Things That Go Bump In the Night...

by Maureen L. Bonatch

—or at least like to change your favorite television show

I believe the house we used to live in was haunted.

As a paranormal/fantasy author you’d think this observation would thrill me. Not. So. Much. Turns out, I’m very happy to experience the paranormal world in my writing, in books, and movies but not too happy to run into it in the real world.

Lucky for us, the ‘ghost’ wasn’t threatening in any real way. More of a “hey, I’m here” kind of behavior. I assumed our uninvited houseguest was the woman who used to live in the house showing her displeasure that we couldn’t maintain her once gorgeous flower gardens. But I had absolutely no green thumb and the hubs had accidently (or intentionally?) plowed over some of the overgrown plants in his efforts to get the ungainly yard back under control.

Hey, I’m Here

Our otherworldly guest left little clues that ‘she’ was still hanging around like…

• The stove burner turned on
• The door to the garage slowly opening
• The dog staring into an empty room, growling at something unseen
• A radio (which initially resisted turning off) blaring on in the basement while I slept
• A Christmas decoration, long packed away, beginning to play when I approached the box
• Every night when I watched my favorite show she’d change the channel. (I’m guessing she didn’t approve of my choice in sitcom.)

Eventually she moved on as the occurrences diminished and then disappeared leaving me silently relieved that I hadn’t pushed her over the edge and forced her to drag me out of bed if one of my feet escaped the protection and security of the blanket.

What Happens in the Fiction World, Stays in the Fiction World

After some contemplation, I’ve come to realize that experiencing the paranormal in the fiction world, does provide a small level of security since some things can always be relied upon. Applying these certainties from fiction/movies provides me with an irrational level of comfort.

• Bad things only happen at night

I could be in the same place, and hear the exact same noise, but it provokes a certain level of terror if it’s dark outside. Somehow the evil, unearthly forces retreat when the sun rises as my shield of protection. Too bad mister ghost, the sun just rose, I’m in the safe zone.

• Blankets can protect you from anything

No matter how old I get there is still a certain comfort and security found under the protection of a blanket. “Oh wait, is that a ghost/vampire/monster I heard? Quick! Get under the blanket until it leaves. It will never be able to penetrate this polyester shield!”

• Killers never run

In just about every horror movie I’ve ever seen that features a helpless (and usually clumsy) victim fleeing from some kind of a monster. The victim is running full force yet still can’t seem to outrun the slow stride of the approaching evil. (Thus validating my personal abhorrence of running)

• Start to worry if it gets too quiet

Ok, this only works in the movies, but it’s my cue to avert my attention so I don’t toss my popcorn or inadvertently scream. This tactic is probably intended to build suspense, but it also has the inadvertent effect of reducing spilled drinks and bruises on boyfriend/husband’s arms.

• The music is your first clue

Grab the chair arms and hold your breath—cause something wicked this way comes. Again, this only works in the movies—unless you’re like me and constantly have music on the mind. Then you might have your own ominous tune starting up as your heart races when you turn the page.

So tell me, what do you do when something goes bump in the night?

    Moon, Mist & Magic 
     Get ready to be enchanted by mythical beasts, magical creatures, and moonlit nights. 
     Enjoy your favorite author, and perhaps discover someone new, in these five fantastic tales of paranormal romance woven with moon, mist, and magic…


Featuring Stories by
Maureen L. Bonatch, Abigail Owen,
 J.C. McKenzie, Sharon Saracino & L.A. Kelley

About Maureen
Maureen writes stories in the beautiful state of Pennsylvania that boast laughter, light suspense and something magical in the hope of sharing her love of finding the extraordinary in the ordinary world. She writes Paranormal Romance and Fantasy.

Find Me:
Writing on my Website
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Ghost!

I am one of those people who really doesn't like being scared. I don't find it fun or invigorating. I find it to be very terrible and it makes me want to hit things (my poor husband found this to be true when he snuck up on me when I was in the shower--bloody nose and a lesson learned).


So why the heck did I write a scary story?


I do like to try new things when I write--and I suppose I was due for a shake up. I've really traveled into the fantasy side of fiction, and I love it there. In some ways I was able to disassociate from Midnight at Ripley Inn, and treat it like fantasy. Yet, it  hits so close to home because I'm a mom. The two sides of that, I think, helped me make it real without freaking myself out too much (though, I did).


I also fell in love with Winney. More than any other character, Winney has been one that walks around with me. This imperfect ghost, existing on grief and denial and certainty she's really not good for much. And yet...she pulls of a mega upset.


I hope you'll give your chills recepticals a workout with Midnight at Ripley Inn, available now at all major ebook sellers.



Rene only wanted to temper her mommy guilt with a nice family vacation to the coast. Waking up to a room covered in blood and her youngest child biting herself never entered her plans. With her seven-year-old trying to hurt the ones around her and no way off the island, Rene and her husband rely on the help of the locals.

While storms rage on, both outside and inside the Ripley Inn, Rene must decide whether to trust the kind island pastor, or the ghost trapped inside the walls of the hotel. One claims to want to help them, the other wants them gone before what’s inside Rene’s daughter bursts free and kills them all.


