Om of the Unknown is Coming Soon *

Susan Starks - Author

Hey, there!
I had to share this atmospheric pic of me at Red Dog Coffee & Cafe, drinking coffee from a Manitou tourist mug you can buy there if you visit. This cafe sells plants, candy, and trinkets, in addition to its fabulous coffee and food. I encourage you to check them out if you are in the area.

Dear Readers,

I am so excited to tell you about my new novel that I will be publishing in the coming months. I hope you buy it, read it, share with your friends, and leave me a thoughtful review.

Any paranormal cozy mystery fans out there? Fans that love a good series with a strong female lead? Readers that crave some supernatural action combined with laugh-out-loud moments?

I know you are, and I'm writing just for you.

If you want in on the latest release information, subscribe to my newsletter by clicking on the button to the left.

Sincerly,

Susan Starks

Coming Soon . . .

Exclusive Excerpt from . . .

The Om of the Unknown

~ Book 1 of the Manitou Ghost Hunter Paranormal Series ~

Four months later, 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.