Gifts for #Book Lovers! A List of Award-Winning Reads for #Holiday Shopping! #amreading

Need gift ideas?  If you have readers on your list, shop these titles from authors who write for my publisher…all RONE Award Winners and Finalists!  The RONE Award stands for Reward of Novel Excellence, and it’s a very prestigious annual contest at InD’Tale Magazine with three rigorous rounds of judging to get to the winners.  Check out the gift buying guide below, and don’t forget to treat yourself to some new reads as well—the holidays can be a chaotic time, and reading is a proven stress-reducer!

These titles are all available as paperbacks or as e-books…sending an e-book is often less than the price of a card, with no shipping costs or packaging to deal with and instantaneous (or scheduled) delivery.  All that’s needed is a click of the “Buy for Others” button on the right side of Amazon’s page and an email address (There are “Buy as Gift” options on other retailer sites as well!).  Each book title contains retailer links for easy clicking!

On to the list of InD’Tale Magazine’s 2019 RONE AWARD Winners and Finalists ~ Happy Reading!

WINNER: Paranormal – Short

The Haunting of Hillwood Farm by Kathryn Knight

For readers who enjoy heart-pounding Romantic Suspense mixed with Spooky Ghost Mysteries…A dangerous ghost brings them together…but will they survive long enough to find happiness?

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.

Also named BEST ROMANTIC SUSPENSE OF 2018 at N.N. Light's Book Heaven Reviews, a Top 40 Paranormal Romance of all time at Reedsy Discovery, and a Top 3 Best Books of 2019 and Best Paranormal 2019 at Read Free.ly

WINNER:  Paranormal — Long

Debriefing the Dead by Kerry Blaisdell

For fans of television shows like Supernatural or Constantine…Hyacinth has got one foot in the grave, the other kicking ass...

The only thing Hyacinth wants is her life back. Literally. She and her sister were murdered by Demons, leaving her young nephew, Geordi, to his father’s family in the brutal Sicilian Mob. Then Archangel Michael offers her a deal: recapture a powerful rock the Demons stole, and she can live long enough to find Geordi a safe home. Refuse, and she’ll continue up (or down) to the Afterlife.

So, slightly more alive than dead, she heads for Turkey and the Demons, taking Geordi, her mysterious neighbor Jason, and a sexy dead guy only she can see with her. But the hardest part won’t be battling Demons, meeting Satan, or dodging Middle Eastern customs—it will be later, when Geordi is settled, and Michael rips her away again. How can she abandon her nephew? Or can she outwit the Angel of Death himself, and stay with Geordi forever?

FINALIST:  Contemporary Romance — Sweet

Six Months by Mona Sedrak

For readers ready to share an emotional and heartwarming journey…When you've lost everything, it takes courage to forgive, rebuild, and learn to love again…

For twenty years, Mikala Jacobson had it all: loyal friends, a precious little girl, and a man who adores her. Then double tragedy strikes and her perfect world shatters.

Good friends, Rena and Jake are instantly by her side, protecting her from her husband David's sordid secret life and his final drunken confession.

With their help, Mikala finds strength to rebuild and redefine her life. As her spirit and heart heal, she not only finds closure, but the beauty of a new love built upon an old friendship.

FINALIST:  Contemporary Romance — Steamy

Sworn to Forget by Maria Imbalzano

For readers who enjoy steamy romance with a strong heroine who has an eclectic group of girlfriends and a hero who just won't give up...

By all appearances, Nicki Reading is a star. PR director at a major music label, Nicki is sharp, successful, independent, and confidently calls the shots. She dates whom she wants, when she wants, with no strings attached. But beneath that shine, loneliness flickers. Events from her past prove love leads only to pain. Commitment is not an option.

Until Dex Hanover, a classy, principled, and prosperous CPA, enters the picture. Undeterred by his unhappy childhood, he has an amazing capacity to be both caring and generous, giving his free time as a mentor for a child from the projects. Dex wears his paternal yearnings on his sleeve, and he is at a point in his life where commitment is the only option.

