Cheyenne McCray's Blog, page 6

Cheyenne’s Illustrated Writing FAQs

Cheyenne’s Writing FAQs 

Cheyenne May 2013–somebody is doing a good job of making me laugh

Q: How many books and novellas have you written?

A: As of September 2015, I am writing my 98th. It’s titled Chained, and is the first in the new “Angels of Darkness” series.

Angels of Darkness: CHAINED
January 12, 2016

I’ve written 62 full-length novels that are in print.

I have also written 35 novellas of all shapes and sizes that have been included in anthologies, collections, box sets, and sold alone as short novellas. The picture I’ve included is a cabinet where I keep one of every book I’ve written. Some are in foreign languages, hence the fact there are more than 62 in the cabinet. :) I believe I also have ARCs  in there!

Q: In what genres/subgenres have you written?

A: Ready? I’ve written young adult for ages 11 ; paranormal romance; romantic suspense; suspense with elements of romance; urban fantasy, fantasy, contemporary cowboys, and erotic romance.

Q:What are your favorite scenes to write?

A: I like to blow things up! Fictionally, of course. :) 

Q: Where do you get your ideas for your books?

A: I love this quote by Stephen King that sums it up. :)

But since you may not be a writer–I do get ideas from everywhere: my personal life; a tidbit I might see, read, or hear; dreams; and more recently, tarot cards. I now have four different decks that include shifters, angels, gods and goddesses. Fun stuff.

Q: What kinds of research do you do?

A: That’s such a huge question. I’ve traveled all over the U.S., often on my own, to cities like San Francisco, Boston, and New York City, where I’ve set some of my major series.

I have interviewed Federal Agents, U.S. Marshals, councilmen, nurses, police officers, detectives, museum curators, and on and on. Here is a picture of me in San Francisco’s China Town, writing down notes for my “Magic” series that was set in that city. I don’t think I blew up China Town in that series, but I destroyed most of the rest of the City by the  Bay. (Sorry, SF residents!)

Much more recently, I attended The Writers’ Police Academy in Appleton, WI, which was fantastic. From the facility to the classes to the activities to the quality of the instructors and the event. Incredible.

Q: At the Writers’ Police Academy did you really shoot “weapons of destruction?”

A: This is a rubber gun

.

Q: But did you really shoot a gun at the WPA?

A: A police rifle. Great research. Would do it again.

Q: Where do you work on all of your crazy ideas? 

A: My nutty ideas often come to fruition from my comfy recliner in my office, or my desk. I’m more partial to the recliner.

I also have an outdoor office. In great weather, I like to sit in a lounge chair near the spool (that’s what we call a spa/pool).

Sometimes I go to Starbucks when I need to get OUT of the house and be around other human beings as opposed to my dogs. I don’t have any pictures of me at the coffee shop. I’ll have to get one!

Q: Who are some of your favorite authors?

A: I know a lot of authors in the romance genre and some outside of it. There are two authors I’d go fangirl on:

James Lee Burke (My #1 author. Absolutely incredible. I’d so go fangirl on him. I love his Dave Robicheaux novels!)

Elizabeth Lowell (I’m a fangirl! she was my first romance writer love.

It was her book as Ann Maxwell, The Diamond Tiger that made me consider changing from YA to romance, which of course I did.)

Elizabeth Peters (I adore Amelia Peabody and her adventures and misadventures solving mysteries in the late 1800s and later turn of the century.

David Baldacci (I love assassins, special ops, and black ops, etc. suspense thrillers. Baldacci is amazing. And have you seen how good-looking he is? I also have a crush on him.)

Jim Butcher. (I met him when he was furry. Wow, does he clean up well without all the face-fur and wild mane. Harry Dresden, a down-on-his-luck modern-day practicing sorcerer—how could you not like him?)

J.K. Rowling. (Harry Potter. Enough said… Okay, not enough. J.K. is one of the most brilliant authors of our time.)

Of course there are more, but these are some of my favorite authors–I would go to them on my eBook shelf on my iPad, or audiobook list on my iPod, anytime.

Q: What were some of your favorite books as a kid?

