by Anna Sugden
I'm thrilled to welcome back a Lair favourite, my very dear friend, the awesome, RITA-award-winning author, Terri Garey!!
Terri is here to celebrate the release of the fourth and final book in her fabulous Nicki Styx series, Silent Night, Haunted Night. If, like me, you've loved this series, which began with Dead Girls are Easy, you've been dying to see what happens next to Nicki, delightfully delicious Joe and the other characters.
Of course, you're not in the least bit interested in super-sexy Sammy aka Satan (who is MINE!!!).
Without further ado, let me hand you over to Terri.
Hola Banditas, and thanks for welcoming me back to the Lair!
Those of you who are familiar with my books know that I basically write ghost stories. I’ve always found the concept of ghosts so fascinating… why would a spirit continue to hang around after the body is gone? Does everyone become a ghost when they die? If not, then why do some people become ghosts and some don’t? Needless to say, I’ve given it a lot of thought, and I’ve done quite a bit of research, and the only real answer I’ve ever been able to come up with is—quite simply—unfinished business.
There are several different types of hauntings, you know, but they basically come down to three categories: residual, intelligent or elemental. “Residual” hauntings are repetitive—the spirit is merely repeating an action or a habit that they did in life, over and over and over again, with no consciousness behind the behavior. “Intelligent” hauntings are far spookier, in that these spirits can supposedly respond to and interact with the living. “Elemental” hauntings (also known as “poltergeist activity”) are by far the scariest—these hauntings are supposedly carried out by demons or evil spirits who are so angry that they want to hurt others.
But why? Why would a spirit repeat an action over and over, or want to interact with the living, or be so angry?
Unfinished business. Regrets. Guilt. Unfulfilled desires, unresolved anger, unfinished business.
Which brings me to the point of today’s blog. Unless you believe in reincarnation, we only live once. We’ve got one life, one chance, one body, one soul. It’s so easy to use words like “Someday.” Someday I’ll write that book. Someday I’ll do some volunteer work. Someday I’ll be thin. :) But what if someday never comes?
In Silent Night, Haunted Night, the heroine, Nicki Styx, is once again faced with helping a troubled spirit with unfinished business. This time, however, she’s got a major problem, in that the man she’s come to love has become the target in a very twisted game of lies, deceit and regret. Nicki learns the hard way how the choices we make in life can come back to haunt us in ways we never expected, and how even doing the right thing can cost us what we value the most. She learns that all of us—every single one of us—has a place in our soul where darkness hides, sometimes even from ourselves.
If there were one thing you could change before you die so that you would be left with no unfinished business, what would it be? Do you need to make amends to someone, try something you’ve never tried, go somewhere you’ve never gone? What would you do if you knew that “someday” was never going to come? One lucky commenter will win a copy of Silent Night, Haunted Night.
Think about it. After all, we only live once. (Hopefully.) :)
You can read an excerpt of Silent Night, Haunted Night, and the other books in the series, at Terri's website http://www.tgarey.com/ .
The other books in the Nicki Styx series are: Dead Girls Are Easy, A Match Made in Hell and You're the One That I Haunt. There is also the novella, Ghouls Night Out, in the anthology, Weddings From Hell.
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85 comments:
Hi Terri,
Congrats on the new release. I would want to see more of the world and try new hobbies. I think I would wan the chance to make amends for hurting my friends or family because of something I said or did.
Hello Terri, I loved the whole Nicki Styx series and I so hate to see the end of them. The first place I heard of you and your work was here in the lair.
I would like to get closer to my cousins, as children we were close but when all of our parents died we drifted away. Other than my children they are the only family I have.
Morning all! Greetings from sunny Cambridge!
Congrats Jane! What plans do you have for that pesky bird in New York today?
Where would you like to go, Jane? And what kind of new hobbies? Which brings up the next question *g* - what's stopping you?!
Ah, Dianna - the series about Nicki is coming to an end, but fear not ... there is more coming from Terri! I'll let her tell you about her fantabulous new series.
