Why We Fear the #13 & #Fridaythe13th ~ #FridayMorning #Superstitions #Friday13th #FridayFeeling

I embraced the number 13 long ago, since it is the date of my birth...and my birthday has often fallen on Friday the 13th (it did this year ~ January!)  I do sometimes wonder if being born on the 13th has anything to do with my love of all things spooky, though.  Most of my novels incorporate some type of supernatural suspense, whether it's a mystery surrounding a haunting (HAUNTED SOULS, GULL HARBOR, THE HAUNTING OF HILLWOOD FARM, GHOST MOON, and SILVER LAKE) or a quest for revenge undertaken by the world's last half-angel (DIVINE FALL).

Some of my most popular posts discuss the reasons behind our superstitions.  This one delves deeper into the number 13 - while I consider it a lucky number for myself, many people don't!

A fear of the number 13 is known as Triskaidekaphobia.  I actually once worked in a building that lacked a 13th floor.  To me, this made little sense...did the people on the 14th floor not realize they were actually on the 13th floor?  Still, the button in the elevator did not exist.  Why does the number 13 get such a bad rap, anyway?

Some reasons stem from various religions.  In Christianity, for example, 13 people sat down to The Last Supper: Jesus Christ and 12 disciples.  The last to sit down, the 13th, was Judas Iscariot, who would betray Jesus. 

da Vinci's The Last Supper - Judas (fourth head from left) in the only one with
an elbow on the table, his face is shadowed, and he is clutching a bag

According to Norse legends, the 13th (uninvited) guest to arrive at a banquet of the gods was Loki, who then killed another god and set in motion a series of tragedies.

Historically, condemned people climbed 13 steps to the gallows.

A coven was traditionally made up of 13 witches.

In the deck of tarot cards, XIII is the card of death - a pale horse and rider.

Apollo 13 was the only unsuccessful mission to the moon; the oxygen tank exploded, putting the lives of the astronauts at risk.


Finally, 12 is considered a perfect and magical number in many disciplines and traditions.  There are 12 months, 12 zodiac signs, 12 days of Christmas, 12 tribes of Israel, 12 apostles of Christ, 12 principal Olympian gods of the pantheon...the list goes on and on.  It follows, then, in some people's minds, that to add a number to 12 would make it unlucky.

That Friday the 13th is particularly scary may be the result of Friday's connection with executions.  The Crucifixion took place on a Friday, which was the day of the week executions were generally carried out in Rome.  America also has a history of holding executions on Fridays; thus, a day that combines two "unlucky" features becomes even more ominous. 

I find the reasoning fascinating, but I still like the number 13, and Friday the 13th doesn't bother me a bit.  But I also have black cats, and we cross paths all day long.  But of course, I have my good luck rituals as well...I have to pick up every penny I see on the ground!

I may pick up a few extra today, just to be safe.  Have a happy Friday the 13th, and grab one of my steamy romance + ghost stories for a page-turning Spooky Season read (or listen) that will both heat you up and send shivers down your spine!

Full Moon on #Fridaythe13th! ~ Why It's Rare + Extra-Spooky! #Friday13th History #Superstitions #FullMoon #Triskaidekaphobia

For fans of all things spooky, it doesn't get much more exciting than a Friday the 13th coinciding with a nationwide full moon...an occurrence that hasn't happened since 2000, and won't happen again until 2049!  A September full moon is known as the harvest moon, meaning it's the closest to the autumnal equinox on Sept. 23rd.  As someone who writes paranormal romantic suspense, usually involving desperate ghosts and mysterious hauntings, it's reason to celebrate.  Plus, you know, it's Friday! 

I embraced the number 13 long ago, since it is the date of my birth,

and there have been many years (including this one, in January) that my birthday fell on a Friday the 13th!  

A fear of the number 13 is known as Triskaidekaphobia.  I actually once worked in a building that lacked a 13th floor.  To me, this made little sense...did the people on the 14th floor not realize they were actually on the 13th floor?  Still, the button in the elevator did not exist.  Why does the number 13 get such a bad rap, anyway?

