Lisabet:
Your blurb localizes The Misremembered Lighthouse in
"southeastern North Carolina". That's pretty specific! Why
there? Is this story based on a real lighthouse? Is that where you
got the inspiration for the book?
p.m.
terrell: Yes, and thank you for having me! The lighthouse was
inspired by the Ocracoke Light Station along the North Carolina
coast, which was only in use for less than twenty years due to
shifting channels. In The Misremembered Lighthouse, historian
and author Hayley Hunter rents an isolated lighthouse converted to a
rental property near the coast to serve as a base while she
researches her next book and continues her genealogy research. The
Corbyn Lighthouse, named for its only keeper, Jonathan Corbyn, was
only in use for twenty years, ending shortly after the Revolutionary
War ended and the channels shifted.
I
knew the mystery of the lighthouse, which is haunted by Jonathan’s
ghost, would lead Hayley to the Moore’s Creek Battlefield, where a
pivotal scene plays out. Due to the location of this real
battlefield, which is now a National Park, I had to move the
lighthouse further south than the Ocracoke Light Station.
I
was also interested in Scottish immigrants who migrated to North
Carolina after the Battle of Culloden in Scotland, only to be called
up to fight for the British during the American Revolutionary War. At
Cross Creek, which is now Fayetteville, the Scots were ordered to
assemble and march eastward toward Wilmington to put down the
revolution. I placed the lighthouse in a channel that would
effectively reduce the time needed for the British to transport
additional troops from Wilmington to meet up with the Scots from
Cross Creek. The intention was to use a pincer movement, in which two
units come from opposite directions to squeeze the opponent in the
middle.
The
Corbyn Lighthouse is along that channel, and Jonathan discovers he
can either aid the British or sabotage their efforts. He really wants
to live out the rest of his life in peace, having fought the British
in his youth in Scotland, but the war is coming to him.
By
the time Hayley rents the restored property, it is in an isolated
area surrounded by swamps. When she finds Jonathan’s journal and
realizes he haunts the lighthouse, she sets out to discover what has
compelled him to remain there even after death.
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.”
About
the Author
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.
Social
Links
Website:
https://pmterrell.com/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pmterrell.author/
Buy
Links
Apple:
https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-misremembered-lighthouse/id6749962807
Barnes
and Noble:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-misremembered-lighthouse-pm-terrell/1148042055
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FM4D9YTB
All
other eBook formats: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1832068
p.m.
terrell will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly
drawn winner.
