Top Five 80's Ghost Stories

(See Below)

Do you love ghost stories? I totally flip over them, always have. I remember in 5th grade I read a book about the ghost of a slave kid who became best friends with a boy. Somehow he managed dragged his friend from the present into the past to try and prevent his tragic death. I remember wanting the story to be true with all my heart because it was so amazing! 

Then there were creepy stories like Behind the Attic Wall where the kids went into the past through a magic doll house and met the people who lived on an ancient English estate right before each of their tragic deaths. LOVED IT.

Then there was the Blossom Culp Series. (Thank you Richard Peck.)







And who didn't love the scaries stories series? I still dwell on these from time to time.








Last, (although this is kind of an exception to ghosts, but it is
Halloweeny...)

Ready to guess the lie and win a book? 

Last week, Lyndsay Johnson shared FIRE OF THE SEA with us, along with two truths and one lie. Those who guessed the lie correctly were entered into a random drawing for the chance to win her  eBook.  

Lyndsay's game: 

1. Lyndsay was in training to be on the US Olympic Equestrian team, but was thrown from a horse and broke her wrist before the qualifying rounds.
2. She once spray-painted the concrete wall behind her house with what she envisioned to be a gorgeous mural. Turns out fluorescent orange isn’t the best color for a budding graffiti artist… Also, who knew you could buy spray paint remover?
3. She used to drive a 1986 Volvo Station wagon. Teal with tan interior. She hated it, but now wishes she’d kept it.  

And the lie is:

#1. Lyndsay actually rode horses for ten years and competed in lots of show jumping. While she never broke a bone or even came close to being an Olympian, she was overheard saying, “I don’t have time for the Olympics…I have to go to COLLEGE!” 

Way to guess those of you who got it right! And the winner is:

...DRUM ROLL...

Carol Kilgore!

Congrats Carol!

And now to today's feature:

Who knew a knock at the door could tear your world apart? They don’t demand money or possessions…they want much more than that, they want your life. 

Maverick is preparing for senior year: he’s no longer stuck in the “friend-zone” with the girl of his dreams, he’s looking forward to choosing the right college and being on his own, and he plans to have a blast along the way.

But a knock on the door changes all of that forever. 

Maverick begins a mind-altering, life-changing journey to discover the truth—a truth that certain individuals will do anything to keep hidden.

Get your copy HERE.

Miranda Hardy writes children’s literature to keep the voices in her head appeased. When she’s not in her fantasy world, she’s canoeing in alligator infested waters, or rescuing homeless animals. She goes to coffee shops to do most of her writing while drinking tea. Unable to reveal too much, she has the most boring superpower ever (hint: you have to be a close relative for it to work). She resides in south Florida with her two wonderful children, and too many animals to mention. 

Miranda's favorite cheese: Mozzarella. She loves it in lasagna or eating it in by itself, usually when no ones around to watch her. She's a closet cheese eater. 

Jay Noel was born on an uncharted island somewhere in the pacific and raised by elves and fairies. Okay, maybe not, but Jay was always known to be one for daydreaming. Jay was actually born in New York, but currently lives in St. Louis with his family. He had a pretty normal childhood, except for that one incident where he gave Jeff Glass a bloody nose and lip in the second grade. But the jerk deserved it! He also attended Southeast Missouri State University where he played NCAA Division I tennis and graduated Magna Cum Laude. Jay has a degree in English and Education.

Jay's favorite cheese: Colby, and he eats it in his sunroom. 

They gave me two truths and one lie to test your "lie detector" skills. Those who figure out the lie will go into my magic hat for the chance to win an eBook of DEATH KNOCKS just in time for Halloween! How awesome is that?

You have until Tuesday, October 28, at 1 p.m. EDT to guess--and be sure to come back for the answer on October 29.

TRUTH OR LIE

1. They scrapped an entire manuscript and started over. 
2. They both exploited their children in the making of this book. 
3. One of them had a BEK experience while the other is a total non-believer. 

   

The blog tour is making some awesome stops today:

Julie Musil asks me about sequels, and there may even be chainsaw juggling involved

M.J. Fifield at My Pet Blog shares a super awesome excerpt

Kimber Leigh Wheaton at Once Upon a YA Book gives her review of SOULLESS

Sher A Hart: Ask no Questions, Tell no Lies

Patricia Lynne shares the cast of Soulless: Villains and Outcasts

And be sure to enter the 

Rafflecopter

for your chance to win some amazing prizes!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Now trot along and enjoy the awesomeness of the tour. 

