In a landscape haunted by the echoes of the past and voices left unheard, author Carolyn Virginia Parnell emerges as a powerful storyteller illuminating the hidden corners of generational trauma, spiritual warfare, and survival. Her latest novel, The Ghost of Bertha Mae (Amazon link), Book I in a chilling and deeply human trilogy, dives into the painful legacy of abuse and the unshakable power of faith.
Set in the small Southern town of Selma, Alabama, a place rich in Civil Rights history and equally heavy with the weight of personal memory, Parnell’s novel follows Yvette, a woman haunted, quite literally, by the ghost of her abusive mother, Bertha Mae.
The novel fuses horror and healing in equal measure. It is a deeply spiritual journey where the supernatural is not just a plot device, but a metaphor for trauma that refuses to stay buried.
A Voice Rooted in Experience
Parnell, born in Selma herself, writes with the authority of someone who has lived in the tension of racial injustice, poverty, and spiritual strength. “I was raised by my grandmother,” she recalls in an interview. “She taught me love, the love of God, and how to respect myself and others.”
Her youth, filled with moments of scarcity and service—from ironing for relatives at twelve to babysitting other children—built the foundation for a life of compassion and community advocacy. The lessons of resilience are felt on every page of The Ghost of Bertha Mae, which began not just as fiction, but as a calling.
“I never thought I would become an author,” Parnell says. “But storytelling, I’ve learned, is a gift God gave me.”
The Story: A Battle Between Good and Evil
In The Ghost of Bertha Mae, we meet Yvette, a woman pushed to the edge. She returns to Selma in desperation, haunted physically and emotionally by her mother’s violent spirit. Parnell does not shy away from disturbing imagery. The ghost of Bertha Mae appears in ceilings, walls, and dreams, choking and beating Yvette in terrifying manifestations.
And yet, there is more to this than horror. At its heart, the book is about survival and redemption. Miss Christine, a clairvoyant woman of faith who once guided Yvette in her youth, re-emerges as a beacon of hope. Can she help sever the ties between mother and daughter, between trauma and present, between death and the living? It is not only a ghost story but a deeply religious reckoning.
Fiction Meets Memoir
Parnell’s work is not strictly autobiographical, but her fingerprints are all over the story. Like Yvette, she left the South for Seattle as a teenager. Like her protagonist, she found stability through faith and the love of a community.
“I wanted to write about a narcissistic mother,” she explains. “And how the past doesn’t just go away. It follows you. But I also wanted readers to see that God is present, even in the darkest nights.”
Parnell’s prose is plainspoken yet evocative. Her background in poetry shines in the lyricism of her emotional beats, while her structure balances pacing with character depth.
One of the most gripping elements is how the book weaves in history, touching on the Civil Rights era, systemic racism, and the complex roles of women in the Black Southern church, all while never losing sight of its central emotional arc.
Critical Acclaim and Reader Response
The Ghost of Bertha Mae has already received praise from reviewers including Hollywood Book Reviews, which noted Parnell’s ability to “blend mystery, horror, and real-life struggles.” The review highlights how Parnell’s depiction of trauma is both honest and metaphysical, connecting the reader to something larger than life.
Perhaps more telling than critical acclaim is the word-of-mouth reaction. “One of my readers couldn’t put the book down,” Parnell shares. “She read under the covers with a lamp all night long, then begged to read the next ones.”
The novel’s ability to resonate is no accident. Parnell has intentionally created a story that reflects not only pain but perseverance. “Life can be difficult, but if you have faith and you pray, you will come through it stronger,” she says.
Recognition and Future Projects
Carolyn Virginia Parnell’s journey has not gone unnoticed. She is featured in the March 2025 issue of America Inspire Magazine (americainspiremag.com), where her work and life story are spotlighted as part of the publication’s celebration of American changemakers. For Parnell, the recognition is both humbling and affirming.
“I never would have imagined this happening,” she says. “It’s a blessing. Now I can give back, not just as a writer, but as someone who inspires others to never give up.”
Parnell is also working on several other books. Seven are already written, one is in development, and another potential trilogy is on the horizon. Her storytelling engine is unstoppable, fueled by imagination, faith, and a passion to uplift others.
To those who feel they have a story to tell, especially one steeped in personal truth or historical roots, Parnell offers simple but powerful advice. “Pray about it. Then give it a try. As my grandmother used to say, ‘Nothing hurts a failure but a try.’”
That wisdom has guided Parnell through challenges in both life and publishing. Discrimination, health issues, and poverty could have been her end. Instead, they became the foundation of a powerful literary voice.
The Ghost of Bertha Mae is not a standalone tale. It is part of a planned trilogy that promises twists and deep emotional payoff. “All three books must be read,” Parnell insists. “There are surprises with the main characters that will leave readers stunned.”
For fans of psychological horror, Southern gothic, and stories of faith-fueled survival, Carolyn Virginia Parnell’s trilogy is a must-read. More than that, her work stands as a testament to what literature can do: heal, empower, and connect.
Discover More
📚 The Ghost of Bertha Mae
🛒 Available on Amazon
🌐 Featured in America Inspire Magazine
💬 Reviewed by Hollywood Book Reviews
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