Blurb:
Though he doesn’t even
believe in spirits, it takes only one haunting for Levi Muir to become
entranced with the beautiful ghostess.
A young veteran recovering from a
wrecked relationship, Muir moves to Magnolia for his first year teaching high
school English and resides in the renovated old hotel, which everyone knows is
haunted.
Despite his skepticism, Muir senses
a presence, then smells a unique perfume. Later, he locates an old portrait of
beautiful Danielle Gregg, who lived in that suite a century ago, but
experienced a tragic death.
His lovely new colleague, Lucy
(science teacher and dedicated Spirit-Chaser), tries to convince Muir that the
supernatural is real… and not to be taken lightly. Though Muir has been
attracted to Lucy since the first day he spotted her, something begins to jam
his thoughts whenever she enters his mind.
Intrigued by the beauty and
sensuality of the mysterious woman in the portrait, Muir tries to learn more
about the ghostess and her untimely demise. Though still skeptical of ghosts
and hauntings, Muir can’t shake the feeling there could be more to Danielle’s
mysterious 1914 death than the locals believe.
The more Muir encounters the lovely
ghostess, the stronger his desire for even more contact! But Lucy’s willing to
fight for Levi’s heart, because no self-respecting Southern girl takes second
place to a spook.
Author:
My newest novel is
“Hid Wounded Reb,” released by Astraea Press in August 2014. My other published
novels (with Astraea) are: “Called to Arms Again” (May 2013), “Rescued By That
New Guy in Town” (Oct. 2012), and “The Overnighter’s Secrets” (May 2012). Also released through AP are the short
novellas, “Echo Taps” (June, 2013) and “Don’t Bet On It” (April, 2014). Also,
“Curing the Uncommon Man-Cold,” a screwball comedy released by Dingbat
Publishing in December 2013… and its prequel, “Scratching the Seven-Month
Itch,” which is due for release by September 2014.
Romantic comedy and
romantic suspense are among nine completed novel manuscripts.
I’m co-author of two
non-fiction monographs (about librarianship) with a royalty publisher, plus a
signed chapter in another book and a signed article in a specialty
encyclopedia. I’ve also published articles, book reviews, and over 120 poems;
my writing has won nearly 40 awards, including several in national contests. As
a newspaper photo-journalist, I published about 150 bylined newspaper articles,
and some 100 bylined photos.
I worked nearly 30
years in the field of librarianship. I’m
a decorated veteran of U.S. Air Force (including a remote tour of duty in the
Arctic, at Thule AB in N.W. Greenland).
I’m the married parent
of two and grandparent of six.
Now available on
ღ Amazon ღ Barnes & Noble ღ Smashwords ღ
ღ Amazon ღ Barnes & Noble ღ Smashwords ღ
Excerpt:
Chapter One
Friday, August 15
“Aren’t you the new
teacher who lives in the spooky old downtown hotel?” asked the female voice
behind Levi Muir. Lurching into the flimsy cart against the faculty lounge wall
almost caused him to spill his freshly poured coffee.
Turning, Muir realized
the speaker was his attractive young colleague with lovely tanned legs. “I’ll
be at the Whitecliff Apartments. Don’t know anything about a hotel.”
She moved closer and
extended her sun-bronzed hand. “I’m Lucy Tierney, science department. Starting
my sixth year.”
Nice to know there were
some five year survivors at Magnolia High. “Levi Muir, English department.
Rookie.”
“I know, Levi. We can
all spot a newbie, but you look older than most.” Intently peering into his
eyes, she smiled faintly. “Were you held back in college?”
Muir shrugged but
didn’t explain.
“Have you been
assigned a mentor yet?”
“Uh, don’t think so.
Don’t recall it coming up.” His eyebrows lifted. “Are you…?”
“Oh, heavens no. Not
me. I won’t serve as a mentor until my seventh year, at the earliest.” Then she
lowered her voice. “The School Board even requires our principal to mentor
someone each term and I’m betting she’ll take you on herself.” Lucy winked. “Mrs.
Gull isn’t very inspiring and doesn’t make the time for effective mentoring,
but she likes bossing the young single guys.” She pointed to his left hand.
Is she fishing for my
status? Muir couldn’t arrive at an appropriate reply.
“So what do you think
of your apartment in the legendary old Majestic Hotel?”
He winced with his bum
ankle as he stepped to one side to let others access the dinged thirty-cup
percolator. It was the final day of orientation and professional development
training; Monday would be D-Day… when the students began classes. “Haven’t
really stayed there yet, Miss Tierney. Tonight’s my first night.”
“Lucy. You’ve been
here every day this whole week. Where have you been staying?” She pointed
vaguely south, toward town.
“An aunt lives in Magnolia.
My apartment wasn’t ready yet. Didn’t realize school started so early here. In
fact, all I got was a nickel tour from a shrimpy manager who kept looking over
his shoulder.”
Lucy nodded like she
knew the man. “Where’s all your stuff?” She looked behind him as though it
would be near. “Piled in the driveway at your aunt’s?”
Muir shook his head.
“Left some things at my aunt’s, but I don’t really have too much besides what’s
in my pickup. That’s why I was so intent on finding a furnished apartment.”
Her nicely-toned arm
tensed as she reached for an empty cup, but she frowned and put it back down.
“The coffee’s awful here.”
Already noted.
“Have you seen those
old hotel furnishings?”
“Didn’t really notice,
except to be sure I had a bed and a chair.”
“What about table and
stove for cooking your meals? Plus couch and extra chair… for all your
visitors?” Her warm smile suggested she’d be willing to be among them.
And attractive company
she’d be. But Muir wasn’t ready to engage any new females right away… not after
that awful split with Eva. “Don’t really cook, at least not worth mentioning.
And not expecting many visitors, since I really don’t know anybody here except
Aunt Martha.”
