Book Spotlight: Ghosted by Lori Matsourani

A little bit about Author Lori Matsourani…

I started writing as soon as I could hold a pen, and I authored my first fiction story when I was twelve. Since then, I’ve been hooked on writing. I grew up near Annapolis, Maryland, although I live in Texas now, and I’m a coastal person at heart (Maryland has 3,910 miles of tidal coastline!). A big part of summer for me was crossing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge to get to the Eastern Shore, where the vibe is pure sun-and-sea coastal, with the tang of briny air, the squawk of sea birds gliding overhead, and cornfields on either side of the highway. Ocean City on Maryland’s Atlantic coast was my go-to beach town as a kid, a teen, and a parent. When stress threatens to take over my mind, I stop and remember Maryland’s Eastern Shore and the beach—the clear sky and endless horizon; the feel of the chilly seawater on my toes; the scent of sunscreen mingled with boardwalk French fries; and the background drone of the waves along with the rumble of vintage prop planes towing ad banners along the shoreline. It’s this laid-back feeling that I try to inject into my stories.

Author Lori Matsourani is a romance addict. Give her stories with a touch of heartbreak and a spark of joy, and she’s happy. Throw in characters with a huge helping of heart and soul, and she’s up reading all night in romance heaven! While currently a Texas resident, Lori grew up near Annapolis and often draws on its historical flavor, as well as Maryland’s Eastern Shore, to inspire her story settings. Early on, her writing career focused on articles for magazines and newspapers before shifting to her first writing love—fiction. For Lori, connecting words to tell a story is like assembling a jigsaw puzzle, and she loves the challenge of creating every piece.

Ghosted Blurb

When her fiancé’s infidelity prompts Bethany Hendren to map out a new path forward, her plans are disrupted by an unexpected encounter with Nick Dorsey, who convinces her to help search for the remains of a troubled eighteenth-century ghost. Nick is the handsome summer boyfriend who ghosted her years ago, and now he wants to rekindle their relationship. Despite her reluctance to trust him, Bethany discovers he’s still the funny, caring person who captured her heart as a teen, but giving him a second chance is risky—it could lead to love and happiness or result in another devastating heartache. Although Bethany wants a happily ever after with Nick, does she have the courage to trust him with her future?

This is a spotlight on “Ghosted” by Lori Matsourani

Inspiration to write Ghosted…

I’ve always loved ghost stories and haunted hotels, and the idea of combining the two in a small-town bed-and-breakfast on Maryland’s Eastern Shore took hold of me and led me straight to Ghosted, a sweet, second-chance romance. The forlorn spirit of Samuel, an eighteenth century plantation owner, reaches out to Bethany, a love-wary guest in his house (now a B&B), for help in figuring out what happened between him and the love of his life, and if murder was involved. Samuel’s ghostly intrusion leads Bethany to reluctantly join up with Nick—the first boy she ever loved and the first one to break her heart—and help Samuel with his quest. As Bethany and Nick follow Samuel’s clues, sparks from their long-ago romance start to flare, but Bethany shuns the idea of reigniting the flame. Nick ghosted her years ago and she can’t bring herself to trust him with her heart… until Samuel’s insight on relationships and trust encourages her to open up to the possibility of love and happiness—with Nick.

Lori’s favourite scene from Ghosted…

“Bethany!”

He walked toward her as though they were long-lost friends, and she half expected him to pull her into an embrace. Then she recognized the dark chocolate eyes behind the black-framed glasses and her stomach lurched.

Nick Dorsey. He’s Mrs. Snowden’s nephew?

“Aunt Margaret told me you were checking in today.”

Stunned, Bethany stepped backward, bumping into the edge of the desk as her heart thudded. A white-hot flush scorched every inch of her skin as she stared at Nick. Of all the people she could run into, it had to be the first guy to break her heart? And why did he have to be so handsome, with that bit of hair curling over his forehead and late-day stubble?

She inhaled deeply to rein in her composure, hating her can’t-catch-your-breath reaction to him, then dipped her chin in a neutral acknowledgment.

“Hello, Nick.”