Title: The Magic of Two Crows Corner – A Halloween Romance
Author: Kathryn Hills
Genre: Halloween Romance / Spicy / Low-Angst / Rom Com / Later-In-Life / Contemporary Romance / Short Read / Novella
Book Blurb:
Enjoy a low-angst, short, spicy, romantic romp through the week leading up to Halloween night in Salem. Will Alison, a skeptic, and Charlie, a man who never met a scare he didn’t like, discover magic together at Two Crows Corner?
The city of Salem holds a special place. A very large, centuries-old house on a quiet street. It rests on a corner lot with tall trees, surrounded by a rusted iron fence.
The Victorian-era greenhouse lies in shambles. A relic of extravagant days long past. Yet all the buildings seem enchanted. Magical, in fact. Or is it the landlady, Mrs. Banderash, who is magic?
But the most extraordinary thing about Two Crows Corner is what happens to those who find their way there. Even the most lost—those convinced they’ll never find happily-ever-after—just might. Read on and you shall see.
Excerpt:
They made only small talk after being caught kissing by the befuddled shop owner, more wrapped up in each other than the mummy costume. Ali and Charlie laughed and laughed as they recalled the look on Jerry’s face when he said, “Yeah, sure, you’re friends. And I’m a fairy princess.”
It was true. They were “good friends,” as Charlie so cavalierly stated. Still, they were on the verge of becoming something more when one kiss had the power to bring them both to their knees.
Thankfully, they left the shop without further incident, and Ali’s costume would still be a surprise. She’d hung it up in the dressing room for Jerry to bag for her. But Charlie needed to be extracted from his choice. Once Jerry stopped bellyaching, he promised to have the zipper repaired, and the costume ready in time for Halloween night. Charlie would pick them both up, and he swore to Ali he wouldn’t cheat by peeking.
They stopped to buy candy at a twenty-four-hour convenience store. Four big bags – as many as they could carry and still walk home. Ali offered to purchase more when she had her car since, according to Charlie, it was still “not enough.”
Rather than call it quits for the night, they opted to stroll the iconic Salem Common and ended up sharing a decadent dessert of freshly baked cookies from a late-night bakery with a secret, change-up menu.
“Did you know that this Common is over two hundred years old? Not the bandstand. That’s twentieth century,” Charlie mentioned as they walked.
“I did not know that,” Ali stated as she polished off her final cookie.
“We also have America’s oldest candy company not far from here. It’s closed now, but I’ll take you someday if you’d like.”
She grinned at him. “I bet that’s one of your favorite hangouts.”
They left the downtown area, heading home through the surrounding neighborhood, which was blessedly quieter. There, the streets were notoriously tight and twisty. Old houses—many with Halloween decorations displayed on porches and in windows—spanned the centuries.
A car alarm sounded off in the distance. Dogs barked in warning. The faint sounds of music, conversations, and laughter drifted to them on the chilly breeze.
Ali considered the night sky as they plodded along with their candy bags. She peered between rooftops and tall trees that still had a few leaves on them. There was no moonlight. Only a thousand stars, which twinkled their cool brightness.
She released a soft sigh, thinking, How special it is to walk these old streets after dark, when you can really feel their history.
Charlie purposely bumped her shoulder with his when they passed a cemetery, asking, “Did you hold your breath?”
She met his mischievous expression with one of confusion.
“The cemetery. Did you hold your breath when we passed?”
Ali chuckled. “I was too wrapped up in wondering how old the grave markers are. I’d love to come back when it’s light and take some pictures for Jada.”
“I’m just dying to give you another tour,” he teased in a comical vampire’s voice. He bumped into her again, laughing. “Did you know that there’s a difference between a graveyard and a cemetery?”
“Wait, yes. Maybe? I don’t know,” she confessed.
“A graveyard,” he began slowly in what Ali now recognized as his story-teller’s voice, “is a type of cemetery. One attached to a church. As in a churchyard. Cemeteries came later, when burial space was at a premium since it was running low.”
“Interesting.”
“Fun fact. Not all cemeteries are consecrated ground. Many are, but not all.”
“Uh oh,” she exclaimed. “Isn’t that a problem? You know…with monsters, vampires, and all?”
“Ahh, very good. You do walk the dark road.”
“Hardly,” she scoffed. “But Jada is always trying to get me to watch horror movies with her. I go for the food and wine. She loves the scary stuff.”
“Have you ever seen a ghost?” he queried.
“Of course not. There’s no such thing.”
“Are you sure?” he asked with a telling grin. “Halloween has a way of bringing out the strangeness of everyday places and things. Especially in this city. The veil between worlds is thinning.”
They turned a corner and Two Crows Corner came into view. The enormous house with wrap-around porches and odd-sized windows glowed like a supernatural beacon in the night.
“Next thing you’re going to say is that my apartment is haunted,” Ali grumbled.
“Nah.” Charlie shrugged. “Just the attic.”
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
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Available exclusively on Amazon in Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and Print formats! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DF6K7JL1
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/the-magic-of-two-crows-corner-a-halloween-romance-by-kathryn-hills
If you could dress up as anything or anyone this Halloween, what or who would it be and why?
Ooo… A black cat or a crow! Or, maybe, a creepy mummy. EEK! You’ll have to read the book to find out why. 😊
Explain why your featured book is a treat to read:
I tried to imagine the perfect lead-up to, and night of, Halloween. A sexy, spooky adventure right from the comfort of your favorite reading chair. Plus, you get to spend the holiday in Salem, Massachusetts. Super-fun!
Giveaway –
One lucky reader will win a $100 Amazon gift card.
Open internationally.
Runs October 1 – 31, 2024
Drawing will be held on November 1, 2024.
Author Biography:
KATHRYN HILLS...Best-selling romance author, ghost hunter, dog lover, and iced coffee addict. She’s hauntingly romantic unless she’s writing sweet. From graveyards to country inns, get ready to explore spooky mysteries and have some sexy fun!
Find Kathryn Hills Online