Eight novels, including the Ghost Gifts trilogy. You’d think I’d be used to calling myself an author by now. But I’m still a girl from Long Island who fell in love with the South and somehow ended up calling New England home—with plenty of story ideas collected along the way.

Ghost Gifts arrived as mysteriously as the apparitions within its pages, then delivered a surprise of its own: it became a #1 bestseller. Awards and accolades followed, along with a question from my publisher: Would I write two more? Happily, I had more of Aubrey Ellis’s story to tell. Readers’ enthusiasm helped carry her into Foretold and Echo Moon, and their connection to her remains one of the great gifts of my writing life.

Of course, not all my novels involve ghosts. Even with my apparently good standing in the ethereal world, I enjoy a change of scenery. Unstrung took me into contemporary women’s fiction, earning a starred review from Publishers Weekly and a place on PW’s seasonal list of most anticipated books. Writing the quirky, capricious Olivia Klein was a particular pleasure. I hope meeting her is just as much fun.

Home is just outside Boston, where I live with my longtime other half, Matt. Our grown children—a nurse, a prosecutor, and an actor—live nearby. Like my books, they share common roots and take distinctly different turns. These days, two ragdolls and one sweet black cat run the household. We’re happy to let them believe that was their idea.

A writing hiatus reminded me that life has quite a bit to offer beyond a daily word count. Now, I’m looking forward to sharing news of a new project soon. Until then, thank you for stopping by—and for making room in your life for a Laura Spinella novel.