We're pleased to have Mary Ellen Taylor visiting today! She's here to talk about her latest novel, The Sky Beneath Her, which is now available. We're excited for you to check it out and to learn more about Mary Ellen. She has THREE copies to share with some lucky readers!
Mary Ellen Taylor is the Amazon Charts bestselling author of evocative dual-timeline women’s fiction novels rich with history, family secrets, and atmospheric settings. She also writes internationally bestselling suspense novels as Mary Burton, a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author known for psychological thrillers and romantic suspense. Across both pen names, her stories explore hidden truths, complex relationships, and the ways the past continues to shape the present. She lives in Virginia and the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
Visit Mary Ellen online:
It’s been seven years since a tragic diving accident took her mother’s life, leaving Tula Cassidy with a crushing fear of the sea. The ocean she once loved is no longer a part of her. And she can’t imagine it ever will be again.
Until her return to the Outer Banks changes everything.
While clearing out an old beach house, Tula receives a mysterious manuscript about the Oceanus. The passenger ship’s final voyage ended in disaster in 1942, and its underwater wreckage ultimately became her mother’s final resting place.
As Tula unravels the ship’s haunting history, she uncovers not only an unexpected family connection, but also a story of survival that helps her understand her own journey toward healing.
With help from Nathan, the charming dive instructor she left behind years ago, Tula faces her deepest fears to unlock the secrets of both past and present. Sometimes the greatest journeys begin when we find the courage to dive back in. (Courtesy of Amazon.)
What is a favorite compliment you received on your writing?
One of my favorite compliments came from a reader who told me she stayed up until three in the morning because she couldn't stop turning the pages. As an author, there's no higher praise. We spend months—and sometimes years—creating these stories, so knowing a reader became completely immersed in the world and characters is incredibly rewarding.
One of my favorite compliments came from a reader who told me she stayed up until three in the morning because she couldn't stop turning the pages. As an author, there's no higher praise. We spend months—and sometimes years—creating these stories, so knowing a reader became completely immersed in the world and characters is incredibly rewarding.
How is Tula similar to or different from you?
Like Tula, I love the Outer Banks and feel a deep connection to the coast. We also share a curiosity about the past and the stories hidden beneath the surface. Where we differ is that Tula is far more adventurous than I am when it comes to the ocean. She's a diver who ultimately has to confront her fears beneath the water. I'm happiest exploring history from dry land!
If The Sky Beneath Her was made into a movie, who would you cast in the leading roles?
This is always a tough question because readers create such vivid images of the characters. For Tula, I could see someone like Florence Pugh bringing both strength and vulnerability to the role. Nathan would need someone with warmth and quiet confidence—perhaps Glen Powell. And for the mysterious Dr. Brooks, I'd love to see someone like Hugh Jackman, who could bring both charm and depth to the character.
Which book made you fall in love with reading?
As a child, I devoured everything I could get my hands on, but Little Women by Louisa May Alcott left a lasting impression. I loved the family dynamics, the strong female characters, and the sense that ordinary lives could contain extraordinary stories. Looking back, I think that book planted the seed for the kinds of stories I write today.
If your life was a TV series, which celebrity would you want to narrate it?
I'd choose Olivia Colman. She has a voice that's warm, funny, and full of heart. Whether I was celebrating a book launch, getting lost in historical research, or trying to untangle a stubborn plot, I think she'd make every chapter of my life sound both entertaining and meaningful.
If we were to visit you right now, what are some places you would take us to see?
I'd start with a drive along the Outer Banks, stopping at some of the quiet beaches that inspired scenes in The Sky Beneath Her. We'd visit the Wright Brothers Memorial, explore Jockey's Ridge at sunset, and wander through the charming waterfront in Manteo. If time allowed, we'd take a trip north to the Currituck Lighthouse. From there we’d hop in my truck, and I’d drive you along the beach so we could see the wild horses that live near the Virginia line.
Thanks to Mary Ellen for visiting us and sharing her book with our readers.
How to win: Use KingSumo to enter the giveaway. If you have trouble using KingSumo on our blog, enter the giveaway here. If you are still having issues, please contact us.
Giveaway ends July 7th at midnight EST.
Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us.
Listen to this book on Speechify!
2 comments:
Wow! That a tough one to answer. I’m somewhat at afraid of heights.
My biggest fear is drowning, so this book fits right in with that. I almost drowned when I was a child. I've mostly gotten over it, but it's still my biggest fear.
Post a Comment