Hi! I’m Charlene Morris and you’re probably wondering what I’m doing poking my nose into windows of this stately old mansion. Truth is, I own it. Crazy part is that I bought it sight unseen. I was told by Ernie Harvey, the realtor who sold me this 8000 square foot home that it was an unbelievable bargain and that I’d better move fast.
Needing to escape Chicago and all the memories of my recently dead husband, I made a ridiculously low offer and to my surprise it was accepted. So, I gave up my job as an advertising executive to run a B&B in Salem, Massachusetts.
I’m glad I did. It’s unbelievably gorgeous, with a widow’s walk that has a view of the harbor and many of the town’s historical sites. The enormous property is only a mile from town and has beautiful oak trees, and a sweeping lawn around the front and to the right. It’s every bit as magnificent as the online pictures. My mother thought I’d lost my mind. Well, I sure fooled her!
Oh wait—I hear a car coming down the drive. I hurry from the tree swing around back, hoping it will be Ernie, bringing the keys. I tingle with anticipation as I watch the realtor step out of his car. He’s a funny-looking duck wearing a plaid jacket, a toothy smile and a bad toupee that slips as he shakes my hand. His behavior is a little off too. Like, as soon as he opens the door and welcomes me into my new home, I notice him glancing into corners, and he appears anxious to get away. He hands me the set of keys, wishes me luck, and then flees. Must have another appointment.
Excited to explore on my own, I raced up the central staircase to the second and third floor, popping my head into the bedrooms that ran off to the left and the right. Satisfied that everything was indeed as wonderful as the photos promised, I returned downstairs to wait for the moving truck.
As the busy day drew to a close, I slept for the first time in my new bed, in my new home—too exhausted to dream of my poor Jared. It was a little scary being alone in this big, old, creaky house, but not nearly as scary as waking up in the darkness to a handsome stranger who told me he was a ghost!
Born and raised in Chicago, I didn’t believe in ghosts. But he proved it by sliding in and out of the door, and doing a few tricks like Patrick Swayze. His cartoonish efforts had my insides jumping all over the place, and me backing into a corner with a cell phone in my hand. Call the police and act like a loony tune, or listen to this man’s story?
Along with the mind-numbing fear, I had a very bad thought in my head. Had I bought this steal of a lifetime, this bargain-basement mansion, for the simple reason that it was haunted? Was I dreaming, or having an actual conversation with my newly acquired ghost?
And what would my mother say now? She had been part of the reason I’d escaped Chicago. Her harping had driven me away, and if she knew the past owner had been murdered here and could not leave, she would come with a straight jacket and make me return—so, I shoved my Midwestern sensibilities to the side, and took my chances with Dr. Jack Strathmore—deceased.
I hope you’ll read our first adventure in Mrs. Morris and the Ghost!
Giveaway: Do you know of any movies that features a ghost? Comment below for a chance to win a signed copy of Mrs. Morris and the Ghost, which is limited to U.S. residents. The giveaway ends August 4, 2019. The winner will be notified by email (so check your spam folder). Good luck everyone!
You can read more about Charlene Morris in Mrs. Morris and the Ghost, the first book in the NEW “Salem B&B” cozy mystery series, released July 30, 2019.
Charlene Morris knew Salem, Massachusetts had a spooky reputation. But when she decided to open her B&B there, she expected guests—not ghosts. . .
A grieving young widow, Charlene needed a new start—so she bought a historic mansion, sight unseen, and drove from Chicago to New England to start turning it into a bed-and-breakfast. On her first night in the house, she awakens to find a handsome man with startling blue eyes in her bedroom. Terror turns to utter disbelief when he politely introduces himself as Jack Strathmore—and explains that he used to live here—when he was alive. He firmly believes that someone pushed him down the stairs three years ago, and he won’t be able to leave until someone figures out who. If Charlene wants to get her business up and running in time for the Halloween tourist rush, and get this haunting houseguest out of the way, she’ll have to investigate. Though truth be told, this ghost is starting to grow on her . . .
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Meet the authors
Traci Hall and Patrice Wilton are writing this series together as Traci Wilton.
From contemporary seaside romances to cozy mysteries, USA Today bestselling author Traci Hall writes stories that captivate her readers. As a hybrid author with over fifty published works, Ms. Hall has a favorite story for everyone. Mystery lovers, be on the lookout for her Salem B&B Mystery series, co-written as Traci Wilton, and her Scottish Shire series, which takes place in the seaside town of Nairn, as Traci Hall. Whether it’s her ever popular By the Sea series or a fun who-done-it, Traci finds her inspiration in sunny South Florida, by living right near the ocean.
To learn more about Traci, visit her website at tracihall.com.
New York Times bestselling author, Patrice Wilton is a hybrid author with more than forty books published on Amazon. Known as a popular Romance author, she is especially proud of her bestselling contemporary romance series, Paradise Cove, and Heavenly Christmas. Now she is embarking on an exciting cozy mystery series entitled the Ghost and Mrs. Morris. Co-writing with Traci Hall, this three-book series will be published with Kensington.
To learn more about Patrice, visit her website at patricewilton.com.
All comments are welcomed.
Ghost…one of my favorites!!!
Thank you for the giveaway..
Ghost… But I think you already mentioned it.
Good luck to you! Jack was a blast to write!
Ghost was such a terrific movie, so romantic…
Of course! Romantic and so good!
