Heceta Lighthouse and Things That go BLINK in the Night...

I'm sure most of you know that "Van Locken's Witch," my historical, paranormal romance involves a dashing sea-captain, and the enchanting sorceress he falls in love with while engaged in the rescue of her sister.

But, what most of you don't know, is that Inkspell publishing has released a "second" edition of the story's sequel, "Shadow of the Witte Wieven," and updated it with a brand new cover, created by the very talented Shandra Kay! 

Yes, I am very well aware that most author's write the first story first, and then move on to the second, but I've never been one to follow the crowd and am quite adept at following the beat of my own drum...ahem...;) 

Actually, due to the length of "Shadow of the Witte Wieven," the back-story had to be snipped from the pages. Yet, many of my readers wanted to know about that back-story. So, I picked up the tattered pieces and created a full-fledged novel. 

Anyway, the re-editing of book one which is now book two, solicited thoughts of all the old, majestic lighthouses that are just waiting for an opportunity to serve our valiant seafarers. Those who read book one, which is now book two, will understand the reason for that.

Are you with me so far?

Those thoughts led to stories of haunted lighthouses (no surprise there, right?) and then finally settled on the Heceta Head Lighthouse in Yachats, Oregon...at least for the time being. (More will surely follow.)

Heceta Lighthouse as seen from Sea Lion Caves by Oregongirlmary

 

Construction on this lovely old lighthouse began in 1892 and in August of 1893, Heceta (named for Spanish explorer Bruno de Heceta) reported for duty. The haunting of Heceta didn't begin until sometime during the early 1900's, when the "gray-lady,"  a wispy spirit dubbed "Rue," chose to spend her after-life within the confines of the lighthouse.

The theory behind the haunting? Some believe that death claimed the life of Rue's young daughter. In response to the tragedy and the sorrow she could never overcome, Rue took her own life in order to be with the daughter she now continually seeks, but never finds. A small grave, discovered within a weedy ravine is thought to be the child's grave.

One lighthouse historian believes the legend originated during the administration of Frank DeRoy and that "Rue" might just possibly be his wife, Jenny. The ghost, whoever she is, is not shy about making her presence known at Heceta, which now serves as a bed-and-breakfast.

 

Heceta Lighthouse, 1938, George A. Grant, Photographer

People have not only felt her sitting down on their beds, they see the indentation she makes upon the mattress as she does so. She's been known to move objects about the place, set off fire alarms, lock doors, make the lights flicker, and even sweep broken glass into a neat little pile. Now that particular incident occurred after she scared the living daylights out of a worker who saw her floating atop the floorboards in the attic while he busily repaired a window. Overcome with fright, he dropped the glass and broke it. He didn't care. He just wanted out. The following day the caretakers crept upstairs to clean the mess, only to discover the need didn't exist, save tossing the shards into the trash bin. 

One might question this particular worker's sanity, if not for all the guests and natives who have also caught a glimpse--and sometimes far more than a glimpse--of Rue. There are several reports of guests fleeing their rooms at night, vowing never to return after one of her late-night visits.

What about you? Would you be inclined to remain for what's left of the night if Rue were to visit you?

  

Author Andrea Pearson's Gift to You!!!

I am so excited to have Andrea Pearson on my blog today! She is an amazing author of Young Adult fantasy and is here to give away some of her wonderful books... You're not going to want to miss this one, so read on and Enjoy!

Hi, Everyone!

My name is Andrea Pearson and I'm an author of middle grade and young adult fantasy. In celebration of the completion of my Kilenya Series, I'm giving away eBooks! Read on for more details. :-)

The Key of Kilenya, first book in the Kilenya Series (with 50 five-star reviews on Amazon), is available everywhere for free (Kindle, Nook, Smashwords), but only until the 18th of January.

It's originally $3.99, and is geared to readers 10 and older. If it were a movie, it would be rated PG. No swearing or vulgarity, and very minimal violence.

Here's the book description:

We all have a choice—but we can’t choose the consequences.

Jacob Clark is chased down a path that takes him to another world—a world where he is a wanted young man. The Lorkon want to control him and the special powers he possesses. The people of the new world want him to save them from the destruction of the Lorkon. All Jacob wants is to go home, but even that choice has consequences. He doesn’t know what to do and if he waits too long, the new world and the one he came from will be destroyed. As Jacob looks for people he can trust, he finds himself in the center of the fight for freedom—both for himself and the people he’s come to know.

Jacob has no idea where the path he chooses will take him, but once the choice has been made—bring on the consequences.

The Legends and Ghosts of Glamis...

I ended 2013 with Glamis castle, so it only seems fitting that I should begin 2014 with...Glamis castle. Besides, we are inching ever closer to the final galley and release date for "Spirit of the Knight", so once again, I find myself in a fourteenth century and medieval castle frame of mind. Go figure...

Enough of that though, let's get back to Glamis, shall we? You know, there is far more going on inside this beautiful old, structure than a cantankerous Earl who annually plays cards with the devil...

Glamis Castle, Scotland by Eric Berlemont

Gifted to the Bowes-Lyons family by Robert the Bruce in the year 1372, Glamis became the seat of the Earls of Strathmore and is still owned by the Royal family to this day. Since portions of the castle have existed since the fourteenth century, it shouldn't surprise anyone that reports of ghosts and legends are plentiful and diverse.

New Year's Eve Legend at Glamis Castle...

