Choosing a #Book Title...or 7! #amwriting #writerslife #writingcommunity #amreading #FridayReads

I've been a reader my whole life, and long before I could search GoodReads or other online book recommendation sites for stories I might like (or even before those mail order clubs became a thing--I belonged to one of those for years), I spent tranquil hours walking through the stacks in libraries.  Often I would just start at the beginning--authors with the last name "A"--and go from there, taking time to linger over my favorite writers to see if there were new releases.  And then there were the titles along the spine that grabbed my attention.  Being a fan of all things spooky--especially Gothic romance (see Phyllis A. Whitney) and haunting mysteries--my heart beat a little faster when I caught sight of a book entitled Ghost Moon in the "R" section...a 2001 release by Karen Robards.  The cover was atmospheric, the blurb on the inside flap was intriguing, and the setting was one of my favorites...the bayous of Louisiana.  From what I remember, there really wasn't a ghost, or any other paranormal aspect, but there was romance, an old mystery, danger, and dark secrets...some of my favorite things in fiction.  I know I enjoyed the story, and I also remember clearly thinking that I loved the title, and my dream of someday writing a novel drifted through my mind again.  

A few years later, inspiration struck, and I had an idea!  Another year later, the complete story arc of my own Romantic Suspense/Ghost Mystery constantly played out in my imagination, and when I explained the plot to my husband, he encouraged me to start writing it.  And...I did. 

I had the premise for the novel,
the characters, the story arc, and an image
of the perfect cover...but no title

Oh, how I wanted to call it Ghost Moon.  I pictured a cover in my mind...an expanse of lake with a full moon hanging in the dark sky above.  But being completely new to the business, I thought a book title had to be unique.  I had no idea that different books often share identical titles, and that (most) book titles are not subject to copyright.

So as I was writing this reunion romance, about a group of estranged friends who reunite at a lake house in a last-ditch attempt to solve the mystery of their missing friend's disappearance, I decided on a different title:  The Lake House.  Then a hit movie with the same name came out in 2006.  (For some reason, I was sure this movie was also a Nicholas Sparks book...but in writing this post, I discovered it's not).  Anyway, that title became unavailable in my mind, and I was disappointed.  Back to the drawing board.

But I finally hit on a title I liked when I named the fictional lake where the house that played such a big part in the group's past was located...Silver Lake.  And that became the working title.  At the time, I couldn't find another book with that title on Amazon (that has changed in the 8 years since publication).

I was thrilled when the manuscript was contracted in 2011 by a publisher, and even more excited when my pub decided to kept the original title.  The eventual cover also captured the key elements I was looking for, thanks to my publisher's policy of allowing the author some input when the time for cover art arrives.  Silver Lake will always have a special place in my heart, and I do love the title.

Silver Lake went on to get acquired by a larger publisher
and became a #1 Amazon Bestseller!

I know this post is getting long--side effect of isolation--but I'll nutshell by saying that although I learned that titles are not copyrighted, I factored in an attempt to find something original in my next few books (along with a two-word theme I've stuck with aside from The Haunting of Hillwood Farm).  But as more and more books hit the market, nearly every title with just a few words gets used more than once.  

My first five books all had two-word titles:
Silver Lake ~ Gull Harbor ~ Divine Fall ~ Haunted Souls
(and Dangerous Currents, which came after this banner)

So, when I was trying to come up with a title for my seventh (!!!!) book, I returned to that love of Ghost Moon.  I checked Amazon, and there are several books now using that title.  Not so many that finding my book would be difficult for anyone looking, but enough (including some very well known authors) that made me decide it was okay for me to use it as well.  Also, it echoes that two-word theme I've had going for most of my books.

As you can see below, I went with my heart's desire.  I'm thrilled I have my own Ghost Moon now, and I wish I could tell my younger self that she'd realize that dream of writing a novel someday....seven times over.  And that eventually, she'd have a book titled Ghost Moon with her name on the cover.

And what a cover!  This might be my favorite one yet!

If you enjoy steamy romance and spooky suspense, I hope you'll give my books a try!  Thanks for coming by, stay safe, and happy reading.

