Saturday, October 24, 2026

Get Scared This Halloween with… Surreal Escapes by Kelli A. Wilkins #Horror #Halloween #ShortStoryAnthology


Get Scared This Halloween with… Surreal Escapes

by Kelli A. Wilkins


Happy October Everyone!

Halloween will be here soon, so why not celebrate the spooky season by curling up with a horror story—or several horror stories?

To celebrate my favorite time of the year, I’m sharing a look at my short story anthology, Surreal Escapes. The stories in this collection don’t fall into one set category and range from spooky, to scary, to a bit humorous, to… just about anything I can imagine.

In this collection of seven speculative stories, ordinary people start off having an average, normal day… until they encounter the world of the surreal. They’ve entered another realm where anything can—and does—happen.

My horror stories have always been a bit different from the norm. They’re more psychologically scary than gory. And some of my “horror” stories aren’t intended to scare at all—they just happen to have main characters who are a little bit… dead.

When I decided to put this collection together, I wanted to feature a broad spectrum of stories that would appeal to a variety of readers. (I also liked the idea of having several of my short stories available to readers all in one place.) They’re not all ghost stories (although several stories feature ghosts in some way) and they’re not all about Halloween. (But of course some are—after all, it is my favorite holiday!)

Authors are always asked, “Where do you get your ideas?” so I decided to share a peek at my writing process. I’ve included a brief note at the end of each story (as I did in my sci-fi anthology, Extraterrestrial Encounters), explaining what inspired me to write it, where I got the idea, or general comments about the plot or the characters.

I hope you enjoy these stories. Some are humorous, some will make you think, and others might unnerve you a bit, but they will all take you on a journey into the surreal for a little while.

Here’s the book summary and links:

Surreal Escapes - 7 Speculative Stories

Are you ready to take a journey into the unexpected?

In these 7 speculative stories, ordinary people start off having an average, normal day… until they encounter the world of the surreal. They quickly realize they’re in another realm where anything can—and does—happen.

Some of these tales include:

“Holiday Havoc” – The night shift in a retail store hosts the ultimate Halloween vs. Christmas showdown

“Little Boy Lost” – After several strange incidents, Beverly suspects her son’s imaginary friend isn’t so imaginary

“The Man in Apt. 3-A” – What do you do when you discover your neighbor is a vampire?

“Whispers from the Past” – Not all ghosts are scary… or strangers

This collection of short fiction will unnerve you, spark your imagination, and make you wonder what else is possible in the world of the surreal.

Order your copy here:




If you love horror and are celebrating all things scary this month, visit the Horror, Mystery & More page on my site: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/horror to read about all of my spooky stories!

AND don’t miss my new short story “Neighborhood Watch” in the Witches Save the World: Covens, Cauldrons, and Curses Gone Right anthology. (Links are on my site.)

Happy Haunting!

Kelli A. Wilkins



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has published more than 100 short stories, 24 romance novels, and 9 mystery/thriller/horror ebooks. Her romances span many genres and settings, and she likes to scare readers with her horror, mystery, and thriller fiction.

Kelli’s story “Neighborhood Watch” was published in the Witches Save the World: Covens, Cauldrons, and Curses Gone Right anthology, released by Gorgon's Gaze Press.

Her latest book, The Route 9 Stalker, was published in January 2026. This mystery/thriller is set in Central NJ and follows Detective Jim Rourke on a disturbing new case. Meet him for the first time in The Route 9 Killer.

Kelli's 24th romance, For Love’s Sake, an epic historical/fantasy romantic adventure, was published in January 2025.

In 2024, she released Surreal Escapes, a collection of 7 speculative/spooky stories. Anything can—and does—happen in this anthology.

Follow Kelli on her Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins and visit her website/blog www.KelliWilkins.com for a full title list, social media links, and more.

