Skeleton Squad and Bone Jet
Only Fifty-Three days to Halloween! Can you believe it? Toil and Trouble and
the rest of the Skeleton Squad continue their search for the Halloween Spirit. This week, found a ghost, a carved pumpkin, AND member of the Skeleton Squad, Octavia Octopus parked on top. But no spirit, darn it. I guess that’s progress. LOL! Toil and Trouble’s quest for the Halloween Spirit continues.
Toil, Trouble, and the Skeleton Squad discovered Bone Jet, working out in the Sunroom, and holding a jam session. They of course had to join in. Didn’t move the search forward, but they all sure had a good time.
Well, its the end of September, the yellow, red and brown leaves are falling. Autumn has arrived. Still nice enough to work out in the sun room, if Bone Jet, would share the equipment!
This week the Skeleton Squad hitched a ride with us to Pleaseant Valley RV Park in Howard, Colorado. They scared the campsite owner into giving us our own deck next to the fifth wheel. Immediately, the Skeleton Squad convened a meeting on the deck table overlooking the Arkansas River.
The next day the search began in earnest with the entire group lining up 
Next to the hummingbird feeder, a group of birds gathered. They frightened all the hummingbirds away, including a particular member of their squad who tried to use the feeder. However, later that evening, a single courageous hummingbird appeared and fearlessly ate from the feeder, daring anyone to come close. Hope you can see the little fellow is just above Octavita’s head.
Penélope Piranha dove into the river under the guise of hunting for the Halloween Spirit, but we suspect she was just having a blast swimming the stream and scarying the boaters.
Great fun was had by all. On our way back, I heard the Skeleton Squad whispering about aliens and Roswel, New Mexico. I sure hope they aren’t planning to pull a stunt like that. I’ll keep you updated! Never a dull moment with this squad.
Speaking of journeys, or possible ones, you may want to check out A Witch’s Journey. What’s it about you ask. Well….
Pepper McKay comes from a long line of powerful witches. Unfortunately, magic brings her nothing but trouble. She learned the love of wildlife rescue and rehab from her Aunt Ashling. After graduating from college, Pepper works for Salem Wildlife Sanctuary and lives from paycheck to paycheck until she inherits the McKay property in Lobster Cove. With the family land and resources, she dares to dream of starting her own wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center.
Lathen Quartz, a former Navy SEAL turned handyman maintains the enchanted McKay property for the McKay estate. But someone is trying to steal the McKay magic. Lathen offers to help Pepper achieve her life-long dream of building a wildlife center. During the long hours spent together on the project, their mutual attraction can’t be denied. But each harbors a deep, dark secret. Will they overcome their demons and give love a chance?
How about a sneak peak between the pages of A Witch’s Journey and some of their Halloween escapades?
Klaren threw her coffee in his face, cup and all, then bolted out of his arms and down the stairs as a huge reddish wolf advanced snarling and leaped over the railing knocking Ben down the stairs. He hit the ground and tumbled down the path, he scrambled to get to his feet. But the wolf was too fast, one leap and animal landed on the Ben’s back, knocking him forward before he finally landed face down on the ground out cold. In a blink of an eye, the wolf was gone and witches closed in on all sides.
Pepper ran to her mother and helped her to her feet. “You ok?”
“I’m fine, just sorry I didn’t have time to get more information out of the son of a bitch. Did you see what he did? I wasn’t about to let him transport me to who knows where.” Klaren brushed at the knees of her jeans viciously.
The witches formed a circle around Ben. Wisps of fog trailed along the ground and took shape as spirits floating in the meadow. Duncan stepped forward and cast a spell ensnaring the man in vines of shimmering light.
“Don’t make the vines too tight around his neck, we need him to be able to speak,” Ravyn said in a calm lilting voice.
“Done,” Duncan replied.
Ravyn flicked her fingers, a bucket of water appeared over Ben’s head, it tipped and the liquid splashed over him.
Ben sputtered and cursed, his eyes wild.
