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Oct 25th Halloween Haunting Cripple Creek, Colorado

Cripple Creek Mining District of Colorado is extremely rich in history and it is also touted to be one of the Most Haunted Places in the United States.
On Highway 67, at the base of Pike’s Peak, southwest of Colorado Springs, Cripple Creek sits at an elevation of 9,500 feet.

There are mine shafts, head frames, miner’s cabins long abandoned tumbling down. A lonely stone fireplace may be all that’s left of a miners home. Standing among the rubble might cause the hair on the back of your neck to stand on end. A brief visit to one of the abandoned cabins still standing, gives you a window into what it was like back in the late 1800’s or early 1900’s. Can you imagine a more inviting place for ghost to spend Halloween?

Cripple Creek, Colorado was the land of opportunity beckoning men from across land and sea to claim their fortune in the gold fields. Most of the men came from the east where they were farmers and had little knowledge of gold mining. Pikes Peak or Bust was their battle cry, it was painted on covered wagons and carts. But the Rocky Mountains didn’t give up its gold easily, buried deep in the mountain, it was fifty years after the first wave of gold fever hit that the mountain gave up its gold.

Many prospectors lost everything they had, some even their lives in the pursuit of gold. With the tales of fires, (Cripple Creek burned to the ground in 1896) floods, mining accidents, general lawlessness in the beginning then bloody battles between mine owners and labor unions, it’s no wonder stories abound of ghosts haunting this historic town that once boasted one murder a day.

Hotel St. Nicolas

So let’s take a closer look at those ghosts. First up, The Hotel St. Nicholas boasts a colorful history. Today its spectacular view of Cripple Creek, 15 guest rooms, furnished with elegance of a bygone era and one restored historic miner’s cottage still includes tales of the supernatural and unexplained. Originally built as a hospital that served the flood victims in the region in the late nineteenth century, it also served as a home for the Sisters of Mercy. As time went on, the hospital served prospectors and their families and then expanded adding a ward for the mentally ill. The hospital closed in the 1970’s. St. Nicholas is rumored to be haunted by several spirits including children, former patients of the mental ward, nuns and an old cantankerous miner. For more information see Hotel St. Nicholas.

** Tomorrow we’ll take a look at more Halloween hauntings in Cripple Creek including the Imperial Hotel where I once attended a theater production of Dracula during the week of Halloween. That was a hair-raising experience I can’t wait to share with you. Until then Happy Haunting! Bawahahaha

Posted in My Say What Blog and tagged Colorado, ghosts, Halloween, Haunting, Mountain Town, Tena Stetler by Tena Stetler with 3 comments.

Oct 24th Spooktacular Halloween Safety Tips for Pets

Since I’m a big animal person, I’ve complied a few Spooktacular Halloween Safety Tips for Pets on Halloween.

It’s almost time for another spooktacular sequel in the annual Halloween tradition. A holiday beloved in countries around the world, appealing to people looking for fun and thrills– But for their pets…not so much! Halloween festivities can be stressful to say the least and downright hazardous at times. A few tips to keep everyone safe and enjoying the holiday!