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Mancini Blue: An Art Studio Mystery by Maggie Toussaint ~ Paranormal Cozy Mystery ~ @MaggieToussaint

 

Mancini Blue: An Art Studio Mystery by Maggie Toussaint

About Mancini Blue:

 

Mancini Blue: An Art Studio Mystery

Paranormal Cozy Mystery

1st in Series

Setting - Fictional Island (St. James Island) off the Georgia coast in the USA

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Muddle House Publishing

Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 13, 2026

Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0HCHW5JGT

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After his wife, famous artist Sophie Mancini, allegedly commits suicide in Savannah, wealthy financial advisor Robert Calloway makes a fresh start on St James Island. To honor Sophie, Bob creates the Island Art Gallery. He lives above the shop with his niece, her ten-year-old daughter, and Sophie’s cairn terrier. He is certain the cops got his wife’s means of death wrong. When he left her in the studio that fateful evening to paint overnight, her door locked behind him. She wouldn’t unlock her door for a stranger. To get justice for Sophie, Bob delves into her murder using his hidden ability to help find solid evidence. When he unsuccessfully searches his old Savannah haunts for leads, he returns to St. James to discover a bizarre murder occurred near his shop. Despite his alibi, he is questioned by the local cops. He’s stunned when many aspects of this new case are identical to Sophie's death. Thus, solving his wife’s murder will most likely shed light on the recent case. Bob’s suspect list includes family members, neighbors, friends, and Sophie's art associates. He discovers people are rarely what they seem and believes this deadly foe kills to protect secrets. Can he identify his wife’s murderer before the killer strikes again?

About Maggie Toussaint:

Southern author Maggie Toussaint writes cozy and paranormal mysteries under her name and a pen name of Valona Jones, romantic suspense, and dystopian fiction under the pen name of Rigel Carson, with thirty-one novels published. Her recent release, Mancini Blue is the first in An Art Studio Mystery. A multi-year finalist for Georgia Author of the Year, she’s won Silver Falchions, Readers’ Choice awards, and the EPIC Award. She’s a member of Mystery Writers of America-Southeast chapter and Sisters In Crime-Guppy chapter. She lives in coastal Georgia, where secrets, heritage, and ancient oaks cast long shadows. Visit her at https://maggietoussaint.com/

Author Links:


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TOUR PARTICIPANTS:

October 14 – Romance Novel Giveaways – AUTHOR GUEST POST
October 14 – Salty Inspirations – CHARACTER GUEST POST
October 15 – Books1987 – SPOTLIGHT
October 15 – Carla Loves to Read – REVIEW, AUTHOR GUEST POST
October 16 – Christy's Cozy Corners – CHARACTER GUEST POST
October 17 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT
October 18 – Boys' Mom Reads! – CHARACTER GUEST POST
October 19 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
October 20 – Sarandipity's - AUTHOR INTERVIEW
October 21 - Baroness Book Trove – REVIEW
October 22 – Sarcastically Yours, Jen – SPOTLIGHT
October 23 – FUONLYKNEW - SPOTLIGHT
October 24 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews - SPOTLIGHT
October 24 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT
October 25 – deal sharing aunt – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

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Friday, October 23, 2026

The Lost Photograph by Archana Maniar ~ @partnersincr1me ~ Historical Fiction with Contemporary Themes

The Lost Photograph by Archana Maniar Banner

THE LOST PHOTOGRAPH

by Archana Maniar

October 12 - November 6, 2026 Virtual Book Tour

 

About the Book:

The Lost Photograph by Archana Maniar

A forgotten photograph. A trailblazing ancestor. And a modern woman about to discover that her family's past holds the key to her future.

When overworked surgeon Jaanvi Chowdhury finds a mysterious photograph and a small stack of letters hidden in her Boston attic, she uncovers the remarkable story of her great-aunt Kalyani Joshi--one of the first Indian women to study medicine in 1920s London.

