In this month’s instalment of “Author(ized) Accounts of the Paranormal and Unexplained,” Rosanna Leo, author of Darke Passion, will tell us the story of how a haunted inn in a quaint Ontario town has inspired her paranormal romance series…
A town that was once burned to the ground. A war that changed the way a young country viewed itself. A star-crossed romance. It sounds like the background for an intriguing work of fiction, right?
In the case of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, and one of its historic bed and breakfast properties, it’s very much fact.
I’ve always been fascinated by the history of Niagara-on-the-Lake, a town that sits about an hour down the highway from where I live. My husband and I have been doing daytrips to the Niagara region for years. For me, it’s always been a point of interest because it of its connection to the War of 1812. Many battles and skirmishes took place in this region. And many locals will tell you that is the reason the town is so haunted. There have been reports of residents walking their dogs on an early morning, only to run into men in red coats, charging through fields as if their lives depended on it. The War of 1812 left its mark on this area in numerous ways. The Americans razed the town in 1813, and it was subsequently rebuilt. Haunted by war, it seems some of its former residents are reluctant to leave.
There are many old homes in Niagara-on-the-Lake that now operate as quaint inns. The oldest one is Brockamour Manor. This property was once owned by Joseph Brant, the famed Mohawk Chieftain. However, Captain John Powell is acknowledged as the first person to have built on the site in 1805. He lived there with his wife Isabella, and her sister, Sophia.
A regular visitor to the house was the dashing General Isaac Brock, commander of the British forces in Upper Canada. It has been said that Brock and Sophia fell in love, but that they kept their romance a secret because of his cash flow problems. Some say they were secretly engaged.
During the early morning of October 13, 1812, General Brock awoke to the sound of canon fire. The Americans had invaded nearby Queenston Heights. Brock jumped on his horse, making a quick stop at the home of his beloved Sophia to say good-bye. Isaac Brock died in the Battle of Queenston Heights, cementing his reputation as an early Canadian hero, leaving Sophia to mourn him for the rest of her life.
If you attend a ghost walk in Niagara-on-the-Lake, you may hear the star-crossed tale of General Brock and Lady Sophia. Some say the pair still haunts Brockamour Manor, the home named after their ill-fated love. If you walk past the B&B on an early morning, you might be surprised to see a young woman in period dress and a handsome officer, clinging to one another on the porch, never dreaming it might be their final embrace.
The history surrounding Brockamour Manor, and its resulting ghost story, was a tremendous source of inspiration to me as I embarked on writing my Darke Paranormal Investigations series. In fact, the love story between General Brock and Lady Sophia inspired my own star-crossed romance and a new ghost story. You can read all about it in Darke Passion, book one of the series.
Of course, I had to visit Brockamour Manor, in an attempt to make contact with its restless spirits. My husband and I stayed there for Valentine’s Day just over a year ago and it was an incredible experience. Walking through that property, one is in constant awe of its beauty and its history. It was also very cool to be able to stay in a place that acted as a setting for my own book. As I fell asleep that night, I listened for creaking hardwood or whispers in the hallway, but unfortunately, Brockamour’s ghosts were quiet that night.
Or, perhaps General Brock and Lady Sophia have finally found peace.
Do I believe in ghosts? Oh, yes. I’ve even seen one, a dark and moody figure walking through the grounds of Fort Henry, one of Canada’s oldest forts. Sadly, I have no pictures to document that unsettling moment. I’ve had one other encounter with the paranormal, that I know of, at least. Shortly after my grandfather died, I heard his voice in my house. It echoed right over my shoulder, completely recognizable. The house was silent when I heard him, and I was the only one there. There was no possibility of mistaking another’s voice for his.
I believe that spirits will communicate from time to time, but they don’t adhere to our schedules or perform on command. That’s probably why I didn’t see anything odd at Brockamour Manor.
But I felt it, nonetheless. The people who once lived and loved inside that house have left an indelible impression. I have no doubt that, when they’re ready, they’ll make themselves known.
Author Interview
The Night Librarian: This sounds hauntingly beautiful! I’m adding a ghost walk in Niagara-on-the-Lake to my bucket list. What five words would you use to convince people to buy your books?
Rosanna: Haunting. Atmospheric. Romantic. Spooky. Relatable.
The Night Librarian: I hear you’re a librarian, too. Can you tell us a bit about how do you do research for your stories?
Rosanna: I’m fortunate because I work in a public library, so I have amazing materials at my fingertips. For a series like Darke Paranormal Investigations, there was a lot of research. Much of it was historical in nature. I spent hours reading about the various eras represented in my books, learning as much as I could about social history, conflict, and day-to-day life in early Canada. I also did a lot of research on paranormal investigation, consulting interviews with the adventurous people who do that work. My one limit? Attending a paranormal investigation. I’m too scared I might bring something home with me!
The Night Librarian: Yes, paranormal investigations are not for the faint of heart! So, are you working on a new project right now?
Rosanna: In March, I celebrated the release of Darke Homecoming, Darke Paranormal Investigations 3, and I’m so excited to have finished that series. It’s truly the series of my heart. I have started working on a new project that will also be paranormal in nature. I don’t want to give too much away just yet, but I can tell you it will also involve a wonderful Canadian setting, some very strange creatures, and a sizzling romance. I invite readers to follow my newsletter or social media for updates.
Rosanna Leo writes contemporary and paranormal romance. Her novel, A Reluctant Attraction, Handymen 3, is one of Oprah Daily’s 50 of 2021’s Most Anticipated Romance Novels. From Toronto, Canada, Rosanna occupies a house in the suburbs with her husband. When not writing, Rosanna works for her local library, where she is busy laying the groundwork to become a library ghost one day.
Follow Rosanna: Find her books | BookBub | Newsletter | Threads | Instagram | Goodreads
Edwina Darke is one of a trio of ghost-hunting sisters who rid clients of their unwanted supernatural visitors. A badass by nature, Edwina doesn’t run from haunted houses—she runs into them. Yet no matter how many “ghosts” she debunks, she remains troubled by a demon from her own past.
Simon Teal is the co-owner of a historic B&B in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, a town famous for its connection to the 1812 War. Simon doesn’t believe in the spirit world, but something is chasing his customers away, so he reluctantly allows the Darke sisters to investigate.
As the team uncovers the star-crossed love behind the B&B haunting, Edwina and Simon’s attraction flares. It’s the last thing either of them needs. The dedicated Edwina refuses to lose herself in another relationship, and Simon is still reeling from a terrible betrayal.
When a darker presence reveals itself, triggering their protective instincts, Edwina and Simon succumb to temptation. But the evil entity has taken an interest in them, and if they don’t solve the mystery, someone new could end up going “into the light.”
And it could be one of them.
BibliOccult 