Steamy #Romance + a #Haunting #Mystery for the #4thofJuly = Fireworks! #FourthofJuly #Books #FridayReads Cape Cod #ghosts + #Recipe

A dangerous ghost & an ex-boyfriend
await psychic Claire Linden in
Cape Cod's GULL HARBOR...

Who's ready for the Fourth of July celebrations?  Here on Cape Cod, the summer season officially kicks off this weekend, and things get a bit hectic!  As usual, we have a house full of guests, and plans for the beach, cookouts, and fireworks.  And while on the beach, I'll be doing my favorite thing - reading!  If you need a great page-turning beach read for the holiday, try GULL HARBOR - a spooky ghost mystery mixed with steamy second-chance romance, set here on Cape Cod's National Seashore.  A #1 Amazon and #1 B&N Bestseller with plenty of heat-filled scenes to balance out the ones that will send a chill up your spine!

To get into the "spirit" of the weekend (haha, see what I did there?), I'm posting both one of my favorite recipes for contributions to cook-outs, and a short excerpt from Gull Harbor - part of a scene where Max and Claire stop fighting their attraction and enjoy a picnic on the beach. Max still can't share his reasons for abandoning her so long ago, but psychic medium Claire is dealing with a very disturbing haunting, and she finds herself leaning on her former boyfriend for support.  And Max still feels the need to take care of her, even after all these years - so he's brought lunch for her from the local tavern he owns.  This scene sets up their date for the 4th of July - and there are plenty of fireworks on that night - overhead and between the two former lovers!  

A little teaser from later that night...🎇💖

           “A picnic on the beach is perfect.  It’s better than dinner and a movie.”

            He held out his glass, touching it to hers.  “To our first date.”  His eyebrows pulled together behind his sunglasses.  “That sounds strange, given our history.”

            She smiled as she sipped.  “We were never what you’d call traditional, anyway.”

            “How’s this for traditional—let me take you to see the fireworks on Wednesday night.  I know you’ll be at Dan’s cook-out for dinner, but I think I’ll be okay to leave the tavern by 7:30 or so.  Can I come and steal you away?”  He leaned back on one elbow and flashed her a lazy grin.  “There’s a great spot to watch them from over by the lake.  It’s very secluded; none of the tourists even know how to find the trail to get there.”

            A flood of heat that had little to do with the warm July sun surged through her.  How was it that this man aroused her so?  She could feel the sexual tension between them, thick and heady.  “I’d love that,” she said softly, dipping her head down to hide her flushed cheeks.  

Want to keep reading?  Or, you can listen now as well--Gull Harbor is an audio book too!  Links below:
Amazon -- Kindle, Print, Audible

iTunes -- e-book

iTunes -- audiobook
B&N -- Nook

And, as promised:

Recipe ~ Linguine with Tomatoes and Basil

1 lb Brie cheese, rind removed, torn into small pieces
4 vine-ripe tomatoes, seeded and chopped
1 cup fresh basil, torn into strips
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 large garlic cloves, minced
1 ½ pounds linguine
Salt and pepper to taste

Combine cheese, tomatoes, basil, EVOO, and garlic in a large bowl.  Cook pasta according to directions, drain and immediately add to bowl, tossing to allow cheese to begin melting.  Add salt and pepper and serve immediately.

Happy Reading and Happy 4th!

The Haunting of Hillwood Farm WON! #RONE Best #Paranormal #Ghosts #Romance #RONE2019 Awards #Books

The long weekend was great for a lot of reasons--my college kid was home, we did family stuff both nights despite the horrible weather, and I had a lunch date with the president of my publishing company and some other local Cape Cod authors who write for the company.  And then, after a movie with the family on Saturday night, we were settling in to watch a TV show and I got a FB notification from an author friend:  "Congrats on the RONE Award!"  My heart did a cautious dance as I read it over a few times and responded "Wait, WHAT?"  I told my family to stand by as I tried to figure out if I was reading and interpreting the message correctly.

