July Charity Event! #books #paranormal #nonprofit #cats #shelter @SafeHaven4Cats

July Charity Event

My birthday month has crept up on me...again!
This marks the 8th year I'll be donating 100% of July royalties. 

It's my way of giving back to causes I care about.

This year, I will donate all royalties from the sales of my books to Safe Haven for Cats, 

a non-profit, no-kill rescue organization.
Please check them out, they do amazing work.
Happy Reading!

You can find my books on:

Amazon 

Smashwords

Barnes & Noble

Apple 

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 We adopted Dusty from Safe Haven in November.
He's my constant writing companion! 

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UPDATE

Thank you to everyone who bought one of my books this month! 

All royalties were used to sponsor Winni. 

UPDATE to my UPDATE 😜 - Winni has been adopted!

Winni has been at Safe Haven for Cats for 100 days — I have a soft spot for black kitties and especially ones who are "looked over" because they take a while to trust people. 

Winni will be an excellent companion once she finds her special someone. 

Could it be you?

Frightening Friday - The Devil's Tramping Ground of #NorthCarolina #haunted

Photo by Jason Horne

The Devil's Tramping Ground is a camping spot located 10-miles from Siler City in western Chatham County, North Carolina. A circle 40-feet in diameter, the "tramping ground" has been the subject of legends and lore pre-dating the American Revolution. The lore alleges the Devil walks in circles on certain nights, thinking of ways to bring evil into the world. Despite being within a forest, only wiry grass grows inside this circle, and no plant life of any kind grow on the path leading to it. Locals have been unsuccessful in trying to transplant the wiry grass to other soil types. 

It is rumoured that objects left overnight within the ring disappear, animals won't go near the area and those who spend the night within the circle experience strange events. Numerous theories have arisen which try and explain the phenomena. One theory states the circle was originally a Native American meeting ground, another theory states the area is part of Croatan, named for a fallen tribal chief who may be buried there. In both stories, the tribal gods purportedly preserved the barren circle as a memorial to their followers' loyalty. 

Scientific explanations exist as well. Soil samples show the circle contains higher sodium, copper, zinc and pH levels than the soil from a few yards away. However, the difference isn't enough to make the circle soil toxic to plant life. Another interesting observation is that at certain points within the circle, a compass will move by about five degrees. Only soils with a high iron content would cause this to happen, which the soil does not have. 

The Devil's Tramping Ground remains a mystery...

#FolkloreThursday - Brown Mountain Lights of #NorthCarolina #unexplainedphenomena

My husband and youngest are looking into university apartments around Boone, North Carolina. I've done a couple of writing retreats in the vicinity; the mountains are both mysterious and beautiful. Because of that, I'm going to venture into unexplained phenomena "in that general area." Today, I'm exploring the Brown Mountain Lights of Morganton, North Carolina.

For hundreds of years, people have seen ghostly lights moving throughout the Brown Mountain in the Linville Gorge area near Morganton, North Carolina. Witnesses have reported the Brown Mountain lights as being white, red, yellow, orange and blue. They've described the lights as large balls of fire, or even small as candle lights; floating near the ground before rising high into the sky. This unexplained phenomenon has baffled scientists, government researchers, and residents alike. 

Local folklore suggests the lights are paranormal in nature, citing tales of tragedy for early settlers and Native Americans. According to Cherokee legend, a great battle was fought in 1200 A.D. between the Cherokee and Catawba Indians. The mysterious lights are the women left behind, still searching for the men who died in battle. Another legend says the lights are the ghostly echoes of lights that appeared during a search for a murdered woman in the 19th century.

Local paranormal investigator Joshua Warren camped frequently at Brown Mountain as a kid. On one such camping trip, he claims to have seen a ball of light rise through the trees and ascend into the sky. Another local story recounts that Morganton resident Tommie Hunter actually touched the lights. He claims to have looked over the Hwy.181 overlook to see a hovering ball of light. Tommie said it felt like he had stuck his finger in a light socket when he touched it. Six other people were with him, and all corroborated his story. 

