Welcome everyone; I’ll be your host for today… I’ve got lots of treats to give away, haunted porch pictures, and a spooky short story to share, so pull up a chair and get comfortable… J
I’m excited to participate in the Coffin Hop just in time for Halloween!
the gory details:
1) HAVE A SPOOKY FUN TIME!
2) INVITE YOUR FRIENDS AND SPREAD THE WORD!
3) THIS TOUR STARTS: Monday, October 24, 2011 at Midnight (PST)
THIS TOUR ENDS: Monday, October 31, 2011 at Midnight (PST)
Winners will be drawn and posted November 1, 2011
4) MEET AND MINGLE WITH THE AUTHORS! EXPERIENCE A NEW DESTINATION AT EVERY STOP! PARTICIPATE IN EVERY SITE’S CONTEST AND BE ENTERED FOR CHANCES TO WIN MULTIPLE PRIZES! EVERY BLOG VISITED IS ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO WIN!
5) PARTICIPATION AT ALL SITES IS RECOMMENDED, BUT NOT REQUIRED. THE MORE SITES YOU HOP, THE BETTER YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING PRIZES.
6) DID I MENTION TO HAVE A SPOOKY FUN TIME?
***Authors have full discretion to choose an alternate winner in the event any winner fails to claim their prize(s) within 72 hours of their name being posted or after notification of win, whichever comes first. Anyone who participates in this tour is subject to these rules***
I got my start as a writer writing horror short stories, and I still enjoy reading and writing in the genre. It’s so fun to read and feel your hair starting to stand on end as the story starts to unfold before you. And Halloween inspires shivers like no other!
As you can guess, this is my favorite time of the year. I love the weather, the costumes, and the chills… It’s a blog tradition for me to share my annual Haunted Porch, so I’m proud to share a few pics from this year’s spooktacular trick-or-treat venue… My haunted porch… LOL
So now that we’re in a festive spooky mood… How about a creepy short story? Hope you enjoy Keepsakes…
Keepsakes – By Lisa Kessler
Descending the shallow cement steps, Margie watched the light pass away into shadows. The fresh air mutated into the stale, stagnant fragrance of the basement. Her basement.
When her feet steadied on the concrete floor, she moved through the dimly lit cavern, and carefully removed a wall panel behind the furnace.
Her heart leapt as her fingers brushed over her most secret keepsakes.
Her guilty pleasure.
His bones were cool to the touch, and so very smooth. Gingerly, she slid the femur out of its tomb and into the light. She puffed air down the length of it, clearing away any invisible dust mites before placing a tender kiss against the milky white surface.
“I miss you,” she whispered.
And she did. Ever since that night fifteen years before, she’d never been unfaithful to him. How could she? No other man could ever take his place. She loved him with a passion too great to control, and a fervor that demanded his constant attention.
Attention he showered on that whore he worked with.
She shook her head, fighting to suppress the painful memory. But it was too late. The cheap filthy tramp’s image filled her mind. The way she sat up on the kitchen counter, her head tilted back, her back arched, offering her naked breasts to him. He’d been feasting on her when Margie walked in.
She had sensed something going on with him at work, but she hadn’t found any proof.
Seeing them half naked in her kitchen was proof enough for Margie.
She smiled remembering the stunned looks on their faces when she pointed the gun at them. With a tug of the trigger, the whore’s blood and gore splattered all over Margie’s beautiful white cabinets, shocking her with the mess.
She would have stopped there. She wanted to stop, but he kept screaming at her that she was insane. Couldn’t he see that she loved him?
She did it for them.
He tried to wrestle the gun away from her, but a loud pop led to a deafening silence as he slid down onto the floor. She’d collapsed into the growing pool of his blood and cradled his head in her lap. His mouth opened several times, struggling to form words, but only gurgling sounds escaped his lips.
“I love you too, Brian,” she cooed as the life faded from his eyes.
She knew then that he understood. It was the whore’s fault. None of this would have happened if she hadn’t cast a spell over Margie’s man.
It took all night to clean up the mess and dispose of the body. She was forced to divide the whore’s remains for easier transportation, and over the next few days she dug holes, buried the body parts, and placed new tree saplings over each one.
The bitch made great fertilizer.
But Brian had been a different story.
Passion had driven her to kill, but love had demanded her to keep. Now they could be together forever.
Margie reached inside the wall space and withdrew his skull. Her fingers slid down the perfect arch of his cranium as she slowly kissed him, imagining his warm soft lips against hers.
“I love you, Brian,” she whispered. “I’ll always love you.”
