Haunting #Paranormal Romance #Book Fair! #Ghosts #Romance #FridayReads

As most can tell from my writing, I'm a huge fan of the ghost subgenre of Paranormal Romance.  I enjoy reading these types of books as well as writing them, so I'm always looking for recommendations in this niche.  The Haunting Paranormal Romance Book Fair has 30 titles that fit the bill, and I'm thrilled that FOUR of my titles are featured...my new release Ghost Moon, #1 Amazon and B&N Bestseller Gull Harbor, RONE Award Winner The Haunting of Hillwood Farm, and A Top 3 Read of 2016 Haunted Souls.  There are 26 additional spooky and romantic titles to check out in the fair, so if you like suspense that sends a chill up your spine countered by hot chemistry and happily-ever-afters, this event is for you!  The link below takes you to the fair...Happy Haunted Reading!

HAUNTING PARANORMAL ROMANCE BOOK FAIR

GHOST MOON Release Day! #FridayReads #Romance #Paranormal #Suspense #Mystery #Books #amreading

Happy Book Birthday to my 7th novel, GHOST MOON!  


If you pre-ordered your Kindle copy already, you should have it on your device now...or you can download from Amazon today!  Originally, the release date for this book was 4/15.  But more than ever, we need things we can enjoy from home that will entertain us and provide relaxation.  I love reading--it's my favorite hobby even when the world isn't mostly shut down.  Getting lost in a great book does wonders for my mind and lowers my stress.  Since this manuscript was in the final stages of galley proofing a few weeks ago, I decided to try to move the release date for the e-book forward to make it available sooner.  The title is now live in time for #Fridayreads...a whole 12 days earlier than anticipated!  

I had to move quickly to catch up on my book launch checklist, but the first editorial review is already in from Linda's Book Obsession, and it begins with:  "WOW.  Kathryn Knight has written a spooky, scary, suspenseful, mysterious, steamy, and intense novel." 

"A captivating story with betrayals and danger..."

"I highly recommend this intense and edgy novel."

If you like steamy romance and ghost mysteries, I hope you'll give Ghost Moon a read.  The blurb and buy link are below...more info on print editions in the future.  Happy Reading everyone, and stay safe.

GHOST MOON ON KINDLE

When Lark Cavanaugh’s life in New York City falls apart, she’s left reeling from a staggering betrayal. She escapes to Cape Cod, where a distant relative has left her an old house with a tragic past. Rumors of a haunting presence plague the abandoned home, but Lark doesn’t believe in ghosts…until she has no choice.

After completing his military duty, veterinarian Jesse Holt returns to his small hometown to take over his father’s practice. He soon finds himself drawn to the alluring redhead now living next door, but she has made her intentions clear—she’s moving back to the city as soon as possible. When frightening events threaten her safety, though, he can’t deny his protective instincts.

Unable to fight their feelings, they give in to desire…but another battle looms. Lark’s arrival has awakened a decades-old mystery, and the truth of what happened at Holloway House will only be revealed when it claims yet another life.

The Origins of #Halloween #Halloween19 #HappyHalloween #Paranormal

The month of October conjures up images of turning leaves, hayrides, pumpkins, scarecrows, black cats, and of course Halloween decorations.  I love learning about the origin of the holidays we celebrate, so I did a bit of (admittedly rudimentary) research to discover some of the reasons we dress up and try to scare each other on October 31^st.

Originally known as All Hallows’ Eve, Halloween is linked to the Celtic festival of Samhain.  This last day of autumn was considered the time of year when the barrier between the paranormal and physical worlds grew thin. 

The Christian holiday of All Saints’ Day (All Hallows) also influenced Halloween.  It was said that the souls awaiting release on November 1^st had one last night to extract revenge on their enemies before leaving the earth.  Cautious Christians would disguise themselves with masks to avoid recognition.

The custom of carving pumpkins originated from a Samhain practice of remembering souls with turnip lanterns.  Trick-or-treating can be traced back to “souling”, a medieval practice which involved the poor and hungry travelling door-to-door and offering to pray for the dead in return for food.

