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Cusp of Night

6/25/2018

47 Comments

 
It is my pleasure to introduce award-winning author Mae Clair. If you have not read one of her books yet, it's time to pamper your curiosity and treat yourself to writing at its best. A glimpse of what you will find follows, for Mae introduces her latest masterpiece, Cusp of Night.

Hello, Gwen, and many thanks for having me on your blog today! I’m delighted to share my newest release, Cusp of Night, which features dual timelines—one set in the past and one in the present.
 
Take a stroll down this dark alley to check out the blurb:
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​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 . . .

                                                               
                                                                 ~ooOOoo~
 
​I hope I’ve intrigued you.
 
For this book, I did a lot of research related to spiritualism in the nineteenth century. It’s interesting to note this was a time rife with sham mediums and charlatans who tried to pass themselves off as being able to communicate with the dead. The Society of Psychical Research (SPR) was often called upon to investigate for fraud. I found the account of Daniel Douglas Home particularly interesting.
 
Born in Scotland, Home was adopted by his mother’s sister, immigrating to America with her and her husband when he was nine. Home (pronounced “Hume”) was an odd child, often sickly. There are reports of his cradle rocking by itself, then later, furniture moving of its own accord when he entered a room. His aunt’s home was often filled with strange rapping sounds whenever he was present. The noises and unexplained movements of inanimate objects grew to such a level that Home was eventually asked to leave.
 
At eighteen, he gave his first séance. Unlike many mediums of the age who held séances in darkened rooms, Home usually conducted his during the day, or in brightly-lit surroundings. Two of his most famous demonstrations involved levitation.
 
In the first he caused a table to move about the room. Several men tried to hold it down without success. The second—his greatest feat—came when he levitated out a third story window , then entered through a different window into an adjoining room—all in the presence of three respectable witnesses. There are numerous accounts of this feat and the debate continues as to how home accomplished the deed. Conclusions run from hypnosis and illusion to hidden ropes or other trickery.
 
Harry Houdini—famous for debunking charlatan spiritualists—claimed the stunt was an illusion and that he could duplicate it. It’s said Houdini’s assistant got cold feet at the last moment, and thus Houdini never followed through with the attempt. Houdini clearly planned to use an assistant. Did Home have an associate aiding him that his guests didn’t know about?
 
Despite giving over a thousand performances during his career, Home was never exposed as a fraud. Was he a gifted magician and illusionist posing as a medium, or were his spectacles authentic? Either way, he lived in an era populated by people who held an interest in “Summerland”—and all of that makes for good fiction. 
​
                                                                  ~ooOOoo~


PURCHASE CUSP OF NIGHT HERE You can find Mae Clair at the following haunts:Website | Blog | Twitter | Newsletter | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon | Other Social Links
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47 Comments
D.L. Finn
6/25/2018 01:30:57

That is fascinating they could never prove him a fraud. I would love to witness something like that! More great background Mae! Thanks for hosting Gwen!

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Gwen Plano
6/25/2018 02:46:17

Like you, I am fascinated. Mae is an amazing researcher as well as writer. Thank you for visiting, D.L. ♥

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Mae Clair link
6/25/2018 06:36:42

Aww, thanks for that lovely comment, Gwen. I was positively enthralled by the research behind Cusp of Night!

Mae Clair link
6/25/2018 06:35:57

There's speculation that if Home was indeed a magician and illusionist, he might have gained more fame than Houdini by branding himself as such, but he never did.
I'm so glad you enjoyed the post, Denise. I really couldn't get enough of the research on this one!

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Mae Clair link
6/25/2018 06:38:11

Gwen, thank you so much for that beautiful introduction and for hosting me today. I know you've had your hands full with your own tour for The Contract, so it's extra special to have you set aside a date for Cusp. {{hugs}}

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Gwen Plano
6/25/2018 17:59:42

It's a joy to host you today, Mae. I wish you all the best and offer my sincerest congratulations. ♥

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Jan Sikes
6/25/2018 07:42:30

This fascinates me, Mae. I'm sure you found some pretty amazing things in your research. My mom used to talk about her grandfather and said that he could make a broom dance and stop blood. I think they are true gifts. :) Thanks for hosting, Gwen.