Turns out, I was-- The Haunting of Hillwood Farm WON the very prestigious RONE Award in the Paranormal-Short category!  This is a very big deal in the writing world, as the judging goes through three tough phases.  First, a book has to earn either a 4.5 or 5 star review from InD'Tale Magazine.  They review hundreds of books so this is no easy task, and I was so excited when my ghost mystery/romantic suspense was given a Crowned Heart of Excellence Review by InD'Tale Magazine and thus nominated for their RONE Award.  

Once the nominated titles for each category were announced, the second phase involved voting.  Readers visiting the site voted for nominated titles to move to the next round to become finalists, and I'm so grateful that The Haunting of Hillwood Farm gained the votes to become one of the six Finalists.

But even being one of six Finalists in the category did not make me think my title would win by any means.  The third phase was a panel of judges reading each book in the category and rating them.  To get the highest rating among six great books definitely felt like a long shot.  

But my author friend sent me the video of the awards presentation, and yes, my book did get the highest rating, along with another title in the category for a very unusual tie!  I am over the moon.  For me, the old cliche is true...I really did feel it's an honor just to be nominated, and to make it to the finals is incredible, so I would like to again take this opportunity to voice my appreciation for everyone who voted for The Haunting of Hillwood Farm...HUGE THANKS!

To win feels like a dream...I write my stories to entertain readers and give them (hopefully) a pull-you-in-on-page-one/can't-put-it-down book to help escape the everyday stresses of life.  There's not much I enjoy more myself than finding a book that does that for me.  Writing isn't easy, so every time I hear from a reader who enjoyed one of my books, I'm thrilled.  To have won an award through so many phases of judging will have me celebrating for quite some time!  

I get to change "FINALIST" to "WINNER"!
A dangerous ghost brings them together...
but will they survive long enough to find happiness?
Grab a ghost mystery/romance for the Halloween season!

Free with Kindle Unlimited!

"A fantastic #paranormal journey w/ intense #suspense + undeniable #romance" #Book #Review 5*s #Ghosts

A dangerous ghost brings them
together...but will they survive long
enough to find happiness?

Sharing a wonderful 5* review for The Haunting of Hillwood Farm today!  When this ghost mystery/romance was listed on NetGalley, a book review site, The Page Princess chose it for review, and I was thrilled with what she had to say about it.  I've linked her site below for the full review and quoted a few parts here...if you like paranormal romantic suspense, I hope you'll give it a try.  Halloween season is coming up, so what better way to get into the mood than with a scary ghost story spiked with romance and secrets?  

"I am never disappointed when I choose a Kathryn Knight book.  Suspense, romance, and just enough humor to keep it real."

"Luke and Callie were wonderful characters...I loved their story together."

"The mystery that brought them all together is beautifully woven..."

"The Haunting of Hillwood Farm is a fantastic paranormal journey with intense suspense and undeniable romance."

Full Review on Page Princess

This title is available on Kindle and on Audible, and if you have a KU (Kindle Unlimited) membership, you get to read for free!

And if you enjoy the story, I have a number of other ghost mystery/romance titles to last until Halloween!  #1 Amazon Bestsellers Gull Harbor and Silver Lake, and Top 3 Read of 2016 at Read Free.ly Haunted Souls!  Happy Haunted Reading!

A little teaser from Silver Lake...
A haunting, an old flame, and secrets from the past...

#Audiobook Tour + #Giftcard #Giveaway ~ The Haunting of Hillwood Farm is on tour! #Rafflecopter #books #amreading #paranormal

Audiobook Tour May 19 - May 25

The Haunting of Hillwood Farm is on tour!  I'm thrilled that 27 sites signed up to host this book, with combinations of spotlight features, reviews, audio teaser clips along the way...and a Rafflecopter for entry into a $10 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway!  The Rafflecopter is at every stop, and there are 10 ways to enter...but commenting at the different stops gains more entries, so check out a few of the sites and say hello!

We're on Day 3 today, so I'll share a few quotes from my favorite reviews so far, along with links to those posts to access the Rafflecopter.  I'm looking forward to the next 4 days of the tour, and the entire schedule can be found on each hosting site as well.  If you enjoy audiobooks with some spooky, edge-of-your-seat suspense and some slow-burn romance, I hope you'll give The Haunting of Hillwood Farm a listen ~ and good luck if you enter the Rafflecopter!

