This is Ink & Intrigue—the blog where romance ignites, secrets simmer, and every love story hides a twist. I’m your blog host, Sheila Kell, romance author and lover of plot twists, slow burns, and morally questionable book boyfriends.
Today, I’m thrilled to introduce you to an author whose emotionally layered stories blend heartfelt romance with ghostly intrigue, and do so with a small-town coastal vibe—Lori Matsourani! If you love stories where love is tested, trust must be earned, and the past refuses to stay buried, you’re in for a treat.
Lori is known for adding a paranormal presence (ghosts) and subplots to deepen the bonds between the main characters and broaden the emotional and thematic layers of the story in a way that’s both unexpected and poignant. Her latest release, Ghosted, is a second-chance romance that simmers with romantic tension as Bethany attempts to renew her trust in Nick as they search for the remains of a troubled 18th-century ghost.
In this spotlight, Lori shares her inspiration for writing this story while giving us a behind-the-scenes look at Ghosted.
Whether you write love stories, devour them, or dream of doing both, you’re in the right place. Let’s get into it and give a warm welcome to Lori! 💖
Let’s start with a bit more about Lori (her full bio is below).
“I authored my first fiction story at twelve and have been hooked on writing ever since. Early on, my writing career focused on articles for magazines and newspapers before shifting to my first writing love—fiction. For me, connecting words to tell a story is like assembling a jigsaw puzzle, and I love the challenge of creating every piece.”
Now, let’s talk about Ghosted.
Ghosted is all about trust and how we sometimes need to just close our eyes, leap out of our safety zone, and trust that our soulmate is there to catch us.
The forlorn spirit of Samuel, an 18th-century plantation owner, reaches out to Bethany, a love-wary guest in his house (now a B&B), for help in figuring out what happened between him and the love of his life, and if murder was involved. Samuel’s ghostly intrusion leads Bethany to reluctantly team up with Nick—the first boy she ever loved and the first one to break her heart—and help Samuel with his quest.
The investigation forces Bethany and Nick to work closely together, and revives their bond from years ago through shared vulnerability and purpose. As the investigation continues, sparks from their long-ago romance start to flare. Nick’s still the funny, caring person who captured Bethany’s heart as a teen, and seeing him again makes her skin tingle and heart pound. Yet the idea of reigniting the flame is terrifying. It can lead to joy… or heartbreak, and it’s hard for Bethany to trust that the opportunity for happiness is worth the risk of despair.
In the end, Bethany and Nick’s mission is more than discovering Samuel’s truth—it’s about finding closure, both for the ghost and themselves.
Excerpt:
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 driver’s 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.
—
Here’s Lori’s Bio
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!). 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 chilly seawater 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. It’s this laid-back feeling that I try to inject into my stories.
Maryland’s coastal vibe inspired Ghosted. I’ve always loved ghost stories and haunted hotels, and the idea of combining the two in a small-town bed-and-breakfast on Maryland’s Eastern Shore took hold of me and led me straight to writing romance with a nod to the paranormal.
I hope you loved getting to know Lori Matsourani and hearing about her journey, her inspirations, and her latest swoon-worthy release, Ghosted. If you haven’t added this to your TBR yet, now’s the time—trust me, you won’t want to miss it. 💖
You can connect with Lori Matsourani here:
📚 Website: https://lorimatsourani.com
📱 Socials: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lori.matsourani
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lori.matsourani/
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@lori.matsourani
X: https://x.com/LoriMatsourani
Subscribe to Lori’s newsletter: https://buff.ly/LL9c0BZ
🛒 Grab her books: https://books2read.com/lorimatsourani
Thank you for joining me in spotlighting a fellow romance lover who’s giving us all the feels. Stay tuned for more author features, book talk, and behind-the-scenes romance goodness.
Until next time—keep reading, keep swooning! ✨📚