Some reasons stem from various religions.  In Christianity, for example, 13 people sat down to The Last Supper: Jesus Christ and 12 disciples.  The last to sit down, the 13th, was Judas Iscariot, who would betray Jesus. 

According to Norse legends, the 13th (uninvited) guest to arrive at a banquet of the gods was Loki, who then killed another god and set in motion a series of tragedies.

Historically, condemned people climbed 13 steps to the gallows.

A coven was traditionally made up of 13 witches.

In the deck of tarot cards, XIII is the card of death - a pale horse and rider.

Apollo 13 was the only unsuccessful mission to the moon; the oxygen tank exploded, putting the lives of the astronauts at risk.

Finally, 12 is considered a perfect and magical number in many disciplines and traditions.  There are 12 months, 12 zodiac signs, 12 days of Christmas, 12 tribes of Israel, 12 apostles of Christ, 12 principal Olympian gods of the pantheon...the list goes on and on.  It follows, then, in some people's minds, that to add a number to 12 would make it unlucky.

That Friday the 13th is particularly scary may be the result of Friday's connection with executions.  The Crucifixion took place on a Friday, which was the day of the week executions were generally carried out in Rome.  America also has a history of holding executions on Fridays; thus, a day that combines two "unlucky" features becomes even more ominous.

If you feel like a full moon Friday the 13th is the perfect time for a ghost mystery, try one of my paranormal romantic suspense novels ~ many of them #1 Amazon and B&N Bestsellers:  Silver Lake, Gull Harbor, Haunted Souls, and The Haunting of Hillwood Farm.

And, one of my titles is FREE today on Kindle!  It happens to be the only book I've written without paranormal elements, but in this steamy romantic suspense, there's a very real killer...along with dark secrets and chilling revelations.  Grab your copy of Dangerous Currents on Kindle while it's free!  Happy Reading and Happy Friday the 13th ~ stay safe!

Ghost Mystery/Reunion Romance SILVER LAKE
has the perfect cover for today!

2 #Weddings in 1 Weekend ~ #Travel #CT #NJ Mini #vacation

The scenery around The Pond House in CT was beautiful!

I love weddings, and not just because I'm a romance author.  A celebration of love and commitment is always a happy occasion, and I always do my best to attend any that I'm invited to.  After all, families and friends often gather from all over for sad occasions such as a funeral, so I try to give just as much weight to the opportunities to see loved ones for the joyous events like weddings and baptisms.  Last fall, I took quite a trip (car ride, train ride, another car ride) to get from Cape Cod, MA, to Staunton, Virginia, in the Shenandoah Valley, for my cousin's wedding, which took a total of about 12 hours...I could have made it to Hawaii in that time I think!  But I had a great time with my siblings, and my sister and I explored an abandoned sanatorium in MD along the way (I also write ghost stories, and we're both a fan of all things spooky), and we finished off the long weekend with my niece's baptism.

That was the last wedding I went to until this weekend, and when we initially received two "Save the Date" cards for weddings on the same weekend, we panicked for a moment.  One was for my side of the family--my step-brother--and the other was for my husband's side of the family--his cousin.  And they were BOTH out of town.

Wedding #1 in Jersey City, at the Liberty House
What a view, the Manhattan skyline in the
background!

But when we compared the two cards, we realized we might be able to swing attending both.  The first one was a Friday evening, although all the way in Jersey City, NJ.  The second one was on that Sunday morning, in West Hartford, CT...which would be on our way home from NJ and only 2 1/2 hours from our return home on Sunday evening.

I'm thrilled to say both weddings and receptions went off without a hitch (that I saw, anyway), and it was great fun to see both sides of the family in one weekend.  Since we had Saturday to ourselves, my hubby and I also got to spend some quality time together (our teen boys had work and sports commitments, so they stayed home and also watched and probably play a lot of Fortnight).  We had a relaxing morning in the hotel, got to CT by 4 pm, and then walked around the very cute downtown area of West Hartford.  A little shopping, dinner outside at Max's Oyster House, and drinks on the rooftop of the Elbow Room.  

