Maria Savva's Blog - Posts Tagged "13"
Happy New Year!
Just wanted to wish all my followers a very happy 2013.
Thirteen is traditionally thought of as an unlucky number, for example, many people dread Friday 13th as they fear something bad might happen on that day. Did you know that there is an actual phobia called "Triskaidekaphobia", meaning fear of the number 13? I've been having a bit of a read about the number 13, as we've now entered the 13th year of this century, and I've discovered some interesting things.
Oddly enough, More road accidents occur on Friday the 13th than on any other day of the year.
It has been estimated by various sources that U.S. businesses lose millions of dollars because of canceled appointments, absenteeism, etc. on Friday, the 13th.
The ancient Hebrews thought 13 was unlucky because the thirteenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet is the letter M, which is the first letter in the word "mavet," meaning death.
There is a superstition that if 13 people gather, one of them will die within a year. Some French aristocrats would hire themselves out as the fourteenth diner at an event, because it was believed that when thirteen diners sat together, one of them would die. President Franklin D. Roosevelt was quite fearful of the number 13, and he took great pains to avoid hosting a meal for a group of that size.
Scandanavians believed that the number 13 is unlucky due to the mythological 12 demigods being joined by a 13th evil one.
Eerily, 13 turns make a traditional hangman's noose. Anything less would not snap a neck...
A witches coven consists of 13 members.
Streets or housing estates in several countries skip house number 13 as the number is omitted completely.
Hotels will not have a floor 13 and skip from floor 12 to floor 14 due to the universal superstition of bad luck.
Vehicle License plates in the Republic of Ireland are such that the first two digits represent the year of registration of the vehicle (i.e. 11 is a 2011 registered car, 12 is 2012 and so on). The Irish Government last year were considering scraping the number 13 car registrations for cars sold this year, as they feared that it would put people off buying cars. They instead proposed that cars registered between January and the end of June will have a '131' registration. Those from July 1 to the end of the year should have '132' on the plate. I'm not sure whether this proposal finally went ahead, but it was certainly seriously considered.
In a tarot card deck, XIII is the card of Death, usually picturing the Pale horse with its rider.
In Formula One, the number 13 is not used. As such, the numbering goes 11, 12, 14, 15 under the current numbering system.
So, it appears that there is a lot of superstition surrounding the number 13. It's not all bad, though. In some cultures 13 is actually considered to be a lucky number. For example, in Italy. Some people even have 13 tattooed onto them to represent the lucky number. (Although in Campania the expression 'tredici' -- meaning 13 -- is said when one considers their luck to have turned for the worse.)
Several successful sports figures have worn the number 13. For example, basketball great Wilt Chamberlain wore the number 13 on his jersey throughout his NBA career.
In rugby league, each side has 13 players on the field at any given time.
In Judaism, 13 signifies the age at which a boy matures and becomes a Bar Mitzvah.
The number 13 in the Coperos religion (small culture in Brazil) is like a God number. All coperos must know that this number can save humankind.
American country-pop singer-songwriter Taylor Swift was born on December 13. She considers 13 her lucky number due to lucky events happening to her when the number appears (her first album going gold in 13 weeks, being seated at awards shows in the 13th seat, row or section). She also wears the number written on her hand at her concerts so she has it with her everywhere she goes.
So, it appears that people around the world cannot make up their minds about this number. It certainly is a number that has somehow captured people's imaginations.
I hope 2013 will be a lucky year for all of you!
Thirteen is traditionally thought of as an unlucky number, for example, many people dread Friday 13th as they fear something bad might happen on that day. Did you know that there is an actual phobia called "Triskaidekaphobia", meaning fear of the number 13? I've been having a bit of a read about the number 13, as we've now entered the 13th year of this century, and I've discovered some interesting things.
Oddly enough, More road accidents occur on Friday the 13th than on any other day of the year.
It has been estimated by various sources that U.S. businesses lose millions of dollars because of canceled appointments, absenteeism, etc. on Friday, the 13th.
