Welcome to Dia de los Muertos

Lisa's Blog Uncategorized 76 Comments

Hi Everyone –

 

Halloween is my favorite time of year, so I’ve got a couple of Blog Hops coming up! J Lots of Tricks and Treats for everyone!!!!

 

This week’s Hop is the Spook-a-licious: Where BOO-ks Devour You! Muahahaha!!!


But first a couple of TOUR RULES:

1) HAVE FUN!!!

2) INVITE ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS!!! SPREAD THE WORD!!!

3) THIS TOUR RUNS – October 17th – 24th

Winners will be drawn and posted October 25th! ***

4) MEET AND MINGLE WITH ALL THE AUTHORS & BOOK BLOGGERS! EXPERIENCE A NEW PARTY DESTINATION AT EVERY STOP!

5) PARTICIPATION AT ALL BLOGS IS RECOMMENDED, BUT NOT REQUIRED. REMEMBER,
THE MORE BLOGS YOU HOP, THE BETTER YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING PRIZES.

6) DID I MENTION TO HAVE FUN? WHOO! HOO!! HERE WE GOOOOOOOOOOOO!

***Authors have full discretion to choose an alternate winner in the event any winner fails to claim their prize(s)

within 72 hours of their name being posted or after notification of win, whichever comes first. Anyone who

participates in this blog hop tour is subject to these rules***

 

Being from San Diego, so close to the Mexican border, Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a regular part of the culture here. When the calendar changes to October, you start to see skull sugar cookies… And even Disneyland has decorated for the Dead…


Notice that the skeletons aren’t the scary Halloween-type ghouls. Dia de los Muertos is actually a joyous celebration for loved ones who have passed away. The actual celebration day is on November 1st, but all through the month of October along the border you’ll find these Dia de los Muertos skeletons enjoying the festivities. On the evening of November 1st, candles are left at gravesites to remember loved ones. It’s a beautiful, moving event to behold.

 

In my novel, Night Walker, Calisto has been waiting over 200 years for his one love to live again. Their paths finally cross on the night of Dia de los Muertos as Calisto is leaving his offering of flowers in memory of his lost love. Here’s an excerpt from the book… Hope you enjoy!

 

According to her friends, Dia de los Muertos was the perfect night for ghost hunting. Lori and Edie always enjoyed ghost stories when they were kids, and their fondness grew until they considered themselves amateur paranormal investigators. What better place to find them than in the oldest building in San Diego on the one night a year reserved for the dead?

 

Kate didn’t share their zeal for spirits, but she had no problem waiting for them to have their fun. She was happy to have a few minutes to herself anyway.

 

The candlelight glimmered around her, the flickering flames left to burn out sometime before morning. The warm glow made for eerie light, casting long shadows of the weeping crosses over the garden. It

was exquisite and melancholy in the same moment.

 

She caught a sudden chill. The longer she lingered, the more her sadness mutated into unease. The back of her neck prickled. Kate crossed her arms and walked toward the sanctuary doors. She suddenly felt exposed and alone.

 

Before she reached the doors, Lori and Edie came up the path at the other end of the courtyard, snapping pictures as they walked, until Lori disappeared from view.

 

When Edie saw Kate approach, she grinned. “Oh, you should see some of the great shots we got tonight. We had lots of orbs in a couple of pictures of the bell tower. There might be even more when we can look at them on a larger screen.”

 

“You’ll have to show me once you get them on the computer.” Kate glanced around the courtyard. “Where’d Lori go?”

 

Edie turned around. “She was right behind… ”

 

“Edie… Kate.” Lori’s voice, a loud and insistent whisper, emanated from the shadows.

 

Kate flinched when she heard her name. She had no idea why she was so jumpy tonight. They tracked down Lori and found her kneeling by one of the crosses. She beckoned them closer.

 

Edie rushed over with an eager grin, camera at the ready. “Wow. Look at this.” She squatted beside Lori. The cross was smaller than most of the others, weather-beaten and canted. There was a single letter in the center, a T, and a single candle burned beside a bundle of large white blossoms.

