The Next Big Thing Blog Hop

The Next Big Thing ~ Blog Hop 06 March 13~ THE NEXT BIG THING – BLOG HOP

What’s a blog hop? It’s a great way readers can discover new authors! Here, I tell you all about my upcoming novella due to come out this July. You’ll also get links below to other authors I’d like you to check out. I’d like to thank fellow author Lisa Bilbrey for inviting me to participate.

You can find her HERE

In this particular hop I’ve answered 10 questions, giving you a few exclusives and sneak peeks … I hope you enjoy!

1. What’s the title of your book? Haunted Raine

2. Where did the idea come from? My publishing house announced an open call for "beach read" stories for their Summer Heat anthology which will be released this July. The beach is one of my favorite places to go, so I wanted to participate – but I like to think outside the box. Assuming that most of the submissions for this anthology would include tropical islands and fruity umbrella drinks, I asked myself what kind of beach story could I write that would be different. The answer I came up with: ghosts.

3. What genre does your book come under? I'd call this one a YA contemporary paranormal romance. 

4. Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition? Funny you should ask because I have a Pinterest story board for Haunted Raine with selections already made for three of my main characters: Raine, Rick, and Momma Faye.                                                                                            

5. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book? In an attempt to deal with a case of empty-nest syndrome, Rick and Raine Morrissey buy a beach house to flip; what they don't realize is that the house is haunted.

6. Is your book published by an independent publisher? Yes, all of my books are available through Renaissance Romance Publishing (retail links can be found HERE). 

7. How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript? I spent several weeks working on this novella although it is shorter than my last one (Sugar & Spice). I needed to get it just right, and because of the different subject matters I opted to incorporate, more time had to be spent doing research in addition to finding "just the right words."

8. What other books would you compare this story to within your genre? I haven't read them, but I imagine it would be along the lines of R.L.Stine's Goosebumps series... because I've kept it at a YA level, the sensual bits are fade to black, and the spooky parts might make you look over your shoulder, but aren't going to horrify you!

9. Who or what inspired you to write this book? South Carolina has always held a special place in my heart, especially the beaches – I learned to swim at Myrtle Beach and Pawley's Island before I even knew how to walk. So when I knew I wanted to write a haunted beach story, one of the first things I thought of was all the ghost stories I used to read about the state, and I took it from there. 

10. What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest? What started off as a ghost story turned into so much more: it became a story of family, history, and roots. What's more was that I found myself immersed in the Gullah culture so prevalent in the Carolina low-country it wasn't a big leap to find myself adding elements of the Vodun culture as well. I assure you, this isn't your usual sand and sun tale. Here's an unedited excerpt:

The view out of the window was blurred by the haziness of a pre-sunrise fog that I knew would burn off as the day warmed up. Despite the limited visibility I still found my gaze being drawn to a clump of trees off to the left – and a structure. There had been no mention of any outbuildings when we’d bought the property. I became dizzy, and for the briefest moment thought I heard whispering.

Curious, I hurried back to the bedroom to get my shoes on, and then made my way outside, grabbing my purse as an afterthought while I rushed out the front door. Plotting a course toward the back of the lot, my feet carried me forward as my hand dipped into my purse to find my smokes. I came back empty-handed.

Coming to a standstill I dug deeper in my purse, but to no avail. Just as I began to worry that either Rick had found them or they’d somehow fallen out when we were out the night before, a loon cried out in the distance and my head snapped up. Through the haze I could just make out a worn, yellow shack.

Cigarettes forgotten I resumed walking, but the shack never got closer. By the time I reached the area where I could’ve sworn I’d seen it, I was standing in front of a charred foundation. A breeze picked up and the ends of my short ponytail blew across my neck. Wrapping my arms around my middle I shivered, and then gasped when my eyes landed on a red box poking up from between some bricks.

With a shaky hand I leaned over and tugged on it. Marlboros. At the sound of a cackling laugh I turned and ran back toward the house, and the car. There had to be an explanation. Something along the lines of prankster teenagers were using the spot to sneak smokes, and the laugh, well, it was a bird or some other wildlife. My mind was just conjuring craziness because I hadn’t slept well, it was early, and I needed coffee. Lots of coffee.

Hitting the edge of the house, I chanced a glance back over my shoulder and could make out the faint yellowed edges of the shack once again – this time a dark-skinned figure shrouded in white stood off to the side of it. Pain pierced my head.

Once, twice I blinked, and they were gone.

Thank you so much for joining me. I hope you go on to read the authors listed below next Wednesday for their post. Please visit and "like" my Facebook page for additional teasers and updates.

Below are the authors joining me in the Blog Hop, next Wednesday. Do be sure to bookmark their sites and add them to your calendars for updates and New Releases! Happy Writing and Reading!

1. Allan Dubon

2. K.I. Lynn

3. N. Isabelle Blanco

4. Sarah Hart

5. Sapphire Kande

Thanks for stopping by and have a great Wednesday!