Halloween Hauntings Cripple Creek – Part One
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.
** Next Tuesday, 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
Speaking of Haunting, how about a peek at A Vampire’s Unlikely Alliance:
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 unravelling secrets and returning the magic?
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Raven’s Hollow Spring Magic – Sunday Snippet Plus a Bit More
In celebration of the dog days of summer, this week’s Sunday Snippet is the award-winning Raven’s Hollow Spring Magic. Pssst… It’s on sale for .99 cents for a limited time. Pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, a Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate and enjoy the snippet from Raven’s Hollow Spring Magic. Second book in the Raven’s Hollow Series.
Spring has sprung in the Northern Hemisphere. This book will bring spring to your world. Take you traveling through time, and perhaps help you solve the mystery.
When I wrote this book, I was enamored with the town I created, Raven’s Hollow, for my book Meringue Snowflake Magic. Raven’s Hollow was a unique small town full of quirky characters you’ll come to love, like I did. Not to mention an adorable pup. What made it fun, was the townsfolk, could be your neighbors with a quite a twist, you’ll not soon forget. I hope you’ll enjoy this foray into fantasy which will sweep you out of your ordinary world for a few hours. And for only 99c cents!
First, let’s take a peek at what Raven’s Hollow Spring Magic is about.
Spring is in full bloom in Raven’s Hollow, a small town in the Colorado Rockies with a population of unique townspeople. Blaze, a dragon shifter, and Wynter, a witch, are neck-deep in wedding preparations, when Wynter’s mother, Jade, goes missing after opening her new antique store, and attending the Simon estate sale where she procured an ancient jelly bean machine. Frantic with worry, Blaze and Wynter track her last movements via the store’s ancient, grainy, security footage. What it reveals is nothing short of shocking. As deputy sheriff, it’s Blaze’s responsibility to find his soon-to-be mother-in-law. But at what cost?
Check out the series book trailer.
Book Trailer – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdUGZl7qipE
A little about Meringue Snowflake Magic, set in the same town, Raven’s Hollow.
After being in the wrong place at the wrong time Wynter Dahl finds herself with a new name and new home. Whisked into the Witness Protection program she finds herself in the Podunk town of Raven’s Hollow, Colorado. She has more than one secret to keep and is not sure who she can trust, though the deputy sheriff is hard to resist.
Braydon “Blaze” Nightwing, owns Dragon Fire Pizza and takes his job as deputy sheriff seriously. He means to protect his town and its residents, including the mysterious newcomer. He rescues her after a tumble and finds himself in over his head. He senses she’s more than she seems but so is he.
When her cover is blown and her life is in danger it will take the whole town to save her and their annual holiday festival and cookie contest.
A snippet from between the pages of Raven’s Hollow Spring Magic:
LoraLee waved from the front porch of her rescue. “Mandy said you’d be stopping in. What can I do for you?”
“Not sure. My house is too quiet. No one to greet me at the door last night. Uh—”
“Where’s Blaze? That man is always working.” LoraLee shook her head.
“It’s not that, he’s away on business, but—”
“I understand. Come on in, look around, see if one of my residents calls to you.” The woman motioned around back. “It’s so nice everyone is out in their runs today.” LoraLee let Wynter wander down the path between dog runs. “Rabbits, birds, reptiles are housed on the left at the end of the runs. Cat’s are in the enclosure with covered exercise areas on the right beyond the lilac bushes.”
“Thanks.” Wynter inhaled the sweet scent of Lilac as she ambled between the runs. Several dogs rushed to the gate, barking, and wagging their tails. Wynter talked to each one, hoping for a connection, then moved on. Almost at the end, she saw a chocolate colored, furry dog, with the saddest brown eyes she’d ever seen. The canine stretched out in a patch of sunlight a few feet from the animal’s gate. Peering at the sign on the gate, she knelt down. “What’s your story Cocoa? Why so sad? It’s a beautiful day.”
