Boo!

In the blink of an eye it’s gone from March to October, and Halloween is fast approaching.  But this holiday promises to be different than usual.  Will there be a Halloween at all?  Gone are the days of light-hearted dressing up and trick-or-treating.  Last year, Halloween celebrations in my neck of the woods (northern California) were threatened by wildfires and power outages.  This year, we still have have the fires, but the pandemic might be the biggest threat to celebrating the spooky tradition.  

What will children do?  Is it safe to go out and about?  What about trick-or-treating?  Digging into a community candy bowl in close contact with others is probably not the best idea.  My husband already bought bags of Halloween candy that needs to be given away or I will eat it all!  I was thinking of making individual bags and placing them along the driveway for the kids to pick up.

Besides the candy, there are other ways to celebrate.  We have had Halloween parties in the past, but that’s out the window.  I love to dress up and have gone from full costume several years ago:

to a more relaxed version recently:

I doubt I will dress up at all this year, although I may throw on the t-shirt.  

We like to decorate the house and yard:

And I love to watch a good horror movie or revisit my favorite spooky stories:

  

My husband and I make it a tradition to visit a pumpkin patch every year, and this year was no different.  My idea of a pumpkin patch is paying five times more for a pumpkin than you would at the grocery store and having to lug it a lot further to the car:

My husband’s idea sounds like some sort of convoluted fairy tale about liberating the poor oppressed pumpkins from the pumpkin patch.  I tell him we can liberate them from the grocery store for 1/5 of the price, but he’s having none of that.  Having said that, it’s nice to get outside and enjoy the cooler fall weather.  It’s an al fresco activity with plenty of room for social distancing.  And there were plenty of fun photo ops:

What are your plans with the kids or grandkids this Halloween?  Do you have any fun Halloween traditions to share?

Angela Crider Neary is an attorney by day and writer by night. She is an avid mystery reader and especially enjoys reading novels set in interesting locales. She was inspired to write her first mystery novella, Li'l Tom and the Pussyfoot Detective Bureau: The Case of the Parrots Desaparecidos, by one of her favorite areas in San Francisco, Telegraph Hill.  Her second book, Li'l Tom and the Case of the New Year Dragon is now available.  To learn more, visit her on Facebook and Amazon.

Synchronicity by Michael E. Gonzales

I have been writing since before the turn of the century. My first manuscripts were saved on floppy disks (if you aren’t aware of 3.5-inch floppies, ask your parents).

I began writing after seeing a movie with my wife and commenting as we came out, “I believe I could have written a better story.”

She replied, “Yeah? Do it.”

After a time, wherein which I read a number of books on the art of writing, I came to enjoy the process. Exercising the mind, the imagination, even the research, editing, and rewriting.

As I look back to 2016, I marvel and my extreme good fortune to have been published.

Initially the thought of publishing my stories never even entered my mind. When my wife encouraged me to make the attempt, I did. Sending query letters to publishers throughout the US and several in the UK.

No one would have considered it possible that I would, through a pure act of synchronicity, find a publisher right here in Oklahoma City.

I cannot possibly explain the euphoria I felt when signing that first contract. Nor the incredulity of seeing my name on the cover of my first published book.

I’ll never know how many people have read my stories, but if one person truly enjoyed one of them then I am ecstatic. I am fortunate to have received reviews both on Amazon and via email from many happy readers. I know you are all aware what a great pleasure it is to receive these.

So, on this all hallows eve, I sit not with visions of vampires and monsters on my mind, rather I bask in the glow of my small success with my stories of…monsters and vampires. I dream yet of adventures in space, explorers on Mars,

great battles among the stars,

and of witches and warlocks battling for supremacy and falling in love for their troubles.

I have my wife to thank for pushing me. And Jef, Michelle, Jessica, Cheryl, and countless friends who cheered me on.

Before me there opens a dark passage with countless twists and turns. There are pitfalls too, but also stairwells that can lead one to the stars, and beyond.  

Into that yawning maw I will proceed. I trust that good fortune precedes me, luck accompanies me, and hope that Carl Jung was right!

Happy Halloween, everyone.

