Spotlight: Ghosts of Border House Series by Vanessa Victoria Kilmer and Leah Miles

Series Intro:

Border House has stood on the River Tweed since 1100, witnessing centuries of Scottish history and accumulating many permanent residents along the way. This ancient fortified manor, once a hunting lodge and defensive tower, now serves as both a charming hotel and an unintentional retirement home for spirits who can’t or won’t move on to the next realm.

The house is home to a medieval king, a turncoat scribe, a lonesome English soldier, two Victorian ladies, one unhappy go-go girl, a Scottish Brewmaster, and more. Each ghost brings their own quirks, complaints, and centuries-old drama to daily life at Border House. Whether you’re a living guest checking in for the weekend or a long-dead resident who’s been here for ages, everyone has a story to tell.

Welcome to Border House—where checkout time is optional, and some guests have been extending their stay for centuries.

This series features standalone paranormal romances written by various authors.

Love Lost & Found 

The Ghosts of Border House Book 1 

Genre: Paranormal Romance 

When a love haunts every lifetime, you have to grab it and hold on.

In 1566, Thomas Kincaid is murdered at Border House by agents of the Scottish King. Thinking himself betrayed by his soulmate, Sara Mae Stuart, Thomas curses her to a life of reincarnation with his dying breath.

When Sara Mae dies of a broken heart, she is reborn again and again.

After 450 years of reincarnation, Sara Mae returns to Border House to perform a séance and break her curse. She discovers a host of unsettled spirits, each harboring their own hidden agendas, and Thomas, lurking inside her crystal ball. 

Can love survive revenge, guilt, and a quirky spiritual divide?

Excerpt

Sara Mae glanced down at her simple black slacks and black silk T-shirt with the arms of her sweater tied across her chest. “Isn’t it nice enough?”

“The quality is not the issue.” She tucked Sara Mae’s black hair behind her ears. “You look like a nanny, all prim and proper. You’re even wearing pearls. You look nothing like a woman who speaks with dead people.”

Heat rushed to Sara Mae’s cheeks. She still couldn’t get used to Morven’s casual treatment of her and the woman’s genuine affection. She was part of a long line of the nobility, and Sara Mae, on her fifth reincarnation, was an orphan who attended university on a scholarship. While she enjoyed their friendship, she felt uncomfortable, unable to forget her ongoing humble beginnings.

But here she was, back at Border House. Finally. Thanks to her friend.

“We’ll need to make you look more ‘woo-woo’ for later,” Morven said with a giggle. “If you don’t have anything that fits the image, I’m sure we can dig something up in the attics.” She pulled Sara Mae by the hand. “For now, I’ll take you on a tour of the house. It’s easy for people unfamiliar with it to get a bit turned around.” 

Chuckling inwardly, Sara Mae let her hostess drag her around the building from the basement cellars and up to the servants’ quarters and attics under the eaves on the fourth floor. Sara Mae took her time, remembering the house as it was in her time and how it had changed since then. Electricity sure made a difference, as did the running water in the bathrooms and toilets. These were her most favorite changes to the building. The many narrow stairs were the same, though, and she did not care for them.

As they went along on their tour, Sara Mae kept an eye out for places where her locket might be hidden. She felt its presence in the house but couldn’t pinpoint the location. “My locket is here somewhere,” Sara Mae said under her breath.

Cold and hot spots dotted rooms on each floor, a sure sign of paranormal activity, and that interfered with her locating spell. She tried to keep in mind where Thomas might have hidden it after he ripped his gift from her neck during their fight and last moment together. 

The Brewmaster’s Kiss

The Ghosts of Border House Book 2 

Genre: Paranormal Romance 

Fifty-five years of longing, and a love that transcends death.

After fifty-five years, Nova Guthrie has returned to Scotland for the annual Halloween Ball at Border House. Or that is her excuse to return to the home of her youth and bid farewell to memories of her lost lover. 

What she doesn’t know is that Donnal Stuart still haunts the grand mansion, along with a few other ghostly characters—one of whom will do everything she can to keep them apart.

This story is about true love and secret ghost powers bundled up in a haunting tale of second chances. 

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About the Authors

Vanessa Victoria Kilmer told her first story to an angel who visited her when she was locked in a dark, medieval attic at the age of four.

She grew up in the Salzburg region of Austria, surrounded by fortified castles, primal salt mines, and the drama of ancient places. 

Her fiction teems with murder, magic, and madness. She explores the abuse inflicted by those closest to us and the various ways people deal with the damage.

She currently lives in northern Florida with her daughter, son-in-law, grandson and two black cats. Between writing novels, she paints, takes pictures with her white camera named Traitor and embroiders tapestries.