My Favorite Reads of 2019 ~ #amreading #books #FridayReads #Kindle

Time for my annual round-up of my favorite reads of 2019!  As the term "annual" suggests, I do this every year, or at least I have for as long as I've been blogging.  I tend to get most of my book recommendations from suggestions, whether it's from a friend, social media, or a list, so I like to share my own list each January.

According to Goodreads, I read (and listened to) a total of 36 books this year.  Not too bad considering writing and editing my own books takes a lot of time.  I'm thrilled my own 2019 release, The Haunting of Hillwood Farm, has made it onto best book lists or won awards this year at five different review sites!  If you enjoy romantic suspense and/or ghost mysteries, I hope you'll give it a try!  This title is now on Audible too.

I should give a shout-out to Dangerous Currents too...my steamy second-chance Romantic Suspense made it into Cape Cod's 2019 In Season Magazine as a book store recommended read!

For this post, I usually pick five to seven books I really enjoyed and separate them out by genres, and link prior years as well at the bottom.  I should note that while I read many genres, I'm primarily drawn to Gothic, dark, and atmospheric stories.  Not particularly surprising since I write eerie ghost mysteries, but in my novels, I like to balance out the spooky with romance...which by definition, to be published as a romance, must have a "Happily Ever After" for the two main characters.  But since I have lots of books on this list that are not romance, I'll point out that HEAs are not guaranteed for the other genre listings! 


I'm leaving out the Romance genre this year, because my policy on these annual posts is that I cannot know the author of a book I choose, or have any relationship other than being a fan of his or her work...I don't want to pick amongst friends or have any bias for this blog series.  That said, I'll note when a title had romantic elements.

Historical Fiction: White Rose, Black Forest by Eoin Dempsey

Set in Hitler's Germany, this book contains not just elements of fascinating historical fiction, but also romance and suspense.  Franka is a German citizen and a member of the Nazi resistance, hiding out in her family's summer cabin in the Black Forest.  When she finds an injured Nazi airman, her medical training and her innate compassion compel her to bring him to the isolated cabin.  Without going into spoilers, the external conflict between the main characters is unique and intense, with life-threatening consequences for each of them as they struggle with whom to trust with their secrets.  The desire to learn each character's past, along with the chillingly suspenseful scenes, kept the pages turning rapidly.   

Legal Thriller: Miracle Creek by Angie Kim

The premise of this book is a trial following a fatal explosion at a privately-owned alternative-medicine treatment facility.  Who was responsible, and was it murder?  A lot of people have described this book as something similar to what would happen if Celeste Ng (author of Little Fires Everywhere and Everything I Never Told You) wrote a legal thriller, and that feels accurate.  It blends mystery, courtroom drama, and family secrets and dynamics while also exploring subjects like caring for special needs children, adapting to America as immigrants, and marriage and parenting.  A lot is packed into this novel, along with beautiful, emotional writing.  

Psychological Suspense/Horror:  Here to Stay by Mark Edwards

It's nearly impossible to look away as a newly married couple's life spirals into a horrific disaster when the wife's family comes to stay for a short visit.  As the title suggests, the visitors actually have no intention of leaving, and the situation goes from bad to worse as mysteries surface, tragedies occur, tempers rise, and a once-peaceful life and home become unrecognizable.  A dark and twisty thriller.

Historical Fiction:  The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer

The trope here is familiar...something happens in the present that uncovers a past mystery, and the story is told in dual timelines as secrets are uncovered.  While I've read a lot of these as a fan of historical fiction, this one stood out.  The main character in the present, Alice, faces daily struggles with her family, including her autistic son, as she also tries to spend time with her terminally ill grandmother.  As her grandmother tries to communicate her dying wishes, Alice begins to unravel the threads of the past, in a journey that takes her to Poland.  In alternating chapters, readers are immersed in Alina's coming of age in Nazi-occupied Poland and the horrors that she and her family and friends endured.  This story is full of hope and heartbreak, love and loss, strength and perseverance.     