I know how you feel about being closer to your cousins. Family feuds seem to have split us apart, and we aren't even the ones involved in the feuds. Must do something about that
Hi Terri! I adore the Nicki Styx series! I've been a fan since day one. :)
In fact, I'll be reviewing SILENT NIGHT, HAUNTED NIGHT over at The Romance Dish on Friday the 13th *insert spooky music*
Dianna, it's interesting that you should mention cousins. I know what you mean about drifting apart. I'm not even sure where some of mine are. Such a shame.
**Please do not include me in the drawing for SNHN, since I already have a copy.**
Terri, so great to have you back with us!
(And Jane, way to grab the Golden Rooster!)
Terri, I'm not sure about unfinished business in my life. I do love a good ghost story and have wondered, like you, what could entice a spirit to hang around. I can't think of anything "unfinished", except like Dianna, I have some relatives I have let get away that I would like to reconnect with now that we're all grown and many of our children are, too. *g*
My parents had a really horrible divorce and my father's whole side of the family have become strangers to me. We have tried to make connections there, but it has been only marginally successful. Oh, well, I'll have to keep trying!
Popping my head out of the writing cave to say: Welcome back to the lair, Terri! Congrats on the release of Silent Night, Haunted Night. My copy is at the top of my TBR pile, ready for me to dive in when I get my book turned in Friday *g*
I hate to post and run but the cave is calling me. I'll just take a cabana boy or two to keep me company ;-)
Hi Terri! I love a good ghost story. Looking forward to reading yours. :)
I learned at a young age how very fragile life is so I try to live each day as if it's my last. I'm not always successful but I do my best. I don't have any amends to make, as far as I know, and I try to give back through my various volunteer activities. I'm close to my family, both immediate and extended. I guess what I'd want to do is travel more. I love discovering new places, meeting new people and learning about their cultures, then sharing it all with my friends and family through my thousands of photos. And, yes, I do mean thousands! lol
Good morning, Banditas!
Jane, I'm with you on the "see more of the world" wish - the dh and I were just looking into airfares to Europe, England and New Zealand last night - we're ready to see more of the world!
I completely understand about the cousins, too - I've lost track of all but one (out of dozens!)
Hi, Gannon! I'll certainly be sure to stop by the Dish on the 13th - Friday the 13th - love it! :-)
Beth, must you be so greedy with the cabana boys? You could at least leave the dark-haired one with the nice abs...
Welcome back, Terri! What fabulous covers you have.
Unfinished business. Hmm. Nothing is really coming to mind. As others have said, staying closer to people I drifted away from would be a good one.
When my mom was dying, in the healthcare unit at the retirement home, she referred to a man in the room no one else could see. The nurses in the hospital when my dad was dying said people sometimes seem to be looking at things that aren't there--which makes me wonder, is there really something or someone there? Or is that just something our eyes do, a way they focus, as our lives wind down?
Jane, congrats on taking home the rooster. :-)
Hi :)
Thank you for the post Terri.
I would travel to Australia. It's always been a dream of mine since I was 6 years old.
Thank you for sharing,
All the best,
RKCharron
xoxo
I'm looking forward to reading your review of Silent Night, Haunted Night, Gannon - I know it will be glowing! And what a perfect day to review the book!
I know what you mean, Caren - with family feuds on both sides of my family, it's hard to be in touch with anyone! Though, I have tried with some, I must do better.
Umm, you're supposed to be writing Ms Andrews. Having the cabana boys keeping you company will be far too distracting. I'd better look after them for you until you're finished!
And yay on another Beth Andrews book in the works!!
Awww PJ - you certainly make our lives much sunnier! And you certainly are the best at taking photos and sharing!!
Glad that you're travelling more - we Banditas love catching up with you at conference.
Oooh Terri's coming to England - I'm off to make up the guest bedroom!
Nancy, I like to think our souls carry on, even once our bodies have given up.
And, I like the John Edwards approach to it all, believing the others who have passed are there to help us make our journey to the other side.
Plus, I feel comforted that those I've lost are around me in some form.
Hi RK!
