Love, Jealousy, Rage Wicked Wednesday by Lori Matsourani

WICKED WEDNESDAY

Hey readers! Join me in welcoming Lori Matsourani to Wicked Wednesday on Discover... Murder and Ghosts with a dash of Romance makes for a great Wicked Wednesday. And read to the bottom for a Goodreads giveaway!

Do we ever know who’s really capable of murder? Is it the thug with the tattooed face who despises rival gang members? The distraught father, furious with the sadistic husband who abuses beloved daughter? Or the ex-lover, angry at the new man who replaces him in the bedroom?

Rage and jealousy have existed since the beginning of time. Especially when stemming from the desire for a woman. It’s conceivable these emotions can transcend the passage of time... and perhaps, corporeal existence. After all, can love, jealousy, or rage ever be erased?

Not for eighteenth-century plantation owner Samuel Watts, the husband of beautiful Ariella. His jealousy cost him the love of his life. His rage demanded an even higher price: his own life. And despair over his loss condemned his forlorn spirit to roam his plantation home on Maryland’s Eastern Shore for centuries. Until he encounters Bethany Hendren, a love-wary guest in his house (now a B&B known as Horatio House).

Samuel reaches out to Bethany for help in unraveling the outcome of his fight with Frederick Howard, the man with wicked intentions regarding Samuel’s wife. The details are hazy, and Samuel wonders if murder was involved. His ghostly intrusion leads Bethany to reluctantly join forces with Nick Dorsey—the first boy she ever loved and the first one to break her heart—and help Samuel with his quest. As Bethany and Nick follow Samuel’s clues, sparks from their long-ago romance start to flare, but Bethany shuns the idea of reigniting the flame. Nick ghosted her years ago, and she can’t bring herself to trust him with her heart. But it’s Samuel’s revelations about relationships and trust that encourage her to open up to the possibility of love and happiness with Nick.

And what about Samuel? Can he use his wisdom in matters of the heart to find his own peace? Or is he doomed to continue roaming the halls of Horatio House as a bereaved spirit for eternity, which would be a wicked shame.

 

Blurb:

When her fiancé’s infidelity prompts Bethany Hendren to map out a new path forward, her plans are disrupted by an unexpected encounter with Nick Dorsey, who convinces her to help search for the remains of a troubled eighteenth-century ghost. Nick is the handsome summer boyfriend who ghosted her years ago, and now he wants to rekindle their relationship.

Despite her reluctance to trust him, Bethany discovers he’s still the funny, caring person who captured her heart as a teen, but giving him a second chance is risky—it could lead to love and happiness or result in another devastating heartache.

Although Bethany wants a happily ever after with Nick, does she have the courage to trust him with her future?

 

Excerpt:

He opened the door and motioned her inside the large room. A vintage wrought-iron bed, as well as a nightstand with a tray of wine, cheeses, and stemware, occupied the wall on her left. An enormous stone fireplace, with an antique painting of a woman mounted over the mantel, dominated the opposite side of the room.

Nick studied the portrait as he set down the suitcase, then peered at Bethany. “Oh, wow. You look just like her.”

The woman, dressed in eighteenth-century garments, appeared to be about Bethany’s age. They had the same oval face, narrow nose, chestnut-brown hair, and caramel eyes.

“I see the likeness,” Bethany said. “Who is she?”

“One of the Worthingtons. I’m sure Aunt Margaret knows her name.”

She stepped closer to study the centuries-old canvas and encountered a cold spot in the room. A shiver coursed through her. “Is this room always so chilly?”

He frowned. “Not usually. I’ll check the thermostat.”

Bethany hoisted her suitcase onto the bed, impatient to end this unwelcome encounter with Nick. Then, without thinking, she pivoted away from the mattress and almost collided with him. He threw out his hands to steady her, his face inches away as his fingers clutched her upper arms. His dark eyes locked on hers.

“I turned up the heat.” He maintained his grasp and her breath caught as she stared back, captivated by the richness of his almost-black irises.

“Thank you.”

“And there’s something else.”

“What’s that?” Her heart pounded, sending a rush of blood to her ears. She couldn’t look away. Was he going to apologize? Explain why he’d ghosted her after that summer?

