#NewRelease THE MISREMEMBERED LIGHTHOUSE
- Dan
- 31 minutes ago
- 5 min read
Today, on the blog, author P.M. Terrell provides us some insight on the research she has done regarding lighthouses for her books. She also tells us about her latest novel, The Misremembered Lighthouse. Oh, there's also a giveaway—deets below!
Researching Lighthouses
I have always loved lighthouses. When I was researching the first book in the Hayley Hunter Mystery Series, April in the Back of Beyond, which takes place in Ireland, I was intrigued by the lighthouses that dot Ireland’s shores. The Irish Landmark Trust has renovated and turned many historic buildings, including their iconic lighthouses, into holiday rentals. There is something incredibly unique about staying in a lighthouse such as the Wicklow Head Lighthouse, with its round rooms, ample lighting, spiraling staircases, and views of the water, skies, and seabirds.
I had initially begun to write The Misremembered Lighthouse along the Irish coast. When a historian suggested that I move the story to America during the Revolutionary War, I was immediately fascinated. My two bestselling books, River Passage and Songbirds are Free, were set against the backdrop of the Revolutionary War and were inspired by my ancestor, Mary Neely, who was captured by Shawnee warriors.
When I began to research sites and North Carolina history, I came across the Ocracoke Light Station along Cape Hatteras. The lighthouse was constructed in 1794 to help guide mariners from the ocean inward to places such as Elizabeth City and New Bern. Unfortunately, the channels shifted so much that within only twenty years, the channel past the lighthouse was no longer navigable. In 1818, the lighthouse was destroyed by lightning. Another lighthouse was built nearby, which was manned from 1824 to 1954.
The plot of The Misremembered Lighthouse involves a Scottish immigrant, Jonathan Corbyn, who came to America after the Battle of Culloden in Scotland. He built the original lighthouse on a channel with the goal of living out the remainder of his life in peace. However, that was not to be, as the American Revolution was coming.
I placed the Corbyn Lighthouse near Wilmington in a location that would cut valuable time off a mariner’s journey as they traveled to inland waterways. I needed the lighthouse to be located in a specific area that would prove strategic for British forces attempting to stop the revolution in North Carolina. In 1776, Scottish troops were ordered to gather at Cross Creek, now in Fayetteville, and begin moving east to engage the patriots. British troops were ordered to Wilmington, where they would move inland on the channels to meet up with the Scots. And the Corbyn Lighthouse turns out to be strategically located to either assist the British or doom their progress.
Like the Ocracoke Light Station, the Corbyn Lighthouse was only in operation for twenty years due to the shifting channel. However, when it was rediscovered over a hundred and fifty years later, it was torn down due to its condition. Another structure was built in its place, not as a functioning lighthouse but as a vacation home. InThe Misremembered Lighthouse, Hayley Hunter rents the lighthouse after the original owner dies. However, she soon discovers that the original lightkeeper, Jonathan Corbyn, haunts the lighthouse. She becomes obsessed with discovering what happened at the lighthouse and why Jonathan’s spirit remains there
Blurb
While researching her next book, historian and author Hayley Hunter rents a lighthouse in Southeastern North Carolina. The modern lighthouse and vacation home replaced an original wood structure that only functioned during the Revolutionary War. The old lighthouse may be long gone, but the lightkeeper’s ghost remains.
Hayley becomes increasingly obsessed with finding why the spirit of Jonathan Corbyn lingers between realms. Joined by her lover Shay MacGregor, her search will take her into a world of spies, double agents, and espionage at the dawn of American democracy.
Excerpt
As the waitress returned with our meal, I said hesitantly, “I’ve been experiencing some activity.”
“Activity?” Shay repeated, puzzled.
As we leisurely consumed our meals, I told him of the white German shepherd, the Native American, and my discovery of Beckett Dikshita outside my door. I held back from mentioning the disembodied voice I thought I’d heard. For some reason I couldn’t explain, I felt that discussing Jon was a betrayal of him. He might have died over two centuries ago, but he felt very much alive to me.
When I was finished, Shay’s eyes were narrowed in thought. “I’m relieved you changed the locks and set up the cameras,” he said thoughtfully. “I think we should make it a habit for the locals to see us together, don’t you think? Give them the impression that there are two of us there. As isolated as you say it is, I don’t fancy the idea of the village folk believing you’re there all alone.”
“I agree, though the locals so far have consisted only of Argo and Beckett Dikshita.” I didn’t want to ask exactly how long he would remain before he was due back in Ireland for his job at the university. It seemed that doing so would hasten his departure. “And what do you think of the—unexplained—” I hesitated.
“Ghosts?” he offered. “Apparitions? You didn’t believe a Native American and disappearing dog would get past me, did you? Well, you’ve come to an expert on that as well.”
“Oh?” I chided. “You’re an expert?”
He chewed his food thoughtfully before becoming serious. “The Irish have a different mindset when it comes to spirits, they do,” he said, his voice softening. He cleared his throat. “You Americans have such a physical approach to life; you tend to think that when a person’s body ceases to function, their soul is taken away as well.”
Giveaway
Author Bio
My full name is Patricia McClelland Terrell, and I have been writing under the pen name p.m.terrell ever since a publisher presented me with my first fiction book cover. The graphic designer had also entered my name in lower-case letters; my editor hated it, and I loved it. It’s been p.m.terrell ever since.
I began writing when I was nine years old, inspired by a schoolteacher and elementary school principal. Scott-Foresman published my first book, a computer instructional for universities, in 1984. Scott-Foresman, Dow-Jones (Richard D. Irwin branch), Palari Publishing, Paralee Press, and Drake Valley Press have published 26 books to date.
Before embarking on a full-time writing career, I founded McClelland Enterprises, Inc. in the Washington, D.C. area in 1984, specializing in computer instruction for employees in the workplace. I opened another business, Continental Software Development Corporation, in 1994, which focused on custom application development, programming, website design and development, and computer crime.
I was honored to be the first female President of the Chesterfield County/Colonial Heights Crime Solvers. I also served as the Treasurer for the Virginia Crime Stoppers Association. Since moving to North Carolina, I served on the Robeson County Friends of the Library and Robeson County Arts Council.
I launched The Book ‘Em Foundation with Waynesboro, Virginia Police Officer Mark Kearney, and assisted in Virginia, New Hampshire, and South Carolina events before establishing the Annual Book ‘Em North Carolina Writers Conference and Book Fair, chairing it for several years before turning it over to Robeson Community College in Lumberton, NC.
Links:
Website: https://pmterrell.com/
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-misremembered-lighthouse-pm-terrell/1148042055
All other eBook formats: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1832068