A: I was a voracious reader. I read everything I could get my hands on.

My very favorite book as a child was The Velvet Room by Zilpha Snyder

I read every Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, Bobbsey Twins, and Cherry Ames book I could get my hands on. And of course I read every one of the Little House on the Prairie books.

I’m surprised we have no pictures of me with a book in my hands because I always did!

Thanks for joining me in some of my personal Writing FAQs. I hope you enjoyed them. :) Feel free to ask questions in the comments section and I’ll include the questions in the FAQ!

~Cheyenne

Cheyenne’s BMG logo

Angels of Darkness: CHAINED January 12th, 2016

Join me every day for our daily theme:

Mondays On Location
Tuesday Teasers
Wednesday “What the %$!! is next?”
Thursday Reader/Writer Fun
Friday Freebies
Saturday is Sexy
Sunday Guest Stars

Sunday Guest Star: Meet Calista Fox! #giveaways

High Heels & Heartthrobs!

Meet Calista Fox—Author of the New “Leave Your Shoes On” Series

from Grand Central Publishing/Forever Romance

A little Legally Blonde, a little Big Bang Theory, a little Sex and the… Shoes!

4.8 Stars on Amazon!!!

SHE KNOWS WHAT SHE WANTS

Lola Vonn isn’t sure exactly when it happened, but sometime between ages seven and twentysomething, her best friend, Alex, got hot. Really hot. He’s hotter than the blazing Arizona sun—and definitely hotter than the nerdy-cute mathlete she grew up with. When she needs to crash at his apartment while looking for a place of her own, Alex becomes a temptation she can’t resist. But while unbuttoning Alex’s buttoned-up self is scorchingly fun, wild child Lola fears risking the best friend she’s ever had on a fling.

HE KNOWS WHAT SHE NEEDS

Alex Reed has wanted Lola since they were teenagers and now that she’s parading around his condo in sexy stilettos and short nighties, he can’t stop the more-than-just-friends fantasies he has every time he looks at his curvy, blonde roommate. Luckily he’s no longer the painfully dorky teenager he once was—and it’s high time he showed Lola that he’s the man for her.

Amazon
Barnes and Noble

Calista Fox

From Calista…

I’m thrilled to be visting Cheyenne’s blog! I write all manner of romance—contemporary, new adult, paranormal, cowboy… All with a healthy dose of HOT! My publishers include Grand Central/Forever Romance, St. Martin’s Press and Harlequin.

This week was a particularly exciting one for me, with the release of Book 1 in my sexy “Leave Your Shoes On” series, What Lola Wants. Although I’ve had numerous book launches, this was my very first Big 5/New York debut. Tuesdays are Release Day and the frenzy is akin to being on the floor of the Stock Exchange! (At least, that’s how it felt to me!) The days leading up to a launch are pretty hectic, with interviews and reviews and whatnot, but it’s doing everything you can on your special day to reach readers—and knowing dozens of other authors are doing the same—that is a little overwhelming but also exhilarating. It’s days like this that make me so grateful for social media and the ability to connect with new readers!

While my backlist is slowly being re-released, I’m rolling out another NY debut book on October 6. Burned Deep is Book 1 of the “Burned Deep” trilogy that also includes a follow-on short novel for my sexy secondary hero.

It was a little scary how my body trembled and my breathing wouldn’t return to normal. But I couldn’t escape the intensity of our desire for each other—and how vibrant and alive he made me feel. Like I’d merely existed before. Gotten by. Now I was acutely aware of my surroundings. Of myself. Of him. Of every sensation blazing inside me…

Ari DeMille has spent her life focusing on the details and planning down to the minute. Haunted by her parents’ ugly divorce, Ari believes the only way to prevent emotional scars is to always maintain control. But when the devastatingly handsome—and powerfully dominant—Dane Bax, her new boss, pushes Ari’s boundaries, she must learn to shatter the ties that bind her if she is to sate her newfound desires… But giving into insatiable lust comes with a price. Dane’s luxury hotel business is threatened by a consortium of dangerous men who threaten everything Ari holds close. And as the stakes are raised, Ari is treacherously close to losing all control of her life…and her heart.