Cute restaurants and stores in West Hartford!

Hmmm...

We didn't get to stop at any haunted locations, which is always something I like to do when I travel, but I did notice a few slightly creepy aspects involved with both weddings:  the first one was on Friday the 13th, which is pretty brave...here's more on Why People Fear Friday the 13th in one of my Superstitions posts.  And the second wedding was on Asylum Road.  I feel like there's a story there I need to investigate!

One last practical part of the weekend that made me happy:  I got to wear the same dress!

Same pose, same clothes, at Wedding #2

Why We Fear the #13 ~ #Fridaythe13th #Friday13

How excited am I that a Friday the 13th is occurring in October, a month that already celebrates the paranormal?  After a long week, I'm gearing up for a Friday night scary movie watch-a-thon to commemorate the event, complete with popcorn and wine.

I embraced the number 13 long ago, since it is the date of my birth, and there have been many years (including this one, in January) that my birthday fell on a Friday the 13th!  I do sometimes wonder if being born on the 13th has anything to do with my love of all things spooky, though.  All my novels incorporate some type of supernatural suspense, whether it's a mystery surrounding a haunting (HAUNTED SOULS, GULL HARBOR, and SILVER LAKE) or a quest for revenge undertaken by the world's last half-angel (DIVINE FALL).

Some of my most popular posts discuss the reasons behind our superstitions.  This one delves deeper into the number 13 - while I consider it a lucky number for myself, many people don't!

A fear of the number 13 is known as Triskaidekaphobia.  I actually once worked in a building that lacked a 13th floor.  To me, this made little sense...did the people on the 14th floor not realize they were actually on the 13th floor?  Still, the button in the elevator did not exist.  Why does the number 13 get such a bad rap, anyway?

Some reasons stem from various religions.  In Christianity, for example, 13 people sat down to The Last Supper: Jesus Christ and 12 disciples.  The last to sit down, the 13th, was Judas Iscariot, who would betray Jesus. 

da Vinci's The Last Supper - Judas (fourth head from left) in the only one with
an elbow on the table, his face is shadowed, and he is clutching a bag

According to Norse legends, the 13th (uninvited) guest to arrive at a banquet of the gods was Loki, who then killed another god and set in motion a series of tragedies.

Historically, condemned people climbed 13 steps to the gallows.

A coven was traditionally made up of 13 witches.

In the deck of tarot cards, XIII is the card of death - a pale horse and rider.

Apollo 13 was the only unsuccessful mission to the moon; the oxygen tank exploded, putting the lives of the astronauts at risk.



Finally, 12 is considered a perfect and magical number in many disciplines and traditions.  There are 12 months, 12 zodiac signs, 12 days of Christmas, 12 tribes of Israel, 12 apostles of Christ, 12 principal Olympian gods of the pantheon...the list goes on and on.  It follows, then, in some people's minds, that to add a number to 12 would make it unlucky.

That Friday the 13th is particularly scary may be the result of Friday's connection with executions.  The Crucifixion took place on a Friday, which was the day of the week executions were generally carried out in Rome.  America also has a history of holding executions on Fridays; thus, a day that combines two "unlucky" features becomes even more ominous. 

Jinx and Max are my second pair
of rescued black cat brothers

I find the reasoning fascinating, but I still like the number 13, and Friday the 13th doesn't bother me a bit.  But I also have black cats, and we cross paths all day long.  But of course, I have my good luck rituals as well...I have to pick up every penny I see on the ground!

I may pick up a few extra on a Friday the 13th in October, just to be safe.  Have a happy Friday the 13th, and grab one of my steamy romance + ghost stories for a page-turning read that will both heat you up and send shivers down your spine!

Pick up a ghost story for Friday the 13th!

PS: HAUNTED SOULS is now on sale for only 99 cents for a limited time!  Grab a copy while it's less than a latte!

A damaged soldier, a secret baby, and a haunting mystery collide...

