Tag: Gossip Page 36 of 40

Strange Encounter

On September 14, 2016

This arrived at the Tattler by mysterious means from the Tucson Tattler, 1890
Interview with hotel front desk clerk, Homer Jenkins

I heard Abbot Foster’s mail-order bride disappeared. Vanished into thin air, the way folks put it. I know more than people think. I see things from my desk, though I don’t pass judgement. I’m surprised you’re the first paper to talk to me.

Erline Foster stayed here waitin’ to be wed. She was a pretty thing, but the maid refused to clean her room after the first time she set foot in there. The girl wasn’t specific–something about a feeling she got in that room.

I was here when those two detectives booked in too. He’s a real detective with the Pinkertons, Aaron Turrell’s his name. The lady, Healy Harrison, called herself a detective too, but I ask you, what kind of detective agency specializes in ghosts? More to the point, what kind of fool hires them? Some fool who wants to be parted from their money. Not that I’m judging.

The two of them arrived separately. Turrell was waiting here for his next assignment. He’d just caught some outlaws outside of town–it was in the papers. Then, she shows up. Odd girl. Pretty though. From the desk here I can see the dining room, and I witnessed their first meeting. She come down all gussied up except she was pretending to be blind. She had on dark glasses and stumbled around with a cane. She’d been seated and all, so I don’t know what got in her craw, but she ups and crosses the room to Mr. Turrell’s table, and gives him what for. I thought that would be the end of that, but no, she joins him!

Cadillac Hotel, Detroit MI (Scan by NYPD) via Wikimedia Commons

After that I watched those two coming and going, sometimes together, sometimes separately. She got picked up and returned by Abbot Foster’s nephew every day. This was before Erline disappeared. It was tragic when Abbot lost his first wife, Cora, but still, what business did a ghost hunter have out there?

Meanwhile things got interesting at the hotel. I saw those detectives getting cozy. I’m not one to gossip, but if I say one of their employers was paying for an empty room, you get my drift. One night another guest complained he had to intervene when a man wearing a nightshirt was making a racket and trying to get into a lady’s room.

Next day, I saw Turrell waiting for her in the lobby, and she was hiding behind a potted palm, which was odd considering how… friendly they’d become. Then he gets a telegram and you should’ve seen the expression on his face. He stormed out of here.

Later Miss Harrison comes back from the ranch, all frantic, saying she needed me to pass along a note to Turrell. She wanted him to high-tail it out to the ranch.

What happened there is a mystery. All I know is Erline disappeared and those two detectives show up here asking for a Justice of the Peace.

About the Book

tgtbtg-cover What do you get when you mix cowboys with ghosts? A collection of eight (stand-alone) amazing stories from the Old West with haunts of every variety.

Get your love of alpha cowboys on and feed your addiction for the bizarre (and sometimes spooky) world when you download The Good, The Bad and The Ghostly.

Bestselling and Award-winning authors are pleased to save you more than 75% on this fantastic boxed set! (Price if books sold separately)
* * *
Wild, Wild Ghost by Margo Bond Collins
With everyone she loves in the grave, Ruby specializes in the dead.

Comes An Outlaw by Keta Diablo
An outlaw returns to his childhood home to find his parents and brother dead, and the lovely widow in grave danger.

Long A Ghost, and Far Away by Andrea Downing
Ghosts are restless souls, and Lizzie Adams is one of them. How many lives will she get to find the perfect love?

A Ghostly Wager by Blaire Edens
Even a skeptical detective needs a little otherworldly help.

How the Ghost Was Won by Erin Hayes
There are ghost stories. And there are ghost legends.

McKee’s Ghost by Anita Philmar
The ghost living in his house might have saved him from an unhappy marriage and brought him the girl of his dreams but when his ex- fiancé returns, the same spirit turns his life upside down.

A Ride Through Time by Charlene Raddon
P.S.I. Agent Burke Jameson wants to find out if Eagle Gulch, Colorado has genuine ghosts. But he found far more than he expected, including a horse ride that could change his life forever

The Ghost and the Bridegroom by Patti Sherry-Crews
She’s sent west to solve a case. What she finds will change her forever.

Buy it on Amazon

For the Love of a Ghost

By Aunt Augusta

On September 12, 2016

In Ask Aunt Augusta, Teatime Tattler

Dear Aunt Augusta,

Is it all right to be in love with the ghost of my late wife? We were true soul mates but she is passed now and has returned as a ghost. Well, I say a ghost but she has somehow managed to time travel to 1897 from 2016. The thing is, she is as lovely as ever but I’m the only one who can see and feel her. Would it be right to –uh–you know–uh…. Well, never mind, is it all right to be in love with a ghost?

