10/21-10/23 only .99 on
AMAZON
I’ve been so wound up about seeing Shattered into the world that I almost forgot my favorite holiday was fast approaching. This is the month when pumpkins rule and ghost stories are at their best. I’m a kid again when October arrives, and I have to control myself when I’m near a costume shop or a candy counter. I’ve been known to buy a lot of each this time of year.
This picture was taken several years ago, and I still love pulling it out in October and remembering the story behind it. My husband had just carved this Jack-O-Lantern and placed it on the deck railing. I was about to snap a picture of his clever work, when our holiday-appropriate cat (Champ had a beautiful sleek black coat) jumped up to take a close look. I captured this moment quite by accident, and I’ve always treasured it.
I think I love this holiday because it’s one without any expectations. You can have a party, but you don’t have to. You can wear some crazy garb, or you can just enjoy the others. A lot of small, friendly visitors knock at your door after dark, and if you’re energetic you can whip up some Halloween treats and test them to be sure they’re going to be tasty.
So yes, I’m a Halloween devotee. And I’m sure that’s why I wrote Alligators Overhead and the other two books in the Pete and Weasel series. I loved conjuring up haunted mansions and ghosts. I enjoyed giving myself the creeps while prowling the swamp. I relished leaving behind the real world of taxes, political upheaval, and the daily grind of “what’s for dinner” in exchange for weaving the impossible into a story that-for a while-took me into it.
I’m stacking a little bit of promo this month for Alligators Overhead to celebrate this holiday. The .99 offer is a part of that, and I’ll keep that price until 10/23 12 AM. Then because I’ll need to replenish my Trick or Treat candy supplies, the price will go to $2.99 until 10/27 12 AM. After that, I’m raking in the big bucks. It’ll be $4.99 to find out what Pete and Weasel are up to.
If you’ve read to the bitter end of this post, congratulations on your endurance, and thank you. It’s a bit of a ramble, but I needed a break from writing ad copy. Be well. Be kind to yourself and those you meet. And don’t over-indulge in chocolate like this writer is bound to do.
I love that witch cake! How fun! And those eyeballs! Halloween is a fun season to get into. Yay for Pete and Weasel! 🙂
Your husband was quite the pumpkin carver! I haven’t carved one in a dozen years, not since my daughter grew out of that phase. Nice costume. I should dig out my first trick-or-treat story, where I ran into three witches. Don’t cut your tongue on those nails as you lick the chocolate.
Your husband was quite the pumpkin carver! I haven’t carved one in a dozen years, not since my daughter grew out of that phase. Nice costume. I should dig out my first trick-or-treat story, where I ran into three witches. Don’t cut your tongue on those nails as you lick off the chocolate.
🙂 I’m out of that phase, too, but I miss that goopy chore. Yes, let’s see your trick-or-treat story. I love witches. Well, you saw those dangerous green nails!
Fabulous Halloween photo! 👌 That Jack-O-Lantern is a piece of art, and your spooky treats look frightful - in a good way. 🙂 Your books sound interesting. I wish you much success there and will add them to the list in Goodreads. Happy Halloween!
Hi, Debbie.
Thanks for the visit and for the great contribution to this month’s WEP. I enjoyed reading it.
Appreciate your adding Shattered to your Goodreads TBR list!
Hi Lee - brilliant Halloween photo - a great snap! Me too love black cats - mine had a black and white boy … he really was my favourite! Going over to Shattered now … and yes Halloween is superseding Guy Fawkes and Bonfire Night - or just adding to parents’ expenses in end October/November. Love the thought of your home-made horror desserts/snack … they look very good. Cheers Hilary
Aren’t those black cats special? I love them. I’ve always wanted to be in GB during Guy Fawkes day and celebrate it there. I didn’t know there was a Bonfire Night as well. I’ll look it up. October celebrations intrigue me because of their history.
Hi Lee - it’s one and the same … in England/Britain it’s associated with the failure of Guy Fawkes - saving us from the Gunpowder Plot 1605. Lewes, our county town of Sussex, has the most amazing ‘celebrations’ including the commemoration of 17 Protestant martyrs burnt at the stake between 1555 and 1557.