"Kathryn walks a nice line between a horror ghost story, a surprising mystery, and a sweet romance...I am pretty sure I am sounding like a fan girl at this moment but I can't wait to get my hands on another audiobook by her.  The narrator was fantastic, keeping me engaged in the story and the drama...I highly recommend picking this one up." ~ Smada's Book Smack

"Can you fall in love with characters just from what they are willing to do for someone else?" ~ The Book Junkie Reads

"The story was an edge-of-the-seat, nail-biting, exciting one with a great ending.  Ms. James' narration was outstanding...the mixture of Knight's writing and James' narration came together to produce a fabulous audiobook" ~ Bookworms Corner Blog Spot

The Haunting of Hillwood Farm on Amazon

The Haunting of Hillwood Farm on Audible

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Sweet v. Steamy #Romance #Giveaway! #Books #amreading #FridayReads

A few of my favorite quotes on Haunted Souls
from review sites!

Romance readers, do you prefer sweet, steamy, or both?  We've got a giveaway with titles across the spectrum!  Up for grabs are two Grand Prize Baskets of e-books of all the titles - over 15 stories!  Plus, over 15 additional winners will win randomly selected individual titles, and there are some bonus paperbacks in the drawing as well (including a signed print copy of Haunted Souls, my steamy romance + ghost mystery).  Entering will also allow you to access the Book Fair, with links to 99c and free books!

Personally, I'll read both sweet and steamy - for me, it's all about the story.  I write both, as well.  Three of my novels, Haunted Souls, Gull Harbor, and Dangerous Currents are pretty steamy...Silver Lake is a "new adult" reunion romance + ghost mystery that's somewhere in the middle of the heat charts.  My Young Adult Paranormal Romance, Divine Fall, keeps things on the cleaner side while exploring forbidden first love, and my latest spooky novella, The Haunting of Hillwood Farm, is a closed-door romance that still delivers passion...out only a few short months, it's already been named Best Romantic Suspense on one review site, and one of the 40 Best Paranormal Romances out there on another!

So don't miss this giveaway!  Entering will add you to my mailing list, which comes out twice a month with book news and giveaways.  

Head over to the Giveaway Page to check out the titles and enter the giveaway!

I'm on the List! Top 40 #Paranormal #Romance #Books! #FridayReads #amreading #PNR

The Haunting of Hillwood Farm has had an exciting few months since its release!  This title is my latest romantic suspense/ghost mystery, and it first released in November as part of a Romantic Thrillers Box Set (Love Under Fire), and the set hit the USA TODAY Bestseller list at #44!  My story was then reviewed at N.N. Light's Book Heaven, and it ended up winning Best Romantic Suspense of 2018 on their site.  Since the box set was a limited edition, this title was re-released as a stand-alone a few months ago, in January.  Because it's part of the Kindle Unlimited Program, it was free on Kindle for a few days in early March, and it hit #1 in three categories on Amazon!

I managed to screen cap the exciting moment!

This week, I received an email letting me know The Haunting of Hillwood Farm was chosen as one of Reedsy's 40+ Paranormal Romances with Bite, which is their compilation of "40 of the best paranormal books out there."  What a thrill to see my name on the same list as hugely popular authors such as Nora Roberts, Karen Marie Moning, J.R. Ward, Nalini Singh, Laurell K. Hamilton, Ilona Andrews...just to name a few.  The list is full of well-known and well-loved authors, and I'm humbled to be on it.  

If you're a fan of Paranormal Romance and/or Romantic Suspense, check out the list here and see if there are some titles you've missed that catch your interest!  You can find The Haunting of Hillwood Farm on Kindle or in print on Amazon, and the audio book is currently in production!  I also have some steamier romance + ghost mysteries available, including Gull Harbor, Haunted Souls, and Silver Lake.  

Now, I'm off to dive into the titles on the list that I haven't read yet!  Happy Reading!

