I have mentioned before this that the book I'm working on will have sections set in nearby Hot Springs -- both in the present and the past. Thanks to the yenta-like services of Suzanne, a reader and an email correspondent, I was put in touch with Karen Nagle, who, with her husband Pete, owns and operates the Mountain Magnolia Inn. Karen graciously invited me to come for dinner so they could answer my questions.
The Inn is a beautifully restored home, originally built in 1868, and Karen and Pete told me its history, regaled me stories of its ghosts, and gave me a delicious dinner in the very charming restaurant that is a part of the Inn.
After dinner, Karen showed me around this lovely old house and I thought about how much Gloria would enjoy staying there -- beautiful decor, a room for massage, excellent restaurant. And if there's a ghost. . .
Hmmm . . . I think I'll have Gloria stay in the Buckeye Room . . . there's a nice balcony with a lovely view. And in the middle of the night, if someone were to come creeping . . .
Don't mind me, I'm just doing research. A rough job, as I mentioned before, but somebody has to do it.
12 comments:
I am certain that your research will help a lot. Especially if you have seen this lovely Mountain Magnolia Inn . I saw the slide about this Inn!
Thanks for sharing and for visiting.
I've heard about the Mountain Magnolia Inn, but have never been there ... what a beautiful place, and I'm excited to see how you will fit it into your story line.
What a beautiful inn. Reminded me of the antebellum mansions in Mississippi. A perfect place for a mystery.
Friends of ours have an antebellum mansion in Winchester, Va. They have a ghost or two. As we joined them for breakfast after our first night in their guest room, they inquired, "Did Aunt Zita (long dead aunt of the owners) visit you last night?" "Why no," we replied. "Well, she stopped by to see our last guests and put a blanket over their feet while they were sleeping."
Sam
Reader Wil and Pat, I'll be talking more about the Inn and its ghost stories in another post someday. There are so many stories, I hardly know where to begin.
It's Aunt Dicky at the Mtn.Magnolia, Sam. She's evidently a prankster who moves things around. Once she left a tube of K-Y jelly on a guest couple's bed.
Hey, that's not fair! I spend my life doing academic research for articles and don't get any dinners in lovely mountain inns. I think I shall have to take up novel writing!
KY Jelly! LOL! She must think everyone are honeymooners! You know how I love a ghost story,history and Hot Springs so I'm putting this on my places to stay list!!Can't wait to hear more!
Eleanor, So far this novel-writing thing has been below poverty level in terms of pay -- a free dinner now and then is gratefully accepted! As I tell my novel-writing students, don't give up your day job!
I'm sure you'd love the Mountain Magnolia, Carol!
I have a sneaky feeling that you might be contemplating a murder in that delightful place? It looks like a wonderful place for a honeymoon too. Could you share the address with us, please?
Blessings, Star
That would be telling, Star, re the murder. But you can find the Inn's address by following the hot link in the second paragraph!
And there she goes, to the farthest reaches of the earth, er, North Carolina, to dig for facts and shooting pictures, even taking up a fork to taste the local fare - all to create an authentic environment to her tales, for her readers to enjoy! I truly wish that your books will hit the bestseller list, I truly do!
Re bestseller list -- from your lips to God's ears, Merisi!
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