Young Adult Dystopian: Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne

This is a YA post-apocalyptic thriller, and I tend to be a fan of survivalist type stories.  A group of kids ranging from 1st graders to high schoolers become trapped in a superstore (think Target or Walmart) after a series of disasters.  The story hooked me right away, but I have to say one of my favorite things about this book/series is that *both* my sons (age 18 and 21) read it--quickly--at my suggestion, and let's just say it's very difficult to get them reading at this stage in their lives.  I've dedicated posts to finding books for boys in the past, and I'd add this in a heartbeat.  This is a 3 book trilogy and I'm excited to get to the next in the series.

Nonfiction: Mind Hunter: Inside the FBI's Elite Serial Crime Unit by John Douglas

This is part memoir and part case-studies, and completely fascinating to anyone interested in profiling killers, criminal psychology, and true crime.  Fair warning--the subject matter dictates some very gruesome and disturbing imagery...it would be difficult to describe the crime scenes and the behavioral markers without some graphic details.  As an author who incorporates bad guys and serial killers into plots, this also served as an amazing reference book as well as a unique look inside the development of profiling.  John Douglas was one of the founders of the FBI's modern profiling unit, and the character of Jack Crawford in Silence of the Lambs is based on Douglas.  Throughout 25 years with the FBI, Douglas was involved in some very high-profile cases, and the methods he developed helped find and convict serial rapists and killers.

Psychological Suspense: The Housemate by C.L. Pattison

A thriller set around two old friends who invite a third roommate to share their London flat to keep expenses down.  Strange and mysterious things begin happening, and this book has a "Single White Female" vibe.  I listened to the audio version and the narration was top-notch.  


There you have it, seven titles I really enjoyed from five genres.  Now, I want to hear some of your favorite reads...feel free to comment below!  And check out the links to some prior years for more recommendations.  Thanks for stopping by and Happy Reading!

My Favorite Reads 2012

My Favorite Reads 2013

My Favorite Reads 2014

My Favorite Reads 2015

My Favorite Reads 2016

My Favorite Reads 2017

My Favorite Reads 2018

Signed #Book #Giveaway! Steamy #Romance + Haunting Mystery on #goodreads

Here on Cape Cod, we've had a pretty bleak spring, but it *might* be safe to say beach-read weather is close at hand!  To celebrate, a signed print copy of Haunted Souls, a steamy romance spiked with a haunting mystery set here on the Cape, 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, and my publisher recently released this title as an audio-book as well.  Check out the blurb below, and if it sounds intriguing, enter to win!  Good luck and thanks for stopping by, and if you need to stock up on some more books for the summer, take a look at some of my other #1 Amazon and B&N Bestselling titles, along with my brand new, still shiny release, Dangerous Currents, a steamy second-chance romance filled with secrets and suspense.

Some of my favorite quotes from editorial reviews of Haunted Souls

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 June 23, 2018.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

To enter click ^ the gray box below the cover or click here

Pre-orders are up! Steamy Second-Chance #Romance + Suspense ~ New Release #Books

My fifth novel, Dangerous Currents, is almost here!  Pre-orders are live for all formats except print, and if you order now, it will hit your Kindle/Nook/iPad on Thursday!  Dangerous Currents is a second-chance romance with plenty of suspense, but no ghosts--a bit of a departure from my other novels that involve some paranormal elements.  This release date is especially meaningful to me, because I struggled with writer's block for a while after my father was diagnosed with cancer and passed away five months later in April of 2017.  I desperately wanted to finish Malorie and Dean's story, but the emotional turmoil made it impossible to write even a single sentence for months.  So to have this novel about to finally release feels like a victory!  Check out the blurb below, as well as the cover, done by the talented author and graphic designer K.R. Conway.  And the first rating has just hit Goodreads--5 stars--I can't wait to see the review when release day hits!

No ghosts in this one, but plenty of dark secrets, danger,
and of course, steamy romance!
Grab your copy on Pre-order!

When a costly mistake ends Malorie Montgomery’s career, she returns to Cape Cod in search of a fresh start.  But her plans for a new—and quiet—life are quickly derailed when she makes a grisly discovery in the woods, and her screams bring the one person from her past she’d hoped to avoid.  Dean Slater, the ex-boyfriend who broke her heart in high school, now lives in the beachfront community that was supposed to be her haven…and he’s just as hot as he was six years ago.

