No (Real) Spooks Allowed

In this month’s Insecure Writer’s Support Group post over on my blog, the question of the month is, Do you ever include traditions or customs from your real life family into your writing?

My short answer was no. But I gave my main character my grandmother’s maiden name and physical characteristics. This got me to thinking about my character’s ability to see and speak to ghosts. In her world, it’s a normal occurrence. As easy as breathing. 

But the ghosts Indigo Eady encounter are not any scarier than they would have been in life. They carry on with their afterlives how they lived their mortal lives. The problems come when they carry on in the space which is now occupied by the living. 

In my cozy mystery books, the stories come with a sense of humor and fun. My sleuth, Indigo Eady, along with her ghostly sidekick, Franny Bishop, a former Victorian madam of some repute, solve mysteries that no one else can.

What makes cozy mysteries so enjoyable to read are not the plots, though it’s fun to help the sleuths figure out whodunit. It's the characters and their interactions that keep you reading. 

Franny is always trying to find Indigo a man (because she knows men, which she doesn’t hesitate to remind Indigo of at every turn) before her shelf life is up. Indigo thinks Franny is an interfering old ghost. But make no mistake, these two are besties.

Cozy paranormal mysteries are fun. We laugh at the character's antics. We want to join in the investigation. Perhaps sit down and have a chat with a ghost about what’s in the ether, and what they do for fun. 

But in real life?

I’m pretty sure I’d head for the hills if I ever ran into a real ghost. I believe they exist.

I do believe in spooks. I do believe in spooks. I do! I do! I do! 

The Cowardly Lion, The Wizard of Oz 

I kind of want to see a ghost. In broad daylight. Surrounded by a crowd of people. Holding my husband's hand. 

I don't consider myself a coward...

...but if I saw one in the middle of the night hovering at the foot of my bed, staring at me? Or touching me? You’d hear me screaming from here to the moon.

Have you ever seen a real "live" a ghost?

Would you want to see one? 

Are you afraid of ghosts?

There are more terrifying things that go bump in the night than ghosts. One of those creatures has moved into Chiharo's building. She already has her hands full trying to deal with another phantom, but this monster could be the end of both of them. Can a sweet ghost like Chiharo banish a fiend that's out to eat her soul?

THE GHOST by Christine Rains is the final book in the 13th Floor series. The big release date is in four days. Please enjoy an excerpt and get hooked!

THE GHOST - Chapter 1

“Who's going to die?” Chiharo cupped her hands around her mouth to amplify her voice, but it didn't make a difference.

Only a fool would try a thing a hundred times and expect a different response. Chiharo had been trying the past few years to get Harriet to notice her with no success. But Chiharo had to know who Harriet's foretelling was about. Besides, the circumstances were always different. Maybe a little more electricity in the air or an alignment of the planets. One day, Harriet might hear her.

Chiharo shouted her question again as Harriet got ready to go out. The only response was the tabby cat Elli's soft growl. “You know, if you were any kind of familiar, you'd tell Harriet I need to talk to her.”

Chiharo's mother had taught her to not take any guff from animals. They needed to know who was in charge. Her mother had been dead for twenty years, but Chiharo still heeded her wise words. Still, the cats ruled here.

Harriet tripped over the other cat as she walked down the hall. She didn't cry out or groan, but picked herself up and bid a fond good-bye to the felines as she slipped out the apartment door.

From the bedroom, Chiharo sighed and shook her head. “You know you're lucky to have her. She's too good to you.”

Elli hissed, and the big gray tom named Kerr turned his back to both of them. Chiharo rolled her eyes and walked through the wall and into the corridor. She didn't flinch as she had the first few years of ghostdom. Was that even a word? Ghosthood?

Her throat tightened. What she wouldn't give to hear her mom lecture her or just to have someone to talk to. Witches were supposed to see spirits. At least that's what her mother always said. Why couldn't Harriet see her?

Though, maybe Harriet wasn't the type of witch that could see spirits. Chiharo had never seen her preform any magic. Harriet made healing potions and soothing teas. Not exactly exciting witchcraft, but it was obvious Harriet loved what she did as much as she loved singing in the shower.

“Harriet!” Chiharo zipped in front of her, but Harriet didn't slow her steps. Chiharo had tried irritating the cats and moving things, and now it was time for the next trick.

Summoning up her energy, Chiharo pushed the stairwell door and held it open for Harriet. “Hello? I'm here. I know you know you didn't open the door. Why were you screaming in the hall last night? Whose death did you see?”

Chiharo nibbled her lower lip. Stefanie came back wet, muddy, and naked last night. Was the trouble she'd been hiding from going to find her? Xan did dangerous work. Maybe a dragon would finally get him. Or that pretty reporter he stashed away in his apartment.

A squeaky noise brought her attention back. She gasped as Kiral and Harriet stood face to face on the landing.

“Oh my god!” Chiharo's hands fluttered. “This is it, Harriet! He's finally seeing you. Say something!”

* * * * *

 

Please join Christine Rains on THE GHOST blog tour from July 13 - 18. There will be a HUGE giveaway where you can enter to win the entire 13th Floor series.

You can download the first book of the series, THE MARQUIS, free for the Kindle and for all formats on Smashwords.

Mark THE GHOST to read on Goodreads.