My favorite Halloween tradition is visiting haunted houses (well, staged haunted houses for entertainment...I do visit actual haunted houses as much as possible at any time during the year).  Last year, I dragged my best friend to an incredible haunted house and haunted basement at Paxton Manor in Virginia, when we were there visiting earlier in the month.  We screamed the entire time, but we laughed just as much, and we made it out alive (see below).  I love being scared like that, when you know in the back of your mind that it really is just an attraction (or movie, tv show, or book).

Emerging from the Haunted Basement victorious!

The medium in GULL HARBOR, however, spends her summer in a truly haunted house.  Claire Linden arrives in Gull Harbor ready to take on an aggressive ghost—now that she’s embraced her psychic gift, she’s confident she’ll be able to rid her temporary home of the restless spirit that drove the owners to hire her.  However, she doesn’t expect to encounter Max Baron, the man who promised to love her forever, then abandoned her without an explanation five years ago.  As Claire unravels the truth behind the haunting, Max must share his secret in order to stay close enough to help protect the woman he still loves from a danger that extends beyond the paranormal…

To celebrate the spooky season, Gull Harbor is just 99c on Kindle, Nook, and iTunes on Halloween day ~ Ends soon, hurry and grab your copy!

My latest ghost mystery, The Haunting of Hillwood Farm, also involves a medium...and a very scary ghost.  This title just won the coveted RONE Award for Best Paranormal from InD'Tale Magazine!

A haunting, an old flame, and secrets from the past...

My very first novel, SILVER LAKE is another suspenseful ghost story/mystery with plenty of romance.  Will Rain and Jason get another chance at first love before a desperate spirit tears them apart again...forever?

Another of my ghost mysteries also has plenty of steamy romance to counteract any chilling scenes, and HAUNTED SOULS was inspired by a trip to the Old Jail, a historic building on Cape Cod which is considered actively haunted.  And the title has a double meaning, as Brett and Emily each have their own torturous choices and memories to overcome if they have a chance for a future together.

A picture I took of the Old Jail...seriously, what's up in
the top right window?  And in this pic, there's a red flash
in the lower window that isn't in any of my other shots.

Happy Halloween and Happy Haunted Reading!

A Stranger in Alcott Manor ~ #Gothic #Romance #Ghosts #Books

I have another chance to feature one of my author friends today on my blog, and I'm very excited to showcase Alyssa Richard's third book in The Haunting of Alcott Manor series.  Ghost mysteries, Gothic settings, and romance are a few of my favorite things--most of my own books combine those elements--so this is a great trilogy to highlight here!  Please check out the blurb for A Stranger in Alcott Manor below:

From USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR, ALYSSA RICHARDS, an addictive, Gothic romance filled with mysteries, ghosts and passion…

She thought she had escaped her past. But her haunted homecoming could resurrect an old flame and buried secrets…

Peyton Alcott thought she put the past behind her. Years after being stood up on her wedding day, she’s finally found a dependable new love and a sense of purpose with her high-powered big city lifestyle. So when she returns to help her family open the newly renovated Alcott Manor, she never expected to awaken old feelings she thought were long dead…

When Peyton discovers a tintype photo of her ancestor’s 19th century wedding, she thinks she’s found the perfect decoration for the gothic estate. Until, hidden among the guests, she recognizes the all-too-familiar face of her missing ex-fiance… Determined to solve the mystery, she’s drawn into a hidden dimension where time and truth are twisted. Confronted by secrets that threaten to unravel her bright future, she’s forced to choose between old feelings and new possibilities.

Torn between an old flame and a new beginning, can Peyton navigate a realm of dark forces without losing her way?

A Stranger in Alcott Manor is the third and final standalone book in a riveting paranormal romance trilogy. If you like contemporary gothic settings, romantic ghostly tales, and simmering chemistry, then you’ll love Alyssa Richards’ otherworldly conclusion.

Buy A Stranger in Alcott Manor to uncover secrets of the past today!

Intrigued?  Fresh Fiction Reviews calls it "a stellar bit of storytelling" and "a cauldron of secrets, death, and strong emotions".  Recommended for readers who enjoy "ghostly romances, suspense, and complex mysteries" (*raises hand and adds to TBR list*).  The full review is here.

This novel is a standalone, but if you'd like to check out the entire series, please find below links to Books 1 and 2 on Amazon.  Thanks for stopping by, and happy reading!

