Halloween-y Music

 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!  

What do you say we get Halloween-ified? Best way to do that is with creepy, spooky, get-up-and-dance-with-a-ghost MUSIC!

So here’s a list of 18 fun Halloween-y tunes to get you in the monster mood!

1. Superstition by Stevie Wonder

2. Hedwig’s Theme from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone—I play this at Halloween and usually end up with an audience in front of the house, just listening—it’s so cool.

3. Grim Grinning Ghosts from Disney’s Haunted Mansion

4. Monster Mash by Bobby "Boris" Pickett

5. The Headless Horseman by Bing Crosby—See? He’s not just a Christmas crooner! Sigh. I love him. <3

6. Little Red Riding Hood by Sam the Sham

7. The Munsters Theme

8. Who Ya Gonna Call? Ghostbusters Theme

9. Bad Things, by Jace Everett, theme from HBO’s True Blood.

10. Werewolves of London by Warren Zevon

11. Zombie Jamboree by Harry Belafonte

12. The Addams Family Theme—Everybody do the snap!

13. Thriller by Michael Jackson—Oh, Lord, the video for this scared the crud outta me when I was little. Truth be told, it still does. *blushes*

14. Magic Carpet Ride by Steppenwolf

15. Jump in the Line by Harry Belafonte—Okay, I know it’s not totally a Halloween-y song, but Beetlejuice just always makes me think of Halloween.

Let’s not forget some classic Big Band tunes that fit our Halloween mood, even brewing up a bit of a love spell to unleash on that old October breeze:

16. Witchcraft, by Frank Sinatra

17. Old Black Magic, Sarah Vaughan—there’s a great rendition in the film Simply Irresistible as well.

18. Bewitched, Bothered, & Bewildered, by Ella Fitzgerald—many versions are fantastic, including a more modern take by Katalina, but I do love the classics.

I’d love to hear about your favorite Halloween-y tunes. :) In the meantime, I'll grab a handful of candy corn (translation: I'll eat the whole bag) and listen to some of these classic Halloween tunes.

Author Spotlight: Amber Garr's Bookshelf!

Well, in keeping with my total need to shine the spotlight on fellow Indie authors, I bring you Amber Garr's bookshelf! Here, you'll be able to see her gorgeous book covers, read the summaries for each one, and click the links to buy on Amazon and add to your reading list on Goodreads! Enjoy! 

 Touching Evil, Leila Marx, #1:

Blurb for Touching Evil, Leila Marx #1: With one touch, Leila can see it all. Leila Marx is trying to put her life back together after her fiancé is murdered. When Detective Garrick Pearson enlists her help with a difficult case, she is thankful for the distraction and the opportunity to use her talents as a touch clairvoyant. Leila and Garrick delve into the mystery behind a series of missing teenage girls and mummified corpses while discovering their own growing attraction to each other. Conner Hoffman is an intriguing lawyer and striking half-demon who enters Leila’s life unexpectedly. Although her visions are terrifying, she is fascinated by his charm and his legacy. When it becomes evident that the murders are linked to a paranormal event, Conner introduces Leila to a world unbeknownst to ordinary society. She suddenly finds herself immersed in supernatural politics, sorcery, and danger as she becomes the killer’s next target. Staying alive will mean relying on friends, accepting the unbelievable, and trusting in her heart again.

Snag at Amazon & add to your shelf on Goodreads! 

Promises, Book One of The Syrenka Series: 

Blurb for Promises: Book One of The Syrenka Series. Sometimes following your heart can end up destroying the ones you love. When seventeen-year-old Eviana Dumahl is faced with the responsibility of an arranged marriage and clan leadership, she is forced to choose between the life required of a mermaid and one of a teenage girl simply infatuated with the wrong guy. Kain, her devoted fiancé, would make a wonderful husband except that she’s been in love with Brendan, a shape-shifting selkie, ever since they were kids. Choosing to abandon her family, her clan, and her life with Kain will have dire consequences far beyond anything she could have imagined. A war is brewing amongst the clans and Eviana unwittingly becomes a pawn in the intricate schemes of a twisted mastermind. With Brendan’s life on the line, she has no choice but to involve those she once considered friends. Amidst encountering senseless tragedies and immense loss, Eviana discovers that she is more valuable as a clan leader than anyone ever suspected. Her survival is not only dependent upon the loyalty of her friends, but also on her acceptance of a life she so adamantly tried to escape. Promises is the first book of The Syrenka Series trilogy following Eviana and her friends through the perils of growing up in a discrete world that inherently threatens human society.

