Hacienda Moon

 

Hacienda Moon

by KaSonndra Leigh

 

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GENRE:   Paranormal Gothic Romance

 

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BLURB:

 

Tandie Harrison is a police medium struggling to pick up the pieces of her life after a devastating divorce that left her without her precious daughter and her psychic visions. With a heavy heart, she escapes the hustle and bustle of New York City and moves into the alluring plantation house, Chelby Rose. Here, she meets Eric, the home’s charismatic caretaker. Despite the ghostly warnings, Tandie finds herself drawn to him, and as their affair intensifies, so does the centuries-old curse haunting them both.

Suddenly, Tandie finds herself at the center of a dark and dangerous web full of deceit and intrigue. As fear begins to consume her, she must find the courage to face the demons of her past if she is to have any chance at a future. Hacienda Moon is a captivating story full of suspense and romance that will ensnare you from start to finish.

Note to readers and bookclubs:

This is the expanded and revamped edition of the Hacienda Moon that was originally published in 2012. Please be sure to add this version to your to-read list as this edition contains more gothic suspense, intrigue, and of course romance.

 

 

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EXCERPT

 

The results of Eric’s handyman skills were beautiful. The final perk was the light rose-colored exterior paint, a shade considered original to the house. Eric didn’t say a word about my upgraded paintbrushes. He was too busy making sure I didn’t catch him watching me as I bent over to paint the lowest boards on the house. However, I turned around at the perfect moment on paint day and caught him staring. His face flushed so badly, I couldn’t resist doing something to celebrate my small victory.

 

“Wow, it’s so hot out here today.” I stretched my arms, lifting my tee-shirt up until my belly button was exposed, basking in the warmth of the late summer sun. Eric’s mouth fell open. Success! That move totally stole Mr. Intense's attention. Tucking my lips, I made a move toward an even more creative tease, bending over to pick up one of the three paint brushes I’d dropped.

 

“What are you doing?” he asked.

 

“What does it look like? I dropped my paintbrushes.” I shrugged and waved the brush between us. “Did I not use the proper technique for bending over and picking it up?” 

 

He gave me a dimpled grin and moved closer to where I stood beside the house. Glancing down at the brushes beside my feet, he said, “They do look somewhat dirty. You sure you can handle that task? You strike me as somewhat of a nice girl. With that much paint and dirt all in the heads, you have to get a little rough with cleaning them.” His gaze bore into mine, smoldering me under a hazel brown sugary-colored look this time.

 

I held his gaze. “Oh, believe me. I have plenty of ways to clean dirty things.”

 

There was about a foot of space between us now. “Is that right?” 

 

“Oh yeah,” I answered, hoping that the pulse line on my neck didn’t show the way my heart thumped inside my chest. 

 

His gaze drifted from my eyes down to my lips and finally ended at my left shoulder. “Then why don’t you start by cleaning that big red spider off your shoulder?” An amused smile spread across his lips, but a scream shrilled out of mine. 

 

Eric slammed his hands over his ears. “Damn it, Tandie.”

 

Adrenaline spiked through me. He might as well have said my breasts were hanging out. He would’ve gotten less of a response than he did with the spider statement. “Get it off me! Do you see it? Is it still there? Get it!” I shrieked, jumping around and spinning in half circles. 

 

“I won’t help you until you stop trying to burst my eardrums,” he said, still half-way smiling. He came over and put his arms around me, pulling me into his embrace. “Calm down, Tandie. It’s gone, all right?” 

 

Vowing to never tease Eric ever again, I waited for my breathing to normalize and for my trembling limbs to steady as I was pressed against Eric’s chest.

A Word With the Author

 1.Did you always want to be an author?

 

Yes, from as far back as I can remember, I have had a deep-seated passion for writing. I used to spend countless hours reading books, filling up journals with stories, and imagining new worlds in my mind. Even when I pursued other careers, such as teaching and counseling, my love for writing never faded. It wasn't until years later that I finally realized what I truly wanted to do: become a published author.

 

Becoming a published author has been a long and challenging journey, but it's one that I wouldn't trade for anything. Writing has given me a way to express myself and share my stories with the world. It's a magical feeling to know that my words have the power to transport readers to new places, make them feel emotions they never thought possible, and inspire them to take action in their own lives.

 

Of course, the road to becoming a successful author isn't easy. There have been countless rejections, moments of self-doubt, and setbacks along the way. But these obstacles have only made me more determined to pursue my dream. I've attended writing conferences, joined writing groups, and honed my craft to become the best writer I can be.