Scientists suggest natural gasses have caused the phenomena, or even car or train lights (others have debunked the suggestion of car/train lights). While there are many theories, including those of UFOs, no one truly knows the cause, and no evidence has been collected. 

Frightening Friday - Haunted #Raleigh #NorthCarolina #Ghosts and Urban Legends - Part 2

Welcome to Part 2 of Haunted Places to Visit in Raleigh.

Photo courtesy of Mark Turner - Public Domain

Mordecai House

Built in 1785, the Mordecai house is located in the heart of downtown Raleigh. Once part of a thriving plantation, it is one of the oldest homes in the area. Historic outbuildings include the Badger-Iredell Law Office, the overseer's office and smokehouse, the Allen Kitchen, St. Mark's Chapel, and the Andrew Johnson house; birthplace of the 17th President, Andrew Johnson.

The ghost who inhabits the Mordecai house is said to be the spirit of Mary Willis Mordecai Turk, who lived from 1858 to 1937. She appears wearing a grey 19th-century dress, and can occasionally be heard playing the piano in the downstairs drawing room. Some visitors have also reported seeing a grey mist hovering near the piano. The Mordecai house is filled with original furnishings and many family portraits. It is said that any unkind remarks directed towards Mary's portrait will result in the portrait dropping from the wall. During a field trip, a child claimed they'd seen a man appear and disappear by the Andrew Johnson house. The child became so inconsolable, that they had to be taken back to the school. There have been many investigations on the property - all resulting in impressive evidence of paranormal activity.

The city of Raleigh hosts a family-friendly Haunted Mordecai Festival every October.
Year-round tickets for a guided tour of the home may be purchased at the Visitor Center.

Photo courtesy of Mark Turner - Public Domain

Governor’s Mansion

This Victorian-style mansion has been called home by North Carolina governors since 1891. It was once described by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt as having “the most beautiful governor’s residence interior in America.” The mansion was built from native materials and occupied by 28 governors’ families throughout North Carolina's history. It is also reputedly haunted.

In 1891, Governor Daniel Fowle gave his carpenters precise measurements to construct a bed for the second-floor bedroom. The bed was constructed and moved into the residence. That same year, Governor Fowle died in the same bed but many have suggested that his spirit remained. In 1970, Governor Bob Scott decided to replace the massive wooden bed with a modern, king-sized bed. The old bed was moved to a room on the third floor, and the new bed put in its place. A short time afterward, the governor was awakened at night by a strange rapping sound coming from the wall where the original headboard had been. The rapping continued for several years, and the family nicknamed the pesky spirit, "Governor Fowle’s Ghost."

When a new administration took over the office, they decided to move the old bed back to its original location on the second floor. The ghost has not been heard from since.

Photo courtesy of Hans via Pixabay - CC0 Public Domain

Poole Woods

William Poole was a wealthy mill owner during the Civil War and owned large tracts of wooded land just east of the city. When Union troops marched into Raleigh, a rumor spread that Poole had vast amounts of gold hidden in the woods around his estate. The Union troops confiscated Poole's belongings, including his prized white horse, but the gold was never recovered.

Against Poole's dying wishes, the trees surrounding his mansion were cut down for timber. However, the trees were found to be worthless, having rotted from the inside. Shortly after Poole’s death, a ghostly white horse was spotted along the road in the woods surrounding the mansion.

Poole’s estate house burned to the ground over a century ago. The tract of land can be found between Walnut Creek Amphitheatre and the Neuse River.

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PART ONE

Frightening Friday - #Raleigh #NorthCarolina #Ghosts and Urban Legends

I love urban legends and haunted places. There are many such legends and places in Raleigh, but whatever city you live in, I'm sure you have some of your own. If you visit Raleigh, here's a couple of less-known hotspots to check out. Whether they're "truly" haunted or not, is up to you to decide....