Thanks in advance for your answer,

Colby Gates, the hero of Long a Ghost, and Far Away in the anthology The Good, The Bad and The Ghostly by Andrea Downing

Dearest Colby Gates,

I am so sorry for your loss. Losing a loved one, especially a beloved spouse is no easy task to bear, and it is, unfortunately, one that I have had to bear myself. I must confess that some days are easier than others, whereas some days are quite, and that is perfectly normal.

You ask if it is all right to be in love with the ghost of your late wife, and to that I say most certainly. After all, your love does not die the moment that your wife did. The bonds of marriage lasts until death do you part, but that does not mean that the love dies then as well.

To see her ghost, to be able to feel her, that is a true and special gift. Where it be real or merely your imagination or your grief, that does not matter. Love can conquer all things, whether in this life or in the next, whether real or incorporeal. Love and cherish her ghost and her memory.

I wish you the very best,

Aunt Augusta

Long a Ghost, and Far Away in the anthology The Good, The Bad and The Ghostly by Andrea Downing

Colby Gates misses the wife he loved, yet a ghost is a poor substitute. Unhappily re-married and with outlaws searching for buried gold on his ranch, his wife’s spirit is a complication. Perhaps if the questions surrounding Lizzie’s death can be answered, the two can be together. For all time.

https://andreadowning.com

~~~

Dear authors, if ever you should find that one of your characters has found him or herself in a rather trying position, whether in matters of the heart or matters of fashion or any matter at all, do be a kind soul and write to me. I will endeavor to answer your questions, if you but pen them for me.

Can Love Cross the Boundary of Time?

By Aunt Augusta

On August 20, 2016

In Nicole Zoltack, Regency (19th century Britain), Teatime Tattler

Landon entered White’s and asked for a drink. His dreams had been trying as of late, the mysterious lady who haunted his nights visiting him often and was beginning to invade his every thought. If he could only drink away her beauty, forget about it, make on with his life as if she did not exist…

With a start, he realized a man had sat beside him, his shoulders hunched, his face closed.

For whatever reason, perhaps because he felt a sudden kinship with the man whose eyes seemed to mirror the growing swell of emotions Landon himself felt, he cleared his throat. “Would you like a drink?” he asked.

“Ale,” the man said after a moment. “The stronger the better.”

Landon ordered one, and it wasn’t until they had shared several rounds without a word that the man felt moved to speak further.

“This be a strange place,” he remarked, glancing around.

Landon frowned. “Have you never been before?” White’s was a staple, where a man could enjoy drink and dice and cards and more.

“Never been to anywhere here,” the man muttered. He glanced around some more and then leaned in close. “Can you be… Who are you?”

“Landon Philamore.”

“A lord, I take it.”

Landon nodded. “And yourself?”

“Sir Gerald of Hanover.”

The man seemed to want to say more, and Landon waited, giving the man time to reason through his thoughts.

“Do you think,” Gerald said slowly, but then he halted.

“I think I great many things.” Landon would have smiled, but the man’s countenance bore too heavy a burden. “Tell me what ails you.”

“I do not think…” Gerald took a deep breath and then said in a rush, “I am not from this time.”

At once, Landon’s heart began to race. The lady from his dreams, the things she sometimes said, her mannerisms, her jokes… On more than one occasion, he suspected the same thing of her.

“I know I must sound daft,” Gerald continued.

“I think you need another drink,” Landon said.

At Gerald’s nod, Landon motioned for two more drinks.

“What is it that you miss most from your time?” Landon asked.

“You believe me?”

He shrugged. “It matters not what I believe. Your beliefs take priority.”

“I do not know what I belief, what I think, who I love.” Gerald stared glumly at his mug.

“Well, I believe that love can transcend anything. Even those from other lands… or other times.”

“Do you?” Gerald asked, the light of hope shining in his eyes for the first time since they began their conversation.

“Yes,” Landon said firmly, but whether he said it for Gerald’s sake or his own, he could not be certain…

Landon is the hero in The Test of Time, whereas Gerald is the hero in Love Before Honor.

Thetestoftimesmall Katia jumps at the chance to go to England with her best friend after Rose ditches her deadbeat boyfriend. While walking through the market, she spies a large mansion and recognizes the guy out front as her high school friend Tony. Just as they start to reconnect, Katia passes through times and lands in the arms of Lord Landon, who looks like Tony but certainly doesn’t act like him.

Soon, Katia learns that this 1815 is different from the one in history books. Trapped in a parallel world, Katia struggles to not fall for Landon but his charm proves too much for her. Just when she is about to confess her love for him, Katia travels through time yet again.

The course of love never did run smooth and if Katia can’t figure out and master the test of time, she’ll never see her friends again, or worse, never be reunited with Landon.

Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble ~ Kobo ~ iBooks

Nicole is one of the Belles. You can learn more about her here.

Scandal and Murder in Eastbourne

By Bluestocking Belles

On August 17, 2016

In Guest author, Teatime Tattler

the-mediaeval-walled My Dear Mr. Clemons;

You would not know my name but suffice it to say that it is of little concern, as I wish to keep my family’s name protected. I shall therefore be writing under the assumed name of Miss Avamund and will henceforth be providing you with information, such as to be considered scandalous, from the city of Eastbourne where many of our prominent London citizens take in sea bathing. With that in mind, I present to you the following.

On or about 1 August of this year, a “Miss J”, a respected spinster of St. Aubyn’s Road, was seen with a certain man in her garden. That is not a scandal within itself but the man, a very big and strange-looking man, has lately been seen in her garden daily with “Miss J”. She always seems disturbed when he is near. Because my family lives within proximity of Miss J’s” home, I have seen this occurrence daily and, being curious, waited one day for “Miss J” to do her marketing before slipping into her garden and confronting the man. The story he tells is shocking, as I shall relay forth. After identifying myself politely, I asked of him the following:

Miss Avamund: Good sir, are you a relative of “Miss J”?

Man (identified himself only as ‘de Russe’): I am not, my lady.

MA: If you are not a relative, then why are you here? You do understand that the neighbors are whispering about your ‘visitations’ with “Miss J”. You threatened to ruin her reputation, sir.

DR: It is not my intention, my lady. Be it known that “Lady J” has been most helpful to me under… confusing circumstances.

MA: Confusing? May I inquire as to the nature of these circumstances, sir?

DR: It should not concern you.

MA: Please, sir, as I vow I shall not repeat what you tell me. My concern is for “Miss J”. She is a friend.

DR: Then I shall tell you the truth, since you are her friend. I still do not know how it happened, but the circumstances are this – Henry is my king. I was in battle at Ludgershall Castle in the midst of a driving rain storm when, in the course of battling an opponent, I fell backwards into the well. The blow to my head rendered me unconscious and when I managed to emerge, it was out of the well in “Lady J’s” garden. I do not know how I got here, by what devilry or dark magic, but all I want to do is return to my wife and time from whence I came. I do not belong here.

MA: You… you climbed out of “Miss J’s” well?

DR: I did, my lady.

MA: And you said that your king is Henry? But our ruler is young George!

DR: Henry of Bolingbroke is mine.

My Dearest Mr. Clemons, I did not believe him. I am sure he was quite mad.

Although I will admit that de Russe did not look like any man I have known, as he was quite large and his hands were terribly ruined, I will say most emphatically that I believe him to be “Miss J’s” lover. I told him so and shamed him and ran to tell my mother, who did not believe me until she, too, saw him in “Miss J’s” garden the next day. He was by the well and “Miss J” was with him. I fear that “Miss J” was weeping.

This is where the story becomes frightening – when my mother went to “Miss J’s” home to confront both her and her lover, “Miss J” informed my mother that de Russe had returned home to his wife. She said that he returned the way he came and would say no more. We, my mother and I, believe that not only did “Miss J” have a scandalous love affair with a married man, but that she killed her lover and disposed of the body! She is a murderess as well as an adulteress, but fear keeps us silent. That is why I have written to your paper, sir, to tell you of the terrible things that are happening in Eastbourne today.

Proper citizens beware!

With kindest regards,

Miss Avamund

The Iron Knight

KathrynLeVeque_TheIronKnight_800 Read Lucien de Russe’s story in THE IRON KNIGHT, due to be released August 23, 2016 on Amazon. Time-travel to Regency England notwithstanding (or included), it’s a beautiful English Medieval Romance of an older knight and a widowed woman who both have a second chance at life. We will assume Lucien’s brief transportation 400 years into the future happens AFTER his story takes place – and it would make for a wonderful novella!

The Iron Knight on Amazon

Meet the author

KATHRYN LE VEQUE is a USA TODAY Bestselling author, an Amazon All-Star author, and a #1 bestselling, award-winning, multi-published author in Medieval Historical Romance and Historical Fiction. She has been featured in the NEW YORK TIMES and on USA TODAY’s HEA blog. In March 2015, Kathryn was the featured cover story for the March issue of InD’Tale Magazine, the premier Indie author magazine. She is also quintuple nominee (a record!) for the prestigious RONE awards for 2016.

On Amazon: https://goo.gl/zXhv5s
Facebook: https://goo.gl/bHir6s or @kathrynlevequenovels
Twitter @kathrynleveque
Website: www.kathrynleveque.com

An Unexpected End to the Wincanton-Stuart Feud?

By Guest author

On August 10, 2016

In Guest author, Teatime Tattler

Dear Readers,

