#NewRelease Cusp of Night by Mae Clair #supernatural #mystery

On By Teri PolenIn Promotions

I’m thrilled to host Mae Clair today with her new release, Cusp of Night.  I became a fan of Mae’s after reading the first page of her Point Pleasant series, and can’t wait to dive into this new novel!

Hi, Teri and Teri’s readers! It’s great to be here today to talk about my new mystery / suspense novel Cusp of Night. I have a fondness for things that are unusual and otherworldly, so this book has a more than a touch of the supernatural among its pages. With dual timelines, it tells the story of Maya Sinclair in the present—a woman who was clinically dead for two minutes and twenty-two seconds—and Lucinda Glass, a renowned medium of the late 1800s. Both timelines converge at the end, tying past and present together in one neat bow. The past was especially interesting to write, as I was able to delve into the culture of the day.

As an example, “home circles” were very popular. Think of board game night today when you gather with a group of friends for a few hours of fun. In the 1800s charades and other parlor games like grandmother’s trunk and musical chairs were popular. Eventually, however, home circles overshadowed common games with small groups of family and friends gathering to try their hands at table tilting, producing rapping sounds, and communicating with the dead. By 1891, the Ouja Board was a strong seller and popular in home circles.

This is a Ouija board with lit candle on the antique setting.

Spiritualism was exploding as a practice, religion, and a blending of magic and science. Even those who had no experience with the supernatural, found it intriguing to sit with a group of friends and experiment to see if any of them had mediumistic powers. Séances became a form of entertainment, as much as a way of breaching the Aether that separated the living from the dead.

Cusp of Night is populated with characters who are caught up in the surge of Spiritualism—both good and bad—and who use it to their advantage. For Lucinda Glass, my main character in the past, being a medium is about more than producing messages from the hereafter. It’s about a way of life and understanding an odd, enigmatic man who upsets and reshapes her world.

Banner ad for cusp of Night, a mystery/suspense novel by author, Mae CllairBLURB
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 . . .

PURCHASE HERE

You can find Mae Clair at the following haunts:
Website | Blog | Twitter | Newsletter | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon | Other Social Links

bio box for author, Mae Clair

 

40 thoughts on “#NewRelease Cusp of Night by Mae Clair #supernatural #mystery”

    1. Confession time, Judi: Ouija boards creep me out BIG TIME. I would NEVER mess around with one (although I did as a teen when I didn’t know any better). Not today. No way *shudder*

      And great to hear you started the book. I hope you enjoy the tale!

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

  3. Reblogged this on From the Pen of Mae Clair and commented:
    Do you like board games? Today, one of my blog tour stops is with Teri Polen, where I take a look at popular “game nights” in the late 1800s. The most popular form of entertainment might just surprise you. I hope you’ll pop over to take a look-see.

    And while you’re there, check out Teri’s blog. She’s got her own brand new release with The Gemini Connection. We’re sharing virtual bubbly together 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  5. I had never heard that about home circles. Learn something new every day.

    Mae, wishing you much success with this release. You know I love it, and I know the rest of the world will, too.

    Teri, I’m still celebrating your release. Another great book for readers to enjoy. Wishing you all the best, too.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    2. Staci, thanks for all the support and well wishes. You know I appreciate it!

      As for home circles, I found it fascinating that people got together and conducted seances as a form of entertainment. Probably chatted about the results over tea the next day, LOL.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  6. D.L Finn, Author

    Enjoying this tour and all the creepy facts. I played with a ouija board a few times with a friend as a kid, but it always left me feeling uneasy. Won’t touch one now.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. So glad you’re enjoying the tour, Denise! Thank for checking out the various stops. I know I have a lot of them out there, LOL!

      I played with a Ouija a few times as a young teen with friends. I think it’s something all kids do at one point or another. It left me feeling uneasy too, and like you, I won’t touch one now. Some things are better left alone!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. LOL! Sarah, I know that feeling about the gargantuan TBR. Even though mine is sprouting offspring, I bought three more books in the last two days. It’s a disease, I tell you!! 😀

      Thanks for checking out my latest. Whenever Cusp manages to bob to the top of your list, I hope you enjoy it. I’m so glad to hear you’re interested! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  10. Gwen Plano

    This is an amazing blog tour, Mae. I’m learning so much and can’t wait until I delve into Cusp of Night. Like so many who have responded, ouija boards creep me out. I stay clear. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

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