The Unquiet Spirit
(Spirited Encounters Book 1)
By Penny Hampson
(Spirited Encounters Book 1)
By Penny Hampson
She wasn’t home alone...
With her love life in tatters, Kate Wilson needs a fresh start, and where could be better than the old Cornish house that had belonged to her godmother?
There’s just one problem – it comes with a ghost as a sitting tenant.
Her grumpy new neighbour, the broodingly handsome Tom Carbis, is another fly in the ointment – he seems to turn up wherever Kate goes. His dog might be friendly, but he’s definitely not.
Then the discovery of a hidden diary points Kate to a romantic mystery with links to both Tom’s family and her house’s past – a mystery that might explain the reason for her spectral lodger.
The downside? Kate needs Tom’s help to solve it and has to convince him that she is not his foe.
But working with Tom to unravel long-buried secrets has unexpected consequences, and Kate discovers far more than she bargained for.
The Unquiet Spirit is a spooky, suspense-filled, enemies-to-lovers romance.
Publication Date: 17th October 2025
Publisher: PP&M Publishing
Page Length: 245
Genre: Paranormal Ghost Romance
Praise
“The Unquiet Spirit” by Penny Hampson is an enthralling paranormal romance that weaves together elements of mystery and the supernatural. In this captivating tale, readers are drawn into a world where love transcends the boundaries of life and death, unveiling a profound connection between the living and the restless spirits that linger in the shadows.
Yarde Book Promotion
An interview with author, Penny Hampson
What inspired you to start writing?
I’ve always been an avid reader since childhood and in later years, reading was a great way to chill out during my daily commute. When I decided to give up full time work and had more free time, writing my own stories was the next logical step.
I’m a historian so my first books were historical novels, all set in the Regency period. Then, after much prompting from my husband, I decided to branch out and write something contemporary, but which still had historical elements.
I was browsing the internet and came across a house for sale - sadly, not one I could afford - and this became my inspiration for The Beeches. I wondered what it would be like to live in an old house with a few secrets …and perhaps a ghost or two (which is where the historical elements come in).
I was also keen to write about places I love, so that’s why Kate’s story is mainly set in Falmouth and Bath. You could say both places inspired my story; I love the coastline around Falmouth with its quiet river valleys and hidden creeks and the amazing Regency architecture of Bath.
I was also keen to write about elements of real life that are sometimes overlooked or ignored — issues that I feel strongly about that don’t easily fit in a historical novel. One of the characters in The Unquiet Spirit suffers from a chronic illness, and I wanted to show how that can impact the whole family.
What was the hardest part about writing this book?
That’s a difficult question! Finding the time to write is always a problem; although I’m ‘retired’ I have lots of calls on my time. I don’t have a fixed time to write, so I try to fit writing in when I can. Also, as I’ve mentioned, I wanted to bring in elements of life that don’t always crop up in novels and it was a challenge to present subjects such as chronic illness and bullying in a way that wouldn’t put off readers but would still be realistic. I hope I’ve succeeded.
Does one of the main characters hold a special place in your heart? If so, why?
I think it’s important to ‘like’ all my characters, even the villains, so I don’t have a favourite. However, I sometimes wish I had a career like Kate, who makes a living doing research for wealthy people and travelling round the world. And who wouldn’t enjoy being gifted a beautiful house like The Beeches?
Kate isn’t perfect, she does have her faults. She’s nervous about some things, for instance dogs and enclosed spaces. Overall, I admire her because she doesn’t panic in moments of extreme stress. I’m not sure I could remain as cool-headed in similar circumstances.
What do you hope your readers take away from this book?
I hope readers come away feeling uplifted. No spoilers, but there is a happy ever after.
A major theme of my book is the importance of friends and family, especially in times of trouble. Tom’s family help him recover from the trauma he’s been through and he also supports his mother and sister when they are trying to cope with his sister’s devastating illness.
Kate’s parents, although not featuring much in the story, form part of the backbone of her life. Win’s bequest gives Kate the lifeline she needs to escape from a damaging relationship.
Ruth, Win’s friend, offers Kate friendship and talks about the mutual support she shared with Win when they were both widowed. She is also instrumental in introducing Kate to Sue, giving support to someone who needs it.
Most of all, I hope readers enjoy the story for what it is –– not just a contemporary love story but an exploration of the idea that true love is everlasting.
Buy this Book
#KindleUnlimited
Penny Hampson
Penny Hampson writes mysteries, and because she has a passion for history, you’ll find her stories also reflect that. A Gentleman’s Promise, a traditional Regency romance, was Penny’s debut novel and the first of her Gentlemen Series. There are now four novels in the series, with the latest, An Adventurer’s Contract, released in November 2024. Penny also enjoys writing contemporary mysteries with a hint of the paranormal, because where do ghosts come from but the past? The Unquiet Spirit, a spooky mystery/romance set in Cornwall, is the first in the Spirited Encounters Series. Look out for A Plethora of Phantoms coming soon.
Penny lives with her family in Oxfordshire, and when she is not writing, she enjoys reading, walking, swimming, and the odd gin and tonic (not all at the same time).
If you’ve enjoyed any of Penny’s books please leave a review on Amazon, Bookbub, or Goodreads, and let other readers know!
Social Media Links:
No comments:
Post a Comment