Old Houses that Talk with Special Guest Marilyn Turk

Have you ever driven by a big old house and wondered what stories it would tell if it could talk?

No? You mean, that’s just me? I’ve always been fascinated by old houses, not ones built in 1950, you know, but really old homes built around the turn of the 20th century or before. I especially like the historic mansions because I imagined the family who lived there at one time was wealthy. I wondered what kind of occupation the owner had that afforded him such a big house.

So you can imagine my delight when I discovered the Millionaires’ Village on Jekyll Island, Georgia. I had gone to the island on a business trip and did not previously know about the historic section of the area until then. Talk about stories! These homes, now being restored by the state of Georgia, once belonged to some of the wealthiest people in America. I was fascinated to learn about the Millionaires Club that once owned the island.

A few years later, my husband and I took a vacation to the area, and I wanted to revisit the historic village and read more about its history. During this time, I learned that a publisher was looking for a southern gothic novel, and I decided the Millionaires Village would be the perfect setting for one. As a historical author, I look for actual events that happened in a setting and see my characters responding to the events. During the fifty years of the club’s existence, many historic events took place, but I decided that 1942, the last year of the club’s operation, would be the best time for a slightly “spooky” novel.

Of course, being a Christian author, my novels have a faith element and at least one of my characters struggles with a question related to their faith. Alexander (Lexie) Smithfield, my main character, had some unresolved issues from her family’s past that needed to be dealt with amidst growing threats to her personal safety. Lexie faced fears from without and fears from within, and had to identify which fears were real and which were not. And it just so happened that Russell Thompson, a former childhood friend and current manager of the club, was there to help her sort it out.

Well, I can’t tell you anymore without giving away the whole story. But speaking of giving away, I’ll give away a copy of the book, The Gilded Curse, to someone who leaves a comment.

By popular request and to answer people who asked what happened to Lexie and Russell after the book ended, the sequel, Shadow of the Curse, will come out in 2018.

About Marilyn:

Marilyn Turk loves to study history, especially that of lighthouses and the coast of the United States. She is the author of Rebel Light, a Civil War love story set on the coast of Florida, A Gilded Curse, a historical suspense novel set on Jekyll Island, Georgia, in 1942, and Lighthouse Devotions - 52 Inspiring Lighthouse Stories, based on her popular lighthouse blog. (@ http://pathwayheart.com) The sequel to A Gilded Curse, Shadow of the Curse, will be out in 2018.

To find out more about Marilyn’s new releases, sign up for her newsletter at marilynturk@pathwayheart.com. You can also find her on Facebook -facebook.com/marilyn.turk.9 and twitter.com/MarilynTurk.

Interview with Marilyn Turk

 Hello Everyone! I'm excited to introduce you to another historical author!

Marilyn Turk has been published in Guideposts magazine, Guideposts books - A Joyful Heart and A Cup of Christmas Cheer, The Upper Room, Clubhouse Jr. magazine, Chicken Soup for the Soul, and Lighthouse Digest magazine. Her Coastal Lights Legacy novels feature stories with lighthouse settings. She has also written a Lighthouse Devotions book. She writes about lighthouses and writing @ http://pathwayheart.com. She lives in Florida with husband Chuck and enjoys boating, fishing, tennis, and gardening when she’s not climbing lighthouses or playing with her grandsons.

Welcome Marilyn! We're so glad you could visit us today.

Thank you, Amber, for inviting me. I’m happy to be here.

What made you decide to become a writer?

In high school, my English teacher praised my writing which made me think I could do it.

I’ve read devotions for years, so I felt that someday, I would write some. However, the desire to write a book didn’t come until much later.

Those English teachers have inspired many students. I'm amazed at how many folks have a similar tale! Where did the inspiration for your latest book come from?

While on vacation to St. Simons Island, my agent sent out an email asking if any of her clients had written a Southern Gothic book because a publisher was looking for that genre. I didn’t know what Southern Gothic was, but when visiting Jekyll Island during that trip, the idea for a story developed. The Gilded Curse is not quite Gothic, but it is suspenseful. We’re calling it “historical romantic suspense.”

That sounds great. I love a little suspense! Your website tagline is Pathways of the Heart. What does this mean to you?

Good question. Pathways of the Heart refers to the choices we make – our heart’s desires.

Sometimes our heart leads us right, but sometimes it leads us astray. My logo is a lighthouse, a symbol of safety and guidance that directs the paths of the mariner. Like a lighthouse, God tells us in Proverbs 3:5-6 that if we trust in Him with all our hearts, He will direct our paths.

I love lighthouses, and I think that's a perfect connotation.

I’ve loved lighthouses for years, but only saw one in person when I moved to Florida twelve years ago. From that time on, I’ve been researching lighthouses and visiting them when possible. When I began to write a blog and prayed about what to write, I felt God tell me to write about lighthouses. My research had uncovered some fascinating facts and stories, so I began to write about them. But every time I wrote a story, a Bible verse popped into my head that related to the story. I realized God was showing me the relationship between these stories and His Word, so the stories became devotions. In November, my Lighthouse Devotions book was published. It has 52 devotions, so there may be a Book Two in the future.


That's wonderful. I'll have to check those out for sure. How does your faith and spirituality work in with your writing?

Because I’ve prayed to God about my whole writing journey – what to do, where to go, etc.- I believe I’m following his guidance to write my stories, my devotions and my blog. He gives me the stories, so I’m obligated to Him to write them.

I absolutely relate to that. What are you working on next?

I’m editing the second book in a series I started before I wrote The Gilded Curse. I have started book three in the series and still have book four to write.

I’ve also got another suspense novel in my head that I will be researching on vacation this summer.

Very interesting. Looks like you have some great stuff going on. Thank you so much for being with us!

Readers, here's a link to Marilyn's new book! Be sure to check it out.

http://www.amazon.com/American-Historical-Fiction-Gilded-Curse/dp/1938499115/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1456879483&sr=8-1&keywords=The+gilded+curse