by: Susan Harris Howell
Series: Samantha Hayes
Genre: Paranormal Cozy Mystery
Release Date: December 2, 2024
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
When beloved professor, Samantha Hayes, learns that her favorite four students live in as many of her old dorm rooms, she wonders how it happened and for what purpose. As she and her student entourage explore the possibilities, they uncover a death years ago and what appears to be the ghost of the dearly departed. All of this stirs up Samantha's long-held fear that she was responsible for that death, challenging all she thought she knew about herself and the work she holds dear. They must figure out what happened before Samantha gets fired for "dabbling in the paranormal."
As she walked to her first class of the day, Samantha congratulated herself that for the first time this semester she would arrive at her own class on time. A glance at her watch revealed she even had five minutes to spare. With Douglas Hall in sight and her classroom on its main floor, she was sure to make it on time—
“Samantha!”
Grrr! So close. Although showing up late for class frustrated her, she was mostly annoyed by the person who was about to detain her. If I ignore him, maybe he’ll go away.
“Samantha!” This time he was more insistent.
Samantha released a breath of resignation. She should have known better. He wasn’t the kind to be ignored. Samantha turned to face him as she reached the door of the building. She hadn’t been at Vanderlaan long enough to flout someone who carried the weight around here that he did. “What can I do for you, Len?”
Dr. Len Titus stood before her, dressed as always, in a suit with a starched white shirt and tie which he would loosen by afternoon. His graying hair with a precise part on the side had become his hallmark, along with his hands-on-hips pose and gravelly voice. Levi’s imitation of each was spot on, although professional decorum required that Samantha refrain from the encouragement her laughter would ensure. Since Len Titus was of slight frame, someone unfamiliar with this man might assume passivity or weakness. Not Samantha.
“I see we’re both teaching in Douglas Hall this semester,” he said. “Hope I won’t be in your way.” He peered over his wire-rimmed glasses. “Or you in mine.”
Samantha took a breath, gritted her teeth, and walked through the door. She would use the back entrance next time.
“Samantha!”
Grrr! So close. Although showing up late for class frustrated her, she was mostly annoyed by the person who was about to detain her. If I ignore him, maybe he’ll go away.
“Samantha!” This time he was more insistent.
Samantha released a breath of resignation. She should have known better. He wasn’t the kind to be ignored. Samantha turned to face him as she reached the door of the building. She hadn’t been at Vanderlaan long enough to flout someone who carried the weight around here that he did. “What can I do for you, Len?”
Dr. Len Titus stood before her, dressed as always, in a suit with a starched white shirt and tie which he would loosen by afternoon. His graying hair with a precise part on the side had become his hallmark, along with his hands-on-hips pose and gravelly voice. Levi’s imitation of each was spot on, although professional decorum required that Samantha refrain from the encouragement her laughter would ensure. Since Len Titus was of slight frame, someone unfamiliar with this man might assume passivity or weakness. Not Samantha.
“I see we’re both teaching in Douglas Hall this semester,” he said. “Hope I won’t be in your way.” He peered over his wire-rimmed glasses. “Or you in mine.”
Samantha took a breath, gritted her teeth, and walked through the door. She would use the back entrance next time.
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I have also published extensively on equality between women and men. My first book, Buried Talents, explores the subtle ways women are discouraged from entering male-dominated occupations. Buried Talents was named a winner in InterVarsity Press’s 2022 Readers’ Choice Awards.
My husband and I have two grown children, a daughter-in-law, one adorable grandson, and an incorrigible beagle named Doc. While Doc doesn’t understand a word I say, he fully supports my books and their content.
Places to find Susan Harris Howell:
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Thank you so much for featuring THE SPIRIT OF VANDERLAAN today - it's appreciated.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome.
DeleteThe blurb and excerpt sound good.
ReplyDeleteGlad you like it, Marcy! I hope you'll read and love it!
DeleteThanks for hosting The Spirit of Vanderlaan today! I appreciate the chance for your readers to discover this cozy, paranormal mystery!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. Thank you for stopping by.
DeleteSounds like a good read.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I loved writing it!
DeleteQuestion for the author ~ This sentence gets me a little confused. Can you please explain it to me? "When beloved professor, Samantha Hayes, learns that her favorite four students live in as many of her old dorm rooms, she wonders how it happened and for what purpose."
ReplyDeleteThe book sounds like a fun read. I love the genre.
ReplyDeleteThanks! And yes, I'd hoped it would be a light, fun summer (or fall, winter, spring) read.
DeleteHi Kim, I don't know why I'm listed as "anonymous" but I'm Susan, the author. Samantha Hayes was a student at Vanderlaan years before and lived in several different rooms over the time she was there. Now that she's back as a faculty member, she finds out that those rooms are inhabited by her four favorite students. Hope that clarifies!
ReplyDeleteYes. I understand better now. It's a really weird coincidence that they are her favorite students and they live where she used to live.
DeleteAh yes! And I had such fun deciding what it would turn out to be!
DeleteThis cover is cute
ReplyDeleteThanks, Terri! Although I can't take any credit. It was designed by Terri Black. She did an incredible job.
Deletelooks like a fun one.
ReplyDeletelooks like a fun one.
ReplyDeleteParanormal Cozy Mystery - I love this genre!
ReplyDeleteGives me high interest in reading this.
Thank you for the excerpt.
What part of the book was the most fun to write?
ReplyDeleteDid you have any writing education?
ReplyDeleteDoes writing energize you or exhaust you?
ReplyDeleteDid you ever write a book that made you cry?
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great book! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWhat advice do you have for writers?
ReplyDelete