Hello, friends!
Most of you celebrate Halloween tomorrow, and I canโt tell you how lucky you are. I live in Romania, and sadly, Halloween isnโt a local tradition (imagine that, in the land of Dracula!).ย Although, if one wants to dress up thereโs always a club or party where, for one night a year, we can be whoever we want to be.
One of my favorite characters is the classy, timeless Morticia Addams, because, like her, I have a strong dose of cynicism and a macabre sense of humor at times. And I even found a man who appreciates this stuff. What more can one wish for?

Iโve always been fascinated by Halloween as a holiday, which is why I am already writing my second book that takes place around this time of year. The first one isย Killer Score, a novel from theย Irish Garda Files, which won theย RONE awardย for Best Suspense/Mystery of 2021.
Inย Killer Score, psychologist Chelsea Campbell explains the meaning of Halloween to Evan Gallagher, an ex-FBI agent recently transferred to work as a detective for the Irish police.
โHalloween really is a big deal around here, too,โ Evan observed while driving.
โSure it is. Donโt you celebrate it in America?โ
โWe do, big time. Somehow, Iโve never gotten the spirit of it. Maybe itโs because in modern times itโs more of a commercial holiday than a true celebration ofโฆ the spiritsโ worldโor whatever its meaning. To be shamefully honest, I never knew exactly what this holiday was about.โ
Chelsea shifted her body to make herself more comfortable. โHalloween, or All Hallowsโ Eve, is a Celtic holiday that marked Samhain, the end of harvest and the beginning of winter. The Celts thought this was the darkest time of the year, when the boundaries between this world and the otherworld thinned, and the spirits or fairies could come into this world more easily.ย The souls of the dead were also said to revisit their homes seeking hospitality. Places were set at the dinner table and by the fire to welcome them. The belief that the souls of the dead return home on one night of the year and must be appeased has ancient origins and is present in many cultures throughout the world. This is what Halloween is really about.โ
This explanation takes place while they drive to a Halloween party. As I wrote this scene I could almost hear Chelseaโs voice and Irish accent, that seems to enhance a good storytelling on a cold October night.
And because my books mirror life as much as possible, we also have a romantic scene at the club. Letโs see who else listens to my kind of music!ย
The music changed and the DJ dedicated the slow version of Santanaโs Black Magic Woman to all the ladies in the place. As the exotic guitar filled the air with magic, Chelsea smiled, closing her eyes and letting her head fall back. Evan couldnโt resist. Unthinkingly, he drew her into his arms, moving his body in tune with hers. Their shoulders glided together, their hips undulated close together. The music was like a drug. His hands tightened on her hips, traveled up her back, enjoying the exquisite caress of her hair. Her fingers sunk in the muscles of his chest, clutching handfuls of his shirt. As the music grew more intense, so did their dance, the friction, the heat, the closeness. Evan buried his face in her hair, hoping for solace, finding none. The fresh, spicy scent of her was maddening, promising things beyond his imagination. He didnโt want to want her, but his body burned to touch her, to have her, to possess her. She had a magnetic quality heโd never encountered in any other woman. Maybe because she wasnโt just a babe with a stunning body. She also had a powerful and intriguing mind. She constantly challenged him, and he never backed down from a challenge.
If that got your blood warm, this nextโand final teaserโshould make it run cold again, because alas, the killer strikes again. And what better night than Halloween?
โBad doings tonight, Yank. All Hollowโs Eve should be a night for bringing back lost life, not taking it. I donโt know whatโs going on in this city, but you have to stop it. We canโt have any more lassies killed and discarded like rag dolls.โ
ย Well, you tell me guys: was this a trick or a treat?
Happy Halloween from Transylvania! (for real!)ย

Fondly,
Melinda
Melinda De Ross is the first Romanian to become a USA Today bestselling author. A prolific writer, she weaves humorous romance and tension-filled thrillers with the same enthusiasm. Her books combine the elegance of European literature with the modern appeal of American culture. While she’s a law graduate and professional target shooter, she prefers to spend her days spinning tales for her readers. In her downtime, she’d rather read or watch a classic movie than go to a noisy club. She loves to hear from readers, so if you have a question or want to learn more about her books, visit her website: MelindaDeRoss.com