Echo Moon

by Laura Spinella

  “It wasn’t last rites. For a short time—minutes, really—it was everything I wanted.”

  “Oh my God.” Pete knelt by the stone of a simple white cross. Time and weather had taken a toll on the engraving, but it was legible.

  Em smiled. “So my dream wasn’t without a point.”

  Pete read the inscription aloud. “‘Born May 30, 1898. Died January 31, 1919. Esmerelda Seaborn.’”

  “It wasn’t last rites.” Aubrey’s throat went tight, her eyes wet. “Phin married Esme just before she died. That’s why there’s no record of Esmerelda Moon’s death.”

  “Makes even more sense now, Phin’s return to England. He couldn’t bear to stay in the same country after marrying her, after losing her that way.” Pete’s knees crunched into fallen leaves. He reverently brushed away nature’s debris, more leaves and a few twigs.

  Aubrey wondered how many years it’d been since a single soul had visited this grave. She took solace in the present, the things they’d healed from the past. Thanks to her gift and her son’s, and even her father’s, the dreams of a young woman, connected to them by way of a grifter’s soul, were never truly forgotten. They stayed for a while, Pete and Em saying it would not be the last time they’d visit the grave of the girl who’d so poignantly affected his life.

  When they walked away, Aubrey thought about that, how all spirits and earthbound beings connected. She understood what an amazing, wonderful thing it was to know of the next World and to be a part of this one—whether it was random carnie fairgrounds, long-ago Luna Park, or the sleepy town of Surrey. Aubrey considered the incredible life she’d led, the ghosts and gifts and people in it, and how this would be the story she wanted to tell.

  I think most authors have novel playlists. It is the background music we hope you hear when you read our stories. During the writing of this novel, my son was performing in Green Day’s American Idiot. I found it fascinating how some of this contemporary soundtrack, along with other songs, perfectly complemented my yesteryear love story. These are the songs that belong to Echo Moon—at least in my head.

  “Say You Won’t Let Go”

  “Dancing on My Own”

  “Not Today”

  “When We Were Young”

  “21 Guns”

  “Good Riddance”

  “Whatsername”

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  Editors make books go round, and few do it as well as editor Alison Dasho. I had the chance to spend time with Alison at last year’s RITA Awards, and that was a thrill for this author. It has been my absolute pleasure to have her at the forefront of the entire Ghost Gifts trilogy, and as we detoured through Unstrung. Her enthusiasm and wonderful ideas truly enhanced each book. Much appreciation and thanks to the entire Montlake team. They are an exceptional group, and it’s been my privilege to work with them.

  A tremendous thank-you and sincere gratitude to developmental editor Charlotte Herscher. Once again, she perfectly interpreted my story, offered whip-smart editorial advice, and provided me with the chance to write a better book.

  As always, thanks to literary agent Susan Ginsburg. I say it with every book, but I am just as elated to be a part of Writers House as I was with my first novel. Many thanks to Stacy Testa as well.

  To Karin Gillespie, my favorite and only critique partner, who earned what I consider the most poignant spot in every author’s novel—the dedication. Actually, she earned a dedication about four books back. Having brilliant eyes on a first draft is imperative, and she has been this person for me since Ghost Gifts. Her writing expertise and clever humor are a one-two punch that continues to inspire me.

  Research often demands a true expert. Sometimes finding that person requires scads of phone calls and e-mails to people who probably think you’re half-crazy. Then sometimes you get lucky and it’s the friend of a friend who makes everything fall into place. Thank you to Noreen Burns for introducing me to her friend Lisa Schaefer, curator of the Coney Island Museum. Lisa was incredibly generous with her time and knowledge, answering my huge questions as well as the tedious ones. In addition to the facts, she truly helped me fine-tune the setting for many of the historical scenes.

  Otherwise, research took me on a summer trip to NYC and a visit to the Tenement Museum. If you’re ever in town, I highly recommend this insightful excursion into the past.

  As with Foretold, my sister, Christine Lemp, provided wonderful assistance with World War I research, helping me narrow the focus of the Great War, carving out precisely what I needed for Phineas Seaborn.

  This is usually the spot where I thank Steve Bennett, founder of AuthorBytes, for putting up with my writing schedule. He remains my part-time boss and a trusted friend. This time I get to thank him for his expertise as a photographer (SteveBennett.com) and his assistance in molding Pete’s life and career as a photojournalist. The old saying is “Write what you know.” I’d like to amend that to “Find someone who knows what you want to write about, and who can’t lose your phone number.”

  Horses. What I know about steeds is as fine as a horse hair. Thank you to Emily Vermillion for supplying my horse sense. She was lovely to take the time, and I wish her fantastic success as a large-animal veterinarian. Emily’s mother, aka my BFF Melisa Holmes, once again came to my aid with medical research as we consulted and speculated about early-twentieth-century medicine and how it might present in a twenty-first-century character.

  Thank you to Lucy Gallagher and Penny De Groot, my Walberswick, England, guides. I very much hope to one day visit a place they so vividly painted for me. Much gratitude to the Wednesday night critique group and author Barbara Claypole White, an exceptional writer and confidante. Along with Barbara, thank you to authors Kerry Lonsdale, Rita Herron, Camille Di Maio, and Debbie Herbert. A huge thank-you to my enthusiastic readers and friends, many of whom take the time to shout about my books on social media. It really is difficult to express to them how much they help and how much I appreciate their kind words, heartfelt reviews, and continued support.

  As I write this, I still live in the 130-year-old Rathbun house outside Boston. By now, I think, the ghosts have proven their worth when it comes to inspiration. But it’s the living residents who deserve the big credit: Matt, Megan, Jamie, and Grant, who never make me feel like the very solitary and consuming act of book writing takes anything away from them.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Laura Spinella is the author of the Ghost Gifts trilogy—including Echo Moon, Foretold, and the #1 Kindle bestseller Ghost Gifts—as well as the highly acclaimed Unstrung and the award-winning novel Beautiful Disaster. She is a two-time RITA finalist who consistently receives reader and industry praise for her multifaceted characters, emotional complexity, and intriguing story lines.

  Spinella lives with her family near Boston, where she can always be found writing her next novel. She enjoys hearing from readers and chatting with book clubs. Visit her at www.lauraspinella.net.