I'd love to travel to Oz too. One of my frustrations from a former career as a global marketing execttive was that I always seemed to miss out on the conference in Australia!! But, my lovely hubby and I hope to put that right - for our 10th anniversary in 2011, we hope to visit Australia.
You know, this is an interesting topic - kind of like that film The Bucket List.
I'm lucky enough to have achieved a number of things that I've always wanted to do - like mushing with huskies, flying in a helicopter, swimming with dolphins, riding a Zamboni *g*.
How about the rest of you - have you achieved any life dreams?
Anna, you rode a Zamboni? How cool!
Riding a Zamboni? Now THERE'S one you don't see often!
Welcome to the Lair Terri!
I've been to Ireland (and plan many more trips back). I would like to visit Christine and Anna in Oz, go onto see VA in Cambridge and get to Rome. Hawaii sounds kind of nice too.
And yes Nancy..I can attest to those who've gone before us being there for US in this lifetime. Pretty apropos considering today is All Souls Day.
Hi, Terri! Welcome and congrats on your new release!! I try to live each day to its fullest, but I would LOVE to visit the UK before I die. One of these days, I will!!
Hear, hear on traveling more. I've been blessed to live overseas twice, so I've been able to travel quite a bit. But there are always more fabulous places to see. :)
Wish I could do that for a living. When I win the lottery....*sigh*
VAnna, you got to ride a Zamboni? How cool is that! I would love to ride one of those!
It really was, Nancy and PJ. I don't know how to do links, but if you go to my website www.annasugden.com and click on extras, you'll see a piece I wrote about going behind the scenes at the Continental Airlines Arena (which used to be home to my New Jersey Devils) as part of the research for my hockey romances. You'll see photographic proof!
Yay Joanie's coming to England too!! Feel free to pack cookies and sexy Romans *g*
Yay Andrea's coming too!!
We'll have to have a party!!
Where did you live, Gannon?
We've been lucky too - living in the US for 6 years meant we got to see all sorts of places that one dreams about. But, there's always more - like Nashville next year (and the obligatory trip to Memphis to Graceland!)
Anna, does the guest room overlook the poppy field? :-)
Did I ever tell you about the two times I saw John Edward in person? I was curious - couldn't help it. I do believe that some people are more sensitive to spirits, but I'm not convinced that everyone who claims to be a psychic IS a psychic, you know? Still not sure about John Edward. :-)
Hi Terri!!! Welcome back to the Lair! So wonderful to have you with us.
Jane, congrats on nabbing the GR. He's a sly one, that chook. Grins. He's probably still stuffed with Halloween candy - or on a feather-flappin' sugar high! ha!
Terri, your books are so much fun and I'm thinking Sammy needs to come to DC...oh, wait, he's probably already here! Hahahah!
Grins.
Not in his official, working capacity. No, I think he needs to come by for a drink...
Hi Terri,
Congrats on your new release. Looks like I have a lot of catching up to do with this series. But I'll definitely get to it. I would like to go to Scotland and Italy before I die. That has always been a dream of mine, Italy for cousins and relatives never met and Scotland because it just calls to me and has such a history. But having 7 children guarantees you won't travel further then the shore.An hour ride from our house. lol
Carol L.
Hi Terri!
Welcome back to the lair.
Ooooh, that's a great question, and a difficult one. I think, if I could do things over again,--or go BACK in time and change something-- I would not believe someone who once told me there was no way to do what was my deepest heart's desire. I was in high school, and she was a very lazy guidance counselor. And of course there was a way! So I came very late to going for my dream, and life might have been different if I'd gone for it then, rather than later in life when I had more responsibilities. Still, you never know, and there's a purpose for everything I think...a time and a place and a season and all that.
I would also be valedictorian and get scholarships for school. NO STUDENT LOANS! Lots of things I'd know with my older brain that I didn't know then.
As to going for what you want, I'm doing that in a lot of areas of my life. Restoring an old house, living in the country, writing..
I LOVE ghost stories, btw, and what a good season to be talking about that.
OH, and congrats Jane!
