Top #Book of 2019 ~ My 2nd Award arrived! #amreading #paranormal #romance #writerslife #amwriting

A few months ago, I received my first physical writing trophy in the mail...a beautiful solid glass book for winning first place in InD'Tale Magazine's RONE Awards, engraved with my name and The Haunting of Hillwood Farm, my latest ghost mystery/romantic suspense.  Last week, I was thrilled to open an envelope with my second physical award for this title...an award and medal for placing as a Top Read of 2019 at Read Free.ly.  The Haunting of Hillwood Farm actually came in at #2 out of 50 titles...which is an amazing feeling and also the exact same spot that Haunted Souls claimed in the 2016 awards!

And now the #2 Top Read of 2019 at Read Freely!  Woot!

I'm over the moon that The Haunting of Hillwood Farm has resonated with readers and reviewers!  I truly hope my upcoming 2020 release Ghost Moon will also be well-received...stay tuned for the *gorgeous* cover reveal and ARC and pre-order info!  

When I started this journey in 2008, I barely dreamed I could get my first novel, Silver Lake, published, much less create six more novels and hit the Bestseller lists at USA TODAY, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble!  It's been a wild ride filled with both joy and tears.  But in the end, my true goal is to provide entertainment.  Reading is not only my favorite pastime, it has gotten me through some of the worst times of my life.  I find I simply can't think about other things if I'm truly absorbed in a page-turning story, and it's a welcome escape from the stresses--and worse--of life.  If I provide readers with a story that pulls them in and gives them hours of relaxation and enjoyment, I've done my job!

Thanks for coming by for my celebration, and please check back for news on Ghost Moon...or subscribe to my newsletter over on the right side of this page.  I send out news about twice a month, and I love to meet new readers!

A #99c #sale! "Haunting. Forbidden. Dangerously sexy." Romance + Ghosts #Paranormal #FridayReads #Books

Hurry - Haunted Souls is on sale for just 99c!  At 75% off the usual price, this steamy second-chance romance with a haunting mystery is now less than a latte...check out the blurb below and grab your copy!

A damaged soldier, 
a secret baby, 
and a haunting mystery 
collide in
HAUNTED SOULS

"Packed with angst, turmoil, danger, and romance...captivating" ~ Splashes Into Books Reviews 5*s

"Haunting.  Forbidden.  Dangerously sexy.  This book is incredible...everything a 5* read should be" ~

Nom de Plume Book Reviews 5*s

"These two are smokin' hot...love scenes are filled to the brim with heat, passion, and tenderness...Everything you could want, from romance to suspense...I found it hard to put down" ~

Romance 4 the Beach Reviews, a Top Reviewer Pick

One of my favorite scenes...

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 on Kindle

HAUNTED SOULS on Nook

(Also available as an audiobook)

Haunted Souls was a Top 3 Read of 2016 at Read Free.ly!

"Impossible to Put Down!" #Romance #Ghosts #Audiobook Review

Last spring, my publisher released two of my romance/ghost mysteries in audio format, bringing my novels to a whole new market of readers who enjoy listening to books...I'm one of those myself, so I couldn't be more excited!  I love the narrator we chose, and the process of recording the books was fascinating...I have learned so much in this journey.  

I'm always thrilled to hear someone enjoyed one of my stories, so I'm sharing the fabulous review recently posted for Haunted Souls by Audiobook Addiction!  A few of my favorite quotes:

"I love romance books, but when paired with a good ghost story, it's like gold. Kathryn Knight has combined a little history, a little paranormal, some real life issues and a second chance at romance and given us just that!"

Haunted Souls came in at #2 in the Top 50 Books of 2016 at Read Free.ly!

"I love Emily, her character is full of passion, loves fiercely and will do anything to help her friend. Brett is a strong, alpha type make who has a loyalty and love like no other."

"Narrated by Kristen James, the story is brought to life with such wonderful voicing, it's impossible to put it down. She is a great storyteller and gave each character it's own voice and personality. She is a talent not to be missed."

I hope you'll check out the blurb and some of the other reviews and give Haunted Souls a try!  Links are below, and I love connecting with readers, so give me a shout ~ Happy Holidays!

Haunted Souls on Amazon

Haunted Souls on Audible

Gull Harbor on Audible

Steamy Romance + Haunting Mystery on #Audible! New audio #book #ghosts Cape Cod

My second audio book has just released!  Haunted Souls is now available as an audio book, on Audible and iTunes!  I'm so excited, as audio books are becoming increasingly popular.  They have certainly become a big part of how I find more time to "read" --  I am now addicted to listening to audio books, and I'm a member of Audible, which gives me a credit a month to download a new audio book for a low monthly fee.  Even so, I'm now so used to listening to books while I'm driving or doing chores, I often have to take advantage of the extra credit sales.  If you've never tried an audio book, you can get your first one for FREE!  And it downloads easily right to your phone.  

