Monique O'Connor James's Blog: Random Thoughts from Monique, page 3
March 13, 2012
Free Read – The Awakening Chapters 7 & 8
So Happy Birthday to me! I'm sending you all a couple of new chapters to read!
Enjoy!!
Cheers,
Monique O'Connor James
Author of The Keepers – http://www.amazon.com/The-Keepers-ebook/dp/B0054LO9E8/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1331129226&sr=8-6
Jamais Vu – http://www.amazon.com/Jamais-Vu-ebook/dp/B005SG02FE/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2
Deja Vu – http://www.amazon.com/Deja-Vu-ebook/dp/B006X3133G/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2
The Mulligan Man – http://www.amazon.com/The-Mulligan-Man-ebook/dp/B005ES06M0/ref=pd_sim_kstore_3?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2
Coming May 2012 – Becoming Jolie from Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly Publishing.
March 9, 2012
Ghost Stories #7 – The Beauregard-Keyes House/New Orleans
This house is located on Chartres Street, in The French Quarter. Both Confederate General Pierre Gustave Toutant, who ordered the first shot at Ft. Sumter, and Frances Parkinson Keyes, a noted author, resided in this home after its construction in 1826.
Now days, during the day, tourists wander through its rooms where Keyes' extensive doll collection and many confederate artifacts are kept. At night however, folks claim to have seen ghostly visitors from eras past.
People clasay that after the tourists leave, the house becomes filled with a supernatural gore-fest that depicts the reenactment of the Battle of Shiloh. Although, no battles were ever fought on this site, the General did write detailed reports of the horrors he'd witnessed while he lived here.
Apparitions of men with mangled limbs, and injured horses and mules have plagued the house for years, along with the pungent aroma of death. The house also claims a ghost dog and ghost cat who are often seen by the caretakers. They believe these animals were owned by Keyes during her time in the home.
An Italian family once made the place their residence. They were run out in the middle of the night in a hail of gun fire by unknown assailants. Since that time, the sounds of parties and moving furniture can be heard throughout the night.
Is it possible that the prior residents have left their imprint on the place? Why is it that some buildings seem to soak in the stories of their owners while others don't?
The Beauregard-Keyes house has such a rich history that it is definitely worth a visit the next time you are in New Orleans!
Cheers!
Monique O'Connor James
Author of The Keepers – http://www.amazon.com/The-Keepers-ebook/dp/B0054LO9E8/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1331129226&sr=8-6
Jamais Vu – http://www.amazon.com/Jamais-Vu-ebook/dp/B005SG02FE/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2
Deja Vu – http://www.amazon.com/Deja-Vu-ebook/dp/B006X3133G/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2
The Mulligan Man – http://www.amazon.com/The-Mulligan-Man-ebook/dp/B005ES06M0/ref=pd_sim_kstore_3?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2
Coming May 2012 – Becoming Jolie from Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly Publishing.
March 7, 2012
Free Read! The Awakening Chapters 5 & 6
I abandoned my blog for a few days, but I remember to post the next couple of chapters of the Awakening for you guys! Hope you are enjoying!
Cheers,
Monique O'Connor James
Author of The Keepers – http://www.amazon.com/The-Keepers-ebook/dp/B0054LO9E8/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1331129226&sr=8-6
Jamais Vu – http://www.amazon.com/Jamais-Vu-ebook/dp/B005SG02FE/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2
Deja Vu – http://www.amazon.com/Deja-Vu-ebook/dp/B006X3133G/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2
The Mulligan Man – http://www.amazon.com/The-Mulligan-Man-ebook/dp/B005ES06M0/ref=pd_sim_kstore_3?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2
Coming May 2012 – Becoming Jolie from Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly Publishing.
February 28, 2012
Free Read! The Awakening – Chapters 3 & 4
I promised you chapters 3 & 4 today, so here you go! Hope you enjoy!
Cheers,
Monique O'Connor James
Author of The Keepers, Jamais Vu, Deja Vu & The Mulligan Man from Astraea Press
Coming May 2012 – Becoming Jolie from Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly Publishing
February 26, 2012
Ghost Stories #6 – Haunted Schools!
I get a ton of hits on my ghost stories, so ya'll must be enjoying them! This week we are talking about haunted schools. This is just a sampling as there are a ton of haunted campuses across America! Makes you wonder if high school sucked because of adolescence or if it was the ghosts!
Pleasant Hall – LSU – Louisiana – There have been numerous murders and suicides or at least rumors of such in this formers women's dorm. These deaths have spurred ghost sightings and plenty of strange happenings over the years. The most famous story is of room 312. The story goes that a young woman shot her boyfriend in the face after an argument, thinking he was dead she ran up to her dorm and killed herself. According to people who frequent this building, the woman still hangs out in the halls and particularly this room!