“Mr. Bochard. It’s come to our attention that you are misusing magic for personal gain. You’ve called on dark magic to curse an innocent to do harm to your own kind. How do you plead?” Ravyn asked in a commanding tone.
“Bitch.” Ben bit out. “I only acted to get back what was mine.” He narrowed his eyes at Pepper.
She cast a blindfold on him. “Don’t want to take any chances. Not sure what he’s capable of.” Pepper said when Ravyn glared at her.
Ravyn nodded. “I’ll take that as a guilty plea, Mr. Bochard . Therefore, you are to be spellbound immediately.” She paused. “But first, Pepper do you have the candle?”
“Yes.” Pepper produced a tall, thick twisted black candle with beautifully carved moon phases on all sides.
“Step into the circle, face the full moon depiction north.” Raven closed her eyes and murmured several words. The candle ignited in a black flame flickered then faded to pure white.
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged A Witch's Journey, ghosts, Halloween Spirit, Halloween Spirit Search, Paranormal Romance/Mystery, Skeleton Squad, Tena Stetler, wildlife rescue, Witches by Tena Stetler with comments disabled.
A Witch’s Journey Series – Sunday Snippet
Yippee! Sunday Snippet is showcasing A Witch’s Journey Series.Former Navy Seal, Lathen Quartz helps Pepper McKay, a powerful witch, achieve her life-long dream of a wild life rescue, but can they save the McKay magic?
Got a deal for you! Looking for feel-good books to fill your kindle or ipad for those cool Autumn days or nights curled up in front of a cozy fire sipping on hot chocolate and popcorn?
A WITCH’S JOURNEY SERIES is just the ticket. Pssst….Also all available in audio books!
A Witch’s Journey – Former Navy Seal, Lathen Quartz helps Pepper, a powerful witch, achieve her life-long dream of wildlife rescue, but can they save the McKay magic & find love?
A Witch’s Holiday Wedding A small-town paranormal romance/mystery. Lathen’s covert military mission threatens life as he knows it. Torn in too many directions, will Pepper and Lathen make it to the altar?
Hidden Gypsy Magic – Gwen a wildlife rehabilitator, and Brock a veterinarian, discover the consequences of awakening hidden gypsy magic.
Chocolate Raspberry Magic– Fund-raising, Ice cream social, furry and feathered babies, romance, mystery, and magic what more could you ask for in a paranormal romance/mystery?
A Witch’s Journey Series – Tales of redemption, magic, wildlife rescue, true love and paying it forward will leave you breathless as you turn page after page. While you’re here, don’t forget to check out all my Paranormal Romances and Mysteries. Click here to be transported to my Magical Realm!
Thanks for stopping in to check out my Sunday Snippet. I hope you liked what you saw and will return next Sunday for a new snippet! Happy Reading!
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged A Witch's Journey, A Witch's Journey Series, fantasy, ghosts, magic, Paranormal Romance/Mystery, Sunday Snippet, Tena Stetler, wildlife rescue, Witches by Tena Stetler with 2 comments.
A Witch’s Journey – Sunday Snippet
Good Morning and welcome to another Sunday Snippet. This week we take a look at the award-winning A Witch’s Journey, first book in A Witch’s Journey Series. Former Navy Seal, Lathen Quartz helps Pepper McKay, a powerful witch, achieve her lifelong dream of a wildlife rescue, but can they save the McKay magic?
Animal and wildlife rescue is close to my heart. I volunteer at a wolf rescue, donate to another and also donate and visit a parrot rescue. I feel that whatever we have tamed, we are responsible for taking care of forever.
A Little about A Witch’s Journey:
Pepper McKay comes from a long line of powerful witches. Unfortunately, magic brings her nothing but trouble. She learned the love of wildlife rescue and rehab from her Aunt Ashling. After graduating from college, Pepper works for Salem Wildlife Sanctuary and lives from paycheck to paycheck until she inherits the McKay property in Lobster Cove. With the family land and resources, she dares to dream of starting her own wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center.