Like many of you, last night witnessed the scandalous, public ruination of Lady Constance Stuart at the Renshaw Ball by Mr Aaron Wincanton. Mr Wincanton, who has recently returned a hero from the Peninsular, and Lady Constance were found in flagrante in the library by none other than the lady’s own fiancé and a huge crowd of eager onlookers. However, what you may not yet know, is that despite the bitter feud between the two families I received word that Lord Aaron procured a special licence and married the girl before the sun had risen the very next morning. 12498710_552117861604451_573223318_n The unlikely newlyweds removed themselves promptly from town to honeymoon at the Wincanton estate- Ardleigh Manor. Obviously, spurred on by my desire to provide you, dear rear, with all of the pertinent facts, I followed. Fortunately, the groom himself granted me this short interview which I print here for your titillation and amusement.

S. Clemens

Lord Aaron, it is fair to say your hasty marriage surprised a great many of us, especially in view of the long and bitter feud between the Stuart and Wincanton families and the fact that Lady Constance was already engaged to the Marquis of Deal. Is it true, the Earl of Redbridge has disowned his only daughter?

That is merely rumour and speculation. The earl happily gave us his blessing to marry. We had a cosy ceremony in his own study.

Then the three-hundred-year old feud is over?

Not exactly. Relations between our respective fathers are still… tense, however, I am hopeful, given time, this situation will improve once they see how happy my darling Constance and I am together.

That is interesting and contrary to what I have been told. My sources have reliably informed me that Lady Constance said, and I quote, ‘I would rather be cast out onto the streets than marry a vile Wincanton’ just minutes before the wedding ceremony. Those are hardly the words of a happy woman.

My Connie has a warped sense of humour at times Mr Clemens. She was merely joking. We are deeply in love. We tried to resist our strong feelings for each other, but alas, we could not. Like Romeo and Juliet, our love was too strong for a silly feud to prevent us from being together. But unlike Romeo and Juliet, our love story has a happy ending.

I see- if you do not mind me saying, that is a very impressive, purple bump you are sporting on your forehead. I overheard the servants saying you received it when your devoted, love-struck wife threw a projectile at you. Would you care to comment?

Oh that was merely a misunderstanding. One of those silly tiffs couples have from time to time. Connie discovered me reading The Taming of the Shrew and assumed I was consulting the play for tips on how to deal with her. She threw the book at me- quite literally as it turned out- because like all redheads she does have a fiery temper. I can assure you all is cordial between us again now.

Lady Constance does have rather vibrant red hair and she is a very… statuesque woman. Has she forgiven you for branding her with the unfortunate nickname you gave her at her come-out?

Again, another misunderstanding Mr Clemens. Connie is well aware I said what I did in jest and I had no idea the name would stick for so many years. In fact, I was shocked to hear it still being used when I returned from the war.

She must be a very understanding lady indeed to not be offended at being called the Ginger Amazonian, especially as the name has stuck. I do believe your expression gives you away Mr Wincanton. Did I just see you wince?

I am not particularly proud of myself Mr Clemens, if that is what you are alluding to, however Constance is a forgiving, good-natured woman and she realises I was very young and foolish when I came up with that terrible name. It is all water under the bridge now that we are so happily married.

So happily married that she throws books at you and has locked herself in her bedchamber and has refused to come out since her arrival?

I shan’t keep you Mr Clemens. It is a long drive back to London and I am sure you are keen to be on your way…

About the Book

Scandal broke last night when Lady Constance Stuart was discovered in the arms of Aaron Wincanton, the son of her family’s greatest enemy! But now we can reveal an even more shocking development. Our sources say a special license was obtained and the two were married before sunrise!

It’s been confirmed that Aaron has stolen his new bride away to the country to begin their unexpected marriage. We’ll be watching closely to see exactly what happens when a gentleman invites his enemy into his bed…

Amazon link: http://amzn.to/242XLtS

About the Author

When Virginia Heath was a little girl it took her ages to fall asleep, so she made up stories in her head to help pass the time while she was staring at the ceiling. As she got older, the stories became more complicated, sometimes taking weeks to get to the happy ending. Then one day, she decided to embrace the insomnia and start writing them down. Her first Regency Romance, That Despicable Rogue, was published in May 2016 by Harlequin and Her Enemy at the Altar is published this month. Despite this, it still takes her forever to fall asleep.

Website: http://www.virginiaheathromance.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/VirginiaHeath_
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/virginiaheathauthor