The dog raised its head, swiveled its ears forward and back, then stared into her eyes, and wagged its tail once almost hopefully, then got up stretched and wandered over to the gate.
Wynter turned to LoraLee as the woman came up to stand by her. “May I pet Cocoa?”
“Oh sure. I wondered if you two might connect. Cocoa lost her owner to a heart attack a few weeks ago. Hasn’t had much of an appetite or interest in life since. She’s five years old, and spent all of those years the center of the old woman’s life. So sad.” LoraLee brightened. “This is the most interest she’s shown in anything since she’s been here.”
Reaching her hand through the fence, Wynter rubbed under the dog’s muzzle, side of the head, and ear. Cocoa closed her eyes then licked Wynter’s hand with a dark purple tongue. The dog’s tail curled over her back for a beat, then drooped down again.. “Can I take her for a walk around the compound?”
“Of course. I’ll get her leash and harness.” LoraLee rushed to the administration building and returned quickly.
“How about going for a walk, girl?” She stood, opened the gate hesitatingly, and knelt in front of the dog blocking the exit.
Smiling, LoraLee opened the gate wider, sidestepped Wynter, and slid the harness over Cocoa’s head and snapped the leash on the harness. “Off you two go.”
The dog’s tail curled over her back again and the Cocoa trotted beside Wynter. Cocoa turned her head occasionally to gaze at her possible rescuer. At least Wynter got that vibe.
Leading the canine over to a big shade tree, Wynter stopped, eased down on the grass and rubbed the dog under the chin. “Well, what do you think, girl? Would you like to come home with me?” She rubbed Cocoa’s ears. “I have a dragon shifter for a fiancé, but you’ll get along fine, I’m sure. He’s a good guy. A little opinionated and pushy, but…” She shrugged feeling the dog’s sadness, now overshadowed with hope, Wynter made her decision.
Buy Links:
Barnes& Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ravens-hollow-spring-magic-tena-stetler/1143427010?ean=2940160979014
Ibooks – https://books.apple.com/us/book/ravens-hollow-spring-magic/id6448729654
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Ravens-Hollow-Spring-Magic-Things-ebook/dp/B0C43XYQ5P
Thanks for joining me for the Sunday Snippet. I hope you enjoyed a little peek into Raven’s Hollow Spring Magic. Grab a copy while it’s on sale for 99 cents! See you next week for another exciting Sunday Snippet!
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged fantasy, ghosts, magic, Meringue Snowflake Magic, Mystery, Paranormal Romance/Mystery, Raven's Hollow Spring Magic, Tena Stetler, Time travel, Witches by Tena Stetler with comments disabled.
The Sturgeon Moon and A Vampire’s Unlikely Alliance
The Sturgeon Moon is not just another full moon; it possesses a rich tradition and significance deeply rooted in cultural history. An important question arises: Why does it hold such prominence, and what activities or traditions can be tied to it? The Sturgeon Moon, which typically occurs in August, signifies a time of abundance as it coincides with the sturgeon fishing season in North America.
Historically, the name “Sturgeon Moon” originated with Native American tribes, who used it to signify the month when sturgeons were most easily caught in the Great Lakes and other waterways. The full moon was a reliable indicator for fishing, ensuring enough food as the growing season neared its peak. This practical knowledge underscores the intimate bond between indigenous cultures and celestial events.
Speaking of full moon, let’s take a moment to peek in on Stephen in A Vampire’s Unlikely Alliance.
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 unravelling secrets and returning the magic?
A sneak peek between the pages of A Vampire’s Unlikely Alliance:
The sun slid behind the mountains, setting the azure sky ablaze in hues of red, orange, yellow, and pink. Then red shifted to purple and dusk faded to semi-darkness under a mesmerizing full moon washing everything in a shimmering silver glow. as he jogged toward the trails. She stood leaning against the rock where he had started his run last night. He’d tried to convince himself to stay away, but in the end, the urge was too strong.
In a whisper of movement, he was at her side with his hand on the rock just above her shoulder. “Waiting for someone? Brandy, is it?” The scent of warm, perfumed female skin wafted over him as he leaned into her.