#Book Signing + Bingo! #Falmouth #CapeCod Cape Cod Events

Silver Lake is a reunion romance...
but Brandy's ghost has a message
to share...a #1 Kindle Bestseller!

As a fan of all things spooky, October is one of my favorite months...and, as usual, I have a lot going on this month, both writing-related and personal!  This past weekend had me traveling to Maryland (again), this time for my 30th High School Reunion.  This is something I've planned every five years since graduation, not because I was an officer, but because someone needed to do it, and I think reconnecting with old friends is important.  There's a special bond between people who grew up together, in my opinion, and some of the people attending were in my kindergarten class.     

Those are a lot of milestones, from elementary school to turning 18 and leaving home!  In fact, I based a few scenes in Silver Lake on some things that my friends and I actually went through.  While the plot is fictional--Four former friends reunite in a haunted lake house in a final attempt to discover what happened to their friend Brandy, who disappeared their senior year...and two former sweethearts may get a second chance at first love, if they survive--some of the characters' experiences were based on real events.  


On Wednesday the 11th, I'll be in Falmouth, at a Bingo Night Fundraiser.  This is always a good time.  The suggested donation is $20 (proceeds this month go to Defeat ALS), and that gets you 20 games (wear pink or purple for a bonus card!).  Complimentary light appetizers and a cash bar too!

Where do I fit in to this event?  There are a whole bunch of local artists and vendors setting up for shopping before and in between the games, and we've all donated to the cause as well as offered prizes for raffles.  The complete list of vendors is listed at the end of this post, so if you're in the area, please consider stopping by! 

My books for sale at a local bank over the summer!
Excited to be asked back, especially in Oct. - great time for
ghost stories and paranormal romance!

My books will be displayed in Mashpee Commons, in the lobby of Cape Cod 5 Bank, starting October 16th.  I'm thrilled they've invited me back to offer signed books for sale.

Finally, on the 13th (FRIDAY the 13th!), my latest release, Haunted Souls, goes on sale for 99 cents on Kindle!  That's a 75% savings on hours of page-turning escape...and a steamy romance mixed with a ghost mystery provides a perfect combo to get into the Halloween spirit!

If you're in the area and interested in Bingo Night:
Wednesday, October 11th

5:30 to 9:30 at the Holiday Inn Cape Cod
291 Jones Road Falmouth

Shop with local artists and vendors:

PartyLite, LuLaRoe, Thirty One, The Pampered Chef, Younique, Paparazzi Jewelry, Ruby Ribbon, Reine's Creations, Nanny's Knits, Limelight by Alcone, Arbonne, Tupperware, Dragonfly Dreams, Jamberry, doTerra, Usborn Books, Athenas, Norwex, Avon, Washashore Whimsy, Warm Shade Widgets, Rodan + Fields, Touchstone Crystal, Designs by Priscilla, Cape Cod Octupus's Garden, Candles by Terraza, and me, Kathryn Knight books!

Signed #Book #Giveaway! #Ghosts #Romance #Goodreads #amreading

The Oldest Wooden Jail in the country -
circa 1690...inspiration for the ghost
mystery in HAUNTED SOULS.
What's in the upstairs window????

Happy October!  Today begins one of my favorite months, as I'm a fan of all things spooky, and October is the perfect month to celebrate the paranormal.  I'll be featuring posts about hauntings, paranormal activity, and other Halloween-related topics all month, so check back frequently!  

If you like stories that deliver a little chill up your spine--along with some steamy romance to heat things back up--you can enter to win a signed copy of Haunted Souls, my latest novel, over on Goodreads.  The giveaway ends on Oct. 9th, which gives me plenty of time to get your signed copy to you in time for Halloween.  This is a reunion romance mixed with a haunting mystery, set on Cape Cod, and I'm posting the blurb below.  And if you don't win, mark down Oct. 13th on your calendar, as my publisher will be putting the Kindle version on a temporary 99 cent sale!  Good luck and thanks for stopping by!

