HAPPY NATIONAL PARANORMAL DAY!

How cool is this?

I stumbled upon this holiday a few weeks ago while Googling paranormal topics for one of my books.

On May 3rd each year, people in this country and around the world, gather on FB, in groups, at parties to talk about and tell each other their paranormal experiences.

The word Paranormal came to be in use, circa 1915-1920.

The dictionary defines it as: (noun) - not scientifically explainable.

No matter your paranormal preference, ghosts, witches, aliens, UFO's, vampires or shifters, there is a group for you!

I hope to write a more detailed post on the Love Features Blog on

Sunday, May 3rd.

Do you have a story to share?

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Debbie Christiana writes paranormal romance, dark romantic fiction and short dark fiction.

You can find her at:

www.debbiechristiana.com

Twitter: @DebChristiana

FB: Debbie Christiana, Author

A SIP OF LIQUORE STREGA

I grew up in a large Sicilian family (my grandparents/family arrived through Ellis Island in 1920). Sunday dinners were filled with delicious food, homemade wine, and a bit of small talk about the local Stregas (Italian witches) that resided in most small villages of the Mediterranean Island.

Italy has a history of tolerance for their 'wise women' more than other European countries, especially during the Inquisition. They were respected members of the community known for their knowledge of nature, herbs and curatives.

The unique thing about Stregas is that they have their own liquore, the recipe known only to their kind, made in Benevento, Italy (City of Witches). Legend tells us there is a sacred walnut tree that keeps it's leaves all year long and the place Stregas would gather every full moon for a ritual.  

Until 622 AD.

That's when Duke Arechi II of Benvento was said to willingly and happily partake in the monthly revelry among the witches. His angry wife told the local priest, who immediately cut down the tree and built a church on it's site, and made the Duke convert to Christianity. Although it's believed the Stregas tricked the priest and the true Walnut tree still stands well hidden in the Benevento forest. 

If you look closely at the label you'll see the Stregas dancing under the tree.

That brings us to the Alberti family. One day Gisueppe Alberti and his brothers were foraging the woods of Benevento for herbs when they saved the life of a witch from a falling tree. In appreciation she gifted the brothers with the secret recipe. To this day the Alberti family is the only producer of Liquore Strega, the recipe is kept under lock and key and only a few family members are privy to its ingredients.  The only known ingredient for sure is the Saffron that gives it its brilliant yellow hue.

But beware! Liquore Strega is a love potion that has the power to bewitch. Remember, "whomever you share a glass with you shall be forever united with."

A scary proposition, depending on who you are sipping the Strega with and the basis of a short story of mine, Choose Wisely.

Debbie Christiana writes paranormal romance, dark romantic fiction and short dark stories.

www.debbiechristiana.com

FB: Debbie Christiana, author

Twitter: @DebChristiana

Spooky Symphonies

I love music.

Music helps with those everyday things that need to get done, like housework and laundry. With Bruno Mars singing “Uptown Funk” loudly in the background, the dull and dreary chores aren’t so bad.

I find listening to music when I write sets a certain tone and gets my muse going. Dave Matthews is always good for a softer or love scene as is some hard rock for an action scene.

My newfound obsession on Pandora is Spooky Symphonies. I’ve discovered some wonderful music. We all know the ‘one’ famous song from Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, but the whole soundtrack, written by Bernard Herrmann is beautifully haunting and creepy.

The Exorcist, also well known for ‘one’ song, is a great eerie soundtrack written and performed by different composers.

BTW, these are two of my favorite movies!

I recently wrote a short dark fiction story while listening to the music from the 1992 movie, Dracula, written and performed by Wojciech Kilar. Atmospheric and dramatic, it helped me create an unsettling mood and up the tension in my story. I hope so, anyway!

Dick Clark once said, “Music is the soundtrack of your life.”

Spooky Symphonies have become the soundtrack of my character’s lives.

Do you have a favorite spooky song?

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Debbie Christiana writes paranormal romance, dark romantic fiction and short dark fiction. 

You can find her:

Website: www.debbiechristiana.com

Facebook: Debbie Christiana, Author

Twitter: @DebChristiana

What’s your favorite paranormal character?

Mine is the beloved Vampire. From ancient to ruthless to sexy to sparkly (I had fun with my daughter reading the Twilight Series together) – I’m a fan and always will be.

Vamps have it all, strength, sex appeal, immortality.  I love a strong, sexy alpha male, who doesn’t, but it’s their immortality that attracts me, and maybe not for the reason you think. I’m a die hard horror fan, but I also love history – dark history that shows the more sinister side of humankind.

Vampires fascinate me because of their knowledge of the past - sometimes into antiquity. If I could sit and pick their brain about all they have seen and experienced since being turned - I’d even be willing to give a little blood if necessary, LOL – I’d be the happiest girl in the world.

Do you like vampires? If so, what draws you to them?

Debbie Christiana
www.debbiechristiana.com