Treats – Chocolate is poisonous to cats, dogs and parrots. The darker it is the more toxic it is. One ounce of dark chocolate can poison a 50-pound dog. Keep these treats out of your pets’ reach. Make sure everyone in your household understands, especially children, how crucial it is that no human treats are given to pets.
Alarming sounds and sights – The constant doorbell, ringing, unfamiliar guest and little monsters running around is a recipe for disaster for your pets. They could try to escape or display unexpected aggression. Keep your pet sequestered in a section of the home where they can avoid this anxiety-causing activities. Provide food, favorite toys and check on them often.
Don’t leave pets outside! Pets have been known to be abused or killed on Halloween night by cruel people. I owned a black cat for twenty-two years, he was the best cat ever. But we made sure to keep him inside several days before Halloween and several days after. Yep he was no pleased!
Never take your dog trick or treating for all of the above reasons. Dogs can easily be spooked by all the Halloween hubbub. If they run away or bite someone it will end your evening of fun.
Dangerous Decorations – Electrical cords and batteries used to operate the exciting Halloween decorations can be hazardous to your pets. Chewing on cords can cause electrocution, chewing on batteries can cause chemical burns, if swallowed can cause intestinal blockage. Artificial cobwebs look cool as heck, but they can also present a choking or entanglement hazard to curious pets
1. Nightmarish Pet Costumes – Most pets are happiest in the skin they were born in. LOL Yet pet owners will dress their fur, scaled, or feathered babies up for Halloween. Don’t put your pet in a costume unless they are completely comfortable with it. I admit I dress up my dog and parrot for Halloween. I choose costumes they’re comfortable in, do not hinder movement, sight, hearing or ability to breathe, bark, scream, or meow. Yep, my bird meows.
One last thought – Opening the door repeatedly for trick-or-treaters creates the possibility of pets to slip outside. Collars and tags work if someone locates and collects your wayward pet. Make sure the information on the tags is up-to-date. Microchips offer permanent identification. Just make sure your information is correct with the company who supports your pet microchips.

Now it’s time for a Halloween themed book from my collection. You do know I write paranormal romance/mystery. Right? This week, we are talking about Demons and witches! What’s Halloween without witches, spells, demons, curses and things that go bump in the night? A Vampire’s Unlikely Alliance is this weeks feature on sale for only #99cents. So hurry grab your copy and join the #fantasy #adventure! You won’t believe the battle between good and evil.

A little about A Vampire’s Unlikely Alliance – Not what you’ve come to expect from a Vampire Tale! Join Stefan and Brandy on an exciting Romantic Fantasy that begins in Glacier National Park, winds through Australia. Will they make it to Ireland in time?

Stefan is a Native American vampire, former assassin for the Vampire Council. In a twist of fate, he now DJ’s the midnight shift for a small radio station in Whitefish, Montana, on the edge of Glacier National Park where his secret is safe until…

Born in Ireland, Brandy now works as a park ranger and trail guide in the park. During a full moon, Stefan and Brandy’s paths cross in a near physical collision on a trail. Their attraction is immediate and undeniable, almost as if fate demanded it.

Their union was foretold long ago in Irish folk tales where vampires and gryphons, warlocks and demons, witches and faeries must work together for the good of man and magic kind. Is a trip to Ireland the key to unraveling secrets and returning the magic?

A sneak peek between the pages of A Vampire’s Unlikely Alliance!

Jumping down from the boulder, he landed silently on the balls of his feet and took off at a dead run, too fast for the human eye to detect. Tonight, his run covered several trails as the full moon rose over the mountain tops. Croaking frogs settled at the edge of a pristine mountain lake while an owl screeched overhead, winging its way through the night sky. This tranquil existence was very different from his previous life. Nevertheless, the premonitions that kept him alive as an assassin made him feel that things were about to change.

It was nearly midnight when he cut across the Sun Road to another trailhead, so intent on his goal that he nearly collided with an attractive young woman. He skidded to a stop, spraying gravel, rocks, and small twigs down the road in front of him. A pinecone dislodged and bounced along the road past her. Tall and slender, she had miles of fiery-red hair that hung down her back in a cascade of curls. Intense emerald eyes stared back at him as he attempted to regain his composure, not to mention balance. What the hell was she doing here at this time of night?

“Whoa.” She stepped lightly to the side to avoid the flying debris. “You really should watch where you’re going, especially at that speed.” Her voice scolded, but the smile on her lips teased. “Someone could get hurt.”

Available at Amazon Amazon UK , Amazon AU, itunes, The Wild Rose Press, Walmart.com and Barnes & Noble.

Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged A Vampire's Unlikely Alliance, Paranormal Romance/Mystery, Tena Stetler, Vampire, Witches by Tena Stetler with 3 comments.

Oct 23rd Sunday Snippet – Hidden Gypsy Magic

Welcome to Sunday Snippets. Each week I spotlight one of my books, tell you what’s special about it, and highlight an excerpt. Join me each week for this fun adventure. This week is Hidden Gypsy Magic part of A Witch’s Journey Series revolving around animal rescue, magic, second chances, and paying it forward. I’m sure you’ll love this feel good series! Let me tell you a little secret. I’ve always wanted to visit Salem, Massachusetts, own a cabin in Maine, and live in a lighthouse. Sure enough I live out my fantasies in my books.

