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“The wind howled and raged the night Abigail Moore returned to Owl Manor.”

“The wind howled and raged the night Abigail Moore returned to Owl Manor, spinning the November snow into wild gusts, painting the windowpanes white. When the knocker on the front door resounded repeatedly, Patty hurried to answer it, wondering who it could be. They had just finished dinner and were not expecting anyone. Many of the staff had left since Gilbert had passed away, and those who remained had been biding their time until they received instructions as to what to do.

The flame from Patty’s candle dashed from side to side, sending frightened flickers up the walls as she reached the door. It opened with a creak, and Patty gasped.

Dark hair blowing around a pale face in the swirling snow, it could have been the spirit of the woman who had died at Owl Manor twelve years ago. The woman who had been chased by ghosts.

But, of course, Patty knew at whom she stared.

It was Abigail, the daughter.”

Excerpt from Owl Manor – Abigail, book 2 of the Gothic Suspense trilogy by Zita Harrison. Available on Amazon for 2.99 and also on KU! Get your copies now at https://bit.ly/3C6sPU2 !

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Owl Manor .99 holiday sale!!

Review for Owl Manor – the Dawning: 5.0 out of 5 stars INCREDIBLY RIVETING!!!!
Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2020
Verified Purchase
“It’s rare for me to give 5 STAR reviews on a first read of a new author I haven’t read before. I literally read this book in 2 days!!”

Review for Owl Manor – Abigail: 5.0 out of 5 stars … “Owl Manor had been home to too much atrocity — it had been defined by it.”
Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2020
Verified Purchase
“From chills running down your spine, to thrills that will keep you on the edge of your seat, and more… This story takes you deep into Owl Manor and its current occupants… You can feel the atmosphere surrounding you, enclosing you, terrifying you… Once you start reading, you will not be able to stop…”

Review for Owl Manor – the Final Stroke: 5.0 out of 5 stars 5 stars
Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2022
“A page turner for sure, with beautiful imagery and edge-of-your-seat action. If you like horror, mystery, and ghost stories, this book is a must read.”

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OUT NOW!

THE FINAL BOOK OF THE GOTHIC SUSPENSE OWL MANOR TRILOGY: OWL MANOR – THE FINAL STROKE IS NOW AVAILABLE ON KINDLE!

For a quarter of a century, the horrors at Owl Manor have been buried under dust and decay, forgotten and unheard.

Then Dolores hears the whispers.

Dolores, a young artist, feels the pain all around her. It is the subject of her paintings. Strangely, once the pain is on her canvas, it diminishes.

A fated encounter takes her and her two best friends to Owl Manor in the Rocky Mountains. Ignoring the rumors of a gruesome past and ghosts, they take up residence. What’s the worst that could happen?

But it is the past that has summoned Dolores.

The owls begin to circle the sky again. The whispers get louder, seeping into each of their souls. And Dolores, besieged by the pain of brutal murders in the manor’s history, has no choice but to paint.

For the lives of those close to her hang in the balance.

Inspired by authors like Edgar Allan Poe (The Raven), Daphne du Maurier (Jamaica Inn), and Shirley Jackson (The Haunting of Hill House), Owl Manor – the Final Stroke is the third and final book in the Owl Manor trilogy of Gothic Suspense novels. It follows Owl Manor – the Dawning and Owl Manor – Abigail.

BUY for $2.99
or DOWNLOAD from KINDLE UNLIMITED!

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To celebrate the release of Owl Manor – the Final Stroke, the third and final book of the Gothic Suspense trilogy, book 2 in the series, Owl Manor – Abigail, is NOW ON KINDLE UNLIMITED.

Download your copy now!

“She trusts no one and keeps herself buried in a crypt of churning emotions, away from the world.” – Owl Manor – Abigail, Zita Harrison, Writer, Artist

Book 1, Owl Manor – the Dawning is being edited and COMING ON KINDLE UNLIMITED SOON!