The ancient Hebrews thought 13 was unlucky because the thirteenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet is the letter M, which is the first letter in the word "mavet," meaning death.
There is a superstition that if 13 people gather, one of them will die within a year. Some French aristocrats would hire themselves out as the fourteenth diner at an event, because it was believed that when thirteen diners sat together, one of them would die. President Franklin D. Roosevelt was quite fearful of the number 13, and he took great pains to avoid hosting a meal for a group of that size.
Scandanavians believed that the number 13 is unlucky due to the mythological 12 demigods being joined by a 13th evil one.
Eerily, 13 turns make a traditional hangman's noose. Anything less would not snap a neck...
A witches coven consists of 13 members.
Streets or housing estates in several countries skip house number 13 as the number is omitted completely.
Hotels will not have a floor 13 and skip from floor 12 to floor 14 due to the universal superstition of bad luck.
Vehicle License plates in the Republic of Ireland are such that the first two digits represent the year of registration of the vehicle (i.e. 11 is a 2011 registered car, 12 is 2012 and so on). The Irish Government last year were considering scraping the number 13 car registrations for cars sold this year, as they feared that it would put people off buying cars. They instead proposed that cars registered between January and the end of June will have a '131' registration. Those from July 1 to the end of the year should have '132' on the plate. I'm not sure whether this proposal finally went ahead, but it was certainly seriously considered.
In a tarot card deck, XIII is the card of Death, usually picturing the Pale horse with its rider.
In Formula One, the number 13 is not used. As such, the numbering goes 11, 12, 14, 15 under the current numbering system.
So, it appears that there is a lot of superstition surrounding the number 13. It's not all bad, though. In some cultures 13 is actually considered to be a lucky number. For example, in Italy. Some people even have 13 tattooed onto them to represent the lucky number. (Although in Campania the expression 'tredici' -- meaning 13 -- is said when one considers their luck to have turned for the worse.)
Several successful sports figures have worn the number 13. For example, basketball great Wilt Chamberlain wore the number 13 on his jersey throughout his NBA career.
In rugby league, each side has 13 players on the field at any given time.
In Judaism, 13 signifies the age at which a boy matures and becomes a Bar Mitzvah.
The number 13 in the Coperos religion (small culture in Brazil) is like a God number. All coperos must know that this number can save humankind.
American country-pop singer-songwriter Taylor Swift was born on December 13. She considers 13 her lucky number due to lucky events happening to her when the number appears (her first album going gold in 13 weeks, being seated at awards shows in the 13th seat, row or section). She also wears the number written on her hand at her concerts so she has it with her everywhere she goes.
So, it appears that people around the world cannot make up their minds about this number. It certainly is a number that has somehow captured people's imaginations.
I hope 2013 will be a lucky year for all of you!
My favourite book covers of 2013
One of my favourite parts of self-publishing my books is choosing the right cover. In the past I have used my own artwork, or photographs that have caught my eye in some way.
For me, the important thing is that the cover should reflect what is inside the book. I love art and I've always liked browsing bookstores just to look at the book covers. Some of them are very eye-catching and I've sometimes bought a book just because I like the cover so much!
I thought it would be nice as an end of year list to choose my favourite book covers of 2013.
I'm going to include the covers of my books, Delusion and Dreams, and 3, both of which were published this year. I love the photographs on the covers.
Here are my favourites from this year. (I'd also be interested in hearing about yours, so if you have any favourites, please comment with a link so we can all see!)
My Favourite Book Covers of 2013 (in no particular order)
Rise of the Shadow by J. Michael Radcliffe
The Christmas Spirit by Susan Buchanan
13 by Julie Elizabeth Powell
Delusion and Dreams
3
Nine Lives by Terry Tyler
Fastian: An Edgeweir Tale (The Weaver Saga, #1). by Jay Finn
An Eye For An Eye For An Eye by Marc Nash
Nocturnal Embers by Helle Gade
Sandcastle and Other Stories byJustin Bog
The Conversationalist by Justin Bog
A Virtual Love by Andrew Blackman
For me, the important thing is that the cover should reflect what is inside the book. I love art and I've always liked browsing bookstores just to look at the book covers. Some of them are very eye-catching and I've sometimes bought a book just because I like the cover so much!
