The Seed that Sprouted a Warrior

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Jessica Aspen

Paranormal Freebies is happy to welcome back our very first guest blogger, Sharon Clare. Sharon is a founder and regular contributor of Romance and Beyond. She has been published in Ontario Art Review, Short Story Library, Quick Brown Fox and Life to Life Magazine. Her prologue for a romantic fantasy, Love of Her Lives, is included in Canadian Voices, 2nd edition, an anthology by emerging Canadian writers, published by Bookland Press. And the full version of Love of her Lives will be out soon from Crimson Romance (a division of Adams Media). Please join me in welcoming Sharon Clare.

The Seed that Sprouted a Warrior

By Sharon Clare

 As paranormal writers, I believe we have one thing in common—the ability to suspend reality, to suspend disbelief, to suspend closed minds.

I have no problem suspending reality. I embrace fantasy and am quite happy living in my head where fantastical realities are part of everyday story making. Since I’m not quite sure how to explain some of the real life magic I’ve experienced in my life, I tweak it and twist it and turn it into story scenes.

Since this is a paranormal crowd, I think it’s the perfect venue to share the seed that grew into Calum, the spirit guide in my paranormal romance manuscript Love of Her Lives.

A few weeks ago, on Romance and Beyond, I wrote about my research into past lives. One of the issues that prompted that past life regression session was a ‘visit’ I received, a man burned into my brain, a single moment that led to an unforgettable sequence of events.

One day, years ago, I was putting away laundry when suddenly an image exploded in my head. Exploded may be a bit strong, but this was an image unlike anything I’d experienced: a man, dressed in costume. A man I didn’t just see, but I also felt strongly.

All the people who matter to me have a feeling. If I picture them, I also feel who they are, what they mean to me. Usually this feeling builds over time, as I get to know them, but with this man, I had a sense of him right away, although his face was completely foreign to me. Who the heck was he? And why did he intrude in my head?

This wasn’t something that faded. Weeks later, I still felt him. By this time, I knew his name—John. I decided to do some research. He wore a costume, so off to the library I went. I found a first century roman warrior in the same garb. This provided no clarity at all. Why did a roman warrior visit me? Who was he to me? Or was I just losing it? Had my imagination run amuck?

Do you ever notice that when you ask a question of the cosmos, you tend to get an answer?

I put the warrior out of my mind.

A few weeks passed and one night after being out with friends, I came home around 1 am. I noticed the light on in my daughter Ashley’s room, and since she was on the east coast, I thought, hmm, her sister’s been in her room. I turned on my bedroom light and went into the bathroom to wash up.

That’s when he showed up. All around me I felt John, or I thought I did. I stopped what I was doing. A bit exasperated, I asked the question, are you real???

The lights went out. Pitch black enfolded me. My heart stopped. I nearly peed my pants.

Then the lights came back on. Okay, I had my answer. I wouldn’t doubt any more.

Warrior seeds picture by sharon clareThe next morning, I mentioned to my daughter Megan that we’d had a power failure the night before, she should reset her clock, I should reset the clocks, we always have to reset clocks when the power goes out. When I went to do this, I noticed that none of the main floor clocks were out. As a matter of fact, the only clocks in the house that were out, were my bedroom and Ashley’s bedroom—the only two rooms with lights on the night before.

Only the lights that happened to be on were turned off. It wasn’t a power failure. It was more like someone turned out the lights.

Nonetheless, I checked the circuit breakers. My room and Ashley’s room are even on different circuits.

So I decided to welcome John. See what he had to teach me because this is the way my mind works when I suspend my disbelief.

As we writers do, John was the seed that became Calum, my temperamental warrior spirit guide. A man hopelessly in love with his soul mate and not pleased when she decided to leave him behind in the Upper World and live a life on Earth without him. It was a nice try. Calum’s not the type of man to be left behind.

You can read Calum’s story soon. I’m excited to say I’ve just signed a contract with Crimson Romance for Love of Her Lives, a paranormal romance!

I love it when I see magic in the real world. Where do you find your paranormal seeds?

 

 

 

 

Posted in Guest Blogs, Paranormal, Paranormal Romance, Past Lives | Tagged , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

The Brown Palace

Posted on May 11, 2012 by MLGuida

The Brown Palace located at 321 17th Street

In the year 1892, Henry Brown opened the Brown Palace, located at 321 17th Street, Denver, Colorado.  The Brown Palace has twelve thousand surface face of onyx, a semi-precious stone, and has an artesian well seven hundred twenty feet below, which still provides water for the four hundred guest rooms.  Every U.S. president since Teddy Roosevelt, except for Calvin Coolidge, has visited the Brown Palace.  Rock stars, including the Beatles, movie stars, and prime ministers have all stayed at this Denver Historic Hotel.