The Haunting of Alcott Manor

A Murder at Alcott Manor

P.S. If you'd like to get semi-monthly updates on my book news and more features on other authors as well, sign up for my newsletter!  I have two big events coming this month...An offer for 22 free Romantic Suspense novels and exclusive excerpts (including a free copy of my Steamy Romantic Suspense Dangerous Currents) *and* a fun FaceBook Scavenger Hunt with tons of giveaways and a huge grand prize.  Sign up here!

Sign up for my newsletter or check back here to
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on FaceBook ~ starts April 5th!

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 is #FREE on #Kindle! #FridayReads #Books #amreading #paranormal

The Haunting of Hillwood Farm originally
released Nov. 2018 in Love Under Fire,
a USA TODAY Bestselling box set of
Romantic Suspense Thrillers

3/4/2019 Edit:  Thank you for visiting!  If you're here after Sunday evening, please note that the Kindle Free Days for The Haunting of Hillwood Farm are over.  If you are a Kindle Unlimited Member, you can still get your copy free.  If you'd like to be informed about the next free days, sign up for my newsletter!  I email it out twice a month and I keep all email addresses private.  The sign up form is here or along the right side bar.


My latest release, The Haunting of Hillwood Farm, is free on Kindle for a limited time!  You can download your free copy from Friday, March 1 through Sunday, March 3...then enjoy this ghost mystery + romance named Best Romantic Suspense of 2018 out of hundreds of books read over the past year at N.N. Light's Book Heaven Reviews.

Blurb, link, and a few review quotes below!  If you give it a read, I hope you enjoy Callie and Luke's story.  All my other titles combine romance and suspense as well...some steamier than others, some spookier than others, most with paranormal elements, and I even have one Young Adult novel...but in every book, I aim to pull readers into the story from page one and then keep the pages turning!  What I love most about finding a good book is getting caught up to the point that I can't put it down, so that's always my goal as a writer.

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.   

"I clung to my tablet and couldn't look away.  The paranormal descriptions were so realistic and lifelike, my significant other had to keep telling me to breathe.  If you're looking for spooky romantic suspense, you'll love The Haunting of Hillwood Farm.  Kathryn Knight has mastered the art of Paranormal Romantic Suspense, and it's a must-read!"

~ N.N. Light's Book Heaven ~ 5*s

"I LOVED THIS BOOK!  Seriously, this was brilliant.  Not a very long story (3 1/2 hours reading time), but just perfect.  A classic paranormal story like we love them."

Full Review at Ateana Reads ~ 5*s

A fast-paced paranormal romance with a strong sense of suspense!  Very well-written...the characters are all well-rounded, and Alice is going to be a readers' favorite.  A thoroughly enjoyable story with suspense, romance, and plenty of paranormal activity." ~ The Romance Reviews

"A fantastic paranormal journey with intense suspense and undeniable romance." ~ Page Princess

"The kind of story that once you start reading it, you will not want to put it down." ~ The Genre Minx

Hurry and grab your copy while it's free - regular price is $3.99 so take advantage of the deal and tell a friend!  Thanks for stopping by & Happy Reading

THE HAUNTING OF HILLWOOD FARM on Kindle

First Review! The Haunting of Hillwood Farm #Ghosts #Romance #Paranormal #Horror

The first review is in, and it's 5+ stars!

The Haunting of Hillwood Farm, my latest ghost mystery mixed with romance, just released a week ago, exclusively in a Romantic Suspense Box Set entitled Love Under Fire.  Here is the review of my book, one of 21 total in the set, from N.N. Light's Book Heaven.

"Once the haunting began, I clung to my tablet and couldn't look away.  The paranormal descriptions were so realistic and life-like, my significant other had to keep telling me to breathe."

"If you're looking for spooky romantic suspense, you'll love The Haunting of Hillwood Farm.  Kathryn Knight has mastered the art of paranormal romantic suspense, and it's a must-read!"

"Think Samara from The Ring" ~ N.N. Light's Book Heaven on the ghost in
The Haunting of Hillwood Farm

This book is definitely for people who don't mind a few shivers up their spine while they're reading.  I was going for eerie imagery along with an intriguing story, and it looks like I found that mix!  However, the romance piece adds some sweet and sexy moments as Luke and Callie fight to unravel the mystery...and save their lives.  

Check out the full review here, and you can view the blurbs of all the stories inside here.  

