To help us celebrate day 12 of our Halloween Extravaganza we have Vicki Lewis Thompson visiting with us. Vicki is a New York Times bestselling author and the 2008 recipient of RWA’s Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award. Vicki has written over ninety books, everything from contemporaries to paranormals. Her Hex Series takes place in Big Knob, Indiana and is filled with magic, love, laughter and romance. Her latest release in the series WILD & HEXY is out now with the next book CASUAL HEX coming out in March. Today Vicki is giving away a signed copy of the first book in the series OVER HEXED to a random poster.
When it comes to Halloween, I’m not the Jason or Freddy Krueger type. But I was raised on Casper, so ghosts provide just the right amount of creepy for me without inducing total terror.
I’ve willingly stayed in hotels that are supposed to be haunted, so long as the ghosts aren’t violent. Several years ago when Romance Writers of America had their annual conference in New Orleans – before Katrina – I signed up for my very first ghost tour with Harlequin editor Brenda Chin and several writer friends.
We went late at night. Picture the less-traveled streets of the French Quarter, neighborhoods which were nearly deserted at that time of night. Fog crept in from the harbor, and voodoo dolls stared at us from shop windows lit in red. Our tour guide took us past buildings with shuttered windows and bloody pasts. Tony and Lori Karayianni, who write as Tori Carrington, went on that tour with us, which was a testament to Tony’s courage, because I heard his teeth chattering. At least I think that was Tony. It might have been bones rattling! I didn’t see any ghosts, but I definitely felt a few cold drafts. At the end of the tour we stopped in at a bar where I ordered a very red drink called a Vampire’s Kiss. It was shiveringly good.
Tomorrow night my daughter Audrey and I will set out on Tucson’s version of a ghost tour, which takes place downtown, in the oldest part of the city. Tucson has been around more than 200 years, and it has a strong Hispanic heritage. Ghost stories are common here, where we have the holiday Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, following Halloween on November 1st and 2nd. Tucson should be a great place to scare up some ghosts, so I can hardly wait to find out what happens tomorrow night on the tour!
Have you ever been on a ghost tour? Have you ever seen a ghost? Do you want to or would you rather not?
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Candice
on Oct 30th, 2008
@ 12:39 am:
Hello
I’ve never been on a ghost tour but have always wanted to go on one. I definitely think there are spirits out there but I can’t say 100% that I’ve seen one. I do have a childhood experience of a possible spirit, but looking back I can’t say for sure if it was what I had always believed it to be. Basically it was a black figure in my door way which I first I thought was my sister (even though it was taller and broader), but when I asked “what are you doing?” and it didn’t answer, I screamed and closed my eyes. Next thing I know my mom is running into my room asking what’s going on… I never told her the truth as to why I had screamed, but still I never know if my child’s imagination believed to be a ghost, or now that I’m older if my child perception was really my sister trying to scare me… even though I don’t know why she wouldn’t answer and just stand there…completely still… hmmm, weird
Love the cover for Casual Hex, I would totally pick this up (and will) on a book browsing trip
cyclops8
on Oct 30th, 2008
@ 1:39 am:
Hi Vicki,
I’ve never been on a ghost tour before. I have heard about these various tours in New Orleans that take to cemeteries. I think it might be interesting to go on a ghost tour. It might be a mind opening experience. I’ve never seen or sensed ghosts or spirits. I do believe that they exist.
TAMI blackroze37
on Oct 30th, 2008
@ 4:08 am:
i dont think i would like to go on a ghost tour , excpet maybe with just one other person, to see my nake a fool of myself and sceam LOL
TAMI blackroze37
on Oct 30th, 2008
@ 4:14 am:
o i love the way you come up woith the names of the books but hex it
Marisa O'Neill
on Oct 30th, 2008
@ 5:09 am:
Hi Vicki – we’re so glad you could join us today! I simply can’t imagine going on a ghost tour. I happened to live in a haunted dorm in college and so I’ve already had my experiences and my fill of ghosts.
Maria and I visited New Orleans (pre-Katrina) and you are so right, there are many back streets and neighborhoods that are ripe for scaring you especially during this time of year. Passing by the voodoo shops and such at night while the fog rolls in off the harbor is a perfect setting for a horror/mystery/crime thriller. Just thinking about it makes me glad I’m sitting cozily in my home with the lights burning bright.
Will we ’see’ any ghosts in Casual Hex?
PJ
on Oct 30th, 2008
@ 7:09 am:
Hi Vicki!
You know how much I love your Hex series and especially George, that fun-lovin’ dragon. That’s a great cover for Casual Hex. Can you tell us anything about the story?
