Title: The Ghost of Loon Lake
Author: Rachelle Paige Campbell
Genre: Clean and wholesome romance
Book Blurb:
Ten years ago, Ashley Hale Lewis left the Inn at Loon Lake, her family’s business, frustrated by her father’s apprenticeship that treated her more like a personal assistant than heir apparent. Her childhood best friend turned husband, Christopher Lewis, stayed behind, breaking her heart. After her father’s sudden passing, Ashley discovers that he changed the terms of the will to include either her or her husband, whoever stays for thirty consecutive days following his death.
To claim her rightful legacy and her only chance at a happy future, Ashley sneaks into the lighthouse behind the Inn with the intention of scaring her estranged husband off the premises by pretending to be a ghost. Unfortunately for Ashley, Christopher knows she’s back. He’s spent the last decade running the business and hating himself for not following her. Her father forbade him from telling her the truth of the Inn’s financial circumstances. In an act of love, he saved the resort and has been supporting her with an allowance ever since.
When the lighthouse catches on fire, Ashley runs into Christopher’s arms. He hopes her return means a relationship resolution and a chance to show how much work is involved in managing the property, hoping she will gladly hand over the reins. However, Ashley isn’t giving up, and, with every passing day, Christopher doesn’t want her to leave. Convinced the Inn’s lighthouse is haunted, she starts an investigation. Together, they uncover one mystery after another. Will they discover the secret to a happy future and a second chance at love?
Excerpt:
“Oh.” The word was a gasp, a breath, and a reverential statement.
She noticed the renovation. He couldn’t help but smile. “See, no ghosts up here. Like I told you.”
“This is your office?” She spun in a slow circle.
She’d be analyzing the room with her typical critical eye for detail. He doubted she’d find fault with the comfortable, elegant room. Besides his giant partner’s desk, he’d furnished the rest of the large space with traditional pieces. A large, faded, antique Shiraz covered the pine floor in the center of the room. Smaller Persian rugs anchored the different seating areas on either side. He had a large walnut table and chairs for a conference set on the north side of the room, overlooking the front of the Inn. At the south, overlooking the lake, he had a pair of leather club chairs sharing an oversized, tufted ottoman and a pair of floor lamps. He did his best thinking there.
“You’re at the top of the world up here,” she said.
Her voice shook. Was she giving a compliment or dishing a condemnation?
“It’s a little cold, though.” She rubbed her hands.
“I run warm.”
She turned toward him. “That’s not what I meant.”
He wasn’t sure how to read her expression. That stung. He didn’t need her approval. Too bad he couldn’t seem to stop seeking it. He walked across the room to the door leading to the hallway. Twisting the knob, he pulled the panel open, his gestures stiff. “Through here, please.” He kept his voice low, not wanting to disturb any guests, or so he’d tell himself.
He adjusted his grip and remembered the duffle bag in his hand. “Actually.” He cleared his throat and set the bag on the ground. “Leave your bag here, please. I’ll wash your things tonight.”
“But…” She nibbled her lip.
“What’s wrong?”
“I won’t have anything to wear tomorrow.”
“If I don’t wash your things, you will give yourself away as an arsonist.”
She tucked her chin against her chest.
He hadn’t intended the words as a reprimand. But he wasn’t exactly sure what he meant about anything. Despite five days’ warning, he hadn’t prepared for the moment of speaking to her again. She’d always been his blind spot.
He grabbed the duffle off the ground, shut the door to his office, and opened the first door on the right leading to his studio apartment. He didn’t want her entering his personal space. The four walls had been his sanctuary from thinking about her. She forced his hand.
He waved her inside, flipping the light switch. “Stay here.” He pointed to the other side of the door.
“Okay,” she murmured.
As the adrenaline faded, he took stock of his body. His muscles ached from exertion, and his throat was scratchy from smoke inhalation. The pungent aroma of soot rolled off her and seeped out of her duffle bag. He could tackle the smell first and walked through the entryway to the bathroom. He'd forgone a tub for a stackable washer and dryer, favoring practical appliances over simple luxuries.
He set the duffle on the ground and opened the dryer, which was always full of laundry he never had the time to fold. He grabbed a T-shirt and returned to the entry. “Here. You can wear this tonight and leave the nightgown in the trash. I’ll do my best with your laundry.”
She accepted the cotton shirt and raised it to her nose, sniffing. “Thanks.”
The gesture was so ordinary but touched him. Memories crashed into him. She had done the same every time she borrowed one of his sweatshirts. He needed space. The sooner she was in her own room, the better. “This way.” He motioned to the hall.
She stepped past him.
He closed the entrance to his studio, continuing down the hall. At the next door, he pulled the old-fashioned iron key from his pocket and slipped it into the plate. The bolt unlocked with a click, and he held open the door for her to precede him.
She oohed and ahhed as she toured the room.
The attic rooms held an entryway with a door leading to a generous bathroom with separate shower and tub areas and another door opening onto the studio-style suite. A half wall separated the well-appointed living room area with a mini kitchen from the bedroom. His studio apartment eliminated the spaciousness of the bathroom, taking away the tub to create a larger kitchenette. Otherwise, his living quarters mirrored this space, separated by one wall.
When guests had stayed next door, he had never noticed noise. With her, however, he worried about hearing every flutter of her eyelashes and the hum of her snores. He needed to think up the details of a plan. She’d never been an early riser. He had time.
In the living room, he left the heavy key on the coffee table. “You should be all set. If you have any problems, I’m just in the room next door.”
“Why not go home?” She turned toward him, arching a brow. “Are you worried I’ll burn down the resort?”
“Not exactly.”
Her nostrils flared. If she hadn’t given away her frustration, she provided the perfect cover for his truth.
“I converted the space into my studio apartment,” he said.
“You live here? What happened to the cottage?”
“I rent it out to guests. It’s become popular with long-term tenants. We’ve seen a robust growth in work-from-home employees eager for a change of scenery.”
“But… it was our home. You let strangers stay there.” Her voice was flat.
I had to move on. Every part of that little corner of the former stables, lovingly referred to as the cottage, symbolized another time, a happy life he never expected to end. He’d known she’d be upset. She’d carefully chosen every item in the cottage, handcrafting many pieces and personalizing others to give the cottage a cheerful warmth that was hard to replicate. And that same joy taunted him in her absence.
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
The ebook is on sale for $0.99!
Amazon: https://a.co/d/7J8XeOk
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-ghost-of-loon-lake-rachelle-paige-campbell/1145174618
Universal link: https://books2read.com/u/mgYVRK
What’s your favorite part about being a romance author?
To me, romance is a genre about hope. I love romance stories because they encourage me to find the best in every situation. If I can encourage readers with a fictional escape and a happy ending, I’ve done my job.
Here’s my tip to add romance to your love life:
Give the people you love your best. Too often, we take our loved ones for granted. Paying attention and really listening to them makes all the difference.
Giveaway –
One lucky reader will win a $100 Amazon gift card.
Open internationally.
Runs February 1 – 28, 2025
Drawing will be held on March 1, 2025.
Author Biography:
Rachelle Paige Campbell writes bestselling contemporary romance novels filled with heart and hope. She believes love and laughter can change lives, and every story needs a happily ever after. Learn more at her website https://rachellepaigecampbell.com/
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e. Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Rachelle-Paige-Campbell/e/B00T0T533Q