Title: The Spirit of Vanderlaan
Author: Susan Harris Howell
Genre: Cozy Paranormal Mystery
Book Blurb:
When Samantha and her students uncover a campus death, they must draw on everything from science to seances, to learn what happened before Samantha gets fired for “dabbling in the paranormal.”
Excerpt:
Samantha reached out to hold Chess's shaking hand only to immediately regret it. The stickiness of dried blood would have made her recoil, but she refused to desert Chess, who squeezed her hand like a frightened child. So while Allie returned Chess’s skates and answered the questions of concerned friends, Samantha stayed put. She only hoped the pounding of her own heart would not attract attention and require an explanation.
After Chess’s wound was cleaned and bandaged, Allie stated that she would drive Chess to the ER. "I can't ride in your new car. My clothes are all -" She grimaced at her blood-stained shirt.
"The blood's dry. It'll be fine. Besides, think how fast my car will get us there." She directed Chess's attention away from the injury.
Samantha pointed to Allie. "Keep it under the limit, missy." Samantha disliked conceding the role of caregiver to someone else, but Allie had things under control. Besides, it couldn't be helped.
Samantha quickly walked toward the women’s restroom, which, thankfully, was empty, went in, and locked the door. With deep, shaky breaths, and no longer fighting the tears, Samantha moved immediately to the sink where she scrubbed her hands vigorously, several times. She reached into her purse for her cell phone, scrolled quickly through her contacts, and tapped her thumb on the one she sought.
She took a deep breath when instructed to leave a message. “Debra, this is Samantha Hayes. Could you give me a call please? I need to talk to you.” She waited a moment, decided she had said all she needed to for now, then added, “Thanks,” before ending the call.
She continued to hold her cell, however, as she paced, all the while trying her best to take even, measured breaths. Think of something else. You’ve washed your hands. You’re safe. You'll talk to Debra when she calls back. Breathe. She was surprised that her reaction was this intense. The sight of blood had not frightened her this much in a long time.
As she debated whether to stay or go home to await Debra’s call, her cell rang, making her jump. With another shaky breath and a sigh of relief, she answered. “Debra? Thanks for calling… Okay… actually, no I’m not okay. I hate to bother you, but something just happened.”
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Spirit-Vanderlaan-Samantha-Hayes-Book-ebook/dp/B0DHV65RM4?ref_=ast_author_dp
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-spirit-of-vanderlaan-susan-howell/1146282868?ean=9781509258888
What makes your featured book a must-read?
As a paranormal cozy mystery, there’s enough paranormal to keep you intrigued, enough cozy to make you feel like you’re chatting with a good friend, and enough mystery to keep you turning the pages.
Giveaway –
Enter to win a $20 Amazon gift card:
Open Internationally.
Runs February 19 – February 25, 2025.
Winner will be drawn on February 26, 2025.
Author Biography:
Susan Harris Howell is a psychologist on faculty at a small university in Kentucky where she has taught and mentored young adults for over thirty years. The Spirit of Vanderlaan draws on that career to capture the camaraderie and warmth between a professor and the assortment of personalities which inhabit her office. While The Spirit of Vanderlaan is her first work of fiction, she has published extensively on equality between men and women. Her first book, Buried Talents, explores gendered socialization and was published in 2022. Susan is married to Dwayne and has two grown children, a daughter-in-law, one adorable grandson, and an incorrigible beagle, named Doc.
Social Media Links:
Website: susanharrishowell.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/susan_h_howell/
Email List & Monthly Blog: susanharrishowell.substack.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/susanhowellwriter
Bluesky @SusanHarrisHowell.bsky.social