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Ebbing and Flowing in Emotions
The Lady of the Lighthouse follows a woman balancing a lonely existence, a failing marriage, and her own unwitting involvement in espionage. Where did the idea for this novel come from?
I’m drawn to reading novels that explore themes revolving around suspense and difficult choices. I wanted to write a novel in a similar vein. Loralei is a strong, flawed, yet relatable character, I think, who struggles to live her life her way with her convictions despite the difficult time and situation she lives in.
Did you plan the tone and direction of the novel before writing, or did it come out organically as you were writing?
I had an idea of the general direction of this novel because I sketched out the ending and a few basic ideas before I started writing. The overall tone of the novel seemed to develop on its own, ebbing and flowing in emotions and actions based on what the characters ended up doing.
What was your approach to writing the interactions between Loralei and Devon?
I tried to have Loralei and Devon react to each other’s words and actions in scenes including dialogue to give a sense of their relationship. But I also tried to include an unspoken tension between them, which probably came from all the outside pressures they were dealing with in their lives, that drove their individual actions and affected how they related to each other and other people.
Can we look forward to more work from you soon? What are you currently working on?
I am working on another suspense novel.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Amazon
A pirate, a Great Lakes shipping captain, a dashing Italian spy, and the lonely, pregnant young mother who loved them all.
Loralei Lancaster, a lonely, pregnant young mother and lighthouse keeper on the Great Lakes is caught up in a WWII espionage plot while waiting for her shipping-captain husband, Devon, to return from a Great Lakes voyage. When a dashing, Italian spy posing as a down-and-out art dealer and handyman enters her life and seduces her, she must ultimately choose between her passionate love for him and her love for Devon, her family and her country.
The Lady of the Lighthouse
Terri Greening’s The Lady of the Lighthouse is a historical novel set during WWII, blending the isolation of lighthouse life with suspense, wartime intrigue, and forbidden love. The story follows Loralei Lancaster, the devoted keeper of a lighthouse on Lake Superior, as she navigates loneliness, her troubled marriage to freighter Captain Devon, and the threat of sabotage by a shadowy enemy. Meanwhile, subplots of espionage and sabotage unfold in Europe, connecting art theft, Nazi spies, and clandestine missions to the broader war effort. The novel weaves history with fiction, painting vivid portraits of both the wilderness and the darker edges of human relationships.
In the opening scene, Loralei is gazing over a kaleidoscope sunset while tending to the beacon, which immediately sets a vivid tone. You can feel her yearning, both for her distant husband and the life they once had. The lighthouse feels alive, a character in its own right, and a symbolic role as a beacon of hope amidst the war’s chaos. But just when you think the story is about quiet introspection, the plot thickens. Loralei’s encounters with Jake Calico, a supposed smuggler who may be sabotaging ships, add a layer of danger and temptation that feels like catnip for fans of morally complex thrillers. Her midnight trysts on the beach with this mysterious man create a palpable tension between duty and desire, and I found myself flipping pages, torn between rooting for her and questioning her judgment.
Loralei is complex and relatable, haunted by grief and longing for connection. But Devon’s coldness made me want to yell at him to shape up! His aloofness is explained by his love for the lake and his father’s death, but there’s a bitterness in his treatment of Loralei that makes their scenes uncomfortable at times. The subplot involving Loralei’s fears that her unborn child might not be Devon’s raised the stakes emotionally. Jake is enigmatic, brooding, and too charming for his own good. The plot twist was thrilling but also heartbreaking.
Andre Sorrento, an Italian spy masquerading as an art curator, brings a high-stakes international angle to the story. Andre’s ability to hide in plain sight while committing cold-blooded murders added a sinister flair. The art theft subplot, involving priceless works hidden from the Nazis, gave me Monuments Men vibes. I couldn’t help but appreciate how the novel tied together seemingly disparate elements art, espionage, and domestic drama into a cohesive narrative.
The Lady of the Lighthouse is a fascinating read. It’s part historical drama, part romance, and part wartime thriller, offering a little something for everyone. Fans of espionage will enjoy Andre’s cold calculations and the Nazi sabotage plot, while those drawn to romance will savor Loralei’s complicated love life. The writing is atmospheric, the themes of loss and resilience are poignant, and the historical details make the story immersive. I’d recommend it to anyone who loves historical fiction with an edge of danger or to those who’ve ever dreamed of lighthouses and longed to uncover their secrets.