Lambertville High School – New Jersey - The school is now abandoned, but was first 
established in 1854. It closed in the 1950′s after a fire. Many brave souls have wandered the halls since the place closed and returned with frightening tales of the supernatural. Creepy chalkboard art appears in one of the abandoned class rooms. The screams of a little girl has driven people out of the building along with the sounds of moving furniture and footsteps. It is said that at exactly midnight, you can hear the laughter of children through-out the school. Some believe these are the ghosts of the children who were killed in a fire.
Nixon High School – Maryland - The school was built in 1965 and sometime during the 1980′s a teacher who was there preparing for the new school year was repeatedly stabbed to death. She was later found in the bathroom down the hall. Students report a presence in the bathroom and slamming doors. Teachers have said they see the teacher walking the halls in the afternoons after the kids have left for the day.
Northside High School – Indiana - In 1927, despite the warnings of a local indian chief, 
the school was built atop an indian burial ground. People claim this chief still haunts the place warning people of the sacrilege that was committed there. The apparition of a teenage girl is seen in the gym by dozens of students every year. A janitor who died in the basement will working is still heard and seen there, and a construction worker who was killed during the collapse of the stage haunts the auditorium.
Nixon High School – Texas – IN the 1970′s a jealous boyfriend decapitated his girlfriend who was on the school's dance team. Witnesses have seen her headless spirit wandering the school and hear the sounds of the spurs on her boots.
With all of this activity on our school campuses, it's a wonder we ever get anything done! My high school wasn't haunted that i know of, and I'm pretty grateful because being a teenager was hard enough!
Cheers,
Monique O'Connor James
Author of The Keepers, Jamais Vu, Deja Vu and The Mulligan Man published by Astraea Press
Coming May 2012 – Becoming Jolie from Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly Publishing
February 21, 2012
Free Read! The Awakening Chapters 1 And 2
Okay so honestly my hope for my blog is to give something to my readers. I want there to be a reason that you stop by to hear me talk about my crazy cat or the kids or some ghost story I want you to hear.
I wanted to create a gift for the people who read my stories and love them. So here's the dealio - I have several works in progress! I need to work on all of them eventually and this is a great way to get going on this one while I work on some of my other ones, so I'm trying something new!
One of the manuscripts that is sitting on my laptop waiting to be worked over is a stand-alone, paranormal fiction novel called The Awakening. I'd like to post FREE chapters once a week and let you follow along as I do the first of many edits on it!
Here are my requests (You knew there was catch right?)
1. Don't be too critical it has not been truly edited.
2. Don't hate me if I change the name and feel free to make suggestions as we get further into the story.
3. Share my blog with your friends so they can read along and comment too!
4. Follow me so you know when I post new chapters!
That's it! That's all I'm asking! At the end of this little experiment, I will edit the heck out of it and publish it on Amazon and Create Space. In between chapter posts I plan to entertain you with my nonsense!
Hear are Chapters 1 & 2: Chapters 1 and 2
I really hope you enjoy!
Cheers,
Monique O'Connor James
Author of The Keepers, Jamais Vu, Deja Vu, The Mulligan Man published by Astraea Press
Coming May 2012 – Becoming Jolie – from Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly Publishing
Writers Corner – Insecurities!
Someone asked me recently what the best thing I ever wrote was. Just the question made my stomach ball up in a knot and put me in the fetal position sucking my thumb. I guess, truth be told, at one time or another I like everything I've written, but then there is the flip side of that coin.
It never fails that as I start writing a novel, I'm giddy with excitement. I'm in love with the characters, the story line, and just the fact that I am in the process of writing again.
As time goes on, something horrible transforms the way I feel about my work. Inevitably, there will come a day when I sit down to read what I've written, and the once beautiful and new story will repulse me. Without fail, I'll slam the laptop shut and send the following text to my best friend, "I hate this story."
It always seems to happen at about 25,000 words, and always when my characters are not chattering in my brain giving me ideas to work with. No worries though, generally I walk away and let it simmer, give me and my work a cooling off period from our initial spark. And sometimes when I return, I get excited again unable to believe I wrote something so brilliant. (HA!)
I've tried to think of ways to avoid the entire ugly scenario. I mean, when the honeymoon period is over, shouldn't I just be able to snuggle into a comfortable relationship with my latest novel?
I guess it's a good thing I've been married so long. In the dating world, if I treated men like the books I write, they'd never last very long.
Do you suffer from insecurities when you write? How do you get through?