 

“Who do you think left those?” Lori whispered.

 

Kate shrugged. None of the other crosses had fresh offerings. “Probably the priests, right?”

 

“I don’t know.” Lori glanced at the other crosses. “Maybe this person’s relatives still visit every year.”

 

“Can you imagine?” Edie whispered. “Being remembered like that? I hope someone’s still bringing me flowers after I’ve been dead

a couple hundred years.”

 

Kate thought about correcting them, telling them these crosses were memorials to the Native Americans. But she didn’t. Something about the cross held her rapt. The conversation around her faded away as Kate moved in closer to the fragrant blossoms.

 

She’d never seen flowers like these with huge, beautiful blooms of white, silky petals and a center like pure sunshine. And the scent. It was the primrose-like perfume that made her reach out to touch them, entranced by their spell.

 

Had she seen these flowers before?

 

“Kate? Are you okay?”

 

Kate looked up at Lori, her brow furrowed and mouth pinched in concern. “I’m fine,” she said, yanking her hand away from the flowers. “Just a little tired, I guess.”

 

“We’re almost done. We need a couple more pictures around the front by the steps,” Edie said.

 

“All right.” Kate straightened, still unable to pull her attention away from the cross and its bouquet. “I’ll wait for you here, okay?”

 

Lori continued to frown, but Edie said, “No problem. We’ll be right back.”

 

Kate watched them wander off before kneeling closer to the cross. Unable to stop herself, she traced her finger along the T in the center.

 

Behind her, someone cleared his throat. Kate jerked her hand away and shot to her feet. When she turned around she found a tall, dark-haired man staring at her.

 

Her cheeks flushed with heat. She hoped he hadn’t witnessed her touching the relic. She waited for some kind of admonishment, but he didn’t say anything.

 

Not with words.

 

Something in his dark eyes captured her. His gaze wandered over her face like a tender caress, and strangely, instead of screaming for Lori and Edie, she caught herself imagining his touch on her skin.

 

“I hope I did not frighten you,” he said.

 

His deep voice resonated through the empty courtyard, and the intimate tone weakened her knees. The hint of a Spanish accent didn’t hurt, either. Nervous laughter escaped her before she could contain it.

 

Her face warmed all over again. “Just a little startled. I didn’t see anyone else out here.”

 

He stepped closer without encroaching on her personal space, his eyes locked with hers from beneath thick lashes. “Forgive me.”

 

She swallowed hard and prayed she wasn’t blushing. “No problem.” She looked away before she embarrassed herself even further, focusing on the cross. “It’s beautiful isn’t it?”

 

“Si.” He nodded slowly. “Yes, it is.” His barely there smile made her think he wasn’t referring to the flowers or the cross. “I am Calisto. Calisto Terana.”

 

Expectation hung as heavy as the scent of eucalyptus, as if he waited to hear something more than just her name.

 

“I’m Kate.” Instead of offering to shake his hand, she tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “It’s nice to meet you.”

 

“The honor is mine, Kate… ” His accent colored the vowel in her name. It had never sounded more beautiful. She reminded herself to breathe.

 

When he hesitated for a moment waiting for her to speak, she realized she hadn’t shared her last name as he had. She flipped through a rapid pro and con mental checklist, and decided it couldn’t hurt. Maybe they would meet again.

 

“Bradley,” she said.

 

A sexy smile curved at the corners of his lips. “I hope this will not be our last meeting.”

 

She glanced around the shadowed courtyard, feeling vulnerable, and almost gave in to her first instinct—to run. But she remembered her promise to herself. Be strong. Take action. She lifted her chin and

said, “I guess you never know.”

 

With a smile that said he had every intention of seeing her again, he tipped his head. “Buenos noches, Kate Bradley.”

 

Her heart raced and her palms sweated when she realized he meant to leave. No man made her palms sweat. Ever.

