Hi all, I just wanted to say I’m almost finished with book two! Woohoo!
I hit a snag in the story, but basically, yeah, draft one is done. So I’m doing a little snoopy dance. Now for the hard part: revisions.
In the meantime, I’m over at our fellow FF&Per Marsha A. Moore’s blog today.
http://marshaamoore.blogspot.com/2012/09/interviewing-author-juli-d-revezzo.html
Talking about my latest paranormal fantasy novel. Please do drop by if you get a chance.
Author Blog-in Day 1: The Disenchanted Pet by Kate Policani.
This is one of Kate Policani’s interesting little tales. Go read about it, and enjoy.
This is my second of the Sweet Saturday Samples. I missed last week, but not this time! hehe. I hope you like this Sample. This is from The Artist’s Inheritance, Antique Magic Book One.
This is a little about Gordon…He’s Caitlin’s deceased brother-in-law. He was…a little odd. Read on and you’ll see…
film cartridges by Toa55/Freedigitalphotos.net
The thought of an afternoon cleaning Gordon’s work shed did nothing for her spirits. But the project needed doing, and just as Trevor couldn’t look at Gordon’s photographs for long, he still couldn’t bring himself to enter the small structure. He said there was something spooky about the room.
Caitlin ducked her head in, stepped inside. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary to her. So, she braided her hair out of her face and set to work.
She cataloged all the bent and crumpled pictures—and there were many. Flipping through them, she noted several shots of Fort Pickens, of the garden, the house, and a few sites around town and lastly, several pictures of Amelia. All these proofs seemed just smaller versions of the photographs up in their attic. She made a pile of them for sending to her sister-in-law.
Next, she turned to the leftover silver nitrate and carried the canisters of it and other chemicals to safe chemical dumps. Then she threw away every empty film roll she could find. She called Amelia and offered to send her the camera equipment, but Amelia refused.
“Do what you want with it, Cait. He didn’t trust me with it, so I don’t see any point in keeping it.”
Gordon didn’t trust her? How peculiar.
What’s up with Amelia and why’s she so bitter towards her late husband? You’ll have to read to find out! The Artist’s Inheritance is available at Amazon and Smashwords.
To read more samples from other fine authors, see the Sweet Saturday Samples homepage.
This is my first Sweet Saturday Sample. I’ve been looking forward to trying this for awhile because her hop has always made for entertaining reads. Here’s a sample–always rated PG-13– from my latest release:
. The novel takes place in Gulf Breeze, Florida just outside Fort Pickens, and involves a wood carver–Trevor–and his wife, Caitlin, who’s worried her hubby is slowly going insane–just like his twin brother did before he committed suicide. So, when anything comes up concerning this chair Trevor’s working on, Caitlin’s ears perk up. Read on and you’ll see…
chair photo taken at H.P. Plant Museum by author; couple photo by
imagerymajestic/
freedigitalphotos.net
“How much will you take for these fine drawings?”
The male voice drew her attention away from Trevor’s work. A short man with black hair and a lazy eye, dressed in a pinstripe suit and straw hat, crossed the [Wilkins and Brandt] gallery to pause at Trevor’s side. “They’re your work, are they not? Are they available?”
“Yes, they’re mine,” Trevor said. “They’re not for sale. Sorry.”
Caitlin eyed the older man. Who’s this fella?
“Don’t be absurd, Trevor.” [His employer/mentor] Abby Wilkins, jumped in before Caitlin could ask.
Caitlin took in his fine coat, the diamond gleaming from his ring finger. More than likely, the man could pay a fortune for the pictures. Perhaps even the chair they had stashed in the attic. Maybe they’d be rid of the stupid thing yet.
“For you, Mr. Hofter? Of course they are.”
“No, I’m sorry,” Trevor said. “They’re not for sale.”
Abby choked and pulled Trevor aside. “Are you mad, darling? Do you know who he is?”
Caitlin peered over Abby’s shoulder, seeing the man in question studying a Jeffersonian era desk. Trevor grimaced. “I can’t say I do.”
“That’s Marvin Hofter,” Mrs. Wilkins said conspiratorially.
“Who’s Marvin Hofter?” Caitlin asked.
Abby spluttered and tugged at the collar of her linen blouse. “How can you not know him?”
The name meant nothing; Caitlin could only give her a blank look. “I don’t.”
“My dear, he’s only the editor in chief of Antiques Daily.”
Now Caitlin understood why Trevor’s mentor was making such a huge deal.
Trevor touched one of the sketches, almost, Caitlin thought, as if he would protect them. “I’m sorry, no. The pictures aren’t for sale.”
Hofter pursed his lips and retrieved a card case from the pocket of his silk coat. He pulled forth an embossed business card and handed it to him. “If you change your mind, don’t hesitate to call me.” The man tipped his hat and walked away.
Caitlin kept her gaze on him. Something about him made her want to grab Trevor and move as far away as possible. Like to Siberia.