Ratcliffe Angel of Oakwood Cemetery

In the beautiful and historic Oakwood Cemetery is a grave belonging to Etta Rebecca White (1880-1918). The grave is marked with a stone angel, shown in my photograph above. I've taken photos of this angel numerous times. Little did I know, there was a legend connected to it.
Legend states that if you view the angel at night, the stone angel turns around to look at you. It has also been reported that, by day, people have felt the angel's gaze upon them, following their every movement.

The stone angel is beautiful and makes for a good photo, legend or not. My respects to Etta Rebecca White and her descendants. If this legend is true, apparently, the stone angel is her sentinel.

Dos Taquitos Restaurant

I've eaten at this place - the food was good, the staff was wonderful, and the artistic ambiance was really cool. However, the building itself made me oddly uncomfortable. I felt oddly agitated the entire evening. When doing research on haunted Raleigh, I was surprised when Dos Taquitos turned up! Apparently, the resturaunt has a history of paranormal happenings. The history is grim; the structure has burned down twice, there was a death on the premises, and another death next door. In addition to those two deaths, in 1995, John Williams Jr. murdered four prostitutes on the nearby railroad tracks. Patrons and workers alike have experienced whispers, knocks, and other spooky happenings. In spite of all that, I do recommend you check out the restaurant. Best nachos ever!

The Nazareth Catholic Orphanage c1930
Image courtesy the NC Division of Archives and History

Crybaby Lane

There are a few stories regarding the Nazareth Catholic Orphanage. Once a large and beautiful building, it is now no more than a little stretch of deserted grass off Bilyeu Street and referred to as Crybaby Lane. After doing some research on this place, here's what I came up with.

The story: In 1958, a fire broke out in the orphanage dormitory. The fire spread quickly throughout the building. By the time the sleeping children were aware of smoke filling the hallways, it was too late. When the fire department arrived, the building had already been gutted. Months after the remains of the orphanage were torn down and removed, neighbors complained the smell of smoke was still in the air. The smell was so strong that some people would choke when they walked across the field. There have also been reports of the cries of children, calling out in fear.

The truth: There were several fires, but none that reportedly killed the children. One death was reported on the property. In 1905, a fire consumed the priest’s living quarters. One of the priests was attempting to help his fellow priests to safety but was unfortunately killed in the blaze. In 1912, a fire burned out the stables, but no one was injured. In 1961, a fire was accidentally started by a priest who was attempting to burn wasps’ nests. It burned the rectory to the ground, but again, no one was injured.

Today, most of the houses surrounding the orphanage have been abandoned. The area is an empty field. If you hunt through the grass, you'll be able to find the cornerstone, which is all that's left of the old orphanage.

Stay Tuned for Haunted Raleigh: Part Two

There are several other reportedly haunted places in Raleigh. I'll post them once I finish checking the historical facts.

Thank You, Readers! - July Royalties have Been Donated to @SafeHaven4Cats #shelter #cats #nonprofit

Thank you to all who bought my books during the month of July! 

I've donated 100% of my July royalties to SAFE Haven for Cats, a non-profit, no-kill cat shelter & spay/neuter clinic. I decided to sponsor a cat. 

It was hard to choose, but as soon as I saw Vancouver, I knew he was the one. I'm crossing my fingers he gets adopted soon.

If you want to throw some good out into the world, consider donating your time, pet supplies or a monetary gift to your local shelter. Every little bit helps.

‪#‎WeAreNotThis‬

I've lived in a lot of places in my lifetime--currently, I live in North Carolina. I'm sad to say we're in the news for something that really should be a non-issue by 2016. Rarely, do I get political in my blog, but this is a huge step backwards and it's worth some blog space.

In a nutshell:

North Carolina House passed a bill (HB2) that blocks any local government in North Carolina from passing an ordinance allowing transgender people to use the restroom aligned with their gender identity. This would mean, any transgender person would be required to use the restroom of their gender assigned at birth, even if they outwardly align with the opposite gender. Male to female transgendered people who outwardly appear and align with the female gender, would be required to utilize the men's restroom. And vice versa. The bill directs all public schools, government agencies and public college campuses to require bathrooms or locker rooms be designated for use only by people based on their birth gender.

