I hope you have a spooky but safe Halloween!

I’m blogging about ghosts over at The Bradford Bunch today. With Halloween looming tomorrow, I just had to write about my favorite childhood ghost story (good old Bloody Bones). If you get a chance, drop by and share your favorite ghost story with me!

I finished my copy-edits for HOTTER AFTER MIDNIGHT (woo-hoo!) and happily took my package to the local Fed-Ex today. The place was deserted and the clerk was nice and chatty (I love that). My manuscript weighed in at 4.75 pounds–not too shabby.

All was going well until the clerk asked me if I wanted to insure the package. Now, I’ve already mentioned that the place was deserted, so, since no impatient folks were tapping their feet behind me, I decided to find out just how this whole “shipping insurance” thing works.

Keep in mind…this is the copy-edited version of my manuscript. A copy-editor has already spent hours pouring over it and making marks in red pencil. I’ve spent hours reviewing said marks.

Back to my story…So anyway, I asked the clerk just how much the manuscript would be worth, if it happened to become lost. He leaned over the counter (not that anyone else was gonna overhear) and told me, “They’ll pay you for the paper.”

Uh, the paper? Not for my hours of lost labor? Not for the copy-editor’s lost labor? Just the pages? What is that–like five bucks? Jeez.

So, now I’m desperately hoping that I never lose a manuscript–because those pages are so worth more than five dollars to me.

A RED HOT NEW YEAR received 4 1/2 stars from the Romantic Times! And, SECRETS, VOLUME 21: PRIMAL HEAT received 4 stars!

Here’s an excerpt from the review of A RED HOT NEW YEAR (big thanks to Lauren for passing this along):

“Each author brings something different to this intensely satisfying anthology — werewolves, dragons and more. Fully formed characters, hot and spicy erotica and strong writing make this one for your keeper shelf!”

 And here’s a little teaser from the review of SECRETS, VOLUME 21: PRIMAL HEAT:

“This perfect blend of story, romance and sizzling sensuality has hot alpha heroes and ladies who can hold their own with them. These stories will keep readers warm on a cold winter night.”

Winter is coming, you know–it’s right around the corner. You’d better grab up the book so you can stay warm! 🙂

So, while I was trying to search for a nearby haunted house (not the truly spirit-possessed, just the fun-for-frights kind), I found this cool link. The site even has a link to my often-mentioned Cry Baby Bridge. For those not in the mood to click, here is what it says about the bridge: “Under this bridge, many years ago, a small baby drowned. It is said that the cries of the baby may be heard at times, and if baby powder is sprinkled on the bridge, footprints of a small child may be seen.”

Guess who is thinking about getting some baby powder and driving out to that bridge on Halloween?

Now, seriously, I’ve been on the bridge dozens of times. During the day, at night–and I’ve never heard the child’s cry. Does that mean that other folks haven’t heard it? Well, who am I to say what others have or have not heard? Either way, the tale makes for a good ghost story–and I love a good haunting.