Hi, Terri, welcome back. Thanks, Anna, for inviting Terri.
Your books are in my TBR pile, Terri, but this latest one sounds very intriguing. I adore the titles, would've bought the books based on that alone!
It isn't something to undo, but I'd really like to publish one of my books before I did :-D. It's the last major accomplishment I haven't yet attained.
Maybe someday!
I would want to get rid of all my stuff so my daughters wouldn't have to deal with it. Give things to people I love so they could enjoy them. Then pay off my bills so I wouldn't leave a mess behind.
I would travel more (if I only managed to win the lottery) and visit ALL my cousins in Canada. Still haven't seen them all.
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/travelblogs/5/6931/New+York,+Youâve+Changed:+Ghostbusters+â+Part+1?destId=362079&affil=lpemailcontent
http://www.gocomics.com/bozo
Hi Terri-
Those covers are gorgeous! I love the premise as well.
Before I die I'd like to travel to more places, exotic places. I'd like to hold my grandchildren, which means my kids best get moving in that direction (grin). I don't think I've left any relationships unresolved so that's good - but listen God - that doesn't mean you can take me now. I have more books to write. (grin)
You could have one that overlooks the poppy field, but the nicer one overlooks the garden *g*.
Wow - you've seen John Edwards?! I'd love to do that. Whether he's for real or not, I love his shows and I really like his take on the after-life.
Excuse me, Jeanne - I love you dearly - but Sammy is taken. He is MINE!!!! Bwa-ha-ha-ha.
ROFL about him already being in DC. He could also be in Lond at No.10, except there is nothing remotely sexy about that incumbant!!
Hi Carol! It's worth catching up on Terri's series - I love it (and no, I'm not biased *g*)
You know, you could come to England while you're visiting Scotland - we have a great history too! *g*
Hey Cassondra! What an awful guidance counsellor!! I'm all for being realistic (I was told to get a degree first then go for whatever I wanted to do, so that if I failed, I had something to fall back on!) but that sucks!
But then she probably didn't have a clue as to how talented you are!
You and me both, Jo. I would love to get that call before I die - and live long enough to see my book on shelf LOL
We will get there, my friend!
What a lovely thought, Linda, As one who has had to sort through such messes, I can tell you what a difference it makes. As a friend of mine always says, there's no pockets in shrouds - so it would be nice to give things to people that they can enjoy. (And you can beat that nasty inheritance tax!)
Hope you get to visit Canada one day, Minna.
Hey did you know that a Finnish band, called The 69 Eyes, have a song called Dead Girls Are Easy which is a tribute to Terri's book! And she got to meet them!
Come on Terri - tell everyone about your rock chick experience!
I'll second that sentiment, Donna - you have many more books to write, for us to enjoy *g*. I'm still holding out hope for a sequel to The Trouble With Moonlight.
Plus, we don't want to lose you!
Oooh, a rock chick experiment? Doooo tellll!!!
Grins.
Anna and Jo, you're Banditas. You WILL be published.
So there.
Congrats Jane on getting the rooster!
Congrats Terri on your new release! Let me see what's on my bucket list is to go to the Highlands of Scotland, thats what I want to do. If I could loose some of my weight would make the trip even better! Also coming into a lot of money would help!
Cassondra, something very similar happened to me - stupid guidance counselor! I was an honor student with an A+ average, in the top of my class, but she never even mentioned the word "scholarship" to me!
Hi, Minna! Yes, Anna - Minna knows about the 69 Eyes, because she's from Helsinki, as are they! Long live the Helsinki Vampires! :-)
>>Come on Terri - tell everyone about your rock chick experience!<<
Ah, yes, my FANGtastic fangirl moment! LOL
The 69 Eyes are a gothic "goth-n-roll" band from Finland. They've been around a long time, very popular in Europe but only recently signing with a US label. They come across as these scary guys, but in reality, they're absolute sweethearts. They're best described as a cross between Dracula, Elvis and Motley Crue. :-) Seriously.
Anyway, last spring, I got an email from the lead singer, saying he'd read DEAD GIRLS ARE EASY (can you imagine?), and to be on the lookout for its influence on their upcoming CD, which just came out this summer.
