Although I have always believed in ghosts, Laurel’s Gift is my first attempt at writing a story containing one. And it proved fun to write something with a paranormal element. Of course it wouldn’t be one of my books if it didn’t have romance at its heart. My couple, Laurel and Eli, are also a bit different to your usual romantic couple too, both being psychic and strong-minded. Oh, and there are also some animals (as there usually is in my stories) a dear King Charles spaniel plus a pair of extraordinary cats.

Here’s the blurb:

The plaintive singing of a ghostly child in the night sets off a chain of events that lead to Laurel learning the dark secrets that dwell in her Great Aunt Maggie’s house in a Melbourne suburb. When Eli comes into Laurel’s life, instead of instantly uncovering the secrets that have been buried in this house for many years, their joint efforts lead them to discover even greater mysteries.

Eli’s past is tied up with the ghost of the child who haunts the house, and there are many hurdles to cross before he discovers just why he also sensed strange vibes in the old house as soon as he entered.

In their search for the answers to an extraordinary mystery they uncover a passionate love affair shared by the people dear to them or those who dwelt in the house at one time of another. Despite their shared psychic abilities can the couple also find such a love?

And a short, short excerpt:

Laurel awoke with a start, sat up, and stared around the darkened room. Where was she? A furry lump at the bottom of the bed made a snuffling sound in its throat, did a quick turn, then settled back to snoring.

Laurel lay back down. Of course—she was in Great Aunt Maggie’s bedroom. The noise that awakened her must have been the dog. Aunt Maggie’s King Charles spaniel woke Laurel every night since she moved in here a week ago. She glanced at the bedside clock. Three ten.

A tingling up her spine alerted her to the presence of someone or something. The sensation didn’t unduly worry her—she’d experienced such feelings since she first felt the presence of a spirit at the age of five. What did worry her was that she couldn’t recognise this visitor or its reason for demanding her attention. Well, it didn’t exactly worry her—more like confused her. Usually her spirit visitors made themselves known straight away.

The cat was sitting up now and staring at the door. But then the other cat jumped onto the bed and Laurel sighed. That’s what had drawn its interest.

The dog whimpered again. Perhaps it was unkind of her to leave the animal downstairs in the kitchen—but two cats sharing her bed was more than considerate as far as she could see.

Buy it today!