The Haunting of Hillwood Farm hit #1! #Ghosts #Paranormal #Romance #Kindle #books

#1 in Paranormal Ghost Romance and Psychic Romance,
and The Haunting of Hillwood Farm also hit #1 in that
third category Paranormal Suspense that weekend!

A big thank you to everyone who took advantage of the Kindle Free Days for my latest release, The Haunting of Hillwood Farm!  The amount of downloads drove the title to #1 in two categories on Amazon in the free store, and with so many books out there, that's a big deal, even in the Free Store!  I hope everyone grabbed a copy enjoys the story...and if you missed the free days, no worries--there will be another opportunity in the next few months.  And next month, Dangerous Currents will be available for free (along with about 40 other Romantic Suspense titles!), so if you want to make sure you get the details, you can sign up for my newsletter here.  I only send out a newsletter twice per month, and I would never share emails from my list.  Be the first to get book news, giveaway offers, and sales and new releases from myself and other authors I feature.

This is my first experience with Kindle Free Days since 2013, when my publisher decided to partner with the new (at the time) program on Amazon called Kindle Select.  Basically, to take advantage of "free days" within the Kindle Select program, a title has to be available exclusively (at that time) on Amazon.  Gull Harbor had free days in 2013, and hit #1 as well.  It's gone on since to hit #1 in the paid store on many occasions, which is a *really* exciting event, so I'm hopeful this new book will have similar good fortune.

Why give a book away for free, anyway?  It certainly seems counter-intuitive, based on the amount of work that goes into writing a novel.  But it's a way to gain exposure in an extremely crowded marketplace, and the hope is that readers who enjoy the free story will become fans of other titles by the same author.  

It was certainly an exciting weekend and I'm grateful to all the readers who made it happen!  Happy Reading :)  

The Haunting of Hillwood Farm ~ Cover Reveal! #Ghosts #Books #Paranormal

Here, it is, the cover of my 6th novel, The Haunting of Hillwood Farm!  What do you think?  I am so, so happy with how it came out.  This new romance +ghost mystery is going to release in less than 3 weeks, exclusively as part of the Love Under Fire ~ Romantic Suspense Thrillers Box Set.  The set contains 21 never-before-published stories, and you can get the entire limited edition collection for just 99 cents if you Pre-order now!  Plus, every sale helps support Pets for Vets.  

After tragedy strikes, Callie Sinclair is left with a gift she never wanted—the ability to communicate with ghosts.  But when a desperate widow begs for her help, she reluctantly agrees to investigate the strange occurrences at Hillwood Farm.  She quickly realizes she’s dealing with a dangerous presence beyond anything she’s ever experienced, and something else becomes equally clear—the only other living person in the house, Mrs. Turner’s handsome grandson, thinks she’s a scam artist.  While she’d prefer to just ignore him, her heart beats a little faster every time he’s nearby.

Luke Turner doesn’t believe in spirits.  He’s moved back to restore the family farm, but living on the property serves a dual purpose—he can watch out for his grandmother.  He’s not happy about the sudden appearance of a self-described psychic, or his inexplicable attraction to her.  His initial suspicions crumble as evidence points to an actual haunting, but he’s still determined not to fall for Callie—the past has taught him it’s best to avoid relationships.

As Callie is drawn deeper into the mystery, she becomes the target of a vengeful spirit, and Luke can no longer fight his feelings for her.  Unable to resist their desire, passion ignites…even as the paranormal activity escalates to a final deadly confrontation. 

You can grab your copy now to download automatically on 11/13, release day!  Just 99 cents gets you The Haunting of Hillwood Farm and 20 other Romantic Suspense Thrillers by USA Today and WSJ Bestselling Authors.  Plus, we're donating half of our net proceeds to Pets for Vets, a charity pairing shelter pets with veterans seeking companion animals. Buy Links ---->

LOVE UNDER FIRE on Kindle

LOVE UNDER FIRE on Nook

LOVE UNDER FIRE on iTunes 

An spooky excerpt from The Haunting of Hillwood Farm:

With a sharp pop, the light went out, plunging the room into darkness. Callie stilled, her heartbeat filling her ears. Something rustled behind her, and the hairs on her bare arms prickled. Probably a noise from outside, she told herself, blinking as her eyes adjusted to the trickle of faint light from the open window.

