Today's guest is author, Julie Howard, a former journalist and editor who has covered topics ranging from crime to cowboy poetry. Let's let her tell us about her experience as an author in the series.
Last summer, I was given an amazing opportunity to be part of a group of authors writing for the Deerbourne Inn series, published by The Wild Rose Press. I have two mysteries currently out with this publisher and knew this series would be a winner – and it is!
First, an
explanation on how this series works. Authors are given some guidelines. All
stories take place in the same fictional town of Willow Springs, Vermont. Their
characters are a mix of set townspeople and new people who visit the Deerbourne
Inn. From there, the world is pretty much wide open. Stories range from romance
to paranormal to historical, and also travel in time. Well over a dozen books
are in the works, and my Spirited Quest story will be number five. You don’t
need to read them in order; each book stands alone as a complete story. I call
my story “sweet, short and spooky.” There’s a sweet price of $2.99, all books
are novellas, and mine includes a blithe spirit who flits along the historical
floorboards of the inn.
This is my
first novella and first paranormal mystery too. I found it such a joy to write
this story and love my ghost and the connection she forges with one of my main
characters. I’ve now started a paranormal series and hope to pitch it to my
publisher later this year. Fingers crossed!
Let's hear more about Spirited Quest:
She’s
chasing a ghost, but who is chasing her?
Paige Norman believes
in a tangible, explainable world. When her ghost-hunting niece comes for a
visit, she tries not to scoff. But someone, or something, is stirring up
trouble at the Deerbourne Inn and her niece, Jillian, is at the center of the
mystery.
Paige is certain the handsome
Aussie photographer is behind the unexplained disturbances, and she warns her
niece to stay clear. Meanwhile, Jillian gets to know the otherworldly Lady of
the Deerbourne, who foretells an encounter with "two men." Then the pranks
turn dangerous. Has her niece attracted a stalker or has she conjured an evil
presence? Can the culprit be the man who has captured her heart?
Let's get an excerpt!
He nodded a friendly greeting to her, his
gaze grazing past to include others on the porch. “G’day, ma’am. G’day all.”
An Australian. Her heart skipped a beat.
Oh, to be twenty-five, even thirty-five, again. His gaze settled on her niece,
and as always happened to men where this girl was concerned, his jaw slackened,
then tightened.
Next to her, Jillian grew still, lifting
wide blue eyes to the newcomer. The moment passed. He was through the front
door and into the lobby, and the door closed behind him.
“You’re in for some nice company this
week,” Paige commented with a smile.
A frown flickered across her niece’s face.
“I’ve seen him before.”
“You’ve met?”
“Not exactly. He appeared to me in a
dream.” Jillian’s blue eyes were troubled as she gazed at the Inn’s front door.
She lifted one hand and rubbed the back of her head, then gave a shiver. “There
was blood and I was afraid.”
If you want to read other the other books in the Deerbourne Inn series, here they are:
By Reservation Only – Book 1 by Barbara Edwards
Hope’s Dream by Peggy Jaeger
Freedom’s Path by Linda Carroll-Bradd
Lyrical Embrace by Amber Daulton (release date: Feb.
11)
More will come out through the rest of the year.
And here is how to get Spirited Quest:
Buy Links:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2U1Q61b
IBooks: https://apple.co/2FPadg1
Barnes
& Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/spirited-quest-julie-howard/1130412180?ean=2940161285923
And here is how to reach Julie or get more information about her books:
Website: http://juliemhoward.com