Please visit her website at vanessavictoriakilmer.com and sign up for her newsletter to get updates on current work in progress and new release information.

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Leah Miles writes romance and paranormal fiction from her small-town in South Georgia, where she lives with her husband and cocker spaniel while running an insurance agency and Airbnb business.

After a dozen years in news production at CNN, Leah Miles now manages an insurance agency and an Airbnb business in rural Georgia, while writing romantic suspense and paranormal romance featuring take-charge heroes and fierce heroines.

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Ghosts of Border House

Spotlight: First Light by Verity Rose

Genre: Epic Fantasy

In a world struggling with political and religious differences, eighteen-year-old Arkrune—"Rune" to his friends—dreams of something greater than the quiet life in his small village of Locke. Trained by his stern but loving father, a renowned blacksmith and former warrior, Rune sets his sights on joining the famous monster fighting guild known as the Vanguard.

When Rune embarks on his journey to the city of Hilden to pursue his destiny, he carries with him more than just a finely crafted sword—but also a mystery tied to his bloodline and the dormant power within him. Along the way, Rune forms bonds with battle-hardened warriors, fends off deadly attacks by monsters and men alike, and begins to uncover the hidden strengths he didn’t know he possessed.

Excerpt

Prologue

Surrounded by open fields, broken only by the occasional knoll, a group of six people stood at the ready for their hunt. A gentle spring wind whipped through their hair. Some kept their eyes trained on the tree line in the distance, while others maintained a careful watch over the skies above. Each carried a hunting bow in hand with a quiver full of arrows strapped to their backs. Simple iron short swords clung to their hips. Of the six, two of the people were shorter than the rest, appearing to be only twelve or thirteen at most. Simple leather armor covered their forearms, chests, legs, and feet.

One of the two children was a girl with blonde hair and brown eyes, while the other was a boy with hazel eyes and silver hair. Both of them exuded a nervous yet excited energy that was only barely contained, thanks to the occasional, stern glance of one adult with them, who had similar silver hair to the boy.

“Keep your eyes on both the sky and the forest canopy. The beasts move quick and if you aren’t careful, you could end up with a few broken bones, or worse. Got it, Arkrune? Tara?” the silver-haired man barked.

“Yessir, Vickar, sir!” Tara giggled while giving a mock salute.

The only response the man had for her was to sigh before he glanced back at the trees. Arkrune stifled a small laugh, when the sound of screeching drew his attention to the treetops. Several brown blurs launched into the air in a loose, V-shaped formation. The objects initially soared straight into the sky above the trees but were clearly moving toward the hunting party.

Vickar brought two fingers to his mouth and let out a loud whistle. In an instant, the group scattered, breaking into pairs. Arkrune and Tara paired together, diving to the right of the formation while Vickar took the center. Arkrune clipped his bow to his back before drawing his sword. Today’s hunt had him acting the part of the distraction, while Tara was to pick the birds off.

Bash Eagles were not strong beasts, but their aerial maneuverability made it difficult for all but the best marksmen to target them in flight. The best way to hit them was to catch them by surprise in their nests or by baiting them into initiating their diving attack. As their name suggested, they dove at their enemies with their hardened skulls. Once the diving attack started, they lost all of their previous agility for a devastatingly powerful attack. This state left them vulnerable to a practiced hunter.

It was a dangerous gamble because if the person acting as bait was hit, then the resulting impact could be rather deadly.

Culling the local population into small hunts like this was a tradition for their village of Locke. Neither Tara nor Arkrune had been on a prior hunt. Both of them had been training with Vickar for months and pestering him for a chance to put their practice to the test.

Being out in the field after so much begging sent Arkrune’s heart into a wild beat. This is what I wanted. A sense of adventure, action, excitement. Truly, this is… The cries of screeching beasts drew his eyes back into the air and cleared his mind. There was no time for flights of fancy. As the bait, he needed to attract the Bash Eagle’s attention and give Tara an opportunity to strike. By becoming a moving target and waving his sword around, he hoped to create an enticing opponent for at least one monster. His father had taught him a technique sure to draw attention, but now was not the time for it, as it could draw the attention of all the beasts present.

Two birds broke off from the pack, aiming directly for his position. Tara shouted something, but the roar of his heart in his ears drowned out almost everything else from Arkrune’s perception. He knew what the plan was—what he was supposed to do—but being in the moment was different.

Both birds began their dive with a terrifying amount of speed. They seamlessly transitioned from a graceful glide into a nosedive with a single large flap of their massive wings. With them bearing down on his position, the boy found his body refusing commands. The panic froze him in place. No longer was he in the gravel training pit his father had made; now he was facing a true threat to his life, and it terrified him.

