According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary the simple definition of a spirit is “the force within a person that is believed to give the body life, energy, and power”.  The full definition is “a supernatural being or essence”.  These two definitions show that there is more than one kind of spirit.

The common belief is that the spirit of a living person is called a soul and the spirit of a dead person is a ghost.  There are many thoughts on what happens to a person after they have died.  Most talk about a life after death, but what happens to spirits who do not move on but linger here on earth.  All cultures have stories about the spirits of long dead loved ones appearing and helping their families.  There are also tales of spirits haunting places where a tragedy or a battle has occurred.  These stories have one common point; the spirit has something that tethers them here rather than allowing them to pass over to the other side.

There are many people who actually hunt for ghosts.  They call themselves paranormal investigators.  These ghost hunters often use electronic equipment to help them find and record spirits.  There is even an application for the Android phone that helps search and record paranormal activity.

The full definition speaks of supernatural beings.  In most cultures this refers to angels and demons.  Many cultures and even the Bible talk about angels who appear to men and giving them advise and guidance or demons controlling people and using them to further their own goals.

Belief in these things is a personal matter, but there is a lot of evidence that suggest they really do exist.

The second book of the Rose Series, THE THORN OF A ROSE, continues the tale of romance in the world of politics, complicated by ghosts, angels, and demons.

Have you ever had an experience with a ghost or supernatural being?

Augustina Van Hoven
Proving Love is Strange
THE KISS OF A ROSE
THE THORN OF A ROSE – Available June 30th
www.augustinavanhoven.com

FaceBook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Augustina-Van-Hoven-Author/336028986575129
Twitter:  @augustinavhoven

We are all chess pieces on a board … in a game played by supernatural forces.

TOWARD A BRIGHTER FUTURE

Newly elected state senator Ashley Halliday is over her failed engagement and ready to help make Idaho a better place to live and work. She has no time for romance … until she and Richard, a handsome state representative, take their friendship to a new level. But then there’s John, an aide to the governor of Idaho. Both hold power … but only one is a good man. The other is on a mission to destroy lives. Will she learn the truth in time to save lives and keep her friends safe from dark influences?

Sports bar owner and state representative Richard Fowler is happy for his best friend Stephen and his bride, Rose. He knows their secret–Rose came back from the dead to save Stephen from his lofty ambitions. Richard himself has no time for any supernatural goings-on or for romance, not with his work to save state education funding. Until he sees the vibrant Senator Halliday through new eyes, that is. But to win Ashley, he must keep her safe from a rival who wants her for darker reasons.

FROM A DARK PAST

A villain has returned from the dead, summoned by a demon, and given another chance to do what he failed at the first time. He’ll gladly take down anyone else who gets in his way. And his new post in the halls of state government? A devilish chance to play corrupt lobbyist, and foil the plans of those with loftier goals.

Many ghost stories and hauntings begin in old houses where people have lived and died, often tragically through illness, accident or murder. If you believe in the existence of ghosts or at least accept the possibility, then you must also accept the possibility of their presence in ancient ruins.

If people from ancient times lived and died there, shouldn’t there be ghosts too? Then perhaps archaeologists work at potentially haunted job sites. Do they ‘stir’ up the dead when they do their work to uncover mysteries?

When I did research for my book His Lost Mate, I spoke with an archaeologist who had worked over 30 years in the field and he agreed about the presence of haunted ruins. He spoke of a dig in upstate NY near a river that a colleague of his was on. No one was around, but she heard voices like women and children playing and washing clothes in the river, and men catching fish with spears. She even smelled the fish being smoked over fires. But there were no campfires burning anywhere. Haunted? Or imagination?

Here are a few famous haunted places in the world:

Gettysburg Battlefields – in Pennsylvania. So many died at one time and so many reports of ghosts. A popular spot for ghost hunters.

Aokigahara or Suicide Forest in Japan – many people for unknown reasons commit suicide there. Considered a haunted forest.

Bhangharh Fort– a 16^th Century fort in India said to be cursed. It is forbidden to stay there after dark.

Eastern State Penitentiary in Pennsylvania – was abandoned in 1971 and is said to have a lot of paranormal activity.

Pennhurst Asylum – another place in Pennsylvania it was opened in 1908 and is now an attraction http://pennhurstasylum.com/history/

Stonehenge – in Wittshire, England is more known for its mysteries and possible powerful energies, but ghosts have also been sited there.

