Step back into the days of the classic Gothic Mystery romances like "The Shivering Sands" by Victoria Holt, "Rebecca” by Daphne du Maurier and “Hunter’s Green” by
Phyllis A. Whitney. A new series from authors all over the world features
novellas in the style of these old-time stories. Check out the “A World of
Gothic” series here:
Our Gothic series includes authors from, and stories set in, Scotland, Greece,
Ireland, Texas, Florida, France, Louisiana, and Oklahoma, which is where mine is
set. My contribution to the series is titled “Haunting at Spook Light Inn” and
is based on an actual spook light phenomenon that appears in Northeastern
Oklahoma, only a few miles from where my sister and brother-in-law live. To help
with researching the book, I took a road trip to the area with my friends, Kathy
and Krysta. My sister Ruth drove us out to ‘spook light road.’ We didn’t see the
light, (Well, Kathy and I thought we saw it, but we’re not sure. And the
two naysayers with us claim we didn’t, so I guess I’ll say we didn’t…), but we
had a good time, and it was helpful for getting a feel for my
story.
NOTE: Many of the stories, including Haunting at Spook Light Inn, are on sale for only
99 cents each!
Blurb:
Amidst
a blizzard, paranormal debunker Camille Burditt arrives at Devil’s Promenade in
Oklahoma to research a supernatural 'spook light' phenomenon for her latest
book. There she encounters a ghostly being, which she dismisses as a figment of
her imagination. But as the apparition becomes too persistent to deny, Camille
realizes the woman’s ghost is quite real—and that her demise was not
accidental.
Declan
Rush—the inhospitable, reclusive owner of the inn where Camille is staying—is
linked to the deceased woman, but he is less than forthcoming. Despite his
unfriendliness, Camille is oddly drawn to him, even though she suspects his
connection to the spirit might be that of killer to victim.
When
another suspicious death occurs, Camille intensifies her investigation. She has
precious little time to ferret out the truth. Not only is her book deadline
looming—she's desperate to discover if the man she’s falling for is a
murderer.
Excerpt:
Right
at ten p.m., I put on my coat, boots, scarf and gloves then pulled open the
front door. I went around back and keyed in the code to the garage door. The
door slid open, and I climbed into a golf cart. I headed down the drive,
appreciative of the thick plastic that somewhat blocked the wind. Even with the
protection, I was chilled by the time I reached the road.
I
parked on the shoulder and snuggled into my coat. Above me, ice-coated tree
limbs drooped heavily. A howl rose in the distance. I looked around but saw
nothing. Of course, coyotes and mountain lions were sneaky. They wouldn’t be
parading around in plain view. From what I’d read, they kept mostly away from
civilization. Even though this area was hardly what I’d call civilized, it
wasn’t the wilderness either. I was certain whatever had made that sound was a
safe distance away.
A
three-quarter moon hung in the sky surrounded by a spattering of stars.
Beautiful. I didn’t see stars like that in Miami. I focused my attention back to
the end of the road. From my understanding, the best spot to see the light was
just to the left of a cell tower. I could see the red lights of the tower. I
studied the area left of it.
In
my peripheral vision, a brief glow appeared. I whipped my head around. A
translucent, but not quite human form, wafted above the ditch on the side of the
road.
I
gasped, and a tremble shot up my legs. It’s not real, whatever I’m seeing,
it’s not real.
The
figure floated toward me. I lifted the plastic, keeping my gaze on the
glow.
What
was it?
Not
the light. It wasn’t in the right spot nor was it the right
shape.
I
blinked. Still there. Oh God…
I
screwed my eyes shut tightly. When I opened them, the glow was
gone.
Amazon
buy link:
Bio:
Author
Alicia Dean began writing stories as a child. At age 10, she wrote her first
ever romance (featuring a hero who looked just like Elvis Presley, and who
shared the name of Elvis’ character in the movie, Tickle Me), and she
still has the tattered, pencil-written copy. Alicia is from Moore, Oklahoma and
now lives in Edmond. She has three grown children and a huge network of
supportive friends and family. She writes mostly contemporary suspense and
paranormal, but has also written in other genres, including a few vintage
historicals. She is a freelance editor in addition to being an editor for The
Wild Rose Press.
Other
than reading and writing, her passions are Elvis Presley, MLB, NFL (she usually
works in a mention of one or all three into her stories) and watching (and
rewatching) her favorite televisions shows like The Walking Dead, Dexter,
Justified, Sons of Anarchy, Haven, Vampire Diaries, and The Originals. Some of
her favorite authors are Michael Connelly, Dennis Lehane, Lee Child, Lisa
Gardner, Sharon Sala, Jordan Dane, Ridley Pearson, Joseph Finder, and Jonathan
Kellerman…to name a few.
Find
Alicia here:
Website:
http://aliciadean.com/
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/Alicia_Dean_
Pinterest:
http://www.pinterest.com/aliciamdean/
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