As Jaanvi pieces together her ancestor's life, she discovers Kalyani's experience of colonial oppression, her role in India's fight for independence, and her unlikely connection with a Scottish missionary's son, Alexander. Drawn together by their passion for literature, Kalyani and Alexander will risk everything for a free India, putting their loyalty, love, and choices to the test.

Navigating between past and present, Jaanvi confronts her own struggles. Passed over for promotion, she has lost sight of why she became a doctor. But as she learns how fiercely Kalyani fought for each opportunity--and the price she paid--Jaanvi begins to question her own carefully constructed life. Can her great-aunt's unprecedented story help her reclaim not just her purpose in medicine but her sense of who she truly is?

A sweeping and captivating historical novel that will steal a piece of your heart, The Lost Photograph is perfect for fans of Alka Joshi, Kate Quinn, and Kristin Hannah.

Praise for The Lost Photograph:

"Archana Maniar brings 1930s India to vibrant life with this riveting story of two women bound by blood and ambition. The Lost Photograph is both intimate and sweeping in its portrait of separate generations struggling to find their place ... Maniar weaves their stories into a poignant, luminous novel that stays with you long after you've turned the last page."
~ Claire Booth, author of Throwing Shadows and the Hank Worth Mystery Series

"Archana Maniar’s THE LOST PHOTOGRAPH is a page-turner that has it all, forbidden love, clandestine meetings, and the very real danger of losing everything, including oneself. With vivid and compelling characters, the story is gripping and tender at the same time, a testament to how the past can bring clarity to the present, and strength to embrace the future."
~ Nigar Alam, author of Under the Tamarind Tree

"Beautiful, vivid, and atmospheric."
~ Fiona Valpy, author of The Skylark's Secret and The Dark of the Moon

"A dazzling and deeply evocative novel of love, women’s rights and the Indian independence movement, Archana Maniar’s stunning prose instantly drew me into Jaanvi and Kalyani’s stories. Impossible to put down, I know the characters will stay with me for a long time!"
~ Linda Wilgus, author of The Sea Child

"I knew I shouldn’t start reading this on a weeknight, but my restraint absconded with my willpower the minute I laid my hands on this book. Maniar has done it again, artfully weaving the story of two women—related by blood and connected through time. Both buck the norms of a society that is geared to suppress their intelligence and passion. The book brings a much-needed perspective on the struggles of the Indian people under colonial rule and the tireless work of courageous souls who risked everything to gain independence. Any woman who has tried to break a glass ceiling, flex her independence, or get recognition for the merits of her work will savor this book like a crisp raspberry sorbet on a hot summer's night."
~ Cathi Misquitta, Early Reader

Book Details:

Genre: Historical Fiction with Contemporary Themes
Published by: Lake Union Publishing
Publication Date: September 15, 2026
Number of Pages: 399
ISBN: 9781662528729 (ISBN10: 1662528728)
Book Links: Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads

Read an Excerpt:

 

 

Meet the Author:

Archana Maniar

Born near Chicago to immigrants from India, Archana Maniar relocated with her parents to Mumbai at age four. After the culture shock abated, she fell in love with her parents’ homeland until chance brought the family to California. During vacations and family occasions, Mumbai was a frequent destination. She attended college at University of California, Los Angeles where she studied political theory and biology before attending medical school at the University of California, Davis. As a professor of medicine and practicing infectious diseases physician, she was a frontline healthcare worker from the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and was deeply involved in health system pandemic preparedness. Always a writer in the margins of her day, storytelling became an obsession during her medical career, a way to process her observations about human nature during health, stress, and sickness. With a stubborn case of wanderlust, when she is not working or writing, she is usually traveling somewhere with her family. The Lost Photograph is her second novel.

Catch Up With Archana Maniar:

www.ArchanaManiarBooks.com
Amazon Author Profile
Goodreads
BookBub
Instagram - @archanamaniar
Facebook - @Archana Maniar

 

Tour Participants:

Click through the other tour stops for can’t-miss reviews, insider interviews, exclusive guest posts, and more chances to win!