“Even though the family completely redid the inside and outside of the house, the ghost still haunts this place.”

That’s what he wants to tell me?

With a sigh, she shook off his grip and stepped out of his reach, disappointed in him for dodging the chance to explain what happened back then and frustrated with herself for letting him get to her. She’d conquered her feelings for him a decade ago and was determined to squelch any residual heart flutters.

“If you’re trying to spook me, it’s not going to work.”

 

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F9XCPLYD/thewildrosepr-20

Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/p/books/ghosted-lori-matsourani/22722837?ean=9781509262540&next=t&affiliate=114419

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ghosted-lori-matsourani/1147463084?ean=2940184606941

Books A Million: https://www.booksamillion.com/p/9781509262540

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/ghosted/id6746414091

 

Bio:

Lori Matsourani is a romance addict. Give her stories with a touch of heartbreak and a spark of joy, and she’s happy. Throw in characters with a huge helping of heart and soul, and she’s up reading all night in romance heaven! While currently a Texas resident, Lori grew up near Baltimore and often draws on the historical flavor of Annapolis and Maryland’s Eastern Shore to inspire her story settings. She authored her first fiction story at twelve and has been hooked on writing ever since. Early on, her writing career focused on articles for magazines and newspapers before shifting to her first writing love—fiction. For Lori, connecting words to tell a story is like assembling a jigsaw puzzle, and she loves the challenge of creating every piece.

Social media links:

Website: https://lorimatsourani.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lori.matsourani.author/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lori.matsourani/

 

Goodreads Giveaway: Runs from August 1 to August 30

https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/418301-ghosted

Ghosts and Love by Anna M. Taylor

MUSE MONDAY

I'm a believer. Are you? In ghosts and the unexplained, that is. Anna M. Taylor is back with some fascinating facts. I've seen one of the types she tells us about when I stayed in a haunted hotel in Flagstaff. She's done her research and written a fascinating romance. Enjoy the read today!

In A Little In Love With Death my hero, Mitchell Emerson, has lost the love of his life because she believes in ghosts and he does not. He believes he can win her back by discovering what is really haunting her childhood home. Instead what he learns is there are definitely more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in his philosophies. I had fun doing research on spirits for A Little In Love With Death. Here are five that I learned of: 

Interactive Personality – This is the traditional manifestation of a spirit, usually recognizable as person 

Ectoplasm – This is a misty presence rather than a spirit with recognizable as once having been human 

Poltergeist – This is an animated spirit that makes noise by moving or knocking things over. It’s often explained as energy being controlled by someone alive and unaware of what they’re doing. 

Orbs – These are balls of light that hover and can be human or animal that take on this shape to make it easy to travel. 

Funnel ghosts – These are swirling spirits usually associated with cold spots. 

Louisville Historic tours has some cool photos of each if you’d care to check them out: https://louisvillehistorictours.com/the-5-different-types-of-ghosts-with-photos. They’ve even got a video purporting to capture an orb: https://louisvillehistorictours.com/ghost–orbs.

Blurb:

Ten years ago no one -- not even the man who said he loved her -- believed Sankofa Lawford's story of being attacked by a ghost. Mitchell Emerson believes science and reason can account for the ghostly happenings at Umoja House. He seeks a rational explanation that will prove him right and hopefully regain Sankofa’s trust and love. Instead what he learns leaves his own beliefs shattered. Now reluctant allies, Mitchell and Sankofa uncover years of lies that threaten to pull them apart until help comes from an unexpected ally: the ghost itself. 

 Excerpt:

“‘Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against powers and principalities, against spiritual wickedness in high places.’” 

Mitchell leaned forward in the chair across from Professor John Mortimer. The neat and tidy mid-Century chrome, light wood and primary color surfaces defied the stereotyped clutter attributed to eccentric college professors. 

“That’s your realm more than mine, John. You’re the philosophy and religion professor.” 

Mortimer leaned back, his fingertips steepled. “But it’s why you sought me out, why you’re talking to me about this.” 

“Granted, but as I’m not in the camp of Biblical literalists, I don’t know how to interpret that verse.” 

Mortimer smiled. “Perhaps you’re more comfortable with Shakespeare? ‘There are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in your philosophies, Horatio.’” 