Yeah, this guy bugs Caitlin, but could he be the opportunity they’ve been waiting for? Will he buy the chair that worries her so–lovely as the artwork is? Find out in The Artist’s Inheritance, available at Amazon and Smashwords!
I hope you found this sample intriguing. For more Sweet Saturday Sample offerings, visit the Sweet Saturday Samples home.
So did y’all have a good Halloween? I hope so. Before I forget and squirrel away all the goodies and go out-a hunting for my own treats tonight, my minion has reminded me she had to announce the winner of her Romance Girls Gone Goblin blog hop giveaway entry. (Why is she laughing at me about the going out hunting thing? *sigh* Minions! What is in that bloody training guide these days?) At any rate, she says she’s pulled the rabbit–erm, name–out of the hat picked in order of the comments, via this newfangled random.org thin… and… drum roll please… the winner of the Wytch of the North momento mori essential oil is ….
*throws confetti*
So Cyndi, do drop I–or that is my minion to whom I assign menial labor–will get in touch with you for your details. And congratulations, my dear. 
Now, we’re off to hunt…
What? *eyes minion suspiciously*
What is this business about a sandman? Who said anything about a… *looks to heavens for patience* Fine. You stay here, dear and guard the castle. Meanwhile, folks, we wish you all have a happy Halloween too!
Romance Girls Gone Goblin Hop
What’s Your ParaNormal?
by J.D. Revezzo
Interest in the paranormal goes back centuries, the Egyptians had “words of power” to keep away the restless, vengeful spirits of the dead, and cure the sicknesses they might cause; Greek poets and playwrights included shades from Hades’ various regions in their works. Hamlet’s father in Shakespeare’s 16th century masterpiece Hamlet came to entreat his son to revenge. The rise of Spiritualism in the 19th century with the Fox Sisters, continued man’s long search for a way to keep in contact with both sides of the veil.
Though the Age of Enlightenment tried to squelch such interest, one needs only to look at the paranormal lilt of the stories and poetry of writers such as M.R. James, Edgar Allan Poe, and Christina Rossetti, to see the attempt proved unsuccessful. Interest in the paranormal didn’t limit itself to stories; no. European and American spiritualist mediums summoned the spirits of the dead to popular séances attended by hundreds of curious onlookers and believers. Tarot reading, crystal balls, table tipping, automatic writing, and ghostly voices speaking through mediums, all these became a familiar event in parlors the world over. Ghost photography, as well, became a fervent pastime in the 1860s.
Even famed entertainer and magician Harry Houdini (who, *cue spooky music* died On October 31, 1926) thought there might be something to the events. He’s said to have made a pact with his wife to contact her through a medium, should something happen to him.
In the 1970s and ‘80s, these things gained interest again, with spiritualist temples, and psychic mediums expounding on the veil, taking up space on bookstore shelves along with the Bible and UFO abduction accounts. Even Ghostbusters became famous.
And then, there’s the pyramids—you know, the Curse of the Mummy’s Tomb and so forth? *shivers*
Today, the interest flows again. One can see it in the continued popular of the Paranormal Activity franchise, and in shows like Ghost Hunters, Ghost Adventures, and the semi-fictional(?) Ghost Whisperer. The massive success of the Urban Fantasy, Paranormal YA like Kelly Armstrong‘s Darkest Powers series, and Paranormal Romance genres prove there’s a curiosity to be filled. In terms of Paranormal
romance, well, I don’t have to tell our female guests this, but werewolves, vampires and vampire hunters can be *ahem* deadly sexy.
From a spiritual standpoint, on Samhain, some modern Wiccans lay “dumb suppers”, extra places set at the dinner table for their beloved dead, just like the Celts who paid homage to the spirits of their dear departed at this time of year.
What do you think about all this? I know what I think of it, and somehow it always seems to tie into my works. Not two but several of my recent manuscripts, and a work in progress have something paranormal involved, ghosts at least. My forthcoming stories “What Sekhmet Keeps” and “Bicycle Requiem”(June 2012) also involve various paranormal elements, a current WIP even includes a form of automatic writing.
So, in the spirit of Samhain—or Halloween—I have a question for you, what’s your favorite flavor of the paranormal?
Leave a meaningful comment or question (Spammers, you will be toasted by our resident Firedrakes and dragons—not chosen 
) and around the 31st, I’ll pick one of you for a treat: My friends at Wytch of the North have this lovely little essential oil Momento Mori, perfect for remembering our loved ones who’ve passed on, and I shall have them send it to the chosen winner.
Meanwhile, don’t forget to visit the other ladies involved in the Romance Girls Gone Goblin hop by going to the main site here–and have a great Halloween!
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Sources:
Ghosts in Ancient Egyptian Culture
The Encyclopedia of Greek Mythology
Harry Houdini, His Life and His Art
History of Ghost Photography
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(Legalese silliness: My apologies to my Canadian friends but contests only open to US residents, and void where prohibited by law.
No extra entries necessary other than, of course, to leave a comment on the appropriate contest entry for that time period.
Full site giveaway disclaimers here)
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Ghost Poser in picture above by Posers ©by Angi