Despite their opposing views, Nicki and Dex ignite each other. But will events from their pasts ruin their challenging relationship and prevent them from experiencing everlasting love?

FINALIST:  Fantasy Romance

Trial of a Warrior by Mary Morgan

For fans of forbidden love among warring races, treachery, and deceit...

A warrior sentenced to die.

On trial for breaking a supreme Fae law, Fenian Warrior, Liam MacGregor has no regrets. He is prepared to accept his sentence—even if it means his death. However, freedom comes in an unexpected manner, and brings with it certain dangers as he travels through the Veil of Ages.

A princess honor-bound to remain hidden.

Princess Abela might be a priestess and the daughter of royalty, but that doesn't prevent her from doing the unimaginable. She sacrifices duty and honor to set free the man who captured her heart so many years ago. No matter the severity of his crimes, she cannot let Liam die.

A rescue that will bring about a war and divide a kingdom!

In their quest to secure a treaty to forestall Liam's death sentence, they must fight their desires for one another, as well as the Fenian Warriors sent to capture them.

FINALIST:  Young Adult

The Stone Awakened by Judith Sterling

For readers who love Ireland and the paranormal, with a Christmastime setting perfect for the season…

Since moving to Ireland, Ashling Donoghue has tackled one challenge after another. Now the mystery of her parents' disappearance seems unsolvable. Are they dead or only missing? No one—not even the godlike Breasals—has a clue. Hope and fear war inside her, but she's determined to find answers and stay strong for her siblings. Even as she hones newfound powers, her banshee-in-training sister Deirdre needs her support.

Ashling could use a little help herself. She's struggling to navigate her first romance, and while Aengus Breasal stirs her body, mind, and soul, his nemesis Lorcan does too. Both men harbor secrets about her past life as Caer. One has ties to Aoife, the scheming wind demon whose influence is on the rise.

As the Stone of Destiny awakens, so does the conflict within.

FINALIST:  Historical: Victorian – 20^th Centry

Out of Splinters and Ashes by Colleen L. Donnelly

For readers who love "did she or didn't she" plots…

Cate is a runner. She prefers to help her fiancé run his New York senate race, but she finds herself running instead to fix what’s broken between her grandparents before he finds out—her grandmother has moved out of the family home, and her grandfather is accused of a pre-WWII relationship with a woman in Germany.

Dietrich is a German journalist with a spotless reputation. He prefers facts, but he finds himself lost in a world of fiction instead to prove his novelist grandmother couldn’t possibly have been the lover of a US runner in Berlin’s 1936 Olympics—especially when that runner’s granddaughter is Cate, a stubborn obstacle he should but can’t ignore.

Cate runs hard to cover up what Dietrich uncovers, until he shows her how it could have been—and how it could be again—that one can indeed love an enemy.

FINALIST:  Thriller/Suspense

Thirty-Three Days by Stephen B. King

For readers who like romance set against a race against time to save the future of the world…

Jenny is a lonely university lecturer who's consciousness has traveled back in time to her younger body to try to save the future of the world. A young microbiologist is going to release a genetically modified wheat that will mutate and ultimately destroy all plant life, leaving nothing but barren windswept dust bowls.

In the past, Jenny finds a love that has been missing from her life; the kind that comes just once in a lifetime. But Jenny can only stay in that time period for thirty-three days.

Meanwhile, in the future, fearful Jenny will fail, plans are made to send another back in time--an assassin. How can she choose between saving the man she loves or saving the future?

FINALIST:  Paranormal — Short

Eye of the Eagle by Sharon Buchbinder

For fans of Supernatural and Children of A Lesser God…

Anomaly Defense and shapeshifter Bert Blackfeather doesn't need a boss with no experience. So what if she's beautiful or gives him a jolt when she shakes his hand? He never plans to get seriously involved with another woman—not in this lifetime.

Phoebe Wagner, an empath with psychometric abilities and an advocate for the deaf, gets more than she bargained for with Bert. One touch and she relives his IED injuries. So what if he's handsome and hot? She doesn't need to add his secrets to her own. Phoebe's are bad enough.

