Haunting At Spook Light Inn

Haunting At Spook Light Inn

By Alicia Dean

Camille left Miami for Devil's Promenade. Her visit to this small town in rural Oklahoma is a quest. She searches for a legendary light, one with haunting effects sparkling in the sky without explanation, or predictability. This phenomenon appears only to some, and over the span of time the story has grown. It has become an epic tale. What is it? Camille plans a brief investigation, resulting in a sensational write up disproving any paranormal activity, followed by a quick mailing of her book to her impatiently waiting editor. At least, that's her plan. That is until her curiosity leads her straight into an extrasensory mystery.

Camille had left home in a hurry. She knew little about the Spook Light Inn at the time she made a hasty reservation and prepaid for her stay. She's determined no one will discover her own hidden, personal reason for running away from home with the sudden excuse to write this story now. She intends to bury that pain deep, in a dark and secret place within. No one will know about it, except the ones who caused it. 

When she gets out of the car and looks at the unique and intriguing inn it's a chilling feeling, something quite unsettling that passes through her. She can't identify a specific cause for her hesitation, and she has no idea as she crosses the threshold that this will be a life altering assignment.

As Camille checks in she meets the unusual staff members who keep the Inn running. She also meets an apparition visible and sensed only by her. Camille wants to deny her senses and refuse to believe, and yet the ghostly woman is too persistent to be ignored. Camille senses that she's being driven toward an ominous conclusion.

There are few other guests, and yet when Camille wanders the rambling inn there are parts of it strictly forbidden to walk or visit. The owner of the inn, Declan Rush is surprisingly inhospitable and reclusive, and alluring. There is an attraction there. His personality mystifies Camille and so does the Haunting At Spook Light Inn.

Award winning author, Alicia Dean writes in a variety of genres, among them, paranormal, suspense, and romance. She loves creating spine-chilling stories that keep readers on the edge of their seats, and she sure does that well. Haunting At Spook Light Inn is part of A World of Gothic which is a Gothic Mystery Romance Series. It was Alicia Dean's vision to invite authors from around the world to share a Gothic mystery novella set in their own country. Find out more about the author at her website aliciadean.com, and tune into YouTube's A Novel Talk with Alicia Dean to hear directly from Alicia Dean.

This Is How I Lied

This Is How I Lied

By Heather Gudenkauf

Maggie Kennedy-O'Keefe is ready to take a break from her unmarked police patrol duties. She's eight months pregnant, but not interested in going on full leave quite yet. She's assigned a cold case to take a new look at with today's investigative tools, to find the person in their town who brutally killed a teenage girl. Maggie is familiar with the case. Her father had been the police chief until he retired, and he'd spent many years dedicated to working on this mystery. But that's not all. Maggie is familiar with the murder because Eve Knox, the murdered girl was her best friend. Fifteen year old Maggie had been the one to find her body.

This mysterious thriller will keep you guessing from beginning to the very end. Intriguing suspects are revealed and each of their intertwining stories include twists none of them knew about each other. Passions, ambitions, and regrets surface in everyone as Maggie moves forward through clues and evidence. In a new light, motives and secrets surface and there are discoveries. Is it true that people don't change, or does time change everything? Who is it that has got away with murder? And what everyone reveals when they confess that This Is How I Lied will lead to the most difficult decision of Maggie's life.

Maggie does not want to return to this agonizing time of her life, and yet she is somehow drawn to find this killer and close this case for her friend, in her memory. But it's the memories that now torture Maggie. She is determined to follow through and put all this to final rest, regardless of how close danger falls to her own family, and to herself.

Author Heather Gudenkauf has a true talent at suspenseful writing. The story weaves back and forth between Maggie's active investigation days, and the teenagers' lives. The reader is fully engaged in the evidence, the intense characters, and the terrifying choice Maggie is forced into.

Heather Gudenkauf is an Edgar Award nominated, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. She has spent her career after graduating from the University of Iowa with a degree in elementary education working with students of all ages. She continues to work in education as a Title I reading coordinator. She lives in Iowa with her family and a very spoiled German Shorthaired Pointer named Lolo. She enjoys spending free time with her family, reading, and hiking. 

Find out more from Heather Gudenkauf when she appears on The Investigators Book Group in a live chat at 11:00 am on August 26^th. Join The Investigators Book Group on Facebook and ask the author your own questions, or you can view the recorded event afterwards.

What Hidden Pictures Reveals

Hidden Pictures

By Johanna Flynn

Desperation and regret are a volatile basis for a friendship, or a relationship. Yet these powerful emotions draw together two unlikely souls who are each at very different, pivotal forks in the road of their lives. Gordon's ancestors illustrate a glowing history of celebrated life tales as one of the founding families of the town. Gordon owned a hardware store for many years, but when he lost it due to hard times he took a job with the conglomerate that took it over. He lives in the Victorian family home and is a bit of a recluse since his wife died years ago. Ahead of himself he views only a creeping journey toward imminent retirement. Literally running into Gordon's life and home is Olivia, a struggling high school student and nearby neighbor. The troubles in her life are overwhelming and force her into relentless situations where good choices are hard to find. She's isolated, lonely, and misunderstood.

