Around the Fire New Release Spotlight with Ghosted by Lori Matsourani

Welcome to Around the Fire—New Release Spotlight!  I'm thrilled to have you here and introduce you to Ghosted by Lori Matsourani. This paranormal second-chance love story is set to release on August 13th, and trust me the early reviews are outstanding.
One of my favorite camping trips was to the Chesapeake Bay where seafood is always on the menu. I made a boil with all sorts of tasty treats and poured it out on rolled brown paper on the picnic table. Lori's not only shares the inspiration that brought her first novel to life, but also a delicious recipe straight from Annapolis, Maryland.
​So grab a cozy seat and settle in. There’s a story, a spark, and maybe even something savory waiting for you.

Ghosted
by
Lori Matsourani
Available 8-13-2025

Paranormal Ghost Romance/Second Chance Romance
​PG

​A haunted inn, a first crush, and a second chance for love with “help” from the resident ghost…

​Back Cover
When her fiancé’s infidelity prompts Bethany Hendren to map out a new path forward, her plans are disrupted by an unexpected encounter with Nick Dorsey, who convinces her to help search for the remains of a troubled eighteenth-century ghost. Nick is the handsome summer boyfriend who ghosted her years ago, and now he wants to rekindle their relationship.
Despite her reluctance to trust him, Bethany discovers he’s still the funny, caring person who captured her heart as a teen, but giving him a second chance is risky—it could lead to love and happiness or result in another devastating heartache.
Although Bethany wants a happily ever after with Nick, does she have the courage to trust him with her future?
Grab your copy today!
https://books2read.com/lorimatsourani
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F9XCPLYD/thewildrosepr-20
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ghosted-lori-matsourani/1147463084?ean=2940184606941
https://books.apple.com/us/book/ghosted/id6746414091
https://wildrosepress.com/product/ghosted/
Goodreads Giveaway (Runs from August 1 to August 30):
https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/418301-ghosted

 Need more? A Look Between the Pages
As Mrs. Snowden spoke, a tall, dark-haired man entered the foyer. He wore jeans and a soft blue crewneck sweater that accentuated his lanky, yet solid, build. As soon as he saw Bethany, his face lit up.
“Bethany!”
He walked toward her as though they were long-lost friends, and she half expected him to pull her into an embrace. Then she recognized the dark chocolate eyes behind the black-framed glasses and her stomach lurched.
Nick Dorsey. He’s Mrs. Snowden’s nephew?
“Aunt Margaret told me you were checking in today.”
Stunned, Bethany stepped backward, bumping into the edge of the desk as her heart thudded. A white-hot flush scorched every inch of her skin as she stared at Nick. Of all the people she could run into, it had to be the first guy to break her heart? And why did he have to be so handsome, with that bit of hair curling over his forehead and late-day stubble?
She inhaled deeply to rein in her composure, hating her can’t-catch-your-breath reaction to him, then dipped her chin in a neutral acknowledgment.
“Hello, Nick.”
His smile morphed into a full-on, lopsided grin. “It’s been ages since I’ve seen you. Ten years, I bet. Not since the summer Zach and I got our drivers’ licenses.”
Mrs. Snowden laid her hand on Nick’s shoulder. “Bethany is staying in the Howard Room. Can you help her with her bag?” Then, turning to Bethany, she said, “Come back down when you’re ready and I’ll give you a tour of the house.”
As Bethany followed Nick to the second floor, the pain, questions, and self-doubts she’d buried years ago reemerged, seeping into her belly like liquid concrete. The last thing she needed was Nick Dorsey invading her healing zone. It had taken her months to get over the summer romance they’d shared—and he’d abruptly ended—when they were teens. And even longer before she could bring herself to date again.
And now he was in her safe space.

From Lori about inspiration and BONUS! A recipe!
Thank you for the opportunity to appear on your blog, Around the Fire. 
I grew up near Annapolis, Maryland, although I live in Texas now, and I’m a coastal person at heart (Maryland has 3,910 miles of tidal coastline as calculated by NOAA). A big part of summer for me was crossing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge to get to the Eastern Shore, where the vibe is pure sun-and-sea coastal, with the tang of salty air, the squawk of sea birds gliding overhead, and corn fields on either side of the highway.
​ 
Ocean City on the Atlantic coast was my go-to Maryland beach town as a kid, a teen, and a parent. When stress threatens to take over my mind, I stop and remember Maryland’s Eastern Shore and the beach—the clear sky and endless horizon; the feel of the icy water on my toes; the scent of sunscreen mingled with boardwalk French fries; and the background drone of the waves (along with the rumble of vintage prop planes towing ad banners along the shoreline) that accompanied the blare of a dozen different radio stations (Use headphones? No way!) emanating from an endless patchwork of blankets strewn across the sand.
 
It’s this Maryland coastal feeling that permeates me as well as my characters and inspires my writing (my second book is set in the same fictional Maryland Eastern Shore town).
 
And yes, I’m a crab lover: steamed crabs, crab cakes, crab soup, hot crab dip, crab imperial, crab-stuffed anything, etc. And since everyone loves, or should love, Maryland crabs , I’m sharing the recipe for steamed crabs used by my character, Nick, who is a true Marylander!
 
Steamed Maryland Blue Crabs
Water
Vinegar
1 dozen live crabs
½ cup OLD BAY seasoning
 
In a pot with a raised rack (minimum of 2 inches high) add equal quantities of vinegar and water to just below the level of the rack. Bring to boil. Carefully layer live crabs on rack (any dead crabs should be discarded), and sprinkle each layer with OLD BAY. Cover and steam 20 to 30 minutes depending on size of crabs or until crabs turn red.

About the Author
Lori Matsourani is a romance addict. Give her stories with a touch of heartbreak and a spark of joy, and she’s happy. Throw in characters with a huge helping of heart and soul, and she’s up reading all night in romance heaven! While currently a Texas resident, Lori grew up near Baltimore and often draws on the historical flavor of Annapolis and Maryland’s Eastern Shore to inspire her story settings. She authored her first fiction story at twelve and has been hooked on writing ever since. Early on, her writing career focused on articles for magazines and newspapers before shifting to her first writing love—fiction. For Lori, connecting words to tell a story is like assembling a jigsaw puzzle, and she loves the challenge of creating every piece.
Website: https://lorimatsourani.com

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