On this beautiful TWELFTH day of September, I am thrilled to have the very talented author, Mae Clair pay us a visit while we celebrate the release of her highly entertaining, highly recommended, absolutely must have, must read novel, TWELFTH SUN...
An Attraction to
the Sea
Debbie,
thanks so much for inviting me to be your guest today. I always love hanging
out at your blog, browsing through the fascinating snippets of ghostly history
you unearth. I’m delighted to be here and excited to share my new release, a
romantic mystery called TWELFTH SUN.
From
the time I was a kid, I’ve been enamored of old sailing vessels and nautical
folklore. The eastern seaboard is a second home to me and I dream of someday
living in a quaint coastal village. Beach settings inspire me, and I’m
instantly intrigued by any snippet of maritime folklore I stumble across.
As
a result, it seemed only natural to weave those elements into my romantic
mystery, TWELFTH SUN.
Reagan
Cassidy is just trying to do her uncle a favor when she agrees to meet his
friend, a marine archaeologist, and a bid on a journal that once belonged to a
passenger aboard the doomed nineteenth century schooner, Twelfth Sun. What she didn’t count on was finding a man ten years
her junior with a cocky attitude, a PhD,and a way of shattering her
reservations.
Dr.
Elijah Cross thought it would be a simple matter to authenticate the journal
for his friend Gavin Cassidy, but finds himself sucked into an elaborate scavenger
hunt along with Gavin’s sexy niece, Reagan, and several oddball competitors. As
the guest of Eric Sothern, a reclusive billionaire no one has ever seen, Elijah
and the others are invited to lodge for a week at Sothern’s lavish seaside
mansion.
He
finds it hard to concentrate on marine artifacts with the alluring Reagan
occupying his mind, a series of cryptic riddles to solve, and a saboteur intent
on claiming the journal even if it means playing dirty to win. When the clues
take a strangely personal turn and a series of mishaps occur, he and Reagan are
left to wonder if anyone is really who they seem.
TWELFTH
SUN was the equivalent of a writer’s playground for me. It allowed me to
combine multiple story elements I love and weave them into a tale of escapist
fun, including a smattering of nautical myths, superstition and folklore.
Do
you have a favorite story of the sea, a legend or folktale that makes you yearn
for old clipper ships or sprawling beaches? I’d love to hear about them!
EXCERPT:
Reagan
glanced at her watch. She’d dragged herself from bed hours before any civilized
person should be up, for the sole purpose of meeting Elijah Cross. The marine
archeologist was already ten minutes late--not a brilliant way to begin a
working relationship. She’d learned through firsthand experience many of her
uncle’s friends were as unreliable as they were eccentric. Foolishly, she had
hoped Dr. Cross wouldn’t fall into the same category.
Resigned
to passing the time, she added hot water to her tea. From the corner of her eye
she spied movement at the door of the cafe. A man stepped inside, shaking rain
from his jacket. The door banged shut behind him, ensnaring her full attention.
He wore a battered black fedora and worn jeans with scuffed dock shoes. There was
something oddly familiar about him. He turned slightly and she caught his
profile, realizing he was the man from room ten. Self-conscious, she looked
away, hoping to sink through the floor. He spoke briefly with the hostess and
then headed in her direction.
She
tensed. What were the odds of encountering him now when she was scheduled to
meet Dr. Cross, a highly-respected and, no doubt critical, academic? How would
it look to her uncle’s friend if he walked in on a conversation revolving
around naked men and the color of her undergarments?
Chagrined,
she bowed her head over her teacup. Her hair spilled forward, concealing her
face behind curtains of red-gold. With any luck he’d go away. With any luck,
he’d leave her alone.
“Hi.”
Reagan
raised her head fully convinced mischievous imps had tracked her to Shipwright
Landing and were even now performing rituals of bad luck. “Hi.” She pressed her
lips together. “I don’t mean to be rude, but I’m expecting someone.”
