31 Jan Welcome to the BLOOD/CRIMSON Blog Tour! @OverbeckRandy @4WillsPub @4WP11 @RRBC_Org
Welcome to the “BLOOD/CRIMSON” BLOG TOUR!
It is my pleasure to introduce Dr. Randy Overbeck on Day 5 of the 4WillsPub/RRBC Blog Tour and Giveaway. His books include: “Blood on the Chesapeake” and “Crimson at Cape May.”
For your chance at winning one of the awesome giveaways below, simply leave a comment below!
AUTHOR BIO: RANDY OVERBECK
Dr. Randy Overbeck is a veteran educator who has served children as a teacher and school leader. For more than three decades, his educational experiences have included responsibilities ranging from coach and yearbook advisor to principal and superintendent and he’s lived the roles of many of the characters in his stories. An accomplished writer, he has been published in trade journals, professional texts and newspapers as well as in fiction, with his third published novel. As a member of the Mystery Writers of America, Dr. Overbeck is an active member of the literary community, contributing to a writers’ critique group, serving as a mentor to emerging writers and participating in writing conferences such as Sleuthfest, Killer Nashville and the Midwest Writers Workshop. When he’s not writing or researching his next exciting novel or sharing his presentation “Things That Go Bump in the Night,” he’s spending time with his incredible family of wife, three children (and their spouses) and seven wonderful grandchildren.
Social Media Links
Twitter: @OverbeckRandy
Facebook: Author Randy Overbeck
Crimson at Cape May
No matter how far you run, you can never really escape a haunted past.
Darrell Henshaw—teacher, coach, and paranormal sensitive—learned this lesson the hard way. Now, with his job gone and few options, he heads for Cape May to coach a summer football camp. The resort town, with gorgeous beaches, rich history and famous Victorian mansions, might just be the getaway he needs. Only, no one told him Cape May is the most haunted seaport on the East Coast.
When a resident ghost, the Haunted Bride, stalks Darrell, begging for his help, he can’t refuse, and joins forces with Cassie, another sensitive. As Darrell and the street-wise teen investigate the bride’s death, they uncover something far more sinister than a murder. Can Darrell and Cassie expose those behind the crimes before they end up becoming the next victims?
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BOOK TRAILER LINK:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9nWiaGO-KM
Blood on the Chesapeake
Wilshire, Maryland, a quaint shore town on the Chesapeake, promises Darrell Henshaw a new start in life and a second chance at love. That is, until he learns the town hides an ugly secret. A thirty-year-old murder in the high school. And a frightening ghost stalking his new office. Burned by an earlier encounter with the spirit world, Darrell doesn’t want to get involved, but when the desperate ghost hounds him, he concedes. Assisted by his new love, he follows a trail that leads to the civil rights movement, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and even the Klu Klux Klan. Then, when two locals who try to help are murdered, Darrell is forced to decide if he’s willing to risk his life—and the life of the woman he loves—to expose the killers of a young man he never knew.
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BLOG POST
7 FACTS ABOUT GHOSTS
You probably didn’t know
When I did the prep work in advance of writing the first two novels in my new series, the Haunted Shore Mysteries, I conducted a considerable amount of research. For example, for Blood on the Chesapeake, not being a sailor, I had to learn the details about a sloop and specifics about sailing the Chesapeake Bay. And of course, I had do some scholarly research on the social issues focused on in the novels, lynching and racial injustice for Blood on the Chesapeake and human trafficking for Crimson at Cape May. But, as the novels in the series are ghost stories as well as mysteries, I also had to gather considerable knowledge about ghosts and the spiritual world. Since I want my writing to reflect, as close as possible in fiction, what we know for sure about ghosts, I did my best to study up on the subject. I read books, examined verified websites, checked out reported sightings and even met with ghost hunters. What I learned surprised me…in many ways and I thought they might surprise you as well.
Here are a few facts about ghosts that we believe and know.
- Approximately half the people in the U.S. acknowledge a personal belief in ghosts. Belief in ghosts and the spirit world is not merely the thing of childhood nightmares or foolish hobgoblins of minds. Two different studies conducted over the past several years have yielded almost identical results—48% of respondents replying yes to this question in the first (Harris Poll, 2003) and 51% in the second (Huffington Post, 2017).
- One in five Americans believe they have had a personal encounter with a ghost. This incredible statistic was confirmed through two separate studies, (Baylor University, 2006 and AP Ipos, 2007). These encounters include hearing, seeing and even sensing a ghost.
