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| http://nancygideon.blogspot.com/p/haunted-open-house.html |
Congratulations to Tricia D. for winning a copy of THE PILOT.
Welcome to my friend Nancy Gideon's 5th annual Haunted Open House. Have you gone before? If so, you know it's 5 days of chills, thrills, and treats.
SCARY STUFF
I've made no secret that I do not like scary books, movies, creepy crawlies, and roller coasters. I don't like being scared. If I wanted to be frightened, I'd watch the news. But for Nancy, I'll swallow my fear and talk about scary movies.
I don't seek out scary movies, but sometimes I'll get caught unawares. Like the movie Wait Until Dark. Suzy (Audrey Hepburn) is blind. Three guys are trying to find a heroin-filled doll given to Suzy's husband. If you've seen the movie, you'll understand why the guy opening the refrigerator made me jump out of my skin.
Talk about jumping out of my skin . . . When my kids were 8 and 9, my sister insisted we see the movie Gremlins. She thought it sounded like fun. Hah! That was back in the day before PG-13. My kids spend most of the movie huddled against me or on my lap. That night they asked to sleep in my bed. It sounds silly now, but I was so glad because I knew I'd have nightmares of those creatures jumping out of Christmas trees and from under the bed.
When I tell people I write science fiction, they give me that look, like "you've got to be kidding, I hate sci-fi." So I tell them no creepy aliens. I'd rather write adventure, romance, and humor. No scary stuff. And that's what I call fun.
Blurb:
After tavern owner
Rissa Dix rescues two girls from a slave ship, she must rally the townsfolk to
prevent traffickers from returning. Mining heir Dillan Rusteran has loved her
for years. Little do they know that by rescuing more children they're tangling
with a trafficking ring that puts Rissa in danger.
Excerpt:
“To what do I owe this honor?” The pleasure house owner laughed. “Finally going
to take me up on my offer to sample my newest provider? He’s absolutely delish.
And what stamina.”
Though her cheeks flamed, Rissa
brushed aside the offer then quickly explained her need for small clothing.
“Slavers?” Fortuna screwed up her
face in disgust. “I heard rumors of disappearances in cities like Rhadaman but
not in the colonies.”
“About the clothes?” Rissa needed
to return before the girls decided to explore. Or, worse, leave.
Fortuna led her up the back stairs
to the sleeping quarters. “SeeMee isn’t working right now. She’s the smallest.”
A few mins later, Rissa had a
bundle of clothing from the generous SeeMee who was only too happy to help the
escapees. “I chose this life,” the tiny pleasure worker explained. “Nobody
should be forced into it.”
And that, Rissa thought, made the
difference between pleasure houses and prostis. Choice. She had to make sure
those girls bathing in her sanitary could make their own choices.
“The other girl is taller than you,”
Rissa said to Fortuna. “About this high.” She leveled her hand near her own
shoulder.
Fortuna nodded. “Wait here. Don’t
want to interrupt anything.” She grinned.
When she returned to the tavern
with the clothes, Rissa found the girls wearing what she’d left them. Her shirt
hung almost to Anaris’ ankles. On Pela, it reached her knees. They’d been
sitting on her settee, Pela brushing Anaris’ hair. They jumped up when Rissa
came in.
Both eyed her warily.
Pela broke the silence. “What are
you going to do with us?”
Rissa sat on the end of her bed across
from them. “I can find transport so you can return home.”
“No.” Pela’s sharp response
surprised her. “I won’t go back.”
Anaris looked even more frightened.
“Please don’t,” she whimpered.
With delicate probing, Rissa got
their stories. Both girls had been sold by their fathers to the traffickers.
Her heart twisted for them. How could a parent not appreciate the gift of life
given to them? To sell their flesh and blood was unconscionable.
Rissa reined in her anger. “You
have a choice where to go, what to do. Nobody will force you. Now try on these
clothes, and when you’re ready come down to the kitchen.”
Pela stood in front of Rissa. “Why
are you helping us? What’s in it for you?”
“Repentance.”
Now for the treat. You don't have to do any tricks, just leave a comment.
What is the scariest movie you've ever seen?
A lucky commentor will win an e-copy of THE PILOT, the first book in my Outer Rim series.
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Scariest movie in recent years: Signs by M. Night Shyamalan (I screamed in the theater, but was not alone!) From about 40 years ago. 1973 version of Don't Be Afraid of the Dark.
ReplyDeleteOk, first off, I am a big baby and I hate scary movies, don't do haunted houses. Not my cup of tea.
We're kindred spirits, girl. :)
DeleteI'm with you ladies! If I wanted scary, I'd cross a bridge (one of my phobias!) I've never felt a desire to be scared of to do any sort of survivalist thing. I don't feel a need to challenge myself. Comfort is aok with me! One of the scariest movies I saw was called something like "The Third House From the End." It was a realistic movie about some men breaking into a house and doing all kinds of things that still make me sick. Like Diane said, the news is appalling enough. I don't need to add to it. Thanks for joining the hop, Diane!
ReplyDeleteHeights & water are my phobias, so crossing a high bridge is really scary.
DeleteI love Science Fiction - don't mind SF 'monsters' too much although it does have to be in the context of a good plot and be logical; I certainly agree about the news being scary too. I think one of the creepiest films I've seen was 'The Turn Of The Screw' which I saw recently on TV. I think it made the hairs on the back of my neck stick up because it was so subtle, and you didn't quite know what was real and what wasn't. Too close to real life really! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, Lyn.
DeleteDefinitely the original The Haunting. Black and white, no gore but creepy as all get out.
ReplyDeleteB&W is so much more frightening than color.
DeleteHmm. Scariest movie? Got to be Psycho! Or Alfred Hitchcock's Birds...I prefer reading scary stories to watching them on the screen. That way I can flip the pages easier than shutting my eyes at the movies and still hearing the soundtrack!
ReplyDeleteI agree about Hitchcock, Denise. The music during the shower scene in Psycho is so scary.
DeleteGood job conquering your fear and participating. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThey say talking about your fears make them lose power. Not so sure about that.
DeleteI have to agree with Denise. I used to be scared out of my mind by the old Hitchcock films...Psycho, The Birds, etc. And yet, I'd sit right there & watch them anyway. lol
ReplyDeleteLOL Sandra. I know what you mean.
DeleteScariest movie? The Omen scared me half to death. To be honest, I'm scared easily. I usually watch scary movies (on the rare occasion I watch them) through my fingers as I try to cover my eyes.
ReplyDeleteLOL I know what you mean,Tricia. There are 2 scenes in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan that creep me out. As much as I like the movie, I'll cover my eyes and peek until the scenes are over.
DeleteFriday the 13th
ReplyDeleteGood one.
DeleteAlien. Not my cup of tea either. Give me a romantic comedy or drama any day!
ReplyDeleteMe, too, Diane. Love rom comedies.
DeleteIt would probably be SAW. I watched it in the theater with my aunt, uncle, and my uncle's uncle.
ReplyDeleteThat's one I'll avoid. LOL
Delete