New Book is a Compelling Examination of Oregon's Paranormal Places

Haunts of Western Oregon is a wonderful introduction to the paranormal, equally interesting to die hard enthusiasts!

(SALEM, Ore.) - Oregon Author Kent Goodman's new book, Haunts of Western Oregon, is a fantastic introduction to places and legends in this Pacific Northwest state, that can not be explained.

Readers who follow my work know that I am interested in the paranormal world. Occasionally, I will write a story here about the many "ghost investigations" where I have served as photographer. It can be an eye opening experience; sad and compelling and without implying any lack of respect for the dead... exciting.

As a respected Oregon author and lecturer, Kent Goodman's specialty is the unusual; things like prehistoric sacred sites, crop circles, and other supernatural subjects in the United States and England.

The first thing I detected about Haunts of Western Oregon, is the inviting cover art. The positive impression that made only grew once I started reading. Kent spends just enough time on each subject and not too much.

Then there are the illustrations. Let me tell you, a couple of them are really scary! I don't normally get much of a fright from black and white art but a couple of the illustrations really draw you in. You will have to buy this new book to get your own impression. I think this book may be the best yet, and I hope someday there will be the same approach to Haunts of Eastern Oregon

After the introduction, Kent opens with an Albany story about the fabled monster of Conseur Lake. This author didn't just rewrite existing manuscripts, he went to the old newspaper archives, and talked to people who have had strange experiences there. Is there a furry alien that lives along the banks of this remote lake near Albany?

I identify with this author because I have been captivated by some of the same stories. One is the Oregon Vortex near the California border. People believe this hilltop that early Native Americans feared, and even birds and bugs seem hesitant to enter, is a portal to another dimension.

A cemetery nearby is the host of a green light that is spotted frequently by one of the grave stones. Oregon has a lot of history, and many people have lived and died here. It seems only logical that ghosts, if they exist, would find the place pretty comfortable.

Haunts of Western Oregon relays the story of the haunted cradle that rocks itself in Yoncalla, he writes about the homicidal Bandage Man of Cannon Beach, who jumps into the backs of trucks and terrifies drivers Rue, an ancient woman who haunts the Heceta Head lighthouse keeper’s home, and the Phantom Bugler of Forest Grove who searches for victims in the surrounding woods.

One great short story after another, easier to read than to put down- and you have a chance to not only buy the book, but also meet the author this weekend here in Salem.

He says the book’s alphabetical format allows readers to visit spooky locations, either in person or from the safety of your own home...with all the doors and windows locked, of course!

Kent Goodman will sign copies of Haunts of Western Oregon Saturday, July 18th from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Borders Book Store, in the Nordstrom Mall in downtown Salem on Center Street. Goodman will sign books, talk about ghosts, spooks, strange animals, UFOs, etc.

"I would love to hear other people's stories, too." Goodman added.

Haunts in Western Oregon is published by Schiffer Publishing, Ltd., based in Atglen, PA on the Schiffer Book Farm. The company is known for publishing high quality Antique, Arts, Architecture, Lifestyle, and Military History books, as well as a successful line of ghost books. Visit Schiffer online at www.schifferbooks.com or contact them at 610-593-1777.

Tim King is a former U.S. Marine with twenty years of experience on the west coast as a television news producer, photojournalist, reporter and assignment editor. In addition to his role as a war correspondent, this Los Angeles native serves as Salem-News.com's Executive News Editor.
Tim spent the winter of 2006/07 covering the war in Afghanistan, and he was in Iraq over the summer of 2008, reporting from the war while embedded with both the U.S. Army and the Marines. Tim holds numerous awards for reporting, photography, writing and editing, including the Oregon AP Award for Spot News Photographer of the Year (2004), the first place Electronic Media Award in Spot News, Las Vegas, (1998), Oregon AP Cooperation Award (1991); and several other awards including the 2005 Red Cross Good Neighborhood Award for reporting. Serving the community in very real terms, Salem-News.com is the nation's only truly independent high traffic news Website, affiliated with Google News and several other major search engines and news aggregators.
You can send Tim an email at this address: newsroom@salem-news.com