Phoenix's Phantom: a romantic suspense magical novella

Phoenix Wiley sang musicals at a theater in New York City and has the unique ability to see and hear ghosts. She is captivated by the ghost in the vast underground room of the theater. The ghost sang beautiful music here. She had heard his voice and was led to a storage closet with a hidden door that led down here, so she comes here often and communicates with the ghost through song. His wonderful baritone voice entwines with hers. She calls him Gaston, in honor of Gaston Leroux who had written “The Phantom of the Opera”, since she doesn’t know the ghost’s name. Unlike the many other occasions she’d come down here and enjoyed fun or peaceful duets with him, this time she sensed he was warning her about something. She heard urgency and caution as he sang. She didn’t understand the message, and he remained quiet, so she went back up the stairs. Lance was returning to New York for a more permanent position as stage director at the theater. His Nana was saying goodbye, wishing he could stay longer. Then she suddenly stiffened and said he must go because “she needs you, there is danger”! Nana had always been able to predict the future, not details but she knows something. Harry and Bowman sat on a bench in Central Park. Harry had accidentally killed the wrong person. He meant to poison his brother Cillian Byrne, the owner of the theater, but the wrong person took the “medication”. Bowman, able to manipulate thoughts but not action, hadn’t directly told Harry to kill his own brother; he just mentioned the money Harry would make from the sale of Cillian’s building would take care of his debts and unburden his children. It wasn’t his fault Harry messed it up. Bowman would have to nudge Cillian to release the old theater and make him see the value of a high-rise condo instead. Or perhaps other tragedies occurring in the theater would hasten the foreclosure? He would hire one of the young, starving actors to be his spy and would arrange some nasty happenings. Phoenix’s sister, Jenny, had filed the paperwork with the Landmark Preservation Commission for the historical claim of the old theater. With the owner not in good health, they wanted to protect the theater as a historic landmark, and it was also for Gaston, her ghost. As the performers gathered to meet the replacement for their deceased director, Phoenix was stunned. She had worked with him 8 years ago, never told him about her crush on him, and when Lance Hamilton had left, she’d never thought she would see him again. Now he would be their stage director and she felt a sense of dread. As she was alone on stage after hours, she was dancing when a man in black slacks, a cape, and mask stepped up. She thought it was Gaston whom she had only ever heard but not seen. He began to sing, his beautiful voice a little different from the chamber in the basement. His touch was warm and as the song ended, he held her and she felt his heart beating – this was no ghost! Would all of these events converge? Phoenix is in danger. Bowman is out to do harm to the theater. Phoenix and Jenny are trying to save the theater. Are Lance and Gaston there to help her? Or will they be unable to stop the danger that awaits? Grab your copy and enjoy this thrilling and lovely story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. It wasn't the right time for Logan and Phoenix when they first met but it is now. Logan takes the job as producer and is advised by his grandmother that she needs and there is danger now. Phoenix is the lead actress and listens to the resident theatre ghost who sings. There is intrigue and corruption that almost leads to their deaths before they are saved by the ghost before he crosses.

Book seventeen in the Romancing the Spirit series a well written retelling of the Phantom of the Opera. This is Lance and Phoenix's second chance, there is suspense, drama, danger, a phantom, twists, turns, a villain, and romance. The story was well worth reading. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.