Seven Bonfire Societies participate in the Sussex Bonfire tradition … through the tiny streets of the county town of Lewes. The history is quite involved! Each year the Societies select effigies of a public figure to burn in their bonfire. After the barrels of tar being rolled through the streets - each society’s supporters go off to the outskirts to light their own bonfires! I’ve been once - but do not like crowds … so that’s enough. Cheers - Hilary
I’m with you on crowds. I avoided them even before Covid descended. Thanks for the explanation of the bonfire tradition. Gory beginning, but now a chance for revelry.
Oh what fun! I enjoyed the witchy picture, the eyeballs and Alligators;)
You’d think I belong to a coven. I don’t, but I secretly would like to.
Happy Halloween!
Thanks. Hope you have a great one, too.
I think it’s the cutest that you love Halloween, Cheryl-Lee. The photos are wonderful, especially that magical photo you took of the cat with the pumpkin.
I can’t wait to don my pointy hat!
Yes, October is quite fun. I’ll have to check out your book.
And your image is masked, so you’re always ready for this holiday!
I made it to the bottom quite painlessly and added Shattered to my Goodreads list. I added it to my personal must-read list too. It sounds like an amazing story.
You do have stamina! Thanks for reading to the end and thanks for helping me with my TBR numbers.
LOVE the pic of your cat and the pumpkin - couldn’t be more perfect.
Pete and Weasel are perfect for celebrating the season!
Off to add Shattered…
I miss having a black cat. Well, I miss having any cat, but right now I’m not taking on any more responsibilities. Maybe by next year. Thanks for the help on Goodreads!
Hi, Cheryl-Lee!
Fear not, dear friend. I have no intention of over-indulging in chocolate. However I just consumed a 50-pound bag of candy corn. 🙂 That plate covered with eyeballs is quite a sight. 🙂 The more I focus on them, the more they focus on me, and I swear their gaze follows me around the room. 🙂 I never before saw a witch cake. I admire you, the icing artist, for rendering a traditional witch rather than a modernized, whimsical caricature. The image of a traditional witch actually frightens me, but I enjoy being scared.
I’m saving the best for last: “Our Jack-O-Lantern Inspector.” A more stunning Halloween composition would be hard to find. The memories surrounding it are made sweeter by the fact that it was one of those “happy little accidents” as landscape artist Bob Ross would say. At the last second, your black kitty Champ came snooping around, curious as a cat, positioned himself perfectly within the frame and adopted an ideal pose. Moreover, the Jack-O-Lantern was the creative work of your late husband, all the more reason why it is a picture to cherish. I dare say it is more powerful than if he himself had posed before your camera.
I wish you great success with Shattered and with your Alligators Overhead Halloween promotion.
Thanks for visiting me today, dear friend Cheryl-Lee. Enjoy the rest of your week!
Such a wonderful comment, Shady. It was lovely to read as always. You are most eloquent and I’m honored that you share your words here on my blog. You always make my day.
I am a big time lover of black cats. And Champ looks like a stellar example.
Definitely a photo to treasure.
We really don’t do Halloween here. Big business is pushing it on us but so far we haven’t succumbed.
And hooray for licking the spoon. Cook’s privilege.
It seems this holiday has infected GB and Europe. I supposed the economic value has a lot to do with it. For me, it has all kinds of great memories and it’s always fun. Cook’s privilege…absolutely. 🙂
What a precious memory of your husband and one of your favorite holidays. I just added your new book to my Goodreads list. Can’t wait to read it.
Thanks, Natalie. Yes, that picture has many memories. And I appreciate your adding Shattered to your TBR list!
It’s good to see that like all good chefs, you have to sample the mix before baking, just in the interest of science to make sure it’s perfect of course! When I was a kid, my favourite part of mum making a cake, was being able to clean the mixing bowl out afterwards, my brother and I used to fight over it!
Going big for Halloween, is one of those traditions we Brits have imported from the States, although it isn’t a celebration that hubbie and I ever take part in - unless it involves a BBQ, cake or candies of course!
Have Fun 🙂
Licking the spoon was definitely the biggest part of being in the kitchen when baking was happening! It must be an international kid’s delight.
When I was in GB last, I was surprised to see that Halloween had become quite popular. It’s all that candy that makes this holiday dangerous and delightful.
That is a great shot with the cat!
I wish I still had that one. He was special. And, as you can see, inquisitive.