Mitchell shook his head. “Nope. That’s equally unhelpful.” 

Professor Mortimer laughed. “Too metaphysical for your scientific tastes, Mr. Soon-to-be Commissioned Lay Pastor?” 

Mitchell shrugged. “Too metaphysical for someone who recently just put religion back in their portfolio.” 

Mortimer leaned a forearm across his desk’s glass surface. “So why don’t we start with the answer you want and work our way back to the truth?”

BUY ANNA'S BOOK ON AMAZON: https://amzn.to/3mGvWci

Find Anna and her other book here: https://www.amazon.com/Anna-M-Taylor/e/B0894LFCTV

Spirits, Addiction, and Romance with Claire Gem #haunting #romance

MUSE MONDAY

Please welcome by guest blogger today, Claire Gem.

I’m an author who is very much influenced by place. In fact, every one of my six novels is set in a location I have either lived in or visited—usually often. I think having spent time in a particular place, becoming familiar with the scenery, the history, and the people there, makes it easier for my imagination to take hold and blossom. Some, like Lake George, N.Y. of A Taming Season, holds many happy memories for me. We vacationed there often as I was growing up, and still try to make an annual visit to the quaint lakeside village.

Not all of those places, though, have happy memories connected with them.

Spirits of the Heart, one of my Haunted Voices novels, is actually set in my home town. Middletown, N.Y. was the site of a psychiatric center up until the late 1970s. That was the time of “de-institutionalization,” when the government closed many mental asylums all over the country. When I was a child, my father spent a few stints in Middletown State Hospital. Sadly, he battled with alcoholism all his life.

My brother still lives in Middletown, and whenever we visit, I like to drive around the old campus of the asylum. Many of the buildings have been razed or re-purposed, but some still stand eerily empty, crumbling under the weight of time. The biggest building was Talcott Hall. With its barred windows and caged patios, it was clearly the place where the most disturbed patients were housed. I thought—what a great place to set a story. A ghost story.

And so, Spirits of the Heart was born.

Blurb:

An addiction counselor and a security guard struggle to free a little girl and her father, two lost spirits trapped inside an abandoned mental asylum.

Addiction counselor Laura Horton returns from college to move in with an old friend and start her career. But her homecoming is jarring. Her friend moves out, leaving Laura alone with the gorgeous but intimidating ex-boyfriend—in a house that snugs up to an ancient graveyard.

Officer Miller Stanford is a man with a shattered past. His alcoholic dad destroyed their family, a weakness Miller is terrified will consume him too. The last thing he needs is a sexy, blonde addiction counselor watching his every move. When he begins to see specters in the dark, he starts questioning his own stability.

But Laura sees her too—a pathetic child-spirit searching for her father. Then Laura starts digging into old asylum records . . . Can Miller and Laura uncover the secrets of Talcott Hall without jeopardizing their love—and lives—in the process?

Spirits of the Heart Amazon Buy Link: 

https://www.amazon.com/Spirits-Heart-Haunted-Voices-Book-ebook/dp/B01N7VIZU2/

Youtube Trailer:  https://youtu.be/YUa2RALSEm8

****

Claire is a multi-published, award winning author of five titles in the genres of contemporary romance, supernatural suspense, and women’s fiction. She also writes Author Resource guide books, and presents seminars on writing craft and marketing.

Her supernatural suspense, Hearts Unloched, won the 2016 New York Book Festival, and was a finalist in the 2017 RONE Awards. Also in 2017, her women’s fiction, The Phoenix Syndrome, was a finalist in the National Reader's Choice Awards, and her contemporary romance, A Taming Season, was a Literary Award of Merit finalist in the HOLT Medallion Awards. Her latest release, Spirits of the Heart, was a finalist in the 2017 "I Heart Indie Awards."

Creating cross-genre fiction she calls "supernatural suspense," Claire loves exploring the paranormal and the unexplained, and holds a certificate in Parapsychology from the Rhine Research Center of Duke University.

A New York native, Claire has lived in five of the United States and held a variety of jobs, from waitress to bridal designer to research technician—but loves being an author best. She and her happily-ever-after hero, her husband of 39 years, now live in central Massachusetts.

Claire is available for seminars & media interviews & loves to travel for book promotional events.

