The Curse of Misty Wayfair Review and Interview with Jaime Jo Wright!

Posted by abakersp in Mystery/Suspense / 5 Comments

Hello my friends! Today I am excited to have the lovely Jaime Jo Wright on the blog talking about books, book cozies, and coffee 🙂 But first, let me share my thoughts on her latest release, The Curse of Misty Wayfair.

About the Book

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Left at an orphanage as a child, Thea Reed vowed to find her mother someday. Now grown, her search takes her to Pleasant Valley, Wisconsin, in 1908. When clues lead her to a mental asylum, Thea uses her experience as a post-mortem photographer to gain access and assist groundskeeper Simeon Coyle in photographing the patients and uncovering the secrets within. However, she never expected her personal quest would reawaken the legend of Misty Wayfair, a murdered woman who allegedly haunts the area and whose appearance portends death.

A century later, Heidi Lane receives a troubling letter from her mother—who is battling dementia—compelling her to travel to Pleasant Valley for answers to her own questions of identity. When she catches sight of a ghostly woman who haunts the asylum ruins in the woods, the long-standing story of Misty Wayfair returns—and with it, Heidi’s fear for her own life.

As two women across time seek answers about their identities and heritage, can they overcome the threat of the mysterious curse that has them inextricably intertwined?

My Perspective

I cannot get enough of Jaime Jo Wright’s books. By that I mean, she cannot write them fast enough to satisfy my reading itch! (hint – if you’re reading this Jaime Jo, my new prayer is that you can write faster lol) She is quickly rising to the top of my favorites list, and I find myself talking with others about her books not only while I’m reading them, but well afterwards. Yes, they are that memorable.

First she draws you in with the creepy storyline, dual time period I might add. She brilliantly weaves all the layers together in just the perfect way. You don’t find out a thing too early, and you’re constantly on the edge of your seat waiting for the next thing to happen. The setting is captivating and creepy, if those two words can even be used in the same sentence. You can’t help but picture yourself at the site of the asylum, both historically and in the present time. In fact, there was a deserted graveyard in the town I grew up in and as kids we used to go play there. I couldn’t help but picture that setting being near the asylum, and it was cool to connect to the story like that (and yes a little creepy too). Setting aside, Wright takes you on this mysterious journey looking for answers to so many things. But at no point did it feel overwhelming. The two storylines fit well together and it almost became one big mystery rather then two separate ones.

Then there’s the characters. Ladies beware, Rhett is a character you’ll remember for a long time. He may come off as a little standoffish, but there is just something about him that makes me (and I’m sure others) swoon. He is a rough, tough, manly man. There is just no other way to put it. He’s got a gruff exterior, but the insides of a teddy bear. Fiercely protective and loyal. I didn’t think I would end up liking him so much, but Wright has a way about changing a girls opinion on a character. In fact she did so more than once (although I can’t comment about the other because it’ll include a spoiler).

This book has twists and turns, eery events, and the ability to pull a reader in without letting go. Even better, Wright was able to tackle a difficult topic – mental illness – both in today’s world and in the past. I imagine there is much truth behind what she wrote, and I would love to see her research notes about it. My how far our world has come in the world of medicine and helping others. What’s wonderful about this is how Wright incorporated it into the story. It wasn’t forced, it didn’t feel out of place, and it really didn’t come at a surprise. It fit like a glove with everything else that was going on.

I could go on and on about my feelings on this book. Seriously. But instead, I just want to encourage you to read it. Maybe night at night, unless you have someone with you. And be prepared to read until your eyes pop out of your head – you won’t be able to put it down! I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Interview with Jaime Jo Wright!

Congrats on the release of The Curse of Misty Wayfair! Your stories are so wonderfully unique, creepy (in a good way), and have the perfect time hop blend. Do you find it difficult writing in two time periods at the same time, or do you write one time period first and then the other?

Nope. I switch back and forth when writing. So how you read it is, for the most part, how I wrote it. Sometimes I get mixed up, lol, but not usually.

I don’t know how you keep it straight!

What kind of research did you have to do to prepare for this story?

