Love #Ghost Stories? Visit the Hauntingly Good #Reads #Book Fair! #Romance #Suspense #CozyMystery #Horror

 

You can browse the book fair from
anywhere...so put your feet up for
a few and find your next spooky read!

As you can probably tell from my novels, I'm a huge fan of ghost stories!  I enjoy reading haunting mysteries as well as writing them, so I'm always looking for recommendations in this niche.  The Hauntingly Good Reads Book Fair has nearly 40 titles that fit the bill, and I'm thrilled that five of my titles are featured...my latest release Ghost Moon, #1 Amazon and B&N Bestseller Gull Harbor, RONE Award Winner The Haunting of Hillwood Farm, A Top 3 Read of 2016 Haunted Souls,  and #1 Amazon Bestseller Silver Lake!  There are 33 additional spooky titles to check out in the fair, in lots of different genres:  romance, cozy mystery, horror, YA, NA, thrillers...something for all lovers of ghostly intrigue!

My subgenre is "Paranormal Romantic Suspense"...ghost mysteries mixed with steamy romance (although The Haunting of Hillwood Farm is what is called 'closed door' in terms of the romance heat level).

So if you love a good ghost story, visit the fair here...many of the books are on sale or free!  And if you enjoy spooky suspense that sends a chill up your spine countered by hot chemistry and happily-ever-afters, my books are for you!  The link below 🠋 takes you to the fair...Happy Haunted Reading!👻🕮👻

Hauntingly Good Reads Book Fair

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!

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.

I'm a Featured Favorite Author on A #Soccer Mom's #Book Blog! #soccermom #reviews

Excited my pub made a few small changes
to the original cover, including adding
my new USA TODAY Bestseller status!

When my first novel, Silver Lake, came out in August of 2012, I didn't sleep for a week.  What would my friends and family think of my debut novel?  Would anyone else want to read it, beyond people I knew?  Would any book bloggers or review sites select it for review, and if they did, what would they say?  After spending 3 and 1/2 years writing, revising, and submitting to publishers, it was nerve-wracking to put something I'd worked so hard on out into the world...but I wrote it to hopefully entertain readers--and that's still why I write--so I knew I just had to cross my fingers and let my publisher offer it up for review.

Silver Lake has gone on to hit the #1 Bestseller spot on Amazon on
several occasions! 

So when I actually received an email from a reviewer currently reading the book, saying how much she was enjoying it, I was overjoyed.  Some of my favorite quotes from her 5-star review of Silver Lake are below  :) 

"Every character in Silver Lake is perfectly developed.  The ghost of Brandy gave me chills many times.  By the end of the story, I felt like I had been at the lake house with them all.  I could not put this book down.  Romance, drama, renewal of friendships, and ghosts…something for everyone.  I cannot wait to see what Kathryn Knight writes next." 

Since 2012, I've written 5 more novels, and I've always submitted them for review to this reviewer's site, A Soccer Mom's Book Blog.  I'm so honored that this month, she decided to feature me and my novels as part of her Holiday posts dedicated to her favorite books, favorite authors, and books she can't forget about!  These are her recommended reads for gift purchases, and I'm so excited to be on the list.  

Visit her post here, and if you enjoy Romantic Suspense, Ghost Mysteries, and Paranormal Romance, I hope you'll check out some of my books!  Sending an e-book is often less than a card, with no shipping or packaging required.  Plus, reading is a proven stress-reducer, so treating yourself to a new read is a good way to deal with the hectic holiday season.  Thanks for stopping by and Happy Holidays!

ahhh...bliss

Love #Gothic reads? Visit La Belle Gothique #Book Fair! #amreading #paranormal #romance #horror #suspense

You know the aesthetic: a cold wind, a moonless night, crumbling ruins, a house with secrets...maybe even a ghost.  There's beauty in the dark and frightening, passion and mystery in the romance.  A multi-genre book fair--suspense, horror, romance, and paranormal--features 24 titles with Gothic elements...including two of my ghost mystery + romantic suspense novels, The Haunting of Hillwood Farm and Gull Harbor.

Fill up your e-reader with Dark and Lovely Reads for the Twilight of the Year...

La Belle Gothique Book Fair

on sale for 99c for a few more days!  Hurry!

Huge #Romance Sale! Fan the Flames #Free #99c #Books #amreading #Kindle

A little teaser from GULL HARBOR...
on sale for 99 pennies!