The special release week sale price only lasts one more day (hurry!), but this set is a steal even at $3.99!  Twenty-one novels and novellas from USA Today and WSJ Bestselling Authors, with 50% of proceeds going to Pets for Vets.  The set has been a #1 Bestseller on Kindle and Nook all week.  Grab your copy before the set breaks up and each individual story will have to be purchased separately!

Love Under Fire on Kindle

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!

My Favorite #Ghost Movies! #Halloween #Haunting #Paranormal

I have a bit of an obsession with ghosts, as anyone who has read my books knows -- four of my novels feature a haunting as well as some steamy romance -- and my latest ghost story, The Haunting of Hillwood Farm, is now available on audio as well!  I've made lists before of my favorite ghost stories in terms of books, but I do enjoy the movies as well...whenever my sister comes to visit, we usually have a marathon watch of creepy films.  Anything paranormal will do, but the ones with a spooky and convincing ghostly presence get top billing.  Over the years, a few have really resonated with me, and helped inspire my novels.  Keep in mind, I'm no movie critic...I just found these films to have the solid backbone of a believable ghost story, with a decent mystery behind the haunting, as well as a lack of the plot holes I find in so many others.  The suspense kept me guessing, and certain scenes gave me serious chills.  I'll try to throw a little blurb out there for each one without revealing too many spoilers, in case you'd like to give one a try!

Such a spine-chilling scene

The Changeling - 1980 - George C. Scott stars as a widower who moves into a spooky old house in Seattle in the beginning of this film.  The ghost of a young boy inhabits the house, and the tragedy that befell him will eventually expose a cruel plot.  Now, the ghost wants justice, and Scott's character, plagued by scary surprises and terrifying noises, begins to investigate the mystery.  Admittedly, it's an oldie...and at the risk of dating myself, it was one of my favorites when I was in middle school.  In fact, my best friend had an upstairs bedroom that opened upon an attic that bore a spine-tingling resemblance to the one in the movie...late at night, we'd scare ourselves silly imagining that ball bouncing down the stairs.

A Stir of Echoes - 1999 - a film starring Kevin Bacon, loosely based on a novel by Richard Matheson (also the author of Hell House and I Am Legend, among others).  Bacon's character, Tom, has a son who seems to possess the ability to speak with the dead...and there is something in their house that wants to be heard.  After being hypnotized at a party, Tom begins to experience visions as well, of a violent altercation which is tied to a neighbor's disappearance.  Clearly the desperate spirit wants its body found, but there are others with a vested interest in making sure that doesn't happen.

Such a creepy poster!

What Lies Beneath - 2000 - starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Harrison Ford (two of my favorites!)  Claire (Pfeiffer) and Norman (Ford) are a married couple living in Vermont; Claire is suffering from a memory lapse due to an accident.  When strange occurrences begin plaguing Claire, she investigates a possible killing in the neighborhood.  There is a ghost trying to communicate with Claire, but it's not who she first believes it is...and the spirit is not the only one hiding dangerous secrets.  (Update: a reader recently left a review of my debut novel SILVER LAKE, saying if you liked What Lies Beneath, you'd like this book.  I was thrilled with the comparison!)

The Orphanage - 2007 - a Spanish film set in...yes, a closed orphanage...along the Spanish coast in 1975.  My sister and I watched this one with subtitles, but I believe a remake is in the works.  This movie is dark, but full of creepy atmosphere and amazing cinematography.  The basic plot involves a couple and their adopted son returning to the orphanage where the mother once lived.  The family's plan is to reopen the old building as a home for disabled children, but their son soon claims to have befriended a boy named Tomas.  Terrible things happened here, and the truth will come out before the spirits can rest. (Side note - I recently signed a permission slip for my son to watch this in his high school Spanish class!  I was so jealous and of course, he, being a fan of ghost stories like his mom, loved it.)

The Others - 2001 - Nicole Kidman plays Grace, a mother residing in a remote manor with her two young children after World War II.  Both children must avoid exposure to sunlight due to a rare condition, so as you can imagine, the shadowy, secluded house presents itself as the perfect Gothic setting for the mysterious events to unfold.  There's quite a bit of psychological suspense in this one too, so I don't want to say too much about the plot for fear of spoilers. 

