The haunting mystery surrounding the impressive Newport Tower in Touro Park sparked my imagination. Eight cylindrical columns support an almost circular stone monument that measures approximately 22 feet around and 28 feet high, with seven windows: four halfway up and three smaller at the top. When I worked in Newport and heard the structure’s origin was uncertain, I dug in to do some research. One possibility intrigued me—the Knights Templar.

 The tower’s resemblance to many of the churches built by the Knights, known for their expert stonemasonry, convinced me. How exciting would it be to concoct a story about Templar ancestors in Newport connected to whatever the Knights left behind? Rumors of immense treasures floated in my mind, and I began the “What ifs?” What if the Templar descendants belonged to a clan? What if that clan promised to protect the Templar treasure? What if their ancestors endowed each person with a special psychic gift to accomplish that task?

 I had fun imagining the lives of the current Templars—where would they live, work, or play? What kind of psychic gifts had they inherited? I enjoyed putting myself in their place. Of course, they had money, looks, and interesting personalities, but I needed some kind of contrast. Hmm. What about a relative on the other side of the country who had no idea she had such an impressive family? Enter Alex. No family. Running out of money. And no idea about her Templar heritage--until she’s attacked.

 And that's how The Convent House began!