A few of my favorite reviewer quotes!

My publisher brought Gull Harbor to the audio format first, and this #1 Kindle and Nook Bestseller was released on audio in February.  I'm thrilled that the talented narrator we chose for Gull Harbor also narrated Haunted Souls, because the narration can often make a break a listener's experience.  (And for fans of Gull Harbor, you'll find a cameo appearance by Claire and Max in Haunted Souls!)

New Audio Release!  Voted a Top 3 Read of 2016 at Read Free.ly

So grab yourself a new read or listen today, and get lost in some steamy, second-chance romance mixed with a haunting mystery on the shores of Cape Cod!

Haunted Souls on Audible

Haunted Souls on iTunes

Haunted Souls on Amazon

Signed #Book #Giveaway! #Romance w/ Haunting #Mystery on #GoodReads

Another holiday giveaway to ring in the New Year!  A print copy of Haunted Souls, a steamy romance spiked with a haunting mystery, is up for grabs on Goodreads!  A damaged soldier, a secret baby, and a long-lost spirit collide in this page-turning novel voted the #2 Read of 2016 at Read Free.ly, a site highlighting small-press and indie books.  Check out the blurb below, and if it sounds intriguing, enter to win!  Good luck and thanks for stopping by!

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.

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Haunted Souls

by Kathryn Knight

Giveaway ends January 03, 2018.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

And if you noticed I said "another" above, you might be in time to still enter the Gull Harbor Giveaway...it ends on Dec. 30th so hurry!  If you don't win, or you missed the deadline, mark your calendar for January 5th...the e-book version of this #1 Kindle Bestseller goes on sale for only 99 cents for a limited time!

De-stress w/ a new read for #Thanksgiving! #Ghosts #Romance #Books #Kindle

My happy place!

The holidays are upon us! Thanksgiving is almost here, and whether you're traveling or cooking, you need to find some time to relax during what can be a hectic month.  My favorite stress-reliever is reading, and right now I'm caught up in a page-turning Psychological Suspense that I can't put down...which is a bit of a problem, since I'm hosting Thanksgiving dinner for the very first time, and my guests begin arriving tomorrow!  If you'd like an entertaining escape, try one of my #1 Kindle Bestsellers, full of steamy romance and spooky suspense.  Load up your Kindle or Nook now, and then while you're traveling, waiting in lines, or trying to carve out a few moments for yourself, you can transport yourself to Cape Cod's Gull Harbor, where a dangerous ghost and an ex-boyfriend await psychic medium Claire Linden.  Links and blurb below!  Happy Thanksgiving :)

GULL HARBOR
A #1 Kindle Bestseller

Kindle link

Nook link

Want to see the story board?  Check out the pictures I used for inspiration on Pinterest!

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.

Gull Harbor tends to be a quick read, since it's exciting and fast-paced.  If you enjoy it and need some more new reads, try #1 Kindle Bestseller SILVER LAKE (A haunting, an old flame, and secrets from the past...) or my latest release, HAUNTED SOULS (Claire Linden from Gull Harbor makes a guest appearance in this novel, voted one of the Top 3 Reads of 2016 at Read Free.ly!) 

A few quotes from editorial reviews of Haunted Souls

Price Drop on #Kindle! #Romance + #Ghosts #FridayReads

Exciting news!  HAUNTED SOULS is now a year old this summer--hard to believe--and that makes it eligible for a price drop by my publisher!  The Kindle price is now $3.99, down from $5.99, a bargain for hours of entertainment.  This is a steamy romance with a ghost mystery subplot, set on Cape Cod and inspired by the (haunted) Old Jail in Barnstable Village.  Reviews have been fantastic, and this title came in second last year in Read Free.ly's Top Reads of 2016...out of 100 entries!

So grab a copy at the new lower price, put your feet up, and get pulled into a page-turning story, "packed with angst, turmoil, danger, and romance" (Splashes Into Books Reviews).  Happy Reading!

A damaged soldier, a secret baby, and a haunting mystery collide in Haunted Souls

HAUNTED SOULS on Kindle

History of New Year's ~ Happy New Year! 2017 #NewYearsEve

Happy New Year!  Although often bitterly cold here in the Northeast, I like January--it's my birthday month and my son's.  It can be a chance to relax and renew after the frenetic pace of the holidays.  Plus, there's the whole idea of a fresh start and making resolutions.  

Many of my most popular blog posts have discussed some of the history or mythology behind holiday traditions, for example, St. Nick, Finding Easter's date, and the Origin of Halloween. For the first week in January, I thought I'd list some facts about New Year's Day and the month of January itself.  (Also, my January birthday is on the 13th - see this post for reasons people fear that number).

New Year's Day is the first day of January according to both the Julian calendar (introduced by Julius Caesar in 46 BC) and the Gregorian calendar (named for Pope Gregory XIII, who introduced it in 1582). The difference in these two calendars is a .002% change in the length of the year.