With his rough background, Dean always knew he wasn’t good enough for the kind, intelligent beauty who claimed his heart, but somehow he’d believed their love was strong enough to survive anything—until the tragic night she turned her back on him when he needed her trust the most.  Despite their painful history, Dean can’t resist the instinct to protect her, especially when it becomes apparent there’s a killer in their town.

Their former chemistry soon reignites, but Malorie has long accepted that her dark family secret has destined her to a life alone.  And when she uncovers evidence that makes her the killer’s target, a deadly confrontation threatens to destroy any possibility of a second chance.

Preorder Dangerous Currents to hit your Kindle, Nook, or iPad on May 3rd!  Print paperbacks will be available in May as well.

Dangerous Currents Kindle

Dangerous Currents Nook

Dangerous Currents Kobo

Dangerous Currents iTunes

Last Day to Enter! #Giveaway #Goodreads #YA #Paranormal #Romance

Ahhhh I've been SO busy--just finished novel #5, working on the editing and synopsis (ugh), gearing up for an audiobook release (yay), and starting a new writing class, I nearly forgot about this Goodreads Giveaway I scheduled to coincide with Valentine's Day!  Hurry if you'd like to enter, Feb. 4th is the last day!  You'll get a signed paperback during the perfect month for love stories.

REVENGE, ROMANCE, + A ROGUE FALLEN ANGEL...

Divine Fall is a Young Adult Paranormal Romance featuring forbidden first love and supernatural secrets:

After tragedy tears Jamie Brandt's life apart, her only goal is to finish high school so she can leave her small hometown behind. In the meantime, riding her horse is her main source of solace, until a mysterious stable hand shows up at the barn. There's something not quite right about the handsome new employee, and the more Jamie sees of him, the more determined she becomes to figure out what he's hiding. 


Dothan Reed came to historic Huntsville, Maryland, for one reason--revenge. But his plan can't move forward until he finds the missing piece he needs to enhance his powers. As the only surviving Nephilim, Dothan is not only weaker than full-blooded angels; his forbidden lineage makes him an outcast in both worlds. When he discovers Jamie is the key to locating an ancient weapon, he's forced to interact with a vulnerable human girl--a task that becomes more appealing with each encounter. 

Jamie soon learns Dothan isn't the only one with a dark secret. Each new revelation further threatens her safety, and Dothan's betrayal shatters her heart. Forgiving him seems impossible, but the thought of turning her back on him is equally painful. 


As their connection deepens, Dothan will have to make his own difficult choice: continue on his path of vengeance, or protect the girl he loves. And when Dothan's actions thrust Jamie into an unforeseen danger, he must seek the help of his enemy...or risk losing her forever.

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Divine Fall

by Kathryn Knight

Giveaway ends February 04, 2018.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

If you missed the deadline or want to make sure you grab your copy, you can also get the ebook on Kindle or Nook for less than a buck!

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

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!

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

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

The Oldest Wooden Jail in the country -
circa 1690...inspiration for the ghost
mystery in HAUNTED SOULS.
What's in the upstairs window????

Happy October!  Today begins one of my favorite months, as I'm a fan of all things spooky, and October is the perfect month to celebrate the paranormal.  I'll be featuring posts about hauntings, paranormal activity, and other Halloween-related topics all month, so check back frequently!  

If you like stories that deliver a little chill up your spine--along with some steamy romance to heat things back up--you can enter to win a signed copy of Haunted Souls, my latest novel, over on Goodreads.  The giveaway ends on Oct. 9th, which gives me plenty of time to get your signed copy to you in time for Halloween.  This is a reunion romance mixed with a haunting mystery, set on Cape Cod, and I'm posting the blurb below.  And if you don't win, mark down Oct. 13th on your calendar, as my publisher will be putting the Kindle version on a temporary 99 cent sale!  Good luck and thanks for stopping by!

A damaged soldier, a secret baby, and a haunting mystery collide in Haunted Souls
~ A Top 3 Read of 2016 at Read Free.ly ~

Link to Haunted Souls Goodreads Giveaway

Link to Kindle version on Amazon

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.

Kindle sale begins Friday the 13th!  Yes, that's happening this October!

