Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Guest Post & Giveaway: Abigail Roux


Thanks for joining us on the Riptide Publishing First Anniversary Blog Hop Bash! All month long, we’re bringing you guest posts and interviews from your favorite authors, artists, and Riptide staff. As a thank you for helping us celebrate, we’re also giving away $10 in Riptide store credit to one lucky commenter at every stop! Simply leave a comment below by 11:59pm on Sunday, November 4th to enter. Be sure to check out our complete tour schedule to find out where else you can enter to win—one Grand Prize winner drawn from commenters at all the stops will also win a Kindle that we’ll load with every book we publish in 2013!

 Plus, check out our anniversary sale—All October long, backlist titles are 15%-50% off! Today, we have a special Halloween post from Abigail Roux, author of The Gravedigger’s Brawl and the Cut & Run series.

Going All Out for Halloween 
by Abigail Roux

October has always been my favorite time of year. The encroaching chill in the air, the changing colors, the creepiness of Halloween looming at the end of the month. My daughter’s birthday. The World Series and high school State playoffs, but we’ll not talk about either here.

But I’ll be honest, the spooky Halloween vibe of October is my favorite thing ever. I love people that love Halloween. I love to drive by a house that has gone all out to decorate. Graveyard by the driveway, cobwebs in the windows (mine are legit because I’m not touching those spider nests), flashing eyeball lights in the bushes. I remember trick-or-treating as a child and walking past a scarecrow on a porch that reached out and grabbed me, and it was awesome! That guy sat there all night with straw stuck up in his collar, all because he loved the spirit of the season. That’s dedication.

I love people who will dress up and don’t care if others think they’re idiots. Come to my daughter’s birthday party in a cow suit? I’ll love you forever. Have a very large dog that likes to jump the fence and chase people? Put him in a superman cape. Itty bitty baby born in October? Bring her home in a pumpkin suit!

I always swore I’d be that house when I got older. I’d be that kickass adult who dressed up just to make Halloween a little more magical for a neighborhood of kids. My American Bulldog really did wear a superman cape one year, and my baby girl did come home from the hospital in a pumpkin outfit. But my house is in the middle of nowhere, so I don’t get trick-or-treaters. My knee and shoulders have gone haywire, so I can’t dress up and be the life of any party.

For the last few years, the only way for me to get into the spirit of my most favorite time of year was to sit and watch Ghost Hunters in the middle of the night, or to write. I chose to write. I tried to capture that undefinable essence that hangs in the air as Fall descends, the mixture of vintage for the past and unknown for the future. I wrote a ghost story called Seeing Is Believing. It was short, barely long enough to put in an anthology, and I wrote it all in one day.

It was my version of trick-or-treat, and the next year I wanted to do it again. Only this time, the story was longer. It was deeper, and it managed to catch that eerie mixture of vintage and creepy. It was fun like someone sitting in a scarecrow costume, but it was also scary like the feeling you get when that scarecrow grabs you. It took about five years for me to work The Gravedigger’s Brawl into something worth publishing, but I’m glad it made itself into a Halloween treat. I’m finally able to share that mixture of anticipation, fear, and utter unholy glee the month of October always manages to instill in me.

Dr. Wyatt Case is never happier than when he’s walking the halls of his history museum. Playing wingman for his best friend at Gravedigger’s Tavern throws him way out of his comfort zone, but not as much as the eccentric man behind the bar, Ash Lucroix. Ash is everything Wyatt doesn’t understand: exuberant, quirky, and elbow deep in a Gaslight lifestyle that weaves history into everyday life. He coordinates his suspenders with his tongue rings. Within hours, Wyatt and Ash are hooked.

But strange things are afoot at Gravedigger’s, and after a knock to the head, Ash starts seeing things that can’t be explained by old appliances or faulty wiring. Soon everyone at Gravedigger’s is wondering if they’re seeing ghosts, or just going crazy. The answer to that question could end more than just Wyatt and Ash’s fragile relationship—it might also end their lives.


Buy link: http://www.riptidepublishing.com/titles/gravedigger’s-brawl

Bio: Abigail Roux was born and raised in North Carolina. A past volleyball star who specializes in sarcasm and painful historical accuracy, she currently spends her time coaching high school volleyball and investigating the mysteries of single motherhood. Any spare time is spent living and dying with every Atlanta Braves and Carolina Panthers game of the year. Abigail has a daughter, Little Roux, who is the light of her life, a boxer, four rescued cats who play an ongoing live-action variation of Call of Duty throughout the house, a certifiable extended family down the road, and a cast of thousands in her head. To learn more about Abigail, please visit http://www.abigailroux.com

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32 Comments:

At Tuesday, October 30, 2012 at 12:04:00 PM CDT , Anonymous Anonymous said...

