Before we jump into sharing info about this month’s book, we’re here to remind you that we’re also currently raising money to fund book-hiding in 2025! We would be forever grateful if you’re willing to help us meet our $10K goal for 2025 ❤ You can donate at the link below:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/hiding-books-in-2025

AND NOW, for what you’ve been waiting for: all about October’s hidden book!

About the book, from Penguin Random House:

“Small Florida coastal towns often find themselves scrambling for the tourism dollars that the Orlando theme parks leave behind. And within the town limits of Boneyard Key, the residents decided long ago to lean into its ghostliness. Nick Royer, owner of the Hallowed Grounds coffee shop, embraces the ghost tourism that keeps the local economy afloat, as well as his spectral roommate. At least he doesn’t have to run air-conditioning. 

Cassie Rutherford possibly overreacted to all her friends getting married and having kids by leaving Orlando and buying a flipped historic cottage in Boneyard Key. Though there’s something unusual with her new home (her laptop won’t charge in any outlets, and the poetry magnets on her fridge definitely didn’t read “WRONG” and “MY HOUSE” when she put them up), she’s charmed by the colorful history surrounding her. And she’s catching a certain vibe from the grumpy coffee shop owner whenever he slips her a free slice of banana bread along with her coffee order.

As Nick takes her on a ghost tour, sharing town gossip that tourists don’t get to hear, and they spend nights side-by-side looking into the former owners of her haunted cottage, their connection solidifies into something very real and enticing. But Cassie’s worried she’s in too deep with this whole (haunted) home ownership thing…and Nick’s afraid to get too close in case Cassie gets scared away for good.”

About the Author, Jen DeLuca:

“Jen DeLuca is the USA Today bestselling author of the Well Met series, inspired by her time volunteering as a pub wench with her local Renaissance Faire, as well as the Boneyard Key series, set in a haunted Florida tourist town.

Jen loves Publix chicken tender subs, cold brew coffee, and the Oxford comma. She lives in the Arizona desert with her husband, their rescue dog, and almost too many cats.”

Why I selected Haunted Ever After for the October 2024 Giveaway:

• For October, this gnome wanted to select something spooky but not necessarily scary (there are enough frightening things in the world right now…), and this book fits the bill!
• There is banana bread. So much banana bread. If you read this book, bake yourself some banana bread (because, inevitably, you will crave it after reading this book!).
• The ghosts in this book are generally delightful and charming – it imagined a world where ghosts are part of daily life, and that was a fun world to be in for a while.
• The location for this book was perfect – a cozy Florida seaside resort town might not be where you’d expect to run into ghosts, but it all worked so well.
• Finally, I wanted to promote a local author, Jen, who has quickly become one of our favorites. She is fun and super supportive of our Tucson bookish community. We hope that this is the start of another series!

If you decide to go on a book hunt this weekend, keep your eyes peeled because these books will ALSO include a very special spooky season item hand-crafted by a local clay artist! Our friend Jess Braithwaite has graced us with 30 spooky friends to go along with this month’s books. Get excited – they are super cute! Consider this our local author/local artist month 🙂