Interview: Nellie H. Steele (Ghosts, Lore & a House by the Shore) ~ #BookTour #Excerpt

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Hello and Welcome All!

Today I’m very lucky to be interviewing Nellie H. Steele author of Ghosts, Lore & a House by the Shore

Hi Nellie, thank you for agreeing to this interview.

For those readers not familiar with you, would you please tell us a bit about yourself?

Sure! I’m a multi-genre, pet-loving author/college professor. Most people assume my degree is in English (or something writing-related), however, I actually earned my Ph.D. in Statistics and teach Stats and Data Science! I also have a rescue home for abused and abandoned animals. I can’t say no to a furry face!

Beyond that, I love immersing myself in a variety of stories and creating worlds for readers to enjoy.

How did you choose the genre you write in?

I think the genres I write in chose me, to be honest. I’ve always loved books and movies in these genres, so it felt natural to write in them and produce work I’d love to read or watch.

What do you do when you are not writing?

I teach at a local university (Stats and Data Science) or spend time with my rescue pets. I also enjoy learning (school’s always been my jam), so I take courses in a variety of things to improve and grow.

Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way wither growing up or as an adult?

Probably Victoria Holt. After I read Nancy Drew, I graduated to her gothic mysteries and she probably had the most influence on the types of books I write and the style.

What are some books you have enjoyed recently?

I’ve really been enjoying the Ian Skair series by Hilary Pugh. I’m really enjoying Ian and I’ve fallen in love with his dog, Lottie!

Tell us a few Fun Facts about your upcoming book?

Ghosts, Lore & a House by the Shore centers around a mother/daughter relationship that mirrors my own with my mom. It also gave birth to another series. I thought the secondary characters of Clif and Ri would make a great prequel story for the book. I began to write a short novella exploring their lives (and fully intended to tell a brief short story about the pirate Black Jack). The characters had other ideas and a new book and series was born! Rise of a Pirate, Book 1 in the Clif & Ri series will debut next month. Thanks, Lily & Cassie!

Give us an insight into your main character. What does he/she do that is so special?

Our mother/daughter duo want nothing more than to start their lives fresh after both of their husbands die in a plane crash. They move to a new town, open a new shop and fully intend on transitioning into a quiet life. Their new house has different plans for them, though. And Lily & Cassie are nothing if not curious and prepared for adventure!

What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?

I found some of my favorite parts were writing the journal entries from Henrietta. I found her to be a surprisingly unique character as she started to form. She really was a woman beyond her times and I enjoyed writing her scenes.

Readers should read this book… because it’s a fun, unique cozy mystery.  A bit different from the standard “body hits the floor by page 50!”

Thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to take part in this interview.

 

Ghosts, Lore & a House by the Shore: A Mother/Daughter Cozy Mystery
(Lily & Cassie By the Sea Mysteries)
by Nellie H. Steele

 

A new town.
A haunting legend.
New beginnings or the beginning of the end?

After Cassie MacGuire’s husband dies in a plane crash along with her father, both her and her mother, Lily Bennett, are widowed. Looking to make a new start, they move together to the quiet seaside town of Hideaway Bay. But their new home, Whispering Manor, has a reputation stretching back centuries. Legends of ghosts, paranormal disturbances and pirate treasure are all associated with the former sea captain’s mansion, starting with the death of its first mistress, Henrietta Blanchard.

When Cassie stumbles upon Henrietta’s journal and Lily uncovers a more recent tragedy in the home, they begin to wonder if the stories may be fact instead of fiction. When the strange occurrences turn dangerous, Lily and Cassie will have to investigate to save their home and possibly even their very lives!

Ghosts, Lore & a House by the Shore is the charming first installment in this small, seaside town mother-daughter cozy mystery series by Nellie H. Steele.

Purchase Link: Amazon: (eBook preorder is currently live.  Book will be offered in eBook, paperback, hardcover, and audio).

 

“There’s no need to explain at all. We understand.” She took a sip of her tea as awkward silence fell over the room. “Speaking of signs, I noticed your Whispering Manor sign dangling sideways from the lamppost sideways. I’m not sure if you saw it.”

“Yes,” Lily answered. “We hung it just before lunch and the chain snapped. We’ll need to fix it later. I insisted we have some lunch before Cassie climbed that ladder again.”

“Ah, yes. A faulty chain.” Tinsley offered a knowing glance. “I’m glad to see you are both so level-headed and didn’t give in to the lore.”

“Lore?” Cassie inquired.

“Oh, yes,” Tinsley said with a slow nod of her head. “I’m surprised Lucy didn’t tell you. Though, then again, she wanted to make the deal, no doubt. And I suppose she’s not really required to disclose it. It IS only a rumor. And technically the death wasn’t IN the house.”

“Death? Disclose what?” Cassie asked.

“Oh,” Tinsley said flicking her hand at Cassie and shaking her head. She puckered her lips and narrowed her eyes. “Nothing, nothing. Just…” She paused and added a dramatic shrug. “Some people would have read the snapping sign as a harbinger of bad things to come because…”

Cassie raised her eyebrows and cocked her head.

Tinsley glanced side-to-side before leaning forward and pressing her hand to the side of her mouth. “The house is haunted,” she whispered.

 

An Indies Today finalist for Best Book of the Year 2020 with Cleopatra’s TombNellie H. Steele made the leap from science to art with her first book, The Secret of Dunhaven Castle.

An animal enthusiast, Nellie often features a version of one of her fourteen rescue animals in her stories, though the fictional pets are usually better behaved than her own fur-babies!  A literary split personality, Nellie’s work ranges from cozy mystery to supernatural suspense to riveting adventure.

She lives in the South Hills of Pittsburgh.  When she isn’t writing or engaging in animal care, she enjoys teaching Statistics and Data Science at a local university.

Check out all Nellie offers at www.anovelideapublishing.com/novels or at her blog, Nellie’s Book Nook, available at www.nelliesbooknook.com!

Author Links

Publisher Website – Blog – Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – TikTok – Goodreads – Bookbub – Amazon 

 

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I'm an outdoor sun loving reader living near San Fransisco. I’m a mother, wife, animal & book lover. I'm the owner, reviewer & mind behind Angel’s Guilty Pleasures. My favorite animals are horses & dogs. As for reading I love all things paranormal & urban fantasy & my favorite shifters are dragons.

2 comments on “Interview: Nellie H. Steele (Ghosts, Lore & a House by the Shore) ~ #BookTour #Excerpt

  1. Thank you so much for the interview and book feature!

    • Thank you for taking the time to visiting the blog and share with us. I’m happy to share your newest release.