I have a thing for old, black and white ghost movies, can you tell? I adore how they focus more on building atmosphere, rather than force-feeding you effects and gore. Well, they had to back then, due to lack of said effects. A new ghost movie is released from time to time that, even with the gore, manages to build tension as well as the oldies used to. Say, The Grudge, for instance. But mostly, they don’t scare me like the old ones do. I like to be on the edge of my seat wondering what horrors await, or what the unseen creature/ghost looks like.
Watching those older ghost tales, for me, is like cozying up with my favorite book. I adore the language used, the intricate twists and turns, and the settings; almost always a house on a cliff surrounded by an angry ocean. The opening scenes to these movies are poetic and spooky. *shudder*
I’m sure my love for these movies, and their setting, is apparent in my new release ‘When A Mullo Loves A Woman’ which is set in Monterey Bay, surprise, surprise. What a perfect place to hold a séance -- an empty house on a cliff top with views of an angry ocean. Any haunting scene wouldn’t be complete without it, in my opinion. Monterey Bay lends it’s self beautifully for that purpose, with its rocky shores and foggy days. Don’t get me wrong, my book is no old fashioned spook-tacular. We’re talking family secrets and an ancient legend of the undead (Mullo), past lives and yes, it wouldn’t do to have a ghostly setting without a haunting, or two. And then there’s the romance!
I think my love for the classics began when I saw the 1944 version of The Uninvited. I had already endured a few unexplained experiences when I saw this. It was my first ghost movie, if you like, and the first time I realized this sort of thing existed…for real (hey, as a child, a movie is real. Leave me alone!). It served as confirmation that I wasn’t crazy, but I was also scared out of my wits; I remember the sleepless night that followed that viewing. It wasn’t nice.
Rebecca is another favorite of mine, again set in a mansion on a cliff top. I can see why the best ghost movies use that setting for a ghost story. There is something so very dangerous, and unsettling, about a beautiful, yet empty, house with beautiful views of the ocean. The ocean is a wild thing; unpredictable and horribly effective in setting up a spooky scene.“My sight locked onto the bleak, never-ending ocean crashing against the rocky shore. There was something transfixing about the fluidity of the movement and the meeting of elements, water and earth.” Snippet -- When A Mullo Loves A Woman – JoAnne Kenrick
JoAnne Kenrick's books on Goodreads
BLURB…She thought the mullo was just a myth…she was dead wrong.
Adam Flint's Gypsy visions always guide him to those who need his paranormal gifts. He gets more than he bargained for in Pearl Kizzy, a beautiful spitfire from Liverpool. Adam knows that to save Pearl, he must help her accept her own Gypsy heritage.
Although Adam and Pearl fight their burning attraction for one another, a night of passion sparks memories of their treacherous former lives. Unable to face the loss of Pearl in this century, Adam scrambles for distance from the love of his life. A rejected Pearl falls into the arms of a Mullo--a gypsy vampire--who lays claim to her heart--and her life.
To survive, Adam and Pearl must accept their tragic past, and find a way to kill the undead.
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First that caught my eye was the cover. I scene that simple can be very sensual to the eye,
ReplyDeleteThen I read the title and wondered what in the WORLD is a Mullo?
Now the story has drawn me to be more curious and add this as a to-read on Goodreads list.
Thanks for sharing the interview.
And I agree....the old movies have a certain spook factor the new ones lack.
Thanks, Laurie, for the opportunity to guest blog on this awesome paranormal book site! It's quite a thrill to be here as an author, as I came by here often to check which books I should be reading. Kinda neat that my book is now here for others to check out :)
ReplyDeleteLeslie, that cover is pretty sensual isn't it? And the scene that it portrays is my favorite in the book! I love kisses in the rain scenes, in movies and books, something very sexy about being wet and having a storm lashing around the couple that are so engrossed in each other to notice.
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy the book as much as I enjoyed writing it :)
Rebecca... I don't think I know that one... I will have to check it out! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this! I have to say some of my favorites are the Original Amityville Horror and The Shining! Those are two spooky movies!
ReplyDeleteHi, Nicole :)
ReplyDeleteOh, you are in for a treat when you watch Daphne Du Maurier's Rebecca! If you enjoy the black and white, tension building ghost stories, you'll enjoy this. The book is excellent, too.
Oh Amityville *shudder* , that's another movie that scares me...but I think that is because it is based on a true story...I mean, even though that story is being questioned, it's still puts a spook factor on it just because of the possibility that it's true.
I'd love to spend the night in that house, for real :)
That was really interesting. I haven't watched a whole lot of black and white movies. But the trailer was great. I might have to check that one out.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Leslie that the cover is very eye-catching.
ReplyDeleteAnd your book sounds fabulous! Is it a love triangle, or is the rogue more of a stalker type?
Hi, Danielle :) That's a good one to start with, if you've not seen any of the older ghost movies, for sure. Glad you enjoyed the blog!
ReplyDeleteHighland Hussy (LOVE THAT NAME!) Glad you like the premise for the book, hope you'll enjoy the book, too :)
ReplyDeleteNow, that's a difficult question to answer because, in a way, it's both! And to explain that, I'd have to give a major spoiler. Sorry xxx
What a great post and the book blurb is fantastic.
ReplyDeleteThe description of Monterey Bay is chilling.
I live surrounded by ocean.... I have a healthy amount of comfort, respect and fascination. But when you add a cliff to the mix it does add to an eerie setting.
Aloha.
Happy Holidays!!
♫♥LovLivLife Reviews♥♫
ReplyDeleteHow lucky you are to live by the sea ! I grew up by the ocean, and I'm totally a sea-sidey kinda girl -- Nothing like fresh, ocean air! I love it. So glad we now live in NC, the ocean is just a day trip away :) YEAY
Jo-Anne- Thanks again for joining us here today. I have to ask. Does this have a HEA or doest it continue.. If its a huge spoiler dont answer.
ReplyDeleteHi, Laurie! Thanks so much for having me here today. It was super fun :)
ReplyDeleteAs for a happy ending... it is a romance, so I guess that goes without saying. But Adam and Pearl's story does continue in book two. I did it again, didn't I? -- Left ya guessing.
:) Hi I must say I loved your interview !!! and well myself also was attracted to this sensual cover :) A mullo I tell myself !! must be a guys name !!But after reading in one sitting I understoon ;) .. I lashed out and purchased this book and loved it !! and now I find out there is book 2 How damm sweet is that ;) Also enjoyed the black and white trailor may have to check it out !!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ladies for the great interview and chat I am late ! but better late then never..
kat ;)