ℚ Beneath the Lighthouse - Julieanne Lynch

Today we have the pleasure of meeting up with author Julieanne Lynch to talk about Beneath the Lighthouse (26 June 2018, Vesuvian Books, 288 pages), a YA Supernatural Mystery Horror.

“Beneath the Lighthouse grabs you by the nether regions from the word go. Then it squeezes. Hard. With a nailed glove …

A truly scary ghost story … a powerful ‘coming of age’ drama … a young man growing into adulthood against a backdrop of despair and quite shocking abuse … unpredictable and ever building.

Blood and bone revenge, retribution and salvation. The strength of friendship, the power of love. You feel the dread and the underlying fear … not your typical tale. And what a tale it is.” —EM Faustus

|| Synopsis || Teaser: KCR Preview || Author Q&A || About the Author || Giveaway & Tour Stops ||

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A very warm welcome to Julieanne Lynch; thank you for joining us on BooksChatter!

What was the inspiration for Beneath the Lighthouse ?

"Beneath the Lighthouse was inspired on one rainy Sunday about over two years ago.

My family and I had taken a drive up the Antrim coast, and I remember daydreaming as I looked at the old stone building. That was when Jamie and Iliana’s story was born. I didn’t know it that day, but their journey would soon take over my life."

Dunluce Castle, Co Antrim, Northern Irelan

How much of yourself is reflected in this book, and how?

"I think a lot of my personality traits are in this book. I always like to use my own experiences, even if they aren’t reflective of the plot. I like to use anything from past depressive episodes, death, grief – real emotions that affected me somewhere in my life to give an even deeper sense of realism for my characters.

As a writer, I think it’s important to draw on your own life to give your characters and story a certain edge that can be missed. I feel it necessary to leave little pieces of me on every page, no matter how minor the details are. It’s all me."

The first thing that draws me to a book is its cover. Can you tell us about your cover for Beneath the Lighthouse - why you chose that concept and who the artist is.

"Beneath the Lighthouse is a dark and complex novel, and I didn’t want a generic cover. I wanted something that would draw the eye straight away.

The concept of the lighthouse, the sea and the girl were always something I’d wanted. I wanted it to be dark, atmospheric; almost cinematic. I’d spoken to my publisher who agreed with me that all three concepts were paramount. I was introduced me to Sam, who listened to what I envisioned and he captured everything I had originally wanted.

The cover was designed by the amazing Sam Shearon, a British dark artist born in Liverpool, England. Specialising in horror and science-fiction, his work often includes elements inspired by vintage tales of monsters and madmen, dark futures, post apocalyptic genres including cyberpunk and industrial wastelands and classic literature including H.P.Lovecraft's The Call of Cthulhu, Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray and the modern classics Clive Barker's Hellraiser and the Books of Blood all of which he has fully illustrated."

Why should we read Beneath the Lighthouse and what sets it apart from the rest? What makes your book unique?

"Beneath the Lighthouse isn’t your average teen horrorfest. It’s much more than that. It’s edgy. It’s dark. It’s scary. It’s everyone’s worst nightmare.

It deals with some serious family issues. I never sugar-coat the struggles of a family torn apart by grief and lies. I keep it real, right down to the mental and physical abuse. I’ll take you on a journey, and the plight of both the haunted and the hunted will be by the reader.

It’s tragic and terrifying. It’s unparalleled to anything else out there."

Who would you recommend Beneath the Lighthouse to and what should readers be aware of (any warnings or disclaimers)?

"I’d honestly recommend this book to anyone from the age of fourteen upwards. It really is the kind of book that will be enjoyed by young adults, and adults alike.

The only warnings I’d offer is that the book does deal with some tough subjects, such as domestic abuse, mental illness, but it is written in a reader friendly way."

If you could / wished to turn Beneath the Lighthouse into a movie, who would be your dream team?

"My dream cast would be:

Jack Reynor
as Jamie

Aisling Franciosi
as Iliana

Damian McGinty
as Lenny

Saoirse Ronan
as Claire

Aidan Turner
as Jack

Stephen Rea
as Father Murray

Paula Malcomson
as Sonya

Directed by
Martin Scorsese

Located in Northern Ireland, perhaps near Ballycastle."

Murlough Bay, near Ballycastle, Northern Ireland

What do you like to write and read about? Do you stick to a particular genre or do you like to explore different ones?

"I’m a storyteller, so I like to write whatever mood I am in.

I love to keep an open mind about genres and I’m happiest whenever I get to explore these. I love pushing boundaries, and I feel I do this to great effect. And while I do enjoy writing horror and the odd contemporary romance, I love to read crime novels."

What is your writing process?

"I’m a mother first, and writer second. It’s always been this way and my children, and their needs dictate when I write. But when I am in the process, I tend to stick to my own regimental formula.

I plot and storyboard many of my novels, and I work straight from chapter one, right through to the end. I can’t work on one chapter, and then suddenly move onto another part of the book. It just messes with my creativity. So I am happiest sticking to my own routine that has worked for many years."

What is in store next?

"I am working on What Lurks Within, the sequel to Beneath the Lighthouse. We see what happens to Jamie and where his journey ends. I can’t say too much without giving spoilers away, but Jamie’s world takes on a darker, more sinister turn, and old allies are called upon."

And as a final quirky thing, to get to know you a little bit better... do you have a pet or something that is special to you that you could share with us?

"Yes, I have a Oscar, my Bichon Frise who is simply a nutcase, but totally loveable."

Hello Oscar! No wonder your Mummy is kissing you! You are absolutely gorgeous and adorable! I may have to come to NI and visit you ;-) For now, lots of cuddles and head-scratches to you :-D

Julieanne, thank you so much for sharing Oscar with us. We look forward to reading Beneath the Lighthouse.

Some secrets are made to be uncovered...

Beneath the Lighthouse
Available NOW!

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