Spooked: Paranormal Penny Mysteries, #7.5

By Sarah Hualde

Carnival rides, cinnamon rolls, and supernatural suspense,

can only mean one thing.

The Raven is at it again.

 

Thankfully Penny Nicols is there to chase the musical clues as a happy Harvest Festival becomes a haunting ground.

Can Penny heart the bird of prey one more time?

Or has her luck run out?

 

You'll love following Penny and her cat, Spades, as they stalk down their latest lyrical clues with all the cozy feels.

 

Read now!

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Indie Christian Writers
• Release date: Sep 26, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223175117

Sarah Hualde

Sarah lives in California, in a home that brings her happiness and hay fever. She loves God, loves her family, and loves freshly brewed coffee. She has a husband who cooks, a son who stop animates, a daughter who loves animals, a dog that follows her everywhere, and a turtle who scowls at her condescendingly. Her mother raised her on Mary Higgins Clark, Dianne Mott Davidson, and Remington Steele. Her grandmother shared True Crime stories with her as they plotted how to get away with the perfect murder. It's no surprise that Sarah became an award-winning spinner of suspenseful tales brimming with quirky characters. Mysteries are in her blood. Not that she could survive one of her own stories. She confesses, "I'd be snuffed out by Chapter two." Join Sarah's Super Sleuth Squad and follow her on YouTube for behind-the-scenes insider info. Super Squad Newsletter ----> https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/g1k6r0 YouTube-----> https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK9ywmqk_2k-mEssZMkEvBQ

Book preview

Chapter 1

I love it! My smile was so wide it hurt as I admired my new tattoo. Actually, it was the temporary stencil that would be my tattoo.

Hummingbirds are just so Penny, Nell Morris, tattoo artist extraordinaire, beamed. Once that boot comes off, we’ll make it permanent. She pointed to the recovery boot on my left foot.

Two more weeks, and you’ll be a painted lady, Jade, Nell’s sister, and my new bestie, said in her very awkward way. Nell sighed. There was no end to Jade’s random quips.

It had been almost two months since I’d seen my ankle. At last glance, it was purple and swelling, shattered by the villain of the latest Raven plot. Thankfully, the Raven, aka the omen of death, was content killing my foot and not my best friends. It wasn’t his M.O. to let a marked victim skate by unscathed. Usually, he’d mark them with his shadow, toss a few musical clues to give me hope, and then snatch the victim from this mortal coil. All this within twenty-four hours of the first Raven mark.

I wasn’t used to it, but it was my life. The evil bird followed me since childhood and set his crosshairs on anyone friendly to me. Fear of him kept me running from place to place. Until I parked in Riley’s Canyon, I lived as a loner in my tiny house on wheels.

Since meeting the Morris sisters, I’d defeated the Raven multiple times and reunited with the man who made my heart throb, Titus Church. (Sigh.) My worries hadn’t evaporated, but hope overrode what I used to consider common sense. I was growing closer to the paranormal podcaster. Plus, building solid friendships with the Morris girls. I wasn’t sure what the Raven would do, but I was positive he wouldn’t remain dormant for much longer. This Penny isn’t that lucky.

Sitting in Twisted Sisters, Nell’s tattoo shop, I felt like I’d arrived. I was finding a home. It felt good.

Nell set down the backing of the stencil and rose from her chair. She cracked and craned her back. I’m heading to bed.

Night, Jade told her sister. We’ll lock up.

Nell nodded. You better. What will I do without you for the next four days?

Jade waved away her sister’s concern. The same thing you do every night. Rock the world.

Nell snorted.

Pax will be here, I said. Pax Smith was Nell’s fiance and protector. Nell smiled before retreating to the stairwell.

Jade rushed to Nell’s shop chair and scooped me into hers. She flipped my wrist to face her. The watercolor stencil shimmered on my skin. Jade beamed.

How’d my little sister know about your hummingbird omens?

I shook my head. I thought you told her.

Jade dropped my hand and crossed her arms. Jade Morris doesn’t spill other people’s secrets. She laughed. Of course, I didn’t tell her.

It must be a sign. The smile spreading across my face must’ve had me looking like a goof. I couldn’t help it. It was a novel experience.

Jade frowned. You know I don’t believe in signs. Not like that. I think it’s Providence.

Just like Titus.

Titus stayed in Riley’s Canyon as my ankle healed. We took the lull in Raven omens to get to know one another better. His name on my lips didn’t hurt like it used to. It felt like I was dreaming.

During our time together, Titus explained his beliefs in an Almighty God. When I’d talked it over with Jade, girlfriend to girlfriend, I was shocked to see she sported a similar worldview. I was sure he’d call my hummingbird tattoo a nod from above.

The tattoo tickled my heart, no matter what inspired Nell to design it for me. Hummingbirds were the Raven’s opposition. They proved the threat was gone, and life continued. I couldn’t have selected a better image to be my first tattoo. Waiting for my ankle to heal would take all the longer, knowing what lay ahead.

Jade straightened up Nell’s station. I see why you like the man, she said. It was great having a gal pal to share this new experience. Titus and I weren’t exactly dating. Our friendship was changing. I needed an honest ear to tell my feelings.

No one was more honest than Jade. The truth was her gift, just like death omens were mine. She could smell a rat the instant she spotted a liar. That also meant lying went directly against her system. She nearly threw up if she let the teeniest fib slip from her lips.

I can’t believe he’s coming with us to Musing Pines, I said, referring to the town hosting the Harvest Moon Festival and Jade’s first