High Tea

As many historic hotels, the Brown Palace has a dark side.  Until 1985, the hotel used to have residents live there.  One of them, Louise Crawford Hill, rented room 904.  She suffered a serious heartbreak during her life and died.  During the Historical Tours, people would stop in front of room 904 and the guide would tell her sad tale.  Shortly, afterwards, the telephone operator received calls from room 904, which at the time had no telephone lines.  Out of respect for Louise, the Historical Tour does not include room 904.

Ellyngton’s is the hotel’s dining room, but it used to be called the San Marco Room, where bands performed for socialites and special events.  Legend has it the some band members have elected not to leave Ellyngton’s and guests and employees have reported hearing music when no band was playing.

Recently, I went for High Tea with Angela James, executive editor from Carina Press, Jessica Aspen, romance writer and Helen Hardt, romance writer.  We enjoyed a glass of Kir Royale champagne and ate moist scones with cream, delectable tea sandwiches, petite fortes, and chocolate truffles filled with raspberry cream.  There were so many different teas I had difficulty choosing one, but decided on a green tea, jasmine fragrant cloud, since jasmine is one of my favorite flowers.  Angela chose the Brown’s Crown Jewel tea, which includes a special blend of Assam and Ceylon.  She liked the tea so much she bought a tin.

Angela James, Executive Editor from Carina Press

We did hear music in Ellyngton’s but there was an actual live piano player, and I drank champagne listening to the Think of Me from Phantom of the Opera.  Although we did not see or any ghosts, the High Tea was fabulous.  If you get a chance and come to Denver, I encourage you to make a special trip to the Brown Palace for High Tea and who knows maybe you’ll see one of their infamous ghosts.

Posted in M.L. Guida's Haunts | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

The High Bridge & Debut Author Elizabeth Haysmont

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Jessica Aspen

Paranormal Freebies welcomes first time author, Elizabeth Haysmont. It seems Elizabeth Haysmont’s entire life has been dedicated to research. At least that’s the spin she’s putting on it when she tries to explain why so many of her real life experiences end up in her books. Motorcyclist, photographer, graphic artist, traveler, caver, history buff, rail buff, hiker, off-roader, musician, actor – Life has dragged her (with her husband of twenty-two years) through 35 states and six foreign countries. She and her husband even chose an adventurous way to wed: in a cave near St. Louis, 50 feet underground.

She likes to think that with all this fodder for her imagination, her current friends are safe from being included in one of her novels… but you never know.

The High Bridge

the highbridge by elizabeth haysmontMy debut novel The High Bridge will be available May 19, 2012 from Passion In Print Press. My heroine Sandra Yorken is an investigative reporter of paranormal activity, mostly of the “too-good-to-be-true” variety, the kind created by businesses to attract customers. Little does she know that what she’s investigating is a real haunting by a demon that is fighting the prediction Sandra Yorken will destroy its influence over the area.

Especially written for Paranormal Freebies, this scene brings you into the situation that brought Sandra from Boston to Colorado in 2004.  

 

July, 1956

Price-Wellington Hotel

Seasons Park,Colorado

Angelo Speevers threw the remainder of his scotch to the back of his throat and slammed the glass onto the bar, hoping it would break. Something needed to. Better cheap barware than her slender little neck.

He loved that neck. Somewhere deep in his memory, it was the neck that smelled of their first Christmas together as newlyweds, of the perfume he spent most of his holiday bonus on. He remembered nuzzling her soft skin, feeling a throbbing pulse against his lips as her impassioned sighs floated past his ear. God, he loved those sighs. Unspoken desire and complete surrender conveyed with each womanly exhale. They told him that Jeannie was his for all of eternity.

And her body like a goddess. Soft where he wanted it and sturdy where it should be. He was the luckiest man on the planet each and every time they made love.

But now it appeared he was taking turns being luckiest.

The bartender stepped up, wiping a wineglass with a towel.

“Hey, Angelo, do you think it’s time to call it a night?”

Speevers stared at his glass a moment before shoving it forward. “Double it,” he said. It had so much snarl, he didn’t recognize it as his own voice. And the order surprised him. One was his limit. History showed him to be an ugly drunk and he knew it. A double would mean his fourth and fifth.

The bartender took the glass and dropped it in the sink. When he looked at Speevers again, a tinge of horror flooded his expression before he shook his head. Relief replaced the terror.

“What?” Speevers demanded.

“N-nothing, Mister Speevers. It’s just that for a moment you looked… well, never mind. It’s late and we’re about to close up.”