“It took you long enough, Mr. Talltree.” Her full lips formed a slight pout as she lifted her chin and tilted her face up to meet his. “Nice to see you again.”
There was no hesitation or apprehension in her lovely features as he moved closer, placing his other hand next to her left shoulder, effectively pinning her against the rock. He wanted to wrap his arms around her lithe, warm body and brush his lips over her sexy pout. But he thought better of it, not wanting to scare her off…not yet.
“Yes, it is.” He let his gaze wander leisurely up and down her luscious body. “Didn’t your mother warn you about the dangers of stalking a stranger at night in the park alone?”
Available at Amazon Amazon UK , Amazon AU, itunes, Walmart.com and Barnes & Noble
Pssst… While you’re here, don’t forget to check out my paranormal romance/mysteries click here.
Thanks for stopping in for my Sunday Snippet. I’ll have a new one for you next week!
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged A Vampire's Unlikely Alliance, fantasy, ghosts, Ireland, Paranormal Romance/Mystery, Tena Stetler, Vampire, Witches by Tena Stetler with 2 comments.
A Vampire’s Unlikely Alliance – Sunday Snippet
Welcome to your Sunday Snippet featuring the award-winning A Vampire’s Unlikely Alliance Not what you’ve come to expect from a Vampire Tale! Join Stefan and Brandy for an exciting romantic fantasy where magic may save the day. But will it be too late?
How A Vampire’s Unlikely Alliance all began. You know my family loves to camp. Right? We have visited a great number of the State and National Parks. We’ll spend time in more this year. During a camping trip we stayed right smack dab in the middle of Glacier National Park. At night around the campfire under a full moon you could hear the wolves howl and the coyotes sing. I imagined a vampire running through the bush over the trails, but it couldn’t be an ordinary vampire. And who would he meet on the trails?
Stefan, a Native American vampire, was a character from my first book in A Demon’s Witch Series, A Demon’s Witch. It became a best seller five months after its release. For A Vampire’s Unlikely Alliance, I wanted to write a different vampire tale, so rather than leave him as the Vampire Council’s assassin, I released him from service and he moved to Montana, took a job as the midnight DJ for a small radio station on the outskirts of Glacier National Park. Different huh? Research for this book was a trip to Glacier National Park and I drew upon my time as a DJ at a local classic rock station KKFM in Colorado Springs. Not to mention several virtual trips to the enchanting land down under, Australia.
Won’t you join Stefan and Brandy on an exciting romantic fantasy where vampires and gryphons, warlocks and demons, witches and faeries walk among us. Some creatures are willing to put aside their differences to work together for the good of man and magic kind, other’s will stand in the way.
A little about A VAMPIRE’S UNLIKELY ALLIANCE:
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 unravelling secrets and returning the magic? And even more importantly, will their love survive the trip?
A peek between the pages of A VAMPIRE’S UNLIKELY ALLIANCE:
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.”
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, and Barnes & Noble.
About the Author:
Tena Stetler is an internationally best-selling author of award winning paranormal tales. Some call her crazy others creative. She deals with the voices in her head by writing them down and creating a fantasy world and characters you won’t soon forget. Her books tell tales of magical kick-ass women and mystical alpha males that dare to love them. Travel, adventure, magic, and a bit of mystery flourish in her books along with a few companion animals to round out the tales.
Colorado is home; shared with her husband of many moons, a brilliant Chow Chow, a spoiled parrot and a fifty-year-old box turtle. When she’s not writing, her time is spent kayaking, camping, hiking, biking or just relaxing in the great Colorado outdoors.
See you next week for another Sunday Snippet! Meanwhile, if you’re wanting another read, take a peek at my other magical books.
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged A Demon's Witch Series, A Vampire's Unlikely Alliance, fantasy, ghosts, magic, Mystery, Paranormal Romance/Mystery, Tena Stetler, Witches by Tena Stetler with comments disabled.