Have you viewed the Hidden Pictures of your life? These are not the happy selfies, or beloved portraits, or happy times, or special places. These are the truths that are hidden away because they are so hard to face. Some are literally photos, and some are shots within a person's soul. This book is a view of a small community of people struggling with what they hide from others, and from themselves. Can facing these hard truths ultimately bring some happiness? And how can compassion soften that blow? As this awkward friendship has its starts and stops between Gordon and Olivia, it's revealed how very critical this time in their lives is for each of them.

Around them neighbors and coworkers are playing out the drama in their own lives, and keeping hidden what they want to be private. There are people in this community who have literally kept hidden real photographs that tell a hideous, true, criminal story. These gruesome photos are the evidence that can stop the malicious assaults that are occurring in their town. But who are the people who are hiding this evidence? It's not just the attacker. What are their motives? And will the photos and the truth be found before any other innocents are brutally hurt?

Hidden Pictures is an examination of how the generations can help each other. They can learn from each other. The author, Johanna Flynn, has crafted fascinating characters and their situations are all too realistic, and very human. We are what we have allowed ourselves to become. If we face what is hidden, could we be more? Maybe, with a little help from friends.

Author Johanna Flynn has spent many years working with adolescents and seniors in schools, clinics and community settings. She lives in Olympia, with her husband and dog. 

The Jossing Affair - Love In War Time

The Jossing Affair

By J L Oakley

A historical thriller about a time in Norway that tested every aspect and emotion of human nature, it's The Jossing Affair. Despite the dire circumstances of this time, the story of the World War II Nazi occupation of Norway. This fictional spy story is steeped in the true and fascinating historical facts of that period. The touching stories of these characters will hold you spellbound.

To be a Jossing, a patriot, could be a deadly cause in Norway at that time in history. The author skillfully paints the picture of what life was like at that time, not only the dangers but also glimpses into how human nature tries desperately to find optimism, and also to make life better. It's a portrait of the fight to breath freedom. One dedicated spy assigned on his mission is ever vigilant against the unexpected on his tasks. Despite his cautious nature, he surprises himself by falling in love with a beautiful German widow who has a mysterious tie to his past. Love during war time is its own minefield. Everyone has innocent secrets, but during war time keeping secrets becomes a necessity in order to survive and people live in distrust of each other. Love cannot bloom without trust. Can these characters truly let down their own barriers and trust each other enough to give their love a chance? And in a world where life is so cruelly snuffed out, do they want to let down their guard enough to care that much about another person again?

The courage of people during the cruelest of times is humbling. Hopeful optimism can come from unexpected moments of kindness. After struggling to go on and finding no help from the town's people, the widowed, single mother Anna is overcome by the kindness of a moment. “Anna's face crumpled. She turned her face away trying to get a grip on herself. Just one small gesture of friendliness . . . she cleared her throat, and brushed back a telltale tear.” The author is talented at showing such everyday gestures in a way that surfaces the touching emotion hidden below the surface.

Author Janet Oakley writes historical fiction that spans the mid-19^th century to WW II with inspiring characters standing up for what's right, and timeless examples of the courage of individuals in different periods and places. Her writing has been recognized with several prestigious awards. Visit her website at https://www.jloakleyauthor.com/ to see her many impressive books, including mystery novellas set in Hawaii. When not writing, she enjoys outdoor activities and demonstrates 19th-century folkways in schools and at San Juan Island National Park.

Katy's Song - A Love Story

Katy's Song

By Alison Reese

Sing a song of love with all your heart. Sing about what could be. But how do you keep a romantic melody playing if a sour note is hit? Katy's Song is a fun duet between two endearing characters. A duet differs from a harmony. The performers take turns performing a solo section each. In this case the primo is an adored and celebrated rock star. He feels trapped in the confines of a lifestyle that had long ago lost its luster. The secondo is a strong, Texas woman who has a cherished dream for her future and is struggling to find a way to make it happen. She's also struggling to see how her current boyfriend could possibly fit into her dream. Can these two distinct personalities find a way to harmonize together?

A chance meeting for the right two people, at just the right time is unpredictable. It becomes enchanting when it develops into a conversation, then an interest, and the possibility of a spark between them. It can happen anywhere. For Katy and Noe it's an online chat room where they meet. People are discussing a vegan lifestyle. The discussion turns from a group to just the two of them. They become intrigued with their perspectives on the topic, and with each other. Noe wants to convert to this new, healthier lifestyle and invites Katy to Seattle to help him. He hires her as his vegan consultant for a week.

Katy's flight to Seattle does not go as planned, and that's just the beginning of unexpected events. The people she meets in Washington are fascinating characters including a busy Ballard bar owner. And then there is Rebecca, who Noe describes as “a meddlesome person who also happens to be my best friend.” The adventures in Seattle are funny, and sweet, and sometimes amorous. But there is a force of nature that is acting against Katy and Noe, working to tear them apart. They are both unaware of it's persistence until finally they find themselves at a turning point. Is it possible for them to keep the music playing, together? Can they share a future dream?