I chose Savannah, Georgia, one of the most haunted cities in the US for my first ghost tour. Creepy? You bet it was! I didn’t “see” any spirts but I have no doubt that they were there. We were in many buildings where you could definitely feel them. Would I go on another ghost tour? Without a doubt!
I hope you and Audrey have a great time tomorrow night. Will you be blogging about it?
Hugs,
~PJ
Andrea
on Oct 30th, 2008
@ 8:11 am:
Hello and welcome to our Halloween celebration, Vicki!!
Love that cover!
I have never been on a ghost tour, but would LOVE to do one someday. That kind of stuff doesn’t interest my husband, so I’d have to go with a bunch of girlfriends.
Gannon
on Oct 30th, 2008
@ 8:26 am:
Hi, Vicki! I’m really looking forward to reading CASUAL HEX. I adore the Hex series–it’s so much fun!
My sister and I went on a ghost tour in Edinburgh several years ago. It was very creepy, and even though I didn’t “see” anything, I definitely “felt” something. I’d love to go back again.
Andrea, my husband doesn’t get into the whole ghost thing either. That’s why I went with my sister.
Jeannie
on Oct 30th, 2008
@ 8:39 am:
Hello Vicki. It is so good to see you here. I am a fan of the Hex series and I’m really looking forward to Casual Hex.
I am not, however, a fan of ghost tours. Last year I was in Germany on a business trip and a group of us decided to go on a tour of an old castle. Part of the allure was that is was reported to be haunted and we all thought it would be great fun. I didn’t see any ghosts but it gave me one of the creepiest feelings I’d ever had. There was just something about it. And I wasn’t alone in my feelings. All of us felt that the place was just wrong. You know what I mean when a place feels just wrong? I had nightmares for several days after. It wasn’t the kind of fun I was expecting.
Vicki
on Oct 30th, 2008
@ 10:07 am:
Happy Day Before Halloween, everyone! It’s great to be here, and thanks so much for inviting me.
Candice, that sounds like a ghost story to me. I woke up once and saw something that looked like a gargoyle perched in the rafters. I was at a beach house at the time, and I wasn’t scared at all. Was it my imagination? I don’t know, but it was years ago and I still remember it vividly.
Cyclops8, I forgot to mention that yes, the New Orleans ghost tour went through a cemetery, too. There’s nothing quite as spooky as those New Orleans cemeteries with their above-ground vaults!
Tami, I’m hoping this ghost tour tomorrow night isn’t too scary, LOL! Thanks for the compliments on the titles. The new one coming out in March, Casual Hex, was actually titled by one of the editors at NAL, but I claim credit for the first title in the series, Over Hexed. That was mine, all mine!
Marisa, a haunted dorm! That has “book idea” written all over it! I’d love to hear more. As for ghosts in Casual Hex — not exactly. I do have a magical being who can enter and leave rooms without going through the door, but he’s not a ghost. I do like ghosts, so I should put some in future books. Thanks for the idea!
Hi, PJ! Oooo, Savannah! I’ve been there, and a ghost tour in Savannah would be awesome! Let’s see if I can give you a sound byte for Casual Hex — a wallflower finds herself desired by two fabulous men — one from Paris and one from a magical kingdom. Each wants to spirit her away from Big Knob. Dorcas and Ambrose, the matchmaking witch and wizard, step in to make sure true love triumphs. Oh, and George the dragon continues with his antics, of course, as he tries (sort of) to earn his golden scales. By the way, I just might blog about the ghost tour!
Andrea, I love the Casual Hex cover, too. I had cover luck with that one. Yes, do get some girlfriends together and go on a ghost tour! I have to admit that the South is probably the prime place. New Orleans is wonderful, and Savannah would be incredible for that, too. There are probably other spooky Southern towns I haven’t thought of.
Hi, Gannon! Oh, I hadn’t even thought of how cool it would be to go on a ghost tour in a place like Scotland! You could see some really old ghosts. Now I’m ready to try that!
Jeannie, that doesn’t sound like a fun experience at all. Because I’m a Casper-the-friendly-ghost kind of person, I wouldn’t be happy if I encountered unfriendly spirits. I know exactly what you mean about a place feeling wrong, and I’ll bet bad things had happened in that castle. I’m sorry it gave you nightmares. Yucky stuff!
Maria Lokken
on Oct 30th, 2008
@ 11:04 am:
Hi Vicki – I love your series!
You know, Marisa and I are twins – well all I can say is while she lived in a haunted dorm (several hundred miles away from where I went to college) I dreamed about all her experiences while she was having them. Imagine that! So, I’ve had my fill of haunted.
Wendy
on Oct 30th, 2008
@ 11:13 am:
Hi, Vicki!
I’ve never been on a ghost tour or seen a ghost and I’m not sure if I want too – Honestly, I’m a total wimp! I do know that my dad says he’s seen a few and he get really serious whenever he talks about it so I kinda believe him, lol.
