St. Augustine Spooktacular! by @karilemor #RomanceGems

 

From October to May, I’m like the migratory birds and fly south for the winter. Only in the past two years have I called St. Augustine, Florida home. The first time we visited, we instantly fell in love with the historic “Oldest City” and its beautiful and varied architecture and scenery.

Even though it has a few million tourists pass through every year, St. A still has a small-town feel. No building can be over four stories high  (though a few older ones have been grandfathered in) and most of the buildings, especially in the downtown area, are built with a historic flare.

I’m lucky enough to live in the Historic District in a hundred and twenty-year-old building that was previously the National Guard Hospital. Word from our upstairs neighbors is a woman in a white dress has been seen around the building. The little boy on the second floor apparently talks to her often and calls her Kiki. The dogs in the back apartment have a tendency to bark at the same corner of the room often. And we’re right next to the National Cemetery, which makes it even more colorful.

Around the corner from us is ‘The Oldest House’, for St. Augustine, that is. It’s only had four families live in it and is now used for tours. The bottom floor has been stripped to the original walls and decorated sparsely as it would have been a few hundred years ago. I’ve heard there’s a spirit that wanders this place at times.

Head downtown where the gates of the original city still stand and walk down St. George Street. You’ll be greeted by shops and restaurants housing a variety of goods and food. But a few streets over are both the Huguenot Cemetery and the Tolomato Cemetery.  If you take the Ghost Tour that spirits you around the city, you’ll hear tales of spine-chilling spirits who still roam the grounds. A bride in her white gown and a little boy who likes to climb the trees that overshadow the graves.

I’ve even been in the old Jail. I didn’t see any ghosts but was surprised at the gusts of chilly air that roamed in spots. I figured I was walking past an A/C vent. Um, but I was told there isn’t any A/C inside the building. Hmm, where was the cold air coming from on a steamy, warm night?

From my back yard on the Matanzas River, I can see across to the St. Augustine Lighthouse. It’s said to be one of the most haunted places in this part of the country. I love watching the light as it makes it circular route around, warning boats of land.

When the craziness of the world finally dwindles, and you feel the need to travel, I’d highly suggest St. Augustine if you love hearing about history and the people who founded this country. Maybe if you’re lucky (or not) you’ll even get a chance to talk to one of them.

 

 

In my book, ELUSIVE DREAMS, Erik and Tessa take a little time while snuggling to discuss what the kids will be for Halloween. This is the first book in the Storms of New England series and is a marriage of convenience so Erik can adopt two children he rescued from a bombing in Kandahar.

 This book is currently on sale for only 99c!!  (So is Book 2 so scoop them up now!)

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  “Your mom called today.”

He paused but only for half a second. “Everything okay? You didn’t mention it at supper.”

“Sorry, I forgot. The kids keep my mind busy. Nothing major. She wants to make Halloween costumes for Matty and Kiki and was looking for suggestions.”

“What’d you tell her?” The kissing hadn’t stopped, and she had to remember what they’d been talking about.

“I asked Matty what he wanted to be. The kids have been talking about it at preschool. He said a pirate so he could sail on the ship in his room.”

Pushing aside some of her hair that had fallen over her shoulder, he caressed her cheek. Taking his hand in hers, she kissed the palm. It had been a few weeks and the deep cut had healed, though it was still pink and tender. Thankfully, he’d never let the injury or the bandages get in the way of exploring each night.

“Sounds good. And Kiki? Did she tell you what she wanted to be?”

His hands ran up her torso and cupped her breasts. She sucked in a deep breath and adjusted so he could fully touch her. This was such a sensitive area for her and it made her head swim when his fingers roamed and kneaded her flesh.

“Well, I’m still trying to interpret the gurgles, but I figured if Matty was going with the theme of his room, then Kiki should too. She’ll be a fairy.”

Make sure to check out my Storms of New England series. Three of the books are at 99c each so you can get all FIVE of them for under $11. That’s a bargain!! 

https://www.karilemor.com/storms-of-new-england

Hope you enjoy lots of candy and spookiness this October. Stay safe and happy reading!

Kari