The movie “Ghost”. Love that movie. Book sounds amazing, can’t wait to read.
Ghostbusters…”who you gonna call”…thank you for the chance.
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
I only saw the first one, and it was funny! Did you see the newest version?
I forgot about Ghostbusters! Don’t need them with our delicious Jack around!
The Sixth Sense. Loved that movie. Thank you for this chance.
The Sixth Sense blew my mind–but the clues were all there…good luck!
Good luck Carolyn! I barely remember that movie, but at my age it’s no wonder!
The Ghost and Mrs Muir!
I saw the one filmed in in the sixties I think? I loved it! The gruff captain…so good. Good luck!
Yes, that was the original idea for this book!!
I love movies with ghosts. I grew up on Topper (the series) and adored George and Marian. And of course who could resist the Captain in the Ghost and Mrs. Muir (again the series).
I never saw Topper– I will have to check it out. I watched a few episodes of the The Ghost and Mrs. Muir. Good luck to you!
Topper! Now that’s a blast from the past! Very cool. And Mrs. Muir, so cute and funny!
I’m with Linda. I watched Topper on TV but my favorite is that classic 1947 Black and White movie The Ghost and Mrs. Muir. I’d watch it on late night tv anytime it was on.
I never saw the black and white version–I will have to look for it! Good luck!
Very cool shows! Good job, but just wait until you read Mrs. Morris and meet the handsome, charming Jack!!
The Ghost and Mrs Muir was my first thought.
Good luck to you!
Yes, Fran the name was meant to make you think about the TV series. Our editor wanted something similar!
My first thought was Beetlejuice. This sounds like a fun series – thank you for the giveaway!
Another classic–the dance scene is the best!
Autumn – my daughter and her kids just went to see that on Broadway. They loved it!
Wonderful feature and giveaway. Ghosts of the West.
I’ve never heard of that one–I will have to check it out! Good luck!
Nope – that’s new to me too! Is it a book or a movie?
The Ghost and Mrs. Muir was my favorite from many years ago.
Agreed!! Good luck!
Good fun! I loved it too.
Topper
You are not the first person to say that, so now I definitely have to check it out lol=good luck!
That was a classic! Good choice!
I can’t wait to read what promises to be a terrific ghost story. (Even though some of us from Chicago do believe in ghosts!) I like “Just Like Heaven”
Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of Mrs. Morris and the Ghost!
Chicago is a great city, and we ate at a diner that was supposed to be haunted. I checked for ghosts but saw nothing, darn it! Good luck!
Thanks Barbara! I remember that movie. Was Warren Beatty in it?
Good luck!
The Ghost and Mrs. Muir
A classic! Good luck!
Good choice!
Casper and Ghostbusters are the first two movies that come to mind that feature ghosts. This book sounds really interesting! Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
I totally forgot about Caspar–that was a really cute movie! Good luck!
Thanks Ashley, I’m sure you’d love our book too!
Good luck!
Someone already mentioned The Ghost and Mrs. Muir. I really liked this movie. A scary one is The Shining. That film scared the heck out of me. I think it affected the actress, too, for a long time.
The Shining is still one of my all-time faves!! Good luck to you!
The Shining was terrifying. Good old Stephen King sure can get your attention!
Love personable ghosts! Cary Grant was in Topper. Leo G Carroll was in the old Topper TV show in the 50s. So funny. The original The Ghost and Mrs Muir movie from the 40s was sweet and funny. The Canterville Ghost with Charles Laughton and Robert Young was also a winner. These are all nice ghosts like the one in your book is sure to be.
I had no idea there were so many ghosts LOL–thank you, and good luck!
Thanks Pat. You came up with some good names here! Well done!
The Ghost & Mrs Muir, Ghost, The Mummy’s Ghost are ghost movies I remember off the top of my head. I would love to win.
I haven’t heard of The Mummy’s Ghost–good luck to you!
Mummy’s Ghost is new to me as well, but you have a good list!
Good luck!
The Others
Nicole Kidman was great in that! Good luck!
Is that a Stephen King book?
I loved Beetlejuice.
Me too!! Now I want to watch it again…it’s been a long time. Good luck!
My daughter saw Beetlejuice on Broadway and loved it. It was one of her favorites growing up.
Would love to read this first adventure. I have many movies with ghosts in them that are great: Poltergeist, Casper, The Woman in Black, Stir of Echoes, The Amityville Horror, Mama, The Frighteners, The Conjuring, Crimson Peak, The Fog, and Field Of Dreams. To name a few. Love a good ghost story and movie.
The Ghost and Mrs. Muir
That’s a wonderful one–good luck!
Thirteen Ghosts. Creepy.
Oh yeah– I loved the puzzle aspect of that. So cool. Good luck to you!
Jana – never heard of that one! I used to love creepy, now not so much.
the Sixth Sense immediately came to mind. Love how this is set in Salem…..Sounds like so much fun!!
Don Knotts–lol–I will need to check that one out…thank you and good luck!
Salem was so full of history–we would love to go back again! Good luck!
The Ghost and Mr. Chicken, with Don Knotts. Famous line, “Atta boy, Luther!!” And oldie but a corny goodie.
The first movie that came to mind was What Lies Beneath with Harrison Ford and Michelle Pfeifer.
The Ghost and Mrs. Muir is a wonderful classic.
**** WINNER ****
Mrs. Morris and the Ghost is Linda Farabaugh
Congratulations!