Once again Speevers snarled, causing the bartender to take a step backwards.

“G-g-go to your room, Mister Speevers. Your wife is waiting for you. Things will be better in the morning.”

“My wife,” Speever growled. He slid off the bar stool and patted the inside pocket of his sports coat. The solid metal presence resisted his touch. That strange gun he discovered in the washroom, just resting on the toilet tank. Speever couldn’t imagine anyone leaving an old-fashioned firearm in the bathroom for anyone to find. He checked; it was loaded. Wouldn’t it be missed? Where had it come from?

He’d picked it up, intending to hand it over to hotel security, but now there was a better use for it. “Alright, I’m… m’going.”

Placing one unsteady step in front of the other, he made his way out of the lounge towards the hotel lobby. He hesitated at the peculiar reflection off the glass window of the barroom door – twisted, red-faced, angry. It didn’t look like him at all. It was a side of himself that he didn’t recognize.

Well, Jeannie was about to meet it too.

 ***

It watched the scene unfold and smiled. A frenzy of explanations and pleas for sanity, pleas for mercy. Screams of hatred, two explosions, a broken door, one more gunshot, sulphur, then… silence.

The fish almost slipped the hook. Speevers had paused when his fingers touched the gun to pull it from his pocket, the shock of the cold metal almost shaking off its influence. A brief push sent him bursting into Room 314 and jealousy took over. Another push made Speevers imagine a non-existent lover in his wife’s arms.

A demon doesn’t experience joy, so its smile was from satisfaction of a job well done. His Master would be very pleased. Two more for the ever-clicking tally of damned souls. Perhaps it would mean additional allies for the battle that was to come. The spiritual battle at The High Bridge.

Back cover blurb for The High Bridge:

Sandra Yorken made it her life’s work proving that spirit sightings are the result of wishful thinking or willful misconduct. She’ll go to any length to debunk a story that makes a location a ‘tourist attraction’.

When Sandra Yorken crashes her bike on a remote mountain road while searching for the legendary Ghost Train of the Rocky Mountains, the last person she wants help from is the mysterious (and breathtakingly handsome) Seth ‘Monty’ Montclair. If her altitude sickness and an evil spirit don’t kill her first, falling in love with the wrong man may just break her heart forever.

Elizabeth Haysmont
You can find Elizabeth Haysmont on her website HERE. Or on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Elizabeth.Haysmont.Author

And she’ll be at RomCon in June in Denver, just one more reason to come to the Rockies and play this summer!

Posted in Paranormal Romance | 14 Comments

Purge Negativity with Fire

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Jessica Aspen

Wizzards, Witches and Psychics, Oh My!

by Jessica Aspen

Beltane is the celebration of spring, most known for leaping the bonfire and the “hooking up” that much wine and celebration naturally causes. This year it fell on May 1st and if you missed celebrating with a group of friends and a bonfire, don’t worry, there’s plenty of time to get your mojo going with fire.

Stock Photography - Fire

© Photographer: Laukas | Agency: Dreamstime.com


While fire plays an important part in major pagan festivals it’s also an important part of everyday spells. Candles themselves become magical tools and the flame the catalyst for releasing the energy.

One of my favorite spells involves black candles, which are tough to find any time besides Halloween. Check out Partylite for delicious black cherry votives (instead of licorice) anytime of year.

Take your votive candle (and Partylite candles come in a box of six, so you can do all six if you want) to your ritual circle. Be sure to set your circle and protections before invoking whatever gods or goddesses you deem appropriate. (Newbies, please choose carefully. Positive Gods and Goddess only for the Newbie! Here is a list to get you started, do some research if you have not done any spells before. Warning, choose carefully.) Ask for your candles to be blessed and purified, sprinkle with drops of water and run through the smoke from your incense to help with the purification.

Ask for these candles to receive any negativity and picture them sucking up negative vibes.  Setting your expectations can be crucial and visualization is an important way to do that. Picture your candles soaking up the negativity in your environment and holding it, like a sponge.

After closing your circle your candles are ready for use. Simply place them around the house for a week and let them suck up the bad energy. Then, when you feel like their ready, burn them. All the bad vibes are purified by the flame, changed into the clean energy of light.

 This spell is great after bad break-ups or after any time of negativity. The candles can be brought to the office and brought back home for burning. For later use or when transporting simply wrap in a piece of silk and place in a wooden box.  Use this spell either before or after spring cleaning to help sweep out the bad and leave your house neutral and ready for summer.This spell is a very easy beginning candle magic spell. it works wonders for children who can’t sleep due to bad vibes, they love the idea of the candle sucking up the negativity and all of it being burned away. And it also works wonders after your brother has brought that dark gloomy house guest and after they leave you still feel their black cloud on your neck.