When his niece goes missing, from Hotel LaBelle, Bert goes to Montana to help, and Phoebe decides to go with him. Can these two hard-headed people share their darkest secrets in order to work together? It may be the only way to save an endangered child—and their own hearts when Bert's past rears its ugly head.

FINALIST: Audiobook: Paranormal/Mystery

Magic of the Loch by Karen Michelle Nutt

For readers who enjoy stories filled with curses, mystery, and romance with a dash of nostalgic hope for a future—this twist on the Loch Ness Monster legend is the perfect tale to spark the imagination…

Michaela Grant travels to Scotland for a holiday, knowing this vacation is her last. A medical condition threatens her life and any chance of a future--until she meets Alan MacLachlin, a man forced to exist between two worlds.

Alan is the legendary Loch Ness Monster. Once every fifty years he returns to human form in search of his soul mate, the one woman who can break his curse. He believes he has found forever with Michaela, but to claim it he must figure out how to save her life.

Michaela and Alan vow to take what time has to offer, but another threat looms. A sinister shape shifter with a vendetta against Alan is making Loch Ness his personal hunting ground. Now he's threatening Michaela. Alan must discover who the shifter is and stop him before it's too late.

The purchase links are in each book's title...thanks for stopping by and Happy Holidays!

Ahh...Bliss!

Lunch with the #Authors of #TWRP! Cape Cod #writerslife #amwriting #NaNoWriMo

Authors and President of The Wild Rose Press in Hyannis

Another wildly busy month is over...somehow October always flies by, which is a shame since as a fan of all things spooky, it's my favorite month!  Our weekends were filled with events--all fun ones, thankfully.  We had Parents' Weekend at UNH for our college kid, a 30-year-reunion at the Coast Guard Academy for my husband's class of 1989, a long girls' weekend away to Seattle with my BFFs (we all turned 50 this year and went to visit the one friend who ended up on the West Coast, since she always comes to us), a visit to a historic lighthouse and home now owned by the Coast Guard (a property that once included a small-pox hospital--book idea?), my first time seeing Sweeney Todd at a local theater, a book signing event, and Senior Night soccer game for my high school kid.

The view from our VRBO in Seattle...overlooking the harbor and Pike Place

It now seems like a long time ago, but in the middle of the month, I also had the pleasure of having lunch with the president of one of my publishers (The Wild Rose Press) and some local authors who also write for TWRP.

Last time the president of the company was here on Cape Cod was 2015, when she spoke at the Cape Cod Writer's Conference, and we had quite a group of authors together for lunch.

It's such fun to get together and talk shop with other writers, especially since writing can be such a solitary endeavor.  This month is National Novel Writing Month, which involves trying to write 50K words--nearly an entire novel--in 30 days, so I'll be quite a bit less social in November, as I work to finish the first draft of Ghost Moon, my 7th novel.

We had a wonderful meal at The Black Cat, right on the Hyannis waterfront, and I was able to catch up with a long-time author friend and meet a new one.  This event was much smaller than the last publisher lunch, seeing as how it was fall on Cape Cod as opposed to summer (and a Nor'Easter dumped wind and rain on the Cape all weekend as well).  But we had an intimate lunch filled with both work and personal topics, and lots of laughs.

Now, back to my NaNoWriMo daily word goal...wish me luck!

#CoverReveal! New Look for SILVER LAKE ~ Ghost #Mystery Reunion #Romance #paranormal #books

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

My first novel, Silver Lake, has had a pretty interesting journey.  I spent years thinking about it, 3 1/2 years actually writing it, a year querying and revising (5 times!), and then nine months after I received a publishing contract (woo hoo!) going through edits and production.  When you sign on with a publisher, you do so with the understanding they will make changes and they will design the cover.  The very first cover I received for Silver Lake I absolutely adored...but when I showed it off on social media, another author with my pub pointed out it was very similar to hers (cover artists often use the same stock images).  It was decided my title had to get a new one.  I was disappointed.