Buy Now: Amazon  


Nothing too scary for you! I promise!


Take care,
Stephanie Beck
www.stephaniebeck.net
www.facebook.com/StephanieBeckAuthor
www.twitter.com/StephBeck123

A Hauntingly Good Month

by JoAnne Kenrick

Tis the season to be... scared out of your wits!
SAMHAIN.  HALLOWEEN. MISCHIEF NIGHT. ALL HALLOW'S EVE.  ALL SAINT'S DAY
Whatever you call it, it's the spookiest day/night of the year. Ghosts and goblins come out to play... or rather our children dress as ghosts and goblins, or Big Bird? Or Katy Perry!
Many have a tradition to watch a scary movie or two, or to read a frightfully spooky book by the fireplace  under candlelight. Others have traditions that go back to the pagan days, of inviting their ancestors over for dinner by lighting candles and placing them in the window and having dinner settings out for them. Hey, it's 31st October, anything could happen!

My tradition is to watch heaps of scary movies throughout October. Looking for some good ones? Check out these lists: Debra Glass compiled a list of her favorite ghost movies, and Denise A Agnew has a wickedly huge list of horror movie recommendations.

I also plan whacky trick-or-treat costume for my kids. The teenage son claims he's too old for candy begging this year. Fair enough. Guess I'll have to wait until the Halloween party phrase starts for him. Meantime, it's just may daughter I have to get my thinking cap on for. This year, she was adamant on Katy Perry. I did get panicked for a little while there, as the costume sounded like it might be a homemade-job with lots of candy appliqué sewing type things to do. To my surprise, and wallet delight, Walmart have a lit up blue wig just the right color, and a candy dress! The two together cost me $30. Now all she needs is some homemade candy jewelry and we'll fabric paint up a white sweater to wear over it, make it look like a tour sweater or something?? Hey, it's October, it'll be fricken cold out at night. brrrr.

And no Halloween is complete for me unless I'm curled up with a good, traditional horror book while the kids are munching away on candy and watching something like Monster House or Disney's Haunted Mansion. We're talking haunted houses or possession type stories. And if they're based on true stories, even better! Sometimes, I'll cross into the romance horror genre. But mostly, I'll stick with the EEP books.

Here's some teaser lines from perfect halloween reading... got any favorite scary lines from horror books/movies? Share them with us in the comments section!

Suddenly, she heard a noise from behind. Spinning, she grabbed Jenny and pushed in front of her, ready to face their foe head-on. She was terrified, but she sure as hell wasn't going to show it. - Weekend at Wilderhope Manor , Lucy Felthouse

George and Kathy Lutz moved into 112 Ocean Avenue on December 18th. Twenty-eight days later, they fled in terror.- Amityville Horror, Jay Anson  is the book I'm re-reading this year.

Hill House, not sane, stood by itself against its hills, holding darkness within; it had stood so for eighty years and might stand for eighty more. Within, walls continued upright, bricks met neatly, floors were firm, and doors were sensibly shut; silence lay steadily against the wood and stone of Hill House, and whatever walked there, walked alone. -- The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson was suggested by Stacy Graham of Girls Ghost Hunting Guide

The creature opened its mouth. An already bloated tongue darted out over cracked lips, and it issued a long, hoarse breath—a death rattle—as it approached. 
Intent, Sebastian realized. That was the thing different to the others. This creature moved with intent and from the glare in the dead man’s eyes, he guessed its intentions weren’t good.' - Dominion, book four in the Serenity. Out 30th October, Marissa Farrar

Listen to the children of the night. -  Dracula, a classic and a free kindle read. This line was suggested by the lovely Kathy.

An ominous howl of wild laughter drifted up on the night air from somewhere down the hill, closer to the Hudson River, in the mystical heart of Sleepy Hollow. - Sleepy Hollow Dreams, Taryn Kincaid
And will I tell you that these three lived happily ever after? I will not, for no one ever does. But there was happiness. And they did live. -- The Dark Towers, Stephen King

Looking for a book to read yourself this halloween, and want something a little sexy and a little dark? With a bite to it?

Series: Multi Author Series, 1Night Stand, book 48

ISBN # 9781613331392

Length: 11K

Heat Rating: four flames

Publisher: www.decadentpublishing.com

BUY NOW!

USA Price: 2.99

AMAZON US - ALL ROMANCE - BOOK STRAND - NOOK - KOBO

UK Price: 2.32

WhSMITHS UK - AMAZON UK

Cathela's Office Halloween Ball is a complete bust. She spills out of her Dracula's Bride costume, and her vamp fetish chases away her boyfriend. Only redeeming feature to the night? Necking multiple shots of Dracula's Kiss—a lush Black Cherry Vodka cocktail—and an interlude with a gorgeous man dressed Gary Oldman style.

No one comes close to satisfying Alec Murray's needs until he meets Cathela during some lame-ass party for bankers. One taste of her blood, sweet yet darkly dangerous, he knows she's perfect for him.

A night of goth bondage is planned for one. For the other, a night of sexual control is a must. A perfect fit. Alec is compelled to reveal his true nature but can their relationship survive his dark secret?