Click here to view the Tour Schedule

 

 

A Picture-Perfect Chance to Win!

This giveaway is hosted by Partners in Crime Tours for The Lost Photograph by Archana Maniar. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.
THE LOST PHOTOGRAPH by Archana Maniar | Gift Cards

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Coincidence by Jon Ketzner ~ #HistoricalFiction @GoddessFish

Jon Ketzner

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Jon Ketzner will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
About the Book:

On the eve of President John F. Kennedy's final trip to Dallas, an irreverent narrator from the Ether begins to reveal the hidden chain of events that history never recorded. Spanning decades and weaving together Hollywood legends, political dynasties, secret affairs, and forgotten tragedies, Coincidence imagines how seemingly unrelated lives become entangled in the most infamous assassination of the twentieth century. From Joseph P. Kennedy and Gloria Swanson to Jackie Kennedy, Mary Pinchot Meyer, and the young Lee Harvey Oswald, every choice, passion, and betrayal sends ripples through time. Behind every headline lies another story, and every story hides a secret long buried. As the strands converge on November 22, 1963, the line between fate and accident begins to blur. Rich in historical detail and provocative speculation, Coincidence asks: was it really coincidence at all?
Genre:

Speculative Historical Fiction

Read an Excerpt:

Jackie rarely consulted him about her clothing. Her sense of style, if not her sense of humor, was notorious.

“The pink.”

She seemed surprised. “Why the pink?”

“Texas. All those tired cowgirls raising their brat kids to be Miss America. They adore pink in Texas.”

The First Lady eyed the pink at arm’s length. She shrugged. “Okay. The pink.”

“But the hat,” POTUS said, “could you do without the hat. I hate those things.”

Jackie shook her head.

“I’ll need the hat. Without the bubble top on, my hair would be a mess.”

The president leaned back against the pillows on his rock-hard bed, supine in his boxers and the argyles Bobby had given him which bore the presidential seal. He grinned.

“Remember the times when we would drift down the Potomac, standing by the rail, the wind blowing wildly through your hair, and there on the river in the middle of the city you would sink sexily to your knees…”

“Drop dead, Mr. President.” Words Jackie would soon want back.

The door to Suite 850 opened and George Lapp entered to help The President dress. He nodded at Jackie. He had seen her naked many times and was indifferent to the marital scenario into which he had strolled. Jackie smiled curtly and sidled toward her own room to don the pink Chanel, including its matching hat.

Before she left, the President grinned and said to his valet. “I might need the back brace today, George, had a strenuous night.”

About the Author: 

Jon Ketzner was born in Cumberland, Maryland in the lovely Appalachian foothills. He grew up in Baltimore then graduated from Towson University with a degree in mathematics and went on to a long career as a consulting actuary. For many years, Jon and his family lived in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania before moving back to Cumberland in 1990.

As a recovering actuary and inspired by the Maryland Writers Association’s “Notable Authors” monthly challenges, Jon decided to try his hand at writing and give his left-brain side a rest. He cites as influences: Henry Fielding, Joseph Heller, Gregory McDonald, and Tim Dorsey.

Add to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/34506564.Jon_Ketzner




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Thursday, October 22, 2026

The Ghost and the Dead Librarian (A Haunted Bookshop Detective Mystery) by Cleo Coyle ~ Paranormal Cozy Mystery

 

The Ghost and the Dead Librarian (A Haunted Bookshop Detective Mystery) by Cleo Coyle

About The Ghost and the Dead Librarian:

 

The Ghost and the Dead Librarian (A Haunted Bookshop Detective Mystery)

Paranormal Cozy Mystery

1st in the Series - Spinoff of the Haunted Bookshop Mysteries

Setting - Rhode Island

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Kensington Cozies

Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 29, 2026

Print length ‏ : ‎ 384 pages

Hardcover ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1496749332

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1496749338

Digital ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1496749352

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0GDS6KY2P

Audio CD ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8228951006

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0H55H66KS

Audiobook: ASIN B0H2NLG2YP

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A LIBRARY JOURNAL "MYSTERY PICK OF THE MONTH" In an utterly charming new mystery from New York Times bestselling author Cleo Coyle, a small-town Rhode Island bookshop owner investigates the death of an eccentric librarian with the help of a wisecracking, 1940s gumshoe ghost.