I thought it would be nice as an end of year list to choose my favourite book covers of 2013.
I'm going to include the covers of my books, Delusion and Dreams, and 3, both of which were published this year. I love the photographs on the covers.
Here are my favourites from this year. (I'd also be interested in hearing about yours, so if you have any favourites, please comment with a link so we can all see!)
My Favourite Book Covers of 2013 (in no particular order)
Rise of the Shadow by J. Michael Radcliffe
The Christmas Spirit by Susan Buchanan
13 by Julie Elizabeth Powell
Delusion and Dreams
3
Nine Lives by Terry Tyler
Fastian: An Edgeweir Tale (The Weaver Saga, #1). by Jay Finn
An Eye For An Eye For An Eye by Marc Nash
Nocturnal Embers by Helle Gade
Sandcastle and Other Stories byJustin Bog
The Conversationalist by Justin Bog
A Virtual Love by Andrew Blackman
Halloween Reads
It's nearly Halloween.
I've always loved a good ghost story. It might have something to do with the fact that I grew up in a haunted house. Many of my novels and stories have some elements of paranormal in them, probably for the same reason.
Open Culture posted a blog today about horror author H.P. Lovecraft's books. You can get his complete works free, either as an e-book or audiobook. Follow the link to find our more: http://www.openculture.com/2014/10/h-...
Reading that blog got me thinking about what books I could recommend as Halloween reads.
Here are a few suggestions:
Her Fearful Symmetry, by Audrey Niffenegger.
From the bestselling author of The Time Traveler's Wife. I loved absolutely everything about this book. It's definitely spooky, and there are ghosts in it. I'd say this is a more or less perfect Halloween read. It's great for those who don't really like gory books. It's also quite light-hearted in parts even though the theme is dark and disturbing.
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Her-Fearful-Sym...
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Her-Fearful-S...
Legend of the Pumpkin King by J. Michael Radcliffe.
If you like fantasy tales, J. Michael Radcliffe is a master of the genre; this is a nice little story. It's part fantasy and part horror. It will definitely get you in the mood for Halloween.
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Legend-Pumpkin-...
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Legend-Pumpki...
Dying Embers, by M.R. Cosby.
This is a book of dark and strange tales with ghosts that turn up often as memories from the past. It's an ideal read to put you in the frame of mind for the spooky goings-on at Halloween. The characters will lead you down very dark and ghostly paths.
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Dying-Embers-M-...
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dying-Embers-...
The Other Room and
Falling Over by James Everington.
I couldn't decide between James Everington's two brilliant collections. These contain horror, paranormal, and all things twisted. He has some other books that are also dark and highly recommended. These stories definitely challenge our perception of reality and are just right for this spine-chilling season.
The Other Room:
Amazon US:http://www.amazon.com/Other-Room-Jame...
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Other-Room-Ja...
Falling Over:
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Falling-Over-Ja...
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Falling-Over-...
While we're on the subject of horror, you could try 13, by Julie Elizabeth Powell, if you want to be shocked and scared. This is a perfectly crafted horror story that will send shivers down your spine.
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/13-Julie-Elizab...
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/13-Julie-Eliz...
If you want ghosts in your Halloween read, but would prefer a book that will also make you laugh, you should check out Into The Light, by Darcia Helle and Horse Latitudes, by Quentin R. Bufogle.
Into The Light is the story of a ghost who is trying to help to solve his own murder. It will definitely add an element of fun to your Halloween.
Horse Latitudes features a ghost who helps the main character make an important decision. It's a book that will definitely make you laugh out loud.
--------------------------
I've seen lots authors promoting special Halloween stories or posting on Twitter about their books that would make great Halloween reads, so below is a list I have compiled from those promotions. I haven't read any of the books listed below, but they all sound great and will be added to my never-ending TBR list!