Snag at Amazon & add to your shelf on Goodreads!

Betrayal, Book Two of The Syrenka Series: 

Blurb for Betrayal: Book Two of The Syrenka Series. Life as a mermaid can be suffocating. Eviana Dumahl has returned home as a clan leader, an orphan, and a heartbroken teenage girl. Her parents are dead and her boyfriend, Brendan, has decided that he needs some time away. While battling her inner turmoil, Eviana is forced into the war that Lucian Sutherland has incited amongst her own kind. With the help of Kain, her friend and formally betrothed, the two work together to prove that they deserve their birthrights as young merfolk leaders. When the Council requests a demonstration of Eviana’s mermaid powers, she finds herself with an opportunity to win back Brendan’s heart. But her orders to train with a repulsive merman and the presence of an attractive new suitor challenges Eviana to embrace her leadership and resist temptation. Lucian is after her, and no one seems to understand why. Loyalties are tested as the casualties increase, showing Eviana that sometimes it is impossible to delineate between friends and enemies. Betrayal is the second book of The Syrenka Series trilogy following Eviana and her friends as they navigate through the challenges of existing in a secret world.

Snag at Amazon & add to your shelf on Goodreads!

Arise, Book Three of The Syrenka Series: 

Blurb for Arise: Book Three of The Syrenka Series. With power comes the responsibility to accept its consequences. After the betrayal of those closest to her, Eviana Dumahl struggles to cope with her new reality. Kidnapped, broken, and confused, she is forced to engage in a war that will alter merfolk politics forever. With her estranged father leading the charge, Eviana has no choice but to stand by his side. Her continued existence hinges on the acceptance of the power growing inside her, even when that means embracing the family’s dark lineage. Kain Matthew will sacrifice the world for Eviana. And he is not alone. As time runs out, her friends fight to save her life and theirs. An unlikely alliance gives them the edge they need to take a stand, although it keeps Eviana’s heart trapped in the past. A new discovery explains some of her previous mistakes, but it may not be enough to stop her father’s plans. Merfolk, selkies, and water sprites work together to save their kind, only in this final battle, not everyone will survive. In the striking series conclusion, Eviana will learn the true meaning of power, sacrifice, and love.

Snag at Amazon & add to your shelf on Goodreads!  

Waterproof:

Blurb for Waterproof:  Dying of thirst is the new reality.

Five years after the last drop of clean water disappeared, global societies collapsed and nuclear war shattered all hope of recovery. In a place now only a skeleton of its former self, survivors fight to avoid capture by the government. Forced to work in factories that produce the only drinking water available, those who go in, never come out.

Zach and Vivienne have lived as deserters since they were teenagers. Fighting amongst their own and scrounging for the necessities of life, they’ve learned to rely on each other in every way. Yet when tragedy strikes and the true objectives of the government facility are revealed, their world is ripped apart. A fate once thought to hold their demise may be the sole answer to their survival. Who can they trust? Who can they believe?

In this life, it pays to be waterproof. 

*Disclaimer: May contain language, sex, and violence not suitable for a younger audience

Snag at Amazon & add to your shelf on Goodreads! 

The Syrenka Series box set with bonus short stories: 

NOTE: You can also purchase The Syrenka Series box set (Kindle Edition) PLUS THREE bonus short stories!!! How awesome is that?! 
 
Snag at Amazon & add to your shelf on Goodreads!  

Author Spotlight: Meet Amber Garr

I first met Amber through fellow mer-loving author Susan Fodor's Mermaidapaloosa. When I read her bio, I instantly knew she was all kinds of awesome and totally the type of person you want to be friends with. If you haven't read her bio on Goodreads, take a peek: 

Amber Garr spends her days as a scientist and nights writing about other worlds. Born in Pennsylvania, she lives in Maryland with her husband and their furry kids. Her childhood imaginary friend was a witch, Halloween is sacred, and she is certain that she has a supernatural sense of smell. Amber is a multiple Royal Palm Literary Award winner, author of Waterproof, The Syrenka Series, The Leila Marx Novels, and the upcoming Death Warden Series. When not obsessing over the unknown, she can be found dancing, reading, or enjoying a good movie.

Her imaginary BFF was a witch. Need I say more? 

Who wouldn't want to party with someone whose invisible bestie was a total Hermione (or Luna...or Ginny)? 

