A Spirited Engagement

Belinda Kroll writes and illustrates no-spice cozy gaslamp romantasy, where Jane Austen vocabulary meets modern sass. She is obsessed with eyeglasses, Korean dramas, home renovation and cooking shows, dancing the lindy hop, and petting every dog that allows her to do so. She lives with her family in Ohio.

A Spirited Engagement by Belinda Kroll

It is a truth universally acknowledged that ghost brides are annoying romantic rivals.

Making her reluctant return to London after a ten-year absence, Tessa Preston cannot hide her dismay at her employer's friendliness with Jasper Steele, the man who chased her away. To make matters more annoying, he's haunted by a most insistent ghost bride.

Determined to prove her indifference to the charming Jasper, Tessa realizes the entitled ghost demanding his attention may not be all she seems. Meanwhile, unaware of Tessa's enmity, Jasper is delighted to have a second chance at her affections, and will let nothing, not even her cold stares, dampen his enthusiasm.

For fans of Half a Soul, Manners & Monsters, and Scales & Sensibility; and a Black Victorian Ghostbuster kicking butt in all her finery.

CURATOR'S NOTE

Belinda writes gorgeously heart-warming stories that you can't help falling in love with. A Spirited Engagement is a diverse, gaslamp bundle of joy, and thoroughly comforting. Read this one when you're in the mood for a sweet love story.

REVIEWS

"Drawing on Victorian England's fascination for spirits, seances, and mediums, it has the feels of something worthy of Charles Dickens (or at least an episode of Doctor Who minus the time traveling alien)."
– Eloise Prime
"I really enjoyed this book! I loved the characters. Tessa was excellent, and I was really rooting for Jasper. A sweet love story, and the interracial element was very well done."
– Claire Kohler
"When I read Haunting Miss Trentwood, I desperately wanted Jasper to grow a backbone for his story, and I can assure you he does just that. If you thought Book 1 ended with a punch, hold onto your bonnets because Tessa does NOT mess around! She's the kick butt hero I want in my corner if ghosts ever come calling."
– Elaine Canyon
"We need more women of color like Tessa in our gaslamp romantasy. She's fierce, and her story is both clever and charming.
– Eliza Prokopovits

BOOK PREVIEW

Excerpt

Mary looked at Tessa, eyes wide in a silent appeal.

"Please join us inside, Mr. Steele. We might get acquainted with your situation that caused you to seek Miss Trentwood." Tessa couldn't help but smile, then. "Perhaps it's this Miss Carterprice who stands, I mean, hovers beside you?"

Jasper swiveled from Eloise to Mary and back again to Tessa. "My God, you can see her too, can't you?" he said before keeling forward, unconscious, into Tessa's alarmed arms.

Tessa staggered under his weight with an awkward grunt, eyes wide.

Mary cleared her throat. "Jasper and ghosts don't entirely mix." She turned to Pomeroy, who remained coolly observant. "Ah, Pomeroy, as convenient as ever. Would you be so kind as to relieve Miss Preston of her charge? I think the library, perhaps, would be suitable for his convalescence."

As Tessa sank under Jasper's weight, she gasped. "Are you certain you've not had much experience with ghosts, Miss Trentwood? You're handling this all remarkably well."

Mary grinned. "I said nothing of the sort."

"But Dame Hartwell—"

"Well, really, Miss Preston. And who am I to correct my future mother-in-law, and a member of the peerage, besides? Now Pomeroy, if you please."

Pomeroy lifted Jasper from Tessa as if he were nothing more than an overweight cloak draped in her arms.

Tessa coughed her surprise, thinking a man with that white of hair should not be nearly so strong. She followed Mary and Pomeroy into the house, mystified.