Soul in Present Condition (The Real Estate Paranormal Mystery Series #3)
Author: Mary E. Merrell
Character: Rosemary Fernandes
Website: www.maryemerrell.com
Divorced. Check. Ghost Whisperer. Check. Human Servant. Check. Great. Check
Real estate agent Rosemary Fernandes never expected to inherit the ability to communicate with spirits, and she certainly didn’t expect her gift to attract the undead as well. Now Rosemary finds herself ghost whisperer to the lost souls stuck at their haunts and human servant to a gorgeous but aloof vampire Marcus Lyons.
Benito Cruz died with a dangerous secret, a secret that connects a gang to Rosemary. Can Rosemary send the spirit to his final resting place before his past catches up with her, and can she convince the vampire helping spirits like Benito is her destiny?
When real estate and the supernatural come together it is murder.
Alright, ladies, let's get to it! How did you two meet and how long ago was it?
Rosemary: About ten years ago, Mary E. Merrell was previewing an old vacant home for one of her clients. She’s a real scaredy-cat, thought there might be a ghost. Turns out, there wasn’t, but that didn’t stop her from creating one and me, Rosemary Fernandes.
Well, inspiration strikes when it strikes. So, what was your first impression of each other?
Mary: When I first met Rosemary Fernandes, she seemed kind of weak and scared, but determined to succeed in her career of choice. As her story progresses, I realized she is stubborn, kind, brave, and a bit goofy. Just ask any of the other agents in the office. She’s always coming in with her clothes dirty or destroyed, and her hair needs some kind of style. She is shy but friendly, and will go out of her way to help someone.
Rosemary: Mary E. Merrell thinks she’s so clever, always putting me in awkward situations as she sits behind her desk, safe and sound while I’m fighting for my life. She’s scared to death of ghosts, but that doesn’t stop her from sending me into homes where the lost souls are stuck. Ghosts aren’t always cooperative, believe me. She wants me to save them...the ghosts and the vampires...she lives vicariously through me. Didn’t think I knew, huh, Mary. She doesn’t even do real estate anymore. Too scared, I guess.
Well, in fairness, Rosemary, we authors often live through our characters, so you have to be more brave than we are. Not to start any arguments or anything, but I really want to know - Mary, what does Rosemary do that annoys you the most?
Mary: Rosemary is always getting herself and her friends in trouble, deadly trouble. Usually with serial killers or ghosts or vampires, doesn’t know when to keep her mouth shut. She’s got this smok’n hot boyfriend I personally picked out for her, and she’s still got it bad for that vampire, her master, Marcus Lyons. Sure he’s gorgeous, but he’s kind of a jerk. I just don’t get it.
Rosemary: Me get in trouble? Not on my own. Mary E. Merrell is always putting me in these ridiculous situations. Like at the strip club. A big, stupid guy threw me on stage, for goodness sakes, and I got kissed by a girl. Still not over that. I help lost souls find peace; it’s what I do, when I’m not selling real estate. No matter how frightened Mary is, I deal with the spirits. I send them on.
Sounds exciting, really. Rosemary, if you could say just one thing to Mary, what would it be?
Rosemary: Please, please, give me more than a couple weeks between lost souls. Send me somewhere with Frank so the two of us can be alone without ghosts or vampires, or difficult clients. Even a few days alone would be nice. That man is so...yum. He’s my flesh and blood anchor to the world when my life goes crazy. And he’s a good guy too. I think...I love him, but I haven’t actually told him yet.
Rosemary: Please, please, give me more than a couple weeks between lost souls. Send me somewhere with Frank so the two of us can be alone without ghosts or vampires, or difficult clients. Even a few days alone would be nice. That man is so...yum. He’s my flesh and blood anchor to the world when my life goes crazy. And he’s a good guy too. I think...I love him, but I haven’t actually told him yet.
Seems like a reasonable request. We all need some down time with the one we love. Let's see...what’s the most embarrassing thing that’s happened between you two?
Rosemary: Mary, remember that house I took my first clients too? The one with the missing key, and when I looked through the window two agents were doing it on the kitchen table. That is burned into my brain forever. I don’t think I ever thanked you for that visual. Not pretty.
Yikes! On that note, Mary, what do you feel the worst about doing to Rosemary?
Mary: Rosemary, I do feel badly about the whole intercourse on the table episode. Rosemary’s clients thought it was pretty funny, and so did the ghost, Keith Laumer, who was following her around. But what I feel worst about doing to Rosemary is sending the vampire hunter after her. He was a real jerk.
Rosemary certainly has lived an exciting life in your books! Do you think you two will meet again in the future?
Mary: Definitely. Soul Pending, Book 4 in the Real Estate Paranormal Mystery Series is due out next spring. Or maybe earlier.
Sounds great! I really do appreciate your time and glad you ladies could stop by. I'd better let you get back to writing, Mary, so Rosemary can help those ghosts!
Author Bio:
Mary E. Merrell writes Paranormal Mysteries and Young Adult Urban
Fantasy. She has worked many jobs, but always had stories in her head. It
wasn’t until she went into real estate and walked into that old, vacant home
that The Real Estate Paranormal Mystery Series came to life. Fortunately,
nothing spooky happened at the furniture store, or the first book might
have been, “The Haunted Sofa".
Mary E. Merrell’s plots are smooth and slightly dark, and her
characters sinfully sweet. Try a little guilty pleasure with House Haunting,
the first book in The Real Estate Paranormal Mystery Series. One reviewer
called it “A good start to a new series”.
Mary E. Merrell lives in the Central Valley of California with her
husband, two dogs, and four cats. She has two grown sons. When she’s not
writing, she’s gardening or playing soccer.
Want to connect with Mary?
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaryMerrell7
Want to read The Real Estate Paranormal Mystery Series? Get caught up with the first two books so you are ready when the third releases soon! Here are their links for Kindle:
These books sound great! Mysteries, ghosts, and a strong heroine, I can't wait to check them out. Happy reading, my friends!
~~ Chantel ~~
Thanks, Chantel for the great interview. Maybe I'll be a little easier on Rosemary, but putting her in all those situations is so fun!
ReplyDeleteNah, don't take it easy on her. The harder it is on your heroine, the more we readers like it! :-) I can't wait to read these! Thanks so much for stopping by!
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