Happy Beltane and Happy Spring! Have you ever had a dark cloud in your environment that won’t go away? What about that house guest that lingers long after they’re gone? You can use these for cleansing apartments after the old tenant has moved out. You may need something stronger for lingering spirits.

Posted in Jessica Aspen's Posts, Magic | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Discover: Why is Paranormal Romance So Popular?

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Jessica Aspen

Paranormal Freebies is proud to introduce author Jordan K. Rose. Jordan has a terrific new paranormal romance entitled Perpetual Light, and for a chance to win a free copy leave a comment or a question for Jordan. If you want to see a killer trailer click on the video, it was the first thing that drew me to this book,  but once you see the trailer, you’ll love the plot. Details on finding your own copy of Perpetual Light are at the bottom of the post below the book trailer. Welcome Jordan!

Why is Paranormal Romance so Popular?

 What is it that makes us love the paranormal? Why are vampires and werewolves so sexy? What is it about witchcraft that intrigues us? Why do angels and demons, fairies and the like hold our interest?

 I have a few theories, based solely on my own opinion and absolutely no scientific research!

First, we are always intrigued by people, things and places different than our norm. We want to know more, want to see behind the curtain to understand what’s happening and how or why. How does vampirism really work? Or how do you become a werewolf; is it genetic or from that rather large dog in the yard who clearly wants to bite you? Do angels and demons really walk among us?

Each writer has her own take on the mythology behind the subject, tweaking and changing her story until the concepts fit perfectly with the characters. And each story plants a new idea for how It all works, thus we wonder if what we just read might possibly hold some truth.

Second, who does not love the idea of never physically aging, but continuing to gain all the knowledge life holds? Not me. I’m battling crampy legs from spending all day at a desk job and all night at my desk writing. I’d love to forever be physically fit but not have to work at it. And the idea of possessing the wisdom that comes with age, but still looking damn hot sort of makes my head spin!

My grandfather told me so many times, “Worry about nothing, Dolly. It all works out.” He passed away at ninety-four. And I’m absolutely certain he was right. Everything always works out. But apparently, it’s not until you reach your eighties that you’re able to accept that fact and not worry. Well, I know damn full and well that I will not look like I did at twenty-six when I’m in my eighties, especially if I keep worrying!

Third, let’s not kid ourselves about the sex. Most of us are reading paranormal romances, not just paranormal stories about androgynous aliens. In most of the PNR I’ve read someone is having hot sex with some paranormal being. Let’s be honest with each other and admit that sounds like fun. Though I have read a couple books where I couldn’t quite follow what was happening and a diagram would have been helpful. Outside of those incidents, I’d say the idea is wonderful.

So, that’s my three-part, unscientific theory on the popularity of paranormal romance. What do you think? Why are you drawn to paranormal romance?

author Jordan K. RoseAfter trying her hand at many, many things- from crafting and art classes to cooking and sewing classes to running her own handbag business, Jordan finally figured out how to channel her creativity. With an active imagination and a little encouragement from her husband she sat down and began to write, each night clicking away at the keys with her black Labrador, Dino curled up under the desk. A few short years later she’s entered the publishing arena with no plans to ever turn back.

Jordan’s a member of Rhode Island Romance Writers, as well as RWA National, and the New England (NEC), Connecticut, and Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal (FFnP) Chapters. Her first book, Perpetual Light, is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, kobo, and All Romance Ebooks from Crescent Moon Press.

Perpetual Light 

Perpetual Light by Jordan K. RoseFate is cruel. Especially when the one you’ve sworn to love for all eternity, the very soul who changed your destiny is the last person you should trust.

After more than three hundred years of running, Lucia Dicomano must make a choice.

Forced to take her place as a Pharo of Redemption, the divine slayer needs to master her forgotten powers. Lucia turns to Vittorio, the one vampire she’s failed to deliver from eternal damnation. But overcoming smoldering remnants of love, lust and anger aren’t their only obstacles.

Samuel, who may know Lucia better than she knows herself, hunts her with a fervor stoked by a thousand years of vengeful hatred. His plan—capture and enslave the weakened Pharo then take control of her elusive power.

Can Lucia trust Vittorio long enough to reclaim her powers? Or will she have no choice but to kill him and battle Samuel alone?