Another rustle, too close to pass off as wind in the trees. She was rooted in place, suddenly very sure she was not alone in the room. A soft moan floated through the blackness. Panic gripped her, fierce and primal, clawing at her lungs. Did she have a weapon? Would it even work against whatever was here?

She struggled for air, a rancid odor filling her nostrils as she slowly inhaled. Death. Decay. Shadows shifted to her left, and her gaze jerked toward the movement. Behind the solid mass of her reflection in the mirror, the gauzy outline of a face peered over her shoulder. Empty eye sockets stared out from gray, filmy features, the hollow black holes somehow filled with menace.

A sob gathered in her chest, clogging her throat. Please, God. Let me wake up from this nightmare. Something cold and wet brushed against her upper back, and she screamed.

I've included a link below to view all the stories in Love Under Fire.  And if you're looking for a ghost mystery (with plenty of steamy romance to counteract the chills up your spine), try one of my romance/ghost stories currently available:

GULL HARBOR (a #1 Kindle and Nook Bestseller, also available on Audible)

SILVER LAKE (a #1 Kindle Bestseller)

HAUNTED SOULS (A Top 3 Read of 2016, also available on Audible)

Check out all the stories you get in Love Under Fire too, right here.  Happy Haunted Reading!

Cover Reveal #4 ~ The Turning #Witches #RomanticSuspense #99c Box Set of 21 #Books!

A few weeks ago, I revealed the cover for Love Under Fire, a limited edition box set releasing in November, which will contain my latest romance + ghost mystery, The Haunting of Hillwood Farm.  I'm thrilled to be a part of this project, which involves 21 USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and Amazon Bestselling Authors each contributing a brand new story filled with passion, thrills, and danger to benefit Pets For Vets, a charity that pairs rescue pets with veterans in need of companion animals.  To find more info on Love Under Fire and how you can get your limited edition copy of 21 books for just 99 cents (!!!!), click here or find the links below after the cover reveal.  Because right here on my blog, as we build up toward release day, visitors get to see each *individual* cover and read the accompanying blurb...so keep checking back, because we have 17 more to reveal, including mine! Up today is The Witches of Storm Island, Book I: The Turning, by Linda Watkins.  

It is the Year of Our Lord 1685 and fourteen-year-old Maude Prichard finds herself at a crossroads in her life.  A chance meeting with a strange woman who never ages set the young Puritan maid on a path littered with fear, superstition, and witchcraft.  A boy whose love is forbidden and an old man drenched in darkness and depravity will catapult Maude out of her well-ordered world and into a life fraught with danger.  Travel with her as she journeys from the Massachusetts Bay Colony to the wilds of Maine, where she will finally take her place with The Witches of Storm Island.

The Witches of Storm Island series serves as a prequel to the contemporary Gothic novel series The Kate Pomeroy Mysteries, the first of which is entitled Storm Island.

What do you think of the cover?  I think it's wonderfully striking and spooky.  I love the fact that this story is set in Massachusetts, which is where I've lived since 1998.  In fact, my hubby is from Danvers, which is right next to Salem, the site of the infamous Witch Trials.  Of course, me being a fan of all things spooky, we've visited Salem on numerous occasions to take in the sites and the history.  Wandering around Salem during the month of Halloween is quite a scene!

Just 1 of the many pics I took this past October in Salem -
people take Halloween decorating very seriously there!

In case you missed the other Love Under Fire reveals, here is the list so far:

1.  Reign of Fire by Casi McLean
2.  The Asylum by Aaron Paul Lazar
3.  Buckle Bunny by Pamela Fagan Hutchins

We still have 17 covers in the set left to reveal!  Some of the stories in the box set contain paranormal elements, and some a different kind of danger or enemy...but all contain page-turning, spine-tingling romance and suspense!

