Some of you may remember my terrifying encounter in a haunted house.
Like any good writer, I decided to let it inspire a novel. After all, who doesn’t love a ghost story?
The good folks at Flame Tree Press will release The Restoration on the world on October 19th.
So how can I say “Coming soon?”
In the book world, October is right around the corner and The Restoration is already available for reviewers! If you’re interested in providing an early review, please let me know in the comments. I have a Net Galley link, and can also provide a digital copy for review on Goodreads (and Amazon after release).
Here’s the blurb:
Inspired by the author’s overnight stay in a historical haunted house, The Restoration is a thrilling tale of intrigue, murder, and family secrets that refuse to stay buried.
It was the perfect opportunity…or so she thought. When Terri Foxworth is hired to spend a year restoring a crumbling manor house, she believes she’s hit the jackpot. She moves in with her young daughter and high hopes for the project’s success. As the restoration begins to go terribly wrong, she realizes dark forces won’t let her leave the house until its horrible secrets are revealed.
This job could very well be the death of her.
*
The Restoration features one of the most complex mysteries I’ve ever written. While staying overnight in Dalnavert House, I experienced a ghostly encounter with what I believed to be Jack Macdonald’s spirit. Jack was the son and only male heir of Hugh Macdonald, the former premier of Manitoba. Jack suffered from diabetes and passed away in the room I’d chosen to write in.
His “friendly hello” (you can read about it here), was terrifying, and there was something about the poor kid’s photograph 
that seemed eerie. Before long, my fictional Vandermere family, along with their troublesome son Niles, was terrifying a small town in Pennsylvania.
One of the themes I keep returning to in my work is The sins of the past come back to haunt us, but Niles has a lot more agency than most of the spirits I’ve written about. In this novel, you can’t trust anyone, especially the ghosts!
Have you ever seen (or heard) a ghost? Would you stay overnight in a haunted house, like I did? And what do you think of that cover?
If you’re interesting in a sneak peek of The Restoration in exchange for a review, please let me know. Hope everyone is having a great summer!
PS…If you like spooky stories, you’ll love this post about working the graveyard shift with a ghost.
Already preordered months ago!
October is not long to go now, but a sneek preview would be welcome!
Thanks, Jim. Are you on NetGalley or Goodreads? The ARCS would be digital. Let me know if you’re still interested.
Yes, still interested and I’m on Goodreads!
Hope you are enjoying the summer. I would welcome the chance to review your new book.
Thanks, Andrea. You should be receiving a watermarked PDF soon! You as well, Jim.
Hello from Australia!☺
It’s winter over here and it is veeery cold tonight. Yes, I would most definitely stay overnight in a haunted house. Am very much looking forward to this new novel coming out in October. Would gladly post a review on Goodreads if you could spare a digital ARC. I will purchase the novel as an ebook from Flame Tree once it sets foot into this world also. Take care. Stay happy and awesome!
Hello from Canada! Sorry about the cold, but we’ll be feeling that pain soon enough. 🙂
As soon as I get my hands on the digital ARC (should be momentarily), I’ll send it on. I only have the NetGalley link as of now.
Congratulations! Yes, October is not that far away.
Thanks so much, Alex!
Dear Miss Moncrieff
This sounds terrific, and I cannot wait to read it. Alas, digital and I are not on reading terms so I will have to wait for the release date. Congratulations-belated-on your collaboration with Flame Tree Press, I sincerely hope they appreciate you.
Take care.
Thank you so much, Mark. I hope so too. 🙂
I can’t wait to dive into this one!
Thanks, Kim! Did you want an ARC?
Of course!!!
You should receive a watermarked PDF shortly. If it doesn’t come through, please let me know. x
Congratulations to you! Looks terrific!
Thanks so much, Randee! Congrats to you as well.
Congratulations! I remember that post about you staying in the haunted house. You are one brave woman. 🙂
Aw, thanks Madeline. But I’m sure you’d be right there with me! 🙂
I had a feeling a novel would follow that stay – and story – in the haunted house. Congratulations on The Restoration, JH! The cover has all the elements fitting for a mystery/ghost story! 🙂
You know I love adventures and a stay in a haunted house would fit right into that mindset.
Thanks so much, Liesbet. It would be great to have a willing victim…cough…I mean partner on these adventures. 🙂
The cover’s neat! The silhouette with the house within it gives it that appearance of mystery and the paranormal. I went on a ghost tour years ago in Virginia City, Nevada. Although I didn’t see any ghosts, I caught some tiny lights in a cemetery on camera that people have told me were ethereal orbs. These were lights that only showed up in the photos.
That’s really cool, Steven. I took so many photos at the haunted locations I’ve visited, hoping to see something, and didn’t get as much as an orb.
Thanks for your kind comments about the cover.
Well, congrats on a new book! It sounds like your experience almost took your life away…well, maybe not that drastic. I have to read your real life experience.
Thanks, Birgit. It was terrifying, but I handled it pretty calmly, considering. Guess I’m getting used to these things, as much as anyone could. I was probably also in shock.
I would love to read and review “The Restoration.” Please send me a copy. Congrats on another novel! And, no, I would not stay overnight in a haunted place. Visit during the day, but not try to sleep there!
Thanks, Mary. I will be in touch shortly! 🙂
Congrats! I’m excited.
Thanks so much, Patricia. I hope you’re feeling better. x
This is exciting. October isn’t too far away. If you are still looking for reviewers, I’m in. If not, no worries. I will be happy to purchase a copy when released or simply pre-order.
Thanks, Toi! Hopefully you received your copy.
Yes, I did.
Whew! I’m glad you got it. 🙂