Last Days for Goodreads #Giveaway! #Ghosts + #Romance #amreading

Short and sweet post - if you're on Goodreads, you can enter to win a signed paperback copy of HAUNTED SOULS - just in time for Halloween reading!  A spooky haunting with a hot military romance to counteract the spine-tingling chills ~ to enter, click the rectangular box below the book cover in the widget below (if you hover over it, it should show "enter giveaway"...the colors don't work well with my blog template!)  Happy haunted reading!

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Haunted Souls

by Kathryn Knight

Giveaway ends September 26, 2016.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

                                     ^ Enter Giveaway here!

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.

Last Days for #Goodreads #Giveaway! Signed #Book #ghosts #romance

It's been a crazy few weeks (in a good way!) since HAUNTED SOULS released on June 1!  I've been so busy, I was shocked to realize June is coming to a close.  So a short and sweet post today to let readers know there is a Goodreads Giveaway for a signed print edition open until June 30th - if you're on GR and would like to read this steamy military romance + ghost mystery, click on over to enter here:  Haunted Souls Goodreads Giveaway.

"Sultry, mysterious, thrilling and suspenseful"

Thanks for stopping by and happy reading!

My Favorite Reads of 2014 #amreading

Each January, I look over my Goodreads list and pick out a few books that really stood out to me over the past year.  I read all genres, although obviously as a romance author, I tend to favor stories that involve a relationship between two characters, even if it isn't the central plot.  And while I've had a new release come out each year I've done this, including this summer's DIVINE FALL, I leave my own books out of the running, for obvious reasons!  Here's a look at a few of my favorite reads of 2014, along with links to my 2012 and 2013 lists.

Historical Fiction:  A tie-- River God, by Wilbur Smith and The Kitchen House, by Kathleen Grissom.

Historical Fiction and Historical Romance are genres I gravitate toward...I love immersing myself in the past as a dramatic story unfolds in a different time and place.  There were two books this year that I really enjoyed.  River God is an older book, published in 1995, set in an even older time--Ancient Egypt, circa 2,000 BC.  This is book #1 in Wilbur Smith's Ancient Egypt series, and I'm so glad a friend told me about it.  While I had my misgivings when I realized the entire story would be told in the first person Point of View by a eunuch slave, it worked really well, and the engaging narrator Taita was even able to bring the forbidden romance between Tanus and Lostris alive for me.  And Taita is a literary "Mary Sue", but the author knew what he was creating and he had fun with it.  This novel reminded me of some of my other favorite books--Ken Follet's Pillars of the Earth, his Century Trilogy, or Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series--this was an epic tale full of drama, history, romance, war, medicine, affairs of state, adventure, crime and punishment, royalty, and slavery.

The other historical fiction novel I enjoyed, The Kitchen House, is set on a Virginia plantation in the late 1700s.  It's a compelling contrast between the life of the slaves and the life of the plantation owners, reminiscent, to me at least, of The Help.  Two narrators, an orphaned white girl brought to work as an indentured servant, and a half-black, half-white slave with ties to "the Big House" (ie, the plantation mansion), provide complementary looks at the struggles facing those with limited or no freedom during this time period.

Biography:  Unbroken: A WWII Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption, by Laura Hillenbrand

Nonfiction is rarely something I choose, but even before all the hype surrounding this book reached me, one of my friends recommended it to me.  I knew I had to read this incredible true story, and I began recommending it to others before I was even halfway through.  At this point, almost everyone has heard of Louis Zamperini, and either read the book or seen the movie.  I've done both, and I do think the movie did a good job within the obvious constraints of fitting an amazing, full life into a two-hour time-frame.  But I don't think the movie comes close to conveying the magnitude of the events--so I highly recommend reading the book if you haven't.

Literary Fiction/Suspense: two novels by Tawni O'Dell, Fragile Beasts and One of Us.

Back in the days when I belonged to one of those Book-of-the-Month clubs, I saw Back Roads described in the catalog.  I sent away for it, and I absolutely loved it--a tragic, dark, haunting, and yet somehow hopeful family drama set in the dreary, poverty-stricken landscape of a dying mining town.  I was hooked on the story, and the author.  I eagerly snapped up her next two books (Coal Run and Sister Mine) as they released over the years, but then I didn't see any new ones for a while--so imagine my happiness when I did a quick search on GR one night and discovered TWO new Tawni O'Dell novels waiting for me!  Each of her novels is a stand-alone, but they all share that rural, gritty setting of a Pennsylvania coal mining town with little left to offer the families who gave their lives to the mines that sustained them for generations.