Wendy
on Oct 30th, 2008
@ 11:14 am:
Oh! Congrats on your latest release! I haven’t read your Hex series yet but can’t wait! I looove the covers and I’ve got two postcards of them on my bookshelf.
TerryS
on Oct 30th, 2008
@ 11:16 am:
The Winchester House tour in San Jose, CA mentions Sarah Winchester’s ghost but it’s not really a ghost tour. I didn’t feel anything there nor have I ever felt a ghost but I would swear ghosts talked to my daughter when she was very young. Every once in a while she would make statements about events she had absolutely no way knowing any other way. Upon questioning she would supply complete details about events like someone was standing beside her giving the answers. Thank goodness she out grew the tendency by the time she was four because it did seriously make me wonder who was wandering around in the stratosphere talking to her!l
I’ve been reading your books for many years and Soapbox Queens for the past couple months. I’m looking forward to reading Casual Hex.
Natalie
on Oct 30th, 2008
@ 11:42 am:
Hi Vicki! I can’t believe you’re doing a ghost tour tomorrow. What a great night for it. Believe it or not I love a good ghost tour. I go on them when ever I’m traveling. It’s always a lot of fun, especially if you have a great guide and go with the right people who can get into the spirit ( no pun intended) of it. I have a close friend who also happens to be a work associate of mine. Whenever we are on the same business trip and it is a city like New Orleans, or Gavelston or Savannah we ALWAYS do a ghost tour. They are so much fun. I hope you enjoy it!
Kelley
on Oct 30th, 2008
@ 12:05 pm:
I have been on several ghost tours! The first was in San Diego – going all over the city and ending in old town San Diego – with the way it was presented and the spooky, creepy feelings that I experienced made me put that as something to be done more often – hence the reason I went to California and went on the Queen Mary – talk about scary – I still shiver thinking about that one. But since this is my favourite time of year I can’t help but look for new tours that might be offered!
Vicki
on Oct 30th, 2008
@ 12:14 pm:
Maria, thanks! And I did know you and Marisa were twins, and it’s fascinating to think of you experiencing vicariously what she was experiencing in the haunted dorm. You two have GOT to tell us what the haunting was all about. I know it wasn’t fun, but can you give us hints about what happened?
Wendy, my preference is for nice ghosts. I hope those are the kind your dad saw. I know of one writer who swears a ghost comes to her and gives her story ideas. A literary ghost –I could use one of those! So you have postcards! Woot! That was a lot of work, so it’s nice to know you didn’t toss them in the round file, LOL.
Hi, Terry! Thank you for sticking with me all this time, and also for dropping into the castle over at Soapbox Queens. That’s quite a story about your daughter, and I just heard a similar one from a friend of mine about her child. He outgrew it, too, but he was able to talk very early and talked about things he shouldn’t know. Then he seemed to “forget” it by the time he was five.
Natalie, I’m looking forward to this one! Plus I found out there’s also one in Bisbee, Arizona, which is an old, funky mining town. I already have plans to hit that one next year.
Vicki
on Oct 30th, 2008
@ 12:16 pm:
Kelley, I didn’t know there was a ghost tour on the Queen Mary! I’ll have to check that out next time I’m in California. And the San Diego one sounds good, too. There’s plenty of history there.
Karin
on Oct 30th, 2008
@ 12:23 pm:
Hi Vicki!
I loved the interview you did for Author Talk with Jill Monreo and Gena Showalter. I laughed so hard.
As for ghost tours, I’ve been on two of them. I went on one in Kinsale, Ireland four years ago and another one in York, England two years ago. They were both pretty creepy, but the one in Kinsale had a more humorous edge to it with two different guys acting as our tour guides and each playing characters. In York, though, it was all about the history and the ghosts associated with the different old buildings, including a few build during the Renaissance along The Shambles. While I didn’t see a ghost on either tour, there were definitely cold, spine-tingling feelings at different spots on each tour.
I have, however, seen a ghost in the basement of my house. I’m not the only one as my oldest brother swears he’s seen the same on down there as well. It creeps me out a little bit, but I try not to think about it when I have to go down there at night to get something or do laundry.
Megan
on Oct 30th, 2008
@ 12:58 pm:
Hi Vicki! I love your series. I can’t wait for the new book!
I have never been on a ghost tour (yet) but I have seen one. When I was younger I used to wake up in the middle of the night and see an old woman sitting in a rocking chair in the corner of my room. She would just sit there rocking and smiling at me. I think of it now and wonder why i wasn’t scarred out of my gourd, but there was something very soothing about her. It’s been about 15 years since I’ve seen her, but I still hold out hope!!