So, guess what the name of the first single released from the CD was, hm? Yes, they recorded a song called Dead Girls Are Easy, and it rocks! Woohoo!
And then they came to Orlando, and I got to meet them. They signed a copy of my own book for me! LOL So much fun-you can see pictures on my blog.
Terri, that is so totally COOL!!! I love that!
And the pictures are really fab too.
*shakes head* That's a wild description of them too. Motley crue and dracula...Hmmmm.
It sounds like a wonderful series!!
I would like to forget all past hurts. They say to live your life for the day - the past is over and the future isn't here yet. And then I'd like to get rid of my fear of driving lol.
Hi, Terri, It's nice to see you in the Lair, I usually see you on
the Playground!
I'm sure that there are some things
that I would have enjoyed doing at
some time in my life. None are more
important than that our family is
not left with arrangements to care
for after we are gone. As to our
future years,I would like to visit
more of our country. We've seen
Venice, but haven't seen Hawaii!
Pat Cochran
Anna, I have visited Canada twice, but it's not enough for me!
Terri, I don't live in Helsinki and I hope I never will. It's nice place to visit (my sisters and brothers and some other relatives live in Helsinki or close to it), but I don't think I'd like to live there for so many reasons.
Miljoonasade - Marraskuu (November)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TgC62Lylzw&feature=related
Ooops, Minna! Well at least tell me I got the country right! :-)
Yeah, you did get the country right =).
Congrats on the new release. Cant wait to read it, I loved the others in the series. If I could change one thing I would want to travel and experience more. But aside from that I really dont have anything outstanding. I would just want to let me family know I love them.
Congrats Jane have fun with him
What a great post Hi Terri congrats on the new release this series sounds so good.
I don't think there is anything that I would like to make sure I do I love spending time with my family and I always make sure I find time to read as long as I am happy life is good.
have Fun
Helen
Terri, sorry I'm so late to the party! We're having a party over at your place so it looks like the lair have swapped me for you. Hmm, they may decide to make the arrangement permanent so polish up your cabana boy handcuffs! Congratulations on the release of the latest Nikki Styx book. It sounds fantastic! The whole ghost thing is so fascinating, isn't it? Personally I think it's arrogant to imagine that nothing exists except what we can touch and see with our faulty human senses. But as you say, some of this can get scary!
Wishing you a million sales! And if they decide to let you go back to your playground, come back and see us soon.
By the way, what's coming up next?
Anna, I hope you make it down here in 2011! I hope everyone who wants to visit Oz gets to do it one day. It's a long flight but it's worth it. Actually one day I'll have money and time to do the US or UK trip from here by ship. Now that would be cool! And no jetlag!
Terri, congrats on your new release. Gannon always has great things to say about your books.
I would love to travel more. There are quite a few places I would love to see -- Ireland, Scotland, Australia, anywhere really.
So Anna, make up a room for me too! :)
Oh, one other think I want to do . . . go to RWA National Conference. Hopefully I'll be in Nashville next year with my buddies :)
Oops -- that should be "THING" not "THINK". Those waiters over at The Romance Dish party are wearing me out *VBG*
I'm not sure if the The 69 Eyes are quite as scary as Lordi.
Lordi - Hard Rock Hallelujah
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFvgfQNaTEo
And these are the guys who actually brought victory for Finland first time EVER in the Eurovision Song Contest. I think they scared everyone into voting for them...
Terri, that's so great about 69 Eyes! I guess it helps to have a fantastic book title. :-)
Buffie, come on down!!!!!
Anna, you know I want to! I keep telling the dh to tell his boss that he needs to visit their HQ (which is in Australia).
TERRI!!!! One of my absolute favorite ladies EVAH!!!!!! Hey there and welcome to the Lair :-)
I so love your Nikki Styx stories and am thrilled to get my hands on this one. So tell us -if Nikki is winding up with book 4, what's next for the awesomely talented Terri Garey?
