The Witch’s Debt by Edward Rollins – Haunted Halloween Spooktacular



Of Women Wronged: Hillbilly Hauntings

The days grow shorter, the air turns crisp, and something deep within us all knows that the world is changing. Halloween draws near and with it a thinning of the Curtain this world from the next, allowing haints – restless spirits – to slip closer by than they were on brighter days. 

No part of the world is without tales of restless spirits; stories of the sorrow, anger, or injustice endured by the living. In Japan they tell of the onryō, wrathful spirits devoted to revenge against the living. In Mexico, they talk of La Llorona, who wander the water’s edge, mourning the loss of their children. Across Europe they speak of the White Lady, symbols of betrayal and life cut short. When it comes to tales of lost love and betrayal, my beloved West Virginia isn’t without a tale or two of its own.  

We tell the tales of Zona Heaster Shue, Screaming Jenny, the Weeping Woman of Sweet Springs, Kate Carpenter, and our own White Lady of Flat Top Manor. Each a spirit bound by sorrow, betrayal, or unfinished business. Let’s take a moment and remember each, but take care, it’s said that people die twice, once when their heart beats its last, and again when someone speaks their name for the final time.  

In Greenbrier County they tell the tale of Zona Heaster Shue who – in 1897 – was found dead under questionable circumstances. Her husband, Erasmus, was quick to claim she had died peacefully. Zona’s mother wasn’t having it. She claimed that Zona’s ghost began to visit her in the dead of night, accusing Erasmus of murdering her by snapping her neck. Confronted with the charges, a local judge ordered Zona’s body exhumed, and the evidence of Erasmus’ guilt was revealed. Erasmus was convicted of the crime, but Zona’s spirit still didn’t rest. She is said to haunt Greenbrier County still, a chilling reminder that justice isn’t bound by the grave. 

In Jefferson County we find a different sort of tale. There, when wind moans through the trees and the moon lights the ground just so, it’s said that you can hear the pain filled screams of a woman long dead. Screaming Jenny, a local woman who died in pain and terror. It was a cold night in autumn when Jenny, poor and living in an abandoned railroad shack, tried to warm herself by a fire. Somehow, her clothes were set ablaze and, in her panic, she ran screaming and blind in search of relief. She ran right onto the railroad tracks and into the path of an oncoming train. Locals maintain that now and then the figure of Screaming Jenny – still engulfed in flames – can be seen running through the night. Her ghostly shrieks a reminder of her final, desperate moments. 

From the tranquil beauty of Monroe County comes a tale of another ghostly presence born of sorrow and despair. Known as the Weeping Woman of Sweet Springs, it’s said that she was a bride abandoned at the altar or perhaps a grieving mother who lost her child. Whatever the case, the young woman fell beneath the weight of her broken heart, and cast herself into the spring where she drowned. But she wouldn’t have a place on our list if that was the end for her. It’s said that she still wanders, a ghostly figure draped in a flowing white gown, her soft sobbing proof that some heartache is too deep to fade, even in death.

From Mercer County and the grounds of an old plantation known as Flat Top Manor comes the tale of the White Lady of Flat Top Manor, a restless spirit whose tragic story is tangled in the past. Some say she was the young bride of the manor’s original owner; others maintain that she was a servant who died at her master’s hand. In either case, it is agreed by those who believe, that her life was cut short by violence. Witnesses maintain that the air goes frigid long before her shadowy figure – fleeting and ethereal – is seen gliding through the manor’s hallways or lingering at the edge of the woods. The truth of it is left to you, but the accounts of witnesses and investigators alike have gone a long way to make Flat Top Manor’s reputation as one of the most haunted locations in the State.

Silent and still, the Greenbrier River flows through Summers County like an apparition itself. It’s a peaceful scene as beautiful as any faery tale picture, but its waters gave birth to a tale of lost love and lingering sorrow. Kate Carpenter was a young woman deeply in love with the wrong man. Her family opposed her choice of suitor and refused her their blessing. Unwilling to either set aside her love or go against her kin, Kate threw herself into the river and drowned the dark, icy waters. But as is the case in these tales, neither the depths of the river nor the touch of death could quiet Kate’s restless spirit. She lingers near the place where she left this world, a spectral form barely visible on misty mornings walking the riverbanks. For Kate, death was better than the absence of the man she loved. 

