I host a lot of authors here. It’s something I enjoy, and it’s occasionally paid off when I need a place to promote one of my new stories. It’s even more enjoyable when it’s one of my friends. Mae Clair and I go way back, and we’re both members of Story Empire.
The Something Wicked tour involves all of the Story Empire crowd taking our show on the road and spreading the word about our personal work. I hope you’ll make Mae feel welcome and check out:
The Hopkinsville Goblins
Thanks for hosting me today, Craig! It’s fun to be here with your readers kicking off my fourth stop of Story Empire’s Something Wicked Blog Tour.
October is a fun time that brings plenty of shivers as we draw closer to Halloween, our mind naturally drawn to ghosts, ghouls, and goblins. But not all goblins are of the supernatural variety.
On a summer night in August of 1955, Billy Ray Taylor, a native of Pennsylvania was visiting his friend, Lucky Sutton of Kentucky. Lucky lived on a farm tucked between the towns of Kelly and Hopkinsville, a rural homestead that lacked electricity and running water. At some point during the evening, Billy hiked outside to get a drink of water from the well. In the process he glimpsed a shining object which descended from the sky and landed in a gully a quarter mile away.
When Billy returned to the homestead, he excitedly shared his tale, but the Sutton family laughed off the story. Not long afterward, the family dog broke into a crazy raucous before vanishing under the porch where it remained in hiding until the next day. Armed with rifles, Billy and Lucky headed outdoors to investigate. In the front yard, they encountered a bizarre creature with “large eyes, a long thin mouth, large ears, thin short legs, and hands ending in claws.” The being was unlike any they had ever seen before, short in stature, gremlin-like in appearance.
Both men unloaded their guns. They later insisted they couldn’t have missed their target at such close range, but the creature slipped away, vanishing into the surrounding woods. Billy and Lucky returned to the house, where they barricaded themselves inside.
In a short while, more creatures appeared. They gaped through the windows and grappled at the screens, trying to gain access to the house. The men unloaded ammo repeatedly. It took several hours before family members were able to escape and seek help from the sheriff’s department.
When they arrived at the Sutton farm, the sheriff and his men found no evidence of the goblin-like creatures but couldn’t deny there were holes blown through the walls and screens where bullets had penetrated. All officers reported the Suttons were sober and seemed genuinely terrified by something. They eventually left the farm around 2:15 in the morning.
Almost immediately, the goblin-like creatures descended again, peeking in windows and trying to gain entry. The strange events finally came to a halt shortly before dawn. At a loss for explanation, not knowing what else to do, the sheriff summoned the Air Force.
The story made headline news, prompting many to speculate the Suttons had fabricated a hoax. But they gained nothing from the publicity, and neighbors collaborated their reports of “lights in the sky.” All of the adults who witnessed the event−Billy and Lucky among them−gave the exact same account of events when questioned separately. There are even reports of a highway trooper citing “meteor-like objects” flying overhead around 11PM that night. Additionally, there is mention of “an odd luminous patch along a fence where one of the beings had been shot, and, in the woods beyond, a green light whose source could not be determined.”
Years later, each family member remained firm in their story, no evidence of a hoax ever discovered. Interestingly, the U.S. Air Force has denied any involvement, but it has led many to believe the events of August 21, 1955, were those of an authentic UFO encounter.
I’ve always been fascinated by stories of UFOs and extraterrestrial beings. You’ll meet more than one alien in my novel, A Cold Tomorrow, but they are far from the Hopkinsville Goblin variety. I invite you to journey to Point Pleasant, where documented accounts of UFOs, Men in Black, and strange visitors once made national headlines. Although A Cold Tomorrow, is book 2 of my Point Pleasant series, it can easily be enjoyed as a standalone novel.
Blurb:
Where secrets make their home…
Stopping to help a motorist in trouble, Katie Lynch stumbles upon a mystery as elusive as the Mothman legend that haunts her hometown of Point Pleasant, West Virginia. Could the coded message she finds herald an extraterrestrial visitor? According to locals, it wouldn’t be the first time. And what sense should she make of her young son’s sudden spate of bizarre drawings—and his claim of a late-night visitation? Determined to uncover the truth, Katie only breaks the surface when a new threat erupts. Suddenly her long-gone ex-boyfriend is back and it’s as if he’s under someone else’s control. Not only is he half-crazed, he’s intent on murder….
