Mae Clair Says a Storm is Brewing

Hi, everyone. Today Story Empire is starting a virtual roadshow. The six authors are “taking their show on the road” and touring each other’s sites. I’ll be featured on a few other sites this week, too. Today, you can find me at Marlena Smith’s site as well as at Story Empire’s C. S. Boyack’s site. I hope you visit.

Before you go, though, I’m pleased to kick off the Story Empire Roadshow by hosting a frequent and favorite visitor here, Mae Clair. Mae, take it away!

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Hi, friends! I’m jazzed to be visiting with Staci during the Story Empire Roadshow blog tour. If you’re just now connecting, there are posts at all SE author blogs today, with tour prizes scattered throughout. Be sure to check the full slate of events HERE to view the latest happenings.

And don’t forget to follow along. Grand prizes are up for grabs when the tour is complete (mine is a $10.00 Amazon Gift Card), but there are oodles of goodies along the way. The more you follow and comment, the more your chances to win. I’ve even got a surprise in store for today. 🙂

I’ve always been attracted to weather, summer storms specifically. There’s something mesmerizing in the charged atmosphere when a front moves in—dark skies, leaves turned belly up, the frenzied lash of the wind. It makes me feel like I could fly.

It also speaks of change and confrontation. Those are elements I chose to focus on in my romantic mystery novel, Eclipse Lake. My main character, Dane Carlisle, returns to Onyx, the hometown he abandoned fifteen years ago. A lot has changed since he left at age eighteen. He’s no longer the juvenile delinquent who spent time behind bars; he has a seventeen-year-old adopted son, and the mother who both adored and neglected him has died. His older brother, Jonah, harbors old grudges, most the result of Dane’s selfish behavior. A changed man, Dane’s return unleashes storms of a violent nature.

Stormy sunset sky over wild lake in summer. Photo via catolla/ Bigstock.com | https://www.bigstockphoto.com/image-137511326/

Past collides with present.

Brother squares off against brother.

Father and son face hurdles of betrayal and confrontation.

At its heart, ECLIPSE LAKE is a novel that blends mystery, suspense, and romance, but it’s also a book about healing and forgiveness. About family ties, overcoming obstacles, and believing in the better good.  I’m delighted to share it today.

BLURB:

Small towns hold the darkest secrets.

Fifteen years after leaving his criminal past and estranged brother behind, widower Dane Carlisle returns to his hometown on the banks of sleepy Eclipse Lake. Now, a successful businessman, he has kept his troubled past a secret from most everyone, including his seventeen-year-old son.

But memories in small towns are bitter and long.

Ellie Sullivan, a nature photographer for a national magazine, has a habit of ping-ponging across the map. Her latest assignment leads her to Eclipse Lake where she becomes caught up in the enmity between Dane, his brother Jonah, and a vengeful town sheriff. When freshly-discovered skeletal remains are linked to an unsolved murder and Dane’s past, Ellie is left questioning her growing attraction for a man who harbors long-buried secrets.

Excerpt:

Refocusing on the computer screen, Jonah called up the report Sela had saved. He’d just started reading when she knocked on the door, barging inside without waiting for an answer.

“Lordy, Jonah, there’s someone out front to see you.” She bounced on the balls of her feet like an overeager teenager. “Wait until you get a gander.”

A visitor. Just what he didn’t want. Sela’s flighty giggle told him whoever it was had struck her fancy. “Who?”

“Oh!” She faltered and sucked on her bottom lip. “What a goose. I forgot to ask his name. It doesn’t matter. Get your tail out there and say hello.”

“I told you I don’t want to be disturbed.”

She exhaled. Loudly. “Well guess what, boss? The public wants to disturb you. You know how summer tourists are. They spend money that keeps Onyx afloat, not to mention you rich uppity folk on Registry and Lazy Bend.”

His brows drew together. “He’s a summer resident?”

“Sure looks like one. All slick and spiffy like he stepped from the pages of a fashion magazine.” She winked broadly. “And gorgeous. Stop-my-heart-I’m-in-love-gorgeous. Go find out what he wants before I have a cow.”

Jonah sighed, dragging himself upright. “You’re in love with Clyde Piedmont, Sela.”

“A lot of good it does me. He’s married to that fool marina of his.” Reaching the end of her rope, she walked around the desk and shoved him toward the door. “Get out there and get me his phone number.”

Jonah grumbled an oath about disrespectful subordinates but relented. The stranger, whoever he was, would likely be the highlight of Sela’s day, a hot topic at the Nail Nook Salon for the rest of the week. She trailed eagerly on his heels as he made his way to the reception area.

A tall lean man stood with his back turned, gazing out the window, his hands in his trouser pockets. Jonah eyed him critically. He could see how Sela would go gaga, given the way she flirted with attractive men. The guy had longish brown-blond hair and clothes that screamed style. There was nothing ostentatious in his crisp beige khakis or light blue shirt with rolled sleeves, but it was obvious he hadn’t bought them at the local Daymart. Like Sela said, GQ all the way.

He cleared his throat. “I’m Jonah Carlisle. I understand you’re looking for me.”

The man turned. Blindsided by a raw flash of recognition, Jonah staggered a step backward. He wasn’t sure how the connection was possible, given the years stretching between them and how different the man looked from the teenager he remembered.

“Jonah.” The visitor held out his hand, uncertainty in his eyes. “It’s been a long time. I was hoping you’d have something to say to your brother.”

Yeah, he had something to say. “Go to hell,” he spat and stormed outside.

Intrigued?
Eclipse Lake is a full-length novel of mystery, sweet romance, and family drama.
Presently on sale!

Purchase a copy from Amazon • 99¢ until April 7

Thanks for visiting with me today. Don’t forget to see what the other SE authors have going on during the Story Empire Roadshow. Leave a comment to be eligible for my grand prize drawing for a $10.00 Amazon gift card (the more you follow my tour and comment, the more your chances to win).

For today’s tour stop, I’ll also draw one randomly selected name for an ebook win. Winner’s choice of Solstice Island, Food for Poe, Myth and Magic, or A Thousand Yesteryears.

Connect with Mae:
Website and Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads |
Google+ | Pinterest | Newsletter | Story Empire

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Well, Mae certainly started us off right! Don’t forget to comment on her post for a chance to win a prize. Then visit all the other Story Empire blogs to continue the tour and enter to win more great prizes! Today’s other stops are as follows:

Craig | Harmony | Joan | Mae | P. H.

And don’t forget to visit me at Marlena’s site, too.