Anna Abner's Blog, page 31
October 22, 2014
My Review of Thief of Shadows
Back Cover Blurb:
A MASKED MAN . . .
Winter Makepeace lives a double life. By day he’s the stoic headmaster of a home for foundling children. But the night brings out a darker side of Winter. As the moon rises, so does the Ghost of St. Giles-protector, judge, fugitive. When the Ghost, beaten and wounded, is rescued by a beautiful aristocrat, Winter has no idea that his two worlds are about to collide.
A DANGEROUS WOMAN . . .
Lady Isabel Beckinhall enjoys nothing more than a challenge. Yet when she’s asked to tutor the Home’s dour manager in the ways of society-flirtation, double-entendres, and scandalous liaisons-Isabel can’t help wondering why his eyes seem so familiar-and his lips so tempting.
A PASSION NEITHER COULD DENY
During the day Isabel and Winter engage in a battle of wills. At night their passions are revealed . . . But when little girls start disappearing from St. Giles, Winter must avenge them. For that he might have to sacrifice everything-the Home, Isabel . . . and his life.
My Thoughts:
I have a secret to confess. Though I write paranormals, I adore regency romances. The dresses, the balls, the afternoon teas. The polished manners concealing roiling passion. I can’t get enough!
Thief of Shadows has it all. From the first line — “The body in the road was the absolute cap to the day” — to the last, it’s a sexy and thrilling adventure.
My favorite part has to be Isabel’s tutoring Winter in not only good manners and ballroom dancing, but in the bedroom, as well.
October 21, 2014
Tuesday Tease #23
Daniela Ferraro hopped out of the other vehicle before it had come to a full stop and tore open Talia’s passenger door. She was casting so fast, one moment she was a scared, dark-haired woman and the next she was covered in frost.
Spell of Vanishing, ms pg 176
October 20, 2014
Blood-Soaked Haunted House For Sale
Read the original article here.
“Haunted” House For Sale — Complete With Blood on the Walls!
Written by Adriana Velez in August 2014
So, you’re looking for a house in the Detroit area because you hear they’re ridiculously cheap. And this one catches your eye. It’s probably a fixer-upper, but it’s a 2,084-square-foot, 4-bedroom brick colonial — for only $19,500! You HAVE to take a look, right? This is so worth considering. There’s just one little thing. According to the listing, it was “previously a Halloween haunted house.”
No big deal, right? Yeah … well, maybe you should see some photos first. Let’s just say, the seller is “highly motivated” to sell but couldn’t be bothered to stage the house.
Maybe you should sit down.
So, is it me? Or are the words “YOU WILL DIE” scrawled on the wall in blood along with bloody handprints? I mean, haha, obviously it’s just red paint. I know that! But yeesh. That’s creepy. They must have just forgotten to repaint this room. I can understand that. They were probably in a hurry to list this house. Let’s see some of the other rooms.
Hmm, well, I guess you’d have some plaster work to clean up here. And the bars on the window aren’t very warm. Ceiling needs to be redone. And — ew, what’s that on the door to the right? Bloody handprints? Bloody hell! Honestly, couldn’t they have painted over that before taking this photo? I’m afraid to see the other rooms.
ZOMG!!! First of all, this room looks like a crime scene. Secondly, is it a kitchen or a bathroom? That’s almost as scary as the fake blood. And what’s up with the random staircase? Where does it lead, and what’s inside the doorway? Never mind, don’t tell me. Whatever it is, I don’t want to see it.
Well then. Good luck selling this house! I think spending a couple hundred and an afternoon to do a little emergency repainting could have made the difference between selling at $19,000 and not selling at all. But then, I’m one of those crazy people who doesn’t like seeing the words YOU WILL DIE on the walls of my future home, you know? But maybe this listing will draw a more adventurous sort who’s not so picky.
October 17, 2014
Flirty Clip Friday #39
This video gave me chills. It’s so beautiful. And the text from the books elevates it to a whole new emotional level. Enjoy!
Video created by Lydia Hope
October 15, 2014
Why I Write
Stories and storytelling mean everything to me.
As a young adult my head was buzzing with new worlds, new characters, and new conflicts to explore. The stories poured out of me. Romances, thrillers, YA’s, paranormals, fantasies, horror. I couldn’t write them down fast enough.
Instead of doing chores, I wrote. Instead of hanging out with friends, I wrote. I’m a abashed to admit I even stayed home from high school to write.
That passion for creating worlds has stuck with me. I truly believe that writing is an essential part of me. A part I hold very dear.
Now, as an adult, I have the unbelievably exciting privilege of writing for an audience.
Thank you for sharing this exciting new journey with me.
October 14, 2014
Tuesday Tease #22
Talia held onto Cole, so overwhelmed with sensation and emotion she didn’t feel human anymore. More like free-flowing electricity. Like starlight. Like a force of nature.
Spell of Vanishing, ms pg 192
October 13, 2014
Haunted British Hotel For Sale
Read the original article here.
Historic Haunted Hotel in Northamptonshire On Sale for 1.3 Million
Written Nick Bieber in August 2014
The Hind Hotel, the place where Oliver Cromwell is supposed to have planned the battle of Naseby in 1n 1645, has been put on the market by specialist hotel property adviser Christie + Co.
The former coaching inn – thought to be haunted, is now a comfortable and stylish retreat in Wellingborough town centre, offering 34 decorated en-suite rooms with satellite television and 24 hour room service.
There is also a traditional restaurant and bar, informal cafe and four meeting rooms of various sizes – ideal for weddings, functions, meetings and family gatherings. A public car park lies to the rear of the property and a large multi-storey car park is situated two minutes away.
Gavin Wright of Christie + Co’s Birmingham office is handling the sale. He says: “Our clients have owned the hotel since 2001 and have built up a fantastic reputation in Wellingborough and surrounding areas. Given the excellent location of the hotel within the town centre, it benefits from a number of meetings, functions and weddings.
September 23, 2014
Tuesday Tease #20
Talia had never cast with another necromancer. And Cole wasn’t any necromancer. A tingle started behind her belly button and expanded like fireworks in a hot July sky.
Spell of Vanishing, ms pg 102
September 22, 2014
Haunted London Hotel
You can find the original article here.
Stuart Broad and Ben Stokes unable to sleep in ‘haunted’ London hotel
Written by Phil Archbold
England’s cricketers are having trouble sleeping at night after becoming convinced that their five-star central London hotel is haunted.
According to the Daily Mail, a number of players have requested to switch rooms, while some wives and girlfriends have refused to stay at the Langham Hotel during London Test matches this summer after complaints of paranormal activity.
“During the Sri Lanka Test I had to move rooms,” Stuart Broad is quoted as saying.
“It was so hot in the room I just couldn’t sleep. All of a sudden the taps in the bathroom came on for no reason. I turned the lights on and the taps turned themselves off. Then when I turned the lights off again the taps came on. It was very weird.
“It really freaked me out. I ended up asking to move rooms. Ben Stokes has had some problems sleeping as well. He’s on the third floor, which is where a lot of the issues are. I’m telling you, something weird is going on.”
September 19, 2014
Flirty Friday Clip #38
Finding Carter’s Max & Taylor kissing sweetly. Enjoy!
Video created by Julie Foxy