The Roman god Janus,
looking both forward and back

The Julian calendar was based on the Roman Calendar, and the name of the month of January is generally attributed to the Roman god Janus, the god of beginnings and endings, who is depicted with two faces looking in opposite directions: into the past as well as the future.

Since the Gregorian calendar is now used, at least in practice, by most countries, New Year's Day is considered the world's most celebrated public holiday.

The ancient belief that the beginning of an event impacted the whole led people to offer good health and well wishes on this first day of a new year, as the long, dark days surrounding the Winter Solstice were being left behind.  A prosperous January first with plenty of food and drink would hopefully lead to the same for the entire month and year.

Of course, local traditions abound to mark this day, and a big one in the United States is the making of resolutions.  For many people, this involves a commitment to a healthier lifestyle--as a fitness instructor, I see my classes absolutely explode each January!  My own personal resolutions, since I'm also a writer, usually involve devoting more time each day to my craft.  This year, I'm about halfway through a new romantic suspense, and my goal is to finish by March.

If your resolutions include more reading (one of the best stress-reducers, by the way!) - check out my books.  Each one has a mix of steamy romance and spooky suspense--something for everyone.  My fourth novel, Haunted Souls, came out this past June, and was recently voted one of the Top 3 Books of 2016 at Read Freely.  And my debut novel, Silver Lake, is FREE on Kindle if you have Amazon Prime, as part of their new PrimeReading Program. 

 Best wishes, everyone, for a happy, healthy, and peaceful 2017. Happy New Year!

History of St. Nick~ #Christmas #ChristmasEve Traditions

I love doing posts about the origins of our holidays and the reasons we celebrate in certain ways or fear certain dates. Some of my most popular posts have been on the Origin of Halloween, Finding Easter's Date, The Number 13, and Origins of Superstitions.

When my kids were younger, I taught Sunday School...in fact, a passage from the Book of Genesis about the Nephilim, the offspring of male angels and human women, inspired my Young Adult Paranormal Romance DIVINE FALL.  For years, I taught the class every week, and my favorite lessons touched on the historical and religious roots of our holidays.  The lesson on Saint Nicholas was obviously something I made sure we discussed every December.  While most people are familiar with the story of Jesus's birth in Bethlehem, many are unaware of how a 4th century Bishop influenced the legend of Santa Claus.

Saint Nicholas, or Nikolaos of Myra, was a bishop in an ancient town in Lycia--now Demre, in the Antalya Province of Turkey. One of his most well-known deeds involved giving unexpected gifts, one of which landed in a stocking.  In the story, Nicholas wanted to help three young girls, whose father had no money for their dowries.  At that point in history, such a fate would result in a life of prostitution. Not wanting to embarrass the poor father, Nicholas threw bags of gold coins through the windows.  In one version of the tale, the father laid in wait to discover who was doing this...and so instead of throwing the third bag through the window, Nicholas dropped it down the chimney, and it landed in a stocking hung to dry by the fire.

Sinterklaas rides
a white horse

The Dutch figure of Sinterklass is based upon Saint Nick, and he more resembles the white-bearded man in red we're all familiar with. In turn, our Santa Claus is derived from Sinterklass, and it's widely believed that he was introduced to North America around the time of the Revolutionary War, by inhabitants of New York City, which was once New Amsterdam, a Dutch colony.

Of course, many other sources have combined to shape both the modern-day image of Santa Claus and the various legends and traditions which have evolved (decorating trees, sleighs pulled by reindeer, winter feasts and festivals, etc.).  Those will be topics for another day and another blog!

I'm hoping my blog readers who celebrate Christmas have finished the gift-buying and food preparation that comes along with the holiday, and have some time to relax and enjoy the magic of the season.  And if you need a book to help you de-stress, check out one of my novels - each one is filled with romance, mystery, and suspense - something for everyone! Also perfect as a last-minute gift, since all you need to send someone a Kindle copy is an email address.  Each one is less that the price of a card, and DIVINE FALL is only 99 cents right now!  If you're an Amazon Prime member, you can get SILVER LAKE free for a limited time, thanks to its inclusion in their new Prime Reading program.  The tabs at the top of the page will take you to the blurb for each book, but I've also included Amazon links below. Happiest of holidays!

HAUNTED SOULS - my latest release! Steamy military romance mixed with spooky suspense - recently named one of the Top 3 Books of 2016 at Read Freely!

SILVER LAKE - A haunting, an old flame, and secrets from the past (a #1 Kindle Bestseller)

GULL HARBOR - A dangerous ghost and an ex-boyfriend await Claire in Cape Cod's Gull Harbor (a #1 Kindle Bestseller)

DIVINE FALL - Romance, Revenge, and a Rogue Fallen Angel (award-winning Young Adult - this one is suitable for ages 13+)