April 1st by Diane Burton

 

When I taught elementary school, today was a favorite day for the kids. How they delighted in playing pranks on everyone, especially the teachers. We had to stay on our toes not to get caught. Or we'd play one on them, like saying recess was cancelled. After the groans, we'd smile and say, "April Fools." 

The custom of playing pranks or jokes on others possibly goes back to the Middle Ages. Do you remember Chaucer's Canterbury Tales? Although there's some dispute, others think the story of Chaunticleer, the vain rooster, was tricked by the fox on April 1st. It's a little convoluted, but then what else is new about Chaucer? 

In 2020, April Fool's Day was cancelled because of covid. Considering what a bad year that was for everyone, especially those in hospitals, it was probably a good idea. I don't remember that, but then I've managed to forget most of that year.

Why do people get such a kick out of fooling others? Or making others look like fools?

Is it the need to appear superior? Or to do it to them before they do it to us?

Have you ever played a joke on someone that backfired?

The following is no joke. Promise. My first published novel, Switched, is on sale for 99 cents throughout April. On May 1st, it will return to $3.99. 

Blurb:

Kidnapped by aliens? By mistake?

Wise-cracking mechanic Jessie Wyndom gets the surprise of her life when she's accidentally transported aboard an Alliance of Planets starship. Then, she learns an identical twin who was raised on an alien planet has taken her place on Earth. They are victims of a scientific experiment that separated Terran twins before birth. Jessie doesn't believe it. She thinks it's a prank cooked up by her nerdy brother and his friends. 

Years of discipline enables Captain Marcus Viator to maintain the austere, emotionless persona prized on his planet, Serenia. Until he meets the bold, impertinent Jessie. She must go back to Earth before she disrupts his well-organized life. When he tries to return his unwilling visitor, he discovers the ship has left Earth's orbit--supposedly at his command. When more sabotage crops up, Marcus and Jessie must work together to protect the crew and themselves. As their attraction grows, treachery and violence force them into decisions that could separate them forever.

Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B006578JXC/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_0QBWWGWNG1CGCVGE4VEG

Amazon.uk link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B006578JXC

Smashwords:  https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/103546

Kobo:  https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/switched-40

iTunes:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/switched/id482584462?mt=11

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/switched-diane-burton/1004819182?ean=2940161121214

 

Enjoy the day. Try not to get caught by any of the pranks going around.

Prankster Ghosts: Happy April Fools' Day

April is here! This long, long winter might finally be over. And today, the day of playing pranks and jokes in the name of fun, is the perfect day to chat about ghostly pranks? Do you know of any? I'd love to hear them.

Here are a few ghost pranks I've heard about:
1. In a nearby visitors' center, a building that used to be a funeral home, staff members arrange ghost tours of the town. One day, the woman in charge of selling tickets for the tours went down to the storage area to get the cash/ticket box. She unlocked the box and found it empty. Confused, she went upstairs to ask her boss where he moved the tickets and money. He was baffled, saying it was always in the box. Together, they returned to the locked container. The two of them were the only ones with a key to the box. When they opened it, the tickets and money were right where they were supposed to be.

2. How would you feel about having your house rearranged? A friend of mine who lived alone went to bed at night and was awakened a few hours later. She wasn't sure what woke her, but decided to investigate her apartment. Her framed photos on the living room wall had been rearranged. Whoa! She slept with the lights on that night, but a few days later, she awoke to a dish rack full of clean dishes. Thing is, she'd been too tired to go wash them the night before. Since then, she's has several "unexplainable" events, but since her ghostly visitor is a helpful one (for the most part), she's okay with it.

3. My romantic ghost novel Altered Frequency, Betty features a matchmaking ghost. She'll do anything to be sure neighbors Missy and Blake get together. She knocks on doors, moves things around, and is very resourceful in her efforts to be sure they find romance. If you're a fan of the actress Betty White, you might be interested to know that Betty the ghost is loosely based on Betty the actress. She's awesome and who wouldn't want to be haunted by someone like that?

Come on! Tell me about any ghostly practical jokes/pranks you're heard about.
Want to read more about ghostly pranks? Check out Altered Frequency, available now!

Available now at Decadent Publishing  Amazon, Barnes and Noble

   After losing her father and brother in the line of duty, Missy Prescott vows never to get involved with anyone who has a dangerous job. Blessed with a golden voice, she takes a job as a disc jockey with her own late-night lovelorn dedication show on a popular radio station in Baltimore.

   Blake Decker has never had a family. He has come to count on the only family he knows—his brothers on the police force. He’s a one-night-stand kind of guy when it comes to relationships.

   Betty McAllister, the caring woman who used to live in Missy’s apartment, is now a ghost. She refuses to cross over until Blake—whom she viewed as her own son—is happily in love. She thinks Missy is the perfect girl for him.

   Missy and Blake need to keep each other at a distance as they work together to help Betty find a way to cross over. But when danger lurks, will Missy and Blake lose everything?

   About Joya:  Joya Fields has had over 100 stories and articles published in local and national magazines. Her debut novel, a romantic suspense, was a NJRW GOLDEN LEAF WINNER FOR BEST FIRST BOOK OF 2012 and was nominated for RT Book Reviews 2012 Indie Press/Self-Published Contemporary Romance award. Since then, she’s published four more books with even more on the way.

Connect with Joya

www.joyafields.com

Twitter: @joyafields

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