I like the idea of writing your own spooky celebration!

vitajex(at)aol(dot)com

 
At Tuesday, October 30, 2012 at 12:56:00 PM CDT , Anonymous Anonymous said...

It is rather spooky the book came out in October isn't it : )

cojazzchick AT yahoo DOT com

 
At Tuesday, October 30, 2012 at 12:59:00 PM CDT , Blogger BeCullen said...

I can't wait to read my signed copy. ;-)

 
At Tuesday, October 30, 2012 at 1:00:00 PM CDT , Blogger Unknown said...

Still stuck in an airport trying to get home. Now afraid to open gravediggers brawl on my kindle. And I don't even live on the coast anymore! So love Halloween though, and want to get home fir the trick or testers.

 
At Tuesday, October 30, 2012 at 1:06:00 PM CDT , Blogger FanGirlMom said...

I LOVED THIS BOOK! :) So, so good!
fangirlmom(at)gmail(dot)com

 
At Tuesday, October 30, 2012 at 1:17:00 PM CDT , Blogger Urb said...

Little Roux's bangs and other scary thangs! I'm hoarding Gravediggers Brawl for a train trip next week, and it is killing me! I love Halloween, but I am glad it will be over when I read this haunted book on a huge piece of technology rolling through the night. Thank you!

brendurbanist AT gmail DOT com

 
At Tuesday, October 30, 2012 at 1:25:00 PM CDT , Blogger jeayci said...

I've always been a fan of Halloween too, and dressing up, doing up the house, etc. And I've been wanting to read Gravedigger's Brawl, but I'm such a wimp when it comes to being scared. =8) Maybe I'll just have go for the gusto and read it on Halloween... or flip a coin to decide between it and Suffocation by Sam McAuley... ;D

 
At Tuesday, October 30, 2012 at 1:27:00 PM CDT , Anonymous Anonymous said...

I LOVE being the scary house on Halloween! One year we stuffed some clothes to look like a dead body (complete with “bloody neck stump” (a red tshirt) and carving knife in the chest). It was too scary for one kid and we had to bring the candy to him at the end of the sidewalk. I felt kinda bad and yet kinda awesome at the same time. :D HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

 
At Tuesday, October 30, 2012 at 1:30:00 PM CDT , Anonymous Anonymous said...

I love that you love Halloween, Abi!
Both ghost stories are amazing and I wouldn't mind reading more. I'd love to see a sequel of Seeing is Believing!

Sherry
Codename_Sherry[@]hotmail.com

 
At Tuesday, October 30, 2012 at 1:35:00 PM CDT , Blogger ceagles said...

Halloween is best when you have kids to keep you on you toes by trying to out scare each other.

Chris
ceagles48218@yahoo.com

 
At Tuesday, October 30, 2012 at 1:41:00 PM CDT , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Perfect Halloween Read!

Rachel_ann94 at yahoo dot com

 
At Tuesday, October 30, 2012 at 2:10:00 PM CDT , Anonymous Anonymous said...

I loved Gravedigger's Brawl! It was definitely fun and scary! I was afraid of my dark hallway and didn't want to leave one single toe hanging over my bed or sticking out of the covers :p

icesumly(at)gmail(dot)com

 
At Tuesday, October 30, 2012 at 3:13:00 PM CDT , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Saved reading it till Halloween! I just love spooky and eerie =D

 
At Tuesday, October 30, 2012 at 4:42:00 PM CDT , Blogger Cornelia said...

Hope to read it real soon.
cvsimpkins@msn.com

 
At Tuesday, October 30, 2012 at 5:31:00 PM CDT , Blogger booklover0226 said...

I love the Cut and Run series and I know I will love this, too. I have added this to my must have list.

Thanks,
Tracey D
booklover0226 at gmail dot com

 
At Tuesday, October 30, 2012 at 5:38:00 PM CDT , Blogger Kasey. V said...

Love Halloween and all the creepiness that comes with it! So glad you were able to share your creepy story with us Abi! ♥

Kunicorngirl@yahoo.com

 
At Tuesday, October 30, 2012 at 5:43:00 PM CDT , Blogger Juliana said...