I did like the new cover enough...it felt a little more spooky, and this *is* a ghost mystery/reunion romance.  But the font always felt "off" to me...a little sci-fi vibe maybe?

To my excitement, the book did well enough to attract the attention of Amazon's traditional publishing house, and they bought the rights for a 5 year period.  My little debut title hit #1 on Amazon again and again under their Encore imprint. 

Now, the rights have reverted back to the original publisher, and the book had to come offline while the link and publisher changes were made.  Since this was happening, I decided to ask for a new font...one that (to me) suggests more romantic suspense.  They agreed to do this for me, and to incorporate my new status as a USA TODAY Bestselling Author.  Here it is, before and after!  What do you think?  Does the cover represent the genre and the blurb (below) to you?  I'd love the hear your comments :)

Original cover...font to me suggested aliens/sci-fi?  Just me?

New font!  All my covers have a light/dark theme
(romance and spooky suspense), and I think this font
ties in nicely to the fonts on some of my other covers.

Rain Anderson can't decide which is more unsettling--encountering the ghost of her missing friend, or reuniting with the man whose love she foolishly rejected. But one thing is certain: the past has come back to haunt her, quite literally.

Five years ago, Rain's tight-knit group of high school friends unraveled when one vanished during their senior year. Now, a parent's deathbed request has reunited the friends at Silver Lake, including Jason Lansing, the man Rain discarded.

Rain and Jason discover the powerful attraction between them has survived, but though Jason is willing to forgive, he can't let himself forget. The possibility of falling for Rain again is too risky.

Slamming doors, crashing objects, flaring fires--clearly the ghost has a message to share. As Rain and Jason struggle to unravel the truth, they must face a desperate spirit in need of help--and a burning passion that refuses to die.

SILVER LAKE on Amazon

Anniversary of my 1st #Publishing Contract! #amwriting #saturdaymorning

I admit, I love the Facebook memories feature, where, when you log in, you see a post you made "on this day" sometime in the past.  Or, at least I love it when it was a post about something good--like today's!  Honestly, I may have forgotten this anniversary, being as it's so close to Christmas, New Year's, and two family birthdays, not to mention it was six years ago.  But I will never, ever forget that morning.  Only my younger son was still home when I clicked on the email...he would have been almost 10 years old and still in elementary school.  The subject line only included the name of my manuscript (SILVER LAKE submission), no indication of what news might be inside, and I'd already received 2 R&Rs (revise and resubmits) on my first manuscript from the publisher I longed to work with--and while R&Rs are a good thing, not a final rejection, they are no guarantee of a "yes" either.

Six years ago today...I even remember that it was a Friday!

So I clicked with shaking fingers and discovered, to my absolute delight, that this was the "yes" I'd been waiting for.  A publishing contract!  A company actually thought my work was a worthwhile investment, something they were willing to put money, time, and effort into.  I remember screaming with surprise and joy, my son racing into the kitchen, and the two of us hugging and dancing around the kitchen.  Both my sons knew how hard I'd been working, for years, and how much I wanted this.  I like to think my journey and tenacity sunk in as a lesson of sorts...keep working for your dreams, and don't give up.

Six years later, a lot has happened.  That first book, Silver Lake, has been a #1 Kindle Bestseller on several occasions.  A larger publisher purchased the electronic rights to the novel in 2015.  I've had 3 additional novels published, which have found their own success: another #1 Kindle Bestseller, various awards, and now my latest release, Haunted Souls, is being made into an audio book by my publisher.  I even got to sign books alongside one of my childhood idols, Mary Higgins Clark!  It's been a whirlwind six years!

Has it been all happiness and roses?  No, of course not.  Bad reviews are painful.  Sales slumps are disheartening.  Reaching new readers is a challenge.  And writer's block can be tortuous.  But I don't think I'd change my decision to write down my stories.  If I've given some people what I consider one of the ultimate forms of entertainment and pleasure--getting lost in an impossible-to-put-down book--then it's all been worth it.

How to make an author's day!