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Ok, friends! For your enjoyment! An excerpt from Owl Manor – the Final Stroke, third and final book of the Gothic suspense trilogy, coming this fall!

“The manor loomed through the haze, a dark, slumbering structure cloaked in a mysterious past. What stories lurked within those walls? As I stared at it, it seemed to wrap around me and pull me in. I shook my shoulders to dispel the sensation.

Then, we saw them. Rows and rows of stone owls all around the rooftop, the retaining walls around the stairs, and the molding over the doors and windows. And when we stepped inside, we saw them again on the ceilings, in niches in the walls, on windowsills.

And I felt the house. It seemed to swell and throb through the grime, the stench of rot, the years of moisture build-up, as though it were bursting out of a tomb. Then it exhaled, releasing a long-held breath, disturbing the cobwebs, sending a flurry of dust and dry leaves swirling up to the stone owls…”

Owl Manor – the Final Stroke, Book Three of the Gothic suspense trilogy, by Zita Harrison.

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This is a classic tale of good versus evil, centering around eight mystical stones that will give the person who possesses them unimaginable power. It is Draxta’s mission, with the help of a priest with magical powers, to collect all the stones and take over the Lands of the Faith. When the leaders of the lands and custodians of the stones fail to protect them, the job of stopping Draxta falls to three adolescents: Lara, a princess; Arlan, a boy from the skinhouse training to be a fighter; and Jethro, an apprentice to a painter. Their courage and determination as they set off without hesitation to rescue the world are inspiring. Draxta’s army, however, under the protection of the Azakel’s magical powers, is unbeatable. One has to wonder what Azakel is getting out of helping an evil entity take over the world. Does he have an ulterior motive?

I really enjoyed the author’s straightforward writing style, which is easy to follow, but not lacking in eloquence. Right from the beginning, he instills a sense of mysticism with beautiful descriptions which paint pictures for the reader: “…shivering in the night chill, their black robes swirling around their ankles as the breeze off the sea picked up.” The paintings continue as the story progresses, depicting exotic lands and cultures, more magic.

The growing attraction between Lara and Jethro never becomes the focus of the story, which I think would have distracted from it. Arlan’s steadfast, level-headed presence, unhindered by romantic notions, impressed me the most.

The tail-end of the book is a little convoluted and made my head spin, but the twist at the end was very satisfying, even though I did wonder about it.

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Life is not a formula

This quote by Idowu Koyenikan (Wealth for All: Living a Life of Success at the Edge of Your Ability) might seem obvious, but it took me many years of growth and shedding baggage to reach this point. 

Everyone tells you what to be, how to be, what to do, what not to do. It starts with parents, who come with the notion that you are a mini version of them, and when you turn out different, they’re so disappointed. It continues with friends, colleagues, employers, etc., etc. And we crave acceptance, approval.

At some point, we need to stop listening, stop needing the acceptance and approval. That point for me was when I was trying to understand and cope with a hormonal, teenage son, who was also recovering from the violent death of his best friend. Other mothers advocated “tough love”. “He’s faking the trauma,” they said. “He’s using you,” they said. I was told to kick him out, show him who’s boss. As I struggled with this advice, it suddenly felt wrong in every pore in my being.

I had brought this soul into the world. Was it not my responsibility to be there for him during hard times? What message would it give him if I kicked him out? It was an epiphany when I realized others were wrong. 

Because life is not a formula. 

Every person’s life experience, which is what makes them who they are, is different. And not everything works for everybody. 

I stuck by my son every agonizing step of the way, letting him know I disagreed and would not support the bad choices, setting boundaries. But I also let him know that I would always love him no matter what because he was a part of me and I couldn’t not. Even when I was furious with him, I told him I loved him. Others shook their heads, made judgmental comments, gave advice according to their formula. 

My son made it through his trials. He now works hard, maintains a successful job, and is valued and respected by friends and colleagues. He is better adjusted at his age than I was, a child of parents whose love was conditional.

We are stronger than ever. I trust my own instincts. It feels amazing.