Amazon Link:  http://www.amazon.com/Perpetual-Light-ebook/dp/B007COSXB0/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1330177727&sr=1-3

Barnes and Noble Link:   http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/perpetual-light-jordankrose/1109252447?ean=9781937254063&itm=1&usri=perpetual+light+jordan+rose

kobo link:   http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Perpetual-Light/book-ZD3EhHtssUK3eBDHMS7pnw/page1.html

All Romance eBooks link: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html

Posted in Guest Blogs, Magic, Paranormal Romance | Tagged , , , | 12 Comments

Hillary’s Paranormal Periodical

Posted on April 27, 2012 by Hillary

Savoring the End

This is the time of year I get weepy over the end of the regular TV season.  After committing to many shows it’s hard to say goodbye.   I have devotion to many different shows such as Supernatural, The Vampire Diaries and Fringe, just to name a few.  Watching paranormal shows to me offers inspiration and entertainment.  You invest in the characters and can’t wait to see what happens.

I won’t lie.  I’m hoping for an eighth season of Supernatural.  I’ve made it no secret that it’s one of my favorites.  I can’t wait for this season finale, I hear it’s going to be amazing.  But you know what they are going to do.  They are going to drive you to the edge and leave you dangling until the show premiers in August or September.  It’s enough to drive you crazy.

Thankfully there is a ray of hope.  Twelve new episodes of True Blood await us all!   Anyone else dying to know how the last episode plays out? Plus with all the summer shows on SyFy, like Haven, there is hope of not getting bored.  So to get by the summer until our shows return I recommend looking at fun re-runs and reading fan-fiction.  Read a new series! If you want a great one-season paranormal/comedy show try Wonderfalls.  Jaye Tyler is avoiding life but discovers she can’t when she starts hearing voices through animal heads.  You have to get it through Amazon but trust me its well worth the money.  The summer movie season is starting too!  I really want to see Snow White and the Huntsman.

I hope these tips can help you get over the summer TV blues.  Enjoy the last couple of weeks of your shows!

What are your coping mechanism’s to beat the Summer TV blues?   Have a great show in mind?  Please share!

~Hillary Seidl

Posted in Fae, Ghosts and Ghouls, Hillary's Paranormal Periodical, The World of Fairy, Vampires | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Exciting Excerpt from Brand New YA Author JL Bowen

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Jessica Aspen

I would like to thank J.L. Bowen for stopping by Paranormal Freebies and talking about her new book, Healer, recently released from Featherweight Publishing.

J.L. Bowen:  Thank you, M.L., I’m glad to be here.

M.L. Guida:  Tell us a little about your book.

J.L. Bowen:  Healer is about a young boy, Armond Costa, who is going through the angst of adolescence, but learns quickly there is to more to growing up then ever dreamed.  He does not know who to trust except for his friends who he considers family.  Armond must learn to believe in himself and his abilities in order to save those who he loves.

M.L. Guida:  Your book sounds really interesting.  Is there a message in your book?

J.L. Bowen:  Yes, my theme is about resiliency.  I’ve worked as a social worker with adolescences and I have learned that even in the worst circumstances teens to survive by reaching outside of terrible circumstances and forming alliances with people outside the home such as friends, teachers, custodians, etc…

M.L. Guida:  What genre are most of your stories? Why did you choose that genre?

J.L. Bowen: I have always been fascinated with the supernatural so I write about the paranormal.  I have started writing young adult contemporary flash fiction stories, but have not yet submitted them yet.

M.L. Guida:  Which author have you always wanted to meet and why?

J.L. Bowen:  There are so many young adult authors I’d like to meet that it’s hard to decide, but one of my all-time favorites is S.E. Hinton.  Her book, The Outsiders, not only inspired me to write, but also to become a social worker.  I still would like to meet Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games, J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter Series, and Sherrilyn Kenyon, The Chronicles of Nick, because of their world building.  I strive to tighten my world building based on these very talented authors.

M.L. Guida:  Well, thank you, J.L., for being here.

J.L. Bowen:  My pleasure.

M.L. Guida:  Here is an excerpt from Healer.

J.L. Bowen:  I plan on giving away a copy of my book, hope you like it.

JL Bowen's HealerI grabbed the wobbly banister and climbed the stairs two at a time to the attic.

A small stampede barged after me. “Going somewhere, boy?” Uncle Peter’s heavy footsteps trailed me. “You’ll never get the chance to heal.” His heavy panting echoed in the cramped stairwell. “Not…after…I…get…through…with…you.”

“Not in three days, you won’t.” Aunt Janet gritted her teeth. “I promise you that.”

Great, more pain. They could at least tell me what I did.

My hand shook as I whipped open my door. I charged towards the window. Freedom was only six feet away.  Out the corner of my eye, an elephant size blur barreled right for me. I shrank, but Uncle Peter grabbed my arm and threw me.