This Halloween, when autumn leaves rustle in a cold wind, remember the story of these women as you sip your pumpkin-spiced drink. Their stories are the echoes of unimaginable loss and suffering, and they leave us to wonder—what would we do if faced with such sorrow? Would we find peace, or would our spirits, too, be bound to the places where our hearts were broken? But let’s remember as well that these spirits weren’t content to shuffle off the mortal coil the first time. Speaking their names again – breathing life into their memory – might be enough to remind them what binds them to this world.

 



The Witch’s Debt
Coal Mountain Series
Book One
Edward Rollins

Genre: Contemporary Fantasy
Date of Publication: October 1, 2019
ASIN: 1689808853
Number of pages: 392
Word Count: 97.376
Cover Artist: Katherine Rollins

Tagline: If you like witches, werewolves, and murder, this is the book for you.

Book Description: 

When the ghost of Jake Calhoun’s grandmother delivers a cryptic message to him, he’s drawn back to the mountains of southern West Virginia, where he finds himself on a collision course with the consequences of his past, the strained family ties that drove him to run, and the woman he left behind. 

Though he longs to return to the life he’s made for himself in the city, a string of deaths forces him to decide who he will be, where he belongs, and how he will stop whoever is killing those closest to him.

Amazon     BN



Excerpt

“You all right, Buck?” He set his coffee on the small table there as he took more of my weight than I intended.  

“Yeah,” I lied. “Bit of a headache.” I couldn’t look him in the eye. “I need to check on something. Be right in.”  

“Sure you’re gonna be all right?” Dad picked up his coffee as I took my weight again.  

“I’ll live.” I nodded and started toward the sitting room. I steeled myself against the pain I knew was coming and pushed my senses into the Curtain once again.  

The little room off the chapel was packed with overstuffed couches and an ottoman which could double for a bed. I could see just clearly enough to avoid tripping, but it made finding the cat a challenge. I moved from piece to piece, looking behind and under each. There was no sign of it. It could have left through the chapel but I wasn’t ready to accept that it had. It was bothersome enough it was inside the church. I didn’t want to consider what it would mean if the thing could move across the consecrated ground of the chapel.  

“Lose something?” Bonnie asked from the doorway.  

Frustrated and defeated, I gave her a weak smile and let go of my view into the Curtain.

“Hello, Bonnie.”  

She stepped into the room, her coat and purse left behind somewhere. She wore a pained smile on her lips. “That the best you have for me?”  

There were people in this town I didn’t care to spare a kind word, Bonnie wasn’t one of them. She’d done nothing but love me.  

I stopped fighting the smile she had always put on my face and replied, “Well if it isn’t Bonnie Blankenship, the prettiest girl at Pineville High. How are things, Ms. Blankenship?”  

“Much better,” her smile touched her eyes and she stepped in close.  





About the Author:

As a kid in elementary school, Edward Rollins hated to read. Hated it…

Then his grandfather, who knew Edward loved the Adam West “Batman” series, introduced him to Batman comic books, the rest is nerd history. From those early comics he went on to consume a steady diet of books from fantasy to science fiction. Eventually, he found a little game called Dungeons and Dragons and a lifetime of telling stories was born.

He’s been a sailor, a soldier, a pastor, an engineer and a college professor; sometimes all at once. Mostly, he hopes to know what he wants to be when he grows up. Assuming he agrees to grow up…
A writer since college, he has published a handful of short stories and gaming industry pieces over the years. “The Witch’s Debt” is his first attempt at writing “something of his own”.

Edward has lectured in convention and collegiate circles on the topics of gaming simulations, fantasy world building and theology in fantasy settings. He is a fan of 1920s pulp and science fiction as well as the 1950s aesthetics of Raygun Gothic and Atom-Punk.

While he lives in central Ohio with his wife and two incredible young adults – all three of which make him proud — his heart will always be in West Virginia.








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Wanderer of the Wastes by Kit Karlsson



Wanderer of the Wastes
Kit Karlsson

Genre: Fantasy Romance
Publisher: Lake Country Press
Date of Publication: October 29, 2024
Number of pages: roughly 300
Word Count: 97,700
Cover Artist: Fay Lane

Tagline: In a world where magic can save or shatter, Kol Mendona must survive lethal secrets—and an even deadlier love—as he discovers he might not be as human as he believed…

Book Description:

Kol Mendona, one of the last humans on the magical continent of Alon, is desperate to escape his dying underground compound. When Alessi, a fierce dragon slayer with silver eyes, arrives, Kol sees a way out.  As they journey together through the deadly wastes, an unexpected bond forms between them – one fueled by passion and dangerous magic. 
 