Sound good?  Pre-order the whole set for 99 cents today!  Links for Apple, Nook, and Kobo are below, Amazon is now available too!

Love Under Fire on Kindle/Amazon

Love Under Fire on iTunes/iBooks

Love Under Fire on Nook/Barnes & Noble

Love Under Fire on Kobo

Love Under Fire additional links

LOVE UNDER FIRE ~ 21 stories to heat up your winter!

#NewRelease Party! #Giveaways #Giftcards #Books #Paranormal #Romance

I'm excited to be one of the guest authors participating in the Facebook party celebrating the release of Casi McLean's Beyond the Mist this Tuesday night!  Casi and I write for the same publisher, and we both write within the paranormal romantic suspense genre.  With a total of 12 authors participating in the fun, there will be loads of games, fun, and giveaways! 

The best part is that you can attend from your house--the only thing you need is a FB account!  Sign on any time between 6:00 p.m. EST to 9:00 p.m. to chat with authors and enter the prize drawings.  Or stop by later and enter, as the many of the contests stay open until the next morning.  You'll find new fall reads--many with paranormal elements perfect for the upcoming Halloween season--and potentially win awesome prizes.

For a detailed schedule of events, check in on the FB event page, and come join me during my 8:35-8:50 spot for some discussion on steamy romance and spooky suspense!  Hope to see you there.

Final Days #99c Sale! #Romance + #Ghosts #Kindle

** Final days! **  

My publisher has put my latest release on sale, which means the ebook format is available for less than a latte...but the price will be changing back soon, so download your copy now if you want to take advantage of the deal!  

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.

HAUNTED SOULS, a hot military romance mixed with a ghost mystery, is marked down from the usual price of $5.99 to only .99 cents!  An excellent deal for hours of entertainment, so grab your copy today and escape to Cape Cod for steamy romance plus spooky suspense.  A perfect weekend read! Links below:

Kindle

Nook

iTunes

Haunted Souls was voted one of the Top 3 Books of 2016 at Read Freely!

#Romance Reviews Party~ #Amazon #giftcard Prize! #TRRParty

I'm one of 350 authors helping to celebrate The Romance Reviews 6th Anniversary Party, and the fun begins March 1st and lasts through the month.  There are more than 300 books being given away, and the grand prize is a $50 Amazon gift card.  Plus, along the way, you'll discover fabulous authors and new reads as you participate in the games.

It's free to create an account, so head over and join the party here:  The Romance Reviews.  All genres of romance will be represented, including my mix of ghost mystery/romance ("paranormal romantic suspense"), with plenty of prizes along the way...good luck!

#HAUNTED SOULS is on #NetGalley! #Ghosts #Romance #Haunting #Halloween Read

Halloween is one of my favorite times of year, and it’s always a very busy one for me as an author with paranormal mysteries in all my novels.  While romance is popular throughout all the seasons, people particularly enjoy some spooky suspense during the month of October.  So, my publisher has put my newest release, HAUNTED SOULS, on NetGalley for the month.  If you’re a member, you can request this military romance mixed with a ghost mystery here.

It can be challenging to get reviews in this crowded market, so I’m excited to have this opportunity to connect with readers who also review.  Paranormal Romance as a genre can incorporate a lot of topics, and I think Haunted Souls, like Silver Lake and Gull Harbor, would be best classified as “Paranormal Romantic Suspense”.  These books differ from a lot of regular Paranormal Romance in that the main characters (the hero and heroine) are human.  The supernatural piece comes in as a haunting…and the desperate spirits will not rest until things are made right.

The Old Jail at night
Rt. 6A Barnstable Village

The inspiration for this story came from a visit to the Old Jail in Barnstable Village, Cape Cod.  It’s the oldest wooden jail in the country (circa 1690) and considered actively haunted.  So there is a bit of history in this book too, as well as a cameo appearance by Claire Linden, the psychic medium from Gull Harbor.

Thanks for coming by!  I hope you’ll give Haunted Souls a try, whether it’s via NetGalley or on Kindle or Nook.  A perfect way to gear up for Halloween – Happy Reading!