So far, I haven't "broken up" with the story I'm currently writing, but there are still a few chapters before it's completely out of the woods!
Cheers!
Monique O'Connor James
Author of The Keepers, Jamais Vu, Deja Vu & The Mulligan Man from Astraea Press
Coming May 2012 – Becoming Jolie from Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly Press
February 15, 2012
Writers Corner – Book Reviewers
If you're like me you are always hunting for book reviewers that will respond and that post honest and fair reviews. Well here is my latest list! Enjoy and I hope it helps.
1. Ressa – www.ressaempbra.wordpress.com
2. Thamy – www.franticreader.weebly.com
3. Kristina – http://kristinasbooksandmore.blogspot.com
4. Mandy – http://twimom101bookblog.blogspot.com
5. Katrina – http://www.pageflipperz.blogspot.com
6. Leanne – www.booksnmakeup.com
7. Tanya – http://speedyreader-allthingsbooks.blogspot.com
8. Dawn – http://dawn_hagen.blogspot.com
9. Jenn – www.romancing_the_book.com
10. Stacey – http://staceyeatonauthor.blogspot.com
11. Stacey – http://sassybooklovers.blogspot.com
12. Realteen Reviews – http://realteenreviews.blogspot.com
13. The Book Boost – http://thebookboost.blogspot.com
14. Sue – www.thewmreviewconnection.com
15. Cheryl – http://cherylsbooknook.blogspot.com
16. Renee – www.deepintheheartorromance.com
17. http://clusallnightpreview.blogspot.com
18. Kim – www.living-fictiously.blogspot.com
19. Tazzie – http://tazziebookreviews.blogspot.com
20. Lindsey – http://unitedbybooks.blogspot.com
21. Yoly – http://moonlightbeautybooks.blogspot.com
22. Shelly – www.shellygoodmanwright.com
23. Wendy – www.lovetiggibookreviews.blogspot.com
24. Susie – http://satinsbookishcorner.blogspot.com
25. Belinda – http://thebookishsnob.blogspot.com
26. Mindy – http://forbiddenreviews.com
27. Andrea – http://thesecretsanctuarybooks.blogspot.com
28. Brea – breaessex.wordpress.com
29. Cheeky Reads – http://cheekyreads.blogspot.com
30. Sheila – http://sheiladeeth.blogspot.com
31. Kristine – www.spartanheartbyauthorkristinecheney.blogspot.com
32. Kyan – http://blog.liloqui.com
33. Devyn – http://devyn-dawson.blogspot.com
34. V Saewood Tice – http://saewood.webs.com/apps/blog
35. Mindy – www.bookscompleteme.com
36. Alaiel – http://www.libraianmouse.com
37. Amber/Sapphyria – http://saphsbookblog.blogspot.com
38. Mera – http://merasyabooklist.blogspot.com
39. Chynna – http://www.the-gift-blog.com
40. Kati- http://klearsreviews.blogspot.com
41. Laurie – http://www.bona-fide-reflections.com/
42. http://scribblesonthebackofjanuary.wordpress.com
43. http://cleanromancereviews.blogspot.com
44. http://reviewsrmine.wordpress.com
45. www.greatmindsthinkaloud.proboards.com
46. www.whispersfromabook.blogspot.com
49. www.bookwormnation.blogspot.com
51. www.fallenangelreviews.com
52. http://journeywithbooks.blogspot.com
53. www.romancing-the-book.com
Cheers,
Monique O'Connor James
Author of The Keepers, Jamais Vu, Deja Vu & The Mulligan Man published by Astraea Press.com
Coming Summer 2012 – Becoming Jolie from Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly Publishing
February 12, 2012
Ghost Stories #5 – The Haunted Roads and Streets of America
I've always been fascinated by the idea of haunted roads. What could be creepier than cruising down the street and seeing an apparition? Here are a few roads and highways across the country you may want to check out when you're out on ghost hunting adventures.
Hwy 666 – This highway runs through Utah, Colorado, Arizona & New Mexico. In 2003, the highway was renamed Route 491, but the name change hasn't stopped the rumors that this could be the true highway to hell. People driving along this stretch of road have reported headlights that come up behind them at great speeds. When the driver pulls over to let the vehicle pass, it vanishes before their eyes.
Some believe the highway was built on indian burial grounds. Native American tradition teaches that once a medicine man passes away, he can become a skin walker and transform into various animals. These animals have been known to dart out in front of vehicles, and it is believed they are issuing a warning for the travelers to end their journey on the highway.
Many people have witnessed a pack of dogs deemed the hounds of hell here. These beasts can run as fast as the vehicles they are chasing and have the power to shred tires. Perhaps the scariest of all the claims is that people simply disappear on this road, sometimes leaving their cars and belongings behind.