Shadow the Ghost Dog by J T Therrien
(Children' fiction)
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Ghost-Do...
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shadow-Ghost-...
Sad I Am, by Regina Puckett
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N99F1K8/
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00N99F1K8/
Dark Before Dawn, by Stacy Juba
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Before-Daw...
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dark-Before-D...
-----------------------
Talented author, Justin Bog has been posting chapters from his current work in progress since May this year, on his blog. It's a horror story called The Play (The Queen’s Idle Fancy). Having read both of Justin's published works I know this must be good. I haven't found time to read any of it yet! Seems like the ideal time of year to start. The first part is here: http://justinbog.com/new-horror-ficti... and you can follow the story on his blog.
-------------------------------
As I mentioned at the start of this post, some of my novels and stories have elements of paranormal in them. The Dream and Haunted both feature ghosts. There are also ghost stories included in my short story collections Fusion and 3.
The new novel I'm working on also features a ghost, but probably won't be released until Halloween next year!
Haunted:
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Haunted-Maria-S...
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Haunted-Maria...
"3":
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/3-Maria-Savva-e...
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/3-Maria-Savva...
The Dream:
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Dream-Maria-Sav...
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dream-Maria-S...
Fusion:
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Fusion-Maria-Sa...
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fusion-Maria-...
-----------------------------------
I hope you find something from the above suggestions to help make your Halloween more spooky! Whatever you're planning, have fun and stay safe!
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
I've always loved a good ghost story. It might have something to do with the fact that I grew up in a haunted house. Many of my novels and stories have some elements of paranormal in them, probably for the same reason.
Open Culture posted a blog today about horror author H.P. Lovecraft's books. You can get his complete works free, either as an e-book or audiobook. Follow the link to find our more: http://www.openculture.com/2014/10/h-...
Reading that blog got me thinking about what books I could recommend as Halloween reads.
Here are a few suggestions:
Her Fearful Symmetry, by Audrey Niffenegger.
From the bestselling author of The Time Traveler's Wife. I loved absolutely everything about this book. It's definitely spooky, and there are ghosts in it. I'd say this is a more or less perfect Halloween read. It's great for those who don't really like gory books. It's also quite light-hearted in parts even though the theme is dark and disturbing.
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Her-Fearful-Sym...
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Her-Fearful-S...
Legend of the Pumpkin King by J. Michael Radcliffe.
If you like fantasy tales, J. Michael Radcliffe is a master of the genre; this is a nice little story. It's part fantasy and part horror. It will definitely get you in the mood for Halloween.
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Legend-Pumpkin-...
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Legend-Pumpki...
Dying Embers, by M.R. Cosby.
This is a book of dark and strange tales with ghosts that turn up often as memories from the past. It's an ideal read to put you in the frame of mind for the spooky goings-on at Halloween. The characters will lead you down very dark and ghostly paths.
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Dying-Embers-M-...
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dying-Embers-...
The Other Room and
Falling Over by James Everington.
I couldn't decide between James Everington's two brilliant collections. These contain horror, paranormal, and all things twisted. He has some other books that are also dark and highly recommended. These stories definitely challenge our perception of reality and are just right for this spine-chilling season.
The Other Room:
Amazon US:http://www.amazon.com/Other-Room-Jame...
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Other-Room-Ja...
Falling Over:
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Falling-Over-Ja...
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Falling-Over-...
While we're on the subject of horror, you could try 13, by Julie Elizabeth Powell, if you want to be shocked and scared. This is a perfectly crafted horror story that will send shivers down your spine.
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/13-Julie-Elizab...
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/13-Julie-Eliz...
If you want ghosts in your Halloween read, but would prefer a book that will also make you laugh, you should check out Into The Light, by Darcia Helle and Horse Latitudes, by Quentin R. Bufogle.
Into The Light is the story of a ghost who is trying to help to solve his own murder. It will definitely add an element of fun to your Halloween.