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Mae Clair link
6/25/2018 07:48:49

Wow! That's amazing, Jan!
I've always loved listening to tales of generations past. There are definitely things in this world we don't understand!

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Gwen Plano
6/25/2018 08:32:33

My goodness, Jan. That's amazing. Thanks for sharing. ☺

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Staci Troilo link
6/25/2018 07:44:05

That's truly fascinating. I wonder how he did it? Or maybe it was authentic. I wouldn't rule it out (although I'm skeptical).

Great tour, Mae. Wishing you all the best.

Gwen, what a gracious host for her final stop.

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Gwen Plano
6/25/2018 08:33:34

Thank you, Staci. It's my pleasure to host Mae. All the best...

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Mae Clair link
6/25/2018 07:51:34

I wonder too, Staci. There are all kinds of theories about it, but Houdini was the only one who said he could reproduce it. Of course, Houdini did some amazing things himself. Even Sir Arthur Conan Doyle refused to believe that some of things Houdini could do were tricks---even though Houdini told him they were. I love reading and researching this stuff, LOL.

Oh--and one more tour stop on Wednesday. It's been so much fun!

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Judith Post
6/25/2018 08:04:50

You'd think, since he did his levitation in daylight, any ropes or wrires could be seen. But magicians are good at tricking us. Still, he started as a baby and made his own cradle rock and furniture move? That makes me wonder . .
Another great post. Thanks!

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Gwen Plano
6/25/2018 08:34:44

It makes me wonder too, Judith. Thank you for the visit. All the best...

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Mae Clair link
6/25/2018 11:16:37

I know. The cradle stuff is freaky, right? Some of the research I did on this one was definitively unsettling.
Thanks for visiting and checking out the post, Judi!

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D. Wallace Peach link
6/25/2018 08:13:32

That's pretty cool, Mae. It's amazing that Home's levitation was never debunked. Perhaps he really did have a solid connection to the invisible world. :-) Fun post and thanks for Gwen for posting. :-)

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Gwen Plano
6/25/2018 08:37:05

Thank you for visiting, Diana. It is amazing that his levitation was never debunked. All the best...

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Mae Clair link
6/25/2018 11:18:04

If he was a fraud, he had his act down, Diana.
There was some thought of him using ledges, but there's never been concrete evidence of how he did it. Freaky! :)

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C.S. Boyack link
6/25/2018 11:02:12

More outstanding research. I'm so glad you're sharing all these extras with us.

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Mae Clair link
6/25/2018 11:18:58

I had a great time writing the posts, Craig. I hope to do the same for my next release. Once again--that one has some fascinating research behind it :)

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Gwen Plano
6/25/2018 11:38:09

I so agree with you, Craig. Her research is outstanding. Thank you for stopping by. :)

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sherry fundin link
6/25/2018 11:26:16

I am a skeptic, but I do love reading about all these mystical and magical things and being taken on an adventure I would never find if it wasn't through words. You know I love your work, Mae and thanks for sharing, Gwen. Have a super week everyone.
sherry @ <a href="http://www.fundinmental.com/"> fundinmental</a>

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Gwen Plano
6/25/2018 11:39:46

Thank you, Sherry. I'm a skeptic too, but there's so much I can't explain that it makes me wonder... All the best to you.

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Mae Clair link
6/25/2018 14:34:53

I waffle back and forth on skepticism and thinking some things are better left alone. For most of it I would be in the Houdini camp, but I positively love reading about all the what if possibilities. Mysteries and oddities have attracted me from the time I was a kid.
Thanks so much for visiting, Sherry, and for the kind words. Makes my day!

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Natalie Ducey link
6/25/2018 13:28:13

It's so fascinating to learn more about years passed and the concept of spiritualism. I can say, with complete certainty, that if objects started moving in my house, the For Sale would soon follow. Yup, certain of it!
Another awesome post, Mae.
Many thanks for sharing, Gwen.
Cheers to you both! :)

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Mae Clair link
6/25/2018 14:37:25

LOL! Natalie, you and I are of like mind. All it would take would be for me to see something move of its own accord, and I'd be bolting for the nearest doorway. It's seems contrary to what I write, but I am FREAKY about anything supernatural. I won't have anything to do with it, LOL!