As the room swirled, I crashed into the wall, knocking the wind out of me. Sweet Aunt Janet stormed over to me and backed me against the wall. “This. Is. Your.  Fault.” With each word, she slapped me across the face and slammed my head like a Ping-Pong ball into the hard wood paneling. She wheezed and stopped. “Since it’s your damn fourteenth birthday tomorrow, they’re hunting you, putting us all in danger.”

God, her breathe stank of peppermint gum. Her hands reeked of her gawd awful rose perfume. A metallic taste swirled in my mouth. Blood again. My cheeks throbbed.  “I don’t understand.” I rubbed my face. “Who can’t find me?”

“Shut up.” Aunt Janet folded her skinny arms across her flat chest. “I never should have agreed to raise you.”

Wiping my bloody mouth on my arm, I kept silent.  That’s a laugh. Yeah, I was real grateful. Nothing like getting the crap beat out of you because you’re not a Martin. My last name’s Costa, my mother’s maiden name.

A motorcycle roared outside my window. Aunt Janet’s thin face paled. Her thin lips, smeared with red lipstick, pinched together. She dropped her arms. “It’s them. I know it’s them.”

I half-hoped it was Rusty Owens, my self-appointed protector. Rusty had long dark red hair and rode a fiery crimson motorcycle, but when I peered out the window, disappointment hit me. It was just some old gray haired guy on a blue bike.

I frowned. “So, whoever is looking for me rides a motorcycle?”

Holding up her arm, she clenched her fist. “Didn’t you hear me?” She took a step towards me.

I cringed and clamped my jaw tight. With her wild green eyes and spiky blond hair, she loomed over me like an Amazon ready to rip my guts out. I turned away.  Never look a rapid dog in the face.

“Get a hold of yourself.”

I peeked back around. Sweat poured down Uncle Peter’s face, and a lock of fuzzy orange hair stuck to his forehead. He glowered at Aunt Janet and then slammed his fist into his oversized palm.  “They can’t find him.”

I swallowed. Who? A lump of fear formed in my stomach. Somebody chased me, but no one would tell me who. But the thing that terrified me more was that Aunt and Uncle were scared.

Aunt Janet ran her hand through her sonic hedge-hog cut blond hair and paced across the floor. Her high heels clicked on the hardwood floor. “What will we do?”

“Keep him locked in the cellar. If he’s beat down…”

Leave a comment and enter in the drawing to WIN Healer, by JL Bowen.

J.L. Bowen writes paranormal young adult books.  She is currently pursuing her Master of Art in Creative Writing.   She lives in beautiful Colorado at the foot of the mountains with her cocker spaniel, Sadie Mae.

Posted in demons and the underworld, Guest Blogs, YA | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

The Unsinkable Molly Brown

Posted on April 13, 2012 by MLGuida

With the upcoming release of the 3–D Titanic movie and the 100 year anniversary of the sinking of the luxury ship, I thought it was fitting to write about Molly Brown. Her full name is Margaret Tobin Brown and she was born on July 18, 1867 in Hannibal, Missouri and died on October 26, 1932 in New York City from a brain tumor. The Molly Brown House Museum is said to be haunted by no other than the woman herself and her husband, James Joseph (J.J.) Brown. Another entity, a woman wearing a Victorian dress, is said to haunt the place and moves the furniture around the house.

Molly Brown in the Titanic life boat

As a little girl, I remember my mother taking myself, my sister and my brother on a tour. During the summer, she would take on field trips every Monday. The Molly Brown House is beautiful and located at 1340 Pennsylvania Street in Denver Colorado. A beautiful wooden stair case sits right when you enter the house. At the time, it was considered to be over the top, but the staircase matched Molly’s personality. During parades, she sat on her balcony and waved to the crowd. She thought they came to see her. Even then, the guide reported that the house was reportedly haunted.
Many people have experienced paranormal activity. People have smelled the pungent scent of fresh cigar smoke. J.J. Brown used to smoke cigars. However, this is not the only mysterious scent in the house. The fragrance of rose perfume can be detected when a female ghost wants people to know she is around. However, it is not known whether this is Molly or the other Victorian woman. Dark shadows have been seen moving around the different rooms. Piano keys play on the piano by themselves. Others have claimed they have seen full apparitions of Molly, her husband, J.J. and her mother. Molly’s mother lived with Molly and J.J. for a short period. Her ghost supposedly looks out the window. When I went on the tour, I did not smell cigars or roses or see any ghosts.
Like I mentioned, this house is beautiful and has a magic of its own. I encourage you to take a forty-five minute tour and if you smell roses or cigar smoke, tell Molly and J.J. what a gorgeous home they owned.