Thanks so much for the post! Happy Anniversary!
OceanAkers @ aol.com

 
At Tuesday, October 30, 2012 at 8:07:00 PM CDT , Blogger Cameron said...

Great post - dressing up is definitely not just for kids. The first year we were in this house and I'd already got a reputation for being the village witch, when Halloween came around I dressed up as a witch, pointy hat and all, sat outside the front door with my cauldron and spooked the living bejayzuz out of the local children. I don't have an inner child - it's still all on the outside!

 
At Tuesday, October 30, 2012 at 9:19:00 PM CDT , Anonymous Rachel said...

I have always loved Halloween! Trick or Treating where I grew up was always lots of fun, all the houses decorated and had different themes, be it spooky, silly or a combination. As I've gotten older I love handing out candy to the younger generation! It's never too early to start them out on loving the holiday!

 
At Tuesday, October 30, 2012 at 9:26:00 PM CDT , Blogger Michelle said...

I am one of the unfortunate uncreative few that can never think of anything good to dress up as...It's a curse :)
Thank you, chellebee66(at)gmail(dot)com

 
At Tuesday, October 30, 2012 at 9:39:00 PM CDT , Anonymous bn100 said...

Nice post. The book sounds good.

bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

 
At Tuesday, October 30, 2012 at 11:17:00 PM CDT , Blogger Loveless3173 said...

Haha, Finally got Gravedigger's and so happy I got it in time for Halloween! ooh~ totally saving it for tomorrow. LOL...
I LOVE seeing the costumes. yes, of course I love the candy too but really enjoy seeing what people come up with. most still make their own costumes and for THAT I look forward to it every year. Some people go all out and it's simply amazing! lol...

Judi
arella3173_loveless@yahoo(dot)com

 
At Wednesday, October 31, 2012 at 3:02:00 AM CDT , Anonymous Anonymous said...

I love the month of October, with the cold snap in the air and bright cloudless blue skies. Being able to sit and read a spooky, scary book by nothing but firelight. Gravediggers Brawl was an amazingly wonderful book and just what I was looking for. HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!

 
At Wednesday, October 31, 2012 at 5:28:00 AM CDT , Blogger Sophia Rose said...

I love that spooky feeling that comes with the crisp fall nights in October. I'm silly enough to walk through the old graveyard in my town and freak myself out when its just the leaves rustling.

Your book sounds fab. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
sophiarose1816 at gmail dot com

 
At Wednesday, October 31, 2012 at 8:20:00 AM CDT , Blogger Petie said...

I have to say that that is one of most gorgeous cover I have seen ever ;)

 
At Wednesday, October 31, 2012 at 9:34:00 AM CDT , Blogger Melora said...

Happy Halloween everyone! I'm not big on the candy/costume extravaganza so I'll be curled up with this spooky book tonight. Can't wait.

melora.derryth(at)gmail(dot)com

 
At Wednesday, October 31, 2012 at 12:46:00 PM CDT , Blogger pointycat said...

Planning to read this later today - staying with family, who are in a village so it's very dark & quiet...and a little creepy!

pointycat(at)hotmail.co.uk

 
At Wednesday, October 31, 2012 at 3:30:00 PM CDT , Anonymous Aileen said...

We go all out with the decorations at our house. My three year old twins really got into it this year and wanted to drive around the neighborhood to see how others decorated. I wish more people would get in the spirit. Maybe, next year. I have been saving this book until tonight. I am so excited!

Asanch18@yahoo.com

 
At Thursday, November 1, 2012 at 12:30:00 AM CDT , Blogger June M. said...

I live way out in the country, don't get any trick-or-treaters, so I don't really decorate or anything for the holiday. I generally stay home and read a good spooky or paranormal story, watch a good scary movie, and maybe eat some candy. I am trying to stay away from the candy though.
June
manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com

 
At Thursday, November 1, 2012 at 9:48:00 AM CDT , Blogger Tiggasmum said...

I don't go trick-or-treating. I'm a bit too old for it and have no kids of the right age. Plus it's not really such a big thing in England, although we are getting the hang of it, it's not taken off in my village.
So I rely on reading, or watching a ghost program on TV.

Sue
corieltauviqueen(at)yahoo.co.uk

 
At Thursday, November 1, 2012 at 12:13:00 PM CDT , Anonymous Avalie said...

Great read for Halloween.

avaliereads(at)aol(dot)com

 
At Thursday, November 1, 2012 at 5:23:00 PM CDT , Blogger gigi said...

Please count me in. Thanks!

gisu29(at)yahoo(dot)com

 

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