Horse Latitudes features a ghost who helps the main character make an important decision. It's a book that will definitely make you laugh out loud.
--------------------------
I've seen lots authors promoting special Halloween stories or posting on Twitter about their books that would make great Halloween reads, so below is a list I have compiled from those promotions. I haven't read any of the books listed below, but they all sound great and will be added to my never-ending TBR list!
Shadow the Ghost Dog by J T Therrien
(Children' fiction)
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Ghost-Do...
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shadow-Ghost-...
Sad I Am, by Regina Puckett
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N99F1K8/
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00N99F1K8/
Dark Before Dawn, by Stacy Juba
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Before-Daw...
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dark-Before-D...
-----------------------
Talented author, Justin Bog has been posting chapters from his current work in progress since May this year, on his blog. It's a horror story called The Play (The Queen’s Idle Fancy). Having read both of Justin's published works I know this must be good. I haven't found time to read any of it yet! Seems like the ideal time of year to start. The first part is here: http://justinbog.com/new-horror-ficti... and you can follow the story on his blog.
-------------------------------
As I mentioned at the start of this post, some of my novels and stories have elements of paranormal in them. The Dream and Haunted both feature ghosts. There are also ghost stories included in my short story collections Fusion and 3.
The new novel I'm working on also features a ghost, but probably won't be released until Halloween next year!
Haunted:
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Haunted-Maria-S...
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Haunted-Maria...
"3":
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/3-Maria-Savva-e...
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/3-Maria-Savva...
The Dream:
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Dream-Maria-Sav...
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dream-Maria-S...
Fusion:
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Fusion-Maria-Sa...
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fusion-Maria-...
-----------------------------------
I hope you find something from the above suggestions to help make your Halloween more spooky! Whatever you're planning, have fun and stay safe!
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
Halloween reading recommendations
It's nearly Halloween, so maybe you're looking for some creepy fiction to read...
Here are some suggestions. All of them have some kind of paranormal/supernatural elements to the story, and all are very entertaining.
13, by Julie Elizabeth Powell
About the book:
What is found within the depths of the human soul? Does wickedness linger, as if the Devil’s thumb is ready to pluck the strings of certain choices? And with the strumming, just how far will Evil spread?
13 is the story of random souls pitted against the tragedy of the modern world. What is their connection, if any? Nameless; are these mere humans whose weaknesses force them to commit heinous crimes, or demons under the skin, aware of their sins yet indifferent to the outcome?
Will they decipher the unknown and make it out alive?
Buy the book:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/13-Julie-Eliza...
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/13-Julie-Eli...
***********************
Signal Failure, by David Wailing
About the book:
It’s four in the morning and Emily is heading home on a London Underground train. But the Night Tube is running slow tonight – delays caused by a signal failure, as usual.
The train stops again, stuck in a tunnel between Tube stations. And then the lights go off. The motors cut out. Silence from the driver.
All the doors slide open at the same time, exposing the passengers to the tunnel.
To let them out?
Or to let something in?
Signal Failure is a 12,000-word short story set in the London Underground. It is a standalone story and also a prelude to the forthcoming novel "Under".
Buy the book:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Signal-Failure...
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Signal-Failu...
*****************************
Just Plain Weird, by Tom Upton
About the book:
Travis MacDuff has always led an uneventful life. His greatest concern was making the high school football, until an odd girl moves in next store, a girl whose secrets threaten not only his existence but the existence of everyone on the planet.
Buy the book:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Just-Plain-Wei...
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Just-Plain-W...
******************************
Into The Light, by Darcia Helle
About the book:
Max Paddington refuses to go into the light until he finds his killer. This presents a dilemma, since Max is even less competent as a spirit than he was as a live person. No one sees or hears him and he can't manage to get anywhere or do anything on his own.
Joe Cavelli is a private investigator, living an ordinary life. Then one day he walks across a parking lot, gets yelled at by a ghost, and his life only gets stranger from there.
