Please give a warm welcome to RJ Sullivan who is guest posting today, thank you RJ. for stopping by. Oh and I can't forget to Thank Maxine for stopping by as well.
Halloween Obsession
By R.J. Sullivan
[Sitting before his laptop, R.J. opens a new Word file and stares at the page. The Ghost of Maxine Marie appears behind him, leans close to his ear].
Maxine: Boo!
R.J.: [Jumps] Maxine! Will you stop doing that?
Maxine: [giggles] I can't help it. Your indignant face is so funny.
R.J.: Look, I'm under a lot of pressure here, and you're not helping.
Maxine: What'cha working on?
R.J.: Nothing to do with you.
Maxine: Oh, poo.
R.J.: I'm just kidding. Your pouty face is so funny. I'm supposed to write a blog about Halloween and tie it in to Haunting Obsession.
Maxine: So something scary and tied to Halloween, but related to your ghost story about me haunting an obsessed fan?
R.J.: Exactly.
Maxine: [thinking, then shakes her head]. You're right. There's no connection to Halloween.
R.J.: I know, right?
Maxine: Hey, didn't you hold the book launch at the Historic Hannah House in Indianapolis during an annual Paranormal Meet n Greet? [link to http://thehannahmansion.org/ )
R.J.: Yes.
Maxine: And haven't you heard from dozens of past employees of the Hannah House about how all sort of weird stuff happened inside?
R.J.: Well, yes.
Maxine: Maybe you can say something about that.
R.J.: Yeah, but, I was only in the front yard. I couldn't take time to do the tour. (And maybe I sorta kinda wasn't brave enough).
Maxine: Oh, bummer. Well, what other interesting places have you been to?
R.J.: Well, the neighborhood I grew up in was new at the time. I lived with Mrs. R.J. in Irvington for awhile, and now my family lives in another neighborhood, a new development when we moved in.
Maxine: Wait a second, though. Irvington, isn't that on the east side if Indy.
R.J.: Yes, that's right, Maxine. I'm impressed.
Maxine: [Holds up a single perfectly manicured index finger] Wait, though. Wasn't Irvington named after a famous author? Washington Irving?
R.J.: Yes, so?
Maxine: So, why am I thinking he wrote something Halloween related?
R.J.: No Maxine. He just wrote Rip Van Winkle.
Maxine: Oh...right. Silly me, I must have lost my head for a minute.
[R.J. and Maxine look at each other, wondering if they're overlooking something.]
Maxine: [sighs]. Okay, so, what else have we got? What do you think of Halloween?
R.J.: Love it.
Maxine: You do? But isn't it kind of just a kid's holiday.
R.J.: Heck no, when I became a teenager, I still dressed up as Dracula every year to hand out candy. Play the scary sounds album out the window, make half the little kids run away before they even got to the door and get the candy from me. And now that I have kids, I still dress as Dracula to take them around.
Maxine: Well, there you go!
R.J.: But that's not enough. What else would I talk about?
Maxine: Well, how should I know? You're the writer; I'm just the ghostly inspiration inside your head to bounce ideas off of. Can't you just add words?
R.J.: Really? "Every time I hissed through my plastic teeth, I could feel the wrapper of the fun- size Hershey bar in my fingers through the cotton fabric of my gloves. The child turned and ran. One more chocolate bar. Mine, mine! Bwa-ha-ha-ha!" Yeesh, who wants to read that dreck?
Maxine: Okay, well, I'd better go and let you work on it.
R.J.: Good idea.
[Maxine vanishes. R.J. looks at the word count, clicks the "save file" icon, and grins.]
R.J.: Thanks Maxine!
About the Author:
R. J. Sullivan's first novel, Haunting Blue, is an edgy paranormal thriller about punk girl loner Fiona "Blue" Shaefer and her boyfriend Chip Farren. Haunting Obsession, a Rebecca Burton Novella, was just released by Seventh Star Press. R.J. is hard at work on the next chapter in Fiona's story, Virtual Blue, coming from Seventh Star Press in 2013, followed by two more novels over the course of 2013 and 2014. R.J. resides with his family in Heartland Crossing, Indiana. He is a member of the Indiana Horror Writers. Check in regularly to learn the latest about the latest projects by R. J. Sullivan.
Where to find RJ:
File Size: 419 KB
Print Length: 114 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage:
Unlimited
Publisher: Seventh Star Press (August 14, 2012)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Language: English
ASIN: B008Y2SVS4
Text-to-Speech: Enabled
X-Ray: Enabled
Lending: Enabled
Blurb:
“She wants to be loved by you…alone!”
Daryl Beasley collects all things Maxine Marie, whose famous curves and fast lifestyle made her a Hollywood icon for decades after her tragic death. Daryl’s girlfriend, Loretta Stevens, knew about his geeky lifestyle when they started dating, but she loves him, quirks and all.
Then one day Daryl chooses to buy a particularly tacky piece of memorabilia instead of Loretta’s birthday present. Daryl ends up in the doghouse, not only with Loretta, but with Maxine Marie herself. The legendary blonde returns from the dead to give Daryl a piece of her mind—and a haunting obsession he’ll never forget!
Review:
When I was asked to review this book, I realized I hadn't read too many ghost stories so I agreed. I have been looking for something to read that is unique and this one surely did have that.
All of us have some kind of obsession, Daryl has one with a 50's, 60's starlet(reminiscent of Marilyn Monroe)so much so it has effected his relationship with his girlfriend.Part of me understands his obsession been there with (said book buying)but if my obsession came to life I think I would run for the nearest exit. The fact Daryl chose to buy a piece memorabilia instead of buying his girlfriend a birthday present shows you to the extent of his obsession.
I could honestly understand Loretta's anger and at first Maxine's as well. But the twists and turns had me wondering what was going to happen next. It definitely had me turning the pages faster. So if you are looking for an unique read dealing with ghosts of the past and man with an unhealthy obsession and an angry girlfriend this one is for you.
Rating:
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Great post! I enjoyed reading this conversation between R.J. and the ghost Maxine. Halloween Obsession sounds like a very interesting story. I've added it to my list to get.
ReplyDeletecute post :) always fun to read interaction btwn an author & his characters ;)
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun post! R.J is a new author for me!
ReplyDeleteGreat post and review.RJ is a new author to me too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for having me today!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun post to read. I need to check out RJ's works.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Tracey D
booklover0226 at gmail dot com
Thank you R.J. for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteLoved the post! :) Thanks BLH Mistress for having RJ!
ReplyDeleteIt was my pleasure thank you both for taking part in the Halloween Spooktacular.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Happy Halloween!
ReplyDeleteshadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com