 

His gaze held hers for a moment, full of unspoken promises she didn’t understand. Without another word, he walked away.

 

I hope the excerpt helped you feel the mood of Dia de los Muertos. It is supposed to be the one night a year that the veil between the living and the dead is thinned, and instead of being a time of mourning, it’s a time to remember and celebrate…

 

So let’s do some celebrating here!

 

I have treats (aka Prizes) to give away to lucky commenters! (Also if you already follow me, you still get extra chances, just let me know you’re already a subscriber, etc.)

 

Dia de los Muertos CONTEST: (You don’t have to do all of these to play! Just extra ways to collect treasure! J )

1) Leave me a question or a comment here at my blog below. Please also leave your email address so I can notify you in case you are a winner!

2) Earn +2 extra chances to win by Subscribing to my Blog…

3) Click on my Twitter link and follow me at: http://twitter.com/LdyDisney– You guessed it +2 more chances!!!

4) If you have a Goodreads account, add me as a friend at: http://www.goodreads.com/lisakessler and/or add Night Walker to your to-read list http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11557788-night-walker

5) Sign up for my newsletter and get +5 entries! http://lisa-kessler.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=021315e00577de12b41994e33&id=d2d2bcb9d2

6) Follow me on Tumblr – http://LisaKessler.tumblr.com – +2 more chances!!!

7) This won’t get you any entries because Facebook is mean about contests now, but you can find me and like me here anyway if you choose to! http://facebook.com/LisaKesslerWriter and http://facebook.com/NightSeries

 

PRIZES FOR THIS CONTEST:

  1. First Prize: A signed copy of the Night Walker trade paperback, AND a DVD of Hocus Pocus (One of my favorite Halloween movies!)
  2. Second Place Prize: A signed set of Night Walker trading cards AND a DVD of Hocus Pocus
  3. Third Prize: (5 winners) A signed set of Night Walker trading cards

 

Thanks for celebrating Dia de los Muertos with me! I hope you’ll Hop on over to another Spooky blog next! J

 

http://enchantedmusebloghoptours.blogspot.com/2011/10/official-linky-list-for-spook-licious.html


76 Comments

  1. Arianne Cruz (@ariannecruz07) October 16, 2011 at 9:54 pm

    Subscriber? YES!
    Comment: You are soo rocking San Diego in your book!!! That’s so awesome.
    email: cruz042@csusm.edu
    Twitter? YES! @ariannecruz07
    Goodreads? YES! And added to my to-read list!
    Newsletter? YES!

    Ahhh I want the trade paperback!!!!

    1. Lisa Kessler October 16, 2011 at 10:10 pm

      Thanks Arianne!!! Glad you enjoyed the excerpt!!! 🙂

      And even if you don’t win the book in this blog hop, I’ll have one more copy up for grabs in next week’s blog hop! Lots of chances!

      Thanks for following!!! You rock!

      Lisa 🙂

    1. Lisa Kessler October 17, 2011 at 11:16 pm

      Aren’t they cute skeleton cookies??? 🙂 We see lots of that aound here this month…

      Thanks for commenting an following Terri!!!

      Lisa 🙂

  3. aliraluna October 17, 2011 at 3:35 am

    I love the coockies! I wish I could have one. And yeah nice pictures 😉 and thanks for the excerpt.
    I want to read Night Walker.

    I follow and everything but not in tumblr ( I dont have the account)
    Username Aliraluna
    Twitter: Aliraluna1

    1. aliraluna October 17, 2011 at 3:36 am

      cookie*********

      1. Lisa Kessler October 17, 2011 at 11:17 pm

        Hi Aliraluna –

        I’m glad you enjoyed the excerpt from Night Walker!! 🙂

        Thanks for commenting and following!!!

        Lisa 🙂

        PS – The cookies are yummy!!! 🙂

  4. Mary Preston October 17, 2011 at 3:37 am

    LOVED the excerpt thank you. The cookies look too good to eat.