When the dull yellow eyes of the Bash Eagles became visible, Arkrune’s brain started working once more. It was too late; there wasn’t enough time for him to react.

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About the Author

Verity Rose grew up in a blink and you’ll miss it Indiana town where the school library doubled as an escape hatch. She wrote her first fantasy scenes at thirteen, lost the thread for a while, wrestling with undiagnosed ADHD and mental health potholes. She rediscovered her voice after becoming a mom and stumbling into a gaggle of online book nerds who egged her on. Armed with a social work degree from Ball State and a lifelong conviction that characters are as real as the hands on the keyboard, she now pours that people first empathy into stories that refuse to stay quiet.

When she isn’t tormenting her characters, Verity is probably reverse engineering a Korean street food recipe, sourcing single origin coffee beans from ethical roasters, or hoarding trash in Dragon Age or Skyrim. Her literary inspiration is equal parts Rick Riordan’s mythic swagger, Suzanne Collins’ high stakes heart, and John Flanagan’s cozy camaraderie.

Verity was raising her family (and her caffeine tolerance) amid Indiana cornfields and now adventures in the Pacific Northwest with them. She’s always down to swap book recs, coffee tips, or preferred RPG builds.

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First Light

Spotlight: The Infiniteness of Yesterday by Micalea Smeltzer

An angsty, love triangle romance from bestselling author, Micalea Smeltzer

He was my first love, but it doesn’t mean he’s my last.

I fell in love with Spencer when I was only a teenager. He was the sun, the moon, and the stars in my young eyes. But our lives were turned upside down when I got pregnant. A baby wasn’t part of the plan. Neither was him becoming one of Hollywood’s hottest young actors. Suddenly, he wasn’t mine anymore. He belonged to the world and I was his past and just the girl he had a child with.

He’s my present, but it doesn’t mean he’s my future.

I didn’t expect Jameson, but life works in mysterious ways, giving you what you need when you least expect it. He picked up the pieces of myself that were shattered in the aftermath of Spencer. I’m older now, not blinded with stars in my eyes like I once was. Jameson is my safe harbor in all of life’s storms.

But just like the twinkling stars in the sky, love soars, changes and burns with the passage of time.

When my past returns to collide with my present, only my forever love will remain…

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited:

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Spotlight: Revolve by Bal Khabra

The road to redemption is far from smooth as ice in this sweeping romance between a figure skater and hockey player from the USA Today bestselling author of Collide.

Sierra Romanova was an Olympian figure skater before a life-altering accident on the ice left her with panic attacks every time she enters the rink. Now, back for her final year at Dalton University, she’s ready to reclaim the spotlight, with all eyes on her…including those of hockey player Dylan Donovan, whose audacious words goad her back into her skates to prove him wrong.

After getting kicked off his hockey team for his reckless behavior, Dylan is left with slim chances of making it to the NHL draft. But Dylan’s whole world revolves around the ice, and if hockey is forbidden, well at least there’s figure skating. Even better, it means more time at the rink with Sierra. Sure, he’s helping her rebuild her confidence, but pushing her buttons along the way? That’s just a bonus.

As the figure skating world awaits Sierra's comeback, she finds herself in need for a new pairs partner. The only person she knows who can match her skill on the ice is none other than the cocky hockey player who refuses to cut her any slack. Dylan's a wildcard, Sierra's a seasoned pro, but together, they might just be the perfect match on the ice.

Purchase the Ebook, Audiobook and Paperback today!

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Audiobook Narrated by: Liam Cortright & Erin Mallon

Spotlight: A Million Times, Yes by Marni Mann

The only way an alpha billionaire can hold on to the perfect woman is to keep his identity a secret in an emotional and blisteringly hot romance by USA Today bestselling author Marni Mann.

Maya and Jordan can’t keep their eyes off one another. They see each other on their daily runs, exchanging heated glances and lingering smiles as part of their routine. What’s not to notice? Maya with her perfect body and teasing smile. Jordan, a former professional hockey player, with his chiseled muscles and undeniable alpha personality. First comes the hello, then a kiss, followed by an uninhibited desire that sets their mornings on fire.

Jordan normally doesn’t date, but this Boston nurse is a beauty he wants to know inside and out. She’s gorgeous, sassy, and keeps him on his toes. He’s falling fast. She is too. There’s just one problem: Maya loathes the rich. She has her reasons. She also has no idea that Jordan is actually a billionaire CEO who owns the most expensive penthouse in the city, a collection of exotic cars, and half of Boston.

The only way for this grumpy alphahole to hold on to Maya is to keep his secret hidden. Because once the truth is out, everything about this addictive, sensuous, once-in-a-lifetime connection will come crashing down.

