Welcome to my website and The House on Slocum Road, also known as "Lottie's Story."
Will a troubled socialite repress her psychic gift to appease the man she loves, or will she succumb to the mysterious pull of the past and risk losing all she holds dear ~ That's Lottie Winslow's quandary.
Strange things are happening to Lottie Winslow. Who is the stranger she sees in the mirror? Why is the same dream invading her sleep night after night? How can she witness an event that hasn't yet happened? Determined to find the answers on her own despite her doubting husband's objections, Lottie embarks upon a relentless search for her identity and familial connection. She makes a discovery in The House on Slocum Road that sparks a chain of events, which lead her to her inevitable date with destiny.
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REVIEW:
In The House on Slocum Road, author Dahris Clair offers a spooky little story about a woman who finds herself by searching in the past. As a little girl, Lottie lost herself and her unique gift. When it comes back to her, she must learn to accept herself, as she really is, not as the person others—including her well-meaning husband—want her to be.
Clair's style is reminiscent of Barbara Michaels' in her paranormal romantic suspense novels. Clair is wonderfully attuned to the details of daily life that bestow a feeling of place--the rose and gold glow of a fire kindling, church bells pealing over a snowy field. This is a cozy sort of ghost story, perfect for a winter night in front of a fire.
BookWire Review -
September 18, 2006
A page from my journal ~
June 14, 2009 - Flag Day
Sunday is my special day. We always begin with church, after breakfast, of course. Sadly, we said goodbye to our associate pastor at St. Thomas Aquinas Church. He's been recalled to India.
A very nice compliment was paid to me today. One of the ladies had told me she's reading Slocum Road and she loves it. But the really great part is this: "I'm in the part where Lottie. . ." well, I don't want to give the plot away so I can't really tell you, but this is what gave me a warm, fuzzy feeling: "Most books don't begin to get really good until the middle, but this one is good right from the beginning." She wanted to buy another book for her daughter. She didn't want to give hers away because it was signed by me. When readers enjoy the book and they let me know, that's very special. I don't often get feedback. Writers thrive on feedback. If it's good, I did something right. If it's negative, it's a learning experience.
If I can figure out how to do it, I'd like to give my readers a sneak peak at the sequel.
Now that summer's here, or almost, I'm looking forward to a family reunion in July. My daughter, Melissa, the one who's pictured with me on the About The Author page, is coming from Springfield, IL, two of my boys are coming from Montreal, and my elder son and his family will come from northern Florida, by the Alabama border. My eldest daughter is hosting a communal birthday party. I'm not supposed to know about it, but she slipped and I'm quick.
Let's see, what else? The 2009 Literary Competition was a success so we're planning another for 2010. The Do It! Write one-day conference exceeded our expectations. I began to wonder if we'd have enough food, but it all worked out. The 2010 conference is in the planning stages, but I've been very fortunate to secure Jerry D. Simmons for our keynote. That will mean more to writers than to readers, but trust me, it's a plum. I guess that's a wrap for this time. Now, let's see if I can get everything to work right. See you soon.
D
March 18, 2009
Yikes! Almost a year since I've written in the journal. And what a year. The Christmas tree stayed up all year. I kept fracturing vertebrae and taking the tree down was not a priority. It was refurbished for the 2008 Christmas season, and now it's in its dormant state, undressed, with all its finery stored away until Christmas 2009.
I have kept busy. A first for me was the hosting of a literary competition. We have just completed the preliminary round of judging and the winners have been sent to acqusition editors at Medallion Press, Tor/Forge Books, and Avalon Books. We're all anxiously waiting for the results.
The 3rd Annual Do It! Write Writer's Conference is scheduled for Sunday, April 19, 2009. The NPR Library is the venue. Details may be found on THE INFINITE WRITER e-zine: http://mysite.verizon.net/resockeb/e-zine.
My youngest daughter (the one pictured with me on the About the Author page) is coming down for a blessed two-week visit in July. To make it even more special, her brother will be visiting from Montreal at the same time. It's almost a family reunion, if Tim and Tammy could find a way to come down too.
The sequel to Slocum Road is perking along. Look for an excerpt at the end of excerpt two.
Mail from readers is always welcome, so don't be shy. Just use the "Contact Me" button. I answer my own mail.
Keep on reading and I'll keep on writing.
Send me an e-mail. I'll be happy to answer.
Dahris