Molly Brown

Staircase in Molly Brown House

Posted in M.L. Guida's Haunts | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

10 REASONS TO FALL IN LOVE WITH WEST OF WANT

Posted on April 10, 2012 by Jessica Aspen

10 REASONS TO FALL IN LOVE WITH WEST OF WANT

By Laura Kaye for Paranormal Freebies, April 10

Happy WEST OF WANT Preview & Prizes Event, everyone! Today, April 10, was the original release date for Book 2 in my Hearts of the Anemoi series, West of Want. And then some really cool things happened: my publisher, Entangled Publishing, signed a huge deal with the nation’s biggest book distributor, which means for the first time ever, my books will be shelved in brick-and-mortar bookstores. And then, West of Want received a very nice pre-sales estimate by the booksellers and Barnes and Nobles bought it for all their stores nationwide (and it got bought for airports, too—squee!). The only bad news in this whole scenario was this: the release date got pushed back, by three LONG months! LOL So, I thought I’d celebrate the original release date with a preview of the book and a big contest, and give you a small taste to whet your appetite until the actual release date arrives.

First, the book’s blurb, then a wonderful cover quote for the book, and then 10 reasons I think you’ll fall right in love with it!

 WEST OF WANT :

West of WantBetrayal is all he’s ever known, but in her, he’ll find a love strong enough to be trusted…

When Marcella Raines’ twin brother dies, she honors his request to be buried at sea, never expecting the violent storm that swamps her boat. Though she’s gravely injured–and still emotionally damaged from her recent divorce–Ella fights to survive.

Zephyros Martius is the Supreme God of the West Wind and Spring, but being the strongest Anemoi hasn’t protected him from betrayal and loss. Worse, he’s sure his brother Eurus is behind it. When Zeph’s heartbreak whips up a storm that shipwrecks a human, his guilt forces him to save her.

Ella is drawn to the vulnerability Zeph hides beneath his otherworldly masculinity and ancient blue eyes. And her honesty, empathy, and unique, calming influence leave Zeph wanting…everything. When Eurus threatens Ella, she and Zeph struggle to let go of the past, defend their future, and embrace what they most want–a love that can be trusted.

 

“Laura Kaye’s captivating writing and vibrant world-building will have readers hooked on the gods of the Anemoi. WEST OF WANT is steamy, spellbinding, and a must-read for all romance fantasy fans.”

~Elisabeth Naughton, author of the Eternal Guardians series

 10. Love tortured heroes?: Then you’ll love Zephyros Martius, Supreme God of the West Wind and Spring, whose carrying around some ancient grief and esteem issues, despite being the most powerful of the four Anemoi gods

9. If you loved Boreas and Owen from Book 1, you get more of ‘em here! ‘Nuff said!

8. Supernatural powers: Zeph’s got ‘em in spades. As the god of spring rebirth and renewal, Zeph not only commands the winds and weather, but also has healing and regenerative powers. And, boy, does he have a temper—wait til you see what happens when that gets unleashed!

7. A villain you’ll love to hate: Eurus is the Supreme God of the East Wind and the Harbinger of Misfortune. He’s also Zeph’s brother and oldest enemy. He’s beautiful and deliciously evil. Can’t wait for you to meet him…

6. A strong heroine who loves, believes in, stands up to and comforts her hero? Yup. That’s Ella Raines, who deserves every bit of happiness she finds. I think you’ll agree…

5. Zephyros is often too impatient to act human: And boy does that have some hawt implications! *winks*

4. The Olympians make an appearance in a fun way in this book, a way that is going to up the stakes in books to come

3. Want to laugh, cry, and get hot and bothered? This book will make that emotional roller coaster come true.

2. Like your black moments really freaking black? This might be my favorite black moment ever. Oh, but then there was Owen… Nope. This one’s better. But maybe… Oh! You’ll just have to read it!

1. Zeph has a body like a Greek God. Well, of course, he is a Greek God. So take a good long look at the book’s cover and tell me that’s not a reason to love it already!

So, what do you think? Do you have a favorite reason to fall in love with West of Want?

 Pre-order West of Want on Amazon | B&N

 Thanks so much for reading! And can’t wait to share the book with you for real on July 10!

~Laura Kaye

 WEST OF WANT PREVIEW CONTEST!