Ready to add some heat to these crisp fall nights?  Check out Fan the Flames, a collection of 48 Romance novels all FREE or on SALE for 99c!  This is a limited time promotion, and the sale dates for these titles run from October 19th to the 31st.  

My #1 Amazon and B&N Bestseller GULL HARBOR is part of this book sale, and this story is perfect for the Halloween season...second-chance romance mixed with a ghost mystery for both steamy romance and spooky suspense!

Gull Harbor is usually $4.99, so grab a copy during the limited time sale!

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

Hurry and pick up your copy, and all the Fan the Flames sale titles that spark your interest, for 0 to 99 pennies each!  Visit the sale page below for all the links ~

Fan the Flames

Exploring #Truro for #Book 7! #CapeCod #Travel #ghosts #romance #amwriting

Spectacular view from the Pamet Cranberry Bog Trail
Truro, MA

Sometimes I get my inspiration from a place, like when I visited the Old Jailhouse and came up with the idea for Haunted Souls.  And sometimes I decide on the setting first...and on a few occasions, some very odd coincidences have made me believe I made the right choice.  Like when I decided my debut novel, Silver Lake, was going to be set in Connecticut, in a lake district outside of NYC.  In particular, I knew I was basing my fictional lake on some of the lakes surrounding Candlewood Lake.  Having never been there, I was a little nervous about this, but I had a good reason for choosing the location.  I started reading books on the area, and then the strangest thing happened...my 8-year-old's club baseball team qualified for a tournament...right near Candlewood Lake.  I did some research in advance, and between games, we visited the spots I needed to see to make the setting come to life.

Ballston Beach in Truro

My seventh book needed to be somewhere particularly isolated.  I set a lot of my books on Cape Cod, where I've lived for 20 years, and since our peninsula is already somewhat cut off from the mainland (you can only get here via car by crossing one of two bridges), I knew I could find a location that would work.  

Doing a few quick searches, I learned Truro is the least populated town on Cape Cod, with about 2,000 year-round residents.  It's not the smallest town land-wise, but over half the town is undeveloped, protected land, and the population density is less than 100 people per square mile.  To get there takes over an additional hour from the two Cape Cod bridges.

Pamet Trail...Pamet is a Native American word for the area

So, my story was set...but I hadn't spent much time in Truro.  We've been to Wellfleet, the town south of Truro, many times (Gull Harbor is set there, although the town of Gull Harbor is fictional).  Wellfleet not only boasts beautiful beaches that are part of the Cape Cod National Seashore, but it has a quaint harbor town, a drive-in movie theater, a big flea market, and the Beachcomber restaurant/bar.  North of Truro is Provincetown, another destination spot we enjoy.  P-Town offers vast, incredible sand dunes (also part of the protected National Seashore), Commercial St. with its colorful crowds, shops, restaurants, galleries, eclectic shows and street art, quaint houses, and wonderful bike trails.

Old King's Highway in Truro.  Not the usual version of a
highway!  Unsure what we would have done if faced with
a car coming the other way...but all was quiet.

But Truro has mostly, for us, been a town we drive through to get to P-Town.  And that's the way the majority of residents want it--there are no fast food chains, no shops, no main street to stroll along.  It almost like being in another world...a beautiful, peaceful oasis.

So, I put more exploration on my list of things to do, but again, it's not right around the corner.  But then an old friend (think 40 years...we've known each other since 6th grade) messaged me to let me know he was on Cape.  Staying at a relative's place, in Truro.  Another wow, that seems like fate moment.

First Congregational Church of Truro, founded 1709

My husband and I made plans to spend the day in Truro and meet up with my friend for dinner this past Sunday, and I'm sharing the pictures I took for research.  I'll avoid spoilers, but I will say this book is, like most of my novels, a ghost mystery/romance with some history sprinkled in.  So of course a graveyard was on the list of places we needed to go, in addition to the beaches and trails.  If you ever get a chance to visit this beautiful town, don't miss it!  And if you'd like to keep up with news about this new novel (Ghost Moon), sign up for my newsletter over on the right-hand side of this page!

Very old headstones at First Church of Truro

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!

The Haunting of Hillwood Farm in #CapeCod News! #paranormal #Books #Mashpee #Barnstable #amreading

My latest release received a wonderful write-up in our local papers, and I'm posting the online version here...the reporter enjoyed this ghost story + romance and asked some great interview questions.  I'm thrilled my 6th novel has been named Best Romantic Suspense on one review site, among The Top 40 Paranormal Romances at another site, and is nominated for a prestigious RONE Award at InD'Tale.  This story was challenging to write, for many reasons, so I'm glad readers are finding it entertaining.  The Haunting of Hillwood Farm is available on Kindle, in paperback, and soon as an audiobook.  If you enjoy spooky hauntings and romantic suspense, I hope you'll give it a read (or a listen)!