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

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Audiobook Narrated by: Sean Masters & Samantha Brentmoor

Spotlight: Descendants of the Big House by C. Vonzale Lewis

(A Horde of Dead Poets)

Publication date: October 14th 2025

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Fantasy, Mystery

Synopsis:

Beatrice Monroe is still getting used to the knowledge that she was born a champion for Good and Evil. She spends her days combing through her great grandmother’s journals trying to find answers to what this newfound ability means for her as a member of law enforcement.

When a woman walks into her precinct claiming her aunt was murdered, Beatrice discovers a link between their families that may just have the answers she needs. But those answers are not easy to find. Because this mystery’s roots are buried in the past with five young girls and what they gave birth to…in The Big House.

Descendants of the Big House is a standalone installment in A Horde of Dead Poets collection featuring seven authors and their stories inspired by famous literary poems. If you often find yourself steering toward a dark, mysterious, isolated location; if family curses haunt you and unreliable narrators keep you in suspense, you won’t want to miss a single volume in this gripping collection.

Perfect for fans of T. Kingfisher, Simone St. James, Stephen King, and Shirley Jackson.

Excerpt

The Silverwood, Georgia police department had five detectives and twenty patrol officers for the twenty-seven thousand residents, most of whom were well into the senior years. We had our share of crime but most of it occurred during and after the tourist season. 

On days like this, Chief Declouette had us going through what she’d dubbed as the ‘Fresh Eyes’ review. Old cases were brought out and exchanged between the five detectives to see if we could find any new leads. No one liked that sort of scrutiny of their work. 

My partner Raphael and I were looking through an old hit and run. My quick read-through let me know we were never going to solve it. The driver wasn’t a local. The plates were stolen. And every drunken eyewitness statement read like a fever-dream, with varying degrees of lunacy intertwined. Rarely did we find witnesses who astutely observed what was going on around them. Which meant most statements were filled with fabrications and embellishments with only a kernel of truth thrown in. And it was our job to weed through all of it. 

With a heavy sigh, I returned to my own search. And tried not to think about how it was also turning out to be pointless. 

The next few pages were more of the same. It was as if Grandma Lucille’s mind was slowly deteriorating. Like she was screaming in her head and nobody was listening. One entry was dated the year before she died. All I remember from that time was the joy she had in my college acceptance. I pictured her on the day I left. Mouth stretched wide in a smile, while tears of joy streamed down her face. “You have somethin’ in you that will make you a great officer, my little Beatrice. Somethin’ great.” 

Now her words held a deeper meaning. She had known what I was and would become one day. Police. Why didn’t she warn me? Why didn’t she tell me about all the horrific things she had done and the ways in which I might be forced to do the same?  

But I wished she’d told us she was suffering. 

I turned the page.

This was the end of everything. I read the date. A few weeks before she died, she had covered the page with a single message: 

We are born in sin. We are born in sin. We are born in sin. 

And the last line: 

Just twisted souls upon the Tree of Life. 

None of her previous journals had references to Christianity or any other religion, so why was she talking about sin? 

I got up and went to the breakroom, needing a minute to think. The coffee was gone, and my throat was still dry. After retrieving a bottle of water from the refrigerator, I cracked the sealed cap, leaned against the counter and sipped—thoughts on that single line.  

Just twisted souls upon the Tree of Life. 

The first idea that came to mind was puppetry. Our souls like marionettes hung from branches, jerking and dancing until their strings tangled. Was that what Champions were? And what would that make the Tree of Life? The puppeteer, a great manipulator.

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About the Author

Carla Vonzale Lewis likes her martini’s shaken…never stirred. Though she was born in Georgia, please don’t mistake her for a Georgia peach. She’s more like a prickly pear. Speaking of being born, someone asked her recently if she remembered her birth, and all she had to say was, “Yes, I do remember that handsy doctor pulling me out into the cold. Right Bastard!!!”

Despite being born in the South, she grew up in the North. California to be exact. And every once in a great while, she gets to experience all four seasons. But mostly, it’s just heat. 

Her debut novel, LINEAGE, was released July 16, 2019 and she fully intends to ride that joy for the rest of her life. 

When she’s not concocting her next contemporary fantasy story, she enjoys reading, binge watching shows on Netflix, and trying to convince her husband that getting a dog is a wonderful idea.

Connect:

https://cvonzalelewis.com/

https://www.facebook.com/CVLauthor/

https://www.instagram.com/carlavlewis/

https://ca.pinterest.com/writercvonzalelewis/

https://www.bookbub.com/profile/c-vonzale-lewis

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