Max and Joe team up to find Max's killer. In the process, they form an unlikely friendship and change each other's lives in ways they never expected.
Buy the book:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Into-The-Light...
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Into-The-Lig...
*******************************
Lost And Found - A Short Story From Odin's Eye, by Maria Haskins
Somewhere in the vast depths of space, a mission has gone horribly wrong. Now a woman is trapped all alone on an alien planet with nothing but her pain and her harrowing memories. At least, she thought she was alone... Lost And Found is a chilling and evocative science fiction short story from Maria Haskins' book Odin's Eye
Buy the book:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Found-Sho...
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lost-Found-S...
**********************************
The Hyde Hotel, by various authors
About the book:
The Hyde Hotel Welcomes You...
The Hyde Hotel looks almost exactly as you'd expect it to: a faceless, budget hotel in a grey city you are just passing through. A hotel aimed at people travelling alone, a hotel where you know so little about your fellow guests that they could be anyone... and where, perhaps, so could you. But sometimes things are hiding in plain sight, and not everyone who stays at The Hyde gets a good night's sleep... Featuring stories about the guests and staff of The Hyde Hotel from James Everington, Simon Bestwick, Ray Cluley, Alex Davis, Cate Gardner, V H Leslie, Alison Littlewood, Amelia Mangan, S P Miskowski, Iain Rowan, Mark West and the editors.
Enjoy your stay.
Buy the book:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Hyde-Hotel-Jam...
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hyde-Hotel-J...
*****************************
Mystical High, by Lisette Brodey
About the book:
In Mystekal, a small, dying town in the Southern California desert, only 75 students attend the old, sometimes creepy high school dubbed “Mystical High,” where strange things have been known to happen. Jessie Dalworth and Jinxsy Patterson are juniors and lifelong best friends. At home, Jessie deals with the pain of an absentee mother who has abandoned the family for the lure of Hollywood; Jinxsy contends with a 17th “birthday present” she never wanted or expected.
Meanwhile, at school, the unexplained activity begins to escalate when Jinxsy keeps seeing a long-haired guy in the hallway checking her out. Jessie can’t see him, but her younger brother, River, can.
Then, in English class, a stapler mysteriously flies off teacher Eve Carrow’s desk, hitting a student in the face who has just mouthed off to her. The beloved teacher is in the unenviable position of having her brute of a father as principal, so she hates sending any student to his office. As Principal Ernest Carrow begins to terrorize Eve and others more openly, something or someone unseen decides that it’s payback time.
School is getting stranger, and Jinxsy and Jessie are faced with mind-boggling changes in their home lives that complicate everything. When a string of shocking events expose explosive secrets, decades-long mysteries are finally revealed.
Buy the book:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/MYSTICAL-HIGH-...
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/MYSTICAL-HIG...
******************************
I'll finish off by mentioning a couple of my own novels that have a paranormal theme:
The Spider and Haunted
You can find more details about those and my other books/stories on my website: http://www.mariasavva.com
Enjoy Halloween!
Here are some suggestions. All of them have some kind of paranormal/supernatural elements to the story, and all are very entertaining.
13, by Julie Elizabeth Powell
About the book:
What is found within the depths of the human soul? Does wickedness linger, as if the Devil’s thumb is ready to pluck the strings of certain choices? And with the strumming, just how far will Evil spread?
13 is the story of random souls pitted against the tragedy of the modern world. What is their connection, if any? Nameless; are these mere humans whose weaknesses force them to commit heinous crimes, or demons under the skin, aware of their sins yet indifferent to the outcome?
Will they decipher the unknown and make it out alive?
Buy the book:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/13-Julie-Eliza...
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/13-Julie-Eli...
***********************
Signal Failure, by David Wailing
About the book:
It’s four in the morning and Emily is heading home on a London Underground train. But the Night Tube is running slow tonight – delays caused by a signal failure, as usual.
The train stops again, stuck in a tunnel between Tube stations. And then the lights go off. The motors cut out. Silence from the driver.