Follow Amber on Twitter.
Definitely 'Like' her Facebook Page.
And visit her blog.  
Ooh, and become a fan on Goodreads

Enter the Haunt-y Hootenanny Giveaway for your chance to win TWO books by Amber Garr, along with a ton of super fun swag! 

To read the complete details of all the prizes as well as the terms and conditions (the same listed in the terms and conditions section of the Rafflecopter giveaway), please click here.

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Author Spotlight: Amber Garr Brings the Spooky!

I'm THRILLED to have author Amber Garr here for some spooktastic fun today...and believe me, she has delivered. Get ready. 

Oh, and, by the way...the following story is based on actual events. 

A Ghost Story

Amber Garr

Jessica didn’t believe in ghosts.

That’s why the cemetery across the street from her home never bothered her like it did her friends. The old, gray stones and worn brick wall added an ambiance of serenity, not fear. Jessica long enjoyed her quiet walks through the oaks, past the old graves and new. She’d avoid the wakes and memorial celebrations, opting instead to visit at dusk when most were too superstitious to venture past the gate.

Jessica’s cat loved the cemetery just as much as she did. Not believing he was feline, Buggs allowed her to take him for walks on a leash like a trained puppy. Sure people stared, but Jessica didn’t care. She and Buggs ignored them as they’d weave their way through the gate leading to the peaceful cemetery. It was a regular routine for them. A break from everything.

One evening just before sunset, Jessica fastened the leash to Buggs for their daily walk. Almost Halloween, the cool, crisp autumn air whipped the barren tree branches around like skeletal arms. Orange pumpkins and cartoon decorations adorned homes and businesses. As Jessica’s favorite time of year, she loved how the dead leaves now painted the ground in a canvas of colors. It was the month where everyone could pretend to be something else. It was also the time when not many people risked nighttime walks in the cemetery.

The oldest graves rested on the far side of the property. Large oaks interspersed with crumbling tombstones represented the only remnants of a time long passed. No one left flowers or wreaths on these graves, and Jessica suspected it was due to the lack of living relatives instead of human disregard. The setting sun cast beams of light through the desolate oaks creating eerie shadows that seemed to ebb and flow around the headstones. Jessica and Buggs were alone, and she reveled in the peace.

Looping around the graveyard, the two stopped at the center where a veteran’s memorial had been erected after World War I. Decorated with the names of local fallen heroes, Jessica tried to step closer to appreciate the monument. But the slight tug on the leash pulled her attention away and forced her to look down at her cat. Buggs, ears flattened and back hunched, stared intently at the closest bench, refusing to move. The small growl rumbling deep in his chest sent chills down her neck as Jessica realized he might be seeing something she couldn’t.

A sudden, screeching howl pierced the night air as Buggs hissed and spat and leapt so high, only the leash stopped his ascent. He screamed, flared his claws, and twisted his body like a demon possessed his soul. Jessica watched Buggs break free from the leash, jump over the stone wall, and leave the cemetery before she even had a chance to react.

Now standing alone, she wrapped her arms across her chest and shivered. She couldn’t see it, but she knew someone was there, watching her and laughing at what he’d just done to her cat. “That wasn’t very nice,” she scolded the air, hoping to sound strong.

Turning her back on the memorial, she briskly walked down the path leading out of the cemetery, feeling something scrutinizing her the entire way. The chills didn’t subside until she reached her front porch where Buggs sat patiently by the door. She scooped him up in her arms, his eyes wide and heart pounding against his chest. Her heart fluttered too, and with one last glance at the cemetery, she let them both inside.

Um...did anyone else get goosebumps, 'cause I sure as all heck did?! My eyes literally bugged when I read about what happened to Buggs...in a graveyard...with Halloween just around the corner. Yeah. *shivers* 

Click here to scoop up Amber's novels on Amazon!

Connect with Amber on Twitter!

Like her Facebook page!

Visit her on Goodreads and become a fan!

And drop by her blog!   

Don't forget to enter Holidaze Hammock's Haunt-y Hootenanny Giveaway, which includes TWO e-books by Miss Garr: Touching Evil and her newest release, Waterproof!  

To read all about the prize descriptions and contest terms & conditions (also listed in the terms & conditions section of the Rafflecopter giveaway), please click here. 

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Author Spotlight: Katie Hayoz's Bookshelf!

Want to take a peek at Katie's bookshelf? Aw, I thought so! Here we go!

Untethered (YA Paranormal): 

Blurb for Untethered: 

A young adult novel about jealousy, obsession, and astral projection.

