Skeleton Squad tracked down the Halloween Spirit
It has been a long, exhaustive, search, winding through New Mexico, and several towns in Colorado, but the Skeleton Squad tracked down the Halloween Spirit right here in their own front yard. Can you believe it four days before Halloween? It’s a record! Yep, if you remember Octiva, the octopus was searching in this area earlier this month. The Squad is sure that the Spirit wasn’t always in their front yard, but hiding behind the tombstone on October 27th, the Halloween Spirit was found dancing and singing with another couple of spirits. The Spirit saw no reason to stay hidden so the Squad caught the Spirit on camera in its disguise.
So Happy Early Halloween to all of you who have followed the third annual adventures of the Squad’s search for the Halloween Spirit. We appreciate your interest and comments. The Skeleton Squad promises to be back next year for another fun filled Halloween Spirit Search and adventure! We hope you’ll join us!
Speaking of Halloween Party. Check out Hidden Gypsy Magic, one of the A Witch’s Journey Series. You aren’t going to believe what happens at the Halloween party.
So lets take a peek into Hidden Gypsy Magic!
Gwen a wildlife rehabilitor, and Brock a veterinarian, discover the consequences of awakening hidden gypsy magic.
The Salem Wildlife Sanctuary is Gwen Taylor’s life work. Her Irish Gypsy heritage provides a hidden talent she uses to help the creatures under her care. But even her magical skills can’t help new rescues in dire need of veterinary care.
The opportunity of signing on as the vet for Gwen’s sanctuary dropped into Brock Scutter’s lap after he expanded his practice to include wildlife. The personal attraction he and Gwen experience is undeniable the more their professional and personal lives collide.
Touring the only “non-haunted” house in Salem they both feel a spark of magic. A trip to his family’s cabin uncovers a heritage he didn’t know existed. If they want a future together, it means facing the consequences of awakening hidden Gypsy magic and a race against the clock to correct past wrongs.
A peek between the pages of Hidden Gypsy Magic:
Seven minutes until midnight. Brock opened his mouth to speak, but Pepper beat him to it.
“Isn’t there some way to banish him forever while he walks among the mortals? I don’t have my spell book with me. Guess I should travel with it after all the recent experiences with you gypsies.” A slight giggle slipped out between her lips.
The somber tone in the room eased for a minute. “I mean, in your painting don’t you…”
“You’re on the right path. That’s why I’m here.” Beth smiled wide. “You can’t battle him outside this house. But with the protections afforded us inside the abode, with our combined magic and grandmother’s grimoire we would be able to do exactly as you suggest. Do we have your full support?”
“Of course.” The group chorused with the exception of Jeremiah, still shell shocked leaning against the wall. But Morgan was all in pumping her fist in the air.
Lance stuck his head out of the upstairs room. “Need us to help?”
“No,” Dylan called up to him. “Protect the children. We got this.”
“Good enough.” Lance slammed the door shut.
A trail of mist floated out of the picture, around the room, and settled beside Beth taking the shape of an older woman holding a thick book spread open. “Granddaughter. Are we ready then? We’ve located the…um….” The elderly ghost switched her gaze from the pages of the book to outside the window. “…proper page.” Then the ghost jerked her chin toward the painting where previously all the Colson family had been but now they gathered in the center of the room inside the painting.
“Let’s do it.” Gwen shared a glance at the clock with him. “Only—”
Beth again put her finger to her ghostly lips and shook her head.
The elderly ghost began to read from the book.
“We are witches, this is our creed. We will help where there is need. Days of old, wrongs to right. Let the truth be known this night. Forever banish from all realms Judge John Hathorne’s spirit and soul are bound. So mote it be.”
I hope you enjoyed the sneak peek into Hidden Gypsy Magic. A great Halloween read!
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged fantasy, ghosts, Halloween, Halloween Spirit Search, Hidden Gypsy Magic, Paranormal Romance/Mystery, Salan Witch Trials, Skeleton Squad, Tena Stetler, Witches by Tena Stetler with 1 comment.
Rocky Mountain National Park Destination Travel Tuesday
Glad you stopped by grab a peanut butter cookie and a mug of hot chocolate. Then take a peek at our Travel Tuesday featuring Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado one of our very favorite camping spots.