- Every religion in the world includes a belief in ghosts as part of their mythology. No matter what faith community you were raised in—Christianity, Judaism, Muslim, Buddhism, Hinduism, Native American religions—you were taught that ghosts are a very real part of our existence on this earth.
- Many famous scientists, performers, inventors, politicians and athletes have shared that they believe in ghosts, most often because they have had a personal encounter with the spirit world. Belief in ghosts is definitely not for the feeble minded. The list of names might surprise you. Thomas Edison, Ronald Reagan, Paul McCartney and Dale Earnhardt, Jr., just to name a few.
- Interest in ghosts and hauntings are so widespread that there are ghost hunting groups, organizations and even companies in every state and a great many cities and towns. A simple exploration of the web will yield a surprising number of “ghost hunting” groups in your area. And none are anything like the famous Ghostbusters.
- Almost all experts who study this field believe ghosts are individuals who have died, but have some unfinished business that keeps them tethered to this world. This is ample evidence of this in the anecdotal records of documented ghost sightings all across the globe.
- Often, though not always, a ghost encounter will result in a dramatic drop in a room’s temperature for the time the ghost is present. This experience has been documented repeatedly, using very precise scientific instruments, video and audio recording devices. In all the reports I’ve read, I’ve never seen a “physical” explanation for the very physical change in the atmosphere. And this phenomenon seems to be universal.
So, as I crafted my narratives, I worked to keep the fiction of the ghost story as close to the documented reality of the spiritual world as possible. I’m hoping the inclusion of this “paranormal” element in my storytelling makes the novels just a bit more interesting. I’d love to hear what you think.
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To follow along with the rest of the tour, please visit the authors’ tour page on the 4WillsPublishing site. If you’d like to book your own blog tour and have your book promoted in a similar grand fashion, please click HERE. Thanks for supporting this author and his work!
Yvette M Calleiro
Posted at 05:10h, 01 FebruaryThe paranormal aspect is definitely what drew me in. I’m a sucker for all things paranormal. Lol! My mom believes she had a ghost living in her home when she first bought it. At night, the tiles would creak as if they were being walked on. (There were many loose tiles in her house at the time.) When it first started happening, it freaked her out. She’d get out of bed to check that all the windows/doors were locked and the alarm was on. This went on for quite a while. Eventually, she spoke aloud and told the ghost that she knew it was there, that she was not afraid, and that the ghost was welcome to stay for as long as needed. She never heard the tiles creak again. I have other stories as well, but I’ll stop there. Lol! Thanks for hosting today, Linnea! 🙂
Linnea Tanner
Posted at 10:45h, 01 FebruaryHi Yvette–Thank you for visiting the blog tour and commenting. It is fascinating to hear your story about your mother. Although I have been scientifically trained, there have been paranormal incidences that have happened to me that I can’t explain. After my husband had a near-death experience from a diabetic coma, both my daughter and I experienced incidences that had to do with safeguarding his health. One time late at night when I was fast asleep, I felt like I was levitating off the bed and then dropped to wake me up so I could deal with my husband’s life-threatening low blood sugar. I seldom talk about this because of the strange looks I get. However, I like to explore the spiritual aspects of various myths and religions to incorporate into my fantasy. Have a fantastic day.
Randy Overbeck
Posted at 14:50h, 01 FebruaryI’m curious how old the house was your mom moved into. Did she ever get an explanation of who the ghost might have been?
Shirley Harris-Slaughter
Posted at 08:32h, 01 FebruaryRandy I realize after reading your post that I have had a conflicting belief. I believe in the Holy Ghost from my catholic upbringing but didn’t necessarily believe in ghost encounters. Now you got me thinking. I will have to check out your book.
Have a wonderful tour.
Linnea Tanner
Posted at 10:27h, 01 FebruaryHi Shirly–Thank you for visiting the blog tour and commenting. I had a chance to speak with a presenter at a conference who said he was educated in the Vatican educational system in the areas of demonology and paranormal research. It was fascinating to learn about his perception of the soul and how he guided it (ghost) to go to the next spiritual realm. What is most interesting is that he used other tools (i.e. shaman) to help a person transcend based on the person’s religious beliefs? Talking to him definitely opened my eyes to the universal truth about souls and the existence of a spiritual realm among the various religions. Based on my own experiences, I’m fascinated with the paranormal. Hope you have a good day!
Randy Overbeck
Posted at 14:51h, 01 FebruaryI tried to stay fairly close to what’s been documented about ghosts (like the drop in temps) but I admit I did take some literary license.
