Meet Bob Herold and Read About his Love Affair with Haunted Houses

 For my ongoing Spooktober blog exchange, meet Bob Herold, author of some creepy books and stories!

My Love Affair with Haunted Houses

By Robert Herold

            Haunted Houses and I go way back. I used to set up a haunted house display in my parents’ garage and enlist my brothers and friends to play the roles of various monsters as I, as a mad scientist, led other neighborhood kids through the chamber of horrors. The tour would end with me dissecting a monster in a serio-comic way, removing all manner of things from its abdomen (such as a pop bottle, an old shoe, and a dirty sock). At the conclusion, the creature’s arm would swing out at the other kids, courtesy of a little fishing line, and send the frightened kids running from the haunted garage.

            After college, I took a job in a nursing home as I dipped my claws, er, toes, into the writing life. At the nursing home I reprised my earlier passion for haunted houses and got other members of the staff and the management to buy into the idea of putting on a haunted house for the patients. People were encouraged to retrieve a treat from the bottom of a bowl of intestines (OK, it was pasta). There were opportunities for (geriatric) boys to meet ghouls, and gals to hang out with all sorts of unsavory monsters. The conclusion, once again, was me as a mad scientist werewolf (showing my true colors) who would operate on a monster and once again pull out various things from its abdomen (this time it included a bedpan – I’m such a wit). As an adult, I also jazzed it up with beakers of dry ice and colored liquid bubbling away behind me on repurposed bookshelves. The pièce de résistance was me (as the ersatz wolfman/mad scientist) throwing the breaker switch (OK, it was a sponge mop handle) and causing the creature’s eyes to light up. At this point, the creature’s arm would swing out, as before (remember the fishing line trick?) and grab one of the patients.  As I look back on my cavalier sensibilities, I realized I was damn lucky I didn’t cause a heart attack.

            When my older son was in kindergarten and first grade I resurrected the haunted house motif, this time for my son’s birthday parties. I used all the same ideas to great success, perhaps too great. After causing one little girl to pee her pants, I realized I had ridden this horror express perhaps a little too far.

The haunted house that left the biggest impression on me I encountered when I was in high school, I participated in a spooktacular haunted house that was sponsored by a local rock music station. I helped with the construction, mostly as a gofer, and got to be a werewolf (oh, the joy) once the place opened. This haunted house was not for kids and had many a frightful room that we repurposed in an old home before it was to be torn down. I, as the wolfman, was in a room with Dr. Frankenstein and the monster, and we all jumped at folks and delighted in their screams. Then, toward the end of the evening, in a moment of werewolf abandon, I decided to jump up onto the wall and grab the bars on a window to howl at the moon. Much to my chagrin, and pain, the iron bars were actually wooden dowels that broke off and I crashed down onto my werewolf tailbone. I howled in pain. People loved it! I, however, too embarrassed to admit my pain and mistake, limped the three miles home that night instead of begging a ride from someone with wheels. My lesson: One must suffer for one’s art!

Speaking of art, I have two series and a sale that might be right up your dark alley. N. N. Light Book Heaven recently declared that “The Seattle Coven Tales is the must-read paranormal series of the year.” The third in the series, “The Devil’s Dregs,” will be released today, Friday, the 13^th. To celebrate this, I have the first in the series, “Witch Ever Way You Go,” on sale until the end of October, for just $0.99. (All the Seattle Coven Tales are free with Kindle Unlimited.) 

All are available on Amazon

The Eidola Project Series follows a team of 19^th-century ghost hunters who become ensnared in deadly investigations of the supernatural. The Paranormal Romance Guild recently awarded these novels First Place as an Outstanding Horror Series. The books are available through all major online retailers, and bookstores may order them for you through Ingram Book Service.

If you would like a free short story, “Ghost Doll,” an early adventure by the Eidola Project team, contact me at

email@robertheroldauthor.com

Other social media links:

https://robertheroldauthor.com

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My Halloween Story, October Recipe, a Favorite Ghost Book, and Some Orbs I Captured

My Halloween Story and Favorite Halloween Recipe

I do paranormal investigations with a group near where I live, and I attended my very first ghost hunt with them a few nights before Halloween. About ten of us visited Old Dunstable Cemetery where some victims of a 1702 Indian massacre are buried. It’s the oldest cemetery in Nashua, NH, dating back from when  the land was part of Massachusetts. The earliest burial dates from 1687.

Researchers had found the victims’ names, so we were able to locate their gravestones. The only equipment I had at the time were my dowsing rods and a digital camera. While others in the group made their attempts to contact spirits, I stood before a gravestone that read: this Man, with Seven more, that lies in this Grave; was Slew, All in A day, by the Indiens.