I love all my books, but Hidden Gypsy Magic is one of my favorites. A house and cabin that clean and fix dinner. What more could you want? Maybe wildlife rescue? Magic? A handsome veterinarian? AND it available in audiobook! Yep this book as it all. So lets take a peek into Hidden Gypsy Magic!

Gwen a wildlife rehabilitor, and Brock a veterinarian, discover the consequences of awakening hidden gypsy magic.

The Salem Wildlife Sanctuary is Gwen Taylor’s life work. Her Irish Gypsy heritage provides a hidden talent she uses to help the creatures under her care. But even her magical skills can’t help new rescues in dire need of veterinary care.

The opportunity of signing on as the vet for Gwen’s sanctuary dropped into Brock Scutter’s lap after he expanded his practice to include wildlife. The personal attraction he and Gwen experience is undeniable the more their professional and personal lives collide.

Touring the only “non-haunted” house in Salem they both feel a spark of magic. A trip to his family’s cabin uncovers a heritage he didn’t know existed. If they want a future together, it means facing the consequences of awakening hidden Gypsy magic and a race against the clock to correct past wrongs.

A peek between the pages of Hidden Gypsy Magic:

“This house may not have a history of magic, but I’d bet it’s magical. Pepper is going to go nuts when she sees this. You’re going to put an offer in. Right?”

“As I said before, it may be completely out of my price range.”

“I have a feeling the house has been waiting for you.” Gwen flung her hand to her mouth, her face flushed, and her gaze swiveled to him. “I don’t know what made me say that.”

Looking thoughtful, he grinned. “Since the day I stumbled upon Pepper’s secret — then discovered that you and I share the gift or curse of gypsy blood, things have been different—” Pausing, he shoved his hand in his jean’s pocket and jingled the change in his pocket. “I’ve been different. It’s as if knowing magic exists awakened something in me.”

“Join the club. Years ago Pepper made a believer out of me. In fact, there were times I wished—never mind. Whether it was my outlook or as you said magic awakened. But to be fair, I’ve always had what I called a sixth sense with animals, attuned to their feelings, almost their thoughts, fears, that kind of thing. Pepper called it my talent. But as we became close, I noticed other abilities… you’ll think I’m crazy.”

“Try me.” He moved closer to her and the front door banged open. Quickly he rushed to the top of the stairs.

Next week, I’ll tell you a little story about what inspired An Angel’s Unintentional Entanglement. A fun road trip turned magical.

Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Halloween, Hidden Gypsy Magic, magic, Mystery, Paranormal Romance/Mystery, Tena Stetler, Time travel, Witches by Tena Stetler with comments disabled.

Oct 20th Halloween Spirit Search Continues

Only twelve days until Halloween! Can you believe it? Toil and Trouble continue their search for the Halloween Spirit.

Well, October’s cooler days and chilly nights have arrived. Yippee! As we continue the annual Halloween countdown, the aspen’s leaves have turned spectacular shades of yellow, gold, orange and red before being swirled to the ground by a storm front in the Colorado high country followed by several inches of snow. The lower elevations received a frost warning and much cooler days and nights.

This week, Toil, Trouble, Bubble bat, Moby Fish, Aragon Spider, Octavia and the newest member of the Skeleton Squad, Chloe Cobra escaped outdoors only to discover a yard full of ghosts and a pumpkin lounging on the front porch swing, Yet no one admitted to seeing the Halloween Spirit. Consequently, Toil and Trouble totally disgusted at their lack of progress called Broomhilda to see if she’d had any luck?

Broomhilda’s (skeleton), from Texas (thank you Jessica) search caught her up in a spiders web from which she was trying to escape with the help of her skeleton friend Dave. Doesn’t look like Dave is much help. LOL Nothing to report on the search for the Halloween Spirit. She hopes to have better news next week.

