Deal Sharing Aunt: The Forlorned by Angela J. Townsend Interview, Excerpt & Giveaway

Title: The Forlorned

Author: Angela J. Townsend

Published: July 21st, 2015

Publisher: Crimson Tree Publishing

Genre: Horror

Content Warning: Violence

Recommended Age: 13+

Synopsis: When Tom Doherty first laid eyes on the lighthouse he knew it was damned.

An advertisement lured him to the island, offering a job renovating the old lighthouse and ramshackle buildings. What he didn’t know was that he was the only applicant. None of the locals wanted the job – no one dared.

Isolated and alone, Tom soon discovers why. Messages from disembodied voices; ghostly visitations and escalating horrors draw Tom deeper into the island’s evil past—a darkness that forces Tom to unbury the truth and bring demons of his own into the light.

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The Forlorned upcoming movie release information can be found on IMDb at: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4294968/?

Excerpt from The Forlorned by Angela J. Townsend:

The trap stood in the entryway of the kitchen, smeared with a thick glob of Peanut Butter. Tom sat in the living room and waited for it to spring. He’d take the rat to the opposite side of the island and release it. At midnight, he gave up and climbed into the chair by the fire. The tightness in his body relaxed and sleep overtook him.

Tom was awakened by his shivering only an hour after dozing off. He peered outside his frosted window. There must be a cold front moving in.

He added more wood to the fire and shivered under the quilt. The temperature continued to drop. He could see his own breath come in puffs of steam with every exhale. Exhausted and still shivering, Tom finally dozed again.

Deep asleep in the middle of the night Tom struggled, fought to move, but couldn’t. His eyes refused to open.

A sinister presence loomed over him, trapping him under like a heavy fish net, constricting his every movement, only inches from his face. Icy breath pelted his forehead.

Tom’s eyes snapped open. His chest seized with panic. He was no longer in the chair. He struggled to hold himself upright. Cold, fog-laden night burned his lungs with each gasping breath. His bare feet froze onto cold, wet wood. The crash of thunder and flash of lightning took turns adding to the torment of the night.

As if waking up from a bad dream, Tom stood on the deck of a strange ship. The massive vessel leaned forward and back, driving hard through the waves. Wailing winds and icy sleet tore at her ravaged sails, creating an eerie flapping noise. Tom’s heart pounded. Muffled voices of men shouted over the storm.

A shot rang past his head.

He struggled to wake himself from the nightmare but couldn’t.

Somewhere in the dark a man yelled, “Hold tight!” The sea rose and a wave washed over the ship.

Wrenched off his feet, he landed hard on the deck. He slid to the opposite side of the ship and grasped the edge of a rail just in time to avoid being washed overboard. A hot flash of pain seared in his back.

Tom rolled over and saw the men loading grape and canister shot into cannons lined up along the deck. Scrambling to his feet, he bolted to a man busy loading another round into one of the large guns.

“Who are you?” Tom shouted.

The man looked directly at him but didn’t seem to hear. Angry at being ignored, Tom shouted again, “What’s going on?”

The man looked past him.

Tom ran to the other side of the ship to avoid the salt-stiff rigging as it crashed to the deck. He realized the crew couldn’t see him.

A flash of lightning struck near the rear of the ship and he saw the pursuer, a massive frigate. Her great prow sliced through boiling black waters. An English flag boldly whipped back and forth atop her mast. Daggers of ice hung from her gun ports.

Someone grabbed his arm. He tried to wrench it away, but the hand held fast. He looked into the eyes of a young mast-hand.

“What ship is this? Where am I?” Tom yelled.

Lightning struck again, and the young man turned into a bloated corpse. The flesh fell away from his raw bones. A grape shot wound appeared in his forehead.

“It was hell, Tom. Don’t forget us. Come find us, Tom. Come find us.”

About the Author:

Angela Townsend was born in the beautiful Rocky Mountains of Missoula, Montana. As a child, Angela grew up listening to stories told by her grandparents, ancient tales and legends of faraway places. Influenced by her Irish and Scottish heritage, Angela became an avid research historian, specializing in Celtic mythology. Her gift for storytelling finally led her to a full time career in historical research and writing. A writer in local community circulations, Angela is also a published genealogical and historical resource writer who has taught numerous research seminars. Currently, Angela divides her time between writing, playing Celtic music on her fiddle, and Irish dancing.

Angela resides on a ranch, in rural Northwestern Montana, with her two children Levi and Grant.

Interview

Where are you from?

I grew up in Bigfork Montana.

Tell us your latest news?

There’s a motion picture based on my book coming out in 2015-2016. We’re still in negotiations, but I’m so fortunate to have some of the biggest names in the business guiding me along the way. For more information, go to my website at www.theforlorned.com. It’s an absolute dream come true.

When and why did you begin writing?

I wrote a haunted house story when I was four years old. I still have it, as a matter of fact. For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved hearing stories from my Irish grandparents. I wanted to try my hand at it.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

From the time I was old enough to hold a pen.

What inspired you to write your first book?

My love of writing.

Do you have a specific writing style?

I usually get it all down first, then I go back with my editor Mariah, to make sure it all makes sense. Mariah is also my office assistant, so she keeps track of all the English laws that I like to break or ignore. She has a brilliant mind for it.

How did you come up with the title?

I was working with Mariah, and I couldn’t think of what to call it. She asked me to throw words at her that described the people, place, and mood that I wanted to convey. Then she threw back synonyms that sounded active and interesting, one of which was “forlorn.” When she said it, it sparked something in me, and I said “The Forlorned!” It just felt right.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

That no one deserves to be forgotten. The story that inspired the novel was the repatriation of American soldiers from the War of 1812. All those years later, and they were finally remembered and given the respect they deserved. I can hardly express how grateful I am that Canada returned the soldiers’ remains, thanks to their wonderful policies.

How much of the book is realistic?

It’s based on the true set of circumstances of a place known as Dead Man’s Island in Canada. Beyond that, it’s up to the reader to decide if they believe in ghosts or not.

Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

No.

What books have most influenced your life most?

Anything by Charles Dickens, Emily Bronte, and Bram Stoker. I’m also a huge fan of J.K. Rowling, whose books my sons and I listen to in the car all the time.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

J.K. Rowling. She’s a master of the craft, especially when you realize that her books are enjoyed by people of all ages.

What book are you reading now?

Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norell by Susanna Clarke

Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?

I mostly read classics, but I will admit to waiting with baited breath for any new J.K. Rowling books.

What are your current projects?

I’m writing the next in The Forlorned series; The Awakened. In addition to writing, I spend two nights a week with a writing group working to make it the best book it can be. Beyond that, The Forlorned movie takes up much of my time.

What would you like my readers to know?

That the movie is coming up. We had a preliminary screening already, and it even got me to jump!

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