Holding my rods, I asked a few questions: Did you die in the massacre? Were you born here? You can only ask simple yes or no questions and ask the rods to cross for yes and separate for no. I got answers to all my questions. I then stood before another stone reading: Rev. Thomas Weld, Born June 1653, Settled as the first minister of the church in Dunstable Dec. 1685, probably massacred by the Indians while defending the settlement June 7, 1702, age 49. All the while, I felt a strong presence, and immediately began feeling dizzy and lightheaded. I found that this happens quite frequently when I ghost hunt. I’ve never seen a ghost, but have felt presences near me, and always get dizzy when I sense someone is nearby. I took several photos throughout the cemetery, and some came out with brightly colored arcs among the tombstones. I didn’t dare visit that graveyard on Halloween night!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN HEALTHY PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE
Ingredients:
3/4 cup low fat cottage cheese
2/3 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
1 tbsp. white whole wheat flour
2 tbsp. honey
1/4 tsp. salt
4 egg whites
2 tbsp. lemon juice
1/2 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice, no sugar added
Directions:
Place everything in your blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a greased or parchment lined cake pan or a mini scone pan.
Bake at 350 F for 50 minutes.
Optional : When cooled, top with whipped cream 
Enjoy!
1 serving = 1/8 of the entire cake
Carbs: 13 gm

Roxie Zwicker

Roxie is an author, television personality, and tour guide based in Portsmouth NH and York, Maine. Her tour company, New England Curiosities, has been offering tours and haunted events since 2002. She has written several books in the "Haunted America" series, and one of my favorites is HAUNTED YORK COUNTY, about this beautiful area of coastal Maine. 

Purchase HAUNTED YORK COUNTY on Amazon

While on Roxie's tour of York Village, I took a few photos inside the old schoolhouse, capturing several orbs. 

Happy Halloween!

Get Ready to Howl with Werewolf Chills: Moonlight Becomes You by my Guest Robert Herold

I invited my author friends to send me entertaining posts suitable for the Halloween season, and Bob, one of my fellow The Wild Rose Press authors, replied right away—meet Bob and read about MOONLIGHT BECOMES YOU. 

Bob and werewolf buddy

About Bob 

The supernatural has always had the allure of forbidden fruit, ever since my mother refused to allow me, as a boy, to watch creature features on late night TV. She caved in. (Well, not literally!)

While other kids my age wanted to grow up to be doctors, firefighters, spacemen, and the like, I wanted to be a werewolf. As a child, fresh snow provided me the opportunity to walk out onto neighbor’s lawns halfway and make paw prints with my fingers as far as I could stretch. I would retrace the paw and boot prints, then fetch the neighbor kids and point out that someone turned into a werewolf on their front lawn! (They were skeptical.) 

I have pursued many interests over the years (including playing the sax and flute, and teaching middle school history for 36 years), but supernatural writing always called to me. You could say that I was haunted. Ultimately, I hope my books give you the creeps, and I mean that in the best way possible!

 Get Ready to Howl with Werewolf Chills: 

Moonlight Becomes You

Werewolves and vampires have lately been portrayed as tragically lovelorn beings with a big heart but a tendency to do love bites. Moonlight Becomes You, on the other hand, returns to classic themes where the monster is just that, and the love-interests are between humans in jeopardy. The story involves 19^th Century ghost hunters who are asked to stop a werewolf that is terrorizing a Black community. The monster is scary. In fact, so are some of the humans, given the involvement of KKK. The book recently received a 5-star review and a Crowned Heart of Excellence Award from In D’Tale Magazine. It is also the recipient of two first-place wins by the Southeastern Writers Association, including Best Novel!

If you are looking for some honest chills this Halloween, look no further! Moonlight Becomes You is also on sale this month for only $.99!! Now that’s something to howl about!

Purchase MOONLIGHT BECOMES YOU for .99 on Amazon

Excerpt

Doc Curtis fought for every reserve of strength and managed to quicken his pace. He could hear them shouting behind him and dared not look back, fearing it might slow him just that much more.

He made it through the field and emerged onto a rough access road running between the cultivated land on one side and the woods on the other. The doctor dashed across the dirt road and through the weeds and scrub bordering its opposite side. The trees stood twenty yards ahead. He would make it, find a thick trunk to hide behind, and fire a warning shot. If he could drive them off, it would be best. If not, he would do what needed to be done. Life had reduced itself to its most basic terms: kill or be killed.

Just five yards from the trees, a gigantic black beast bounded from the woods and landed before him. The doctor skittered to a stop, and his feet went out from beneath him. The creature stepped closer, looming. Its eyes glowed red, and the skin around its muzzle drew back, revealing a mouthful of sharp canine teeth.

The Klan had come at him in two directions, the doctor realized.

He raised his pistol and fired into the snarling face above him. 