Seven participants who enter through the Rafflecopter form will win gift cards from winners’ choice of Amazon or B&N valued between $15 and $100! Those prize winners will be announced on West of Want’s release day, July 10, 2012. As a special thank you to those who have pre-ordered the print West of Want through Amazon or B&N, you’ll receive extra entries – just enter your order confirmation number on the appropriate Rafflecopter line. Pre-orders are hugely important for an author because they determine how many books bookstores will actually stock and they count toward an author’s first-week sales which is when most authors have their best chance to hit the big bestseller lists. However, pre-orders/purchases are not required to enter. Commenting is the only required entry. Open to international.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

One commenter from each participating blog site will win a West of Want bookmark and the romance trading cards for North of Need and West of Want. Simply comment to enter to win and be sure to leave your email address. These prizes will be announced soon after May 10. Click HERE for a list of participating sites. Open to international.

 

About Laura Kaye:

Laura Kaye authorVoted Breakout Author of the Year in the 2011 GraveTells Readers’ Choice Awards, Laura is a bestselling and award-winning author paranormal and contemporary romance. Hearts in Darkness is the EPIC eBook Award Winner for Best Novella, Forever Freed won the NJRW Golden Leaf Award for Best Paranormal of 2011, and North of Need, the first book in the Hearts of the Anemoi series, was named GraveTells’ Best Book of 2011 and won their 5-STAR Gold Heart Award, and won Sizzling Hot Read of the Year at Sizzling Hot Books. Laura lives inMaryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of theChesapeake Bay every day.

 

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Posted in Guest Blogs, Paranormal Romance, Supernatural Creatures | Tagged , , , , , | 20 Comments

Chocolate Easter Bunny or Jesus Fish?

Posted on April 6, 2012 by Jessica Aspen

Wizards, Witches and Psychics, Oh My!

by Jessica Aspen

russel stover chocolate jesus fishYesterday, when I was weighing whether it’s better to eat a large cheap chocolate bunny or a smaller, high quality bunny, I came across a new Easter treat: Chocolate, shaped like a fish, and molded with the word JESUS. You know, like the bumper stickers? And it got me thinking about Easter, and Ostara.

Ostara is where we actually get the word Easter, it has nothing to do with Jesus, or Passover. In fact it’s surprising that we’ve held on to the name because for much of history all over the world Easter was known by variations on the word Paschal, derived from the latin for Passover. Ostara was the name of a Saxon Goddess (also spelled  Ēostre) associated with hares, spring and fertility and was used mainly in Germany, but now has spread through the English speaking world.

In honor of  Ostara (and chocolate bunnies) here is a version of the Easter Bunny story taken from the website GoddessGift.com. Click on the link to find out some additional very cool facts about Easter and Ostara.

The Goddess Ostara and the Easter Bunny 

Feeling guilty about arriving late one spring, the Goddess Ostara saved the life of a poor bird whose wings had been frozen by the snow. She made him her pet or, as some versions have it, her lover. Filled with compassion for him since he could no longer fly (in some versions, it was because she wished to amuse a group of young children), Ostara turned him into a snow hare and gave him the gift of being able to run with incredible speed so he could protect himself from hunters.

Ostara by helen nelson reed

"Ostara" by Helen Nelson Reed

In remembrance of his earlier form as a bird, she also gave him the ability to lay eggs (in all the colors of the rainbow, no less), but only on one day out of each year.

Eventually the hare managed to anger the goddess Ostara, and she cast him into the skies where he would remain as the constellation Lepus (The Hare) forever positioned under the feet of the constellation Orion (the Hunter). He was allowed to return to earth once each year, but only to give away his eggs to the children attending the Ostara festivals that were held each spring. The tradition of the Easter Bunny had begun.

Are you a chocolate fish person? Or do you stick with the rabbits? Do you celebrate Passover? Easter? Ostara? To celebrate the Goddess of Spring do some traditional fertility celebrations. Eat eggs, plant seeds and go wild in the woods!

And for one lucky commenter I’ll be giving away an e-copy of my book, Little Red Riding Wolf. Must be over 18 to win.

Come into the woods with Little Red Riding Wolf, Jessica Aspen’s spicy paranormal novella from Passion in Print Press. What if Little Red Riding Hood was a werewolf and a sexy forest ranger wandered into her woods?

 jessica aspen little red riding wolfFraternizing with humans is taboo, but when feisty werewolf Red runs into hunky new forest ranger Evan Brewster, she jumps on the opportunity to let loose her desires. Evan is stoked when he meets the petite red haired hottie, and combined with his new discovery of wolves in Colorado, thinks his career and life are made. Then Red pushes him away, her hostile brother threatens his life, and things begin to spiral out of control. Caught between her sexy lover and her pack can Red trust Evan with her secrets, or must she sacrifice her human lover and her heart?

 

Posted in Paranormal Romance | 8 Comments