Maria Lokken
on Oct 30th, 2008
@ 1:26 pm:
Vicki – Marisa’s dorm was a converted mansion built in the early 1800’s. Behind her dorm was a pond where unfortunately a little boy drowned in the late 1800’s. He would ‘visit’ her at night in her dorm room. I knew nothing about this. But while he ‘visited’ her one night, I dreamed about the little boy going into a mansion and saw ‘myself’ in the dream as the person he visited. When I woke I was a bit freaked out and felt unsettled, and I had Marisa on the ‘brain’ – so I called her to see if everything was okay. I told her I had this strange dream, and began to describe it to her, that’s when she freaked out, because I described her dorm and her room to the exact detail (where windows were, fireplace, closets, etc.) and I described the boy – and I’d never been to Marisa’s dorm, nor had we ever discussed what it looked like. And that – was only one small thing that happened. It was a very strange year until she decided to move out of the dorm and get an apartment off campus.
Vicki
on Oct 30th, 2008
@ 2:46 pm:
Karin, that interview was a hoot to do! Jill and Gena are hysterical to work with. Wow, I would LOVE to go on a ghost tour in both Ireland and England. I’ve been to both places, but didn’t take any ghost tours. I decided not to take a Jack the Ripper tour, because that would have been way too scary. So you have a resident ghost? Do you know who it might be? I have to hand it to you, going down in the basement to do laundry. I might start sending mine out . . .
Megan, thanks! I can hardly wait for the new book, myself! Oh, I like your ghost story. I like it a lot. I wonder if that woman was an ancester, there to comfort you and check on you. What a cool story.
Maria, that’s amazing! If anyone doubts the ability of one mind to connect with another, this proves it’s entirely possible, doesn’t it? Of course I have more questions, such as whether the little boy appeared to other girls in the dorm or just to Marisa. Or whether it was something about that particular room that drew him. What a story! Thanks for sharing.
orannia
on Oct 30th, 2008
@ 3:02 pm:
Hi Vicki,
I’ve never been on a ghost tour, but I have been on a Jack the Ripper tour…we visited the six murder sites, the Six Bells pub, the church…..it was all very eerie, especially as my friend and I went on the tour at night…
All the best with your latest release!
Teresa
on Oct 30th, 2008
@ 5:30 pm:
Hi Vicki,
I’ve never been on a ghost tour, I live in Georgia and been to Savannah but didn’t do the ghost tour. My sister and I are the only ones who believe in ghost. So maybe one day I talk her to going.
pambook
on Oct 30th, 2008
@ 8:15 pm:
Hi Vicki. Never went on a ghost tour, or was there sort of one in Disney, can’t remember, lol. I did visit a local abandoned haunted house near our town as a teenager with some friends on a windy Halloween night. It was kind of spooky, with old house creaky noises especially with the wind blowing outside. Once or twice I was a bit startled but not too spooked but my sister and a girlfriend got creeped out, and when an especially loud thunking above was heard they shrieked and ran out and told me to hurry up start the car and get away. I just laughed at them.
Vicki
on Oct 30th, 2008
@ 8:40 pm:
Orannia, I doubt I could handle a Jack the Ripper Tour! You’re braver than I am.
Teresa, I think Savannah would be a GREAT place for a ghost tour. I hope you and your sister do it sometime!
Pambook, you are one courageous chick. I don’t think I would have stayed in that old abandoned house any longer than I had to. Yikes!
Thanks, again, everyone, for inviting me to join you today! Have a terrific Halloween!
Marisa O'Neill
on Oct 30th, 2008
@ 10:15 pm:
Vicki – thanks so much for being with us today, it was great fun! We’re all looking forward to CASUAL HEX.
Have fun on the ghost tour and Happy Halloween!
kh
on Nov 2nd, 2008
@ 9:42 pm:
love your books, have noot seen a ghost would love to go to a tour
kh
on Nov 4th, 2008
@ 1:36 pm:
any winner
Marisa O'Neill
on Nov 4th, 2008
@ 2:05 pm:
kh – I’ve written to Vicki and she’s going to let me know who won. As soon as I hear from her I’ll post it on the blog and home page.
Marisa
on Nov 7th, 2008
@ 9:31 am:
HI All! I’ve just heard from Vicki and she has announced KELLY as the lucky poster who will be receiving a signed copy of OVER HEXED.
So Kelly, I’ve sent you an email – please email us back and let us know where to send the book!
Kelley Phyper
on Nov 7th, 2008
@ 5:25 pm:
Wow that is so exciting – thank you so much – I have received your email and sent a response with all the relevant information! I can’t wait to receive it!!! Thank you thank you Vicki!
kh
on Nov 7th, 2008
@ 5:51 pm:
wtg kelley