“Yeah,
I know.” He grinned. “You’re Reagan Cassidy.”
She
blinked. She’d given the hostess her name only because she was expecting Dr.
Cross and neither had any idea what the other looked like. She certainly hadn’t
expected the woman to share her name with any longhaired Lothario who asked for
it. “The hostess told you.”
He
nodded. Removing his hat by the crown, he dropped it on the table. “Some
storm.” He shrugged out of his jacket and hooked it over the back of the
nearest chair. “Good thing it’ll be over soon.”
Reagan
watched flabbergasted as he sat across from her and picked up a menu. “Excuse
me.” Her voice rose sharply, edged like a knife. “I didn’t invite you to sit. I
told you I’m expecting someone.”
“Yeah,
I know.” He flashed that same irritating grin. “I’m Elijah Cross.”
BUY LINKS:
Mae Clair loves creating character-driven fiction in settings that vary from contemporary to mythical. Wherever her pen takes her, she flavors her stories with conflict, romance and elements of mystery. Married to her high school sweetheart, she lives in Pennsylvania and is passionate about writing, old photographs, a good Maine lobster tail and cats.
I love the sea too -- there's something so mesmerizing about watching the waves come in, and smelling that distinctive ocean scent. I'm excited to read this story! Hopefully I'll have some free time very soon. I've been waiting for Elijah for a long time!
ReplyDeleteHi, Donna! I'm terribly besotted with the sea. Everything you said about it is exactly why I love it. I think it started with Captain Gregg and Mrs. Muir when I was a kid, LOL. I'm glad you're looking forward to curling up with Elijah :) Thanks for commenting!
DeleteHello Donna! I'm so glad you stopped by! I know what you mean about watching the waves rolling in. I love to walk on a sandy beach and let them splash over my toes...
DeleteDebbie, thanks again for hosting me and for that fab introduction *blush* You're the best! :)
ReplyDeleteI just say it like I see it! I'm pleased to have you here!
ReplyDeleteTwelfth Sun was a fantastic read. Looking forward to reading more of Mae's work.
ReplyDeleteI agree and me too Emma! Mae is a wonderful author! And... I'm so happy you stopped by!
ReplyDeleteHi, Emma. Thanks for dropping by and commenting. Always happy to see you! Thanks for the kudos about TWELFTH SUN. And you too, Debbie. What great supportive friends I have :)
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds like it's going to be alot of fun. ..I to love the ocean ,ships and romance. I'm looking forward to reading your book Mae.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Tammy. I really had a fun time writing it, especially when it came to devising clues for the treasure hunt. I hope you enjoy it and thanks so much for commenting!
DeleteThanks so much for stopping by Tammy! The book is definitely a winner!
ReplyDeleteThis book was a page turner for me. Loved it. Can't wait for Mae's next book.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was young my grandparents lived in San Clement, California. My cousin and I got to spend a coupe weeks there each summer. The briny fragrances of the sea, Grandpa taking us fishing from the pier, and playing in the surf are fond memoirs. Later I lived in Long Beach two blocks from the sea. I have since moved inland and the sea is what I miss the most. I would love to visit the Eastern Seaboard.
Hi, Christy! Thanks for the lovely comments about TWELFTH SUN.
DeleteI love the tale of your grandfather taking you fishing and playing in the surf. And wow, you got to live two blocks from the ocean? That sounds heavenly. Of course, I think you live in such a scenic area now too, but I am partial to the coast. There's just magic in the sight and sound of the ocean. Thanks so much for sharing your memories!
Hello Christy! Thanks for stopping by and invoking memories. I moved away from Southern California when I just three years old, but since family remained, we visited often and of course, we always made time for the beach and the occasional boat ride! I too, love the ocean...
DeleteI love the ocean and boats! Cant wait to read your book it sounds fun!
ReplyDeleteHello Candice! I'm so happy you stopped by! Now...if we could just find us some beach front property...
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