In most of these movies, there is a very similar theme: a desperate spirit who cannot rest because of unfinished business.  The ghost seeks revenge or justice, or wants its story told or its remains found.  Barriers to communication make this difficult, but not impossible.  These are all ideas that inspired my ghostly novels, #1 Kindle Bestsellers SILVER LAKE and GULL HARBOR.  HAUNTED SOULS was inspired by my visit to the haunted Old Jail House in Barnstable!  Update...The Haunting of Hillwood Farm is now available, in print, on Kindle, and on Audible!  An editorial reviewer compared the evil spirit in that one to Samira in The Ring, which to me is a huge compliment, and also made me realize that movie should be on this list...how did I forget that one?

Of course, there are many other ghost movies I've enjoyed that rely more on terrifying imagery than an underlying mystery to ramp up the screams, or that veer more into what I would categorize as demons/possession tropes.  Still fun to watch, but my mind usually can't stop looking for an answer to the question, "Why is this happening?" (ie, motive - even ghosts should have one imho).  But even if the motive turns out to be shaky, or the plot leaves a few unfilled holes, I'll take a creepy thriller over gunfights and explosions any day!  So please share your favorite ghost movies below, especially any "lesser-known" ones, so I can add them to my list!  Thanks for stopping by :)

Why We Fear the Number 666 ~ #Horror #Halloween #Paranormal

October is my favorite month, as I'm a fan of spooky stuff, and most of my novels involve ghosts--including my upcoming title The Haunting of Hillwood Farm, which will be available exclusively in the Love Under Fire Romantic Suspense Box Set releasing 11/13!--and anything paranormal generally intrigues me.  I usually dedicate the Halloween season to supernatural topics, and a very creepy book I recently finished reading made me think of my old post on the number 666.  So I'm resurrecting it for 2018!

Why are these three digits so scary?  The most straight-forward answer is the Bible.  And before I go further, I should note first that I'm no historian, I'm a novelist.  I get to deal in fiction, using my imagination to create mysterious hauntings and spooky suspense.  But here's what my research uncovered:

In most manuscripts of the New Testament, six hundred sixty-six is referred to as "the number of the beast" in Chapter 13 (there's that number again!) of the Book of Revelation.  This final Book of the Bible is sometimes known as The Apocalypse--never a great thing to contemplate--and the author is identified as "John"...possibly the Apostle John but also possibly another prophet.  Evidence points to a date between 86 to 91 CE as the time of writing.  

In the Book of Revelation, two beasts appear, one from the sea, and one from the earth.  The first beast is given power, authority and a throne by the dragon (identified as Satan or the devil in other passages), and it blasphemes God.  This beast has the power to conquer God's people, and all inhabitants whose names have not been written in "the Lamb's book of life" will worship the beast.

The second beast emerges from the earth and is described as having horns and speaking like a dragon.  It exercises the authority of the first beast, and even causes fire to come down from the heavens.  This is the beast that forces all people to receive the "mark" on their right hands or foreheads, and this mark is "the name of the beast or the number of its name".  In the American Standard Version of the Bible, the passage Revelation 13:18 reads "Here is wisdom. He that hath understanding, let him count the number of the beast; for it is the number of a man: and his number is Six hundred and sixty and six."  So, a horned beast with the speech of a dragon, rising from underground and commanding fire.  It certainly conjures up the present-day images of the Devil or demons who inhabit a fiery Hell.  

Nero was the last Roman Emperor of
the Julio-Claudian dynasty

As with everything Biblical, many various interpretations of this statement exist. One popular one is that the number was a kind of code for the Roman Emperor Nero, who, according to some historical sources, tortured Christians by lighting them on fire.  He was apparently a violent and tyrannical leader known for executions, including that of his mother. He was also the first Roman Emperor to commit suicide, in 68 CE, after being declared a public enemy.  Many Christians believed Nero would return as the Antichrist. 

Not surprisingly, the number has been used as an ominous sign in many horror novels and movies...The Omen is probably the most well-known, as the creepy boy Damien had a birthmark of 666 on his scalp.

There is a name for the fear of the number 666: hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia.  Personally I'm not a fan of the number, but my sister thought it was fairly amusing when she moved to a new zip code ending in 666.  Then again, she and I both love ghost stories and scary movies (Here are a few of our favorites).  However, there have been some notable incidents of people going out of their way to avoid a connection with this number.  Nancy and Ronald Reagan changed the address of their new home in LA from 666 St. Cloud Road to 668.  A high school cross country runner, Codie Thacker, forfeited her chance to qualify for the state championships when she declined to run in the regionals with the bib number 666.  A US Representative had a legislative bill number changed from 666 to 702 to avoid "negative connotations".