THE END
Thanks for stopping by my Halloween blog!!!
I have treats (aka Prizes) to give away to lucky commenters! (Also if you already follow me, you still get extra chances, just let me know you’re already a subscriber, etc.)
Coffin Blog Hop CONTEST: (You don’t have to do all of these to play! Just extra ways to collect treats! J )
1) Leave me a question or a comment here at my blog below. Please also leave your email address so I can notify you in case you are a winner!
2) Earn +2 extra chances to win by Subscribing to my Blog…
3) Click on my Twitter link and follow me at: http://twitter.com/LdyDisney– You guessed it +2 more chances!!!
4) If you have a Goodreads account, add me as a friend at: http://www.goodreads.com/lisakessler and/or add Night Walker to your to-read list http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11557788-night-walker
5) Sign up for my newsletter and get +5 entries! http://lisa-kessler.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=021315e00577de12b41994e33&id=d2d2bcb9d2
6) Follow me on Tumblr –http://LisaKessler.tumblr.com– +2 more chances!!!
7) This won’t get you any entries because Facebook is mean about contests now, but you can find me and like me here anyway if you choose to! http://facebook.com/LisaKesslerWriter and http://facebook.com/NightSeries
TREATS FOR THIS CONTEST:
-
First Prize: A signed copy of the Dead Souls Anthology trade paperback which includes my vampire stories, Immortal Beloved & Subito Piano. Immortal Beloved was a finalist for a Bram Stoker award.
-
Second Prize: A signed Night Walker poster
-
Third Prize: Silver Bullet mints (Proven Werewolf Protection! LOL) and a signed set of Night Walker trading cards.
-
Fourth Prize:
(5 Winners) – Signed set of Night Walker trading cards and Promo Postcards!
Thanks for celebrating Halloween with me! I hope you’ll Hop on over to another Spooky blog next! J
http://www.coffinhop.blogspot.com/
Margie is a psycho!!! Ahhh. Dang, I’m so glad it was a short story. Otherwise, you would have given me nightmares Lisa!! Lol. Vivid much? You’re amazing.
Subscribed as you know 😉
Twitter follower as you know 🙂
Goodreads fan/friend as you know 😉
Newsletter subscriber as you know 😉
You have a tumblr now? Bummer, I’ll be missing that one lol.
Facebook – I have all your facebook accounts (I think) haha.
Hmm.. Can I enter for the second prize and third prize instead? Haha
Good story! xD
“The bitch made great fertilizer.” LOL.
email: queen.jade09@hotmail.com
1) I am subscribed
2) In twitter too ( username: aliraluna1)
3) In goodreads( username: aliraluna)
4) Newsletter too ;D
Halloween is coming!!!!!
Awesome. Thanks for this, Lisa.
A stalk you all over facebook, twitter, goodreads…so count me in. 🙂
lynnrush (at) cox (dot) net.
Those mints are wacky. I like the costume. Did you watch Once Upon a Time last night?
Hi Lisa! I love this! Beautiful, creepy pictures and beautiful, creepy story as well! The vision of her taking out his bones! Eeks!
I’m a blog, twitter, and goodreads follower. 🙂
Happy Halloween, Lisa!
Julie
julie.jansen(at)yahoo(dot)com
The short story was great! To the point and very detailed.
Saph
saphsbookblog at gmail dot com
I’m glad it was a short story also. Maggie has some issues. lol But I loved it. 🙂
Great prizes.
Subscribed-Carol Luciano
Goodreads as Carol Luciano
Newsletter–Lucky4750@aol.com
Carol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com
Gore always looks best on white furniture. 🙂
I follow you on Twitter and the blog. I just added you on Goodreads (Jason Darrick).
Hate mail can be sent to fear.in.words@me.com
Great post and wonderful prizes! I have done ALL the requested tasks except Tumbler! Cheers!
C.W.LaSart@hotmail.com
Seriously? Werewolf mints? I love! Plus, I’m hungry for some new reading material, so here’s hoping I get lucky.
Cheers.
Awesome Post! loved the pic’s and the short story. The werewolf mints LOL I love it! I subscribed.. er.. followed to all of the above..well except Tumblr which I just don’t do. TY for the giveaway chance! DeAnna
sacredmoon1(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks for the creepy short story! Yikes, inside the mind of a murderess.
For the extras: I already ‘like’ your FB page even though they won’t let this contest participate there.
I am a fan already, but sent a friend request in Goodreads.
I already get your newsletter and follow this page.
Thanks for the contest opportunity!
sundee94@comcast.net
Your porch is scaring me. 😀
What a wonderfully wicked story! I loved it.