Mike

Give Me Tomorrow by Kaye Spencer October #blogabookscene #PrairieRosePubs #paranormalromance

Blog-a-Book-Scene is a monthly themed blogging endeavor from a group of authors who love to share excerpts from their stories. Find us on Twitter with the hashtag #blogabookscene and #PrairieRosePubs.

October’s theme is all things autumn, spooky, and Halloween. The excerpt below is from my contemporary paranormal (vampire) romance short novel, Give Me Tomorrow.

Blurb

Vampire Melissa Price’s heart has hardened to an empty shell of remembered love. Lifetimes of experience and self-preservation have taught her that relationships serve only two purposes—sustenance and superficial companionship. Her work as a veterinarian gives purpose to her solitary life, but three hundred years of loneliness catches up with her when she responds to an emergency call and meets the least likely man to bring down the wall of her emotionless existence.

Jaxon Granger is part-owner of his family’s thoroughbred racehorse boarding and layover facility. His world revolves around his business, family, and a penchant toward hedonism. Horses are his life and womanizing bachelorhood is his religion. He boasts that there isn’t a woman alive who can make him a one-woman man.

That is, until he falls for a woman who isn’t alive—in the strictest sense of the word.



EXCERPT

Like a jackrabbit running for cover, Lissa spun out of the yard in a spray of gravel in her flight to get away from Jax. She was miles down the road before her nerves calmed enough that she could think. How had he done that? How had just a kiss turned her inside‐out? His mouth, burning and possessive. His thoughts pulling her into his mind and drawing forth feelings she believed were as dead as the husband and daughter she’d lost centuries ago. One second, they were sinking to the floor, and the next, the blood pulsing through his carotid artery mere inches from her mouth lured her into the bite before either was ready. The instant she’d tasted his blood, her mind had spiraled into a tailspin of vertigo and vivid memories of her past, which broke her already-tenuous telepathic hold on his mind.

What happened? Even as the question formed, she knew the answer. Those older and wiser had warned that her cavalier indifference toward her victims would catch up with her. Someday she’d meet The One. The man whose strength of mind and will of heart matched—or exceeded—her own. She knew this man from her dreams. He stole into her lonely nights, faceless and ethereally enticing, with a whispered promise of tomorrow on a voice as tender and familiar as the caress of a lover. Only this man could lift the centuries of loneliness from her shoulders and breathe life back into her cold, dead heart.

And now she’d found him…or he’d found her, and he wasn’t immortal, not her kind. He was hindered by a finite lifespan. He couldn’t go where she traveled.

Moving on to the next job and the next town was her reality, as always, but for the first time, she didn’t want to leave. Better judgment argued with her emotions. She wanted an-other chance with Jax, but that meant explaining, which meant she cared. Caring brought confiding and confiding required trusting, which she had precious little to draw from. The very essence of what allowed her to live also kept her alone and kept her safe.

Suddenly, she was tired. Tired of staying one suspicion ahead of people when they questioned why she didn’t age. Tired of concealing what she was. Tired of her nomadic life. Just plain tired. What good was immortality if she had to endure eternity alone?

Available through Amazon.com
Print | Digital | KindleUnlimited


Until next time,

Kaye Spencer

Writing through history one romance upon a time

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Fire Star Press New Release Always and Forever by Cheryl Pierson -- Giveaway

Today Cheryl will be giving away a e-copy of her story Always and Forever to one person who leaves a comment on this blog. Be sure and put your contact information if you want a chance to win.

Blurb:

At a children's Halloween carnival, a Gypsy fortuneteller predicts a new love for both Cindy and Gage. When the two meet over a poorly carved pumpkin, love flickers to life and the stars begin to align.

But the odds of finding a new love later in life seem insurmountable, and the prophecy seems too good to be true. After all, Gage has been burned before and Cindy doesn't believe in fortunes or second chances.

Will doubt overshadow their attraction or has love already been set in motion? Can the star-crossed pair put their faith in the love that was foretold? Can they believe in each other?

Sample:

“I'm sorry, Jack.” Cindy Taylor looked down at her six-year-old grandson, then glanced again at the sad excuse for a jack-o-lantern they were trying to carve together. Winning the school carnival pumpkin judging competition was going to be out of their reach tonight, Cindy thought ruefully. “I guess I'm out of practice. It's been a lot of years since I did this last.”

