Hello everyone! Welcome to another Spooky Author Spotlight! These will be posts where I discuss and showcase, authors and their writing talents and published works. So without further ado let’s get on with the Author Spotlight!
Meet the Spooky Author
Cynthia Raleigh, a Registered Nurse for over 25 years, writes paranormal historical fiction, genealogical mystery, and true crime. The Lanthorne Ordinary Witches, set in Colonial Connecticut is fueled by her lifelong fascination with the spooky, creepy, and eerie, especially the history of witchcraft and its effect on women in the early Colonies. The Perri Seamore series, inspired by a wealth of family history stories, are modern day mysteries. She is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and serves as her Chapter’s Librarian. Cynthia also writes nonfiction true crime that took place in the U.S. Midwest.
What and when started your love for writing?
I started asking questions about my family history when I was twelve years old. We visited the cemeteries a lot when I was a kid. My interest in the stones and the people who lived before grew as I did. I realized very early that the lives of ordinary people contain extraordinary stories. My first book was a genealogical mystery. Writing books that take their heart from history is an expressive way to share my love of remembering and creating new stories through the past.
Of all of the book genres, what drew you to write about yours?
I wrote genealogical mystery first because decades of research experience had shown me a wealth of poignant stories. I was first prompted to write a book when I came across a bill for two coffins to be delivered to a home. In 1859, the husband and a step-daughter of a young woman died from illness and she remained with his youngest four children plus their own two children. This woman, Perlina, whom I only knew about on paper came to life. I named my heroine in the Perri Seamore series after her.
I wrote the Lanthorne Ordinary Witches because I’d always been amazed by the staggering swiftness with which an idea can spread through fear, as in the witch scares of Europe and the Colonies. I wanted to write about what would have happened if a woman accused of witchcraft had been truly capable of the things she was accused of doing. History would have been quite different.
What’s your favorite Halloween/Horror/Mystery story or character?
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson. I saw the 1963 version of the movie on tv when I was around 8 or 9 and it scared the daylights out of me. I remember tearing up the stairs after it was over absolutely sure something was going to get me. The cause of the haunting was never shown, only the sounds and the excruciating anticipation of more, and it was terrifying to me. I loved it.
What is one thing about Halloween or the spooky season that you can’t stand?
The commercialization. That has always existed to some extent but, for me, the clash of advertisement and merchandising takes away from the mysterious nature of the season, which is the part I enjoy most.
What makes your book(s)/writing special?
In both series, I write drawing on actual history as part of the basis of my story. In the case of the mystery series, there is a murder to solve and in the paranormal series, I use alternative history to create the story that could have happened.
So…what are you working on now?
I am working on the fourth book in the Perri Seamore mystery series. This time Perri goes back to Kentucky for her next genealogical murder mystery adventure. I’m also making notes for the third book in the Lanthorne series.
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Wow! from graveyards to mystery series, Cynthia, you have lived one heck of a life! I wish you all the best in your writing! If you want to get in contact, donate, or connect with Cynthia Raleigh, you can do so through:
Thank you all for reading and remember:
Live. Love. Laugh.
