Saturday 20 April 2013

Sally Max shows us A Penny For The Night



Finding out ...






Penny for the Night
by Sally Max
  
Hired to investigate strange phenomenon and a mysterious death at a historic mansion, Penny, a struggling psychic can't let this opportunity pass.  Even if that does mean being thrown together with her ex, Declan, who thinks she's a fraud.  Tempers flare, as the two have to work together, but can they survive the night long investigation without killing each other? Or will a ghost, already accused of causing one man's death, cause two more?

Excerpt:
"Penny," a gruff voice said from the back of the room.
Surprised, she jerked her head to the left as the familiarity of the voice washed over her. When she turned, she saw him, all six feet, and in a dark blue suit. He looked good, very professional. His dusty blond hair still had that unkempt sexiness that made her want to run her fingers through it. He must still run, as his lean muscles were outlined in the tailored jacket and pants. Her body reacted as if she had been punched in the gut. How long had he been there? Had he known she was at the funeral the whole time?
"Declan?" she said, slightly confused.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, an accusatory tone in his voice.
His presence filled the room; how had she not felt him there? Perhaps it was the atmosphere; she wasn't used to doing readings in such damp conditions.
"I'm...I..." Penny started, then, realizing it was really none of his business, stated, "I'm here in a professional capacity."
"A professional what?"
"That's none of your concern. I didn't realize you lived around here, let alone would be at this funeral—"
"So, you would have avoided me, if given the chance?" he asked.
"Yes," Penny responded, offering the truth. "Why open old wounds?"
He opened, then shut his mouth slowly, as if tasting that delicate bit of knowledge.           
"I've moved on, as I'm sure you have too," Declan stated finally.
"Of course, it's been what, nine-ten years?"
"Something like that."
"Well, it was good seeing you, but I have a meeting with my client in a few minutes, I should get going." She held her hand out to him for a handshake.
Declan looked at Penny's hand, and with a roll of his eyes, he walked out the door. He still wouldn't touch her.



Historic Mansions & A Paranormal Romance Novella



            What does a Sarasota circus mansion, an eccentric widow's estate, and a few famous fictional abodes have in common? They have all made me fascinated with old houses.  I visited the Ca' d'Zan Mansion in Sarasota, Florida when I was younger, and became interested in old homes and the stories they can tell.  The Ca' d'Zan Mansion was the summer home of John and Mable Ringling.  It is a beautiful mansion that I still try to visit at least once every few years.
            The eccentric widow's estate is the Winchester Mystery House, which I have not been to yet, but I'm itching to go to.  The fictional houses I can recall being most fascinated about would be Rose Red by Stephen King, and The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson.
            I wanted to write a story set in an epic mansion with an even more amazing history.  That is how the Libby Estate was born.
            The Libby estate is where Penny for the Night takes place.  It is an enormous house with a big mystery. The problem is, the ghosts won't share those secrets.  Explore the house with a psychic named Penny and her ex-boyfriend, as they try to unravel the truth to the Libby estate, before they unravel each other.
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Sally Max Bio:

After not being able to answer, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" when she was little, Sally Max decided she wouldn't settle on just one profession.  Instead, she lives vicariously through her characters on the page, and gets a taste of every possible scenario she can imagine.

Sally Max currently resides in southwest Florida with her orange tabby cat.




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