Amazon
Barnes and Noble

When I’m not writing, I love to travel, drink wine, and discover new recording artists on iHeart Radio. Actually, I do all of that while I’m writing! I also have two small dogs that are the light of my life—Nikki (Pomeranian) and Riley (Maltese)—in addition to my husband, of course!

So what’s a blog post without a CONTEST? Leave a comment and you’ll be entered to win a $10USD Amazon gift card; a print, autographed Advanced Reader Copy of Burned Deep (U.S. delivery); or the electronic ARC of Burned Deep. All randomly selected!

And finally, I’ll leave you with a COVER REVEAL! This is Book 2 in the “Leave Your Shoes On” series—What Maxi Needs, coming in December!

Sat. is Sexy: Getting into Shemar Moore’s Derek Morgan

Sat. is Sexy: Getting into Shemar Moore’s Derek Morgan

Special Agent Derek Morgan is played by the hunky Shemar Moore, who in real life posts shirtless pictures on Facebook (you’re welcome, by the way).

Derek is a member of the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU), meaning that it’s his job to catch serial killers by studying their personalities. You’ll have no trouble studying Derek, and if you can figure out a way to catch him, it would be a crime to let him go. Of course, if you commit a crime, he might handcuff you….

Born on the Southside of Chicago, Derek was unfortunate enough to witness his father, a Chicago police officer, being brutally murdered. This had a serious affect on Derek, who dealt with his feelings by becoming involved in frequent fights. This behavior eventually got him in trouble, and he spent more than a little time in the company of police officers.

By the time he graduated high school, Derek had straightened his life out and was offered a football scholarship at Northwestern University. Derek proved to be an excellent quarterback and student, but suffered a career ending knee injury. Luckily, the rest of his body was fine (and I mean fine), and he was able to continue his studies, eventually graduating Cum Laude with a degree in law.

Gratuitous shirtless and wet pic of Shemar Moore. Wow!

Following in his father’s footsteps, Derek became a Chicago police officer. One assumes that he excelled in this role, because he was soon accepted into the bomb squad. There, he learned valuable skills and made him very attentive and good with his hands. Eventually, Derek joined the F.B.I. and became part of the BAU team.

Initially, Derek was reserved and followed the regulations to the letter. As time went on, he became more relaxed, and eventually began to play good natured practical jokes. Although Derek is definitely the “jock” of the team, he often shows off his intelligence, and is one of the only members of the team able to understand Dr. Reid’s intellectual jokes. At times, his suave side shows, and he often charms fellow officers without even trying.

If you’re looking for a man who will listen to you without judgment, look no farther than Derek Morgan. He is loyal and funny and can charm the pants (and probably the rest of your clothes) off you. Plus, he has a black belt in Judo, which emphasizes wrestling your opponent to the ground and pinning them there, so you might want to practice with him….

Lawmen Box Set now available for a limited time!

Lawmen Box Set now available for a limited time for only $8.99! Save $4!

“New York Times best selling author Cheyenne McCray returns to steamy romantic suspense with high-octane thrillers featuring hunky western federal agents and the strong women who come into their lives.”

 The “Lawmen” series has been one of my favorite to write. Set in Southeastern Arizona, where I grew up, the series is filled with cowboy lawmen who are melt-in-your-mouth sexy.

 

Individually the novel prices have been reduced as follows for a short time:

HIDDEN PREY $4.99 = $3.99 (full-length novel)
NO MERCY  $4.99= $3.99 (full-length novel)
SLOW BURN $2.99 (short contemporary-length novel)
POINT BLANK  $4.99= $3.99 (full-length novel)

The LAWMEN Box Set is an even better deal! The first three in the series are in one collection. Normally a $12.97 value, you can purchase the box set for $8.99! This includes:

HIDDEN PREY
NO MERCY
SLOW BURN

The LAWMEN Box Set will only be available for a limited time!

Here’s a little more about the LAWMEN Box Set and each novel:

HIDDEN PREY

Tori Cox, a talented and sought after musician, heads back to her roots in a small southwest town in Arizona as she flees an abusive relationship. When she arrives in Bisbee, she finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time—and witnesses the execution of a Federal agent by none other than the son of El Demonio, the head of the Jimenez Cartel. Tori and everyone she loves is now in danger as the cartel comes after her before she can testify.