Rocky Mountain National Park in northern Colorado spans the Continental Divide and encompasses protected mountains, forests and alpine tundra. It’s known for Trail Ridge Road and the Old Fall River Road, drives that wind up majestic mountain scenery, pass tall aspen trees and rushing rivers. Trail Ridge Road is a beautiful drive, 
but not for the faint of heart. Sheer drop offs and hair pin turns are the norm, but well worth the drive. The Keyhole Route, a climb crossing vertical rock faces, leads up Longs Peak, the park’s tallest mountain. One of my favorite hikes In Rocky Mountain National Park, is the trail surrounding Bear Lake which offers views of the peaks, and the flora and fauna are lush and beautiful. There are benches along the lake’s trail to relax and enjoy the view. Trails leading to Emerald Lake and Mirror Lake are a little more of an exhilarated hike, but well worth it.
In the winter snow shoeing around Bear Lake and other areas is wonderful. Cross country skiing areas are also available. We went up there for a day trip for my birthday in January and had a fantastic time.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National in Colorado is one of our favorite camping destinations. The sites are primitive, meaning no electric, sewer, or water. There is water 
available throughout the campground just not at the sites. But still if you are prepared to dry camp, it is a beautiful serene spot. Where we usually park there is a full meadow out our front door. Great viewing of elk, moose, bear, and deer. We had an eight point bull elk wander right into our site. Quite a surprise when I opened up the front door to him standing not more than three feet from me. Our dog had an absolute fit, which in turn caused our parrot to scream a warning, but the elk didn’t seem to mind. Eventually, he went on his way.
A quick gander at my featured read this week, Mystic Maples! A great escape from the winter doldrums! While you’re here, take a look at my paranormal romance/mysteries.
Earth/Fire witch Mercy Rose’s insatiable curiosity always gets her in trouble. After a break-in at her Colorado flower shop, and a court battle that comes to a screeching halt in her favor, she arrives at Deerbourne Inn for a much-needed getaway. Looking for peace and quiet, she finds just the opposite in a startling handsome but mysterious man and his dog.
Silvanus Forrest’s gypsy/fae heritage is a double-edged sword. The land he inherited from his parents is rumored to be enchanted. But when Mercy discovers the truth, his well-ordered life unravels, and they’re catapulted into the past to right a wrong. Along the way their lives intertwine, and they discover the true meaning of family and love. Will they change the past in time to save their future?
A peek between the pages of Mystic Maples: The hook.
It was a beautiful summer evening lit by a full moon. What harm could come from simply popping over to Mystic Maples, digging my toes into the earth and see if there is any truth to the rumors? She shrugged. Sis wouldn’t have told me about it, if she hadn’t thought it worth investigating. Right?
She toed off her shoes, pulled off her socks and straightened. With a snap of her fingers she left the room without a sound and landed smack dab at the edge of the maple trees. Glancing around, she could see the house in the distance and the outline of the sign. “Good, I’m in the right place.” She wandered farther in among the trees, the dirt beneath her feet was cool. Wiggling her toes deeper into the earth, she felt the warmth of the day and something else—a connection.
Several trees had a slight glow to them, then it was gone. Am I imagining…She raised her arms out from her sides and turned her face to the starlit sky letting the magic surge through her. It had been almost a year since magic of any kind called to her. It felt so good, she was lost in the moment.
Suddenly a male voice broke through her revelry. “What are you doing here?”
Her heart thundered in her chest. She hadn’t heard a sound. Yet, there he was standing not three feet from her, hands on hips, and glaring at her.
Until next week, don’t sweat the small stuff, and remember it’s all small stuff! LOL
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged camping, Colorado, Rocky Mountain National Park, RVIng, Tena Stetler, Travel Tuesday by Tena Stetler with 2 comments.
Ghost Moon by Kathryn Knight
Give a Spooktacular welcome to Kathryn Knight author of Ghost Moon.
Pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cauldron. Take your choice of a bat wing Chocolate Chip or Pumpkin, or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out a little about Kathryn and her Ghost Moon.
Hi all, and thank you for having me here and featuring Ghost Moon, Tena! Ghost Moon, like the majority of my books, mixes steamy romance with a spooky ghost mystery…perfect for Halloween season reading! Today I’m sharing a little background on the inspiration for my seventh novel (no spoilers!).
The inspiration for Ghost Moon first started as a vision of a scene playing out in my mind…a gauzy figure, standing in the dark woods by a river, sobbing. Why was she crying? Suddenly, I knew what had happened to cause this heartbroken ghost to linger in the forest, stuck between worlds, waiting for someone to unravel the mystery and set her free.