Legal Thriller:  Defending Jacob, by William Landay

Another recommendation from a friend (everyone knows how much I like to read!).  Legal thrillers aren't my thing lately, but this one was an out-and-out page-turner that I literally could not put down.  I brought my Kindle to my son's baseball games so I could read a few pages between innings.  This one's about a lawyer defending his son against murder while not entirely convinced of his innocence.  The level of tension and uncertainty reminded me of Gone Girl.

Young Adult - Historical Fantasy: The Kingdom of Little Wounds, by Susann Cokal

This book was listed in a Jan. 2014 Boston Globe article of books not to miss.  Otherwise, it's unlikely I would have ever heard of it, and that would have been my loss.  The name intrigued me, as did the cover.  Unfortunately, there seems to be a lot of contention over whether this is really a "Young Adult" book, but two of the main characters are indeed young women, living within the palace of a sort of "alternate reality" Scandinavian city in the 16th century.  Despite a few invented details, the history of the period itself is obviously meticulously researched, and young people were often thrust into unpleasant things at an early age in the 1500s.  Does that lead to some very graphic descriptions, disturbing scenes, and gruesome diseases and traditions?  Yes.  But that's what life was like then.  The prose is beautiful and the world-building top-notch.

Well, there you have it...my most memorable reads of 2014.  What were yours?  I'm always looking for my next great book!

How Many Events Can I Fit Into One Month? #amwriting

Answer: A LOT!  October is over, and I am exhausted...but in a good way.  The month of Halloween is really big for me, since all three of my novels have a paranormal element.  Two are spooky ghost stories mixed with romance, and my young adult novel has supernatural secrets entwined with forbidden love.  Not only did I brainstorm some promotions of my own, but I also received some amazing requests that I certainly would never refuse.  All this combined to make a very busy month!

With the wonderful host
of Off the Shelf

First off, I was invited to be interviewed on the television program Off the Shelf, which airs on community access channels throughout Massachusetts.  Although I had to take off work and drive two hours, I of course jumped at the chance.  This was my third time on television, and while it's stressful having a conversation in front of the camera, it really does get easier every time.  We filmed this show on October 3rd, but it won't air for a few more weeks.

Lunch was delicious!

On Oct. 7th, I was the guest speaker at a member luncheon at The Hyannis Yacht Club.  I planned out a 25-minute presentation, which of course I had to memorize.  I spent time every night practicing, and it went really well.  I was thrilled that some of the guests read my books in advance after they signed up to attend.

The it was on to SpookLit night, a special "spooky literature" event organized by another local author.  Seven Cape Cod authors of both nonfiction and fiction books dealing with supernatural elements participated in readings.  We were each allowed 11 minutes to speak a little bit about our book and read from a scary passage.  I put together a new, brief presentation and read from GULL HARBOR, since this ghost story/romance is set on the Cape.  We had a huge crowd and almost everyone dressed up in costume, so it was a lot of fun.

Two days later I was at the historic Hyannis Library on Main Street, giving a presentation on writing romance and changes in the publishing industry.  One couple who had attended SpookLit came to hear a little bit more about my books, which truly made my night.  Everyone there had really great questions, and it was a lively discussion.

Banner for our Facebook Event

Online, I organized a Romance & Ghosts giveaway with the help of fellow authors Kelly Moran, Joya Fields, and Denise Moncrief.  We each donated copies of romances we've written that also involve ghost stories.  This Facebook event went on for two weeks, with a final drawing on Halloween.  In addition, I participated in the Snarkology Halloween Blog Hop, and completed an author interview for a college student majoring in Creative Writing.  I ran a 99 cent sale on my new YA DIVINE FALL as well as a Goodreads giveaway for a signed print copy.

Finally, I published extra blog posts on paranormal topics (as opposed to my usual four posts per month), including one on the premier of the scary movie Annabelle, one on the Origin of Superstitions, one on the creepy show Ghost Within My Child, and one for the Halloween Blog Hop on Graveyards.