Creepy little story there. Love certainly does strange things to people, doesn’t it? Love the pics of your porch.
Happy spookfest, Lisa, evil queen. Mawhah haa………..
I have a book due to the publisher THIS Saturday…. just in time to celebrate the spookies!
xo
Linda
http://www.lindathomas-sundstrom.com
ok, followed, twittered, newsletter, goodread-ed, facebooked…and Loved your post! Great story, fantastic pictures. Glad we connected!
Cheers, Ash
Kraftmatic Adjustable Blog
http://ash-krafton.livejournal.com
Happy spookfest, Lisa! Mwahaha haaaa……
I have a book due to my publisher this Saturday… just in time for the sookies!
(If this is a repeat message, it’s cuz I don’t see the first one, posted ten seconds ago……
xo
Linda
http://www.lindathomas-sundstrom(dot) com
I LOVED both Nightwalker and Across the Veil. You are one of my favorite authors…
Ok…
I’m already a subscriber.
AND I’m already a Twitter followers
AND I’m already a Goodreads Fan AND Friend.
AND I already subscribe to your Newsletter.
Newsletter subscriber as you know.
I’m already a Facebook friend too…
Thanks, Lisa, for the wonderful tales you write for us!
That was a great short story. Your Halloween porch looks awesome! Wonderful prizes! Thanks for the giveaway.
Sue B
katsrus(at)gmail(dot)com
Subscribed to blog
Twitter follower (katsrus2003)
Goodreads Fan & Friend (sue brandes)
Newsletter subscriber
Facebook (sue brandes)
wow im good read
and put the book on my wish list
and then blog on twitter and face book
and my name is twitter desitheblonde
desitheblonde2msn.com
l love the porch and the costume you got
Fun! You just might be as deranged as me. Time will tell. rachellereese at starband dot net
Hey Lisa! Lovely blog. Total hardcore for Halloween, LdyDisney 😉 Glad I remembered your Cruella DeVille icon on Twitter & reconnected! I’m just swinging by to say Hallo!
/Rebecca #42
Hi Lisa! Great story…fun pics! Love your porch…bet it’s great even undecorated! Happy Halloween!
I already follow/subscribe to your blog/newsletter
‘like’ your FB pgs
barbbattaglia@yahoo.com
Hi, Lisa. Great short! I loved “Keepsakes”!
I had already been following you in a few places, but now am stalking you further. *grins*. I suck at math, but think my number should be in the neighborhood of 11. Enjoy the hop!
rapture22@hotmail.com
-Jimmy
Hello,
New person here. I love the porch decorations & spooky story. Please enter me in your contest,
I signed up for your newsletter
Followed on twitter Bonn1511
Signed up for your newsletter
Followed and liked your page on goodreads & added your book .
Thanks so much
Bonnie
Bonn1511(at)aol(dot)com
This is such an awesome and generous giveaway!! Thank you Lisa!!!! =)
I’m an email subscriber to the blog.
Added as friend on Goodreads and added Night Walker to my To-read list.
I signed up for newsletter.
I follow both Facebook pages too. =)
Valerie Long
just.val.1974@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/just.val.1974
Jewelry Creations by V.S. Long – https://www.facebook.com/vsl1974
Hi Lisa! I love your post! Happy Halloween!
I subscribed via email.
Followed via Twitter as Intoxedbybooks
Signed up for your newsletter 🙂
Thanks for the AWESOME giveaway!
christina.irelan@gmail.com
How fun! Enjoyed that story. Love the house decorating. I’m just getting over the flu and am spending all week getting our house ready for our party this weekend! Happy Halloween!
Pretty sure I follow you on FB (either pen or reg name)
karaashleydey(at)gmail(dot com)
Brilliant! Interesting guilty pleasure.
Right! I’m following you on twitter, have added you as a friend on Goodreads, and have signed up for your news letter! Am I good or am I good! I think I deserve a treat 😉
Thank you for the giveaway.
Terri M
oklahomamommy0306@gmail.com
I am subscribed
twitter: okmommy0306
fb: mommy0306
goodreads: mommy0306/Terri
And the newsletter.
When I read the part where she took out the skull my face scrunched up. Gory ending. 🙂
Followed in twitter: MinkyPipsie
goodsread put in to-read list: MingYi
Subscribe newsletter
Followed in tumblr
Subscribe to blog too 🙂
deathangel_vampires[at]hotmail[dot]com
Awesome prizes! I’m now following your blog!
J.C.