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email@robertheroldauthor.com

Animated Book Trailer (17 seconds)

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Halloween Story and Favorite Halloween Recipe

My Halloween Story and Favorite Halloween Recipe

Old Schoolhouse, York Village, Maine--With Its Many Orbs

I do paranormal investigations with a group near where I live, and I attended my very first ghost hunt with them a few nights before Halloween. About ten of us visited Old Dunstable Cemetery where some victims of a 1702 Indian massacre are buried. It’s the oldest cemetery in Nashua, dating back from when the land was part of Massachusetts. The earliest burial dates from 1687. Researchers had found the victims’ names, so we were able to locate their gravestones. The only equipment I had at the time were my dowsing rods and a digital camera. While others in the group made their attempts to contact spirits, I stood before a gravestone that read: this Man, with Seven more, that lies in this Grave; was Slew, All in A day, by the Indiens.

Holding my rods, I asked a few questions: Did you die in the massacre? Were you born here? You can only ask simple yes or no questions and ask the rods to cross for yes and separate for no. I got answers to all my questions. I then stood before another stone reading: Rev. Thomas Weld, Born June 1653, Settled as the first minister of the church in Dunstable Dec. 1685, probably massacred by the Indians while defending the settlement June 7, 1702, age 49. All the while, I felt a strong presence, and immediately began feeling dizzy and lightheaded. I found that this happens quite frequently when I ghost hunt. I’ve never seen a ghost, but have felt presences near me, and always get dizzy when I sense someone is nearby. I took several photos throughout the cemetery, and some came out with brightly colored arcs among the tombstones. I didn’t dare visit that graveyard on Halloween night!

York Village, Maine, Graveyard at Dusk--See the Orb to the Right?

HAPPY HALLOWEEN HEALTHY PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE

Ingredients:
3/4 cup low fat cottage cheese
2/3 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
1 tbsp. white whole wheat flour
2 tbsp. honey
1/4 tsp. salt
4 egg whites
2 tbsp. lemon juice
1/2 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice, no sugar added

Directions:

Place everything in your blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a greased or parchment lined cake pan or a mini scone pan.

Bake at 350 F for 50 minutes.

Optional : When cooled, top with whipped cream 

Enjoy!

1 serving = 1/8 of the entire cake

Carbs: 13 gm

My Fav Halloween Recipe and Halloween Story

Orb in graveyard at York Village, Maine

I do paranormal investigations with a group near where I live, and I attended my very first ghost hunt with them a few nights before Halloween. About ten of us visited Old Dunstable Cemetery where some victims of a 1702 Indian massacre are buried. It’s the oldest cemetery in Nashua, dating back from when the land was part of Massachusetts. The earliest burial dates from 1687. Researchers had found the victims’ names, so we were able to locate their gravestones. The only equipment I had at the time were my dowsing rods and a digital camera. While others in the group made their attempts to contact spirits, I stood before a gravestone that read: this Man, with Seven more, that lies in this Grave; was Slew, All in A day, by the Indiens.

Orbs inside the schoolhouse, York Village, Maine

Holding my rods, I asked a few questions: Did you die in the massacre? Were you born here? You can only ask simple yes or no questions and ask the rods to cross for yes and separate for no. I got answers to all my questions. I then stood before another stone reading: Rev. Thomas Weld, Born June 1653, Settled as the first minister of the church in Dunstable Dec. 1685, probably massacred by the Indians while defending the settlement June 7, 1702, age 49. All the while, I felt a strong presence, and immediately began feeling dizzy and lightheaded. I found that this happens quite frequently when I ghost hunt. I’ve never seen a ghost, but have felt presences near me, and always get dizzy when I sense someone is nearby. I took several photos throughout the cemetery, and some came out with brightly colored arcs among the tombstones. I didn’t dare visit that graveyard on Halloween night!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN HEALTHY PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE

Ingredients:
3/4 cup low fat cottage cheese
2/3 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
1 tbsp. white whole wheat flour
2 tbsp. honey
1/4 tsp. salt
4 egg whites
2 tbsp. lemon juice
1/2 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice, no sugar added

Directions:

Place everything in your blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a greased or parchment lined cake pan or a mini scone pan.

Bake at 350 F for 50 minutes.

Optional : When cooled, top with whipped cream 

Enjoy!

1 serving = 1/8 of the entire cake

Carbs: 13 gm

Let's Connect:

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Fav Halloween Recipe and My Halloween Story

Happy Halloween!