Landon Walker, a special agent with the Department of Homeland Security, rescues Tori when he sees the beautiful woman running from members of one of the most ruthless cartels in the world. He sets out to protect her, but soon protecting her isn’t enough. The fire between them makes him want her in a way that he’s never wanted another woman, despite his wounded heart.

Diego Montego Jimenez will do everything in his power to kill the young American woman who threatens his business and family. No one lives to testify against the Jimenez Cartel. Landon isn’t about to let the cartel get hold of Tori. He’ll go to the ends of the earth and back to protect her—and show her he’s never letting her go.

NO MERCY

Over twenty years ago, when she was just a teenager, Belle ran from everything she knew to escape her abusive stepfather. She left behind the boy she loved and a circle of friends who had been like family to her since childhood.

Now, years later, the death of one of her close friends brings her face-to-face with the boy she had to leave. Only now he’s not a boy anymore.

Dylan has never gotten over Belle running away all those years ago. When Nate—one of their Circle of Seven childhood friends—is found dead, Belle and Dylan are drawn back together. It’s not long before he realizes he has a second chance to make her his.

The second reason Belle left could ruin any future she might have with Dylan. The secret hangs over her head while she falls in love with him all over again.

When a dangerous drug cartel starts targeting the Circle of Seven friends, Dylan must use all his federal law enforcement training and contacts to stay one step ahead. He must solve the clues Nate left behind before all of them end up dead.

SLOW BURN

A heart-stopping, blood-racing, western romantic suspense. In this standalone short contemporary suspense from the Lawmen series, Trace Davidson is determined to protect Christie Simpson from her ex-husband who has ordered a hit on her from his jail cell. Salvatore Reyes intends to make sure Christie never makes it to the witness stand to testify against him. In the midst of danger, Trace and Christie find love—but first they have to make it out alive.

Find the LAWMEN BOX SET at your favorite eBook retailers for only $8.99!

WAS $12.97 for all three. NOW $8.99!

Kindle
Nook
Kobo
iBooks
All Romance eBooks

 

POINT BLANK

Point Blank is not part of the box set, however you’ll want to pick it up while it’s still at the $3.99 sale price! It won’t be for long!

POINT BLANK

A free spirit with a zest for life, Natasha Simpson loves her new beginning in the small town of Bisbee, Arizona. Things couldn’t get any better.

Special Agent Brooks Allen is pissed as hell when he learns that one of his friend’s in-laws is suspected of drug trafficking. Big time. She’s been selling merchandise that’s filled with illegal narcotics.

Natasha runs into Brooks, and enjoys the company of the man who works with her cousin’s husband. And damn, but he’s hot.

When Natasha accidentally makes the discovery that her products contain cocaine, not only is her life threatened, but every member of her family is in danger.

Brooks grows certain Natasha is innocent, then discovers the tangled web she’s caught in. Along the way he loses his heart to her—now he just needs to make sure he doesn’t lose her…permanently.

Find POINT BLANK at your favorite retailers for $3.99 for a limited time!

Kindle
Nook
Kobo
iBooks
All Romance eBooks

 

Join me every day for our daily theme:

Mondays On Location
Tuesday Teasers
Wednesday “What the %$!! is next?”
Thursday Reader/Writer Fun
Friday Freebies
Saturday is Sexy
Sunday Guest Stars

WINNERS CIRCLE.

If you were identified on the WINNERS CIRCLE list as a winner in last weekend’s Blog Heist, you should already have been contacted regarding your prize.  If you have not yet been contacted, please email your name and email address to kaycelassiter@yahoo.com.  We are having trouble finding some of the winners and want to make sure everyone gets their prize.

Thank you.

Kayce

Thursdays: Reader/Writer Fun. Tarot cards for writer’s block!

 Tarot cards for writer’s block

As a writer, you may experience “writer’s block” on occasion.