    I am a newsletter subscriber +5

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

    1. Lisa Kessler October 17, 2011 at 11:22 pm

      Hi Mary –

      YAY!!! I’m glad you enjoyed the excerpt! 🙂

      Thanks for commenting and following…

      Lisa 🙂
      PS – They are cute cookies aren’t they? 🙂

  5. Natalie Cleary October 17, 2011 at 6:04 am

    I love how you celebrate Dia de los Muertos, and those cookies are awesome. I subscribe to the blog, follow on twitter (natcleary) like the facebook page (Natalie Cleary) Already a friend on goodreads and subscribe to the newsletter.
    natcleary(at)gmail(dot)com

    1. Lisa Kessler October 17, 2011 at 11:23 pm

      Hi Natalie –

      Dia de los Muertos is a festive time around San Diego… Lots of happy skeletons and memories of loved ones…

      THanks for commenting and following!!!

      Lisa 🙂

  6. Karin Anderson October 17, 2011 at 6:16 am

    Hi Lisa! Halloween is my favorite time of year, too. So, here goes:
    1) Leave me a question or a comment here at my blog below. Please also leave your email address so I can notify you in case you are a winner!
    2) I have subscribed to your Blog…AquarianDancer @ Gmail.com
    3) Twitter – AquarianDncr. I follow you.
    4) Goodreads – AquarianDancer. We’re friends and I have Night Walker on my To-Read list.
    5) Sign up for my newsletter – Done.
    6) Don’t have Tumblr
    7) I do follow you on Facebook…those meanies.

    1. Lisa Kessler October 17, 2011 at 11:25 pm

      Hi Karin –

      Halloween is the coolest, isn’t it? 🙂

      Thanks for commenting and following!!! (EVen on facebook, those meanies!)

      Lisa 🙂

  7. Kathy Teel October 17, 2011 at 6:42 am

    Excellent excerpt–it was shivery! I’d love to read more.

    1. Lisa Kessler October 19, 2011 at 9:58 pm

      Hi Kathy –

      I’m glad you enjoyed the excerpt!!! 🙂 Calisto is sexy on the book cover, but he’s even sexier inside the cover! LOL

      Thanks for commenting!

      Lisa 🙂

  8. Sapphyria October 17, 2011 at 6:43 am

    I took a college class in January titled “Death and Dying: A Religious Experience” and there was a section on the Day of the Dead and the rituals involved. Very interesting.
    Been a subscriber for a while 🙂
    Already a Goodreads friend 🙂
    Won the signed poster from your last contest 🙂

    Saph
    saphsbookblog at gmail dot com

    1. Lisa Kessler October 19, 2011 at 10:00 pm

      Hi Saph!

      Isn’t the poster so yummy??? Love it!!! 🙂

      I find DIa de los Muertos very interesting too, and being so close to the border in SAn Diego we see a lot of it here… I find it really comforting and a wonderful switch to joyfully remember the dead instead of being so sad…

      Thanks for following and commenting!

      Lisa 🙂

  9. katsrus October 17, 2011 at 6:52 am

    I love Halloween. Very interesting post. I didn’t realize they celebrated for a month before. Thanks for the giveaway.
    Sue B
    katsrus(at)gmail(dot)com
    1. Leave a comment
    2. Subscribed to Blog
    3. Twitter ~katsrus2003
    4. Already Goodreads friend~sue brandes
    5. Already get newsletter
    6. Already follow on FB(sue brandes)

    1. Lisa Kessler October 19, 2011 at 11:15 pm

      Hi Sue –

      Dia de los Muertos is actually celebrated Nov. 1st & 2nd, but the decorations and cookies are everywhere around San Diego all through October… 🙂

      Thanks for following and commenting!!!

      Lisa 🙂

  10. Julie Jansen October 17, 2011 at 7:39 am

    Happy Halloween, Lisa! I love Day of the Dead and have a little collection of Day of the Dead figurines (up all year, of course!). I love your blog and would love to read your book!