Pages: 271 | ASIN : B0BXHT12ZK
Going By How I Feel
The Copper Isle Ghostslayer follows a determined nature photographer with a past as an investigative journalist who arrives on the island to clear her brother’s name after he’s wrongfully convicted of murder. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I wanted to write a mystery set on an island and have an amateur sleuth, like Layla Devereaux, try to solve it. I also read a story about a shipwreck long ago with bags of gold on it. I wondered what would happen if someone found the gold, and the story developed from there.
What character did you enjoy writing for? Was there one that was more challenging to write for?
I enjoyed writing about Layla from her point of view. Narrating the novel in the first person allowed me to portray Layla’s emotions in a more personal way, I think. I also enjoyed introducing the other characters in ways that related to how she dealt with them and felt about them because I could develop them through their relationships with her.
How do you balance story development with shocking plot twists? Or can they be the same thing?
I try to pace my novels in a way that will hold the reader’s interest. So as the novel develops, I go by how I’m feeling as to whether the story needs a plot twist or maybe a ghostly encounter at certain points. I think story development and plot twists intertwine with each other.
What is the next book that you are working on and when can your fans expect it to be out?
I am working on a romance novel.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Book Review
As Layla searches for answers, she grapples with ghosts from her own past failed relationships. But dealing with both the living and dead becomes easier with Colton by her side. To solve the lighthouse murder and secure her brother’s release, Layla must learn who she can trust among the living as well as the dead before the island’s dark secrets claim yet another victim.
The Copper Isle Ghostslayer
The Copper Isle Ghostslayer, by Terri Greening, is a captivating blend of mystery, suspense, and the supernatural, set against the eerie backdrop of Copper Isle. Layla Devereaux, a determined nature photographer with a past as an investigative journalist, arrives on the island to clear her brother’s name after he’s wrongfully convicted of murder. Her mission, however, quickly becomes far more complex as she uncovers dark secrets buried within the island—and encounters restless spirits tied to a tragic history. As Layla digs deeper, the stakes rise, forcing her to question whether solving the mystery will free her brother or endanger her life.
Greening’s novel impresses with its intricate plot, vivid characters, and atmospheric world-building. The pacing keeps readers on edge, creating a sense of urgency without feeling rushed. What sets this mystery apart is the author’s masterful use of misdirection. Just when you think you’ve pieced the clues together, Greening reveals unexpected twists that take the story in new directions. This constant element of surprise elevates the novel beyond a typical whodunit, blending ghostly encounters, hidden treasure, and themes of redemption into a seamless narrative.
Character development is a standout feature. Layla is not just the protagonist; she’s a deeply complex character coping with her brother’s imprisonment and her escape from an abusive marriage, adding an emotional depth to the story. Even the secondary characters, who seem minor at first, are intricately tied into the plot, each playing a pivotal role as the mystery unfolds. Greening’s careful attention to character complexity keeps readers invested in both the plot and the emotional stakes.
The romance subplot enriches the story without overshadowing the central mystery, maintaining a perfect balance between suspense and human connection. The novel’s paranormal elements heighten the tension, contributing to the eerie, foreboding atmosphere without overshadowing the main storyline. The ghosts aren’t just decorative; they play a key role in unraveling the island’s mysteries, keeping readers in suspense as they wonder whether the threats Layla faces are supernatural or all too human. This uncertainty adds to the stakes, making the danger feel real and ever-present.
Greening’s world-building is vivid and immersive—Copper Isle feels alive with its haunted history, rugged landscape, and sense of isolation, all of which mirror the novel’s themes of entrapment and escape. The sense of claustrophobia and the island’s oppressive atmosphere enhance the story’s intensity.
With its well-crafted plot, richly developed characters, and a gripping narrative that blends suspense and the supernatural, The Copper Isle Ghostslayer is a thrilling read from start to finish. Greening’s skillful writing weaves emotional depth, eerie tension, and unexpected twists into a satisfying mystery that will keep readers hooked. For fans of complex mysteries layered with ghostly intrigue and personal stakes, this novel is a must-read.
Pages: 248 | ASIN : B0CR6PG7XK
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