As a sergeant in the sheriff’s office of the famously uncanny Point Pleasant, Officer Ryan Flynn has learned to tolerate reports of puzzling paranormal events. But single mom Katie Lynch appears to be in very real danger—and somehow Ryan’s own brother, Caden, is caught up in the madness, too. What the skeptical lawman discovers astounds him—and sends him into action. For stopping whatever evil forces are at play may just keep Katie and Caden alive….
Connect with Mae Clair at BOOKBUB and the following haunts:
Amazon | BookBub | Newsletter Sign-Up
Website | Blog | Twitter | Goodreads | All Social Media
Craig here again. I’ve read the entire Point Pleasant series and can vouch highly for it. It would be perfect for your Halloween reading, but holds up well at other times of the year, too. Make our day and use those sharing buttons.
We’d love to hear from you in the comments, too. Do any of you live near Hopkinsville or Point Pleasant?
Side note: Today is my birthday. As my gift, please consider picking up any of the titles on the Something Wicked tour this week. (Doesn’t have to be mine.) I know you’ll enjoy them.
Happy birthday, Mae! Having a hard time choosing, I want to read them all!
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It’s actually Craig’s birthday, but thanks. You’re certainly welcome to read them all.
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LOL! We aim to build your TBR 🙂
It’s actually Craig’s birthday, but I thought he had a cool wish 😉
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Now that’s a great tagline. Story Empire, we aim to build your TBR list.
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I like it! 🙂
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Mae, you find the most amazing and intriguing stories! I will have to make/find the time to read all of your books 🙂 And I’m finding myself wanting to scour the internet for strange and unusual tales 👻
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Mae comes up with some great things. If you’re serious about surfing for strange things, I suggest my sidebar. Pull up the Idea Mill category.
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Thanks for letting me know! The way I looked at your post didn’t show the sidebar, so I will have to open it up to the full site and see what gems you have there.
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There is some bizarre stuff in there, so it might be worth your time. It’s like curated weirdness.
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Craig’s Idea Mill posts are great for weird inspiration 🙂
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I love mysteries, the more unusual the better. It’s fun to weave the unexplained into my books. I’ve always enjoyed legends and folklore. One of my old bios used to read, in part “when I’m not reading or writing, you can find me looking at blurry images of cryptids online.” 🙂
I’m so glad you find my work interesting and will love to hear your thoughts when some of these titles surface on your TBR. A huge thanks too for being so supportive of our tour!
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Well, Happy Birthday! I hope you have lots of book sales today. I had not heard of this story. I have a friend who lives in Hopkinsville. Interesting the Air Force denied involvement. Makes one wonder.
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Thanks, Joan. Hope all of us see some action today. Mae has shared some interesting things for Something Wicked.
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Joan, you’re going to have to ask your friend about the goblins. From what I understand it’s pretty huge in Hopkinsville. I also found it interesting that during the last solar eclipse, Hokinsville was one of the cities that experienced totality, But what made that really odd was the date–August 21, 2017. The “goblin” sighting was on August 21, 1955. What are the odds?
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Somebody ought to write that into a bad movie for Si-Fi. Has to be more fun than The Banana Splits.
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I STILL can’t believe they did that!
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Oh, that it strange! I remember my friend posted about the total eclipse on Facebook, but I didn’t know about the goblins at that time.
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Happy Birthday, Craig! What a great gift idea! 🙂
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Thank you. Maybe they’ll pick one of yours.
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Wow, this is a fantastic story, Mae. Thanks so much for sharing. This has my imagination all fired up. You have a skill for incorporating true-life yet strange happenings into your fiction, and your writing sure is entertaining and a thrill 🙂
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Mae certainly has honed her skills in this area. I loved this post.
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You guys are making me feel so good! 🙂
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Harmony, thanks so much! Hearing comments like that makes writing worthwhile. And I just love the odd and unusual. It’s such a treat to be able to weave that passion for strangeness into my novels. I’m glad you enjoyed hearing about the “goblins.”
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One of my all-time fav indie reads! Loved the series and will read it again sometime. 🙂
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Thank you, Kevin.
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Thanks so much, Kev. I’m honored!. Of all the books I’ve written, the Point Pleasant series stands as my favorite, and A Cold Tomorrow is my favorite of the three. The Mothman and I thank you!