The female main character, who became Lark, sees this distraught spirit and screams. Her cries summon the male main character, Jesse, her handsome new neighbor.
This is a book with a haunted house trope, so I needed to come up with Lark’s backstory and solid motivation for her to remain in a terrifying situation. And then Jesse’s backstory and the conflict that would affect their chance at romance.
The setting needed to be somewhere particularly isolated. I set a lot of my books on Cape Cod, where I’ve lived for 20 years, and since our peninsula is already somewhat cut off from the mainland (you can only get here via car by crossing one of two bridges), I knew I could find a location that would work.
Doing a few quick searches, I learned Truro is the least populated town on Cape Cod, with about 2,000 year-round residents. It’s not the smallest town land-wise, but over half the town is undeveloped, protected land, and the population density is less than 100 people per square mile. To get there takes over an additional hour from the two Cape Cod bridges. And for many visitors, Truro is simply a town to pass through on the way to the popular Provincetown.
And that’s the way the majority of residents want it–there are no fast food chains, no shops, no main street to stroll along. It is almost like being in another world…a beautiful, peaceful oasis.
So, I had most of the pieces, and this ghost mystery/romance—with some history sprinkled in through dual timelines—was born. I hope you will check it out, along with my other steamy & spooky novels!
Tell us a little about Ghost Moon.
When Lark Cavanaugh’s life in New York City falls apart, she’s left reeling from a staggering betrayal. She escapes to Cape Cod, where a distant relative has left her an old house with a tragic past. Rumors of a haunting presence plague the abandoned home, but Lark doesn’t believe in ghosts…until she has no choice.
After completing his military duty, veterinarian Jesse Holt returns to his small hometown to take over his father’s practice. He soon finds himself drawn to the alluring redhead now living next door, but she has made her intentions clear—she’s moving back to the city as soon as possible. When frightening events threaten her safety, though, he can’t deny his protective instincts.
Unable to fight their feelings, they give in to desire…but another battle looms. Lark’s arrival has awakened a decades-old mystery, and the truth of what happened at Holloway House will only be revealed when it claims yet another life.
Buy Link: Amazon
How about a sneak peek between the pages of Ghost Moon?
She bolted upright in bed, the series of thumps that had awakened her still ringing in her ears. Fumbling for the light, she pulled the covers against her chest, as though that could offer some protection against whatever had made the noises. What the hell was it? She scanned the room, her pulse skittering in jagged bursts. Why was this happening to her? Hadn’t she been through enough?
Nothing in the bedroom appeared to be the source of the disturbance, but her instincts told her the sounds had originated from somewhere else in the house. And it definitely wasn’t the cat this time—he was still at the vet’s.
Reaching for her phone, she sucked in a breath as she noticed the time…1:06 a.m. Exactly the same time she’d been awoken last night. She glanced back up to the hallway door as she jabbed at the screen, pulling up the keypad just in case she needed to call 911. In addition to occurring at the same time, though, whatever she’d just heard sounded similar to last night’s mysterious disturbance, and that hadn’t been an intruder. Not a living one, anyway.
As if on cue, a haunting moan shivered through the air. Her lungs froze as a fresh spike of fear pierced her chest. Oh, God. There really was something wrong with this house. Fighting the urge to dive back under the covers and hide, she slowly climbed out of bed, unsure what exactly she was going to do. Check the house, for starters, she decided. Her mind was still begging for a more reasonable, less terrifying scenario. A quirky appliance, maybe?
With each tentative step, she paused, waiting for something else to happen. As she made her way into the hall, a chill enveloped her, and she crossed her arms, rubbing the goosebumps rising on her skin. Below her, the stairway unfurled into shadows cast by the upper hall light.
A loud crash rang out behind her, and she jumped, a scream tearing from her lips.
About the Author:
USA TODAY Bestselling Author Kathryn Knight writes books filled with steamy romance, dangerous secrets, and haunting mysteries. Her novels are award-winning #1 Amazon and B&N Bestsellers and RomCon Reader-Rated picks. When she’s not reading or writing, Kathryn spends her time exploring abandoned places and searching for ghosts. She lives on beautiful Cape Cod with her husband, their two sons, and a number of rescued pets. Please visit her at www.kathrynknightbooks.blogspot.com.
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Kathryn-Knight/e/B00919ENJA
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathrynknightbooks
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6477115.Kathryn_Knight
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KathrynKnightbooks/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/k_knightbooks
Blog: http://kathrynknightbooks.blogspot.com/
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kathryn-knight
It’s been great having you with us today. Good luck with Ghost Moon. Happy Halloween!
