A Thousand Yesteryears by Mae Clair

I am proud to host Mae Clair on her book blog tour for her newest release “A THOUSAND YESTERYEARS.” Mae Clair writes riveting stories that she researches thoroughly and in this instance the research is as mysterious and intriguing as the story. Read as she recounts her adventure researching “A THOUSAND YESTERYEARS.”

TNT (1)

This is a photo taken within the TNT by the author at Point Pleasant, West Virginia

A Visit to the TNT by Mae Clair

The TNT is a secluded region of dense woodlands, overgrown trails and algae-covered ponds about six miles north of Point Pleasant, West Virginia. During WWII the tract of about 8000 acres was used to store ammunition in concealed underground igloos. In 1983 it was put on the government’s Superfund list due to hazardous contamination and underwent cleanup. It is now part of a Wildlife Management Area, but is still somewhat restricted. More than one igloo has since exploded.

So why visit?

Because it is in this area where the Mothman—a creature of urban legend who factors into my new release A THOUSAND YESTERYEARS—was sighted in 1966.

I made my first trip to the TNT in 2013. My husband and I spoke with a local shop owner who gave us a hand-drawn map and directions that included “past the fairgrounds” and “turn right at the Christmas tree farm.” He told us to look for a narrow road that resembled a driveway. Once inside the TNT, we were to look for a turnoff marked by an orange and green guard rail near a pond. If we followed the walking path, we would reach the igloo where the Mothman was seen in ’66.

We eventually found a makeshift gate with orange paint, but nothing green. Given there was a pond in the distance, we assumed we were at the right place and walked back the “trail” (said very loosely). The air rippled with occasional birdsong, but the overall hush was nearly tangible.  In many ways it felt like entering another world, one of dense greenery and overgrown foliage, something almost primeval—a slow creepiness that seeps under the skin.

I knew we were probably a good walking distance from igloo. Hubby was in shorts and I was wearing capris, neither of us dressed for a trek through tick and chigger-infested woods (something I would later use in my book). We ended up climbing back into hubby’s Grand Cherokee and continued driving, pulling off occasionally to check various openings along the way.

After a while I started wondering how far we’d driven. Everything looked much the same – green, overgrown and inherently wild. We only saw one other vehicle, a battered old pick-up parked at one of the “openings.” Somehow, that lone vehicle made the whole thing even spookier.

Finally, I said I’d seen enough and we took our time heading back. I can’t imagine what the region must have felt like on a pitch dark of night when the Mothman was sighted by two couples in 1966.

I’ve used that legend, as well as historical fact in A THOUSAND YESTERYEARS, a book set in Point Pleasant, West Virginia.  Inside you’ll find mystery, suspense and murder. I hope the blurb will entice you:

BLURB
A THOUSAND YESTERYEARS

Behind a legend lies the truth…

As a child, Eve Parrish lost her father and her best friend, Maggie Flynn, in a tragic bridge collapse. Fifteen years later, she returns to Point Pleasant to settle her deceased aunt’s estate. Though much has changed about the once thriving river community, the ghost of tragedy still weighs heavily on the town, as do rumors and sightings of the Mothman, a local legend. When Eve uncovers startling information about her aunt’s death, that legend is in danger of becoming all too real…

Caden Flynn is one of the few lucky survivors of the bridge collapse, but blames himself for coercing his younger sister out that night. He’s carried that guilt for fifteen years, unaware of darker currents haunting the town. It isn’t long before Eve’s arrival unravels an old secret—one that places her and Caden in the crosshairs of a deadly killer…

New York Times bestselling author Kevin O’Brien had this to say about A THOUSAND YESTERYEARS: 

“A THOUSAND YESTERYEARS is masterful, bone-chilling fiction that begins with a real-life tragedy on December 15, 1967: the Silver Bridge collapse in Point Pleasant, West Virginia.  46 people died.   Author Mae Clair has seamlessly woven fact, fiction and creepy urban folklore into one intense thriller.  The gripping story focuses on two witnesses to the disaster—fifteen years later.  Both Eve Parrish and Caden Flynn lost loved ones in the catastrophe and still carry the emotional scars.  After a long absence, Eve returns to Point Pleasant to bury her recently-deceased aunt, face some old ghosts, and reunite with her one-time “impossible-crush,” Caden.  But when Eve begins to investigate her aunt’s death, she’s plunged into danger and a nightmare world where scary urban legends are very real.  Full of suspense, A THOUSAND YESTERYEARS will keep you guessing, gasping and turning the pages for more.”