I do paranormal investigations with a group from New Hampshire near where I live, and I attended my very first ghost hunt with them a few nights before Halloween. About ten of us visited Old Dunstable Cemetery where some victims of a 1702 Indian massacre are buried. It’s the oldest cemetery in Nashua, dating back from when the land was part of Massachusetts. The earliest burial dates from 1687. Researchers had found the victims’ names, so we were able to locate their gravestones. The only equipment I had at the time were my dowsing rods and a digital camera. While others in the group made their attempts to contact spirits, I stood before a gravestone that read: this Man, with Seven more, that lies in this Grave; was Slew, All in
A day, by the Indiens.

Holding my rods, I asked a few questions: Did you die in the massacre? Were you born here? You can only ask simple yes or no questions and ask the rods to cross for yes and separate for no. I got answers to all my questions. I then stood before another stone reading: Rev. Thomas Weld, Born June 1653, Settled as the first minister of the church in Dunstable Dec. 1685, probably massacred by the Indians while defending the settlement June 7, 1702, age 49. All the while, I felt a strong presence, and immediately began feeling dizzy and lightheaded. I found that this happens quite frequently when I ghost hunt. I’ve never seen a ghost, but have felt presences near me, and always get dizzy when I sense someone is nearby. I took several photos throughout the cemetery, and some came out with brightly colored arcs among the tombstones. I didn’t dare visit that graveyard on Halloween night!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN HEALTHY PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE

Ingredients:
3/4 cup low fat cottage cheese
2/3 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
1 tbsp. white whole wheat flour
2 tbsp. honey
1/4 tsp. salt
4 egg whites
2 tbsp. lemon juice
1/2 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice, no sugar added

Directions:

Place everything in your blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a greased or parchment lined cake pan or a mini scone pan.

Bake at 350 F for 50 minutes.

Optional : When cooled, top with whipped cream 

Enjoy!

1 serving = 1/8 of the entire cake

Carbs: 13 gm

Cape Cod's Haunted 17th Century Gaol

My author friend Kathryn Knight and I both wrote about the gaol in our books, her HAUNTED SOULS and my DARK BREW (click on the cover on the right for link). We both toured the gaol at different times, and had some weird experiences there. Read about the gaol and HAUNTED SOULS on Kathryn's blog http://bit.ly/2eJJZ0v

A Halloween Treat! Release Tour for DARK OF MIDNIGHT Halloween Collection

DARK OF MIDNIGHT 2016 Halloween Collection

My Company CostPro's October Newsletter

I'm not just an author, I own CostPro, a construction cost estimating company, with my husband Chris.
We feature Boston's Omni Parker House and its fascinating history in the October CostProGram, and read about the strange image in the mezzanine mirror that we got right after a ghost tour!

The CostProGram   CostPro, Inc. Cambridge, MA 617-576-5878 www.costpro.net www.costpro.net October 2015 Dear Diana,    In October we always enjoy the walking tours, the apple picking, the spectacular foliage--all New England has to offer. We hope you'll enjoy reading about the historic Omni Parker House, the last stop on the Haunted Boston walking tour we took the other night. Aside from its beautiful architecture, it has a few stories of its own to tell about its 160-year history. The events in Salem are a lot of fun, if you get there early enough to get a parking space and don't mind the First Night-like crowds. Hint: Drive down Washington Street; it becomes Canal Street, which always has plenty of on-street parking. Enjoy the article and a happy Halloween!            Boston's Historic Omni Parker House Hotel    The nation's oldest continuously operating hotel celebrated its 160th anniversary this year. We all know the distinctive landmark with its gold awning resembling a theater marquee. The guide on our walking tour told us a few facts I'd never known about the hotel--it's the home of the first Boston cream pie, every president from Grant to Clinton has passed through its doors to 'lobby' in the press room, imbibe in one of the bars, or stay in one of the 551 rooms. JFK made good use of the place over the last century---he announced his candidacy for Congress in 1946, held his bachelor party and proposed to Jackie in 1953. John Wilkes Booth checked in for a visit, ten days before assassinating President Lincoln. Charles Dickens stayed there in 1867-68, where he performed "A Christmas Carol", and rehearsed before a large mirror in his suite which is now on the mezzanine level...and more about that strange mirror:  THE MEZZANINE MIRROR   First Photo of Mirror--Perfectly Normal Photo of Diana Rubino & Paula Tate by Steve Page   Our October newsletter wouldn't be complete without an inexplicable tale: The guide told us that the mezzanine mirror has some strange 'properties' that can't be explained away, even though it's been sent away for testing twice...you may not see your reflection in it, another oddity is that Dickens himself might appear if you look long enough... I took a few photos, not expecting anything otherworldly to appear in my camera, and nothing did...until the photo my friend took, below. The tour company didn't have an explanation for it, either. Oh, well, it sure isn't Dickens!   Fourth Photo of Mirror--what the Dickens is that????   Next time you're at the Omni Parker House, just keep an open mind--especially around Halloween!