Along with the memorable characters, the beautiful settings of Seattle and Fort Worth are shown in the pages so very well by the author. The contrasts of the two cities enhance the contrasts of Katy and Noe. Yet, there is also an underlying connection between the two locations, skillfully painted by the author. The descriptions of the vegan lifestyle are a highlight. As the characters learn more about being vegan, so does the reader. As is true with a loving relationship, there is more to vegan than seen on the surface. At the end of the book enjoy an added treat – vegan recipes to try yourself.

The author Alison Reese has created a captivating love story that delights. She is a graduate of Central Washington University and considers herself a hopeful romantic. Having lived in many places such as Utah, Alaska, Nevada, Texas, and Washington, she's gathered rich material over the years. She is vegan, and found the learning process quite fascinating. Now Katy's Song shares romance and the vegan lifestyle with readers too.

Loving the Enemy Brings Hope

Loving the Enemy

By Catherine Fransson

“Hang in there. We'll make it.” Author Catherine Fransson shares a touching memoir about a time in her life that so many people struggle through. It's a time as an adult, when you are juggling your own life responsibilities, and at the same time the need to care for people you once depended on for so much, your aging parents. Often at this stage a family relationship can be laced not only with concerning health problems, but also accumulated personality dysfunctions. Loving the Enemy provides touching insights from one family's story, and hope that a troubled starting point does not define how a journey together ends.

The author shares times overwhelmed with questions that won't go away, decisions that have to be faced, and especially emotions that surface, sometimes from unknown depths within. She offers sweet and telling meditations and faith as methods for carrying on. She brings special meaning to what so many mistakenly overlook as unimportant details. Most of all, there is a hope about how people continue to learn and gain perspective, all through life, all the way to the end of it. And while there may be times you cannot be happy, that sometimes you can be reconciled. Even then there can be memorable moments that at an earlier point in time may never have even been imaginable.

Who is prepared for endings? Even when expected, they rock your foundation. This memoir raises some very interesting philosophical points. Helping someone else toward their ending can also bubble up feelings about how everyone's time will come, even our own. What helps us through endings? Who helps us? Not just family, friends, and there's a gentle reminder in this memoir of the sweet care and understanding of so many of the health and assisted living workers who are an essential aid and comfort to so many.

The author, Catherine Frannson was ordained to the ministry at Seattle First Baptist Church in 2000. As staff pastor she also served as adjunct faculty teaching Pastoral Counseling Skills with a colleague at the School of Theology and ministry at Seattle University. She's had a lifelong faith and commitment to empower others. You can find her blogs at at www.spiritstones.net

The author lives in the Seattle area, in Edmonds and her parents lived in Everett. The history, sites, and lifestyle references of this area add to the nostalgia of the flashbacks to her family as she grew up. As an adult, she was surprised to learn things about her parents that she never knew. And she also learned about a courage within each of them, and within herself so they could all “hang in there. We'll make it,” as her father was reconciled to say. All the way to the end where there is meaning, if you make it meaningful. Reading this memoir may give you ideas of how you can brighten that time for yourself and others.

Defender of the Texas Frontier

Defender of the Texas Frontier

By David R. Gross

Looking for a book that emphasizes the story in the word history? A fascinating read that brings the personalities of the people who made history spring to life? Enjoy a novel about the American frontier in the state of Texas and learn about a larger than life leader named John Coffee Hays. This Defender of the Texas Frontier, and the brave men he led, played a major role in shaping the events of their times. This book is a description of these adventures. The historical details are intricately researched and presented in a very entertaining way. Almost all the characters in the book were real people and their true actions, sprinkled with an enjoyable and clever fictional literary license.

Readers are fortunate to witness the life and times of John Hays through the perspective of his fictional , close friend John Caperton. We begin with young John Hays as he fervently wishes to join the army in the state of Texas. He has to prove his value, as does his friend. It doesn't take long for them to show their great capacity for learning and open minds to new ways. It's fascinating to see the creative ways they learn how to survive in the elements and against their challenging combatants, first Native American tribes and later the Mexicans.

At the height of his effectiveness, John Hays commanded a skilled band of Texas Rangers. It was a group of men who remembered grievous, recent times at the Alamo, and the massacre  at Goliad. They were determined to defend their families and homes. They trained continually together and became feared by those who opposed them and called them Los Diablos Tejanos – The Texas Devils. Their leader, John Hays' reputation preceded him as he became known as Devil Jack.

In contrast to his disciplined army life and battles, there is also a tender description of his family life and wedding. This comprehensive story tells all of his life accomplishments , including a surprising turn after his time in the army.

Author David R. Gross is a retired Veterinarian, who also taught and did research at Texas A & M University; College of Veterinary Medicine for sixteen years . From his several , diverse books readers quickly realize his absolute love of telling a great story. You can find out more about the author and his other books and writings as well on his website - https://docdavesvoice.com/