A damaged soldier, a secret baby, and a haunting mystery collide in Haunted Souls
~ A Top 3 Read of 2016 at Read Free.ly ~

Link to Haunted Souls Goodreads Giveaway

Link to Kindle version on Amazon

Four years ago, Emily Shea and Staff Sergeant Brett Leeds agreed to part with no strings attached. Sparks flew during their brief affair, but fate intervened, sending Brett overseas. When an unexpected pregnancy derailed Emily’s own plans, her attempts to locate Brett were soon overwhelmed by the challenges of single motherhood. Now, Brett has returned home, and Emily is forced to share her secret.

Despite feeling betrayed, Brett is determined to forge a relationship with their son, Tyler. As the former lovers battle both their inner demons and their mutual desire, another presence enters their lives—Tyler’s imaginary friend.

Soon, however, the chilling evidence points to a different conclusion: a ghost has formed a dangerous connection with their son. Emily’s attempts to help both a lost soul and a friend in need spiral toward a deadly confrontation, and Brett must race to save Emily before he loses her again—forever.

Kindle sale begins Friday the 13th!  Yes, that's happening this October!

Why We Fear #13 ~ #Friday13th Friday the 13th

I embraced the number 13 long ago, since it is the date of my birth...and this is hardly the first time my birthday has fallen on a Friday the 13th!  I do sometimes wonder if being born on the 13th has anything to do with my love of all things spooky, though.  All my novels incorporate some type of supernatural suspense, whether it's a mystery surrounding a haunting (HAUNTED SOULS, GULL HARBOR, and SILVER LAKE) or a quest for revenge undertaken by the world's last half-angel (DIVINE FALL).

Some of my most popular posts discuss the reasons behind our superstitions.  This one delves deeper into the number 13 - while I consider it a lucky number for myself, many people don't!

A fear of the number 13 is known as Triskaidekaphobia.  I actually once worked in a building that lacked a 13th floor.  To me, this made little sense...did the people on the 14th floor not realize they were actually on the 13th floor?  Still, the button in the elevator did not exist.  Why does the number 13 get such a bad rap, anyway?

Some reasons stem from various religions.  In Christianity, for example, 13 people sat down to The Last Supper: Jesus Christ and 12 disciples.  The last to sit down, the 13th, was Judas Iscariot, who would betray Jesus. 

da Vinci's The Last Supper - Judas (fourth head from left) in the only one with
an elbow on the table, his face is shadowed, and he is clutching a bag

According to Norse legends, the 13th (uninvited) guest to arrive at a banquet of the gods was Loki, who then killed another god and set in motion a series of tragedies.

Historically, condemned people climbed 13 steps to the gallows.

A coven was traditionally made up of 13 witches.

In the deck of tarot cards, XIII is the card of death - a pale horse and rider.

Apollo 13 was the only unsuccessful mission to the moon; the oxygen tank exploded, putting the lives of the astronauts at risk.



Finally, 12 is considered a perfect and magical number in many disciplines and traditions.  There are 12 months, 12 zodiac signs, 12 days of Christmas, 12 tribes of Israel, 12 apostles of Christ, 12 principal Olympian gods of the pantheon...the list goes on and on.  It follows, then, in some people's minds, that to add a number to 12 would make it unlucky.

That Friday the 13th is particularly scary may be the result of Friday's connection with executions.  The Crucifixion took place on a Friday, which was the day of the week executions were generally carried out in Rome.  America also has a history of holding executions on Fridays; thus, a day that combines two "unlucky" features becomes even more ominous. 

Jinx and Max are my second pair
of rescued black cat brothers

I find the reasoning fascinating, but I still like the number 13, and Friday the 13th doesn't bother me a bit.  But I also have black cats, and we cross paths all day long.  But of course, I have my good luck rituals as well...I have to pick up every penny I see on the ground!

I may pick up a few extra today, just to be safe.  Have a happy Friday the 13th, and grab one of my steamy romance + ghost stories for a page-turning read that will both heat you up and send shivers down your spine!

Pick up a ghost story for Friday the 13th!