This is a re-post of my contribution to the latest blog series over at Moonlight
& Mystery, a site for all types of mystery, romance, and paranormal reads. The theme revolves around looking back at a
book from our youth that inspired us in some way—a novel that maybe made us
fall in love with reading, drew us to a new genre, sparked our imagination, or
inspired us to write our own stories someday.
I love ghost stories, which is probably pretty clear
from my novels…and while I do try to elicit a few shivers up my readers’
spines, the hauntings in my novels are more mysteries than horror. My plots revolve around a ghost who has some
unfinished business that the characters need to unravel before the spirit can
rest in peace. After all, even ghosts
need goals and motivation to make the story work!
Of course, romance is a big part of my novels as well,
because I love love stories as well! Who
doesn’t want to see a meant-to-be couple finally get their Happily Ever After,
once they’ve managed to overcome all the obstacles in their way? Readers get to experience all those emotions
associated with falling in love while rooting for the characters to find their
way to each other.
So, yeah, I have a thing for ghost mysteries mixed
with romance. What started this?
Well, when I was in second grade, my father brought
home the usual weekly stack of chapter books the local librarian had
recommended for me. Generally, the books
revolved around horses, my main interest as an 8-year-old girl. But sometimes other subject matter found its
way into the pile, and this time, there was a book entitled Jane-Emily, by
Patricia Clapp. The tag line read “A
ghost story…and a love story”. My first
paranormal romance, this YA book is both a sweet romance and a spooky ghost
story. I was hooked. I read that book over and over again
throughout my childhood. I made my best
friend read it. To this day, we're both
still scared of those silvery reflecting balls that sit on pedestals in yards.
Ten years ago, I purchased my own copy (finally!) from
ebay and read it to my kids. The ghost
of 12-year-old Emily still delivers chills even after all these years as she
unleashes her wrath on 9-year-old Jane--but of course the romance piece was
there as well between the hunky Doctor and Jane's young aunt Louisa.
 |
| My best friend and I *still* call these Jane-Emily balls |
This childhood favorite has made a lifetime mark,
impacting what I write as an author--although the romantic element in my novels
is decidedly steamier, as my books are meant for more mature readers. But I still go back to revisit Jane-Emily
from time to time--my copy from eBay sits on the bookshelf. And I may never have discovered this book
without my Dad's dedicated trips to the library to keep me reading for
pleasure.
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