This isn't "just" about restrooms, so let's not kid ourselves. It's a human rights issue. Equal rights is non-negotiable. I'm proud to stand against discrimination. I'm an ‪#‎LGBTQAlly‬ and always have been.

Feel like doing something?

Hashtag your tweets #‎WeAreNotThis‬ to raise awareness.

Sign the Change.org Petition

Sign the Equality NC Petition

Check Out #IllGoWithYou  (I ordered my button today)

It's My Birthday! #paranormal #gothichorror #donation #royalties #animalshelter @SafeHaven4Cats

♫♫ Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me! ♫♫

To celebrate my birthday, I'll be donating all July royalties from the sales of BETWEEN and STRUCK to my local non-profit animal shelter SAFE Haven for Cats

@SafeHaven4Cats
and another non-profit shelter, Safe Have 4 Cats  located in Myrtle Beach, SC
Safe Haven 4 Cats is working hard at being able to build/afford a sanctuary for strays in that area.
Please support these organisations any way you can!

Enjoy your summer!

Stay tuned for the release of my new paranormal horror novel THE ISLAND

Coming August 5, 2015 from Booktrope

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How far would you go to redeem yourself?

After a devastating accident, Lucinda moves to a small town in an attempt to start over. Unable to escape her grief, she is plagued by haunting nightmares. Just as she fears she’s spiraling out of control, two newcomers move into the coastal town. Lucas is protective and caring, and she feels an immediate connection. The other stranger is more of a worry. Though everything about Cronan warns her to keep her distance, Lucinda is attracted to him in a way she can’t ignore.

Drawn into a bitter tug-of-war, Lucinda is pulled into a dangerous twist of past and present events. She discovers the two men are locked in not only a battle for her life...but a battle for salvation.

Amazon 

Barnes and Noble

Struck by lightning...claimed by shadows

After a painful breakup, Gwynneth Reese moves in with her best friend and takes a job at a retirement home. She grows especially close to one resident, who dies alone the night of a terrific storm. On the way home from paying her last respects, Gwynneth is caught in another storm and is struck by lightning. She wakes in the hospital with a vague memory of being rescued by a mysterious stranger. Following her release from the hospital, the stranger visits her at will and offers Gwynneth a gift--one that will stay the hands of death. Gwynneth is uncertain whether Julian is a savior or something more sinister... for as he shares more and more of this gift, his price becomes more and more deadly.

Amazon 

Barnes and Noble 

Are You in the Mood for a Ghost Story?

Are you in the mood for a ghost story? I am. I’ve often wondered why people like to be scared by ghost stories. Perhaps it’s the thrill of the unknown. That little sound in the corner of a dark bedroom that causes the hair on the back of your neck to stand up. The flicker of something in the corner of your eye. A whisper of air on the back of your neck. It takes you out of the day-to-day and pushes you into the...what if?

So, I may be opening myself up here for ridicule, but I thought I’d share some photos I took several years ago. At the time, I belonged to a photographer’s site wherein the challenge was to post a photo a day. That particular day, I decided to visit a local cemetery and take some photos of the memorials there. One in particular stood out for me, The House of Memory. The memorial was dedicated to North Carolina soldiers from the Revolutionary and Civil wars. The cemetery was filled with “Unknown" soldiers, actually, and wandering the grounds made me quite sad. My father is a MIA from Vietnam and it hit home, I guess. Anyways, I decided to take several photos of The House of Memory and came home with these. They are completely SOOC (straight out of the camera).

In the second photo, note the white blob in the center doorway at the top. It changes shape in each frame and I didn’t see it when I was taking these photos. I posted all four on the photographer site and nobody could come up with an explanation.
Lighting? Nope, it was clouded over that day. Lens? Nope, all of my other photos turned out fine. I have no explanation. I'll let you come to your own conclusions.