If you that never happens to you, I don’t want to hear about it. ;)

Almost every writer who stumbles or gets stuck has his or her own way of finding inspiration for fiction. However, those methods don’t always work. If you’re looking for one that might be for you, try using tarot cards. Hey, it can’t hurt!

Tarot cards could be the solution to cure your lack of writing inspiration. A little reading of the cards on your own or with writer friends might help you finally finish that story or book you’ve been taking forever to complete.

Writers have used tarot cards for years to help solve plot and character problems. If you don’t have a set of cards yet, purchase one as soon as possible so they’re handy the next time you hit a block.

  Using tarot cards as a writer is pretty straightforward and self-explanatory. The cards can give you direction on how you might proceed in a story or a scene, or how your character could develop.

For example, each card represents different aspects and qualities that can be woven into the personality of your character and incorporated into the plot. To determine the cards that will help you with your writing, hold the stack in your hand with the face down and then randomly select however many you feel you need for sufficient inspiration.

Observe the images on the card and think about what each represents. You can use the meanings of the cards to help you tie up lose ends in your plot or solve your character problems.

Recently, Bacchus and Dionysus were on the two cards I drew when I was stuck in an erotic romance novella.

Appropriate much?

Using the cards is a fun and easy way to cure writer’s block.

What are some interesting things you do when you need inspiration?

 

~Cheyenne

Join me every day for our daily theme:

Mondays On Location
Tuesday Teasers
Wednesday “What the %$!! is next?”
Thursday Reader/Writer Fun
Friday Freebies
Saturday is Sexy
Sunday Guest Stars

Wednesday: What the %$!!? Lipstick or Bullets

Lipstick or Bullets?          

Are you a gun-toting lipstick-wearing lady with just the right mix of attitude and sass? Here’s a tough question for you: If you were in a dire situation, which item would you rather spend your last few dollars on?

Would you prefer to fork over your remaining bucks for a set of bullets or for a new tube of your favorite shade of lipstick? If you’re having a hard time picking between the two (as we imagine you are!), here are a few benefits of both lipstick and bullets.

It’s not slut-red or sweet thing-pink, but it’ll do in a pinch

Lipstick – We all know that no look is complete without applying a fabulous shade of lipstick. Whether it’s a sultry (or slutty) shade of red, or pretty (oh-so-innocent) pink, a coat of lipstick can instantly make you feel like you can take on whatever life may throw your way. Not to mention, a quality lipstick can nourish and moisturize your lips tempting your suitors to go in for a sweet kiss. What’s not to like about that?

Ok, so it’s a bullet pen. Close enough. :)

Bullets – On the other hand, it might be a good idea to invest your last bit of money in some bullets for the small 9mm tucked away in your purse. After all, it’s only proper for a lady to arm herself for protection. If you’re an avid hunter, that’s even more of a reason to choose bullets over lipstick. With your bullets you’ll be able to feed yourself—a tube of lipstick won’t satisfy your hunger for long.

Tell us, which one is it for you? Would you rather buy a tube of your favorite lipstick or a magazine of bullets? Your answer will give a big clue about your personality. ;)

Of course, when you have access to both lipstick AND bullets, the rest of the world better watch out!

~Cheyenne

Join me every day for our daily theme:

Mondays On Location
Tuesday Teasers
Wednesday “What the %$!! is next?”
Thursday Reader/Writer Fun
Friday Freebies
Saturday is Sexy
Sunday Guest Stars

Tuesday #Teaser — “Wonderland Series” Taken by Passion: King of Hearts

Join me every day for our daily theme:

Mondays On Location
Tuesday Teasers
Wednesday “What the %$!! is next?”
Thursday Reader/Writer Fun
Friday Freebies
Saturday is Sexy
Sunday Guest Stars

And here is your Tuesday Teaser!

This is one of my favorite novels, and one of my bestselling books. Taken by Passion: King of Hearts, it won the “RT Book Reviews Reviewer’s Choice Award for Best Erotic Romance of the year.” Here’s a snippet:

Taken by Passion: King of Hearts

Jarronn stroked Alice’s long blonde tresses from her eyes. “You are lovely beyond any woman I have ever known,” he whispered, and her smile dimmed. He cupped her chin and frowned. “Why do you not see your own beauty?” Her lower lip trembled and he witnessed a thousand heart-wounds in her eyes. Anger at those who had hurt his future queen roared through him and he bit back a snarl of rage. Who dared to make his precious Alice feel as though she were anything but the beautiful, sensual woman he clearly recognized her to be?