"Haunted Farmhouse Backdrop for New Novel" 

~ Cape News/The Enterprise

Blurb:

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. 

The Haunting of Hillwood Farm on Amazon

Grab a beach read set on Cape Cod!

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

Touring Historic Mt. Washington Hotel #NH Mount Washington Resort #travel

Unfortunately, the fog completely obscured the majestic
Mt. Washington behind the hotel...but it also
added to the spooky The Shining atmosphere!

A few weekends ago, my husband and I traveled to North Conway, NH, for a fun-filled skiing weekend with friends.  Now, I only cross-country ski at this point in my life, thanks to a certain disastrous skiing weekend in 2013.  But, that's okay, because I was able to cross country right from the back door of our friends' condo, while most of the others drove to a nearby mountain.  But as we all shared coffee and chatted that first morning, the subject of having drinks later at Mount Washington came up.  I had no idea what everyone was referring to, but by the time I'd learned this grand hotel was built from 1900 to 1902, had an amazing view of the highest mountain in the Northeastern U.S., boasted a fascinating--some say haunting-- history, and eerily resembled the hotel in The Shining, I knew I had to get myself there, and not just for drinks.  I called to inquire about the daily tour schedule, and three of us made the short trip to Bretton Woods early to learn more about Mount Washington.  
**Disclaimer...I took photos and notes from the tour and backed it up with research, but any mistakes are mine.

First impression is that the hotel does indeed look like the Overlook Hotel from Stephen King's The Shining, both outside and in some parts of the interior.  And due to efforts to return the decor to the vintage splendor of the opening season in 1902, walking through the doors feels like stepping back into the past.  As our guide began the tour, we learned that this hotel was indeed the height of luxury even when it opened...it was one of the first hotels to have electric lights and private bathrooms.  In fact, Thomas Edison himself designed the lights that still grace the lobby.

A portrait of "The Princess" now hangs above the
original balcony that was part of her rooms.

The original owner and builder, Joseph Stickney, saw only one season before he passed away, leaving his young bride Carolyn to inherit the property.  Carolyn eventually remarried a prince and was hence known as "The Princess".  During her years of presiding over the hotel, she became known for some eccentric habits...for example, she would sit in a balcony of her room, overlooking the staircase leading to the dining room, to watch the guests descend for dinner.  If any of the ladies were dressed more elegantly than she was, she would change.  If she dined in the dining room, she was the last to enter, and she ate alone at a small table by the door, which was closed after her entrance.  No one was permitted to leave until she did.

Apparently, she also was quite attached to her large four poster bed...which I understand completely.  But she went a step above and beyond and took it with her wherever she went...having it disassembled and then reassembled during her travels.  She died in the bed, and it now welcomes guests who opt to stay in "The Princess Suite" (Room 314)...the haunted room, or at least one of them, according to gossip.  Where can I sign up?

We asked if we could open
the trapdoor...and we did!

Prohibition in the 1920s put a damper on the hospitality industry, but on the tour, we were introduced to an area, now The Cellar bar, where a plan existed to circumvent the national law.  Guests drank liquor out of teacups, and a lookout sent up an alarm in the event of an impending raid.  The liquor was dumped and the bottles were tossed into a barrel, which was lowered into this trapdoor in the floor.

  

Entrance to The Cellar

After The Princess passed, her nephew inherited the hotel, but he wasn't particularly dedicated to managing a resort, and financial struggles and WWII resulted in closure in 1942.  Shuttered, the abandoned property stood vacant until 1944, when it was purchased and renovated in preparation to serve as the site for the Bretton Woods monetary conference.  During the clean-up, workers were instructed to paint everything white...which resulted in gilded artwork and trim, stained glass windows, and original brass lighting being coated in white paint...the great "White-out".  Much of this has been restored, except the gold leaf paint, which is now lost forever.  Thankfully, one room was left alone, the gold paint intact, for reasons unknown.