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Cape Cod, Ghost Moon, Kathryn Knight, Mystery by Tena Stetler with 1 comment.
Summer – Timeless Treasures by Casi McLean
Give a Spooktacular welcome to Casi McLean author of Summer – Timeless Treasures!
Pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cauldron. Take your choice of a bat wing Chocolate Chip or Pumpkin, or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out a little about Casi and Summer – Timeless Treasures.
I love Halloween because it brings front an center the eerie elements of paranormal and fantasy. And what better way to celebrate than A cozy mystery time slip to 1692 Salem, Massachusetts in the middle of the most histrionic witch hunt in American history?
I’ve always loved stories that suck me in and don’t let go. Give me bookswith eerie twist endings, mystical plots, believable time slips, heart-pounding thrillers, or ghostly encounters, and I’ll binge until I devour them. Combine some of those elements, and I’m completely enthralled. If you like time travel cozy mysteries, you’ll love Timeless Treasures.
Travel back to the Salem Witch Trials with Summer !
From USA Today and Amazon Best Selling Author, Casi McLean, comes another gripping time-travel mystery to keep you hugging onto the edge of your seat.
A hologram on Three Sisters Island whisks Summer into the past where she meets Sydney Monaco, a twenty-first century private investigator who experienced a similar anomaly. To discover where they are––and when––she convinces Sydney to hike through the dense forest…until they witness the gruesome lynching of a young woman.
When the mob leaves, they rescue the victim, but the girl confirms Summer’s greatest fear. How can she convince Sydney the ancient Celtic amulet not only transported her to another location, but it also swept her back in time to 1692 Salem––in the middle of the most histrionic witch hunt in American history.
Summer must discover why the portal thrust her through time into her haunting dreams before a hysterical town hangs them for witchcraft. With no chronometer, she is forced to rely on Sydney’s untested amulet to pluck them from their own lynching and take them home––but the artifact plots its own destination…
Can Summer find a way back to the twenty-first century before time runs out?
*** Though Summer’s story is book two of Three Sisters Island Mysteries, the story stands alone, and draws in Sydney Monaco, a popular character from Casi’s #1 Amazon best seller, Virtually Timeless. Fans will love the twists, turns, and hooks they’ve come to expect from this author.
A Sneak peek between the pages of Summer – Timeless Treasures.
A flicker flashing in the distance caught Summer’s eye. A campfire? She grabbed Sydney’s arm and whispered, “Did you see that?” Her heart pounded.
Sydney nodded and slid her hand over Summer’s.
Certain the coming moments were why the portal shifted her into 1692, Summer drew on everything she had, praying she’d choose the right words and actions to deal with the situation. Summer halted at the edge of the clearing and held out an arm to stop Sydney from breaking through the shadows and into the clearing. “Shh. Listen. Do you hear those voices?”
Sydney nodded.
Summer whispered, “Stay hidden. Don’t intervene unless we have no other choice.” A flurry of torches grew closer, and she heard muffled voices feeding on each other.
“Samuel, did you see the witch’s face? Can you identify who cast a spell on the children?”
“I saw a witch lurking in the shadows. When the young girls dispersed, a flash of lightning filled the forest and the figure vanished into the dense woods. We shall cast the light of our torches upon this witch.”
Summer shivered. This wasn’t the scene she expected, but something bad was about to go down, and the portal led them to this time and place. Everything depended upon the next few minutes. She swallowed the lump choking in her throat.
A tall man appeared in the middle of the path from nowhere. “Goodmen. I see thou hast returned with the good reverend, Samuel Parris.”
Summer gasped and tensed all her muscles, managing to whisper what she wanted to scream. “Gabe?”
Sydney jerked a stare at her, then clutched her hand and squeezed. “Don’t react. Just watch,” she murmured.
Summer nodded.
Parris halted, raised a hand, and scowled.
The crowd behind him silenced.
“I saw thee leave earlier this night after watching the young girls dance a ritual around the fire.” Gabe looked at the men. “You see, the embers still burn.” He turned and extended an arm in the direction of the campfire.
Lowering his hand, Parris glared. “I know not of you, good sir…or of rituals. What brings thee to our congregation?”
“I am but a man traveling north to escort a poor widow’s return to her family. I came across the curious dancing here tonight on my way to seek a bed in Salem, and I only stopped to rest for a while.”