Now, back to my WIP, Dangerous Currents...only a few chapters to go!  But I'll treat myself to a little anniversary celebration today too...probably a mid-day break, where I climb under a blanket, pull up the covers, and read...bliss!  (Check back after the new year for my list of my favorite books of the year!  Here's my 2016 list.)

Probably will substitute water for wine in the middle of the day...
but then again, it's my anniversary!

A #Free #Book of "Hacks" for the Holidays! #Recipes #Christmas #Lifehacks

Every year, my publisher offers a free recipe book, as a gift to our readers, filled with contributions from the authors of The Wild Rose Press.  We vote on different themes each year, and we've offered Garden Gourmet collections featuring easy meals and snacks, international recipes, cookies and cocktails, and healthy recipes in the past...these books are still available, for free, on our website!  This year, we did something a little different...our "recipes" for Garden Gourmet 2017 are actually "hacks" - shortcuts or tricks to make tasks more simple, whether they involve cooking, cleaning, or just life in general.

So grab you free ebook here: A Holiday of Hacks, and discover some new ways to save time and effort!  You can easily check out on our website via Amazon, and we offer downloads for Kindle (mobi), Nook (epub), and for your laptop (pdf).

Here are the previous years' recipe books as well...Enjoy!  Happy Holidays!


2016 Holiday Garden Gourmet ~ Comfort Foods

2015 Holiday Garden Gourmet ~ Cookies and Cocktails

2014 Holiday Garden Gourmet ~ Quick and Easy

2013 Holiday Garden Gourmet ~ International

Also, if you're looking for simple recipes for goodies that can serve as edible gifts, check out my go-to: Rosemary Nut Mix.  

#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.

Getting Published~ Featured in Cape Cod article! #amwriting #writingtips

I had a lot of events scheduled throughout the fall, several of which involved appearing with two fellow authors who write for my publisher.  In November, we spoke together as a panel at the monthly "A Book in the Hand" event in Dennis on Cape Cod.  Our presentation was designed to offer advice to aspiring writers on getting published, and we were also able to share our individual stories.  It was a well-attended event, and we fielded many questions from the audience.

Kevin Symmons, Kathryn Knight, and Katie O'Sullivan at
A Book in The Hand

A reporter from the Cape Cod Times was there as well, and she used some of our discussion for her article "So You Want to Get Published", which appeared in the Cape Books section on December 4, 2016.  I was both mentioned and quoted, which was very exciting.  

The link to the article is below for anyone who would like to read it!  As I tell my writing classes, the most important thing is to finish that book...nothing can happen until it's done!  Everyone has a different writing method (mine is slow, with edits made along the way...hence the not surprising major NaNoWriMo fail), but one thing holds true for everyone: the words will not magically appear by themselves.  So, Butt in Chair, Fingers on Key Board is some of the best advice out there.  For more info on the later stages, here is the article:

 Cape Books: So You Want to Get Published...

#Free Holiday #Recipe Book from the Authors of #TWRP

Every December, my publisher's marketing director takes on an additional challenge - putting together the annual holiday recipe book, a gift for our readers.  The authors vote on a theme, and then contribute recipes within the various categories.  This year's theme is comfort food, and we'd love to share our tried and tested favorites with you!  The electronic version is free, all you need is an account at our online store, which is easy to create if you don't have one yet.  Our categories are listed below, along with the link to get your free recipe book - I hope you enjoy the 2016 Holiday Garden Gourmet!

Click here to download your free recipe book!

Categories:

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Soups & Stews

Breads, Biscuits, & Muffins

Salads & Sides

Desserts

Cookies & Bars

Like #Romance? Newsletter Sign-Up + Win a #Giftcard! #giveaway #amreading

Wine and a good book?  Bliss!

I absolutely love to read—it’s my favorite pastime, and a proven stress reducer.  Who doesn’t relish getting lost in an amazing story?  And romance always adds an emotional, heart-tugging component…a chance to experience all those butterflies…the first touches, or the second chances.  But there are so many books out there—how do you find your next read?