Alice must have seen the fierceness in his eyes and thought his rage was directed at her. She swallowed, then hurried to answer. “I’m fat. I’m not slender and gorgeous like Kalina, or even my sister, Alexi.”

Jarronn had to rein in his anger. He stroked his knuckles down her cheek and she shuddered with obvious desire from the contact. “I do not understand,” he murmured. “You are so enchanting, your body so lovely, that I fail to see why you do not recognize your gifts.”

Pink tinted Alice’s cheeks. “Where I come from, a woman is only considered beautiful if she’s thin and has a perfect figure.”

“It is clear your world is not deserving of you.” He scowled at the thought of anyone treating his future queen with anything but the utmost respect and awe. “You are perfect,” he murmured, and before she could argue he lowered his head.

Wonderland series

Another teaser from Taken by Passion: King of Hearts—

A gust of wind stirred Alice’s long hair about her shoulders while she walked barefoot through the grass to the tree. She braced one hand against its rough, tattered bark and peered around its trunk.

A snow white, lop-eared rabbit. The bunny had bright pink eyes and a cute little pink nose that twitched as it looked up at her.

Alice smiled. It had to be someone’s pet—it definitely wasn’t the wild variety. “I’ll bet you’re lost, aren’t you, sweetie?” she murmured as she took a step forward. She hesitated and squinted. A white tiger?

The bunny morphed before her eyes into one of those huge rare white tigers she’d seen at a magic show in Las Vegas. At the Mirage, she thought. This bunny/white tiger was simply a mirage.

Okay, Alice, you’re hallucinating. Time to go visit the doctor. Or better yet, a shrink.

She started to back away from the figment of her imagination just as the ground gave out beneath her bare feet.

Terror ripped through her as she pitched into nothingness.

Alice screamed as she tumbled through air so thick it felt like pudding. Faster and faster she dropped through the black void. She couldn’t stop screaming, couldn’t stop falling. Her heart beat like it was going to come out of her chest as she fell and fell.

Bright light stabbed at her eyes, and then she slammed onto her back, on an unforgiving surface. Air whooshed from her lungs and pain shot through her head.

For the briefest of moments she thought she saw a massive white tiger peering down at her, but then it was gone.

Cheyenne

WINNERS CIRCLE…BMG Blog Heist Winners!

Below are the names of the winners from the Butterscotch Martini Girls Blog Heist this weekend.  Thanks to everyone who showed up to chat with us.  You made it a very fun event for all of us!

Please make sure your name is displayed correctly on this list if you are a winner.  If not, please send us a comment so we can make sure we get your prize to you.

Thanks again.  We look forward to hearing from you all again!

Kayce Lassiter

Laura Pincioteo


Maureen Brown


Shiree Meek-rot


Tammie Low


McKensie Lowe


Carol Barker


Cindy Shalbeck


Joanne Deveo


Joe Rosenblatt


Christy Wagner


Deanneouest


Doreen Jones


Glenna Copen


Hannah Majda


Lynn Desrosiers


Michelle McCloud


Nina McCow


Originalchele


Patricia Gentry


Amanda LeFleur


Arleth Herandez


Barb5173


Cam Kennedy


Carmen Rosa


Tina Hairston


Henny Lowie


JMES PAZ821


Julie Baker


Julie Bowers


Linda Andrews


Tammy Mitchell


Jane Bassett Nelson


Jennifer Santiago


Kallie Owen


Kim Schofield


Brickley Jules


Angel Shaw54


Anna Lea


Debbie Watson


Melissa Toppin


Penny Seed


Charlotte Chabu


Spirit of NLK


Pamela Miller


Valerie Miller


Click, click mycat


R. Ree


Ruth Atkins


Tara Shaw


Taylor Hodge


Tina McBride


Wendy Sharp


Christy Lendow


Lorraine Hill

On location: Miners, Ghosts, and Growing Up in #BisbeeArizona

Join me every day for our daily theme:

Mondays On Location
Tuesday Teasers
Wednesday “What the %$!! is next?”
Thursday Reader/Writer Fun
Friday Freebies
Saturday is Sexy
Sunday Guest Stars

Today is Mondays on Location!

