Lancaster House Virtual Book Tour

Zoe Grayson needs a change. So, she moves to another state, purchases an old, dilapidated 1920s Victorian Mansion, and sets out to restore it to its former glory. As she begins the restoration, she finds herself falling in love with the old house . . . not to mention its illustrious builder, Mr. Lancaster. Zoe becomes obsessed with the house as she discovers its secrets; hidden rooms, secret passageways . . . and a mysterious man who seems to think the house is his. Who is he? More importantly, how does he live in her home unseen and unheard?

The unexpected answers leave her reeling—and questioning everything she’s ever known. To her dismay, Zoe’s actions land her in the local psychiatric hospital, scheming for ways to return to Lancaster House . . . and the love of her life.

Thanks, Dana for having me here on your blog, Book Girl Knitting. I am thrilled to be here!

When I was first asked to write this Guest Post about hauntings, I thought, well, that’s what I get for writing a paranormal romance about a ghost! The funny thing is I am not into scary at all. As a matter of fact, I’m not even remotely into anything having to do with hauntings. They freak me out. My daughter loves to watch those TV shows where people tell their personal stories about their experiences with ghosts and I can’t even watch. I leave the room. I’m a wimp.

Right about now you’re probably wondering, so, why the heck did you write a paranormal romance about a ghost?  The answer is in the question. Romance! A romance novel about a ghost changes everything for me. The idea of a handsome man watching over me, saving me, and falling in love with me appeals to my heart. Suddenly, it’s not scary, it’s romantic. While my hero/ghost is a bit of a dark character, he is more of a guardian angel than scary ghost. Regardless, I still found myself looking over my shoulder as I wrote Lancaster House—much more often than I care to admit. I scared myself. The tag line—Are you ever really alone?—came about because of these feelings. While this concept is not the focus of the novel, the story does beg the question, are we ever really alone? Are there spirits/ghosts surrounding us, unseen and unheard? At the risk of sounding crazy, I will say that I believe there is something to this. I like to think that there are people ‘on the other side’ who love us and care for us, who are watching over us. As a matter of fact, I believe in this.

In this novel, I simply let my imagination run wild. Using the above premise and expounding upon it, I made up a completely fictional story. Hence, PARTS of my story have the ring of truth. (parts being the key word here) Actually, the sequel of Lancaster House, entitled, The Middle Aisle, (to be released in Dec. 2012) delves even further into this concept. What about the spirits of those who are evil? Where are they? Can they influence us? Are they around us? An interesting thought. What if they are around us also? What if they try to whisper in our ears and influence us? What if they want us to be miserable like them? Would you consider this notion to be a haunting?

Are you shivering yet? Has a chill run up and down your spine?

Don’t worry. Good will triumph over evil. In the end, Lancaster House is a ROMANCE and is not a ‘scary’ novel.

It’s the concepts the novel causes you to ponder upon that make it thought provoking.

Are we every really alone?

Here’s what Zoe, my heroine, says: Believe it, know it, accept it.

What do you believe?

What would you do if the love of your life was a ghost and no one believed you? What if they stuck you in a psychiatric hospital and filled you full of drugs to keep you sedated. Welcome to Zoe Grayson's life.

Reading this book, I was not prepared for the strength of voice and the very real grit author Taylor Dean projects in her amazing story. Give me a great ghost story any day of the week. Fill it with kick butt heroines and a spicy romance and you have me at the word go. 

From the first page, the tone of the book compelled me to keep reading. The sarcasm, wit, description of the 1920's Victorian house (Has anyone watched Ghost Story? It made me think of that movie so strongly) and how the events unfold that lead Zoe to be housed in a psychiatric hospital being interviewed by yet another doctor. Is she crazy or did she actually experience a love from beyond the grave?

This book will keep you up nights and take you away from your housework. Yay! It had me hiding in the bedroom with my e-reader and box of Raisinettes, happily turning the pages and marveling at the stunning voice.

If you like a crazy good ghost story with a happily ever after love story, give Lancaster House a try.

Rating:

4.5/5

Taylor Dean lives in Texas and is the mother of four grown children. Upon finding herself with an empty nest, she began to write the stories that were always wandering around in her head, quickly finding that she had a passion for writing, specifically romance. Whether it's paranormal, contemporary, or suspense-you'll find all sub-genres of romance in her line-up.

http://www.taylordeanbooks.com