Smoke and Mirrors by Kathryn Hills

Smoke and Mirrors

Ghosts of New England: Last Light Point: Book 2

by Kathryn Hills

https://books2read.com/LLPoint

Book Blurb:

Sometimes when you knock on heaven’s door. . .the dead answer back.


Autumn, 1867

Willow Pinch lives life on a razor’s edge in world of deception and disguise. By day she hides in plain sight as Will, a servant boy. Nights are spent as a table knocker, aiding so-called spiritualists in duping townsfolk into believing loved ones speak from the grave. That is until the ghosts of Last Light Point unmask her before the only man she’s ever cared for. Dare she trust Morgan Blackwell with her secrets?
Morgan invests every hard-earned penny in The Crowe’s Nest. He doesn’t trust strangers. Yet the last thing he expects are charlatans hell-bent on destroying his reputation with so-called séances. Not to mention there are ghosts in his tavern now! Be damned, must he turn his back on the infuriating woman he longs to protect?


Will the dead of Last Light Point guide Willow and Morgan to lasting love? Or will the dark forces they’ve unleashed lead to ruin?

Excerpt:

You’re a foxy one,” Morgan Blackwell said to his best friend, Peter Clark. “I’m not the gaming sort, but I’ll pour another whiskey for you if you’ll leave me be. I’ve little time to dawdle tonight.” He smiled in his typical good-natured way and poured two fingers for each of them.
Peter slipped his dog-eared playing cards back into the pocket of his coat. Taking a sip, he winced at the strong drink. “I thought you’d at least want to see my latest trick.”
“Augh, tricks again. Christ, man. I know you fancy yourself the world’s greatest magician, but why not try your hand at helping me in some useful manner?” Morgan dried the last of the tankards, and he hung them on pegs behind the bar. Then he worked to make the old pewter-topped bar shine as best he could. Well over a century, and yet this tavern was still a popular watering hole in Last Light Point.
“You sound like my parents, always wanting me to make something of myself. Of course I’ll help you,” Peter said. “Just tell me what to do. Except swing a hammer. Or dig. I’ve delicate hands, you know.” He glanced around the empty taproom. “What’ve you got going on here tonight, anyway? It’s not like you to close early. Sending poor Old Bill out into the streets like a common drunkard when you know he’s yours to keep.”
“I’ve rented the place to make some extra money. I’m hoping to fix her up. Make this old girl more respectable.”
“I’ve always admired how you refer to this tavern as a lady. Kind of like a sea captain with his ship. What have you got in mind for ‘her?’”
“I’m still thinking about it…but renovating the upstairs rooms to be a proper inn, serving more food down here in the taproom. Those are a couple of my ideas.” He thought for a moment before adding, “Perhaps I’ll offer afternoon tea with fancy sandwiches for ladies.”
Peter scrunched up his nose. “Balls. That is a change. Who did you rent to?” he asked, switching subjects.
“A small party wanting a private place to hold their special meeting. Traveling spiritualists or some such nonsense.”
“Spiritualists?” Peter jeered. He blew out a long breath. “You mean table knockers? You should have told me you wanted carnival performers in this new and improved establishment of yours. I’d be happy to put on daily shows.”
“I don’t know about such things, but they paid me handsomely up front. A husband-and-wife team. The man called himself a doctor of something, and she’s Madam So-and-So. Apparently, they’ve established quite a name for themselves. Sold tickets to townsfolk already. I’m cleaning up and then leaving to talk to some men about making the repairs and improvements for me.”
“You’re leaving your beloved Crowe’s Nest in the hands of traveling performers? Are you daft, man?” his friend exclaimed in a skeptical tone.
“Reverend Tuffin and his daughter will be here. As will Mr. Cummings, the banker who holds the mortgage on this place. They’ll keep an eye on her for me.”
“Well, now I know you’re crazy. Missing out on dear, sweet Prudence, batting those long, lovely lashes at you. When are you going to court the girl outright, as in publicly, and stop sneaking around?” Peter laughed when Morgan shot him a dark scowl. “All right, relax, my friend. How about I stay and help look after your livelihood for you? I’m curious, I must admit.”
“Suit yourself. But don’t go drinking the good whiskey.” Morgan spared a quick glance over his shoulder for the antique bottle, sitting in a place of honor, front and center, before the mottled mirror behind his bar. Both the mirror and the bottle were old and ugly. Still, legend said they must remain in place, or else trouble would befall all who entered this establishment. He shook his head, hating the blasted things and the folklore associated with them. Last Light Point was steeped in such superstitious rubbish.
"No one touches that particular bottle,” Peter said, looking uneasy. “Do you think I want the bad luck said to befall anyone who does? No, thank you. You might not believe in pirate curses, but I do.”
“Stay if you want,” Morgan said, giving his beloved tavern one last appraising look. He dried his hands and hung the bar towel in its proper place. “The couple is upstairs getting ready for their meeting. They’ve a servant boy with them. Scrawny lad I’m letting sleep in the storeroom. He doesn’t speak—has a rather feral look about him—so steer clear.”
Peter rubbed his hands together and grinned. “Oh, this is getting good. I’ve a feeling tonight is going to be quite a memorable experience.”