I combed through quite a few disturbing volumes regarding the history of asylums. I also referenced 10 Days in a Madhouse by Nellie Bly, who committed herself to an asylum in the 1800’s as an investigation on the treatment of patients. She was revolutionary as an undercover reporter and also a female. It’s a fascinating read.

It sounds fascinating! ****goes to add that to the ever growing TBR pile****

I have to admit. I find myself sticking extra close to hubby when I’m reading your books. Be honest – do you ever get spooked while writing these stories?

Honestly, not usually. It did happen once, when a door slammed and I was home alone. LOL Other than that, I don’t really get spooked very easy when writing. Now watching Criminal Minds is a completely different situation!

I have a  love/hate  relationship with that show. It’s intriguing, but  totally  creepy!

Your covers are eerily breathtaking. Are you involved in the cover process at all?

A little bit. I give the credit to my designer, Jenny, who is fabulous!!! I usually have a Pinterest board with elements that inspired me during the story. I often provide her with a color scheme, which she’s graciously used every time. Other than that, it is all Jenny’s masterful creative skills.

Go Jenny!!

You recently teamed up with The Cozy Life, whom I love by the way. I mean, I have four cozies, my daughter has four cozies. Plus we always check out the restocks – which can be dangerous. I think we might have a cozy problem. How many cozies do you have?

Ohhhhhh do I have to admit this????? Ok, hold on, lemme count … 1, 2, 3, 4 . . . 12? I think I have 12? I might be wrong, I’m recalling them all in my head. No. I do not have a cozy problem. 😉

Hey if you don’t have a problem, then it means I don’t have a problem!!

Does there happen to be anything else you want to share with us? Like maybe another book in the works hint hint?

LOL! Echoes Among the Stones is releasing this December. Does that help? It was a fun novel to write. Also a split-time, but set in 1946 instead of the early turn-of-the-century. I had a lot of fun researching post-war events, culture, and crime forensics of the time.

Eeeep! I am already excited about it!

The coffee lover in me can’t help but ask this last question. Tried any new coffee lately that you just can’t live without?

YES! My local coffee shop got in a fair trade flavor called “Caramel Pecan”. It’s soooo delicious and doesn’t have a syrupy chemically flavored coffee bean aftertaste.

Yes, I want that. Think you can ship it to NY?

Thank you so much for chatting with me today. Friends, if you haven’t read       books by Jamie Jo Wright, then you are MISSING OUT!!!

About the Author

Jaime Jo Wright

Professional coffee drinker & Daphne du Maurier and Christy Award Winning author, Jaime Jo Wright resides in the hills of Wisconsin writing spirited romantic suspense stained with the shadows of history. Coffee fuels her snarky personality. She lives in Neverland with her Cap’n Hook who stole her heart and will not give it back, their little fairy Tinkerbell, and a very mischievous Peter Pan. The foursome embark on scores of adventure that only make her fall more wildly in love with romance and intrigue. Jaime lives in dreamland, exists in reality, and invites you to join her adventures at jaimejowright.com

Social Media Links:

Web site: www.jaimejowright.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/jaimejowright

Twitter: www.twitter.com/jaimejowright

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/jaimejowright

Instagram: www.Instagram.com/jaimejowright

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/13916081.Jaime_Jo_Wright

Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/Jaime-Jo-Wright/e/B01421H0JQ/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

5 responses to “The Curse of Misty Wayfair Review and Interview with Jaime Jo Wright!

  1. I loved this book! Jaime Jo Wright has been one of those authors who is on my radar but I never had a chance to read….then I got a copy of The Curse of Misty Wayfair. Loved it. In fact, I just bought a copy of Gossamer Pond — waiting for it to arrive tomorrow so I can get into it this weekend.

  2. LOVE this whole post! I fully agree with your review and love the interview! Jaime has quickly become one of my absolute favorite authors and even though her writing is impeccable on its own, her fun personality (that I’ve witnessed personally and through others’ posts) just makes her all that more awesome. Thanks for sharing!!

  3. Winnie Thomas

    What a fun interview! I can see I’m way behind in the Cozy collecting contest! *must check out new ones*