Haunted Blog Tour and Book Giveaway! Back to Blog
Today it is my pleasure to have mega talented author Leanna Renee Hieber at my blog. Leanna is the author of the must-read book (and I sincerely mean that, I LOVE this story), THE STRANGELY BEAUTIFUL TALE OF MISS PERCY PARKER. One lucky commenter will win a copy of this fabulous book. (So lucky!) Leanna, welcome! Thanks for making my blog part of your haunted tour!
***
What fortune awaited sweet, timid Percy Parker at Athens Academy? Considering how few of Queen Victoria’s Londoners knew of it, the great Romanesque fortress was dreadfully imposing, and little could Percy guess what lay inside. She had never met the powerful and mysterious Professor Alexi Rychman, knew nothing of the growing shadow, the Ripper and other supernatural terrors against which his coterie stood guard. She knew simply that she was different, haunted, with her snow-white hair, pearlescent skin and uncanny gifts. But this arched stone doorway offered a portal to a new life, an education far from the convent—and an invitation to an intimate yet dangerous dance at the threshold of life and death….
The Strangely Beautiful Haunted London Blog Tour Day 6!
Thank you Cynthia for hosting me, not only do I love your books, but you’re just a wonderful person and I so appreciate this opportunity to be here!
For those of you just joining us, the purpose of this Haunted tour is to celebrate the release of my Gothic Victorian fantasy debut, The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker, this Tour will introduce you to some of the real, documented London haunts who “ghost-star” in my book. When Professor Alexi Rychman and his Guard of spectral police make their rounds, it is to any number of London phantasms. Since these characters are familiar to The Guard, I don’t get to tell their full story in the book, here I can give them their due. Leave a comment and you’ll be entered to win a signed copy of the novel, first in the Strangely Beautiful series!
Day 6. Today we meet a most tragic ghost, that of Catherine Eddowes, who died in Mitre Square EC3 – September 30th 1888, a victim of “Jack the Ripper”
The original Victorian square known as Mitre Square no longer exists save for the stones. But those stones have a tale to tell. A tale of one of the most infamous and terrible sprees of crime ever reported. At 1:45 in the morning on September 30th, 1888, Catherine Eddowes was the fourth canonical victim of Jack the Ripper. Even though the square is today surrounded my modern buildings and a school, local folklore insists that on the anniversary of her murder, Catherine’s ghostly corpse is seen lying on the very spot where she came to such a terrible death. Not only these real ghosts, but the Ripper crimes continue to haunt us to this day.
Here is how Mitre Square and Ms. Eddowes grim demise factor into The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker:
Alexi loosed a string of curses and spurred his horse down another dark street.
As he rounded the corner of Mitre Square, an incantation died on his lips at the same moment the beast’s next victim did. Surrounded by brick, the small square was now her open, bloody mausoleum. A wispy ghost, a weary young woman confused and wide-eyed peeled upward and into the night sky. There was no sign of her killer.
Alexi murmured a benediction in the spirit’s direction, watching her ascend. He prayed that she would continue upward into what was now a calm haze of silver moonlight, rather than return and be tethered to the unspeakable reality of her mortal remains below. Ruffled skirts and pooling blood from a torn abdomen and something that was now hardly a face remained turned toward him on the ground, and Alexi wondered if the sight would ever leave his mind. He choked back a wail and darted back out the walled block, well aware that there were officers on patrol who would soon find her. Everyone was vigilant these nights, but no one was of any use. Not even him.
But Alexi no longer doubted that he had found the source of Whitechapel’s recent woe.
— (End of Excerpt)
I’m indebted to Richard Jones, founder of the fabulous Discovery Walks of London and author of the fantastic compendium “Haunted London” and “Walking Haunted London” published by Barnes & Noble Books, a main resource for my research. Visit him at www.haunted-london.com. Come visit me at www.leannareneehieber.com to find out more about The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker and follow along on the rest of the Haunted London Blog tour! While you’re at my website, if you’ve bought a copy of Miss Percy Parker already you can answer the pop quiz and enter my CONTEST! If not I sincerely hope you’ll pick up the book and love it as much as I loved writing it! Be sure to comment here to be entered to win a signed copy!
Blessings!
Leanna Renee Hieber
***
Thanks, Leanna!!! Want to win a copy of THE STRANGELY BEAUTIFUL TALE OF MISS PERCY PARKER? Leave Leanna a comment. One commenter (the lucky winner) will be picked after 6 p.m. EST on Sunday. Good luck!!
Tweet It
Another great excerpt! I love following Alexi around every morning to ‘ghost bust’. Much more exciting than my mornings, I assure you:)
The book is wonderful, if anyone hasn’t gotten there copy, leave straight away and get one! 😀
This book looks amazing! I can’t wait to get a chance to read it, which would come quicker if I won it! *hint hint* Unfortunately, buying textbooks for school has pretty much used up any money I had to spend for the next.. year, it seems like. But I will get myself a copy!