Berry Pomeroy Castle – Devon, England. Pick pretty much any ancient castle and the locals will report a ghostly presence or two.

There are way too many ancient haunted places to list. I’m sure with a little research you could find a haunted place or two in your own neighborhood!

In my book, His Lost Mate, such a ghost haunts an ancient pyramid in the jungle. He’s a Mayan shaman. Back in his time, their king was desperate because of a long drought, food was scarce and human sacrifices were made to the storm god in hopes to appease him so the rains would come. This Mayan shaman knew his daughter was next in line to be sacrificed and could not convince the king to spare her. So he begged a warrior to take her out of the city and escape into the jungle to save her. His daughter and this warrior who were lovers were lost and died a tragic death.

Reincarnated hundreds of years in the future, these two lovers have a chance to find each other again. The ghost of the shaman returns to help his daughter because there are new dangers that threaten the couple again. They don’t even know they were the lost lovers from ancient times. But the heroine is now an archaeology student and also a psychic. She’s reliving bits of that life in visions and dreams. The warrior is now the lead archaeologist and professor and doesn’t believe in the esoteric world or ghosts. It’s a little like an Indiana Jones adventure and love story. They have more to overcome than their differing beliefs, while their love life heats up and becomes more passionate, the dangers threatens them and their team. Unless they both discover the secrets in the jungle in time, they could again be lost forever.

If you’d like to check out the book, here are the links:

KindleUS: http://amzn.to/1PFavkz
KindleUK: http://amzn.to/1J4XMrP
KindleCA: http://amzn.to/1IPPjpr
KindleAU: http://bit.ly/1MMOy1b

Find more info. about Kathy:
Website: www.kathykulig.com
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Blog: www.TheLustyView.com
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A friend of mine found me two dolls that she just knew I had to own. Sure enough, I bought them. How could I not? It’s Chucky and his bride!

The first night I owned them, I was surprised by how nervous I was going to sleep. I love being creeped out. But just as I was falling asleep, I thought I heard tiny skittering footsteps on the floor—and I had to sleep with the light on for the rest of the night. They no longer reside in my bedroom. I placed them at the entrance of my office. Yeah, the little ones do not like rushing past the creepy dolls even if they’ve never seen the movies! 🙂

So that got me thinking. I love haunted houses. But they really aren’t any fun unless I have someone with me to share the creepiness. Here’s my question. Answer for a chance to win a free download of Once in a Blue Moon.

What would it take for you to spend a night alone in a creepy old haunted house?

UPDATE: The winner, chosen by a random number generator, is…ilona!

* * * * *

I’ve written a lot of books and every one of them is special to me, but there are a few that are my favorite babies. Shattered Souls is one of those. From the moment I dreamed the pivotal scene in the first act, I was driven to write this story. I knew Cait inside and out from day one. I didn’t know exactly what she was capable of, but she led me through her story, bitching all the way. The words came fast, just as though they were being fed through a funnel. Like they weren’t coming from me at all. The sequel was almost as fun to write, although there was one particular scene that just about killed me. Those of you who read Lost Souls will know which one I mean… Enjoy the excerpt.

The house my grandmother owned in the 50s and 60s was supposedly haunted by a ghost she named Ethel Beth. This house was located in Los Angeles, not far from Century City, in a neighborhood of homes. In fact, it was a rather nice neighborhood (probably still is). Nothing spooky about it, really.

Ethel Beth had been known to open windows (the kind that had to be pushed upward), turn on lights, and throw hats out of a closet. I never witnessed any of her antics, but more than one person admitted to seeing these things. Now, whether this was a story that people loved to get in on, or Ethel Beth really existed, I’ll never know.

And while I loved to visit my grandmother and listen to the stories, I wasn’t always so keen on spending the night. Every noise spooked me! I never saw any sign of Ethel Beth, though (maybe she knew I was scared).

But the stories always intrigued me. Ghosts intrigue me. So when my husband suggested I write a book with a ghost, I thought, why not? And that’s how Ghostly Liaison was born (to be released on January 19, 2015 through Lyrical Press/Kensington).