    Julie
    julie.jansen(at)yahoo(dot)com

    1. Lisa Kessler October 19, 2011 at 11:31 pm

      Hi Julie –

      Oh you’re a girl after my own heart keeping your Day of the Dead figurines up all year! Love it!!! LOL

      THanks for commenting and I hope you enjoy Night Walker!

      Lisa 🙂

  11. Terri Matlock October 17, 2011 at 8:52 am

    I suscribe to your blog, Follow you on twitter & goodreads and i suscribe to your newsletter.

    thank you for hosting a giveaway on the blog hop.

    Terri M
    oklahomamommy0306@gmail.com

    1. Lisa Kessler October 22, 2011 at 11:37 pm

      Hi Terri –

      Thanks for following and commenting!!!

      Lisa 🙂

  12. Cori C October 17, 2011 at 12:09 pm

    Very cool, Lisa! Living in San Diego as well, I’ve always loved the Dia de los Muertos festivities!

    1. Lisa Kessler October 22, 2011 at 11:39 pm

      Hi Cori –

      I’ve always felt like Dia de loe Muertos is a great way to honor your loved ones with joy instead of sadness…

      Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

      Lisa 🙂

  13. Rose Pryimak October 17, 2011 at 12:15 pm

    Happy Halloween!!
    I’ve subscribed to your newsletter, I’m following you on Twitter, and I’ve liked your FB pages! 🙂
    I also added you on Goodreads and marked your book “to-read”! 😀

    Rose_Mary_88@live.ca

    1. Lisa Kessler October 23, 2011 at 11:51 pm

      Happy Halloween Rose!!! 🙂

      Thanks so much for commenting and following!!!

      Lisa 🙂

  14. Rose Pryimak October 17, 2011 at 12:16 pm

    OH and thank you very much for this giveaway!!! 🙂

    1. Lisa Kessler October 23, 2011 at 11:52 pm

      Anytime! 🙂 Thanks for entering!

      Lisa

      PS – I have another Blog Hop going this week, so more chance to win goodies! 🙂

  15. Karla Ileana Hernandez October 17, 2011 at 12:41 pm

    first i want to say thx for your thought on El Dia de los Muertos, am Mexican and that is a huge tradition to us.
    im a blog, twitter, FB follower hahaha
    twitter: @BookAddict2
    FB: Karla Ileana Calzada (already liked u and the series) 😀
    GR: karlaihdez ( i already had your book on my TBRL) 😀
    Mail: karlaihdez@gmail.com (suscribed to newsletter)
    Blog: http://karlacc-bookaddict.blogspot.com/
    Networked blog: KarlaCC

    thx so much for the giveaway muahahahahaha!!!

    1. Lisa Kessler October 23, 2011 at 11:54 pm

      You’re welcome Karla!!!

      Thanks so much for commenting and for following!!! It’s great to meet you!

      Lisa 🙂

  16. Karla Ileana Hernandez October 17, 2011 at 12:45 pm

    all of the above except tumbler hahaha (comment check)
    twitter: @BookAddict2 (check)
    FB: Karla Ileana Calzada (check)
    GR: karlaihdez (friend (check) TBRL (Check))
    Mail: karlaihdez@gmail.com (news letter (check))
    Blog: KarlaCC on network blog
    my blog: http://karlacc-bookaddict.blogspot.com/

    thx for the great giveaway BTW imMexican thx so much for your words on one of our most important traditions 😀

    1. Lisa Kessler October 25, 2011 at 11:01 pm

      Hmmm… I think my blog hiccupped! LOL

      Good to see you again Karla! 🙂

      Lisa

  17. Helena Cuenca (@xsuprux) October 17, 2011 at 1:00 pm

    Well I know it had been said but I LOVE THOSE COOKIES!!!! are awesome!!
    I usually cook some for my friends too 🙂
    Done all the options except 6 because I haven’t…
    Feliz dia de los muertos 🙂

    hecupa@gmail.com

    1. Lisa Kessler October 25, 2011 at 11:02 pm

      Hi Helena –

      Aren’t the cookies amazing??? 🙂

      Feliz dia de los muertos to you too!!! Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and commenting!