Thanks for that great excerpt, Leanna. I’ve heard so many great things about this book, I can’t wait to read it.
Thanks for visiting with us, Leanna!! I love all the info you’re giving on your Haunted Tour, and as for you book–love it!!!
Thanks for the great excerpt! Everybody’s talking about this book right now, I can’t wait to read it!
Good morning my Haunted friends!
*waves*
Hi Marijo! Thank you!
This scene is actually one of my favourites in the book as it forces Alexi to go straight into the heart of Whitechapel, allowing me to show the darker, more helpless side of London, which is important if I’m showing the full range of what we know of the city then. And it allows him to try and do his hero thing, which I love. 🙂
Hey Morning Glow,
Welcome back! I understand the school textbook thing. I’m so glad my book isn’t in hardcover – I’d have such a hard time asking anyone to buy it! Paperback novels are definately an easier thing to try and sell these days. 🙂 But I’ve plenty more chances to win so hang on!
Hi Dara!
I’m so glad. I’m blessed with some great buzz and great reviews, I can definately say it’s a different book and a different offering, blending genres in a way I haven’t exactl seen, so I hope it really strikes a chord with people.
Cynthia,
THANKS for letting me be here! I love your work very much and so I’m really thrilled to bring my tour to you.
Hi Eva!
Yes, I’m thrilled that there’s managed to be a bit of buzz about the book, so I’m just enjoying the ride and really hoping people enjoy it – it’s been such a labour of love for me for so long.
A lot of people are discussing your book. It looks and sounds fascinating. I can’t wait to read it. Thanks for the excerpt. Have a great day.
Leanna, I love finding out the true story behind the story. This sounds like a contradiction, but you’ve brought the ghost alive for me. She seems real. This scene made me feel sad for her. Really great writing. 🙂
This sounds awesome and I am going to get it when I get Cynthia’s new one – hopefully this weekend holds a trip to B and N for me! Love London- adore the Victorian era, too so I know this is gonna be great!
This is such a great post! I love a good ghost story and that these are “real” ghosts are wonderful! Can’t wait to read this book!
Hi Leanna,love the way you’ve combined genres, need to get this one for sure after all I keep reading about it.
I mentioned this at another blog, but every time I see and read things about this book, I just wanted it even more. Leanna, what made you decide to use this time period for your novel? If you don’t mind me asking. ^_^
~ Popin
I’m starting to feel like a stalker Leanna, I’ve been following you your entire blog tour. The blurbs and comments you’ve made thus far make me want this even more. So I’m crossing my fingers and toes that I win.
I’m loving these little ghost stories. thanks so much for sharing them. I’m just at the beginning of the book but I’m loving it!
Leanna! This looks great! I’m new to these blogs, but I’m looking forward to reading your book! I love how your writing style from the excerpt that I’ve read!
I’ve been hearing alot about this one, sounds great!
It’s fun following the tour, reading the excerpts and learning the historical facts. Winning the book would be icing on the cake. Thanks for another opportunity to win a copy.
Great excerpt and I love learning the facts and history behind your book, Leanne.
I especially loved visting the ghost of Catherine Eddowes because I’m a huge Jack the Ripper fan.
Thanks for another chance to win your book!
this looks fabulous thanks
Thanks so much, it’s so great to see fresh faces and familiar ones! Thank you all for being here!
Roberta,
Thank you! Thanks for coming by, I’m very glad you liked the excerpt.
Edie,
That’s a great compliment, thank you!
Sherry,
Oh, I’d be honoured if you’d pick one up alongside Cynthia’s latest – what great company! And Barnes and Noble has been really supportive of me so that’s great!
Sayde,
The ‘real’ ghost aspect made this book so much more fun to write. Characterization really makes a book come to life and here I could pay homage to some spirits who were already characters in their own right and feature their stories, even if just for a moment.
Pam,
Thank you so much about your interest in the combining of genres. I love crossing genres, but that also means the reader will need to trust me and come with me on the journey fully. I dare say I make some bold choices that people either agree or disagree with, but thankfully, for the most part, the elements have been well received.
Hi Popin!
Great to see you again! Thanks for your support! And I certainly don’t mind you asking! This setting, 19th century Victoriana – it’s like ‘home’ to me. I can’t really explain it other than perhaps a past life. The clothing, architecture, music, setting – it all feels so FAMILIAR to me, an echo of a song or faded memory just under the surface of my eyelids. The era calls to me, fascinates me with its triumph and difficulty, it maddens me and engages me like nothing else. I HAD to write in it. I had to find a way to live in it for a little while, and that’s what’s great about writing books, living in other worlds where your soul gets to try out another reality for a bit. I’ve been called to it since childhood, which is an odd sort of obsession to have as a child, but it’s a force that has driven me, rtistically, since I can remember.
Jody!
