{"id":189,"date":"2014-12-30T23:09:38","date_gmt":"2014-12-31T04:09:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/circlet.com\/?page_id=189"},"modified":"2014-12-30T23:09:38","modified_gmt":"2014-12-31T04:09:38","slug":"sea-turtle-inn-by-h-b-kurtzwilde","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/circlet.com\/?page_id=189","title":{"rendered":"Sea Turtle Inn by H B Kurtzwilde"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>ebook $6.99
\nISBN 9781613900994
\npaperback $9.95
\nISBN 9781613900581
\n25,190 words; 80 pages<\/p>\n

[wp_eStore_add_to_cart id=68]<\/p>\n

The ebook edition is also available at: Amazon<\/a>, Barnes & Noble<\/a>, Smashwords<\/a>, Kobo<\/a> & AllRomanceEbooks<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Also available in paperback!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Once a tavern historically popular amongst pirates, the Sea Turtle Inn is now an enchanting coastal Floridian hotel and bar that boasts stunning gothic architecture, scenic views, and a nightlife that can best be described as, well\u2026 unique. Accomplished paranormalist Andrew Wells has been hired by the current owner to investigate claims that the Sea Turtle Inn\u2019s rooms are haunted by the unruly, restless, and randy spirits of Black Roger and Dirty Davy, two rival pirates rumored to have murdered one another over a woman. But the truth story behind the pirates\u2019 tale and the degree to which the Sea Turtle Inn is actually haunted turns out to be more complicated than centuries\u2019 old rumor and popular reputation would imply.<\/p>\n

As he thoroughly investigates each room with reports of poltergeist activity and possession, Andrew finds himself more intrigued by the inn\u2019s enigmatic proprietor, Davis. After inheriting the inn from family, maintaining the Sea Turtle Inn and keeping its staff and guests has been Davis\u2019 sole focus, leaving little time for self-contemplation or a personal life. But it is precisely Davis\u2019 personal secrets that Andrew is drawn to most. And it is resolving those secrets that may prove key to finally putting the tumultuous and potentially dangerous spirits to rest.<\/p>\n

Gressive Press, an imprint of Circlet Press dedicated to sex-positive science fiction and fantasy outside the gender binary, is proud to present Sea Turtle Inn\u2013 a transgender, gay, paranormal romance by H.B. Kurtzwilde, the LAMBDA Literary Award nominated author of Chocolatiers of the High Winds.<\/p>\n

About the author: H.B Kurtzwilde lives in the wet, sticky, mosquito-ridden depths of Florida. When not busily avoiding alligators, he scribbles out futuristic and paranormal fiction, as if this is any way for a grown person to behave. His works include Phoberia, Guide to Survival, and Sea Turtle Inn, among others. Drop by his Livejournal or his personal blog at hbkurtzwilde.circlet.com to say hello, or to make a donation in support of his artistic efforts.<\/p>\n

Look under the cut for an excerpt\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

Andrew Wells had a genuine satisfaction in his own reputation. His life as a paranormalist was built on tall tales, credulity, patience, and professionalism. His actual job skills had come naturally to him. He eschewed digital cameras, EMF detectors, and shoddy methodology in favor of his own instincts. Over time, he\u2019d acquired a legend of his own to go with his history of superstition and weird visions.<\/p>\n

He wasn\u2019t more than a local, but in St. Augustine, Florida, spooks, ghosts, creeps, and tales were a growth industry right along with the tourism. He approached the Sea Turtle Inn, jewel of the local historical registry. It had been burned down twice, continued to operate in its original incarnation of bawdy house, and was known to pass down through a family line associated with piracy. It was also a local monument for tall tales and pure lies.
\nThe ghost tales alone were not enough to turn Andrew on. Those were his stock in trade. No, the Sea Turtle had more than just stories. He pushed through the white arch of the front gate and breathed in the perfume of a tropical garden. He dragged the strap of his overnight bag up his shoulder and looked around for help. Thrashing noises nearby made him clear his throat a few times to draw attention.<\/p>\n

A woman in a massive straw hat straightened from contending with the soil. \u201cLobby\u2019s up them big white stairs, sir. Pleased to meet you and welcome to\u2013You\u2019re not a customer.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m Andrew Wells, looking for B.A. Davis?\u201d He tried to understand what he was seeing.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m Davis,\u201d came the soft voice from under the wide brim of a gardening hat. \u201cYou that psychic from the historical society? I hope you can do something more than burn sage sticks, because we\u2019ve got a mess on our hands here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know you may be nervous in your new home, Miss Davis,\u201d Andrew tried to soothe.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust Davis,\u201d she interrupted, laughing behind her hand. \u201cI\u2019m not nervous. I got pirates in the honeymoon suite. I guess you woulda\u2019 heard about them by now. I think they\u2019re doing something dangerous.\u201d<\/p>\n

Andrew put his hands on his hips and looked up at the Spanish-style inn of blinding white stucco and tropical breezeways. The Sea Turtle was not a house call for the weak at heart. All the references were loaded with notes like \u2018hot spot\u2019, \u2018non-local activity\u2019, \u2018transubstantiary locomotion\u2019, and most interesting, \u2018passionate possession\u2019 or \u2018luck charm\u2019 reported by lay observers. Andrew pulled out his tin of cigarettes and shared with Davis. She touched the tip to the lighter as he held it for her and turned away to exhale.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know why the guests wouldn\u2019t like ghosts,\u201d Andrew said. \u201cThis place is famous for really having some. It must be Black Roger Davis cutting up tricks.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know who it is,\u201d she said, sounding annoyed. \u201cI saw him glowing all over the floor right before he jumped on me. He used to have manners, but now he ain\u2019t welcome. The living still have rights, I assume? There ain\u2019t some city ordinance banning the eviction of unwanted spirits is there, Mister Historical Society?\u201d<\/p>\n

Andrew laughed hard and Davis started chuckling, too. \u201cI wonder if you still serve a Bluefoot Booby? I assume a Davis mixes a mean one.\u201d<\/p>\n

Davis led him up the steps through the wide-open reception room where he was told to leave his bag. They went on to the day bar in the front of the building. Davis perched on the bar stool and waved a small hand until the barkeep noticed she was there. When she pulled her hat off, Andrew had a moment of disorientation.<\/p>\n

From the rich depths of her drawl, he had expected an older lady. He found himself facing the dark olive skin and brown-red hair of a young, brown-eyed woman. Two tall glasses of frosty blue hellfire were put down before them. Davis tasted, then nodded with approval before setting it aside.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t help but wonder if you\u2019re really related,\u201d Andrew hazarded. \u201cWhat did you mean about the spirit having manners?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I\u2019ll say a story, Mister Wells\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDrew.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, Drew then,\u201d Davis easily agreed. \u201cThese two spirits have been peaceful guests, playing tricks and messing with tourists for more years than the lions have guarded the bridge. Up \u2019til now, it was fine. I thought I was safe up there. I stayed alone the other night and\u2026 something bad happened. There\u2019s no telling what he\u2019ll do to the next young girl up there. For all I know, it might have been Black Roger, Dirty Davey Bonny, or both.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you hurt?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think I fell. I\u2019m bruised, sore, it wasn\u2019t too bad,\u201d Davis sniffed. \u201cAt the time, it were just like the stories said. I don\u2019t think I was harmed in any way. But I can\u2019t let paying guests stay up there under the circumstances. I can\u2019t promise that this is perfectly safe any more. Have you got any idea how desperate my insurance company is to drop the coverage on this heap? It was built before fire codes was invented.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe stories say at least one man has to be present for Black Roger to appear,\u201d Andrew pressed. \u201cI guess that could just be tales, unless you could say for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe got guest books up to the rafters. I\u2019m sure,\u201d Davis said.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe\u2026 um\u2026.\u201d Andrew cleared his throat. \u201cIsn\u2019t the innkeeper here usually a man?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, he got after me like they say he does the boys. I\u2019ll give you that for free,\u201d Davis said. \u201cBut my Great Aunt Petie had the place for years and never had such a thing happen. Does it matter?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, ma\u2019am,\u201d Andrew said. \u201cI know all the stories about the possessions, Davis. You don\u2019t act scared, that\u2019s for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI said I wasn\u2019t,\u201d Davis agreed, frowning slightly. \u201cIt just wouldn\u2019t be right to go on letting that poor boy get killed every night. Not with what else is going on up in there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDavis, you\u2019ve got to stop jumping around over tourist tales,\u201d Andrew said. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you let me see what the space can tell me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey don\u2019t come out in daylight,\u201d Davis said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey don\u2019t play tricks on women either,\u201d Andrew reminded.<\/p>\n

Davis slid off the barstool. \u201cBring your drink. You might be one of those that needs a stiff belt when they see it the first time.\u201d<\/p>\n

To read the rest, download the ebook today!<\/em><\/p>\n

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ebook $6.99 ISBN 9781613900994 paperback $9.95 ISBN 9781613900581 25,190 words; 80 pages [wp_eStore_add_to_cart id=68] The ebook edition is also available at: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, Kobo & AllRomanceEbooks. Also available in paperback! Once a tavern historically popular amongst pirates, the Sea Turtle Inn is now an enchanting coastal Floridian hotel and bar that boasts … Continue reading Sea Turtle Inn by H B Kurtzwilde<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":875,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-189","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/circlet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/189","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/circlet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/circlet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/circlet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/circlet.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=189"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/circlet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/189\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/circlet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/875"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/circlet.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=189"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}