      Lisa 🙂

  18. Michelle Bledsoe October 17, 2011 at 1:09 pm

    Hello again Lisa 🙂
    My daughter and I watch Hocus Pocus every year on Disney.
    +2 subsciber
    +1 Twitter-MABledsoe
    +5 newsletter
    +2 Tumblr-chelsbooks
    Goodreads friend and added book to my to-read list

    Thanks.
    koonie2888 at yahoo dot com

    1. Lisa Kessler October 31, 2011 at 6:13 pm

      Thanks for stopping by Michelle! 🙂

      Lisa

  19. Gabriella Hewitt October 17, 2011 at 2:21 pm

    Great pics! You’re making me homesick! LOL! Are those cookies simple sugar cookies with frosting?

    1. Lisa Kessler October 31, 2011 at 6:14 pm

      Yep just sugar cookies with frosting… 🙂

      Yum!

      THanks for stopping by Gabriella!!!

      Lisa 🙂

  20. Mera Sampson October 17, 2011 at 3:37 pm

    Thanks for the awesome giveaway! Loved the excerpt! I’ve signed up for the email subscription =)

    ~Mera

    mirrormera92 at aol dot com

  21. Sandy Nachlinger October 17, 2011 at 4:18 pm

    I thoroughly enjoyed your excerpt and photos — especially the strumming skeletons! Best of luck on the blog tour.

  22. Anne R October 17, 2011 at 4:44 pm

    Love the cookies..they are making me hungry!

    +2 subsciber
    +1 Twitter-annereeths
    +5 newsletter
    Goodreads friend and added book to my to-read list

  23. Shelley Munro October 17, 2011 at 7:23 pm

    Those cookies look very tempting. I’ve always thought the Day of the Dead is an interesting celebration.

  24. desitheblonde October 17, 2011 at 8:26 pm

    desitheblonde@msn.com
    ok i done twtter desitheblonde
    did face book been your fan
    done your page
    good reads
    i m not use if i read the book done over 400 reviews
    but with the other thing you ask i have herd that is the a great celebration
    and would love to see it and then read your book

  25. Michelle @ The True Book Addict October 17, 2011 at 10:40 pm

    Great post, Lisa! If you wrote the back of a cereal box, I’d read it…LOL! I remember the excerpt well…from the excellent Night Walker. Would love to own a print copy and Hocus Pocus is an excellent movie. 🙂

    +2 I am a subscriber of your blog
    I am a Goodreads friend AND Night Walker is on my READ list!
    +2 I follow on Twitter @truebookaddict
    +2 Following on Tumblr (had an account for a while, but just posted tonight!) http://truebookaddict.tumblr.com/
    +5 I subscribe to your newsletter
    and you know I’m a Facebook friend, etc.

    Thanks for the great giveaway!

  26. Carol L. October 18, 2011 at 4:27 am

    Hi Lisa,
    I love the picture of the Skull cookies. How beautiful it looks with all those candles burning. A beautiful way to remember our loved ones. 🙂 And I loved the excerpt about Calisto and Kate. I have to read this story and see what happens next. Thanks for the opportunity Lisa.
    Carol L
    Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

    Goodreads friend under Carol Luciano
    Newsletter subscriber
    Email subscriber

  27. Hollie October 18, 2011 at 11:22 am

    Hi Lisa! Love the cookies..those are sooo cool!
    I just signed up for your newsletter!
    and will be signing up to be your goodreads friend!
    Hollie R.
    goshnsqurrl63(at)aim(dot)com

  28. JeanP October 18, 2011 at 12:38 pm

    Those cookies look soooo good!
    Newsletter subscriber

    Jean
    skpetal at hotmail dot com

  29. Sherry Gloag October 18, 2011 at 12:38 pm

    I love that they turn it into a celebration. Great pics.