For most of us, ringing in the New Year conjures thoughts of parties, revelry, reflection, and spending time with friends and loved ones. But did you know that according to legend, Alexander Lindsay, (the 4th Earl of Crawford) eternally spends each New Year's Eve, playing cards with the devil? He does this in an attempt to win back his soul from a game previously played and lost.

Glamis Castle in Scotland from Morris's Country Seats (1880)

According to various claims, Earl Beardie (as Alexander is affectionately or perhaps not so affectionately called) takes on the devil at both Lordscairnie and Glamis Castles. The story coming from Glamis tells us that Alexander, a man notoriously cruel and indulgent, took to heavy drinking one fateful Sunday evening while visiting the Earl of Glamis. In his drunken state he demanded a partner for a game of cards. Since it was the Sabbath, no one stepped forward to indulge the whim. Enraged over the slight he vowed that he would play with the devil himself. (Not a good idea, really...)

Soon thereafter, they say, a tall man wearing dark clothing knocked at the castle doors, volunteering to play with their inebriated guest. Alexander quickly accepted the offer. The two men retreated into an empty room, closed the door, and sat down to a game of cards. As the evening progressed, servants in the hallways heard frightful noises coming from within the room. Some of them said the walls all but rocked from off their foundations for the shouts and curses that abounded.

One brave soul, curious as to the goings-on dared to peek through the keyhole. At once a bolt of bright light shot through the room and exited the keyhole blinding the servant in one eye. At that point, Alexander leapt from his chair, thrust open the door and all but throttled the servant for spying upon him. When he finished his tirade, Alexander, void of his very soul, returned to an empty room.

Now, each New Year's Eve, the devil and Alexander appear inside the castle for another round and another opportunity for Earl Beardie to win back his soul. However, before you make plans to visit the castle in hopes of watching the game, know this:  Legend tells us that anyone who catches sight of their ghostly game will travel to hell with the devil and Alexander at the end of the match...

Are you up for it?

Estormiz

Happy New Year Everybody!  May the new year treat you kindly!

In Celebration of Thanksgiving and My Gift of Gratitude to You...

For me, the Thanksgiving holiday conjures visions of family gatherings, an outpouring of love, laughter, a ton of delicious food crowding the table, and a silent inventory of things I'm thankful for. That list is endless, but always begins with my wondrous, amazing family. When I contemplate that family, I have to include my adventurous ancestors. They who gathered their courage, hopes and dreams, boarded a ship, and sailed to America. 

"Mayflower in Plymouth Harbor," by William Halsall, 1882

John Howland and Elizabeth Tillie, my ninth great-grandparents through my father's maternal side, were the first of my ancestors to do just that. They boarded the Mayflower in England, as single, young adults, September 16, 1620. The ship dropped anchor at Plymouth Rock on the 16th of December, that same year. Three years later, John and Elizabeth were married after surviving the hardships of the first deadly winter that claimed the lives of half the passengers.

"Spirit of the Knight" Gets a Cover!

My August post "Of Haunted Castles and BookCovers," found me anxiously (hand-wringing, sweating, pacing...well, you get the idea) awaiting my book cover for my soon-to-be released novel, "Spirit of the Knight." As you might recall, I fervently hoped a castle would grace the cover in some small fashion. Debbie Taylor, of Dca Graphics, did not disappoint...

Cover by Debbie Taylor

Not only did she not disappoint; she used one of the very castles that inspired my fictional castle... the mysterious, Eilean Donan.  According to a host of witnesses, this castle, which is situated in Loch Druich, is truly haunted.  This beautiful edifice was all but destroyed in the year 1719. History records that three frigates from the Royal Navy bombarded the castle for three full days while fighting Spanish mercenaries who supported the Scots during the Jacobite rebellion.  It is believed that the ghostly soldier often seen carrying his head inside the gift shop, lost his life--and his head--during this battle.

He's not the only man to lose his head in an altercation in this location either. In the year 1331, after defeating his enemies, Robert the Bruce became king of Scotland. He subsequently made his nephew, Randolph, the Earl of Moray, the warden of Scotland. For their lack of respect for the law, Randolph promptly executed fifty men and hung their heads on pikes from the battlements of the castle. He did this as a warning to all those who would follow their lead. (Ick...)

The Wise Women of Germanic Legend...

For the most part, the Dutch words “Witte Wieven” translates into English as “White Women.” However, in the Low German language, spoken in northern Germany and in the eastern portions of the Netherlands, the translation is “Wise Women.” No matter how you translate it, these women are known as herbalists, healers, and prophesiers. They were, and still are, highly respected in some cultures.

Cover Art by Shandra Kay

In answer to readers burning questions concerning "Van Locken's Witch," I thought I'd share some of the Germanic legends concerning these captivating women. After all, my heroine, Lissa Capoen is a direct descendent of the Witte Wieven, and has inherited all of the abilities of her revered ancestors.

According to the myths and legends of the Netherlands, dating back to at least the seventh century, mortals admired the wise women during their mortality and honored them at and after their death. Once death claimed them, their spirits remained earthbound and according to their pleasure, they could choose to help or hinder those they encountered.

Legends tell us that the ghost wieven made their homes in forests, swamps, hills, lakes, grave hills, trees, stones and any other object of nature. In Drenthe, tombs were also seen as homes of the Wise Women. Many mistook the sound carried by the breeze as the White Women busily spinning cloth and mists seen in the night, were mistaken for their ghostly forms as they went about gathering herbs, stems and leaves.