Sixteen-year-old Sylvie isn’t comfortable in her own skin. In fact, there are times she can’t even manage to stay inside it. But if there is one thing she’s sure of, it’s her love for Kevin Phillips. She’s willing to stake everything on it -- her family, her friends, and possibly her soul.

Junior year is off to a less than stellar start for Sylvie: Her parents are splitting up, her little brother is sitting at her lunch table, and she’s the target of the school bully. Plus, she accidentally astral projects, slipping out of her body again and again at all the worst times. Sylvie is cast as the class freak and a medical misfit. She wishes she were somewhere else. Someone else. But it's only when her best friend catches the attention of the boy Sylvie's loved in secret since the fifth grade that Sylvie makes up her mind to do something drastic.
Sylvie intends to get Kevin by any means possible -- even if it involves treachery, deceit, and the insidious side of the paranormal. After years of trying to ignore her ability to astral project, Sylvie finally decides to embrace it. But she also decides to embrace the shadows that accompany her on her out-of-body experiences. Opening herself up to the shadows and their evil, Sylvie comes up with a dark plan. She is positive her scheme will give her what she wants, but she doesn’t count on it all spiraling out of control.

Untethered by Katie Hayoz explores the intoxicating and dangerous world of jealousy and obsession when coupled with paranormal ability. It is a touching, sometimes funny, sometimes heart-breaking novel that speaks to the self-doubt lurking in us all. 
 
˃˃˃ Runner up in the Mslexia Children's and YA Novel Competition.

Scoop it up on Amazon (FREE for a limited time!!!) & add it to your shelf on Goodreads! 

Author Spotlight: Meet Katie Hayoz

In addition to being completely tolerant of inner idiots (namely mine), Katie is just downright fun and so friendly. 

Just read her bio:   

Katie grew up in Racine, Wisconsin where she acquired an irreversible nasal twang and an addiction for books with a slightly dark edge. She now lives in Geneva, Switzerland with her husband, two daughters, and a very fuzzy cat. She has been an avid reader of YA fiction for years. While she has a penchant for the paranormal, she devours a range of books -- along with popcorn and black licorice. She consumes all three in large quantities. Luckily, the books don't stay on her hips. 

Devours books, popcorn, and black licorice? Replace the black licorice with copious amounts of soda and we could be almost-twins. Recognizing the benefit of books not sticking to the hips? Um, she's a for-sure almost-twin. Hello, almost-twin! *waves* 

To connect with Katie and share a book and bucket of popcorn: 

Follow her on Twitter
Like her Facebook page
Visit her blog
Drop by Goodreads and add her book & become a fan

Annnnd did I mention her first novel, Untethered, is currently FREE ON AMAZON?! Hop on over and grab a copy: Get Untethered FREE! 


Enter for a chance to win Katie's novel, Untethered, along with books by Susan Fodor, Amber Garr, and me...oh, and lots of extra swag, including a mystery gift from author T.A. Brock! 

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Author Spotlight: Katie Hayoz

Katie Hayoz, author extraordinaire of Untethered, was one of the first fellow Indie authors I ever met on Facebook. Little did she know that she would soon bear witness to one of my classic inner idiot moments. Usually, I just want to slap my inner idiot silly, then swiftly hide under a rock. This time, however, I was grateful for the idiot moment because it allowed me to become friends with a truly incredible person.  

Costume Quiz 
by Katie Hayoz

Every Halloween, I have costume problems. I always end up choosing something I’m super uncomfortable in (who knew zombie cleavage was so hard to rock?) or that doesn’t fit my personality (I am so not Hello Kitty).  So, this year I’ve come up with a personality quiz to avoid the bad decisions and find which costume fits who I really am. 

Take the quiz and find out what you should wear this Halloween.

1.        It’s Friday night and you and some friends decide to get together to watch a movie.  Which one do you vote for?

A.      Saw. With the lights off.

B.      Dracula. The original 1931 black and while film.

C.      Anything Disney.

D.      You don’t care.  You watch your iPad while the others watch the movie.

2.        Bedtime.  What do you wear?

A.      Button down pajamas.  The legs have a crease ironed down the middle.

B.      Red satin with black lace.  You have a matching dressing gown.

C.      White cotton.  Eyelet for the summer, waffle weave for the winter.

D.      You never change for bed.  You fall asleep in front of the computer.

3.       You are in line at the supermarket.  A toddler is howling because he wants cookies and his mom won’t buy them.  You:

A.      Take the knife from the package of plastic cutlery you are buying and tell the kid you’ll cut his tongue out if he doesn’t stop.