Jack patted her arm seriously. “It's all right, Nana. It's been a long time since you had a kid. You'll do better next year.” But Cindy could see the disappointment in her grandson's features—the deep brown eyes and square chin that reminded her so much of his father it hurt.

The school gymnasium had been transformed with colored lanterns and Halloween decorations in orange, black, and purple hues. Crepe paper streamers hung across the rafters and cutouts of witches, spiders, and black cats were attached at different heights.

The school principal, Mr. Jameson, and several of the teachers were in costume around the room, distributing candy, and hosting the activities and games. Cindy had even brought herself to enter the gypsy fortune teller's booth earlier, pushing aside the feeling of unreasoning trepidation. Thankfully, her “fortune” proved so ludicrous she'd barely managed to keep from laughing before she exited the small enclosure. Finding a second chance at love at her age was a miracle not even a real gypsy could arrange.

“Really,” Jack said, fidgeting beside her now. “It looks...all right.”

Jack's attempt at comforting her brought a lump to her throat. As much as she'd lost this past year, he had lost more. Her son and daughter-in-law had been killed in a car accident. Jack had lost his entire world. And now, he was trying to console her over the tacky job she'd done of pumpkin carving.

This was supposed to be fun. An alternative to going door-to-door for treats. A wave of nostalgia washed over her as she remembered past Halloween holidays. Her son, Brian, had always loved this holiday above all others. But for her, the noise of the crowded room suddenly seemed overwhelming. She wanted it to be over, and she wanted to be someplace soothing. Someplace quiet.

“Nana? Is it all right if I go over there?”

A group of boys stood waiting their turn to go into the inflatable castle. Cindy smiled. “Sure. You go ahead, sweetie. I'll see if I can't make ol' Snaggletooth, here, a bit more presentable.”

“Jack!”

He turned at the excited voice, a smile lighting his face. “Star!” He ran forward and grabbed his classmate by the hand. Jack pulled the girl toward her, and Cindy bent low as he introduced them.

“Nana, this is my very best friend, Star Ross. She's the one I told you about that can play the wooden flute, and she makes up her own music, too!”

Cindy looked into the girl's face. Her Indian heritage was evident in the high cheekbones, dark eyes, and her coal black hair.

“And she can dance!”

Cindy couldn't help but laugh at Jack's enthusiasm. “Hello, Star. I'm Jack's grandmother.”

“Wow. You don't seem like a grandmother!” The smile never left Star's face. “You're too young. And pretty!”

Before Cindy could reply, a male voice interrupted. “Hey, where's my girl gotten off to?” Cindy looked up to see a tall, muscular man coming toward them. There was no doubt he was related to Star. His black eyes flashed with the same mischievous glint, his skin the same gorgeous olive color as Star's.

“Hey, Jack!” He reached to shake Jack's hand as he joined them.

“I'm Star's dad, Gage Ross.” He gave Cindy a slow smile, extending his hand to her. She took it, mesmerized, barely remembering her manners at the last second.

“Cindy Taylor. I'm...uh, Jack's—” She broke off, suddenly hating the word ‘grandmother'. There was only one word worse in her book, and Jack chose that particular time to use it.

“This is my granny, Mr. Ross. I just call her Nana, though.”

Cindy couldn't remember ever wanting a roll of duct tape as badly as she did right at the moment. She felt the flush burning her neck and face in record time.

Gage seemed to understand. He regarded her gravely, not glancing at Jack. “You have a lovely Nana, Jack. Thank you for the introduction.”

“Can we go now?” Jack asked. “I see Derek over there.”

“Sure,” Cindy answered softly. She glanced down to give Jack a reminder to be careful, only to find that he and Star were already halfway across the gym floor.

“I've been waiting a long time to meet you,” Gage said. “Seems like forever.”

Links:

Smashwords      B&N  

Bio:

Cheryl was born in Duncan, OK, and grew up in Seminole, OK. She graduated from the University of Oklahoma, and holds a B.A. in English. Cheryl lives with her husband in Oklahoma City, OK, where she has been for the past 29 years. 

Writing is so much a part of her life that recently, she and long-time friend Livia Reasoner, opened a publishing house for western and historical stories.

For adult contemporary/futuristic stories and novels, check out their imprint FIRE STAR PRESS http://firestarpress.com.