Bisbee is a fantastic small town in Arizona and is the setting for my latest romantic suspense series: Lawmen

Cheyenne’s “Lawmen” romantic suspense series

I’m an Arizona native and grew up in Bisbee and on a ranch about 15 miles outside the Bisbee town limits–it’s a fascinating former copper mining town with amazing history.

In the late 1800’s/early 1900’s, with over 20,000 people, Bisbee was the largest and most cultured city between St. Louis and San Francisco! Those days are long gone and Bisbee is a sleepy town and artists’ community of about 5,500 resident.

A shot of Bisbee, Arizona and the Bisbee Historical Museum and Copper Queen Hotel

My Grandfather was born in Panna Maria, Texas in 1900. He and my grandmother moved to Bisbee where my grandfather worked in the copper mines. Their children, including my mother, were all raised in Bisbee.

Of course, many years later I came along. I grew up mostly on the ranch outside of Bisbee with my parents and two brothers. My father was a firefighter in Bisbee for 20 years.

Chey with brothers and Dad in Bisbee

Most likely, you’ve seen the wild west side of Bisbee in movies featuring sexy cowboys accompanied by virtuous (and not so virtuous) women in Brewery Gulch, but there are other, lesser known sides of Bisbee that are begging to be explored. Located in the heart of the Mule Mountains, Bisbee offers some of the most beautiful country in all of Arizona, but it’s not just the alluring ranch hands and pretty scenery that gives Bisbee its romantic feel; it’s the ghosts.

Yes. The ghosts.

And there are plenty of well known haunts in Bisbee.

Mining was a dangerous job, and although no one has reported any ghosts in the Queen Mine, that doesn’t mean they aren’t there. Even without the ghosts, you can explore the depths of the mine for precious metals and live the dangerous life of a miner for a little while. Just be careful not to slip in the dark; you might get dirty….

Bisbee’s Ghostly Oliver House…

While the darkness of the mine is a bit scary, your hotel room is the place to really get your heart racing-especially if you are staying at the Oliver House. Since its completion in 1909, over 27 people have died in the House, but don’t worry-no one has met their end there in quite a while. Of course, this doesn’t stop those who did from making regular appearances; guests have reported hearing footsteps in the hallway and feeling cold spots in the Plum Room.

If you really want to be scared out of your skin (or clothes), stay in the infamous room 13, where Nat Anderson was murdered in 1920. Anderson, a mine worker, was having an affair with the wife of “The Money Man,” a local to whom Nat owed money. When “The Money Man” discovered the affair, he supposedly made his way to the Oliver House and shot Nat in the back of the head. Despite the obvious motive, the murder remains officially unsolved-meaning that Nat Anderson’s ghost can’t rest easy.

Nat wasn’t the only one to be caught up in a dangerous tryst at the Oliver House, and many of the ghosts that haunt the hallways are victims of their own passions. Among these are the ghosts of a local police officer, his wife, and her lover; after discovering the affair, the police officer rushed to the Oliver House and murdered the couple. After driving a short distance, the jilted husband then turned the gun on himself. It’s reported that all three of these ghosts are tied to the Oliver House forever.

All this sex and violence means that the Oliver House practically vibrates with paranormal energy. Curl up with your own lover for protection and have your own romantic affair-after all, nothing is sexier than a good ghost story.

And just in time, you might be able to slip in on the Oliver House’s Haunted Weekend the end of this month. :)

The Oliver House’s Haunted Weekend

Douglas is around 25 miles from Bisbee, and is the setting for my Armed and Dangerous series. Part of the A & D series takes place in Bisbee, too. I don’t know if there are ghosts in Douglas, but there are plenty to go around in Bisbee!

Bisbee’s Home page

The Armed and Dangerous series