Countries present at the Bretton Woods Conference...some of
which no longer exist anymore as countries

The Bretton Woods conference hosted 730 delegates from all 44 Allied countries while the world was still at war. Part of the reason Mt. Washington was chosen as the site involved security...with so many leaders of different countries in one location and WWII raging, security was a major concern, and the hotel surrounded by mountains had limited access.  The conference resulted in the establishment of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

Now the hotel has been restored to its original glory as closely as possible, and it is owned by Omni.  It's on the US National Register of Historic Places and is a US National Historic Landmark.

The rest of the group joined us after
skiing at the hotel pub for a fun night!

Closer to my passion for spooky things, the hotel has been featured in two episodes of Ghost Hunters...so, yeah...I hope one day I can actually stay overnight.  But even just a day trip for the tour, the breathtaking view, and a fun time in the pub made for a memorable weekend!

If you enjoyed this post, check out some of my other posts on my visits to haunted historical places:  The Catacombs of Paris, The Dakota Hotel in NYC, The Old Jailhouse in Barnstable, and The Abandoned Glenn Dale TB Hospital...to name a few!

And I hope you'll check out my novels in the tabs above if you enjoy spooky suspense!

I was hoping I might catch an image in my pic down the hall...

Exploring #Bourne Farm for Inspiration #amwriting #Ghosts #CapeCod #Falmouth #Travel

Bourne Farm, or Crowell-Bourne Farm, circa 1775

You wouldn't think a ghost mystery would require much research--part of the fun of writing paranormal elements is using your imagination.  But I've had to do research for every one of my books...some more than others.  Haunted Souls, in particular, took a huge amount of research.  The initial inspiration for that story came from a visit to the Old Jail here on Cape Cod--the oldest wooden jailhouse in the country, built circa 1690 and reputedly haunted.  For this particular plot, historical research was necessary, and also a great deal of research into the military background of one of the characters, who was an EOD tech (Explosive Ordinance Disposal).  You can read more details about the Old Jail in Barnstable Village and researching EOD in this post.

For my recent ghost mystery/romance, The Haunting of Hillwood Farm, I needed more information on historic farms located on Cape Cod.  The farm in my novel has been in the Turner family for generations, and Luke Turner is determined to save the property from development, despite financial struggles.  So I visited a few farms in person in addition to doing online research.

Crocker Pond on Bourne Farm

Crowell-Bourne Farm (in West Falmouth on Cape Cod in MA) probably served as the biggest inspiration, at least in terms of my vision for the landscape of Hillwood Farm.  The house was built in 1775 by Joseph Crowell, as you can see from the plaque on the building in the top photo.  Although there is no documentation to prove it, local lore says the structure on Bourne Farm was one of the first seven houses in West Falmouth.  This property is now owned by a private land trust, and consists of 49 acres of fields and woodlands.  It's listed on the National Registration of Historic Places, and visitors enjoy walking the miles of trails through the woods and appreciating the views.  We picked some apples from the orchards during our walk, and I'm sharing a few more pics below.

The cattle run...this used to be a passage for the
cattle to cross beneath the railroad tracks.  The
tracks above are now a bike path.

My hubby walking the trails (Otis the dog
must be further up ahead)

Otis posing in the cattle run

    

One other farm we visited was Taylor-Bray Farm in Yarmouth Port.  This farm was originally settled in 1639 when the area was still part of the Plymouth Colony.  I used some of the history of this farm as inspiration--specifically, Taylor-Bray was a working farm until 1941, harvesting hay and selling fruit.  The existing farm house there now was built in the late 1800s, and visitors are allowed to walk through when it's open.  The decor has been preserved, but in my mind's eye, my fictional farm house has had quite a lot of renovations throughout the years.

Sheep at Taylor-Bray Farm.  My fictional farm has horses.

While these two farms are now historic landmarks open to the public, there are a number of working farms on the Cape that still house families.  Those I researched online, or visited their produce stands to enjoy the fresh fruits and veggies!

All in all, this research was a fascinating look at some Cape Cod history, as well as inspiration for the setting.  But then my imagination took over.  Who is haunting Hillwood Farm?  And why?  You'll have to read the book to find out!  It's available on Kindle and paperback on Amazon, just follow the link below to read the blurb.  

THE HAUNTING OF HILLWOOD FARM on Amazon

Winner of Best Romantic Suspense 
at N.N. Light's Book Heaven Reviews!

And for more posts on historic sites on Cape Cod, check out a few of my other posts:  Historic Falmouth, Exploring Washburn Island (abandoned military base from WWII), Haunted Barnstable Village (deserted prisons anyone?), and Visiting Cuttyhunk Island (which is literally like time-traveling to a different decade!).  Thanks for stopping by!