A group of authors who write for my publisher—an award-winning press focusing on all genres of romance—are putting together a newsletter to offer readers a look at new releases, sales, and highlights from top picks.  As a bonus to signing up for our quarterly newsletter, Wild Roses & Romance, we’re offering several gift certificate prizes to be raffled off to readers who sign up to receive our email publication!

To enter the raffle and receive updates on new releases and specials in all genres of romance, fill out the form below.  Happy Reading!

Wild Roses & Romance...
Stay in the know!

#Haunting Author Events~ Cape Cod #Book Signings #Haunted #Paranormal

October is always a busy month for me, since the majority of my novels include mysterious hauntings, and ghost stories gain an even wider appeal as Halloween approaches.  In fact, the history of Halloween, or All Hallow’s Eve, links back to the Celtic festival of Samhain, a time when the barrier between the physical and paranormal worlds grows thin.  In the Christian religion, November 1st marks All Saints' Day, the day waiting souls would be released from earth.  All Hallow's Eve, then, was considered the last night for restless spirits to take their revenge.  While there are plenty of desperate--and sometimes dangerous--spirits in my novels, they're not going anywhere until the mystery behind their haunting is unraveled...no matter what the time of the year it is.   

The Hyannis Library is on the MA
Registry of Haunted Locations kept
by the MA Paranormal Institute

But this is the month to celebrate all things spooky, and I'm excited to have three presentations coming up in the next two weeks, each one a bit different, and each one at a different library on Cape Cod.  On Wednesday, October 19^th, I’ll be with Katie O’Sullivan, a fellow Cape author, at the Hyannis Public Library on Main Street in Hyannis.  This is a wonderful place to have a discussion about history and hauntings, as during one of my prior events there, I learned the building has been deemed haunted by the Massachusetts Paranormal Institute.  Parts of the building date back to the original house which became the library's permanent residence in 1908.  Katie and I will be there from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., chatting about the inspiration behind our books, the local Cape settings, and the various paranormal elements we’ve included in our novels: ghosts, mermaids, and a half-angel, half-human Nephilim, to name a few.  In addition, my latest novel, HAUNTED SOULS, is set in Barnstable Village, which is right around the corner. 

On Tuesday, October 25^th, Katie and I will be joined by another local author who writes for our publisher, Kevin Symmons, at the Osterville Library at 43 Wianno Ave. in Osterville.  We’ll do an author panel on spooky fiction, discussing not only supernatural and paranormal themes but also the dangerous human bad guys in some of our stories.  We’ll be there from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, with time for Q&A and book signings.

A photo I took of the Old Jail one evening.
Seriously, what's in that top right window?  It
was closed.  And there's something red in the
bottom left window as well.

Right before Halloween weekend, I’ll be at the Mashpee Public Library, 64 Steeple St. right near the Commons, from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm on Friday, October 28^th.  I’ll talk more in depth about the inspiration behind Haunted Souls: the Old Jailhouse, a structure built in 1690 and reputedly haunted.  A visit with my sister sparked the initial idea for my fourth novel, and I’ll share the story as well as the story of my overall writing journey.

Finally, I have some events for those who aren’t on the Cape…not one, but two, Halloween Bog Hops.  If you’ve never done a blog hop before, it’s a great way to discover new authors, win prizes, and enjoy posts about the season…all online.  You start at one stop on the hop, which will be a blog with a seasonal post and a giveaway contest.  My giveaways will be signed print book (either SILVER LAKE or GULL HARBOR) to my individual winner.  A group link at the bottom of the post will take you to the next page on the hop, and you can make your way all the way around, entering the individual contests along the way.  Each one also has an overall hop-wide giveaway with a Rafflecopter widget recording entries.  I believe both Rafflecopters will have a grand prize of a large gift card.  So be sure to stop back here between Oct. 24^th and the 31^st, and if you’re in the Cape Cod area, I hope to meet you at one of the events!

The Snarkology Halloween Hop is an annual tradition
organized by author Melissa Snark - 10/26 - 10/31

The ABA Halloween Hop is hosted by author Casi McLean
and begins on Oct. 24th.

#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!