About the Anthology – 4 Complete Books, 4 Best Selling Authors

 

 

 

GHOSTS OF NEW ENGLAND: LAST LIGHT POINT

A Multi-Century Romance Anthology

from Best Selling & Award Winning Authors

Lisa A. Olech

Kathryn Hills

Nancy Fraser

Peggy Jaeger

Can true love conquer a deadly curse?

Don’t look at the gibbet… Legend has it that disaster will strike all those who do. The townspeople of Last Light Point have come to respect the centuries-old advice. Those that didn’t, paid the price.
4 stories – 4 time periods – 1 very haunted tavern in New England!
A new romance anthology unlike any other from 4 best-selling and award-winning authors.

The Pirate’s Promise by Lisa A. Olech (Autumn 1728)

Smoke and Mirrors by Kathryn Hills (Autumn 1867)

For the Love of Grace by Nancy Fraser (Fall 1941)

A Promise Fulfilled by Peggy Jaeger (Late October, Present Day)

What's it like writing about ghosts?

I LOVE it when I get a chance to incorporate my past paranormal experiences in a story! They typically leave such vivid imprints on my mind that they’re destined to spill out onto my pages. In Smoke and Mirrors, you’ll meet the “Charred Man.” He’s based on a spirit I encountered while working in an old mill building converted into office space in Massachusetts. I believe the living person perished in a work-related fire. You’ll have to read the anthology to discover what I’ve chosen for this ghost to experience in Last Light Point.

Tell us about one of your secondary characters and what they bring to the story.

Of course I love all my characters, but one stands out for showcasing what people felt about spiritualists during the late-1800’s. Betsy Marsh is a widow, working as a cook at The Crowe’s Nest. Her husband and two sons died while fighting in the war between the states. The temptation to try to contact them via a séance performed by a traveling clairvoyant is near impossible for her to resist. Still, Betsy’s Christian faith is strong. As she explains… “Part of me says leave the dead to rest. The living shouldn’t be knocking on heaven’s door. The reverend also calls it a sin. But I miss them so.” You’ll have to read the anthology to discover what Betsy chooses to do.

Author Bio:

Hauntingly romantic… Unless she’s writing sweet!

KATHRYN HILLS - The rich history and many mysteries of New England are the perfect backdrop for many of Kathryn’s books. Winding roads lined by old stone walls, forgotten cemeteries, grand homes with shadowy pasts...all sparks for her imagination. Whether it’s a quaint seaside town or the vibrant city of Boston, it’s easy for this “hauntingly romantic” author to envision the past mingling with the present. No surprise, some of Kathryn’s favorite stories include ghosts! Sprinkle in some magic, and you’re off on a great adventure.

When not writing, this best-selling author is reading, researching, gardening, or cooking up something special in her chaotic kitchen. She shares her colonial home in the north woods with those she loves most – her wonderful husband, daughter, and three crazy dogs.