Find Claire here:

Website:                      http://www.clairegem.com

Blogs:                          http://www.clairegem.wordpress.com

                                    http://www.hauntedpathways.wordpress.com

Facebook:                    http://www.facebook.com/clairegem.author

Twitter:                       http://www.twitter.com/gemwriter

Goodreads:                  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8284235.Claire_Gem

Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.to/2nabvbm

Youtube Channel:       https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO-vB7WDZhEQ8U4YpC937ng

Writing Paranormal by JoAnne Myers

MUSE MONDAY

Please welcome my guest, JoAnne Myers, back to Muse Monday.

 

When it comes to fiction writing, almost anything goes. That is why I love writing paranormal and fantasy stories. The author can go completely over the edge and make something unbelievable seem believable. When it comes to ghost stories, I get a lot of my inspiration from real life experiences. Not necessarily my own either. I watch television programs that partake of the supernatural and paranormal flare. Programs from ordinary people who claim they experienced either an afterlife experience, or a haunting. 

 

Some of my stories from my upcoming release “Wicked Intentions” is based on actual hauntings. Some stories I read about in the newspaper, and others I watched on true life experience programs. So the next time you get “writer’s block” try switching on the television. You might find something to jolt your inspiration. 

 

Blurbs for "Wicked Intentions"　

　

BLOOD TIES- word count 15, 902

　

After the mysterious disappearance of twenty-six year old wife and mother Lisa Smalley, her twin, Audra Roper, begins having dark and disturbing visions of Lisa’s disappearance. Trying to survive while looking for Lisa, Audra’s life becomes a roller coaster of risks, heartbreak, and intrigue.

　　

THE HAUNTING OF BARB MARIE- word count 9,845

　

Even as a child, Barb Marie saw dead people. This took an unhealthy toil on her throughout her childhood and young adulthood.

　

SUMMER WIND-word count 13,039

When twenty-nine year old Ginger discovers the old mansion Summer Wind, she is mysteriously drawn to it. . Immediately, the haunting’s have a negative and profound effect on the family.

THE TRUTH BEHIND THE LIES-laying the Norfolk ghost to rest-word count 23,943

Solving the brutal murder of American born Ruthie Geil becomes a gauntlet of attacks and more murders for Federal Police Inspector Ian Christian. Between the victims family, ex-lovers, and ghostly occurrences on Norfolk Island, the killer is closer than anyone realizes.

　　

THE LEGEND OF LAKE MANOR-word count 8,297

　

For the young psychic Cassandra Lopez, coming to the infamous and haunted mansion Lake Manor, was more like a mission.

THE APARTMENT-word count 5,188

When young newlyweds Bill and Gayle move into their new apartment, their lives are plagued with sightings of evil ghosts that threaten their marriage and lives.

DARK VISIONS-word count 5,170

When Carrie Reynold’s starts having nightmares on her twenty-sixth birthday, she believes her “dark visions” can solve the twenty year disappearance of her father.

Other books by JoAnne:

Murder Most Foul-a detective/mystery book

The Crime of the Century- a biography true crime novel

Upcoming releases:

Loves, Myths, and Monsters,- a fantasy anthology

Flagitious-a detective/mystery novella anthology

Buy links for “Wicked Intentions” A paranormal/mystery anthology

http://www.melange-books.com/authors/joannemyers/WickedIntentions.html

http://www.lulu.com/shop/search.ep?keyWords=wicked+intentions&categoryId=100501

http://www.amazon.com/Wicked-Intentions-JoAnne-Myers-ebook/dp/B00GNRUF40/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1384531716&sr=1-1&keywords=wicked+intentions+myers

Author Bio:

I have been a long-time resident of southeastern Ohio, and worked in the blue-collar industry most of my life. Besides having several novels under my belt, I canvass paint.

When not busy with hobbies or working outside the home, I spend time with relatives, my dogs Jasmine and Scooter, and volunteer my time within the community. I am a member of the Hocking Hill's Arts and Craftsmen Association, The Hocking County Historical Society and Museum, and the Hocking Hills Regional Welcome Center. I believe in family values and following your dreams.

My books along with my original canvass paintings, can be found at: http://www.booksandpaintingsbyjoanne.com