Hauntingly Good

Today’s visitor from Mom’s Favorite Reads authors is Val Tobin. She writes in a variety of genres: romance, paranormal, and horror.

I hadn’t read any of her books before this time, so I decided to take a look at one of her paranormal stories. I chose Earthbound. It’s a book those who love paranormal will enjoy. It resonated even more with me since I had earlier listened to a podcast where Val talked about some of her own unusual experiences.

Here’s a bit from the book description:

Nothing says bad day like waking up dead.

Software developer Jayden McQueen is dead, but it’s not in her stubborn and controlling nature to say die. When she’s offered a chance to return to the physical plane to bid a final farewell to her loved ones, she seizes it.

Who wouldn’t want to attend their own funeral?

One part of the story that intrigued me was a visit to a Shaman, where the following conversation ensues:

***

“She’s a ghost?” Cornell’s voice held awe. With one hand, he stroked my body, testing its solidity. “Fascinating, Zach. I’m sorry I doubted you.”

I shuddered at the invasion and lashed out with another kick. He jumped back at the last moment, and I almost kneecapped him.

He slapped me across the face, snapping my head back. This time, I felt it, though only lightly. It seemed the longer I stayed in this room, the more solid I became. I responded by spitting at him, which failed miserably. Apparently, I wasn’t corporeal enough to hock a loogie.

Give it time.

Cornell only smiled.

“Spirit, Jim.” White Wolf appeared at Cornell’s side.

“What?”

“You called her a ghost. The correct term is ‘spirit.’”

Cornell slanted White Wolf a look. “What’s the difference?”

“A spirit still has a soul; a ghost is a soulless entity—more energy than anything else. That’s where hauntings come from.”

***

While researching my own book about household spirits, I had my own conversation with a shaman. He politely told me they were not spirits, but fragments of “souls.”

Thank you for visiting.  Please tell us about your own paranormal experiences in the comments.

Be sure to visit Val on all her blog tour stops this week. Click this link to find out who’s hosting her.