Intrigued?

A THOUSAND YESTERYEARS is available from:

Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Thousand-Yesteryears-Point-Pleasant-ebook/dp/B0138NHJ4A

B & N
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-thousand-yesteryears-mae-clair/1122454905?ean=9781601837776

Kobo
https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/a-thousand-yesteryears

Google Play
https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Mae_Clair_A_Thousand_Yesteryears?id=kY9KCgAAQBAJ&hl=en

iTunes
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/a-thousand-yesteryears/id1050516745?mt=11

Kensington Publishing
http://www.ekensingtonbooks.com/book.aspx/32298

Author Bio:

Mae Clair has been chasing myth, monsters and folklore through research and reading since she was a child. In 2013 and 2015, she journeyed to West Virginia to learn more about the legendary Mothman, a creature who factors into her latest release.

Mae pens tales of mystery and suspense with a touch of romance. Married to her high school sweetheart, she lives in Pennsylvania and numbers cats, history and exploring old graveyards among her passions. Look for Mae on her website at MaeClair.net where you can sign-up for her newsletter.

Connect with Mae Clair at the following haunts:
Website
Blog
Twitter (@MaeClair1)
Google+
Facebook Author Page
Amazon Author Page
Sign up for Mae’s newsletter:
Newsletter Sign-Up

“The tour sponsored by 4WillsPublishing.wordpress.com.”

25 thoughts on “A Thousand Yesteryears by Mae Clair”

  2. Gwen Plano says:
    Reply

    Mae, your blog entry is fascinating. A Thousand Yesteryears sounds incredible — a MUST read for sure. All the best to you on your tour, and thank you Isabel for hosting.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Mae Clair says:
    Reply

    Thank you, John. I had a great time researching this novel. It was the first time I ever got to do hands-on location research and it was somewhat addicting, LOL!

    I was also thrilled by Kevin’s review. He’s one of my favorite authors! 🙂

    Like

    • Mae Clair says:
      Reply

      Thanks, A.M. I can’t believe we made it out of those woods without a chigger or tick or some creepy-crawly attaching itself to us. Almost as scary as the Mothman, LOL!

      Like

    • Mae Clair says:
      Reply

      Thanks, Dawn. This one is extra-special to me because of the amount of research that went into it. I learned so much about Point Pleasant, the collapse of the Silver Bridge and the Mothman!

      Like

  8. Alan J Cooper says:
    Reply

    Hi good friend, Isabel!

    Mae Clair’s book sounds great. I am about to receive /The Drifters /by Facebook member, J.A. Santos, who has twice read my novel, /The SECOND/.

    My new, historical novel has been delayed a year by medical-legal issues around my brain injury and property disputes with neighbors. Draining.

    All my best always, hugs,

    Alan

    Liked by 1 person

  12. harmonykentonline says:
    Reply

    I already have two of your books, Mae (Myth & Magic, and Eclipse Lake, and this one sounds just as exciting! Best of luck on your tour! 🙂
    Isabel, thank you for being such a great host for Mae 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    • Mae Clair says:
      Reply

      Thanks so much, Harmony for grabbing Myth and Eclipse. I hope you enjoy them. And many thanks for checking out my latest. 🙂 There’s so much history and folklore twined up with the Mothman, I had a lot of good material to work with for Yesteryears!

      Liked by 1 person

  14. Shirley Harris-Slaughter says:
    Reply

    Hi Mae Clair, and congratulations on your 4Wills tour. Your book and the story behind it has peaked my interest. I will check it out.

    Like

  15. jinlobify says:
    Reply

    Clair, your book sound very interesting, so much that I am considering taking a peek. Congratulations on your tour. May the market go well for you. Thank you Isabel for hosting her.

    Like

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