But as Kol’s strange new powers awaken, their bond becomes increasingly unstable. Something within him is changing in ways he doesn’t fully understand, and if Alessi ever discovers the truth, Kol may lose more than her affections…

Excerpt 1:

“If you take me with you, I’ll do anything,” he said. To buy Astor some time. To get out of there.

She opened the door and pushed him out, preparing to close it again, but he put his foot in it.

“Anything?” she asked.

“Anything.”

“That’s a dangerous word when there are fates worse than death.” She tilted her head again to the side, an amused look on her face. “You’re a strange man, Kol.” She slammed the door, and he was alone in the darkness.


About the Author:
 
Kit enjoyed writing as a child and rediscovered her passion during the COVID-19 lockdown. She has a degree in finance from Southern Methodist University and recently graduated from Georgetown University Law Center, where she was the administrative editor of an academic publication. When she’s not writing, you can find her running barefoot, taming stray cats, or listening to paranormal podcasts.





Kiss of Blood and Sin by M Guida – Haunted Halloween Spooktacular



Dark Cherry Blood Pastries

These Dark Cherry Blood Pastries are perfect for Halloween, combining the tart sweetness of dark cherries with a buttery, flaky pastry. The rich red color of the cherry filling gives a fun and eerie twist, making them a delightful treat for humans at your Halloween gathering. Enjoy the hauntingly delicious flavors as you celebrate the spooky season!


Ingredients:

• Pastry Dough:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup ice-cold water

• Filling:

 2 cups fresh or frozen dark cherries, pitted
 1/4 cup granulated sugar
 2 tablespoons cornstarch
 1 tablespoon lemon juice
 1/4 teaspoon almond extract

• Topping:

1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
1 tablespoon granulated sugar (for sprinkling)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Pastry Dough:

-In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt.
-Add the chilled butter cubes and use a pastry cutter or your hands to mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
-Gradually add the ice-cold water, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough comes together.
-Form the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

2. Prepare the Cherry Filling:

-In a medium saucepan, combine the cherries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and almond extract.
-Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens and the cherries release their juices (about 5-7 minutes).
-Remove from heat and let the filling cool completely.

3. Assemble the Pastries:

-Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
-On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/8-inch thickness.
-Use a round cookie cutter or a glass to cut out circles from the dough.
-Place a small spoonful of the cherry filling in the center of each dough circle.
-Fold the dough over to create a half-moon shape and press the edges together with a fork to seal.

4. Bake the Pastries:

-Place the pastries on the prepared baking sheet.
-Brush the tops with the beaten egg and sprinkle with a little granulated sugar.
-Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the pastries are golden brown.

5. Serve and Enjoy:


-Allow the pastries to cool slightly before serving.
-For an extra spooky touch, drizzle with a bit of red icing or syrup to resemble dripping blood.



Kiss of Blood and Sin
M Guida

Genre: Dark Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Buffalo Mountain Press 
Date of Publication: September 25, 2024
Number of pages: 300
Word Count: 80,776
Cover Artist: Jacqueline Sweet

Book Description: 

I never wanted to be a mafia princess. But I wasn’t given that choice when my brother turned me. 

Now he’s the mafia king and his enemies want me dead. His magical mirrors shows my impending murder without revealing the assassin. It could be anyone, and I trust no one. Until I meet Dimitri Dragan. 

My brother would never agree for me to claim a born vampire with a sketchy past. But I’ll fight to make him mine. I didn’t have a choice in becoming a vampire, but I have a choice in who I love.


About the Author:

M Guida has always loved fantasy and romance, especially dragons. Growing up, she devoured fantasy books and all kinds of young adult books. And then she found romance and a whole new world opened up to her.

Now as an adult, she fell in love with academy romance and has blended all of her past loves into one compelling series. Dragons, vampires, elves, demons, and wolves all live in her world.

When she’s not writing, she lives in the colorful Rocky Mountains with her fur baby, Raven, and enjoys taking her for walks.

Would you like to become a Legacy? Sign up for her mailing list and enter a world of the supernatural at her website https://authormguida.com/

You can also join her private Facebook page–M Guida’s Legacy Academy. You’ll become a Legacy and find out about your special power and maybe even find some romance!

Website: https://authormguida.com/about/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mguida/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mguidaauthor

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MLGuidaauthor

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/m-guida

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20378775.M_Guida

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B08BW74WCM/about




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