Coffin Hopper
Read my Coffin Hop post HERE
haha, Lisa, it’s been a long time. and you never disappoint. fun story and great pics of your front porch.
big hugs
val
Love the post and the short story!
Subscribed to blog
Followed on Twitter @AprilRDenton
Followed on Tumblr (Poetry and Zombies)
Added you on Goodreads
aprilrdenton@hotmail.com
I would be happy to enter the contest. I would also be happy to tell you how much I enjoyed the story. That was pretty good.
The coffin hop has been great. It exposes us to so many talented writers.
leonard.white (at) gmail (dot) com
Hi Lisa,
You are amazing! Great story. Glad it wasn’t longer. (I might have had nightmares :})
I already follow/subscribe to your blog/newsletter
‘like’ your FB pg and Goodreads page. Friend on both.
Thanks again for the chance to win. Maybe this time I really will win. LOL
reneebennett35 at yahoo dot com
Great short story.
I subscribed to your blog.
followed you on Twitter
Followed you on tumbler
Added myself to your newsletter
Added you on Goodreads
and liked your page on FB 😉
And very spooky porch btw!
my email is zoolinvale@gmail.com
I’m stalking you everywhere:)
hehee:)
“Bitch made great fertilizer” — EPIC line!
Loving the porch 🙂
Subscribed and following and thanks for sharing the story
“The bitch made great fertilizer.” Best. Line, EVER!!!!
I subscribed to your blog.
I followed you on Twitter (lilmamaj81)
Already following you on Goodreads
Added Night Walker to my to-read list
and liked both your pages on FB
Thanks for the chance to win
JenniferSmith.ga (at) gmail (dot) com
Yikes Lisa, Margie has more than one screw loose. I too am glad it was a short story, I shudder to think what she would have gotten up to if given more pages.
Love the werewolf mints. 🙂
Here’s how I total up my chances
1 for commenting
+2 for subscribing to your blog
+1 for friending you on Goodreads
+1 for adding Night Walker to my to-read list
+5 for signing up for your newsletter.
10 total
Thanks for the opportunity to win anything.
Drainbamaged.gyzmo at gmail.com
Hi Lisa! As long as your house doesn’t have anyone jumping out at me then I’d be glad to visit on Halloween for some candy! 😀 I still hate you for making me read that Night Walker excerpt LOL! But very cool house, we never decorate here, I wish to one day 🙁 Anyways, you know I’ve done all of those entries since the beginning of time! I followed you on tumblr, subscribed to your blog, subscribed to your newsletter, following your twitter, and friended you on goodreads! Thanks for the give away! -crosses fingers for Night Walker poster- xD
vampyreprincess109(at)gmail(dot)com
Great Halloween costume. Those werewolf mints would go great with my garlic repelling vampire mints I already have. LOL
Coffin hopping today …
email: nora at norabpeevy dot com
I am envious of your porch! Someday I’ll have a house, and I’ll decorate it just like that. (Well, maybe only at Halloween. 🙂
Happy Halloween! I’ve friended you on Goodreads. Be sure to stop by my site for my Coffin Hop giveaway. Thanks!
Well at least Margie will always have Brain – oops I mean Brian LOL Thank you for the fun story sometimes the imagination gets a kick out of the nutty lady getting her way! I love the decorations and costumes – you are so creative, I will just keep following hoping some of it rubs off on me 🙂 I appreciate the lovely giveaway opportunity and sharing.
Email Subscriber
Twitter follower
Goodreads fan/friend
Newsletter subscriber
Facebook – both pages LOL.
dz59001[at]gmail[dot]com
Happy Halloween, Lisa! Love your decorations and giveaways. The short story was spooky and entertaining. “The bitch made great fertilizer” was a fantastic line! 🙂
Really cool contest – where the heck did you find those werewolf mints??
I’m following you on Twitter and here, and I’ve requested your friendship on GoodReads:)
Happy Halloween:)
prettyprettyproductions (a) yahoo (dot) ca
Those mints are great! Great contest…happy hopping!
Penelope
Hi Happy Holloween and nice to meet you…I adore your porch — really awesome – bet it looks better at night though – you should post some night photos.
I follow on twitter (SandyM1959)
Good reads (Sandy Musick)
blog..sandym1959@gmail.com
Happy Halloween! Thanks for the awesome giveaway! Great pictures! Very Spooky!
subscribed to your blog
follow you on twitter- LuvToRead09
friend on goodreads and added Night Walker to my to-read list- shadow kohler
signed up on newsletter
liked you and night series on fb- shadow kohler
shadowluvs2read(at)aol(dot)com