  31. donnas October 18, 2011 at 9:29 pm

    Great excerpt! Thanks for sharing!!
    -subscriber
    -twitter follower @donnas1
    -GR friend – Donna S
    -email subscriber

    bacchus76 at myself dot com

  32. Ellen Trieu October 18, 2011 at 10:35 pm

    Hi Lisa! Wow, I loved your post on the day of the dead, it’s quite beautiful, I kinda wish I celebrated it! I also loved the excerpt, can I have Calisto?? xD I want to read Night Walker more now! I did everything you asked for the extra entries! (: Thank you for the give away and the lovely post! (:

    vampyreprincess109(at)gmail(dot)com

  33. andie October 19, 2011 at 1:12 am

    1) LOL! Those skeletons are awesome!! I’d love to have one 😀
    I frickin’ LOVE Night Walker!! I’d be more than happy if i could get my hands on a signed copy!
    I’m feeling a little behind, since i’m the last commenter so far lol Nevermind.

    2) Subscribed to your Blog…
    3) I’m a twitter follower ~ andreana92
    4) I’m friend with you on Goodreads ~ Andie K.
    5) Signed up for your newsletter
    6) I Follow you on Tumblr

    Happy Halloween!! Thanks for the awesome giveaway and the post, again!! :))
    ~hugs~

    rea0903(at)gmail(dot)com

  34. Nikki October 19, 2011 at 10:04 am

    Hi Lisa!! What a wonderful post and I love the profile picture 🙂 I am a subscriber and a facebook and goodreads follower (Sherri McCarver)
    and twitter @Mc_Carver! Thanks for the chance to win one of your great books!!!! I am curious what fascinated you so much that you
    would choose to write about that particular festival?
    viajeradelmar@aol.com

    1. Lisa Kessler November 3, 2011 at 6:15 pm

      Hi Nikki –

      Being so close to the Mexican border in San Diego, Dia de los Muertos is a big deal around here. When I got the idea for the book and that Calisto had been waiting for centuries for his true love to be reincarnated, it made sense to me that he might find her on the night of Dia de los Muertos when the veil between the living and the dead is thinned.

      Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoy the book!

      Lisa 🙂

  35. Sally Michele Shaw October 19, 2011 at 12:26 pm

    Hello! Thanks for participating in the blog hop and the opportunity for a giveaway. The Day of the Dead posting and photos were abso-fab.

    I have signed up for your news letter and became a fan on Good Reads.
    sundee94@comcast.net

    My question is: What kind of flowers caught Kate’s eye? in your story excerpt.

    1. Lisa Kessler November 3, 2011 at 6:17 pm

      Hi Sally –

      The flowers in the book are Romneyas (Matilija poppy)… They were native to the San Diego area…. If you click on the Night Series page here, I’ve got pictures of the flowers posted… 🙂

      Thanks for commenting!

      Lisa

  36. Ciara Knight October 19, 2011 at 1:18 pm

    I’ve added Night Walker to my TBR pile on Goodreads. I hope to get to it soon. It has been a crazy few months. My kids would love those cookies. 🙂

    1. Lisa Kessler November 3, 2011 at 6:19 pm

      Thanks Ciara!!! I hope you enjoy Night Walker!!!

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Lisa 🙂

    1. Lisa Kessler November 3, 2011 at 6:19 pm

      Hee! Book stalkers are the best! 🙂

      Lisa

  38. JessS October 19, 2011 at 10:49 pm

    Thanks for the giveaway, I added you as a friend on Goodreads. I totally love Hocus Pocus too.

    Umm, is the giveaway international? I couldn’t see if it said anywhere.

  39. JessS October 19, 2011 at 10:49 pm

    jessicamariesutton(At)msn(dot)com

  40. Barbara October 20, 2011 at 1:44 am

    Hi, Lisa…did you make those cookies? They DO look yummy! Great excerpt…would love to win the book!