Which is the lie? Do you have a favorite ghost book from your childhood? Of all time? What are you reading for Halloween? 

Torturing Characters into Giving Away Books

Do you like tortured/torturing characters? 

As I wrap up final edits on my sequel, I'm struggling with all the horrible things I've put my characters through. I mean, their lives were difficult enough before, right? My editor cried--and it's not just because she's pregnant. (Although that may have had something to do with it...) But seriously, I wonder sometimes if tearing people down so far is just cruel and uncalled for. 

At the same time, it's all about extremes. Those who suffer the hardest blows and hit rock bottom have the possibility of soaring to amazing heights. And who can appreciate the perspective more than someone whose nose has been mashed into the grime?

I think that's one of the things I struggle with most in life--watching people suffer. My kids. My hubby. Friends. I just want them to be happy. But then, I know from personal experience that happiness springs from overcoming trials, and the greater the struggle, the greater the joy.    

Speaking of joy...

It's your last chance to get in on the 

cover reveal. (Book 2 in the Maiden of Time Trilogy July 14-19.)

Sign up HERE.

Ready to guess the lie and win a book? 

Last week, the fabulous Kimber Leigh Wheaton shared SHADOW FIRE with us, along with two truths and one lie. Those who guessed the lie correctly were entered into a random drawing for the chance to win her eBook AND two different bookmarks.

Kimber Leigh's game:

1. When she was nine, Kimber Leigh made it through several call backs auditioning for the Broadway show Annie.

2. She won third place is a city-wide Super Mario Bros. video game contest when she was a teenager.

3. While in college, she spent a summer playing Ariel, the Little Mermaid, at Disneyland. 

And the lie is: 

#3. Kimber Leigh did audition and made it most of the way through the interview process before for Disneyland before she backed out. Those poor princesses don’t make enough money to justify wearing 20 lbs of makeup in 90 degree weather, while being manhandled by kids.

The upside of being Ariel: you get carried everywhere, 'cause she has a tail. The downside, the costume is rather skimpy up top.

Annoying fact: one interviewer worried she might be too pale (she's a natural redhead) and could appear sickly to some guests. They weren’t planning to cover her entire body in makeup, just her face. And she happens to like herself the way she is, sickly pale and all. (Jerkfaces!)

So ultimately she decided to do summer school at UCSB rather than the stint at Disneyland, and she thinks she made the right decision. It was one WILD summer!

Way to guess those of you who got it right! And the winner is:

...DRUM ROLL...

Krystal Jane!

Congrats Krystal! 

And now to today's feature:

Sometimes a single choice alters the course of a person's life forever.

Left behind by everyone she loves...
Rebecca Garvey had the promise of a California future dreams are made of, until the wagon train her family was traveling with left her behind. Now she’s slowly dying in the wilderness, abandoned and stripped of her self-worth. Once the shock of her desertion turns to embittered despair, she doesn’t want to be found. Then a handsome stranger challenges her convictions and changes her mind. 

Headed for Texas, chased by the demons of his past...
Seth Emerson knows exactly what he wants. Working to save for a cattle ranch of his own keeps him busy and keeps his pain buried. Rescuing a stubborn woman from the hills of New Mexico Territory isn’t part of his plan—but she’s exactly what he needs.

Making greater sacrifices than either of them could foresee...
Seth and Rebecca set off on a risky journey and a quest for truth, each healing the other’s love-starved soul along the way. Will they give in to their growing attraction?  Or will they honor their commitments when Seth returns Rebecca to civilization... and her betrothed?

Pick up your copy HERE.

Now let me introduce you to the incredible author: 

Native Texan Melissa Maygrove is a wife, mother, nurse, freelance editor, and romance writer. When she's not busy caring for her tiny nursery patients or shuttling teenagers back and forth to after-school activities, she's hunched over her laptop, complicating the lives of her imaginary friends and playing matchmaker. Melissa loves books with unpretentious characters and unforgettable romance, and she strives to create those same kinds of stories for her readers.

She loves grated cheddar on top of homemade macaroni and cheese, all golden brown and bubbly.

Melissa gave me two truths and one lie to test your "lie detector" skills. Those who figure out the lie will go into my magic hat for the chance to win a signed paperback copy of COME BACK (US only) OR a signed eBook (for an international winner). 

You have until Tuesday, June 24, at 1 p.m. EDT to guess--and be sure to come back for the answer on June 25.

