Mysteries of a Heart Series: Book 1
Publication Date: June 2, 2025
At 45, Gabby Heart isn’t looking for drama—just quiet days on Dost Island running her village gift shop, teaching art, and keeping her past tucked safely away. But when her mother suffers a sudden health crisis, Gabby is pulled into a storm of family secrets, betrayal, and a dark legacy buried within the walls of the once-grand King Manor. What was supposed to be a safe place for her mother’s recovery becomes the backdrop for a chilling mystery. Strange incidents begin to unfold, and it becomes clear: someone inside King Manor has a deadly agenda. As a hurricane traps Gabby inside the sprawling estate, she’s forced to work alongside two very different men—her maddeningly attractive officemate and a charming new neighbor, both hiding dark secrets. One man may want her heart. The other may want her dead.
But can she trust her instincts before it’s too late?
★ A slow-burn romantic suspense with an edgy cozy mystery twist peppered with humor, Lost Heart in King Manor is perfect for fans of strong women over 40, amateur sleuths, brooding men with buried secrets, and small seaside towns hiding deadly truths. ★
Because some secrets are worth killing for.
And some hearts don’t break quietly.
When Gabby Heart’s mother suffers a fall and other troubling health issues, she is forced to place her in a rehabilitation center set within King Manor on the scenic island of Dort Island.
With a hurricane headed their way, secrets, mystery, intrigue, and perhaps romance are set in motion in Celeste Fenton’s Lost Heart in King Manor.
While the intrigue drives the plot, the characters are well-developed and realistic. The dialogue is witty and humorous, and though Gabby tends to ramble, she is an endearing character. Rick and Jay can be a little less charming. However, I enjoyed Gabby’s long-time relationship with Lola and Abe. The mother/daughter/granddaughter relationships were also well written.
I love that Gabby takes good care of her mom, Connie, and wants the best for her. Mom still has what I like to call “Mama magic,” and can still keep her daughter on her toes.
It was difficult to know who to trust, which was purposeful, as the author ramped up the intrigue and suspense. The book is a mix of mystery and romantic suspense, so be prepared for some spicy moments.
Mystery, intrigue, and a bit of romance light the way through a hurricane in Lost Heart in King Manor.
I have an M.Ed. and Ph.D. in education and have worked in higher education for over thirty-years. A former educator and lifelong reader, I began writing seriously at age 60. No one is more surprised than me, that in retirement, I found reward and occupation as an author.
My writing is fueled by a lifelong love of mystery and a fascination with the complexities of the human heart. As a widow, mother of adult twin sons, proud grandmother, dog lover, and semi-retired educator, I believe I have enough real-world experience to weave imagination with insight to create stories rich with emotion and suspense. My work blends romance, mystery, and heart—with healthy doses of humor and hope. I feel passionate about helping others realize that creativity doesn’t have an expiration date.
When I’m not writing, reading, or plotting another plot twist, I like to explore small towns across America—setting out solo for month-long adventures much to the awe (and occasional alarm) of family and friends. My latest obsessions include escape rooms, mastering the perfect miter cut for a DIY bathroom remodel, training my cavalier spaniel to do a high five, and making the impossible decision of where to travel next.
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Thank you so much, Lori, for your thoughtful review of Lost Heart in King Manor! I’m delighted you enjoyed the mix of mystery, intrigue, and romance woven through the storm. Your comments about Gabby’s relationships—especially with her mom, daughter, Lola, and Abe—mean the world, since those bonds are at the heart of the story. And I love that you picked up on Connie’s “Mama magic”—she absolutely keeps Gabby (and me!) on her toes. I so appreciate your kind words and support!
I hope your readers and followers read Lost Heart in King Manor, and I’d love to hear from them either here or on my website blog: https://celestefenton.com
Thank you so much, Lori, for your thoughtful review of Lost Heart in King Manor! I’m delighted you enjoyed the mix of mystery, intrigue, and romance woven through the storm. Your comments about Gabby’s relationships—especially with her mom, daughter, Lola, and Abe—mean the world, since those bonds are at the heart of the story. And I love that you picked up on Connie’s “Mama magic”—she absolutely keeps Gabby (and me!) on her toes. I so appreciate your kind words and support!
I hope your readers and followers read Lost Heart in King Manor, and I’d love to hear what they think. Visit with me on my website blog: https://celestefenton.com