Midlife Spirits

Do you believe in love after death? I didn't, until now . . . Looking for a fresh start, I just became the proud owner of a piece of New Orleans history: an Antebellum-era two-story house in the Garden District. It's going to take time and a fat wallet to restore the fixer-upper to its former glory, but after my recent divorce, I could use the distraction. And a stiff drink, but that's another story . . . It's not long before I discover I've moved into the haunted house of the flirtatious and very much dead, Drake Montague. Now I'm receiving kisses from unseen lips and caresses from ghostly hands. Soon I even begin to have vivid dreams, bringing me face-to-face with the incomparably handsome ghost of a twentieth century French policeman. Meanwhile, I'm also growing closer to my general contractor, Ryan Kelly-who is as charming as he is alive. The chill in the air could only suggest Drake's jealousy from beyond the grave . . . men, right? Even though I'm definitely attracted to and interested in Ryan, I also can't get Drake out of my dreams, or my heart, as I begin to uncover the frightening truth behind his death a century ago . . . Contains mature themes.

Living in a haunted house is going to be the death of me . . . Potentially literally. In an attempt to cleanse whatever entity Trina and I let into my house after our bout with a Ouija board, things have only gotten worse. When the entity begins to sap Drake's strength, I realize I have to do something and that something needs to be done now . . . While Drake does definitely drive me crazy with his pretentious airs, his womanizing ways and his jealousy, the idea of coming home to an empty house leaves me feeling . . . well, empty. Yes, it's true-I'm pretty fond of my ghostly Casanova. Meanwhile, whatever this entity is, it's getting stronger and more aggressive. It appears to be mimicking the attacks of the Axeman, a murderer who terrorized New Orleans over one hundred years earlier. And there's only so much Ryan can do to help me, considering he's corporeal. When forced to make a decision to protect Drake, I'll face a consequence that could put my blossoming relationship with Ryan on hold . . . forever. Contains mature themes.

Two is better than one; unless the second is hitching a ride in your body. Then one is definitely better than two. After agreeing to let the spirit of Drake Montague inhabit my body (probably not one of my better ideas), I soon discover the twentieth-century French policeman may be dead, but his lothario longings sure aren't. Now I have to find a way to explain to my sweet, sexy, and very alive boyfriend, Ryan Kelly, that a spirit has taken up residence in my head, whispering French words of affection day and night. And, ahem, French is a pretty . . . sexy language. While I'm torn between my love for a living man and my growing affection for one deceased, supernatural activity in New Orleans is at an all-time high. Something wicked this way is definitely coming. With the help of my friends (and a little voodoo), I learn that the demonic spirit of the Axeman may still be dwelling in my house. Thanks a lot, realtor.com! Contains mature themes.