Join us next Thursday, October 26, 2022 for another update on The Skeleton Squad’s progress, I overheard them saying they would continue their search in the great outdoors. Each week there will be new pictures of where the Skeleton Squad are searching and how Broomhilda is helping. In the month of October beside their search for the Halloween Spirit, the Skeleton Squad will help me list the most haunted cities in America on my Say What Blog. Have you ever seen a ghost? A visit to haunted places in Colorado, my own stomping ground, Spooktacular tips to keep your pet safe this Halloween season. Do you suffer from Samhainopobia? That’s the fear of Halloween. These are just to name a few. Check back in the coming weeks to see what other discoveries the Skeleton Squad scare up!

Only twelve days days until Halloween! Bwwwaaaaaaaaaa!!!!

Plus a Halloween themed book from my collection will be featured each week. You do know I write paranormal romance/mystery. Right? This week, we are talking about Demons and witches! What’s Halloween without witches, spells, demons, curses and things that go bump in the night? A Vampire’s Unlikely Alliance is this weeks feature on sale for only #99cents. So hurry grab your copy and join the #fantasy #adventure! You won’t believe the battle between good and evil.

A little about A Vampire’s Unlikely Alliance – Not what you’ve come to expect from a Vampire Tale! Join Stefan and Brandy on an exciting Romantic Fantasy that begins in Glacier National Park, winds through Australia. Will they make it to Ireland in time?

Stefan is a Native American vampire, former assassin for the Vampire Council. In a twist of fate, he now DJ’s the midnight shift for a small radio station in Whitefish, Montana, on the edge of Glacier National Park where his secret is safe until…

Born in Ireland, Brandy now works as a park ranger and trail guide in the park. During a full moon, Stefan and Brandy’s paths cross in a near physical collision on a trail. Their attraction is immediate and undeniable, almost as if fate demanded it.

Their union was foretold long ago in Irish folk tales where vampires and gryphons, warlocks and demons, witches and faeries must work together for the good of man and magic kind. Is a trip to Ireland the key to unraveling secrets and returning the magic?

A sneak peek between the pages of A Vampire’s Unlikely Alliance!

“Whoa.” She stepped lightly to the side to avoid the flying debris. “You really should watch where you’re going, especially at that speed.” Her voice scolded, but the smile on her lips teased. “Someone could get hurt.”

Pretending to pant, he shrugged, holding his palms up in surrender. “Just trying to get my run in before work. Stefan Talltree, at your service.” He stepped closer, leaned over in an exaggerated bow, and caught her hand, brushing his lips over the palm and wrist, inhaling her sweet scent. AB negative with a pulse of adrenaline. Perfect. Her pulse beat a tattoo against his lips. He backed away.

Her heart thundered as she drew her hand from his grasp. “The name’s Brandy. Pleased to meet you, Stefan.” Her smile reached up into her bright eyes as they swept over him with an appreciative glance, an experience he enjoyed.

Her voice had a hint of Irish lilt to it. He liked that too.

“Where do you work that requires you to report in at—” She glanced at her watch. “—midnight?”

Nostrils flaring, he paused. Blood? Not hers. The sound of Brandy’s voice brought his attention back to her and the situation at hand. “Oh, shit, I’ve gotta go!” He sprinted off, leaving her standing alone.

As he started down the trail, the tree branches swayed in the silvery moonlight, casting eerie shadows across the trail’s edge. The breeze brought with it the coppery scent of fresh blood mixed with sulfur. He turned for one last look at her as she wrinkled her nose before silently creeping into the wind, tracking the source of the stench.

Available at Amazon Amazon UK , Amazon AU, itunes, The Wild Rose Press, Walmart.com and Barnes & Noble.

See you back here next Thursday! You won’t believe where Toil and Trouble and the Skeleton Squad wound up. Broomhilda with her friends are always searching, will they come up with leads? Until then enjoy the cooler weather, fall is coming bringing with it Halloween Spirit! I hope!! Now all we have to do is get Toil and Trouble and the Skeleton Squad to find it! While you’re here, check out my other paranormal romance mysteries.