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Gwen Plano
6/25/2018 15:46:06

I'm with you, Natalie. I definitely would be moving. Thank you for stopping by. ☺

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John Howell link
6/25/2018 14:55:34

Loved reading about Home, Mae. I love magic and illusions. I am always amazed when the so called trick works. Thanks, Gwen for hosting Mae today

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Gwen Plano
6/25/2018 15:48:41

Thank you for visiting, John. I bet you had a magic kit as a youngster. And, I suspect you were pretty good at it. :D

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Mae Clair link
6/26/2018 10:08:14

I'm the same way about magic and illusions, John. Even though I know the illusions are fake, I love to be tricked!
Thanks for visiting today :)

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Teri Polen link
6/25/2018 16:14:42

So interesting that he was never proven as a fraud. I know I've said this before, but I would have completely lost focus while researching this book.

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Gwen Plano
6/25/2018 17:58:11

Thank you for sharing, Teri. I doubt I could have stayed focused either. All the best to you...

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Mae Clair link
6/26/2018 10:08:54

There were many times I almost did lose focus, Teri. I just wanted to sink deeper into the research! :)

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Viv Drewa
6/26/2018 08:04:57

I just started reading your book, Mae, and I love it! Mystery and murder are my fav! @v@ <3

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Mae Clair link
6/26/2018 10:07:06

Wow! That is awesome to hear, Viv. I am so glad you're enjoying it. Thanks for letting me know!!

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Lauralynn Elliott link
6/26/2018 12:29:13

That's really interesting. It's also interesting that Houdini was never able to follow through with exposing Home as creating an illusion. It makes you wonder, doesn't it?

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Mae Clair link
6/27/2018 06:49:43

It does. Although Houdini needed an assistant to help him, and apparently the assistant got cold feet at the last moment. Maybe because it was too dangerous?? I would love to know!
Thanks for visiting me at Gwen's blog, Lauralynn!

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Suzanne Burke link
6/26/2018 23:24:00

Supernatural events or super illusionists? I have no clear answer on this one. I must admit I have long been fascinated by this question. Your research is superb, Mae Clair. The flow of your work incorporates that knowledge so seamlessly.. Great post! Thanks so much for the lovely job of hosting Mae Clair, Gwen.🌹

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Mae Clair link
6/27/2018 06:51:20

I love the way unanswered incidents like this motivate us to think and wonder. Gotta love all those "what if" possibilities. :)
Thanks for visiting me here, Soooz, and for your kind words. I postively loved researching this book!

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Suzanne Burke link
6/27/2018 23:43:37

😊Ah! "What if?" Two of my favorite words. I consider the hours I spend reading as an absolute privilege when a beautifully written book leaves me thinking for a long time after I turn that last page.You nailed it, my friend.

Mae Clair link
6/28/2018 07:42:50

:)

Teagan Geneviene link
6/27/2018 08:12:22

Gwen, thanks for hosting Mae.
I'm more and more fascinated by Mae's research. What a wonderful post this was! I can't wait to have time to read Cusp of Night. I have it on my Kindle, ready and waiting. Hugs all around.

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Gwen Plano
6/29/2018 05:30:05

Thank you, Teagan. I have it on my Kindle as well and am looking forward to reading it. Mae is an incredibly gifted writer; it's always a joy reading her work. ☺

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Mae Clair link
6/28/2018 07:42:13

So glad you enjoyed the post and that you're looking forward to reading the book, Teagan. Thanks for visiting with me and Gwen!

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J Holmes link
6/30/2018 14:05:22

Wow! Makes one wonder if Home was the real thing, with seances in the daytime and all. I love finding out about these things, and especially the explanations you listed in an earlier post about how some of those spooky things were done. And how convenient Houdini couldn't duplicate it :) Great post, Mae! And thanks for hosting her, Gwen!

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Robbie Cheadle
7/5/2018 10:48:44

This is fascinating, Mae. Thanks for hosting Mae, Gwen.

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Janice Spina link
7/5/2018 20:07:27

Sounds intriguing, Mae. I look forward to reading it from my TBR list. Best wishes for much success, Mae. Thanks, Gwen, for sharing.

Janice Spina

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Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way. ―Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning


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