Randy Overbeck
Posted at 14:53h, 01 FebruaryI tried to stay fairly close to what’s been documented about ghosts (like the drop in temps) but I admit I did take some literary license with the narrative. I worked hard to make it as credible as possible.
Jan Sikes
Posted at 09:30h, 01 FebruaryI love how you gave so much dedication to research, Randy. It’s astounding how many facts actually back up the existence of ghosts. I’ve always been a believer and have had a few encounters in my own life, enough that I can declare with all certainty they do exist. I thoroughly enjoyed “Blood on the Chesapeake” and look forward to reading another Darrell Henshaw adventure in “Crimson at Cape May.” This has been a most enjoyable tour!
Linnea Tanner
Posted at 10:14h, 01 FebruaryHi Jan–Though I’m trained as a scientist, there have been some incidences with my husband, who experienced a near-death experience, which I can’t rationally explain. My daughter also experienced some of what I did, but she didn’t after she left the house and married. Thus, I’m also fascinated with the paranormal. Hope you have a lovely day!
Randy Overbeck
Posted at 14:53h, 01 FebruaryThanks for your help in getting the word out. I really appreciate the support.
Karen Black
Posted at 09:43h, 01 FebruaryHi, Linnea. Thank you for hosting Randy. If you look at the evidence, it isn’t different to believe in ghosts. Enjoy the tour!
Linnea Tanner
Posted at 10:08h, 01 FebruaryHi Karen–Thank you for visiting the blog tour and commenting. Randy’s research has definitely brought some interesting points. Have a lovely day!
Randy Overbeck
Posted at 14:55h, 01 FebruaryKaren, I found the element of ghosts with unfinished business was a perfect compliment to a puzzling whodunnit.
Lisa Haycocks
Posted at 10:38h, 01 FebruaryThanks for intoducing Randy to us, Linnea. I like the look of both of these books! I not only believe in ghosts, I have seen a couple and have a poltergeist that has messed around with stuff in our house for years, I aways got the blame for things going missing when it wasn’t me.
Thanks for the chance to win.
Linnea Tanner
Posted at 11:24h, 01 FebruaryThank you, Lisa, for visiting and commenting on the blog tour. It’s been fascinating to learn about everyone’s experience with ghosts and the paranormal. Have a lovely day!
Randy Overbeck
Posted at 14:56h, 01 FebruaryThen you’ll find a comfortable home inside the pages of both novels in the series.
Bette A Stevens
Posted at 10:42h, 01 FebruaryWishing you much success, Randy! Sharing…
Linnea Tanner
Posted at 13:22h, 01 FebruaryThank you, Bette, for visiting the blog tour and sharing. Have a great day!
Randy Overbeck
Posted at 14:57h, 01 FebruaryI appreciate you sharing and spreading the word. We all need the all the help we can get.
Anna Taylor Sweringen
Posted at 11:18h, 01 FebruaryThanks for this post, Randy. I’m trying to make the ghostly encounters in my gothic romances realistic too.
Linnea Tanner
Posted at 11:25h, 01 FebruaryThank you, Anna, for visiting and commenting on the blog tour. It’s fun to learn that you are trying to incorporate ghostly encounters in your gothic romances. Have a lovely week!
Randy Overbeck
Posted at 14:59h, 01 FebruaryOne suggestion I’d have for you is to meet with a “ghost hunting” group in your area. That’s really how I got started on the path. I found them to be quite helpful and surprisingly scientific in their approach.
Wendy Scott
Posted at 15:22h, 01 FebruaryHi Randy, I sometimes get lost in the research as I enjoy this part so much!
Linnea Tanner
Posted at 20:51h, 01 FebruaryHi Wendy–Thank you for visiting and commenting on Randy’s blog tour. Have a wonderful week!
Robert Fear
Posted at 16:53h, 01 FebruaryAnother thought-provoking post Randy. Thanks for hosting Linnea.
Linnea Tanner
Posted at 20:52h, 01 FebruaryThank you, Robert, for visiting the blog tour. The discussion on ghosts was indeed lively. Have a lovely week!
Rox Burkey
Posted at 10:25h, 03 FebruaryRandy, I think the books are credible with the facts yet still interesting on the read. I have both on my list to read. Linnea thank you for hosting this author!
Linnea Tanner
Posted at 11:02h, 03 FebruaryThank you, Rox, for visiting and commenting on Randy’s blog tour. Have a lovely week!