B.      You ask the mother if she’s tried absinthe.  For her.  And the kid.

C.      Smile sweetly and pretend you hear nothing.

D.      What?  What kid? You don’t hear him because you’ve got your ear buds in.

4.       You are invited to a pot luck supper.  What do you bring?

A.      Spaghetti in tomato sauce. You joke about it being cat intestines.

B.      Heavy red wine.  You bring your own jeweled goblet.

C.      Cupcakes.  With swirly white frosting and candy hearts.

D.      Nothing. You don’t go because there are people there.

5.       What would you name your pet?

A.      Killer

B.      Lady Aurora

C.      Squiggles

D.      RX24

Now time to find out what you wear.

If you chose mostly A’s:  You like it scary.  Gory.  And rather disturbing. You’re possibly a bit warped.  Your friends move sharp object out of your reach and your neighbors scurry away the moment you approach.  Halloween doesn’t come often enough, in your opinion.You love to scare trick-or-treaters.

Your costume:  A Psycho Serial Killer.  Buy a hockey mask and a plastic ax.  Don’t forget the blood.

If you chose mostly B’s:  Gothic. Steampunk.  You wish you’d been born when women still wore corsets and carried little daggers in their garters. Your wardrobe consists of black, black and black, with a bit of red or purple thrown in.  You already own a pair of fake fangs, just because.  And your jewelry box looks like a hollowed out skull.  Every day is Halloweenfor you.  October is just a bonus.

Your costume: A Steamy Vampire.  Add an extra layer of eyeliner and sharpen those fangs.  You’re good to go.

If you chose mostly C’s:  You adore strawberry tarts and anything with sprinkles.  Your curling iron is your best friend.  Fuzzy pets and boys with long eyelashes rule your world.  Giggling is your favorite pastime.  Halloween?  Sure, you’re game. As long as you can wear lace.

Your costume: It’s Halloween, babe.  Not Valentine’s Day.  So throw out the Little Bow Peep props and go as the Bride of Frankenstein.  Not pretty enough, you say?  Fine.  Then be Dracula’s victim.  Dress in a frilly white nightgown and dot ketchup on your neck.  Who says dead can’t be beautiful?

If you chose mostly D’s:   You’re the one who brings her iPhone to the movies and scrolls through her Twitter feed instead of focusing on the film.  You also text at the dinner table, instagram over drinks and reddit at red lights.  You speak in acronyms.  You always have to ask others to repeat themselves because you’re only half-listening.  Halloween?  For you, a really good scare means the WIFI is out.

Your costume:  Brain dead Zombie.  You’re already one, anyway.  

If you've read FINNED, you know why my answer to the last question was 'Squiggles.' And, um, for the record, I was mostly C's. God, I'm a dorky Pollyanna!!! I need to be a vampire and really ooze the sexiness. Could be interesting...or disastrous.

Seriously. Ya just can't read this and not want to hurry to Amazon and snag Untethered, right? AND, FYI, IT'S FREE!!! But only for a limited time, so scoot on over there and grab yourself a copy!!!  



Here's to making it super easy: Grab Untethered FREE on Amazon right here!

And you'll definitely want to connect with Katie: 

Follow her on Twitter
Like her Facebook page
Check out her blog
Become a fan on Goodreads

Giveaway reminder time! Join the Halloween fun and enter for the chance to win Untethered along with four other books AND cool swag! 

To read all about the prize descriptions and contest terms & conditions (also listed in the terms & conditions section of the Rafflecopter giveaway), please click here. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Author Spotlight: Susan Fodor's Bookshelf!

Susan Fodor's bookshelf already has one brilliant novel on it, and I can't wait to see what's to come! 

Take a peek! 

Silver Tides (Silver Tides Series)

Blurb for Silver Tides:

Mya Belan was invisible. A social misfit tolerated at the popular table only because of her best friend Jaimie… but ignored by everyone at school.

On the night of the big beach party before senior year everything changes. Mya rescues a drowning stranger from the sea and as the amnesiac boy “John” struggles with the after affects of his accident, Mya finds herself drawn to him - first as she nurses him and then as they form an unexpected friendship.

As Mya’s social star rises, so do the mysteries surrounding John. The more time Mya spends with him the more their attraction grows. But John is harbouring secrets that threaten to tear them apart. His flawless features and enchanting charisma hide an unbelievable truth.

Could John’s secrets put Mya and her family in danger?

Hook Silver Tides on Amazon & add to your Goodreads shelf!