Lathen Quartz, a former Navy SEAL turned handyman maintains the enchanted McKay property for the McKay estate. But someone is trying to steal the McKay magic. Lathen offers to help Pepper achieve her life-long dream of building a wildlife center. During the long hours spent together on the project, their mutual attraction can’t be denied. But each harbors a deep, dark secret. Will they overcome their demons and give love a chance?
Snippet of A Witch’s Journey!
“What the hell are you doing here, and what have you done to my dog,” Pepper shouted flinging the log to the ground and yanking her cell phone out of her pocket, tapping in 9-1-1, she left the line open.
She circled her arm above her head and the wind picked up, spreading her fingers wide the rain came down in sheets, lightning streaked through the night sky and thunder shook the ground. The dog glanced up at Pepper, blood clouding its eye, barked once and barreled into the woods. Mr. Green started to get up off the ground and Pepper shoved her foot on top his chest. “Don’t move. Or I’ll…”
“You’ll what?” Mr. Green rolled to the side, and grabbed Pepper’s leg. Slick due to the rain, he couldn’t hold on and Pepper kicked his side and jumped out of reach.
She sliced her arm through the air, unseen forces slammed Mr. Green to the ground, his eyes glowed an eerie green. Pain erupted in Pepper’s head, he was drawing on her magic. Suddenly, a rainbow shower of knife-sharp feathers flew out of the cabin door, across the air, slicing through the man’s clothes pinning him to the ground until red and blue flashing lights reflected against the cabin’s wet exterior. The sirens’ wail echoed all around her, Kaylee’s scream broke though the chaos, then everything went black.
Lathen slammed on the brakes as he turned into the driveway behind the police vehicle. A rainbow of feathers rose from the ground and streaked into the cabin. He rubbed his eyes, shook his head and jumped to the ground searching for Pepper. The call came in at the police station as he’d finished the wiring and was testing the computers. A 9-1-1 call, no one at the other end and an open line from the McKay place. When he arrived, she was lying on the ground and Kaylee circling above her screeching. As he knelt over her, she bolted upright.
Check back next week for a new Sunday Snippet!
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged A Witch's Journey, Paranormal Romance/Mystery, romantic suspense, Sunday Snippet, wildlife rescue, Witches by Tena Stetler with comments disabled.
Spooktacular Haunting The Stanley Hotel & Black Monarch
One of the highest haunting in Colorado is the Stanley Hotel at an altitude of over 7, 500 feet. Bawawawa! You know the one that claims to be the inspiration for Stephen’s King’s The Shining (REDRUM – MURDER) . The Hotel was built in 1909 by Freelan and Flora Stanley of Stanley Steamer fortune. Originally, they came to Colorado in an attempt to alleviate the symptoms of Freelan’s tuberculosis. They fell in love with Colorado and purchased property and built a home. The Stanley was built as a summer resort for guests Freelan and Flora entertained during their extended vacations in Colorado.
It’s believed Flora haunts the hotel to this day, enjoying one of her favorite pastimes of playing the piano late at night when no one is around. Tales abound of visitors claiming sounds of revelry occurring in the empty ballroom. Room 217 is purported to be haunted by the ghost of a long-term housekeeper. If you gain her favor, she’ll help you unpack. If not…. Well…. It is the room allegedly occupied by Stephen King at one time. Inspiring The Shinning?
I don’t know about that, but the hair on the back of my neck stood up as I took photos of The Stanley Hotel outside in broad daylight.
Yesterday, thanks to the The Gazette and photographer, Parker Seibold, I learned of the newest haunted building in the Rocky Mountains, The Black Monarch
Hotel, 301 Victor Ave, Victor, CO., at an altitude of 9,708 feet. In the late 1800’s the Victorian building now known as The Black Monarch, was the Monarch – “the finest gentlemen’s club west of the Mississippi ” according to the new owner Adam Zimmerli. Now thanks to Adam, it pays tribute to it’s former life and legend of haunting with bone-chilling decor and seven spooky-themed rooms. Check it out at The Black Monarch Hotel website.