Avoiding love is hard. Catching a killer can be fatal…

When Rob’s sister passed away, she left him her dog and her house. He can handle the dog part, but he doesn’t need another home. Especially a fixer-upper the neighbor swears is haunted. Then he meets Bridget, who’s working on getting her life back together after a car accident left her scarred in more ways than one. She can’t pass up Rob’s offer of free lodging, regardless of the shape it’s in. Or the roommate that’s part of the package. She’s never believed in ghosts, but now she’s living with one who wants Bridget’s help in catching a killer. There’s only one problem: the killer has unfinished business…

So… If you saw ghosts (and didn’t die of fright), would you tell anyone? How might you go about doing that? Well, this is how Bridget tells Rob in the following excerpt from Ghostly Liaison:

Rob scooted closer and placed his hand on her knee. “The whole incident was in the papers. Could we please talk about something less depressing?”

Bridget’s heart sped up from his touch. “Like…like what?”

“I don’t know. Movies, TV, the weather.” He removed his hand from her knee and stroked her fingers. His warmth zinged through her extremities.

Her heart went from double-time to whoa-baby-come-to-mama. She had to stop his advances and sitting with her legs wide open was probably inviting him in. She lowered her knee and straightened. Wrong move. That only gave him more room and he scooted closer.

He smelled good—of soap and wood—and grasped her hand before she could pull it away. “What are you afraid of, Bridget? Did some guy break your heart?”

“Sure, what girl hasn’t had her heart-broken.” She stared at his lips. Would it be so bad if they kissed? Kisses were just kisses, not a commitment. “How is it you’re still free? You a playboy?”

His smile made his eye gleam. “Not a playboy. Never found the right woman. Until…maybe…now.”

He held the back of her head. With the sound of blood rushing in her ears, she closed her eyes. He brushed his lips across hers and she leaned into them. What started out soft gradually became hard, almost as if he was staking a claim. She opened to him and he thrust his tongue in, exploring. He tasted better than she imagined, a mix of beer and pizza and something uniquely him.

He rubbed his thumb against her nipple and she moaned into his mouth. It had been too long since someone had last touched her. She craved everything he had to offer.

Slowly, he trailed his hand down her body, ending at her core. Frozen in place, she gradually thawed as he stroked her. She grew wet for him. Tentatively, she placed her hand on his chest, wishing the shirt would disappear. The buttons were at her fingertips. Could she slip her hand in?

He was nuzzling her neck when her mind cleared. Shit! Charlie was probably in the room.

Watching.

“I see dead people.” Hell’s bells. That had come out all wrong.

*~*~*~*

Buy Links (available for pre-order)

Amazon: 
http://www.amazon.com/Ghostly-Liaison-Stacy-McKitrick-ebook/dp/B00OZUMI7E/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1414875823&sr=1-7&keywords=stacy+mckitrick
Barnes & Noble:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ghostly-liaison-stacy-mckitrick/1120657538?ean=9781616506377
Kobo:
http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Ghostly-Liaison/book-GzLyRUdu9Eala9IQ1BMMDw/page1.html?s=imnGgimVgEy0ZdR5BRjfTw&r=1
Google:
https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Stacy_McKitrick_Ghostly_Liaison?id=AFgcBQAAQBAJ
Kensington:
http://www.kensingtonbooks.com/book.aspx/31120?category=313157

Stacy McKitrick fell in love with paranormal romance, decided to write her own and found her passion in life. She used to work in accounting, now she spends her time with vampires, ghosts, and aliens. Born in California, she currently resides in Ohio with her husband. They have two grown children. www.StacyMcKitrick.com

Have you ever walked into a room and known you were not alone?  Have you ever thought you were by yourself only to catch a movement in the corner of your eye?

Throughout history there have been sightings of the spirits people and animals that have long ago passed away.  Every language spoken on earth has a word for ghost and every culture has ghost stories.  It is part of the human psyche to both fear and be fascinated by thoughts of the afterlife and those who have gone there before us.  There have been opinion polls taken that show approximately one third of the population believe in the existence of ghosts.

People have reported seeing spirits in graveyards, old buildings or any number of outdoor locations.  Sightings have been reported ranging from the mere sense of a presence to seeing apparitions of people or animals, sitting, standing or walking about.  There are often reports of a mist surrounding these figures and a notable drop in temperature when they are present.

There are many people who actually hunt for ghosts.  They call themselves paranormal investigators.  These ghost hunters often use electronic equipment to help them find and record spirits.   The equipment can range from audio or video recorders to digital thermometers, night vision scopes and EMF meters.  The SyFy channel has had a television show for many years called ‘Ghost Hunters’ that follows a team of paranormal investigators to various sights in hopes of finding ghosts.