    I was already a subscriber to your blog/newsletter
    Added Night Walker to goodreads
    ‘Liked’ FB pgs

    barbbattaglia@yahoo.com

  41. jennifer mathis October 21, 2011 at 8:30 pm

    great excerpt
    and just cause I love the movie too Amuk amuk amuk

    meandi09@yahoo.com

  42. Lindsey Hutchison October 21, 2011 at 10:21 pm

    just stopping by to say. no need to enter me! loved your post! and i see there will be some very lucky winners.

    p.s. hocus pocus is one of my favs too i loved the movie and the book as well

  43. Shadow October 22, 2011 at 3:11 am

    Happy Halloween! Awesome giveaway! Hocus Pocus is one of my favorite Halloween movies. 😉 Thanks for all of the fun!
    im already subscribed to your blog
    i already follow you on twitter- LuvToRead09
    i already follow and added Night Walker to my to-read list on goodreads- shadow kohler
    already signed up for your newsletter
    (follwer you on facebook- shadow kohler)
    shadowluvs2read(at)aol(dot)com

  44. Meg Mims (@megmims) October 22, 2011 at 4:35 pm

    Hey, howdy! Love the purple background here — and what great pix! Love all the candles for The Day of the Dead – I can see how it’s very moving. Do they leave candy and food? (Maybe you mentioned that, though.) My fave Halloween movie is Sleepy Hollow, although I can’t watch certain parts, LOL… hope you’re enjoying the Blog Hop! I love your Cruella costume. ;-D

  45. Nylez October 23, 2011 at 10:18 am

    Hello there! Thanks for this giveway!
    Im your new stalker now!
    Would love to continue reading Night Walker!
    Twitter follower as chixmoza
    Fb as Roselyn C.
    Goodreads as Nyles
    Subscribed to your newletter
    followed you on tumblr as http://bookquotesandlyrics.tumblr.com/
    so basically yeah..
    Your new stalker!

    1. Lisa Kessler November 3, 2011 at 6:20 pm

      Ha! Yay!!! I love book stalkers!!! LOL

      Nice to meet you Nylez!

      Lisa 🙂

  47. Krysykat October 23, 2011 at 10:42 pm

    I loved the excerpt!!
    follow on Twitter- @YearofTiger86
    Sent a friend request on GoodReads- Krysta Banco
    Added Night Walker to my TBR list on GoodReads- Krysta Banco

    Morganlafey86(at)aol(dot)com

  48. ladyvampire October 24, 2011 at 1:39 am

    Great giveaway! I’d love a chance to read your book. Especially after reading the awesome excerpt. Thanks! 🙂
    +5 Newsletter Subscriber
    +2 Networked Blog Follower: Aprille Shadowspeak
    +2 Goodreads: Lady Vampire
    +2 Twitter: @LadyVampire2u
    Facebook add: Aprille Shadowspeak
    LadyVampire2u AT gmail DOT com

  49. Gloria October 24, 2011 at 8:42 am

    Twitter – GloriaSchumann
    GR – Gloria Schumann
    Thanks for the giveaway!

    geschumann at live dot com

  50. Kelly Mueller October 24, 2011 at 11:56 am

    Love the cookies!!!!
    just wanted to stop by and say hi to all my fellow hoppers!!!

    Kelly
    Books-n-Kisses

  51. Laura H. October 24, 2011 at 5:04 pm

    Thanks for the great giveaway and for participating in this blog hop! Your book sounds amazing and one I would love to read it! And I’m so excited about “Hocus Pocus” too! I LOVE that movie! It’s my favorite Halloween movie! Kinda cheesy but still very cool!

    +2 New e-mail subscriber
    +2 Twitter follower @MamaHendo3
    +2 Goodreads friend and added “Night Walker” to my bookshelf (Laura Henderson)
    +5 Newsletter subscriber
    FB fan (Laura Henderson).

    BornajhawkATaolDOTcom