All the doors slide open at the same time, exposing the passengers to the tunnel.
To let them out?
Or to let something in?
Signal Failure is a 12,000-word short story set in the London Underground. It is a standalone story and also a prelude to the forthcoming novel "Under".
Buy the book:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Signal-Failure...
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Signal-Failu...
*****************************
Just Plain Weird, by Tom Upton
About the book:
Travis MacDuff has always led an uneventful life. His greatest concern was making the high school football, until an odd girl moves in next store, a girl whose secrets threaten not only his existence but the existence of everyone on the planet.
Buy the book:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Just-Plain-Wei...
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Just-Plain-W...
******************************
Into The Light, by Darcia Helle
About the book:
Max Paddington refuses to go into the light until he finds his killer. This presents a dilemma, since Max is even less competent as a spirit than he was as a live person. No one sees or hears him and he can't manage to get anywhere or do anything on his own.
Joe Cavelli is a private investigator, living an ordinary life. Then one day he walks across a parking lot, gets yelled at by a ghost, and his life only gets stranger from there.
Max and Joe team up to find Max's killer. In the process, they form an unlikely friendship and change each other's lives in ways they never expected.
Buy the book:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Into-The-Light...
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Into-The-Lig...
*******************************
Lost And Found - A Short Story From Odin's Eye, by Maria Haskins
Somewhere in the vast depths of space, a mission has gone horribly wrong. Now a woman is trapped all alone on an alien planet with nothing but her pain and her harrowing memories. At least, she thought she was alone... Lost And Found is a chilling and evocative science fiction short story from Maria Haskins' book Odin's Eye
Buy the book:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Found-Sho...
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lost-Found-S...
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The Hyde Hotel, by various authors
About the book:
The Hyde Hotel Welcomes You...
The Hyde Hotel looks almost exactly as you'd expect it to: a faceless, budget hotel in a grey city you are just passing through. A hotel aimed at people travelling alone, a hotel where you know so little about your fellow guests that they could be anyone... and where, perhaps, so could you. But sometimes things are hiding in plain sight, and not everyone who stays at The Hyde gets a good night's sleep... Featuring stories about the guests and staff of The Hyde Hotel from James Everington, Simon Bestwick, Ray Cluley, Alex Davis, Cate Gardner, V H Leslie, Alison Littlewood, Amelia Mangan, S P Miskowski, Iain Rowan, Mark West and the editors.
Enjoy your stay.
Buy the book:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Hyde-Hotel-Jam...
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hyde-Hotel-J...
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Mystical High, by Lisette Brodey
About the book:
In Mystekal, a small, dying town in the Southern California desert, only 75 students attend the old, sometimes creepy high school dubbed “Mystical High,” where strange things have been known to happen. Jessie Dalworth and Jinxsy Patterson are juniors and lifelong best friends. At home, Jessie deals with the pain of an absentee mother who has abandoned the family for the lure of Hollywood; Jinxsy contends with a 17th “birthday present” she never wanted or expected.
Meanwhile, at school, the unexplained activity begins to escalate when Jinxsy keeps seeing a long-haired guy in the hallway checking her out. Jessie can’t see him, but her younger brother, River, can.
Then, in English class, a stapler mysteriously flies off teacher Eve Carrow’s desk, hitting a student in the face who has just mouthed off to her. The beloved teacher is in the unenviable position of having her brute of a father as principal, so she hates sending any student to his office. As Principal Ernest Carrow begins to terrorize Eve and others more openly, something or someone unseen decides that it’s payback time.
School is getting stranger, and Jinxsy and Jessie are faced with mind-boggling changes in their home lives that complicate everything. When a string of shocking events expose explosive secrets, decades-long mysteries are finally revealed.
Buy the book:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/MYSTICAL-HIGH-...
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/MYSTICAL-HIG...
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I'll finish off by mentioning a couple of my own novels that have a paranormal theme:
The Spider and Haunted
You can find more details about those and my other books/stories on my website: http://www.mariasavva.com
Enjoy Halloween!