My debut novel, THE KISS OF A ROSE, is at its heart a ghost story.  The chorus of the song, “Kissed by a Rose” sung by Seal was my inspiration to write it.  I heard the lyrics of the chorus one day and had a flash of a grave stone partially buried in snow and a blood red rose lying at its base.  The rest of the story developed from that point.

Belief in ghosts is a very personal and emotional matter.  How among us hasn’t lost a loved one for whom we would give almost anything to see and speak to just one more time.

I believe there are spirits who walk the earth among the living.  I have had the experience of being alone in a room and feeling a hand brush my arm.  So I ask you, have you ever seen a ghost?

Augustina Van Hoven
Proving Love is Strange
THE KISS OF A ROSE – Now available
www.augustinavanhoven.com

A DISTANT PAST

In 1882, Rose Van Buren loved the wrong man and paid for it with her life. Now, more than a century later, the angel Gabriel has granted her another shot at living. In exchange, she must convince a smart, handsome, up-and-coming lawyer to set aside his lofty ambitions.

A FUTURE PRESENT

Stephen Winship is headed straight for the governor’s chair. He has a brilliant career, solid allies, and a seemingly perfect girlfriend. But night after night he finds himself dreaming of a heavenly beauty, a luminous but long-dead girl. Like some altered Ghost of Christmas Past, she shows him her own tragic tale in order to “save him.” And he’s beginning to see Rose is risking her heart as much as baring her soul. Yet falling for her will cost him everything—and open him up to a happiness he never imagined.

Animals and Ghosts

Most of my books have pets in them—or at least animals of some kind. I don’t really plan to include them. They just sort of sneak up on me. Dogs, cats, chickens, I’ve had them all wandering through one or another of my books. But when I wrote my paranormal Ramos Family trilogy for Berkley InterMix, the situation was a little different. I wasn’t sure how I’d work an animal into a series about a family of mediums, most of whom were reluctant to take advantage of their supernatural connections.

The first book in the trilogy, Medium Well, didn’t have any normal beasties hanging around, although a ghost cat provided some significant information to the hero and heroine. But the second, Medium Rare, more than makes up for it. My medium, Rose Ramos, ends up sharing her house (haunted, of course) with a couple of spirit animals that adopt her after some traumatic events.

This in turn led to some interesting problems in creating these animals. How would a pet hellhound behave, for example? What does it eat (besides people)? What kind of leash would you use? Where would it sleep? Do hell hounds sleep?

To make things more interesting, I made Helen (the hellhound) invisible to everyone except the heroine and her hero boyfriend—although being a thorough-going skeptic, he doesn’t catch on to that fact for much of the book. Helen is joined later on by a similarly invisible raven, but my heroine decides having spirit animals around isn’t any tougher than dealing with the supernatural guest she’s already got in residence—a several-hundred-years-old ghost who’s been part of her family for generations.

In Medium Rare, ghosts come in all sizes and shapes, some of them scary and some of them not so much. But at least a couple of them are of the house pet variety. And what do you feed a hellhound? Pretty much anything she wants, as it turns out.

Here’s a quick excerpt showing Helen’s arrival:

Suddenly, she heard the sound of paws galloping along the driveway, monstrous claws clicking on the asphalt. She fumbled for the key she kept in the old mailbox at the door, jamming it into the lock and twisting for all she was worth.

Close behind her, something yipped as she shoved the front door open, half falling through, trying to shove it closed with her shoulder. A large heavy projectile struck her chest with the force of a missile, blowing the door wide and throwing her down full-length just inside. She looked up into an immense mouth full of yellowing fangs. Threads of drool hung a few inches from her face.

She tried to twist away, pulling as far back as she could beneath the dog’s weight. Dread clenched her stomach as she closed her eyes. “Ohgodohgodohgod.”

“Rose!” Skag’s voice echoed through the hall. “That’s a hellhound. Stay absolutely still! Do not move!”

She couldn’t have moved if her life depended on it, which, of course, it probably did. The dog’s huge paws still held her shoulders flat against the floor. Its breath blew hot against her cheeks, smelling of old meat and open graves. She struggled to breathe under its weight, tensing for the moment it would clamp its teeth on her throat. She heard the faint creak of its jaws as they opened wider.

And then something large, damp, and utterly disgusting swiped across her cheeks.

She peeked through her lashes up into the dog’s face. Glowing orange eyes stared back as the animal prepared to lick her again. Read the rest of this entry »