Whew!  It was a lot of stress and preparation, but reading and writing are my passions, and I love to let readers know about my books.  Of course, my head was spinning toward the end of the month (not like the Exorcist girl, don't worry), when I realized on the day before Halloween I didn't even have a pumpkin, much less supplies and costumes for everyone!  Something had to give, right?  I ran out and found pumpkins at bargain basement prices (one advantage of waiting till the last minute), and my younger son reminded me we had a costume from last year that had arrived after Halloween (I must have been busy last October too, lol)--so he'll wear that.  I even found the box I'd packed it away in!

My older son informed me he'd like to have his birthday (16 - gulp!) sleepover on Halloween as well, so that took some scrambling to organize.  All in all, while October is one of my favorite months, I'm ready to welcome November!

#GhostInsideMyChild - #Paranormal Posts #GhostInside

I'm fascinated by ghosts, so when I saw the title of this show airing on LMN, I knew I had to tune in.  I was immediately hooked and a little bit creeped out!  The ghosts I write about are separate entities, lingering forlornly among familiar places until their unfinished business can be completed--usually, this involves my characters unraveling the mysteries behind the restless spirits' deaths and locating their earthly remains.  The Ghost Inside My Child involves a different type of ghost...one that resides within a new body: i.e., a reincarnated spirit who suffered a violent or sudden death.

Chills, right?  If you've watched the show, you'll see that the memories, facts, and details of past lives surfacing in these children's minds are incredibly accurate.  While there may be other explanations, mere coincidence or active imaginations don't seem likely. 

I maintain a Pinterest board specifically for spooky stories and photos to use as inspiration, and one mystery I found there reminds me of this LMN show: the story of the Pollock twins.  These identical twin girls were born a year after their older sisters died in a 1957 car accident.  One of the twin girls (who should have had identical markings) had two birthmarks that matched one of their deceased sisters'.  Both girls had memories that seemed to belong to their sisters...for example, they asked for toys they'd never seen that had belonged to their sisters.  The parents moved the family after the accident, but when they returned to visit the English town, the girls were able to request a visit to a park they had never been to...and describe it in detail.

The word "reincarnation" is derived from Latin and means "entering the flesh again".  There are, of course, a lot of religious beliefs surrounding the existence of this phenomenon, but that's way beyond the scope of this blog.  I'm a fan of anything paranormal, and even non-believers will find the show an interesting source of historical periods and events. 

My first introduction to the concept of reincarnation came about, like most things in my life, via the pages of a novel.  Library trips came once a week when I was a kid, and although I always brought home a huge stack, it was never enough.  I'd reread my favorites, and I often went back to the old standbys lining my bookshelf: Charlotte's Web, Summer Pony, Winter Pony, Benji, The Incredible Journey, and my favorite ghost story, Jane-Emily.  When I needed a fresh, never-before-read story, I raided the bookshelf in my parents' room.  Of course, these choices were rarely age-appropriate, but I was a mature reader and my mom was too busy with my younger siblings to worry about my reading habits.

I went through all the Phyllis A. Whitney and Mary Higgins Clark, and even a few David Morrell.  Even then, I had a passion for gothic and spooky, and there was one paperback with a terrifying cover: Audrey Rose, by Frank De Fellita.  It was about--you got it--reincarnation--specifically a couple with a daughter, Ivy, displaying odd behavior.  This coincides with an alarming visit from a man claiming Ivy is actually his daughter Audrey Rose, who died a horrific death, trapped in a burning vehicle with her mother.



A quick look at the book's Goodreads page shows I am not alone in having been impacted by the frightening cover.  While there were a couple different editions, the cover to the left is what was in our bookshelf at home.  From what I remember, this was actually more of a supernatural drama than a horror book, but I'll never forget that cover...or the ending of the book, even though I read it too many years ago to reveal here!  I'll leave out the spoilers, in case anyone wants to check it out.  For more spooky and suspenseful reads--with romance, which guarantees a happy ending--check out ghost stories SILVER LAKE and GULL HARBOR, or my new YA release about a dangerous fallen angel, DIVINE FALL (only 99 cents this week on Kindle and Nook!).  After all, it is the perfect month for paranormal!