Haunted Hearts: Lana Malloy Paranormal Mystery, #1

By Kim Cox

She's running out of cash. The job market is dead. Helping her great aunt's ghost to find a killer may be the only answer.

With bills piling up and no way to pay them, Lana weighs her options. Her great aunt's ghost is desperate for Lana to resolve her tragic murder and promises to lead her to the stash of cash she's hidden. But it's been twenty years. The trail is cold.

During Lana's investigation, the unexpected happens. The ghost or her great aunt's fiancé surfaces, and a new plan takes form. If she can find their murderer by their death anniversary, the two ghosts can spend eternity together. If she can't, they will remain haunted hearts.

In a world where the living and the departed intertwine, Lana's quest for answers uncovers hidden mysteries. If you crave a thrilling blend of the paranormal and mystery, dive into this spine-tingling tale.

Will Lana's pursuit of the truth pay off? Get your copy today!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kim Cox Books
• Release date: Mar 30, 2015
• ISBN: 9781507058534

Book preview

HAUNTED HEARTS

LANA MALLOY PARANORMAL MYSTERY SERIES - BOOK 1

KIM COX

~ Haunted Hearts ~

Blurb

Will Lana Malloy solve the twenty-year-old double murder of her great aunt and her great aunt’s fiancé by Memorial Day? If she can, they’ll spend eternity together; if she can’t, they’ll be stuck as Haunted Hearts for another year.

Reviews for Haunted Hearts

Haunted Hearts by Kim Cox is a charming . . . ghost story . . . The ghost characters and their living relatives were all delightful and fun. And of course . . . there is romance as well as the mystery. – Fallen Angel Reviews

Twists and turns abound in this suspenseful novel having the reader on the edge of their seat until the climactic conclusion. – Nancy Carty Lepri, Freelance Editor, Reviewer, and Author of Tommy’s Amigo

COPYRIGHT

Haunted Hearts

© 2015 by Kim Cox  

All rights reserved. No part of this work may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without permission from the author.

This book is a work of fiction. Name, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons living or dead is entirely coincidental. No part of this publication can be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without permission of the author in writing.

Haunted Hearts was previously published as part of the Enchanted Holidays anthology. All rights have reverted back to the author. The author has edited and added new scenes.

Cover Art © 2015 Kim Cox Designs

DEDICATION

To the love of my life and my best friend, my awesome husband, Lee Cox

A special thank you to my critique partners, Elaine, Liz, Chris, Sher, and Nancy.

Other Books by Kim Cox

Lana Malloy Paranormal Mysteries Series (Novellas)

Haunting Lana: The Beginning (Book 0)

Get Out or Die (Book 2)

The Wedding Crasher (Book 3)

Christmas Cruise (Book 4)

Haunted by Her Past (Book 5)

Romantic Suspense Novels

Suspicious Minds

Style & Profile Series

All This Time (Book 1)

Before We Wed (Book 2)

Short Stories - Sweet Romances

A Dream Come True

In His Arms

All For Love

Love Conquers All

Collections

Wandering Spirits I

Wandering Spirits II

Dream, Conquer, & Love

TABLE OF CONTENTS

——

~ Haunted Hearts Blurb~

Other Books by Kim Cox

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Dear Reader,

EXCERPT: GET OUT OR DIE, BOOK 2

LANA MALLOY PARANORMAL MYSTERY SERIES

ROMANTIC SUSPENSE & ROMANTIC MYSTERY NOVELS

NEWEST RELEASE EXCERPT

REVIEW THIS BOOK ONLINE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Chapter One

Lana Malloy touched the slightly visible scar she'd gotten more than twenty years ago. Demi Lancaster, still her bestie, had seen her through many of her visions since that first time. Back when she’d had her first ghostly experience, she'd thought Lucy was stuck on Earth to help her. Now she knew she'd been wrong because her great aunt was still with her.

Lana tried to concentrate on the task before her. Since her funds were dwindling, she'd decided to start her own private investigating business. Her visions along with a master's degree in business should help her.

How do you like it? Lucy Ann Malloy, standing at the top of the stairs, turned to the right, then to the left as she modeled the blue and green pastel dress. I found it in the attic with some of my old things. She lingered in the doorway of the main floor. Well?

Lana looked up from editing the ad for her new PI business. Nice, she said and returned to her work.

Lucy moved to Lana’s side and gazed over her shoulder. What are you working on? she asked and floated away.

The ad for the local newspapers and a few magazines. I’ve got to figure out how to attract some clients or I’ll never make it through the first month.

A chill filled the air surrounding Lana and she shivered, pulling her wrap tightly around her.

Lucy glided back to her. I have an idea and it’s actually a pretty good one. I know who your first client can be.

Without glancing away from her paper, Lana asked, And who would that be?

Me.

You? Her interest piqued; Lana shifted in her seat to face her aunt. What are you talking about?

Lucy’s white hair shone with blue highlights as if she’d had it rinsed recently. She was well preserved for someone who’d been dead twenty years. Find my killer so I can rest in peace. How about it? Lana’s great-aunt had been with her since she moved into the family beach house in Charleston, South Carolina, five years ago.

But I need cash. Who would be paying for my services? Lana smiled, pulling her reading glasses off and laying them on the desk. She loved her great-aunt, but she could be a card. Lucy had always been a rebel, always trying to be different from everyone else. Besides, you died over twenty years ago. That’s a cold trail for sure.

I got money, smarty—a lot of money that no one has found . . . Lucy covered her mouth with both hands then removed them. Oh well, the spook’s out of the closet now. I can’t spend it anyway.

But you died more than—

Let me finish. Shows how much you or any of those cops know. She glided back and forth across the room as if she were dancing at her coming-out ball.

Well?

Get out your pencil and pad and take notes.

Not until I’m sure what you’re telling me is the truth. Lucy sometimes changed details to suit herself and the moment, but she’d never talked about her death before today. Lana never questioned her because she thought it may be too painful for her aunt to relive.

Have I ever lied to you? Never mind, don’t answer that. Lucy laughed as she stopped in midair, lowered herself down to the desk and hovered in a sitting position above its surface. Then she crossed her legs. It was late May. The last thing I remember was helping Davide eat his supper. He’d been sick the last few days and I went over to visit. He didn’t eat much of his potato soup and I love potato soup on a cool night. You know that kind your mother used to whip up? Lucy licked her lips. I miss food more than anything else since I’ve been dead. There’s no need to eat anymore . . . no appetite.

Get on with your murder case, please.

Oh, yeah. I tend to get sidetracked now and then, she said, smiling, her eyes twinkling. Anyway, I never left that room. Then I woke up in my own house, dead and floating above my own body lying on the living room floor, right there in front of the sofa. The next morning, your mother came to see me and found me . . . I mean, my body. That’s it.

Right. You were poisoned, but your murderer was never caught, Lana mused.

You call yourself a private investigator? Elementary, my dear Lana. Use some logic. Clue number one—how did I get from Davide’s to my house?

Lana nibbled the eraser on the end of her pencil then flipped the paper over on her spiral notebook. She jotted down a couple of notes. So, you believe you were poisoned at Davide’s, but someone brought you back here either a few minutes before or after you died?

By golly, I believe she’s got it.

Are you sure you didn’t forget going home?

I didn’t forget. I was only sixty-five and not senile. Someone must’ve moved me while I was unconscious or after I died. Can’t you see that?

Lana stood and paced the room. It’s a possibility, I guess. She stopped, turned around and asked, What did the police say?

"They said, 'The old broad croaked. No suspects.' And they investigated