As a young widow, Penelope moved back to her quaint Rhode Island town to give her young son a safer home and her aunt's dying bookshop new life. Using her late husband's insurance money, Pen polished the store into a local treasure. But her updates did more than attract new customers. They roused a dead private eye from his big sleep.

With Pen's affection for hardboiled detective stories, it's no surprise she's developed a fondness for the wisecracking yet oddly likeable spirit. Sure, Jack's cold spots are exasperating, along with his proclivity for putting noir fiction in the cozy section. But murder was Jack's business in life, and his PI skills come in awfully handy when the body of an eccentric librarian is found amid the bookshop's aisles.

For years, Dory jokingly called herself "The Dead Librarian" because of her hobby of collecting and writing local obituaries. Now, in death, she's discovered with her own eerily pre-written obit. Was it a suicide note? Jack and Pen say no and their certainty takes them from a ghost town's ancient cemetery to a posh Newport mansion. When another body drops, a mysterious stranger makes Pen a shocking offer, one that may change her life—and Jack's afterlife. But unless Jack can help Pen prove who "checked out" the librarian, a ruthless killer may close the book on her.

"This spin-off of Coyle's 'Haunted Bookshop' series blends cozy mystery, supernatural intrigue, and classic noir influences into a suspenseful small-town murder mystery....Combining humor, literary references, ghostly interventions, and layered community drama, the novel explores how hidden truths from the past continue to haunt the present." —Library Journal (*Starred Review)

About Cleo Coyle:

 
Cleo Coyle - Alice Alfonsi - Marc Cerasini

CLEO COYLE is a pseudonym for Alice Alfonsi, writing in collaboration with her husband, Marc Cerasini. Both are New York Times bestselling authors of the long-running Coffeehouse Mysteries, now celebrating more than 20 years in print, and the national bestselling Haunted Bookshop Mysteries. With more than one million books sold, their works have been translated into Spanish, Japanese, and Czech; received multiple Best of Year selection honors from reviewers; and have been recommended by Booklist as among the best culinary mysteries for core library mystery collections. Alice and Marc are also bestselling media tie-in writers who have penned properties for Lucasfilm, NBC, Fox, Disney, Imagine, Toho, and MGM. They live and work in New York City, where they write independently and together, wrangle their rescue cats, drink a lot of java, and cook like crazy. Connect with Cleo at CleoCoyleBooks.com

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Purchase Links: 


TOUR PARTICIPANTS:

October 19 – Jody's Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT
October 19 – Carla Loves To Read - REVIEW
October 20 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW
October 20 – Romance Novel Giveaways – SPOTLIGHT
October 21 - Books1987 – SPOTLIGHT
October 22 – Christy's Cozy Corners – REVIEW
October 22 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
October 23 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW
October 23 – Sarandipity's – SPOTLIGHT
October 24 – deal sharing aunt – SPOTLIGHT 
October 25 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
October 26 – The Plain-Spoken Pen – REVIEW
October 26 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
October 27 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT
October 27 – Salty Inspirations – SPOTLIGHT
October 28 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT
October 28 – Baroness Book Trove – REVIEW
October 29 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW
October 30 – Sarah Can't Stop Reading Books – REVIEW
October 30 – Sarcastically Yours, Jen – SPOTLIGHT
October 31 – Boys' Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHT
October 31 – The Editing Pen -REVIEW

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