If you enjoy a bit of spooky suspense and haunting mystery (mixed with romance), try one of my romance/ghost story combos: SILVER LAKE, GULL HARBOR (currently on a 99c sale!) and HAUNTED SOULS ~ #1 Bestsellers on Amazon and B&N!  While my genre is paranormal romantic suspense, not horror, you can expect a few shivers up your spine! 

The 99c e-book sale ends soon ~ Hurry!

Happy Reading :)  PS you can listen, too, if you prefer...the Amazon links in colors above also offer Audible versions of Gull Harbor and Haunted Souls.  And don't forget to pre-order The Haunting of Hillwood Farm exclusive to the Love Under Fire Box Set...just 99c for 21 Romantic Suspense stories if you order now!

A great deal - 21 Romantic Thrillers for 99c, and every sale helps a vet get a pet!

A #99c Sale! Romance + Ghost Mystery ~ #1 Bestseller! Haunting #amreading

October is the perfect month for a hot romance with a haunting mystery!

Starting today, my second novel GULL HARBOR will be on sale for a short time! This combination of steamy romance and spooky suspense has topped the charts on Amazon and Barnes & Noble as a #1 Bestseller on several occasions, so grab your copy while it's less than a buck! 

The offer is available for Kindle , iTunes, and Nook formats, and this limited-time promotion is even running in the very discerning BookBub newsletter!  I've included the links below along with the book's description.  Treat yourself to some time on the sandy shores of Cape Cod, where both a dangerous ghost and an ex-boyfriend await psychic medium Claire Linden...

When Claire Linden’s job sends her to the sleepy town of Gull Harbor, she never expects to encounter her ex-boyfriend. As a medium, the prospect of tackling a haunted house is less daunting than seeing Max Baron again. Throughout their passionate college relationship, he promised to love her forever. Then, without explanation, he abandoned her on graduation day.

Max never intended to break Claire's heart—a cruel ultimatum forced him to disappear from her life. While he's shocked to find her in Gull Harbor, he isn't surprised by the bitter resentment she feels for him...or the fiery attraction that remains between them.

Claire is determined to rid her temporary home of its aggressive ghost, but Max soon realizes she's facing a danger beyond the paranormal. When Claire risks everything to help a desperate spirit, Max must race to save her—before another tragedy tears them apart forever.

KINDLE LINK

NOOK LINK

iTUNES LINK

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

I'm celebrating the holidays with a give-away!  If you're on Goodreads, click below (or here) to enter to win a signed copy of GULL HARBOR, a #1 Amazon Bestselling Romance/Ghost Mystery set on beautiful Cape Cod.  Who doesn't love a free book that promises hours of page-turning entertainment?  Steamy and spooky, this has something for everyone.  Check out the blurb below and click the Goodreads widget to enter!

When Claire Linden's job sends her to the sleepy town of Gull Harbor, she never expects to encounter her ex-boyfriend. As a medium, the prospect of tackling a haunted house is less daunting than seeing Max Baron again. Throughout their passionate college relationship, he promised to love her forever. Then, without explanation, he abandoned her on graduation day.

Max never intended to break Claire's heart--a cruel ultimatum forced him to disappear from her life. While he's shocked to find her in Gull Harbor, he isn't surprised by the bitter resentment she feels for him...or the fiery attraction that remains between them.

Claire is determined to rid her temporary home of its aggressive ghost, but Max soon realizes she's facing a danger beyond the paranormal. When Claire risks everything to help a desperate spirit, Max must race to save her--before another tragedy tears them apart forever.

"yes, 6 stars"...one of my favorite phrases ever!

And if you don't win (this one closes on 12/30), check back on my blog for a few upcoming offers.  A signed copy of HAUNTED SOULS goes up on Goodreads right after Christmas, and the Kindle and Nook version of Gull Harbor will go on sale for 2 weeks beginning January 5th...a mark-down from $4.99 to only 99 cents!  Happy Reading and good luck!

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Gull Harbor

by Kathryn Knight

Giveaway ends December 30, 2017.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway