Om of the Unknown Coming Soon

Author Susan Starks

I had to share this atmospheric pic of me at Red Dog Coffee & Cafe, as I am drinking coffee from a Manitou tourist mug. You can find unique gifts besides mugs, too.

This cafe offers amazing coffee and food but also sells plants, candy, ice cream, and trinkets.

Several years ago, I liked working there, and would drive

I encourage you to stop by or hang out sometime in Red Dog if you are near Manitou Springs.

Dear Readers,

I am Susan Starks, and I'm a writer.

I am excited to share my new paranormal cozy mystery book titled The Om of the Unknown.

The setting is the small, touristy town of Manitou Springs, Colorado. Look out for special features I post about existing businesses and locations I use in my scenes.

Ponder the following questions to see if my book should be added to your reading queue as soon as it is published.

Do you consider yourself a fan of the paranormal or supernatural?
Are you into ghost-hunting reality shows?
Readers who enjoy supernatural action interspersed with laugh-out-loud moments?
Love metaphysical shops and might your own set of tarot cards in an artistic wooden box?
Does anyone long to live in a small scenic town among quirky locals?
Enjoy cozy mysteries with ghosts or hauntings?

Does any of this resonate with you? I hope so!

I hope you buy it, read it, share it with your friends, and leave me a thoughtful review.

Please subscribe to my newsletter by clicking on the link or on the button below.

Follow me on Instagram to stay up to date on my release date and more. @susanstarks.author

Sincerely,

Susan Starks

Author of Om of the Unknown

Book 1 of Manitou Ghost Hunter Paranormal Series

Featured Setting

Coming Soon . . .

Exclusive Excerpt

The Om of the Unknown

~ Book 1 of the Manitou Ghost Hunter Paranormal Series ~

. . . across town, the last student left the yoga studio. The tinkling of a bell signaled the closing of the door.

"Rico, that was the last of the students. Do you need any help closing?"

"No, but thank you. Om shanti-shanti-shanti, my dear!" He put his hands in a prayer position at the heart center and bowed slightly as he wished her peace. "See you tomorrow, my friend."

Rico, the owner of Namaste Yoga, began his closing ritual of walking through each of the four studios, closing the curtains, ensuring all lights were off, and securing the tech equipment in the closets. Each teacher who taught the last classes of the day handled the daily cleaning of their space, but he inspected each space to ensure quality control and peace of mind.

Returning to his desk, he double-checked invoices, paid receipts, and responded to emails. He was replying to a customer's inquiry when he heard a bright, crisp ring followed by a reverberation. Rico looked up and saw the copper bell, hanging from the doorknob, dance and then settle back into place.

“Is anyone here?” Rico asked.

He walked over, jiggled the handle, and thought about his need to update his security or at least add a camera. The door was locked.

“Rico, you are hallucinating from exhaustion,” he said and ran his hands through his shoulder-length, wavy black hair. “Time to go home.”

After shutting down the computer, Rico moved the cash from the register to the small safe located in the locked cabinet under the counter. Crouched on the floor, he closed the door to the safe.

“Ring!” The bell shook continuously this time like a petulant toddler demanding attention.

Rico jumped up, ran over to the door, and grabbed the bell. His hands shook as he ripped the bell from the knob, throwing it into the nearest shoe cubby. Returning to the desk, he steadied himself with his hands flat on the counter and took a deep breath before slowly letting it out. He couldn’t help but notice the irony of the moment.

Grounding himself in the Sanskrit prayer of peace to all beings, he bowed his head and chanted, “Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu.”

He held his hands at his heart center in silence for a few minutes, repeating the mantra silently before he picked up his belongings, made his way out the door, and went to the parking lot.

"I'm fine! It's fine," he mumbled, jumped into his car, and immediately contacted his cousin before driving away.