Hello again, Anna! Yes, I see we've swapped places today! Congratulations again on CAPTIVE OF SIN being announced as a Publisher’s Weekly TOP BOOK of 2009 today! Thank goodness they recognize a wonderful romance when they read one!
TAWNY!! Big smoochie hugs, girl. I understand you typed "The End" on another fabulously sexy read today, didn't you? Congratulations!! :-)
What's next for me is another tiptoe into the dark side with a whole NEW series based on my favorite bad boy from the Nicki Styx series, the Devil himself, Sammy Divine!
I'm working on THE DEVIL'S BARGAIN and THE DEVIL'S DISCIPLE, and they'll both be out in 2011.
I just adore Sammy - he's so.... bad, so tortured, so misunderstood! (And sexy... did I mention sexy?) LOL Anna claims his his, but his heart belongs to ME! Bwahahahaaaa...
Terri, what's next sounds divine. Well, perhaps NOT divine, but GREAT!!! And thanks for the congrats on the Publishers Weekly news. It's gradually sinking in!
Terri said:
Cassondra, something very similar happened to me - stupid guidance counselor! I was an honor student with an A+ average, in the top of my class, but she never even mentioned the word "scholarship" to me!
Me TOO! I managed to get all the way through school without anyone bothering to tell me that if I were valedictorian, money would flow. I never knew the extra tenths of a point in GPA made any difference!
Ah well, if my elders were correct, and life's difficulties build character, perhaps paying all those loans was part of character building for me. I did get quite tired of having my character built, though....
OH, Jane! Congrats on the bird!
I love your Nicki Styx character and as I have told you before, I could not put the story down until I finished it.
What would I do - I don't know how to answer that one. I sort of started closing circles a few years back and feel glad to see the positive from putting forth efforts. If I could have a dream come true before I die - it would be to stand on the stage at RWA and accept a Golden Heart. :)
Happy book birthday, Terri!
Congrats on nabbing the GR today, Jane!
Hmmm, I think I'd give my best friend a hug as I've never done that before. She's really not a physical touch-kinda gal when it comes to friends and shies away from it. Oooh, and if I had any money, I'd take a road trip across Canada with a friend or two and get some camping in along the way.
Wow, You are here Terri! I'm so excited. Congrats for the release. I've been trying for quite some times to have the chance to win your books :)
coz I love ghost stories. And I'd read so many compliments about your works.
anyway, i'd love to have enough money to travel around the world with my family, enough money to make my parents happy . Would love to Learn so much things that i'd missed.
You know, I just realized that I'd never said what my regret would be.
I wish I were a better friend to those I love. I wish I'd hugged more, worried less, and appreciated EVERY SINGLE DAY all the blessings I have.
I try to do it, but being an introvert sometimes inhibits me. (Stop laughing! It's true!) Thanks for having me today, guys!
Oh, and the randomizer has picked NANCY to win an autographed copy of Silent Night, Haunted Night!
Nancy, send me your snail mail address at terrigarey@gmail.com to claim your prize!
Hi Terri, a hearty welcome to the lair! Anna, thanks so much for bringing Terri back to visit.
Fascinating about the different types of hauntings! I love the sound of the Nicky Styx series.
Unfinished business--I think one of those things you mentioned--be thin! Or at least, healthily slim:) I don't know if I'll ever get back to pre-baby weight but I'm working on it!
Jane got the rooster. Congrats!!
I'd go on a world tour, visiting all those places I've been longing to see...Egypt, England, Australia and so many others.
Deidre
I would finish High school when I was young not when I was 30 years old.and then I would become a CSI investigator.
sasluvbooks@yahoo.com
Hi Terri. Your book sounds wonderful. I would like to see some of Europe like England, Scotland, Ireland, & Germany.
Whew! Our party over at The Romance Dish kept me hopping all day and half the night! Good times!
Anna, my dh was in the Navy for 21 years. We lived in Bahrain for 2 years and Italy for 2 years. Wonderful experience for our whole family!
I haven't talked to my sister in over 5 years, would like to be able to once again! Hope she finally comes to her senses!
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