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Guess what Sadie is wondering…

Sadie WaitingSadie is anxiously awaiting the release of The Ghost and the Mystery Writer, which goes live July 17. Sadie wonders, Do I have any good parts in this new book? Or do I have to share the spotlight with that stupid cat, Max?

In case you haven’t noticed, I’m an animal lover. When writing my dog and cat characters I tend to rely on real life dogs and cats I’ve known—because like people, each one is unique, while at the same time, share common traits with other members of his or her species.

Both Jake from Coulson’s Secret (written under my Anna J. McIntyre pen name) and Max, from my Haunting Danielle series, are patterned after my own black cat, Spooky. I chose the name Max, for my parent’s beloved black schnauzer. I also gave Max the cat white tipped ears, because in the story, he needed distinguishing markings.

In While Snowbound (also written under my McIntyre pen name) I patterned the Aussie after our own Lady—including the fact Lady is a special needs dog who has always had issues being unable to jump up, and occasionally her legs give out, and she rarely barks, even when someone knocks on the door.

When selecting a dog for the Haunting Danielle series, I felt the golden retriever was the perfect personality for what I was looking for. Goldens I’ve known tend to be loyal, playful, and somewhat goofy. As for her name, I borrowed that from fellow author R.W. Peake, whose beloved lab is named Sadie. I felt the name Sadie fit with my character.

The question now—will Sadie and Max ever bond in the same way my dog and cat have? To be honest, I can’t see them getting all lovey and snugly with each other, as do Lady and Spooky. I suspect they will simply reach an amicable truce and come to some sort of friendship. Perhaps, they already have.

Real life ghost stories, do you have one?

Coming July 17!

One of the more interesting comments I get in Haunting Danielle reviews, is when a reviewer says the stories are realistic. That’s a high compliment for stories many would consider fantasy as opposed to reality.

Of course, many people believe in ghosts. Do you?

Personally, I have never seen a ghost. Yet, I’ve spoken to people who claim to—including one person whom I deeply trust. She doesn’t broadcast her several encounters, fearing others will simply think she is nutty. But, I believe her.

I did have one sorta ghostly encounter—which will explain why the ghosts in my stories, especially those who haven’t mastered harnessing their energy—can usually screw with electricity.

After my father passed away, our family was living at Havasu Palms. Havasu Palms, a resort located on Lake Havasu, consisted of a mobile home park, marina, store, and restaurant. For some thirty years my parents (then just Mom after Dad died) were major shareholders, and for the last almost decade of owning the park, my husband and I were its general managers.

We were living in a mobile home down the road from my parent’s. Dad had recently died, and my mother was visiting my sister in Bishop, California. My husband, kids, and I had just returned from our house in Wrightood, California.

The first thing I did, was check on my parent’s—well technically it was just Mom’s—mobile home, to make sure everything was okay. I did a walk through, and everything was just as we left it.

About an hour or so later, we decided to go back over there—so my husband could sit in the spa and the kids could watch TV.

The minute we walked into my parent’s mobile home, the kids yelled, “Hello Grandpa” and I yelled “Hello Dad.” Yes, we were weird like that. Dad had not been gone long, and we felt compelled to say hello…just in case.

In the next moment—right after we shouted our greeting—the VERY next moment—the hall light (which I had turned on when I went over there earlier) literally exploded, and the clock radio in the master bedroom went off—and the music started to blare. Did I mention, no one ever used that clock radio as an alarm? And no one had been home to set it.

It was a little freaky. But we all laughed, and I asked, “Dad, did you have to break the light?”

Do you have a real life ghost story? If you do, please share it here!

(What does the image have to do with the blog post on ghosts? Nothing really!)

Looking for Real Life Ghost Stories

haunted houseDo you have a real life ghost story?

I spend a lot of time thinking about ghosts. It’s inevitable, considering I’m working on Book 7 in my Haunting Danielle series. While the books of Haunting Danielle are fiction, I know many of you have your own real life ghost story or encounter. Want to share?

I’ve created a page on this site where visitors can share their real life ghost encounter in the comment section. I have a few author friends who tell me they intend to share their stories, and I’m anxiously waiting for them to post.

If you have a real life ghost experience you’d like to share, please click here—and post on the comment section for that page.

All comments have to be approved before they go live. Unfortunately, I receive a ridiculous amount of spam posts, and I have to filter those out before legitimate posts go life.

Now you are wondering, what is the deal with the house picture in this post? I snapped that photo the last time Don and I drove to Bullhead City, when passing through Needles, California. Referred to as the “Green House,” some believe it is haunted. Search Needles Haunted House and a number of articles on Needle’s Green House will pop up.