Want to know more about haunting places in Colorado? Click on the link.
Speaking of haunting!
Did you know, most present day Halloween traditions are traceable to the ancient Celtic day of the dead? Halloween consists of mysterious customs, but each has a history, or at least a story behind it.
Take wearing costumes, and roaming from door to door demanding treats. This behavior can be traced to the Celtic period and the first few centuries of the Christian era, when it was thought that the souls of the dead were out and about, along with fairies, witches, and demons. Offerings of food and drink were left out to placate them. As the centuries wore on, people began dressing like these creatures, performing antics in exchange for food and drink. This is where the practice of trick-or-treating began. To this day, vampires, witches, ghosts, and skeletons are among the favorite costumes.
Our Halloween also retains activities from the original harvest holiday of Samhain, such as bobbing for apples and carving vegetables, (pumpkins) as well as the fruits, nuts, and spices for cider associated with the day. Although at my house, hot chocolate is pretty popular, since Halloween almost guarantees the first snow of the year.
Looking for a fun haunting Halloween Read? A Witch’s Journey is full of meddling ghosts, shapeshifters, sexy witches, ruggedly-handsome Navy Seals. An exciting story of redemption, wildlife rescue and Halloween festivals. http://amzn.com/B01F0LRJ7U
What’s A Witch’s Journey about, you ask:
Pepper McKay comes from a long line of powerful witches. Unfortunately, magic brings her nothing but trouble. She learned the love of wildlife rescue and rehab from her Aunt Ashling. After graduating from college, Pepper works for Salem Wildlife Sanctuary and lives from paycheck to paycheck until she inherits the McKay property in Lobster Cove. With the family land and resources, she dares to dream of starting her own wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center.
Lathen Quartz, a former Navy SEAL turned handyman maintains the enchanted McKay property for the McKay estate. But someone is trying to steal the McKay magic. Lathen offers to help Pepper achieve her life-long dream of building a wildlife center. During the long hours spent together on the project, their mutual attraction can’t be denied. But each harbors a deep, dark secret. Will they overcome their demons and give love a chance?
A peek between the haunting pages of A Witch’s Journey:
The waves on the pond slapped noisily against the rocky shore as the mist crawling along the ground and settling over the pond took shape. Out of the fog rose a woman dressed in a simple long indigo skirt and peasant blouse under a firm white bodice. Holding her arm was a man who wore knee-length black breeches with a long dark vest over his peasant shirt. They glided across the pond and stepped onto the shore. An audible gasp came from the ghosts, and they moved closer.
Lathen, Pepper, and her parents sat silent, eyes wide in disbelief.
“Good evening, McKay clan.” The man offered a pleasant smile and said in a deep voice reminiscent of Duncan’s, “Allow me to introduce my wife, Dusty McKay.” He wrapped an arm around her waist and brought her forward. “I am Aidan Duncan McKay. We have taken advantage of this night to set the record straight. ’Tis true, as a young girl Dusty ran away in early 1693, after being found not guilty of witchcraft. Because in fact she was a witch, like her mother, who wasn’t so lucky and died at the hands of the Puritans. I had arrived in America from Ireland, with no family or friends. I met her shortly thereafter, we fell in love, and I asked her to be my wife. We were wed a fortnight later and drifted from place to place in what was then Massachusetts and settled in what is now Maine on this land. It looked different in my time.”
Well, if you’ll excuse me, it’s time to don my vampire costume, custom fitted fangs and pull up a stool in the shadows. With a candy bowl beside me, I sneakily turn on the fog machine. Out of the mist, I’ll greet the little trick or treaters or scare the bejeebers out of the older ones with bats hanging over head and screeching on my command. Won’t you join me? Happy Halloween!
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged A Witch's Journey, Paranormal Romance/Mystery, Shapeshifters, Tena Stetler, Urban Fantasy, wildlife rescue, Witches by Tena Stetler with 2 comments.
