Good afternoon, I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself. I’m Lady Louise Rafferty. My husband Ralph is Lord of Parksville. We have been married for fifteen years and we were recently blessed with a beautiful baby daughter. Every year, we are fortunate enough to stay at Mistletoe Manor in Holiday Corner for the holidays. The proprietor Thaddeus Holiday and his family prefer a warmer climate during this time. So, several years back we agreed to swap homes. This allows us the opportunity to have full use of the Manor.
Hold on Ralph is calling me. Yes, darling of course. I’ll be ready in a few minutes.
He wants to head into town to see the Christmas tree lighting. One of the things I love about Holiday Corner is that all the street lamps have red bows on them. Every window and storefront have twinkling lights, and even the Gazebo on Main Street this year has a new coat of white paint. One of the highlights of our winter vacation are all the activities around town. This year promises to have lots of wonderful surprises.
Anyway, as I was saying, as Lady of the Manor, I spend most of my time organizing events and dinners, and working on charitable causes. So, when we have a chance to escape to Holiday Corner it’s a blessing.
However, this year I have noticed something amiss. Ralph has been secretive and conducting meetings that last long into the night. As I look out the window a breeze rustles the snow-covered branches and I shiver. As we head out towards Main Street, I thrust my hands firmly into the confines of my mink muff. Walking next to me Ralph sighs. His expression rather somber.
My darling, what troubles you? I asked knowing quite well something unusual is going on and hoping he will trust me with whatever is bothering him. As usual he responds by telling me that I should not worry about these matters. The problem is that I worry.
The tree lighting was spectacular. It seems as if the entire town came out for this occasion. Children were picked up by their parents to place their ornaments on the tree and even Santa stopped by with presents. What a glorious evening!
As we walk back to the Manor, Ralph and I discuss going for a horse-drawn carriage ride early in the morning. Again, I press my concern about what is troubling him. This time, he responds. He has been meeting with a group of other men because … As he is about to tell me we are interrupted. A staff member from Mistletoe Manor is by the side of the road sitting on the snowy ground.
Ralph jumps off the carriage to assist. Emily, one of the parlor maids is crying. We learn she was accused of stealing. She’s assured us that the allegations are not true. Through sobs she’s begging us to protect her, to please hide her out in the Manor. Of course, we immediately agree. Once she’s safely in the carriage Ralph takes off. When we arrive at the Manor we stop at the main entrance and I assure her it’s alright to enter with me. She argues, but I insist. Inside the housemaid is coming from the kitchen and I instruct her to please take care of Emily.
As they leave, I follow Ralph to the study. He is worried that us helping Emily will bring unwanted guests. Before he can elaborate, we hear loud banging at the front door. Ralph tells me to go hide in the secret room he showed me the very first time we visited Mistletoe Manor. He promised to bring our daughter along shortly as soon as he can get rid of whomever is at the front door.
I kiss Ralph telling him I love him as I run upstairs never to see him again.
Ghostly Gift, A Holiday Corner Christmas Cozy Mystery #2
Genre: Cozy
Release: December 2022
Purchase Link
Once the talk of the town, Mistletoe Manor stood abandoned for years, that is until Edwin Bowater came along and revitalized it.
Now with the Manor restored and the traditional gala preparations underway, Edwin does not have time for Lady Louise Rafferty. She roams the Manor and the town scaring the guests and visitors.
Celeste and her daughter Hayley, arrive for a week’s stay just in time for the festivities. What Celeste didn’t expect is that before long she, along with the town’s grandmotherly figure, would be solving the mystery of the haunting ghost.
Who killed Lady Louise Rafferty and why hasn’t anyone found her body? And why is she insisting on finding her daughter?
Will Celeste and Hayley be able to solve a century-old mystery?
About the author
For the longest time, Ileana Muñoz-Renfroe wanted to be an author. Almost twenty years later, and after raising two children and owning numerous businesses, she decided to take the plunge. It started in a Café in Paris. The idea of Rosa popped into her head, and the stories and characters became real. Since two of her passions are the paranormal and high-end fashion, she found a way to combine them and created Rosa The Cuban Psychic Mysteries. This series brings together her Cuban and American culture to make for a fun cozy mystery story. As of late, she has published book 2 in the Rosa The Cuban Psychic Mysteries. A Parisian Bait has enough twists and turns to keep you guessing until the very end. She’s also published a children’s book, and started a new series The Wisterious Bay Cozy Paranormal Mysteries. Book 1, A Wisterious Witch is available in eBook and paperback. In addition, she has a new series that was released December 7th of this year. Ghostly Gift is book 2 in the Holiday Corner Cozy Mysteries. She collaborated with two additional authors to bring together this amazing new holiday series. When she is not writing, she enjoys spending time with family, traveling, reading, entertaining, and listening to music.
All comments are welcomed.