Walk-Ins Welcome
by Sue C Dugan
Date of Publication: May 24th 2023
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Cover Artist: Kim Mendoza
Genre: Paranormal Romance
ISBN:978-1-5092-4908-4
Number of pages:336
Word Count: 73,299
Tagline: True love repeats itself in unexpected ways
BLURB
Adult education teacher, Alison Larkin has a second chance at love after her husband is killed in a car accident. Her new love interest comes in the form of a 20-year old student called HB, whose reputation as a bad boy and poor student has everyone questioning her attraction to him. Alison finds him to be nothing like his reputation as a drug-dealer and trouble maker.
Although HB has few high school credits to his name, he is flying through the coursework in adult education. Alison learns she and HB share a memory of a dramatic rescue at a local amusement park.
HB has a secret he has yet to discover, but when he does, he must convince Alison to give him another chance at love.
Excerpt
She put the flowers on the coffee table and moved her hand toward the sofa. He sat, and she did too. “Didn’t you have something you want to talk to me about?”
Momentarily, he couldn’t remember what it was.
“Did you forget?” She gave him an encouraging smile. “So much has happened. It seems like ages ago.”
Then it came rushing back to him—Dr. Sims—the things he remembered and the yearbook pictures. He sat with his hands clasped and his head down, thinking. Was now the time to tell her? He jerked his head up. “I’m not sure this is a good time to tell you what I know.”
She frowned. “That sounds serious.”
“It is and a bit weird too.”
She leaned forward and clasped her hands together. “Why don’t you tell me, and I’ll decide how serious it is.”
HB shifted on the couch, trying to find a comfortable position. Finding none, he straightened and looked at her. “You know I felt like a different person when I came out of my coma?”
Alison nodded but remained quiet.
“And I wrote about the rescue at Cedar Springs?”
She remained stock still.
“I started adding one plus one, and I came up with something bizarre out there.”
Clearing her throat, Alison finally said, “You’re scaring me.”
He noisily let out his breath. “I’ve been seeing a counselor, and he told me about one of his patients, Ashton.” HB paused and rearranged his thoughts. “I talked to Ashton, who told me he had tried to kill himself but failed.”
“Oh, no!” Alison cried. “Please don’t tell me you want to kill yourself!” She leaned forward and tried to grasp his hand.
“No, I want to live again!” He let her touch his fingers before pulling back. Although contemplating suicide might be easier than telling Alison he was her dead husband—Robert.
“Anyway,” HB swallowed, “Ashton told me about soul walk-ins.”
“What did you say?” Alison asked, alarm creasing her brow. “Wait!” She jumped up and hurried down the hallway while he waited. He moved his forefinger over his thumb, wondering what would make her leave like that.
She returned with a small book, sat, and clutched it to her chest as if protecting it. Then, slowly, she eased the book onto her lap and opened it.
He murmured the title. “Communicating with the Dead… So you believe in that?”
“I don’t know what I believe. But this book mentions walk-in souls and—”
“I think I have Robert’s soul in my body,” he exclaimed before he could change his mind.
HB didn’t mean to interrupt her, but it just happened. He couldn’t help it. He watched as
Alison’s eyes rolled back, and she slumped over.
“Alison?” He patted her hand and then her cheeks until her eyes fluttered open.
“How…” She looked confused. “Why? What?” She fell back on the couch. “I don’t believe it,” she said with a shake of her head, and her features turned stony. “I think you should leave.”
“What?” HB cried. “No! No. I’m sorry!” Tears immediately filled his eyes. “I knew it was a bad time.”
“What a cruel and mean joke to play on me after what I’ve gone through!” Her eyes flashed with anger, something he couldn’t pinpoint.
“I’ll let myself out.” He jumped up. He’d blown it with Alison, and she didn’t want to believe him. And he might not have a chance to convince her.
Author Info
Sue writes five-star LitPick novels that keep readers of all ages turning pages long into the night. When she’s not writing, she’s reading, attending author events, or walking her dogs. She’s has two children and five grandchildren. Snack wise, Sue is a salty-type gal, but wouldn’t say no to an occasional chocolate kiss or two! She isn’t sure she’s a reincarnated novelist, but if she was, she’d want to be Jane Austen, Mary Shelley, or Emily Brontë. When her novels are run through author comparison sites, she gets Anne Rice through Mark Twain—quite a wide spread which makes for interesting reading (Tom Sawyer was a Vampire?).
The Book Junkie Reads . . . Interview with . . . Sue C. Dugan. . .
How would I describe my style of writing to someone who has never read my work?
I ran some of my paragraphs through “I write like…” and WALK-INS WELCOME was compared to Dan Brown and Anne Rice—The DaVinci Code meets Interview With The Vampire. Anne was influenced greatly by Brad Stoker (Dracula). I feel quite honored my work was compared to those three greats.
Do I think writing is an ingrained process or just something that flows naturally for me?
I think it’s a combination of the two. I’ve always liked to write, but until recently, it didn’t flow naturally. Now, with five published books and a set schedule, it flows better, and I’m trusting my instincts on what works or doesn’t work for me.
What mindset or routine do I set when preparing to write?
I like to write in the mornings when my mind isn’t littered with junk of the day. I begin by reading something from Bird by Bird (Anne Lamont) or On Writing (Stephen King). That seemed to set me in the frame of mind to create. I also reread what I’ve written the day before to know what comes next.
What are some of your writing/publishing goals for this year?
My next creative projects are… I’m writing another walk-in soul book that begins during the Russian Revolution. I wanted to do something different involving the Russian Princesses who were murdered along with their parents. I’ve learned a lot by researching the revolution, prohibition, and the Depression. I’m also working on the sequel to Walk-ins Welcome, tentatively titled: 4EAEA. And what does that mean? When you read WALK-INS WELCOME, you’ll know!
Where would I spend one full year if I could go ANYWHERE and money was not a concern?
I’d rent a furnished apartment on the left bank in Paris to be close to the sights and attractions in one of the more upscale Arrondissements. I’d visit all the galleries and cultural exhibits and soak in their culture. I would people-watch as I sat sipping my wine and eating my crudités. I’d want to write something romantic and paranormal while there. Maybe the setting would be the catacombs? Or Notre-Dame de Paris when restorations are finished? Or La Bastille prison? Oui, I’d like to experience Paris for a longer time than as a short-term tourist and get a book deal out of it!
Thank you Sue C. Dugan for joining and giving a little insight to you and your process. Your work is appreciated.
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