So great to see you again, and no, don’t feel like a stalker, this is just the sort of thing I want, to have a group come with me, as if I’m leading a walking tour through haunted London! That’s what the wonderful Richard Jones does with his Discovery Walks of London and I’m just trying to create that same sort of feeling on the internet! I’m so glad you’re with me!
Meg
THANK YOU for buying my book!! I hope these little ghost stories can illuminate and enrich the story for you as you go through it!
DeAnne,
I’m glad you’ve found me, welcome! Thank you very much for your kind words about my style. I owe it all to the 19th century novelists I love so much.
Teresa,
I’m glad you’ve caught ‘the buzz’ – glad to have you here!
Hi Cherie,
I’m so glad you’re having fun as we move along through London, I’m certainly having fun playing ‘tour guide!’ Thank you!
Terri,
Oh, me too, when I first took the Ripper walking tour in London I knew I had to write about it. But I knew I had to do it in a way no one else had- and I think I succeeded. 🙂 Thanks!
Mindy,
Thank you, I hope you’ll check it out, I’m glad you dropped in!
I so want to read this book, I have been hearing so much about it and it sounds like a fabulous story. Can’t wait to read it.
There is no blog tour post tomorrow, but I should have a lovely review of my book up over at Magical Musings (www.magicalmusings.com) and then I resume with the Haunted Tour at http://www.thetometraveller.blogspot.com on Sunday.
Full Haunted London Blog Tour schedule on the Haunted London Blog Tour page of http://www.leannareneehieber.com
I’ll be checking back tonight if anyone has more questions.
Hi Leanne! So great to meet you and hear about your book! I’ve been so excited about it since I heard it was coming. I love Gothic romances and this reminds me a bit of that feel I have when reading them! And I love reading historical romances set in London so this has a bit of everything!I love it already. I’d love to be in the contest. Leanne, will you be having more books related to this one? how will the books be related? Congrats again on your release!
I love Cynthia’s blog, you always get to meet new authors. Your book sounds great though I admit I haven’t read any gothic romances. I would certainly like to try one!
I’ve been hearing about this book EVERYWHERE! I’m dying to read it!
Another great excerpt and ghost story. Thanks so much for sharing all this!
Enjoyed your excerpt and what I am learning from your blog tour. Ghost stories are interesting and I love how you have used them in your book.
Great excerpt! I am so looking forward to reading this book!
Thanks for the book, Leanna. I like a lot ghost stories, so I’ll get my copy when it’s released as e-book (I’ve already asked 😉 ) And Cynthia, thanks for the except, too.
Great excerpt!
I think I’m also going to have to track down Richard Jones’s books.
Sounds like a great read – love finding new authors!
WOW great excerpt. I love getting to see new authors (well new to me!).
Thanks for the great excerpt! This book sounds like a really great read.
Sounds like a good book.
Thanks for the giveaway >^..^<
I picked up a book on the true story of Jack the Ripper a while back, but I don’t think I ever finished it. A romance is much more my style. Please include me in your drawing.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(Dot)com
Hi Caffey!
Ooh, I love ghost stories and romances. This book looks fantastic!
Hi Leanna,
Congrats on the new book, I have it added to my birthday gift list. Have a great blog tour. 🙂
Gah!
I’d written and left a long post yesterday, thought it posted, was away from my computer all day and now I see it didn’t post! Eek! Sorry, friends. Let me try again!
Caffey,
To answer your question – thanks for asking! – Yes, the Strangely Beautiful series continues, May 2010. Book II picks up exactly where book one leaves off, with Percy and Alexi still in the main focus as they’ve much to share and discover. Book III is a prequel, Book IV continues with the Rychman familial legacy up to World War I. There’s a possibility of a 5th book starring a secondary character that could provide a nice endcap to the entire story arc of The Guard.
Hi Diane!
I’d absolutely be honoured to introduce you to the Gothic Novel! Welcome!
Chelsea, Donna, Little Lamb,
Thanks for being here and I’m glad you’re enjoying the stories, the real ghost stories really made writing this book so much more fun!
Kimberly, Marisa, Jaqueline,
I’m very pleased the excerpt here was resonant to you, thank you for coming by, connecting and commenting. Jaqueline I really hope you’ll check out Mr. Jones’ books, they’re entertaining and wonderful resources!!
Sarah, Chris,
And I LOVE getting new readers! 😀
Deedles, Alicia,
Thanks and thanks for dropping by!
Renee,
I hear you, I need at least a bit of a love story for me to be compelled by a book, thanks for your interest.
Meg,
Thanks! I hope you like this combination, I certainly liked the elements separately, I really like them put together! 🙂
Ann Marie,
Happy Birthday!!! And thanks!!!
I would love a chance to win! thank you!
Hi, everyone!! It is after 6, so I am here to post the winner…and the winner is: DeAnne!!! Congratulations, DeAnne!!! I will email you soon with prize claim information. 🙂
it’s ok that i am late in responding, i am just her faithful follower