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.
.
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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