Archer Avenue – Chicago - Archer Avenue runs through the City of Chicago. it is said that 
the ghost of a young, blonde girl named Resurrection Mary roams this street near Resurrection Cemetery. A man once picked the girl up and danced with her all evening before giving her a ride home. Near the cemetery she darted from his car and disappeared just before the entrance to the graveyard.
Boy Scout Lane – Wisconsin - It is said that in the 1950′s a scout troop was murdered here by their troop leader while on an overnight camping trip. People who travel this road have seen the ghostly apparitions of bloody children. Another variation of the story claims that one of the boys dropped a lantern and the boys were burned to death. Reports of screams and smoke are rampant in this area.
Clinton Road – New Jersey - The story here is that a boy was playing on a bridge and fell 
over and drowned. It is said that he will appear if you drop a coin into the water below the bridge. Some claim he has pushed some visitors over the side of the bridge.
This road also boasts sightings of phantom vehicles, headlights with no car attached, and a ghostly Camaro driven by a blonde girl who reportedly died in a crash on the road.
Highway 11 – Alabama – Lonnie Stephens was falsely accused of killing his girlfriend. The real killer was eventually found, but not before Lonnie escaped from a chain gang and was hit by a car trying to hitch a ride along this highway. His ghost is often seen with arms outstretched pleading for someone to stop and give him a ride.
And of course, you knew i'd have to include a road from my home state! There are many haunted roads in Louisiana and maybe I'll dedicate an entire blog to them.
Canal Street – New Orleans, LA – Canal street at City Park Avenue once marked the outer 
limits of the city. The most intriguing aspect about this locale is that this is the place where thirteen cemeteries converge. Just beyond this spot is part of the roadway that used to be The New Basin Canal. When the Irish and German immigrants who built the canal died during its construction, they were buried right where they fell.
The list of supernatural encounters in this area is long and includes: spirits of the dead walking hand in hand; disembodied voices who speak to those at a nearby bus stop; the ghost of a young girl who runs directly into oncoming traffic; ghostly funerals that pass through the closed gates of the cemeteries; and many other restless spirits who approach both the locas and tourists.
Have you ever experienced a ghostly apparition along a highway? Share your story with us!
Cheers,
Monique O'Connor James
Author of: The Keepers, Jamais Vu, Deja Vu & The Mulligan Man published by Astraea Press.
Coming Summer 2012 – Becoming Jolie from Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly Publishing
February 8, 2012
Ghost Stories #4 Haunted Hotels of New Orleans
New Orleans is full of supernatural encounters and paranormal fun. Here are a few of the hotels in the area that you may want to visit if you are up for a good spook!
Hotel Provincial - This lovely hotel was once a confederate hospital and has been a hotspot for ghost sightings. The soldiers still amble through these halls at night, and blood stains appear and then vanish on the walls. Many guests have encountered apparitions and hear the moans of the ill patients. Once as the elevator opened in the lobby, the entire hospital was visible to those who witnessed it. This hotel has the added benefit of being in the heart of the French Quarter.
Bourbon Orleans Hotel – Also located in the Vieux Carre, the building was once a 
convent and ghostly children have been known to play in the halls here. There is a woman who is sometimes seen in the elevator, and once a man working in the building used profanity on the stairwell and was slapped across the face by an unseen hand.
Hotel Monteleone - This hotel has been investigated by The International Society of Paranormal Research. During their stay they documented sightings of more than twelve different ghosts. The elevator often stops on the fourteenth floor and when it opens the ghosts of children can be seen and heard playing in the hall.
Dauphine Orleans Hotel - Once the home of a rich merchant, it was later sold and
became a brothel which was frequented by confederate soldiers. Many guests have seen the ghosts of the women who used to work here, and a dark-haired soldier is often spotted in the courtyard.
Le Pavillion Hotel – This hotel is one of the most haunted in the City. Every thing from floating apparitions to ghosts who sit on the beds of guests while they are sleeping has been experienced. On the third floor, a room smells of the rose perfume worn by the girl said to haunt it.
Lafitte Guest House - Outside of room twenty-one, the apparition of a girl who is said to
have died of yellow fever appears in a mirror. Her mother could never leave the house after her child's death and can still be seen in the bedroom that was hers.
Would you spend the night in a haunted hotel? Have you? Let me know about your experiences!
Cheers,
Monique O'Connor James
Author of Jamais Vu, Deja Vu, The Keepers and The Mulligan Man
Coming Summer 2012 – Becoming Jolie
Random Thoughts from Monique
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