“Perhaps you, sir, bewitched those girls.” The reverend squinted. “Step closer so these goodmen might see thy face.”
“I am a stranger to this community, merely passing through and have no business with thee, Reverend.”
“Thou hast no business in these woods at all, sir.”
As the mob stepped closer, Gabe stumbled and fell.
Again, Summer gasped. “He’s hurt, Sydney. He’ll never escape this crazed mob.” She attempted to charge forward, but Sydney’s arm held her firmly in place.
“Stop, Summer. Not yet.”
“This man lied,” Parris shouted. “No traveler passing through could do so with a lame leg.” He ripped Gabe’s pant leg. “This man is the witch I saw lurking in the shadows earlier tonight.”
“Fetter his hands and feet,” a voice rang from the rear. “Take my rope.” A rope flew over the crowd.
Another man tackled and hogtied Gabe.
“Hang him now,” a man called from the middle of the mob. “Back there on the old oak tree.”
They dragged Gabe to the tree and pitched a rope over a low-hanging branch.
“Dear Lord. They’re going to hang him.” Summer pushed back the bile bubbling from her stomach. “We have to stop them. But how?” She dug her fingernails into Sydney’s palm.
“I have an idea,” Sydney whispered. “But there’s no time to waste. Trust me?”
“Do I have a choice?”
Sydney shook her head. “Not unless you have a plan. Just follow my lead.”
“Okay. Go for it.” Summer inhaled a deep breath.
“Wait,” Sydney shrieked, dragging Summer behind her. “This man bewitched our children a week ago in Connecticut. We’ve followed him all this way. Allow us to face him and break the spell.”
The crowd silenced, but the men held tightly to the rope, dangling Gabe from the tree.
“Release this man, so we might place hands upon him,” Sydney demanded, pointing.
“’Tis the only way to break his demonic spell,” Summer added.
The men released the ropes.
Gabe fell to the ground and moaned at the sudden weight on his injury.
Sydney began chanting the Lord’s Prayer.
Summer leaned in close. “Gabe?”
He stared, wide eyed. “Summer?” He whispered. “I’m glad I found you…but what are you doing? These men are about to hang me…and you, too…if they realize you know me.”
“No time to explain. Just trust us.”
Back facing the mob, Sydney kneeled next to Summer and held out her left palm. Her knee pressed against Gabe’s back. “Hold onto my wrist––tightly,” she whispered to Summer in between chanted lines. “Then grab hold of Gabe wherever you can.” With her right hand, Sydney pulled her amulet from beneath her frock and ran a finger over the small diamonds.
Heart racing, Summer grabbed Gabe’s forearm. Sydney’s plan had to work, or they’d all three hang from a noose tonight. A heartbeat later, they vanished into a brilliant burst of ice-blue haze.
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Timeless-Treasures-Three-Sisters-Island-Mysteries-Book-ebook/dp/B0B2F86TQV
About the Author:
USA Today & Amazon Best Selling Author, Casi McLean, pens novels to stir the soul, crossing genres from ethereal captivating shorts with eerie twist endings to believable time slips, ghostly encounters, mystical plots, heart-pounding thrillers, and sensual romantic suspense–all dusted with a sprinkle of magic. Subscribe to Casi’s newsletter on the top bar of her website at CasiMcLean.com
Known for enchanting stories with magical description, Casi McLean entices readers with fascinating hooks to hold them captive in storylines they can’t put down. Her romance entwines strong, believable heroines with delicious, hot heroes to tempt the deepest desires. She fans the flames, sweeping readers into their innermost romantic fantasies. With suspenseful settings and lovable characters, you’ll devour, you’ll see, hear and feel the magical eeriness of one fateful night. You’ll swear time travel could happen, be mystified by a touch of supernatural, feel the heat of romantic suspense, and drawn into gripping thrillers––but most of all you’ll want more.
Social Media Links:
Universal Amazon Link http://author.to/CasiMcLeanBooks
https://www.audible.com/author/Casi-McLean/B0053XXRJU
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/casi-mclean
https://www.facebook.com/casimclean/
https://twitter.com/CasiMcLean
https://www.pinterest.com/casimclean/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/casimclean/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5004261.Casi_McLean
https://www.instagram.com/casimclean/
Website http://casimclean.com
It’s been great having you with us today. Good luck with Summer Timeless Treasures!
Happy Halloween!
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog by Tena Stetler with 2 comments.
