Haunted Halloween: Leah Clifford + A Giveaway!

The house hadn't been abandoned. It was an orphan, left to sit alone at the end of a long curving driveway when the old woman died. Rumor had it her deathbed wish begged her son not to sell out the house and land to developers.

He didn't keep his promise.

Everyone knew about the house; the rooftop peeked out from behind a dense cluster of forest, barely visible from the busy road out front. We'd heard the stories from the upper high school kids. Lights in the windows. Screams in the trees. Disappearing children. They said no one dared go in. To us that meant making it through the house would equal ultimate bragger's rights. Our boyfriends were going to be totally floored that we were so kickass. And so, with a nervous giggle, my two friends and I opened the door and stepped over the threshold into the house.

We explored for a bit. We found our way through the trashed inside, a decade's worth of strewn about newspapers and shattered windows. Clearly, (and to our disappointment) we weren't the first...it seemed like quite a few teenagers made their way in and out of the house. Sure, we were still nervous, laughing and talking, but we were almost through. We took nothing, broke nothing. A few times, just to be on the safe side, we called out to the ghost that we were only curious and wouldn't hurt her house. Abandoned beer cans don't bode well for spooky. It was just a sad old house with broken plaster walls and rooms with warped furniture. I led the way now, forgetting how nervous I'd been to enter. The trip kind of seemed like a bust.

And then it happened. On the few steps, between the living room and what might have been a den. Just after the broken French doors. A pain lanced through my leg, so sudden I almost fell, stumbling down the last stair. From behind me came a cry. Then another. I limped toward the front door, not knowing what had happened. Did I step on something? Glass? My calf throbbed. I opened the door, stepped into the sunlight of the porch and the pain...stopped. My friends were right behind me, both of them limping only until they made it out of the house. All of us with the same injury, on the same leg, that faded at the same moment.

Sure, it might not have been a shadow, or a glowing spirit but there was something in that house. We didn't hear any cackling, no screams except our own. Not every ghost is scary. Some are just poor old ladies that don't like teenagers who overstay their welcome.

Title: A Touch Mortal

Synopsis: Eden didn’t expect Az.

Not his saunter down the beach toward her. Not his unbelievable pick up line. Not the instant, undeniable connection. And not his wings.

Yeah.

So long happily-ever-after.

Now trapped between life and death, cursed to spread chaos with her every touch, Eden could be the key in the eternal struggle between heaven and hell. All because she gave her heart to one of the Fallen, an angel cast out of heaven.

She may lose everything she ever had. She may be betrayed by those she loves most. But Eden will not be a pawn in anyone else’s game. Her heart is her own.

And that’s only the beginning of the end.

Available February 22nd 2011 from Greenwillow Books

Preorder online here:

Amazon | Borders | Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository

Find Leah Online:

Website | Blog | Twitter

Leah has offered one lucky winner a $20.00 Gift Card to either Amazon, Borders or Barnes and Noble! Winners choice!

Here are the rules and how to enter:

You MUST complete the form to enter. No entries in comments please they won't count. Comments are welcome, so share your love with Leah!
You must be at least 13 years old to enter.
This contest is open to to US residents only. Sorry!
Contest ends: Oct. 23rd, 2010

THIS CONTEST IS CLOSED!

CLICK HERE TO ENTER

Good luck to everyone who enters. If you have any questions, please see my policy page or feel free to email.

A BIG Thank You goes out to Leah for saying yes to being part of this event and for her time and amazing donation.

Check out Jessica's Haunted Halloween post with Elizabeth Rudnick and a giveaway for a signed copy of Tweet Heart and a water bottle!

REMINDER: *If you are interested in the COMMENT CONTEST, remember to include your email address with your comment for an extra entry!

Please ready full entry rules HERE.

*I am not compensated at all for any of the links within this page.