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Happy Birthday, Craig! I live a little over an hour from Hopkinsville and never knew this story – which delights my otherworldly-loving heart. I’m a big fan of this series and the eerie covers.
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Thanks. You need to go over there and find us some goblins. If you bring him in, Lisa will interview him.
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Sounds good to me.
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Wow, someone else who knows the area! I would love to visit and see what story fodder I could pick up for another book down the road.
And thanks so much for the kind words about my series. I’m really partial to this one!
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You and Teri should meet up for an adventure.
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Happy birthday, Craig! Hope you can down a great beer to celebrate. I’ve read all three books in the Point Pleasant series and loved them all. I’ve always hoped aliens would be more advanced (and more peaceful) than we are. Mae’s Hopkinsville extraterrestrials were terrifying, though. Never want to meet them.
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Thank you. I loved the series and hope others will give it a chance.
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Judi, thanks so much for the kind words about my Point Pleasant books. I so enjoyed writing this series.
When it comes to the “goblins” I always wonder why they were so intent on peeking and trying to get inside. That must have been a terrifying night at the farmhouse!
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Maybe they were terrified, too.
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Happy birthday!
I love this post – the eerie tale of aliens from 1955 was a wonderful intro to the novel. Can’t wait to read more. 🙂
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Thank you. I’m sure you’ll like it.
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Thanks so much Leesha. That is wonderful to hear.
If the book lands on your TBR, I hope you enjoy!
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Spine-tingling stuff, Mae!! I thoroughly enjoyed “A Cold Tomorrow,” and gave it a 5-star review! Happy Birthday, Craig!
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Thank you, Jan.
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That rocks my world. Thank you, Jan! 🙂
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Ohhh this sounds right up my alley! Congratulations, Mae! ❤
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Happy birthday, Craig! I’m honored to be your guest on your special day. Thanks for hosting me and for all the kind words through the post and comments. It’s great to share space with friends!
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Always great to have you over. Hope you’re drawing some attention.
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Those poor people! I bet they tried to sell the farm after that episode!
Happy birthday, Craig! I hope you have a wonderful day 🙂
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Thanks, Jacquie. They should have turned into a tourist attraction.
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I’m sure I would have tried to sell it. Although being in real estate, I can just imagine the features….bullet holes in the walls and screens, green goop on the porch, LOL!
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I do believe I have this book lurking on my kindle. A great post about this UFO sighting, both, very scary and exciting.
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Thanks, Robbie. I think you’ll enjoy it.
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I would have paid for a ticket.
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Happy Birthday, Craig. Thanks for sharing your cake with Mae.
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Thank you, John. Have a slice yourself.
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😁🎂
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I
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I helped blow out the candles 😉
Ignore that earlier reply. Root monsters were trying to convince me to reply I I I I !
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Ha ha.
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That story is fascinating.
Happy birthday, Mae. A toast to your success.
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Glad you enjoyed the story, Michele.
It’s actually Craig’s birthday, not mine, but it seems to be turning into a joint celebration! 🙂
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Happy Birthday, Craig. I love this post! I learn more each time Mae posts one of these eerie facts. I’m a huge fan of Mae’s books and unreservedly recommend all of them. Thanks for hosting Mae today, Craig. 🎃
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Thank you for recommending Mae’s books here. Appreciate the birthday wish, too.
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Hi, my friend! Your comment made me grin ear-to-ear.I am so thrilled you enjoy my books …and even my forays into the bizarre sidelines. Thank you!! 🙂
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Bizarre grabs me every time. Maybe that’s my true comfort zone. 🎃😎😮 Uh-oh.
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Bizarre is good.
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You know, I read and loved the first book (Mothman), and somehow missed the next two and went right on to the Hode’s Hill series. Must remedy that!
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Well, I did have both series release rather quickly back-to-back, so that could explain it. Mothman, my UFOs, and aliens will all be waiting when you eventually wend your way back to Point Pleasant ,LOL!
Thanks for your interest, Jess!
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I don’t think it was your release timeframe, I think I just plain missed them. Sigh. So many books, so few days on earth!
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Now that is an odd tale I had not heard previously and I’ve heard a lot of them. It’s very unusual and definitely paranormal to say the least. Thanks for sharing the intriguing story today, Mae.
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I love stuff like this, P.H. It’s fun to dig around for bizarre tales especially as they relate to folklore, history, and legends!
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That they are. I’ve always been fascinated by them.
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