I have been borrowing library books for as long as I can remember. And while I do buy books occasionally – to support a new author or if the book has information I’ll want to reference later – most of my reading today comes to me in digital form from my library.

I used to wonder how authors felt about people borrowing rather than buying their books. But considering the number of books purchased by libraries and the number of people who wouldn’t read their books otherwise, I assume that authors, as a group, are pro-library.

I know that this author is. When people check out my books, I’m happy. For one thing, goodness, I get it. If you read a lot you can go broke buying each book you find interesting. Plus, the more libraries that carry my books, the more people will benefit from what they offer. And I won’t pretend otherwise – I hope those who check out my books today will become fans who look forward to buying my next release.

The first time I saw Buried Talents in our local library I was more than a little thrilled; the same, when I happened to run across The Spirit of Vanderlaan.

Okay – In the interest of full disclosure, I didn’t happen to run across it – I entered the Taylor County Public Library like a woman on a mission. I zipped past all authors with names beginning A-G like I’d found a rainbow leading to my pot of gold. I slowed just a bit at Kristin Hannah and Ernest Hemingway, but I stayed the course. At Bell Hooks I knew I was almost there. My hands danced along the spines of those books like I was practicing scales on the piano.

And then— then I saw it.

Sitting there on that shelf like it belonged.

My book.

I giggled and did a little happy dance. I’d never thought about authors getting a kick out of this sort of thing. And who knows, at some point it might get old. But I doubt it.

So if you’ve purchased my books, borrowed them from a library, or even stolen one from a friend – you have my sincerest gratitude. And if your library doesn’t already carry them, I would appreciate if you’d request the physical and digital copies so others can discover them too.

And if you like my books, I would love to hear from you! You can find me at susanharrishowell.com or send me an email at susan.howell.writer@gmail.com.

THE SPIRIT OF VANDERLAAN
Series Name: A Samantha Hayes Mystery, Book 1
Genre: Cozy Paranormal Mystery
Release: December 2024
Format: Print, Digital
Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The Spirit of Vanderlaan is a paranormal cozy mystery set on a college campus. This book is the first in The Samantha Hayes Series.

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.”

When beloved professor, Samantha Hayes, learns that her favorite four students live in as many of her old dorm rooms, she wonders how it happened and for what purpose. As she and her student entourage explore the possibilities, they uncover a death years ago and what appears to be the ghost of the dearly departed. All of this stirs up Samantha’s long-held fear that she was responsible for that death, challenging all she thought she knew about herself and the work she holds dear. They must figure out what happened before Samantha gets fired for “dabbling in the paranormal.”

Meet the author
Susan Harris Howell is a psychologist and retired university professor who taught and mentored students for over thirty years. Her novel, The Spirit of Vanderlaan, draws on that career to capture the warmth between a psychology professor and the assortment of personalities which inhabit her office. Her first book, Buried Talents, focuses on the subtle ways women are discouraged from entering male-dominated occupations. Through her writing and speaking, her passion is to free others from unnecessary restrictions so they can step into their best life. Susan and her husband have two grown children, a daughter-in-law, one adorable grandson, and an incorrigible beagle named Doc. Doc doesn’t understand a word she says, but fully supports all her writing endeavors.