 

In the end, I'm grateful for every experience that has brought me to where I am today. Writing will always be an essential part of who I am, and I can't imagine my life without it.

2.Tell us about the publication of your first book.

 

When Copper Suns Fall, my first book, was a labor of love that took me many years to bring to fruition. I started writing the novel when I was in college, and it went through many revisions over the years.

 

After I felt like the manuscript was finally in a place where it was ready to be published, I had to figure out how to get it out to the world. Going through the publishing process was an eye-opening experience. I learned so much about the industry and what it takes to get a book out into the world. In the end, When Copper Suns Fall was published by a small press, I was thrilled to finally see my work in print. Seeing the positive response to the book was incredibly rewarding and inspiring, and it motivated me to continue writing even more.

 

Looking back on the publication of my first book, I'm filled with gratitude for everyone who helped make it possible, and I'm especially grateful to the readers who took a chance on a new author. It was a challenging journey, but one that taught me so much about perseverance, determination, and the power of storytelling.

 

 

 

3.Besides yourself, who is your favorite author in the genre you write in? 

 

I have so many favorite authors who write in this unique niche of haunted houses, writers with tortured souls and ill-fated lovers. A few who first come to mind are: Stephen King, Anne Rice, Darcy Coates, and Dean Koontz. A few classical authors I adore and find myself inspired by on the regular are: Bram Stoker, Mary Shelley, and Ann Radcliffe. Oh yeah, and let’s not ever forget the great Edgar Allan Poe.

 

4.What's the best part of being an author? The worst?

 

As an author, the best part is having the ability to create something out of nothing. Writing allows me to expand my imagination, explore different worlds and characters, and bring them to life through my words. It's a deeply fulfilling and gratifying experience.

 

Furthermore, writing has provided me with a platform to share my voice and impact others positively. Nothing gives me more joy than to receive messages from readers, telling me how my stories have touched them or helped them in some way.

 

On the other hand, the worst part of being an author is how competitive and challenging the industry can be. There are millions of books out there, many of them written by talented authors, so it can be tough to stand out and get noticed. Marketing one's book and engaging with potential readers can be a daunting and almost endless effort. Not to mention, sometimes it can be stressful trying to keep up with deadlines, balance promotions with your work, and make enough income to sustain your livelihood.

 

There are also moments of self-doubt and vulnerability that come with putting my work out there for others. Receiving negative reviews or not selling as many copies as I'd hoped can be discouraging at times.

 

Still, despite the challenges, being an author is a dream job for me. I feel lucky to be able to write for a living, share my stories with others, and connect with people through my words.

 

5.What are you working on now?

 

Currently, I'm delving deeper into the character of Saul Chelby, who is introduced in my previous novel Hacienda Moon. Saul is a complex, fascinating character with a rich backstory, and I'm excited to explore his journey further.

 

The story I'm writing will follow Saul as he navigates his complicated past and the challenges he faces in the present. I can't give too much away, but I will say that the story will be full of twists and turns, and will give readers a deeper understanding of Saul's character and motivations.

 

As with all my writing, I want to make sure that the story is not only entertaining but also thought-provoking and emotionally impactful. I'm excited to see where Saul's journey takes me, and I can't wait to share it with my readers when it's ready.

 

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Meet your word sculptress...

 

Author of the #1 Amazon International bestselling novels, the Prelude and the Lost Immortals Saga, KaSonndra is also a mother, designer, reader, gardener, home renovator, and a slayer of undead Egyptian mummies in Tomb Raider. She believes in karma, coffee, and seriously wishes that the producers of Xena would bring her favorite show back. 

KaSonndra was born in the race-car city of Charlotte, NC, and now lives in the City of Alchemy and Medicine, NC, when she's not hanging out in Bardonia (Lost Immortals Saga setting). Most of her characters are based on people that she has met throughout her travels and adventures. 

People tend to stop and start conversations with KaSonndra as if she has known them her entire life. Does this freak her out? Not really. Her mom says that one day she’ll get kidnapped by one of these folks. KaSonndra's response? She told her mom that if it weren’t for these lovely people, then she wouldn’t be able to create such fabulously romantic stories!

Visit KaSonndra's at one of her online homes:

Main Author Webpage: https://kasonndraleigh.com 

Facebook Fan Page: http://facebook.com/kasonndraleighbookspage

Twitter: @kasonndraleigh

Instagram: @kasonndraleighbooks

Online Blogazine: http://livewellbefabulous.com

 

Amazon author's link: https://www.amazon.com/stores/KaSonndra-Leigh/author/B0066W7GY4?ref

 

 

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION 

KaSonndra Leigh will be awarding a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway