has to be a good read. Looking forward to it. Thank you, Denise for hosting Mae.
Happy to! Thanks for visiting;)
😀
So lovely to hear you’re looking forward to it,John.Thanks for visiting today!
Even though its been decades since I read the book, every time I wake up at 3:15 am, I think of The Amityville Horror.
Fascinating, Mae! Yes, I’m intrigued… sharing and heading over to Amazon to download a copy of Cusp of Night! By the way, I’m one of those trifecta people too; 1:!! and 2:22 are always following me around. I’m looking forward to a great read! xo
Now I’ll have to pay attention to the numbers when I read it 😀 Great post!
🙂
Sounds like a great mystery! Thanks for sharing and congrats to Mae Clair.
It is. I loved this series, Cynthia! xo