TRUTH OR LIE

1. Melissa has touched a real piranha--even its sharp little teeth.

2. Somewhere out there in the world, there's an orchid named after her.

3. She absolutely, totally and completely hates broccoli.

Which is the lie? What are your feelings on people suffering? Wasn't that cool getting some insight into the whole Disneyland experience? Doesn't Melissa's book sound awesome? 

Deep Thoughts for a Wednesday...Plus FREE STUFF

I don't know about you, but I'm in the mood for some deep thoughts:

And now that we have that out of the way...

GUESS WHAT?!? I was asked to contribute to a really awesome SUPER HERO anthology, and you can get your hands on it

FOR FREE.

(Soon to be free on Amazon.)

Heroes of PHENOMENA is a global, cross-industry collaborative campaign encouraging the next generation of authors, artists & musicians! 

Epic motion picture advertising music production house, audiomachine, will make a donation to the Los Angeles Youth Orchestra with every download of the PHENOMENA album companion collection. 

A dedicated youth section showcases talented aspiring artists and authors from Elevate’s Life & Art Studios, alongside inspiring industry professionals and the winning entries of PHENOMENA's Epic Heroes Event!

Contributing authors include Darynda Jones, Amy Michele, Susan Kaye Quinn, M. Pax, Jessica Bell, Alex J. Cavanaugh, Crystal Collier (That's me!!!), C. Lee McKenzie, Ruth Long, & Samantha Redstreake Geary.

Yuppers. Is that epic or what?

Ready to guess the lie and win a book? 

Last week, the fashionable Anna Soliveres shared VIOLET STORM with us, along with two truths and one lie. Those who guessed the lie correctly were entered into a random drawing for the chance to win her eBook.

Anna's game:

1. Anna is an accomplished vocal performer.
2. She was a Police Cadet.
3. She had nine different jobs while in college.

And the lie is: 

#1. Anna says sadly, she is not an accomplished singer, but she swears she sounds AMAZING…alone in her bathroom…and in her head when she's not singing out loud. 

Way to guess those of you who got it right! And the winner is:

...DRUM ROLL...

Melanie Crouse!

Congrats Melanie! 

And now to today's feature:

Ashlyn – a free-spirited teenager whose peaceful life is shattered when the village elders honor her with a perilous quest to recover a stolen relic.

Zane – a jaded mercenary, torn by his undeniable desire for Ashlyn and the dark secret that could make her hate him forever.

Delistaire – a malevolent sorcerer driven by an insatiable lust for power.

All three are bound together by an ancient relic supposedly infused with the power of a Goddess.

Shadow Fire – adventure, passion, secrets, and betrayal

As Ashlyn and Zane race to stay one step ahead of the evil lurking in the shadows, their passions are ignited and their bond strengthens. But will they find the relic before Delistaire? Or has their entire quest been orchestrated from the very beginning by a madman in pursuit of ultimate power?

Each installment of the Light Chronicles is a standalone story.

Pick up your copy HERE.

Now let me introduce you to the incredible author: 

Kimber Leigh Wheaton is a bestselling YA/NA author with a soft spot for sweet romance. She is married to her soul mate, has a teenage son, and shares her home with three dogs, four cats, and lots of dragons. No, she doesn’t live on a farm, she just loves animals. Kimber Leigh is addicted to romance, videogames, superheroes, villains, and chocolate—not necessarily in that order. (If she has to choose, she’ll take a chocolate covered superhero!) She currently lives in San Antonio, TX but has been somewhat a rolling stone in life, having resided in several different cities and states.

She is a cheese-aholic. (After my own heart.) Her favorite is Colby Jack—doesn’t have to be sliced, a giant chunk will do. She enjoys eating it curled up in bed watching TV or a movie. 

Kimber Leigh gave me two truths and one lie to test your "lie detector" skills. Those who figure out the lie will go into my magic hat for the chance to win an eBook of SHADOW FIRE (open internationally), and two bookmarks (US and Canada only). 

You have until Tuesday, June 17, at 1 p.m. EDT to guess--and be sure to come back for the answer on June 18.

TRUTH OR LIE

1. When she was nine, Kimber Leigh made it through several call backs auditioning for the Broadway show Annie.

2. She won third place is a city-wide Super Mario Bros. video game contest when she was a teenager.

3. While in college, she spent a summer playing Ariel, the Little Mermaid, at Disneyland. 

Which is the lie? Do you have any deep thoughts to add? Do you love stories about superheroes (and did you pick up your free copy)?